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ERASTUS JAMES INGHAM, the
enterprising proprietor of the old Ingham homestead in
Middlefield, was born on June 10, 1828, son of Erastus
John and Vesta (Dixon) Ingham. His paternal
grand-parents, Erastus and Elizabeth (Hutchinson)
Ingham, were both born in Connecticut. In the latter
part of their married life they removed to Middlefield,
Mass., and purchased the farm now owned by their
grandson. The grandfather, besides being a successful
agriculturist, devoted considerable attention to public
affairs, and took an active interest in politics. He was
well known and quite prominent, serving in various
offices, among which may be mentioned that of Justice of
the Peace and Representative to the State
legislature.
Mr. Ingham's father was about
twenty years of age when his parents settled in
Middlefield. He, however, remained
with them, helping in the cultivation of the farm. Upon
his father's death he purchased the homestead and lived
there for the remainder of his life. He
confined his attention chiefly to his farm work, and was
quite successful in his management.
His wife, Vesta Dixon, bore him six
children, as follows: Milton, who married Miss Mileta
Ballou, both deceased; Samuel, who married Miss Clarissa
Alderman, both also deceased; Maria and Mary (twins),
respectively married to Romeo Alderman and Walter Pease;
Andrew, who died at fourteen years of age; and Erastus
James. All the children were educated in a select
school. The father was a Republican and an active
politician. Both parents were influential members of the
Congregational church, the father serving as Trustee and
always taking a keen interest in the work of the
organization.
Erastus James Ingham lived with his
parents until their death, caring for them in their old
age. He then purchased the old homestead, and has since
carried on general husbandry, while devoting
considerable attention to dairying. On February 4, 1850,
his marriage with Miss Julia Pease was performed. She
was born in March, 1830, daughter of Daniel Pease, who
was among the earliest settlers of Hampshire County. She
has borne her husband four daughters, as follows: Alida,
a successful teacher, who died at seventeen years of
age; Lillie, the wife of Wayland F.
Smith, a prosperous farmer residing in West
Springfield, Mass. ; Elnora, who died aged one year and
nine months; and Nora, who married J. T. Bryan, a
successful farmer residing in Middlefield.
Mr. Ingham is
actively interested in political matters and a loyal
supporter of the Republican party. Appreciating his zeal
for the welfare of the town, the citizens have from time
to time elected him to various offices of trust and
responsibility. For several years he has served as
Selectman. He and his family are communicants of the
Congregational church, in which they are prominent
workers.
DAVID A. JENNISON, proprietor of the Hampshire
House in Ware, was born in Walpole, N.H., in 1837, son
of John and Elvira (Russell) Jennison.
His grandfather, who also bore the name of John
Jennison, was a prosperous agriculturist. He married a
Miss Moore, who bore him three sons and a daughter, as
follows: Thomas, a farmer in Lancaster, N.H., who died past
middle life, leaving two daughters; Ashley, who lived
for a time in Lancaster, and afterward in New York
State, and also died when past middle life, leaving a
family of sons and daughters; Mary, the wife of Mr.
Lovejoy, a merchant in
Walpole, N.H.; and
John. Their
father died in 1825. His widow
died several years later.
John Jennison, Jr., who was born in Walpole,
N.H., in 1809, was brought up to farming; and he
followed that occupation throughout his life in his
native town. In 1829 he married Elvira Russell, a
daughter of Thomas Russell, of
Walpole. Nine children
were born of their union, of whom seven sons and a
daughter reached maturity. Six
sons and the daughter are still
living. They
are: George,
a
successful
farmer in
Walpole; David A.; Charles, who
served in the Civil War, and is now a commission
merchant in Chicago, 111., whither he went on his return
from the war; Edwin, a carpenter in Walpole; Warren, who
is also a carpenter, and resides in Athol, Mass.; Frank,
living in Chicago; and Mary, the wife of Frank George,
of Bellows Falls, Vt. John
Jennison died in 1874, about forty years of age, leaving
two sons and two daughters. The
mother, after living to the advanced age of ninety-one
years, died in January, 1894.
David A. Jennison received a good common-school
education. At the age of eighteen years he started out
for himself. At first he worked by the month on a farm.
This he continued until 1858, when he came to Ware,
Mass., to drive a wagon for his uncle, George Jennison,
who had a prosperous grocery store and bakery. He had
spent at this about three years, when in 1861, joined by
Mr. Burns, a baker, he purchased the business of his
uncle.
