GURDON SOUTHWORTH, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Stoughton , was born in this town, March 27, 1846 , son of Luther

and Sarah A. (Richards) Southworth. His grandfather, Jedediah Southworth, who was an early settler in Stoughton , married Sarah

Hewett; and of that union eight children were born - Apollos, Luther, Albert, Marcus, Sally, Lucy, Martha, and Mary.

Luther Southworth, Gurdon Southworth's father, was born in Stoughton , December 13, 1799 . In early manhood he was a manufacturer of cotton thread and twine, but his later years were devoted to agricultural pursuits. He was widely and favorably known as an upright, conscientious citizen, who fully merited the esteem in which be was held. He lived to be ninety-two years old, dying in December, 1891. His wife, Sarah who was born in Sharon in 1810, became the mother of two children - Luther, born in December, 1843, who married Emma Ward, and is residing in West Stoughton ; and Gurdon, the subject of this sketch. The mother died in 1875.

Gurdon Southworth acquired his education in the public schools of his native town. When a young man he worked in the woolen factories, and also in boot and shoe factories.

In 1873 he became associated with his brother in the manufacture of screws at West Stoughton , in which business he was engaged for nearly ten years. In 1882 he, in company with Charles M. Staples, bought a bakery in this town ; and, giving up the screw manufacturing business, he continued in partnership with Mr. Staples until the latter's death  in 1889, since which time he has, carried on the enterprise alone. He conducts' a very profitable business, and two teams are kept busy supplying bread and pastry to his numerous patrons in Stoughton , Sharon , Canton , and Avon .

On November 7, 1868 , Mr. Southworth married Sarah B. Staples, who was born in Stoughton , January 30, 1852 , daughter of Algernon and Docena (Harlow) Staples. Her mother died in 1852 ; and her father, who is a shoemaker by trade, is now residing in Chase's Mills, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Southworth have one son - Ernest B., born April 18, 1872, who is now assistant superintendent of the Stoughton Rubber Company's works in this town.

In politics Mr. Southworth is a Republican, and he is capably filling the position of chairman of the Board of Selectmen. He is treasurer of Rising Star Lodge, & A. M., Secretary of Mount Zion Royal Arch Chapter, a member of Bay State Commandery, Knights Templar, of Brockton , and a member of Aleppo Temple of the Mystic Shrine in Boston .  He is also a member of Lodge No. 72, 1.0.0.F., and an associate member of A. St. John Chambre Post, No. 72, of Stoughton .

Source: Biographical Review - Volume XXV - Containing life sketches of leading citizens of Norfolk County Massachusetts . (Boston, Mass., Biographical Review Publishing Co., 1898), pg. 496.

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