USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Athol > Athol, Massachusetts, past and present > Part 21
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MAJOR WARREN HORR.
COL. WILSON ANDREWS.
JOSEPH F. PACKARD.
THOMAS D. BROOKS.
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of the Navy Whitney was appointed in his place. He was a Mason for nearly forty years and actively interested in the order. He removed to Athol in 1871, which was ever after his home until his death June 5, 1886. He married Miss Samanthy O. Hastings of New Salem, Feb. 26, 1827. They had six children: Ophelia M., George W., Ellen S., Waldo H., Phobe L. and Henry O. Ophelia married Dr. O. S. Lovejoy and resides in Haverhill, Mass., Phœbe L. married Henry M. Smith of Enfield, and Ellen S. and Henry O. reside in Athol.
JOSEPH FAIRBANKS PACKARD, oldest child of Winslow and Rachel (Freeman) Packard, was born in New Salem, Oct. 12, 1812. His early life was spent upon his father's farm. When about nineteen years of age he left the old homestead and went to Hadley, Mass., where he engaged in manufacturing brooms. It was there that he made the acquaintance of a most estimable young lady, Susanna Hinds Bowman, to whom he was united in marriage Jan- uary 28, 1833. He soon after returned to his native town and to his former occupation of farming. Two children were born to him, Susan Sophia, February 3, 1834, and three years later, a son Joseph Henry. While a resident of New Salem he was for some years engaged with J. W Hunt in driving cattle and sheep from Vermont to the Brighton market, and held many town and society offices, serving the town a number of years as selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor. In the spring of 1857, with his family, he removed to Athol and engaged in business with J. W. Hunt under the firm name of Hunt & Packard,
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grocers, at the store now occupied by O. T. Brooks & Co. In the fall of 1866 this co-partnership was dissolved, Mr. Packard taking up his residence at Athol Centre, where he was engaged in the same business with Lewis H. Sawin and George H. Cooke. He continued this business until suffering from a paralytic shock he was obliged to give up work, and with his wife passed the remaining years of his life at the home of his daughter and son-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Adolphus Bangs. Both Mr. and Mrs. Packard were for many years worthy members of the Congregational church. Mrs. Packard died February 2, 1883, and Mr. Packard April 30 of the same year.
THOMAS D. BROOKS, a son of Capt. Joel Brooks, was born in Petersham in May, 1811. He worked on his father's farm until twenty-four years of age, when he pur- chased a farm in the south part of Petersham, and after a year's experience on the farm moved to the Centre and commenced the manufacture of boots and shoes with Gardner Farrar. In 1841 he removed to Wendell, where he continued the same business, and also kept a store with his brother Otis. In that town he held the offices of selectman, overseer of the poor, town clerk and assessor, and was one of the trustees of New Salem Academy. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace for Franklin County in 1850. During the Rebellion he took an active part in helping the soldiers of Wendell, and was liberal in gifts of money and in assisting their families.
In 1874 he moved to Athol and purchased the Richard Moore farm on the old North Orange road where he re-
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sided until his death. He was appointed Trial Justice June 25, 1873, which position he held about two years and a half, when he resigned. His last years were spent upon his pleasant farm, which his vigorons health enabled him to carry on almost to the time of his death. He
married Miss Mary L. Sawtelle of Templeton. Their golden wedding was celebrated in a most pleasant and interesting manner at their hospitable home in 1886. They had three sons and one daughter, Oscar T., a grocer in Athol, Herbert of Brattleboro, Vt., Charles C., a grocer in Orange, and Eliza A., who married Marcus M. Stebbins of Erving. Mr. Brooks died March 23, 1893.
EDMUND J. GAGE was born in Wendell, Mass., Feb. 22, 1821. He lived there until nine years of age when he moved to New Salem, which was his home until eighteen years old. He came to Athol in 1841, and worked at the boot business for a few years, and then purchased a farm in the south part of the town, where he resided until about 1875, when he moved to the village and took charge of the new Silver Lake cemetery, of which he was the efficient superintendent until his death. He served the town as selectman and assessor in 1874, and always took an active interest in town affairs. He was a member of the Congregational church, and of Star Lodge of Masons. He married Mary H. Haven. They had two children, Charles F. and Monroe F. Mrs. Gage died April 16, 1885, and he was married a second time to Mrs. Maria F. Taft, Dec, 17, 1885. Mr. Gage died Oct. 9, 1893.