During the succeeding three years they did a
fairly profitable business. He then removed to Walpole,
spent a year on a farm in Westminster, Vt., and
conducted one of the Meadow farms for two years. When he
gave up his last occupation, he moved to a farm of one
hundred acres previously purchased by him in Walpole,
and carried it on for three years. Selling this farm, he
engaged in the sewing-machine business in Keene, N.H.,
for two years, after which he rented the Ludlow House in
Ludlow, Vt. Having conducted the hotel for two years, he
sold out in April, 1874, took a lease of the Summit
House in Athol, Mass., in the following June, and
managed that for four years. He then came to Ware, and
purchased the Hampshire House, for which he paid the sum
of twenty-seven thousand five hundred dollars. After
running it for five and a half years, he sold the
furniture, and gave a lease of it for ten years to John
W. Lawton. Mr. Lawton died before the expiration of the
lease; and in the winter of 1892 Mr. Jennison bought the
interest of the estate, and has himself since that time
conducted the hotel. It is a solid brick structure,
three stories in height, contains thirty rooms, and is
the leading hotel of the place. About the time Mr.
Jennison leased the Hampshire House he purchased a farm
of one hundred and forty acres within the limits of the
corporation, and resided there during a portion of the
time that Mr. Lawton had charge of the hotel.
In February, 1861, he was united in marriage
with Miss Louisa Brockway, a daughter of Jesse and Mary
(Pratt) Brockway. They have lost the only child born of
their union; namely, Norman Jennison, who died in 1873,
at seven years of age. Mr. Jennison is a faithful
supporter of the Republican party, though he has never
served in office. He is a member of the A. F. & A.
M. In religious belief both he and his wife are
Episcopalians.
IRA
DANIEL JONES, an extensive farmer of
Worthington and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in
Becket, Mass., March 13, 1842, son of Riley and Nancy
(Snow) Jones. His father was a native of Becket, and was
reared to agricultural pursuits. He was a teamster in
early manhood, but relinquished that occupation for the
trade of a stone mason, which he followed through life
in connection with farming.
He was a Republican in politics and a highly
esteemed citizen. Riley Jones died in the spring of
1892.
His
wife, who was a native of Becket, be-came the mother of
twelve children, as follows: George, who married Percy
Oliver, and resides in
Springfield, Mass.; Ira D.,
the subject of this sketch; Mary (deceased), who married
Windsor Woodard; Washington (deceased), who married
Adelia Prentice; Warren, who married Anna Mackey, and is
also deceased; Hattie
(deceased); Henry, who
married Augusta Allen, and resides in Worthington; Etta,
widow of Philip Bosquet, who resides in Becket; Frank,
who married Ella Burrows, and resides in Cummington,
Mass.; Laura, who died young; and two others who died in
infancy. The mother died
many years ago.
Ira
D. Jones resided with his parents until reaching the age
of seventeen, when he engaged in farming,
and was thereafter employed by the month for
several years. For a year
previous to 1862 he worked in New Hartford, Conn.; and
in September of that year he enlisted as a private in
Company F, Nineteenth Connecticut Infantry, from which
he was transferred to the Second
Connecticut Heavy Artillery. He was
present at the battle of Cold Harbor, and took part in
several minor engagements, receiving in his left arm at
the battle of Winchester a gunshot wound, which
necessitated his confinement in the
hospital. After remaining
in Frederick City for a short time, he was taken to the
military hospital in New Haven,
Conn., where he stayed for
two months, and was discharged
June 4, 1865. He
returned to New Hartford, where he was employed as a
teamster for several months; and after that he and his
brother George rented a farm in Becket, which they
conducted in connection with lumbering until April,
1869, when they divided their interests. Mr. Jones then
came to Worthington, and bought a farm. He has since
added to his original acreage until he now possesses six
hundred and fifty-five acres of land, and is one of the
largest farmers in this region. He conducts an extensive
dairy, keeps a large number of cattle and horses, and
has made agriculture a success.
On March 9, 1868, Mr. Jones was
united in marriage to Sophronia Tucker, who was born in
New Hartford, Conn., June 20, 1842, daughter of Nelson
and Maria (Rust) Tucker. Mrs. Jones's parents
died in New Hartford. Her father was a
prosperous farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have
one son, named Edward Wesley, who was born December 12,
1870. He married Julia
Griffin, resides in Worthington, and is in partnership
with his father. In politics Mr. Jones
has always supported the Republican
party.
