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The Bethel Journals Merchants, Traders and Craftsmen Fox, Bean, Allen and LaRue |
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Clarence K. Fox was born in Eddington, Maine, November 11, 1872, the
son of David A. and Eva (Rowe) Fox. He was educated in the schools of Errol
and Milan, N.H., and Bethel, Maine. He married Miss Eva Bryant December 14,
1899. The have one adopted daughter, Marion Bean Kimball. Mr. Fox became associated with
Calvin Bisbee in 1892 in the store he now occupies (photo below) at present.
After a few years he bought the business and operated alone. Eight years ago
(1923) he formed a partnership with Herbert I Bean and the firm incorporated
with the name Bean & Fox Co. Mr.
Fox has since purchased and now controls the entire stock of the company. This store is a popular marketing
center, for here is found a fresh supply of groceries, bakery products, fresh
vegetables, and meats. Courteous clerks five efficient service. Mr. Fox is vice-president of the
Bethel National Bank and one of the assessors of the Village Corporation. He is a member of the Bethel Lodge
F & AM, and the Eastern Star, Mt. Abram Lodge I.O.O.F., and Sunset
Rebekah Lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Fox are members of the Methodist Church. They have a pleasant home on Mason
Street, are home loving people and good neighbors. |
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Herbert I. Bean was born in Albany in 1871, the son
of Amos G. and Angie C. Bean. He was educated in the public and high schools of Waterford. He married
Miss Maude M. Cross March 24, 1897 and they have six children: Herbert R.,
principal of Bethel Grammar School; Mrs. Harvey Jones of Auburn, Mrs. Robert
York of Andover, Adelaide, Florine and Muriel. For many
years Mr. Bean has been in the contracting business. He was located in
Lewiston but on account of ill health came to Albany and for a few years kept
a general store. Eight
years ago (1923) he came to Bethel and purchased the N.F. Brown house on
Spring Street and has modernized it and converted it into a pleasant home. Mr.
Bean has his lumber and sales rooms on Main Street where he carries a
complete line of lumber, buildings material, finished material and all
accessories that pertain to the needs of carpentering. During the winter Mr. Bean conducts a fur business,
buying and selling raw furs, hides and pelts. He is an independent buyer and
one of the largest dealers in the county. Practically all of his stock is
sold to New York furriers. He also carries a complete line of traps, guns and
ammunition. Mr. Bean is an Odd Fellow and a member of the Methodist Church.
He and Mrs. Bean are both interested in the religious life of the town and
ever willing to help a worthy cause. |
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Store
of Bean & Fox Co. Corner
of Main and Spring Streets—1931 |
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Mr Bean’s profile in the paper is
the only piece to include a graphic icon pertaining to his trade. |
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Elmer C. Allen is the subject of this sketch and is proprietor of
Bethel’s most progressive boot and shoe store. He was born in Bethel in 1880, the son of
Lawrence E. and Sarah (Pike) Allen. His education was received in Bethel
schools and for several years he was employed in the Merrill Springer Co. of
this town. He married Miss Stella Allen and they have
one son, Stanley W. Ten years ago (1921), Mr. Allen bought the
business of the late Elmer H. Young and has continued it with some changes
since. What was formerly the harness rooms of the store are now devoted to
hosiery and sporting goods, caps, sweaters, gloves, jackets, etc. This store makes a specialty of corrective
shoe fitting and carries a complete line of ladies’ and gentlemen’s shoes, as
well as all shoe accessories and needs of the children. They emphasize the
popular lines of Dorothy Dodd and Enna Jetticks. Several years ago Mr. and Mrs. Allen
purchased the Fred J. Tibbetts stand on Main Street and here have made many
improvements. |
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Thomas LaRue was born in Canada and received his education
there. His parents were Dr. Thomas and
Arbelle (St. Armand) LaRue. When a young man of twenty, Mr. LaRue came
to Bethel and entered the employ of the late Elmer H. Young in the
manufacture and repair of harness and cobbling business. For 22 years he served his employer with
efficiency and faithfulness and won for himself the esteem and friendship of
the townspeople. On the death of Mr. Young he engaged in
business for himself at his present stand and does a high class repairing
business for Bethel and all adjoining towns. (Shoe His roomy shop on upper Main Street is a
popular rendezvous for the men of the town and throughout the winter months
animated discussions of town and national affairs take place in the warm and
cheerful shop while “Tommy” mends shoes. . Every working day of the year
finds him at his bench and he is no union man either. Fourteen or sixteen
hours is his average day and countless are the “soles” the he saves for
thrifty folk. Mr. LaRue married Miss Susie Ashe of
Whitefield, N.H. and they have one daughter, Pauline. They have a snug
residence on Paradise Street. |
