"(VIII) GEORGE ELDON KEITH, son of the late Franklin and Betsey (Bailey)
Keith, was born Feb. 8, 1850, in North Bridgewater, now Brockton. He had the
advantages of
the common schools of his native town and of the high school, in acquiring his
early educational training, being a member of the first class at the opening of the
high school in North Bridgewater in 1864. His father being engaged in the boot and
shoe business, it was but natural that the son, as he grew up, imbibed a knowledge
of the business, and while yet a student at school his mornings and evenings were
spent at the bench, where he early acquired a thorough knowledge of the making of
shoes. After leaving school he continued working at the bench, making boots and
shoes, until July, 1874, on the 1st of which month, associated with the late William
S. Green, he began business on his own account, manufacturing boots and shoes,
under the firm style of Green & Keith; they established themselves in the factory
formerly occupied by Mr. Keith's father. This partnership continued until 1880, at
which time Mr. Keith sold his interests, in the business to his partner. But this
was not to
discontinue the industry for which his talents and tact had proved him adapted and
fit, he having already made a success of the business; it was for the purpose of
giving his genius and ambition fuller play. He at once erected a large factory
building on Perkins avenue, in which he continued in the manufacture of shoes on a
much larger scale. This factory was the nucleus of his present extensive and
eminently prosperous business, and from this small beginning, his first six months'
sales amounting to a little over $7,000, the business has grown steadily and rapidly
until to-day the George E. Keith Company, incorporated, of which he is the
president, is the foremost and mostextensive shoe manufacturing concern in the State
if not in the world, the sales in
1910 amounting to $12,000,000/ and the payroll reaching $3,000,000. As his business
has increased and expanded, requiring more factory room, Mr. Keith has been obliged
to make numerous additions to his original plant, which is located at Campello, in
which part of the city he was born and where he has always resided, until today his
immense plant occupies several acres of ground, and instead of the one factory, as
originally, he now occupies seven distinct buildings, as well as having four
additional factories in other parts of theState, one at Middleboro, one at
North Adams, one at East Weymouth, and another at Boston, the latter two being used
for the manufacture of ladies' shoes. In 1898 the business was incorporated under
the laws of Massachusetts as the George E. Keith Company, with a capital stock of
$1,000,000, Mr. Keith becoming president of the corporation, in which capacity he
has since continued."
Obituary