THE JUDD FAMILY has been prominently
identified with the leading interests of Hampshire
County since its earliest history. The emigrating
ancestor, Thomas Judd, came from England to Massachusetts
in 1633 or 1634, and settled in Cambridge,
in that part of the town known then as "West End."
He built a house, and remained there two years; but
in 1636 he moved to Hartford, Conn., whence he went to
the town of Farmington, being one of the original proprietors
of that place. He was an extensive land
owner and an influential citizen, being sent to the
General Court in 1674. In 1678 his first wife died; and
on December 2, 1679, he married the widow Clemence
Mason, of Northampton, to which place he came in 1682.
He was very active in church work, and was made Deacon
of the church in 1668. Deacon Judd died a
few years after coming to Northampton, his death
occurring November 12, 1688. His widow survived him,
dying November 22, 1696. He reared a family
of nine children, the next in line of descent being his
eldest son, William Judd.
William Judd, who was married March
30, 1658, died at Farmington, Conn., in 1690.
He was known by his military title of Sergeant.
His wife bore him seven children.
She survived him, her death occurring October 27,
1718. His son Thomas, through whom the line continues,
was a blacksmith and a farmer, and one of the leading
men of his time, serving as Town Clerk, Deacon of the
church, Captain of the militia, Justice of the Peace,
and as a Deputy to the General Court. On February 9,
1688, he married Sarah Freeman, by whom he had six
children, one son, William, and five
daughters.
This second William Judd, who was a
Captain in the militia and a Representative to the
General Court, was first married January 21, 1713, to
Mary Root. After her death, on December 10, 1757, he
married Mrs. Hope Lee. He departed this life January 29,
1772, leaving five sons and two daughters, of whom
Timothy, the eldest son, is the progenitor of this
branch of the family.
Timothy Judd was a man of scholarly
attainments, and was graduated from Yale College in
1737. His first wife, Mary Clark, whom he wedded March
29, 1744, died on the 8th of the following November. He
then married, October 9, 1749, Mellicent (South) Mayo, a
widow, who died March 26, 1763.
On August 8, 1764, he married Ann Sedgwick, who
lived but a short time; and after her decease he married
on June 6, 1780, Mrs. Mary Foote. In
October, 1782, she passed to the life eternal, and later
the Widow Clanson became his fifth wife. Timothy Judd
was a man of influence, and served as Justice of the
Peace from 1765 until 1783, besides holding various
other offices of trust. He died January 23, 1796,
leaving six children.
Allyn Judd, son of the above-named
Timothy, was born in 1757, and died in Windsor, N.Y., in
1803. In l776 he married Joanna Seymour, who died
October 5, 1833, having borne him eleven children.
Jonathan Judd, Jr., son of the Rev.
Jonathan Judd, graduated at Yale College in 1765. He
began trade in Southampton in 1769, being the town's
first merchant. He continued in business here for half a
century. He was a Justice of the Peace, once a
Representative to the General Court, and was also busy
in other public employments. He died January 30, 1819,
aged seventy-five years.
Frederick Judd, son of the Rev.
Jonathan Judd, was born January 9, 1760, and married
Nancy Wait, daughter of Simeon Wait, of Southampton,
December 15, 1785. He was a Representative to the
General Court and a Justice of the Peace. He died May
23, 1840, aged eighty years four months. He had seven
children.
Asa Judd, a son of Frederick Judd,
succeeded his uncle as a trader in Southampton, and died
here October 20, 1848, aged sixty years. On May 13,
1816, he married Lavinia Gridley, who was born October
12, 1792, the record of their children being as follows:
Jonathan, born September 23, 1817; Anna Maria, born
February 2, 1819, married Orrin R. More, of Southampton,
August 11, 1846, their only child being one son, born
April 26, 1853; Cornelia, born June 9, 1820, died
February 6, 1841; Zeresh, born
November 18, 1822, died May 15, 1823; Zeresh
Jane, born March 12, 1824,. was for many years a school
teacher in this vicinity; Ard Gridley, born November 22,
1825; and William D., born March 1, 1828.
Jonathan N. Judd succeeded his
father, Asa, in the store and post office, remaining
here until his death, July 11, 1861, aged forty-three
years. He was a Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk and
Treasurer, Selectman, and a member of the Congregational
church. He was honored and esteemed
by his towns people as a man far above the
average, one whose business capacity was superior, and
whose counsel was recognized by all as
valuable.