CALEB A. Cook, son of David Cook, was born in Roy-
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alston, April 10, 1821. His early life was spent on his father's farm in West Royalston. He learned the watchmaker's trade when a young man, and did quite a business at his home repairing watches, clocks and jewelry. While a resident of Royalston he was interested in public affairs, and held various town offices. He came to Athol in May, 1864, and engaged in the grocery business with P. C. Tyler. He soon disposed of his interest in the grocery business and went into the jewelry business with S. W. Bliss, and after a few years went into the jewelry and watchmaker's business for himself, in which he con- tinued until his health failed, and he sold out to S. N. Follansbee. He married Susan Herrick of Royalston, May 8, 1842. They had three children, a son who died at four years of age, Stella, who married Frank Hutchin- son, and Saran A. the wife of Charles H. Tyler. His wife died Aug. 11, 1881, and he was married again March 30, 1882, to Jane L. Case. Mr. Cook died April 13, 1888.
ALEXANDER GRAY was born in Worcester, July 21, 1798, and came to Athol in 1805, when about seven years of age. His home was on the farm known as the Twichell place, near the Petersham Road, where he lived until about 1850, when he purchased another farm further north and lived about ten years, and then came to the vil- lage and bought a home on Central Street, where he lived until his deatlı in 1876. He was a millwright by trade, and did much work in Athol and surrounding towns in building and repairing waterwheels, machinery, etc. He was interested in public affairs, and served the town as
EDMUND J. GAGE.
CALEB A. COOK.
ALEXANDER GRAY.
JAMES M. RICE.
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selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor for several years. He married Elvira Bancroft of Wendell, Dec. 21. 1825. They had four sons and three daughters; two of the sons died young and the remaining two, Henry and Charles, are well known citizens of Athol.
JAMES M. RICE was born in Athol, Sept. 10, 1827. In early life he worked on a farm and drove an ox-team between Athol and Worcester, conveying produce, etc. About 1853 he went into business for himself, manufac- turing stands and tables of various kinds. In 1857 he enlarged his business, and bought the saw mill of Mr. Dutton Wood. and also engaged in the lumber business with J. Milton Stratton. They built a new mill in place of the old one and continued the partnership for about a vear, when Mr. Rice bought out his partner and continued the business alone. In 1867 he built an addition to his furniture factory. Soon after this his buildings were burned, but he immediately replaced his factory with a new one, with enlarged facilities for the business. In 1871 he again enlarged his business and built an addition to the factory, at the same time putting in steam power. He continued in the manufacture of furniture until his death, July 27, 1878. He was interested in town affairs, and served as selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor for three years, was enterprising in his business, and ever ready to help along anything that he believed was for the best interest of the town. The furniture business was continued after his death for several years by the firm of Rice. Barlow & Co. He married Clarissa Meacham of
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New Salem, Nov. 18, 1846. They had four children, two of whom are now living, B. Madison and Harriet Ellen, wife of Charles F. Barlow.
JOSEPH F. DUNBAR was born in Orange, Feb. 4, 1819. In early life he worked for Jonathan Wheeler in the pail factory, at what is now known as Pine Dale, for seventeen years. . About 1852 he came to the lower village in Athol and, in company with George Farr, engaged in the manu- facture of matches, and also made pails. The firm was known as Farr & Dunbar, and their shops were located on Walnut Street, and where the box shop of Horace Hager now is. In about four or five years he sold out to Thorpe & Parmenter, after which he was engaged for some time in the lumber business. He was also a painter by trade. and did considerable work in that business. He was mar- ried Dec. 31, 1850, to Sarah E. Goodrich of Gill, Mass. They had three children, Jennie G., the wife of Charles F. Amsden, Joseph A., who is clerk at O. T. Brooks & Co's., and Sarah May. He died Jan. 3, 1892.
