My Genealogy Hound

JUSTIN W. KEITH, Town Clerk of Pelham, was born in Palmer, Hampden County, Mass., February 7, 1847, son of Ariel Cooley and Lodica (Daniels) Keith, the former a native of Enfield, born June 15, 1816, the latter a native of Ludlow, born May 26, 1821. Mr. Keith’s paternal grandfather, Daniel Keith, was born in Bridgewater, Mass., in 1780. He owned a farm in Ware, and was actively engaged in agriculture during the greater part of his life. He died in Belchertown at the age of sixty-three years. His wife, whose maiden name was Lydia Frost, was a native of Ludlow. She was the mother of ten children, all of whom grew to maturity, but are now deceased. In politics Daniel Keith was a Whig. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church.

Ariel Cooley Keith, the father of Justin W. Keith, spent the early part of his life in New York State. He was for some years engaged in selling silverware, travelling from place to place, and visited many different States in the pursuit of his calling. In 1839 he purchased some land in Belchertown, and was engaged in farming on it for three years. Becoming dissatisfied with this life, he tried other ways of earning a livelihood. He finally settled in Palmer, Mass., where he was overseer of the Fondack Cotton Factory for nearly fifteen years. He performed his work in an efficient manner, was very popular with the help, and was esteemed by his employers. But his health, impaired by the indoor work, compelled him to resign his position; and then for a short time he engaged in the livery business in Palmer. In the fall of 1857 he moved to West Pelham, where he resided many years while occupied in farming. His farming ventures turned out well this time, and the result was that he became the owner of considerable real estate in Pelham and in Fondack village. In 1870 he moved to the home where his son now lives, and there his last years were spent. He died December 2, 1880. In politics Mr. Keith was a Republican. He took a prominent part in town affairs. He was Town Clerk and Town Treasurer seven years. He was also Assessor and Tax Collector. His religious views were liberal.

On May 9, 1839, Mr. Keith was married to Lodica Daniels, daughter of Justin and Prudence (Shaw) Daniels. The father was a native of Ludlow, born in March, 1792, the mother of Palmer, born in September, 1793. Justin Daniels (the maternal grandfather of our subject) was a prominent citizen of Ludlow, who owned and industriously cultivated a large farm in that town. It is said that he was the owner of the first carriage ever seen in the town. His last years were spent in Wilbraham, where he died January 17, 1866. His wife had preceded him to the grave, having died in August, 1863. In politics Justin Daniels was a strong Whig, and he took an active part in the town government. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had two children: Mrs. Keith; and Marcus, born January 12, 1824, who resides on the homestead in Wilbraham. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Keith but one is now living: Justin W., the subject of this sketch. Ellen J., who was born October 29, 1844, died September 3, 1845; and Elmira J., born June 23, 1840, died October 26, 1853. Mrs. Keith is still living, residing with her son, Justin W. Like her parents, she belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

Justin W. Keith was a boy of ten when his father removed to Pelham, and in that town he has resided for nearly thirty years. He received a good common-school education, and early engaged in farming, which eventually became his chief occupation. He now owns seventy-five acres of land, a large part of which is cultivated.

Mr. Keith was married in Boston, November 28, 1890, to Mary A., daughter of David and Emeline A. (Paull) Shores and granddaughter of Silas and Abigail (Stacy) Shores. The grandparents came originally from Taunton, Mass. Silas Shores was a Congregational minister, and in early life was a missionary. He had charge of a parish in Shutesbury for some time, and, when incapacitated for evangelical work by ill health, settled on a farm in that town, and there died at the age of sixty-one. His wife lived to be eighty-three years of age. The following children were born to them: Jemima, wife of Henry O. Bragg, of Foxboro; Mary C., wife of Warren S. Bragg, of Cambridgeport; and David, the father of Mrs. Keith. David Shores worked at farming in his early youth, and later engaged in the manufacture of charcoal in Shutesbury. In 1865 he moved to the eastern part of Pelham, where he now resides, carrying on general farming and charcoal burning. His average annual output of charcoal is fifty-two carloads — between fifty thousand and sixty thousand bushels. Mr. Shores is the largest land-owner and tax-payer in the town of Pelham. In politics he is a Republican. He served for some time as Selectman, but his business cares are too great to allow of his holding public office. Mr. Shores was married December 7, 1845, to Emeline A., daughter of Nathan and Melita (Fish) Paull, the former of Berkley, the latter of Shutesbury. Mr. Paull was a carpenter, and was also actively engaged in farming. In politics he was first a Whig and then a Republican. He and his wife were members of the Congregational church. They were the parents of seven children, of whom four are living, Mrs. Shores being the oldest. Lucy A. is the widow of Stillman Clark. Lucetta H. is the widow of Windsor Smith, and resides in Warsaw, N.Y. Nelson W. resides in Shutesbury. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shores: Silas S., born in Shutesbury, February 23, 1847, a pension and insurance agent and Justice of the Peace in Pelham; David H., born July 17, 1849, a- resident of Hyde Park, Mass.; Benjamin, born July 27, 1851, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor in Pelham; George H., born July 13, 1854, a resident of Springfield, Mass.; Jonathan E., born January 28, 1857, a blacksmith of Springfield; Charles B., born April 27, 1859, a carpenter in Amherst; Mary A., wife of Justin W. Keith; Nellie M., born in Pelham, November 24, 1869, who is still with her parents. Frank L. died August 27, 1865, in his seventh year. The two elder sons of Mr. Shores, who reside in Pelham, are unmarried. They are actively engaged with their father in the charcoal business. Mr. and Mrs. Keith have no children.

In politics Mr. Keith is independent, but favors the Republican party. He takes an active part in the town government. For thirteen years he has been Town Clerk and Town Treasurer. He has also been Tax Collector, and has filled other offices. He is a member of the order of A. F. & A. M., belonging to Pacific Lodge of Amherst and to the Chapter at Northampton. In his religious views he is liberal. Mrs. Keith is a member of the Congregational church.