Ard Gridley Judd succeeded his
brother Jonathan N. in business here, and was appointed
Postmaster in 1861, having been connected with the
office ever since. He was Town
Treasurer during the trying days of the Civil War, is a
member of the Congregational church and parish, and a
faithful supporter of both organizations, and a stanch
Republican in politics. He has been uncommonly
successful in business, gaining a substantial
competence, while retaining the respect and good will of
his townsmen. He and his sister, Jane Z. Judd, still
occupy the old homestead in Southampton where they were
born. Jane Z. Judd received an education in the common
schools and Sheldon Academy, afterward following the
vocation of a school teacher, in which she was unusually
proficient and successful. She is a member of the
Congregational church, prominent and active in its
service.
William D. Judd grew to manhood in
Southampton, and began his active work as book-keeper at
Leeds, in this county, remaining a few years, when he
accepted a similar position with C. P. Talbot, of
Lowell, Mass., where he lived five years. Returning then
to Western Massachusetts, he was engaged in the boot and
shoe business in Greenfield for two years, coming back
to the place of his nativity in 1857, dying here March
4, 1858, of consumption, resulting from pneumonia. While
a resident of Lowell, in 1851, he was united in marriage
with Malvina A. Carleton, a native of that city, where
her birth occurred, October 13, 1828. Their only child,
Frederick Eugene, was born in Lowell, Mass., March 30,
1852.
Frederick E. Judd was reared
and educated in the city of Lowell, Mass., being
graduated from the high school. After completing his
education, he entered the employment of a Boston firm as
book-keeper, continuing in that business several years.
Mr. Judd then removed to Northampton, where he spent a
year, coming thence to Southampton in 1872.
Since his residence here he has won the respect
and confidence of his fellow citizens, being deservedly
popular throughout the community. His business tact and
sound judgment are widely recognized, and he has served
in various offices of responsibility. In 1877 he was
chosen Town Clerk, a position which he has since held,
and for the past five years has been Town Treasurer, and
is one of the Trustees of the Easthampton Savings
Bank. He is now copartner
in the firm of A. G. Judd & Co. In
politics he is a steadfast Republican; and, religiously,
he and his wife belong to the Congregational church, of
which he is organist, as well as parish clerk. He is a
member of Ionic Lodge of A. F. & A. M. On September
12, 1889, Mr. Judd was united in marriage with Miss
Catherine E. Parsons, who is a native of Southampton.
Mrs. Judd was born February 13, 1858, of pioneer
ancestry, being the daughter of Isaac and Rachel C.
(Edmands) Parsons. She graduated at Mount Holyoke
College, June 24, 1880. Two bright and active children
enliven the home of Mr. and Mrs. Judd, namely: Helen
Kathrina, born October 22, 1891; and William Frederick,
born May 20, 1893.
FREDERICK H. JUDD, a gentleman of
extended business experience and an esteemed resident of
Westhampton, was born here July 14, 1839, being the
descendant by both parents of old and honored pioneers
of this section of Hampshire County.
His
father, John Adams Judd, was a lifelong resident of
Westhampton, and during the earlier years of his life
was engaged in agriculture. Having the natural Yankee
instinct for trade, however, he subsequently established
in the village a store for the sale of general
merchandise, and before many years became one of the
most prominent merchants of Hampshire County. Later he
was appointed Postmaster, and thereafter attended to the
duties of that office, as well as to his mercantile
business, until his death, which occurred July 25, 1860.
His wife, whose maiden name was Wealthy Kingsley, was
born and bred in this town, and here spent her life,
dying February 13, 1876. The record of their children,
four in number, is as follows: Amoret R., now deceased,
was the wife of the late E. H.
Lyman, formerly a prominent business man of this
place, and for many years a member of the Board of
Selectmen and a County Commissioner; Jane W., the widow
of Josiah Hooker, lives in Springfield, Mass. ; Harriet
T. married Amos C. Shepherd, a carpenter in this town;
and Frederick H. is the subject of this sketch. These
children were given the best educational facilities
afforded by the town. They attended public
and select schools, and one of them graduated from the
academy at Southampton.
Frederick H. Judd, who attained his
majority a few days prior to the death of his father, at
once assumed charge of the store and post office, and
carried on the business for five years. Going then to
Springfield he worked on a farm in that vicinity for a
year, and was employed as a clerk in the city for two
years. After remaining there
another year, during which time he was engaged in the
insurance business, he returned to Westhampton, and has
since made his home in this village. In 1880 he bought
out his present business. He sells and repairs jewelry,
and so far has met with limited success. A stanch
adherent of the Republican party, Mr. Judd has served in
various offices within the gift of his fellow-townsmen,
always with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of
all concerned. For the past twenty-five years he has
been Town Clerk, and for some years was Town Treasurer
and a member of the School Committee. He has always
taken an active interest in religious work, and has
served as clerk of the Congregational church for many
years, he and his wife being among the prominent members
of that organization.