RUSSELL SMITH, a son of Luther and Abigail Smith, was born in Athol, Sept. 11, 1812. As soon as he became of age, he learned the trade of scythe making of the Sibley's, and when about twenty-five years old engaged in business for himself, purchasing the interest of Stephen Hammond in the scythe factory. He carried on this business success- fully until a few years before his death, which took place Aug. 24, 1870. He was prominent in the fire department, and served as foreman of one of tho old-time engine companies. He married Maria Kendall Ang. 21, 1893.
RUSSELL SMITH.
JOSEPH F. DUNBAR.
DEXTER ALDRICH.
DANIEL BIGELOW.
AZRO B. FOLSOM.
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They had six children, four boys and two girls. The boys are all dead. The daughters are Mrs. Hattie Moore and Maria, the wife of Frank F. Morse.
AZRO B. FOLSOM was born in Worcester, Vt., in 1830. He removed to Athol about 1856, and soon after engaged in the jewelry business, which he continued until a few months before his death. He enlisted in Co. E, Fifty Third Regiment. and returned from the war in feeble health. Several years after his return from the war he united with the Methodist church. and was ever after one of its most prominent members, serving as trustee and superintendent of the Sunday School. He was also an earnest and active worker in the temperance cause, a man of upright character and honorable in his business rela- tions. He died Aug. 29, 1882.
DANIEL BIGELOW was born in Athol, June 8, 1800, and was a descendant of one of the old families of the town. His grandfather, William Bigelow, came to Athol about 1746. and settled on a farm in the south part of the town. William Bigelow was one of the most prominent men of the town in his day, and was especially active during the opening days of the Revolution. He was one of the Committee of Correspondence, Delegate to the Provincial Congress and other gatherings, town clerk, the first Dep- uty Sheriff, and was chosen deacon of the old First Church in 1795. Daniel lived on the old ancestral farm most of his long life. but during his latter years lived on Pleasant Street. He became a Spiritualist in 1853, and ever after was a firm believer in those doctrines. He married
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Hannah Stockwell April 29, 1827, and had three children. one who died in infancy, Elmer S. and Sarah. He was married a second time Aug. 22, 1872, to D. E. Grout. Mr. Bigelow died Jan. 2, 1894.
DEXTER ALDRICH was born in Pittsford, Vt., in April, 1822. His parents resided in various places, and moved to Athol from Royalston about 1834. He first worked at shoemaking, which he continued until about 1852. when he commenced selling goods for Horace Partridge, of Boston, travelling over the country and selling his goods at auction at the various cattle shows, musters and other occasions where large numbers were gathered. He was also engaged at different times as travelling salesman for several Boston firms. He was the first one to occupy a store in the Summit House block, where, in 1857, he opened a millinery and dry goods store which was one of the first of that kind, of importance in town, and where he did an extensive business. He was one of the projec- tors of Union block, and was also among the first of those who favored the introduction of gas and water into town. He also did an extensive business as an auctioneer. In company with T. H. Goodspeed he purchased Music Hall a short time before it was burned. For several years before his death he occupied a store in his block adjoining the Summit House. Mr. Aldrich died Dec. 19, 1882.
GILBERT SOUTHARD was born in Swanzey, N. H., Dec 7, 1820. He was left an orphan at the age of eight years, and his boyhood was one of hardship and work. When a young man he engaged in the manufacture of pails at
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GILBERT SOUTHARD.