Mr.
Judd was married October 15, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth A.
Hubbard, a native of Williamsburg, Mass., and a daughter
of Sylvanus Hubbard, who is still living in that
town. Six children have been
born of their marriage, as follows: Myra L., wife of W.
R. Jones, residing in Stamford, Conn. ; Guy H., who died
when nineteen years of age; Hattie F. ; Fred H., who
died in infancy; Ada M. ; and Delbert L.
AUGUST K. KAPPEL,
well known as a singing master in South Hadley
Falls, was born in Saxe-Weimar, Germany, August 19,
1838, son of George and Gretchen (Rosina) Kappel. Mr.
Kappel's father followed agriculture, and was the
proprietor of a hotel. He prospered in both
undertakings, and died in 1858. His wife, who is still
residing in Germany, eighty-four years old, became the
mother of the following children: Christiana, who is now
dead; Joanna, who resides in Germany; Gottlob, a
resident of Meriden, Conn.; John, a resident of
Easthampton; August, the subject of this sketch;
Ernestine, who still resides in Germany; Minnie, who is
dead; Linna, who married August Feustel, and resides in
South Hadley Falls; and Richard, who is now in the hotel
business in Germany.
August K. Kappel received a good
education in the schools of Germany, and at the age of
seventeen emigrated to the United States.
He settled in South Hadley Falls, and engaged in
the paper business, which he followed successfully until
1892. Immediately after his arrival in South Hadley
Falls, Mr. Kappel organized the
singing clubs, over which he has since continued to
preside. He also directs a similar organization in
Holyoke. In May of the present
year he established himself in the wine and liquor trade
in South Hadley Falls, which he is now conducting. He is
a Democrat in politics.
Mr. Kappel married Amelia
Winter, a native of Saxe-Weimar, daughter of Edward and
Ernestine Winter. They have four children, namely: Hugo,
a book-binder in Holyoke; Oscar, who is employed at
Johnson's drug store as a pharmacist; Selmar, who is now
teaching school in South Hadley Falls; and Minnie, who
resides at home. Mr. Kappel takes a lively interest in
musical organizations, and is very popular among the
various singing clubs.
JOHN T. KEATING, a rising young
lawyer of Northampton, was born in that town, July 20,
1864. He is of Irish ancestry and parentage, and has
inherited in an eminent degree the sterling traits of
character that distinguished his father, the late
Michael Keating.
Michael Keating was born July
10, 1828, in Limerick, Ireland, son of Owen and Mary
Keating. He was one of a family of six children, all of
whom, except one who died in infancy, grew to manhood,
and, after the death of their father, came with their
widowed mother to America. The long voyage was made in a
sailing vessel in 1849, and occupied seven weeks. After
a short stay in New York City the family located in
Northampton, where Michael learned the trade of a mason
and bricklayer. He afterward became one of the leading
contractors and builders of the city; and for nearly
thirty years he was employed by the government, doing
all work needed from time to time at the hospital
grounds. He counted among his friends Dr. Earle, who was
for so many years the beloved superintendent of the
asylum. Michael Keating was a man of more than ordinary
intelligence and ability. He was honored by his
fellow-townsmen by being elected a member of the first
City Council. In this capacity he served three years,
being the presiding officer one year. He was also the
incumbent of several other offices of trust and
responsibility.
His death, on July 14, 1891, was a loss to the
city, as well as to his family. On August 21, 1853, he
married Mary Maloney, who came to America from Limerick,
Ireland, in 1848 with her father, John Maloney. Of their
five children three died very young. The survivors are:
John T., above named; and Michael J., who has succeeded
his father in business. The mother lived
but one short year after the decease of her husband,
dying July 14, 1892.
John T. Keating is a man of
scholarly attainments, having been graduated from the
Northampton High School in 1883 and four years later
from Amherst College. Mr.
Keating
subsequently entered the law
office of Judge Bassett, and on June 18, 1889, was
admitted to the bar of Hampshire County. In the
following October he was admitted to partnership with
Judge Bassett; but since October, 1890, he has been in
practice in his own office, at 102 Main
Street.
He
is
very active and
influential in
politics.
He
has been chairman of the Democratic City
Committee for four years. He
likewise served as Clerk of the Common Council for five
years. Mr. Keating is a very fluent and ready speaker,
and, during the Presidential campaign of 1892, made some of the most effective
stump speeches of the
time,
including
many addresses in French -a language with which
he is very familiar. He
is a very popular man in all circles, and is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight of
Pythias.
On September 17, 1892, Mr.
Keating was united in marriage with Annie I. Cooney, a
daughter of Michael Cooney. Mrs.
Keating is a very bright and capable woman, and, with
her sister, Ella Cooney, is engaged in the millinery
business in Northampton. In
1892 Mr. Keating was prominently mentioned as an
eligible candidate for Mayor. Mr.
and Mrs. Keating have a beautiful home at 94 State
Street,
a
house
erected by his father in
1884 for John T. Dewey, who afterward sold it to the
builder.
ROBERT M. KEATING, Superintendent
and Treasurer of the Keating Wheel Company, of which he
was the organizer, and inventor of the renowned Keating
bicycle, was born in the city of Springfield, September
22, 1862. His father and mother, Michael and Catherine
(Devitt) Keating, were of Irish birth, and were small
children when their respective parents emigrated to
America. Michael Keating, who was a mechanic, spent his
life in Springfield, where he died, leaving a family of
five children: Robert M., then a little child too young
to realize the bereavement; Brightie E., wife of Frank
E. Burtwell, of Springfield, Mass.; Mary E., the wife of
Mr. Joseph F. Quirk, of Springfield, who was for some
years the general agent of the United States Mutual
Accident Association of this city; Katie T., who is at
home; and John D., who is in business with his brother
Robert. Mrs. Catherine D. Keating is still
living in Springfield, where her childhood, maidenhood,
and married life have all been passed.
Immediately after completing the
course of the city schools, young Robert, whose natural
tastes all inclined toward mechanics, entered the
machine shop of Richard & Dole, and there served an
apprenticeship. He easily secured employment afterward
in the city and vicinity, where his superior skill was
speedily recognized, and brought its just
compensation. While steadily engaged
at his work, he received patents on several new
inventions; and, when the bicycle was put on the market,
he was among the first men in the city to own one. Mr. Keating
worked in several bicycle manufactories, in one of the
largest of which he was
superintendent; and thus, having
ample opportunities to observe the imperfections of the
various kinds in use, he was led to make
improvements. Before long he
had designed, patented, and built the first model of his
own invention, the wheel now known as the Keating wheel,
which was the first light-weight bicycle ever made for
road use. This was in 1890. The safeties had
just come in; and Mr. Keating made many improvements in
this style, besides originating the
light-weight. The bicycles
then in use weighed from fifty to sixty pounds, and Mr.
Keating's thirty-two-pound racer was at first regarded
as of doubtful success. Being
firmly built, it kept its ground; and the subsequent
build of racing wheels, which average from fifteen to
twenty-one pounds, has proved his
practical wisdom.
The
Keating wheel having stood the test of many trials, he
had no difficulty in organizing a stock company, which
was incorporated a few years since with a capital of ten
thousand dollars. At Westfield,
Mass., the first factory was established, in which ten
men were employed and during the first season
seventy-five wheels were made. Seeing that a
larger field of action was necessary for the success of
the enterprise, the company moved the plant to Holyoke;
and the capital stock was increased to two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars. In this factory more automatic
machinery is used than in any other bicycle factory,
much of which machinery has been invented by Mr.
Keating. The
establishment
is a four story building, covering an area
of fifty thousand square feet of space.
Its three hundred
workmen produce ten thousand wheels annually. The
company puts on the market
wheels weighing from nineteen pounds up to twenty-three
pounds, and conservative gougers pronounce the Keating
bicycle factory the best equipped in the country. Mr.
Keating has from the start been the Vice-President and
Manager of this company, and its success is largely due
to his foresight and capacity for business as well as to
his mechanical skill and inventive talent. He is
connected with other incorporated companies, but that
bearing his own name naturally has the first place; and
in its behalf his energies are always in
requisition.
Political questions have thus
far been of small interest to him,
his faculties having been devoted to the
perfecting of intricate mechanical appliances and the
details of business management. He is yet
unmarried, and lives with his mother at 30 Adams Street,
Springfield, Mass. He was a
well-known wheelman and prominent member of the
Springfield Bicycle Club, Mr. Keating being not
only a successful inventor and practical machinist, but
an accomplished wheelman.
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