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Fitzwilliam, N. H., and after a few years there removed to Athol. locating near South Athol, where the village which was built up by his business became known as Southard- ville. He continued the manufacture of pails at that place from 1848 to 1858. when he sold out his business and removed to Athol Centre, and bought the residence on Chestnut Street, which was his home until his death. He engaged in the grocery business at the store now occupied by Newton & Call, and sold out in a few years to S. E. and O. A. Fay. He then engaged in the stove and tinware business in the store where Samuel Lee is now located. After continuing this business a few years, he sold out and became interested in lumbering operations and other busi- ness. He became prominently identified with town affairs. and from 1875 was a member of the board of selectmen for nine years continuously, serving also most of that time as overseer of the poor and road commissioner. In 1891, he was elected overseer of the poor and served three years. He also for a number of years was elected to defend the town in law suits, and served on important committees for the town. He was a member of the Congregational church, and for many years the leader of its choir. He
was married in 1842, to Miss Lucy A. Ellenwood of Athol. She died Nov. 13, 1895. They had five children, - the only survivor of whom is Henry Southard, who now lives at the old homestead. Mr. Southard died Feb. 1, 1898.
JAMES W. HUNT was born in Prescott, June 1, 1821. and was one of eight children of Samuel and Polly
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(Sloane) Hunt. His early life was spent upon the farm, and attending the district schools. He was for a number of years engaged in driving sheep and cattle from Vermont to Brighton market, in company with J. F. Packard. He was for many years one of the leading citizens of Prescott, serving the town as selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor for twelve years in succession. He came to Athol in November, 1856, and engaged in the grocery business with J. F. Packard and Warren Horr, where the store of O. T. Brooks & Co. is now located. 3 He contin- ued this business for fourteen years, and afterwards had a grocery store with his brother, Orrin, where the Chronicle block now is. Later he engaged in lumbering operations, alone or in connection with others. He was one of the purchasers of the Pinedale property and also of the Upham shop near the depot, and he also had much to do in the settlement of various estates. He was a prominent factor in town affairs, having been selectman for three years, assessor eight years, and was often chosen to act on important town committees. He was a charter member of the Poquaig Club. He was an attendant of and liberal contributor to the Baptist church, and sang in the church choir for many years. He married Sophia L. Haskins of Williamstown, May 23, 1844. She died Nov. 23, 1879, and Aug. 8, 1881, he married Miss Lizzie M. Rugg of Montague. Mr. Hunt died March 1, 1898.
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CHAPTER XVII.
JOURNALISM.
·· Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain, Here patriot Truth her glorious precepts draw. Pledged to Religion. Liberty and Law."
HE FIRST venture in the field of jour- nalism in Athol was that of Alonzo Rawson who, Dec. 18, 1827, issued the first number of his "Freedom's Senti- nel." It was printed in folio form on a sheet eighteen by twenty-six inches wide, and contained twenty columns. The office was located at Athol Centre, and Mr. Rawson was the editor and publisher. His
editorials were ably written, and he expressed his views upon the public questions of the day in a fearless manner. One of the principles which he stated he should be con- trolled by in the discharge of his editorial duties, was the following: "We shall never hesitate to reprobate, in the strongest terms, the injustice and horrors of slavery." This paper was continued for two years, the last issue
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appearing Dec. 14, 1829, when Mr. Rawson gives his farewell as follows: "This week we issue the last number of Freedom's Sentinel, in Athol. It has been published two years, during which time the publisher has devoted his whole time and attention to its editorial and mechan- ical departments ; and now he thinks he has an undoubted right to take a friendly leave of his patrons, and depart in peace, good spirits, and with empty pockets."
The next paper to be printed in Athol was the "White Flag," the first number of which was issued Sept. 7, 1850, M. H. Mandell, publisher, and D. J. Mandell, editor aud proprietor. The object of this paper was briefly stated by Editor Mandell, who said, "The object of this journal is to promote the Christian Confederacy of Neighborhoods, Towns, States and Nations." Evidently the people did not appreciate the good intentions of this jour- nal, for only a few numbers were issued in the second volume, when the publication suspended. From 1851 until Nov. 28, 1866, Athol was without a newspaper. "The Worcester West Chronicle" was established in Barre by R. Wm. Waterman, in January, 1866. During that year a movement was started in Athol for the establishing a local paper in town, and several meetings were held by the citi- zens to see what inducements could be offered, and arrangements made with some journalist to establish a weekly paper in town, devoted to its local interests and independent in politics. An invitation was extended to the proprietor of the "Worcester West Chronicle" to remove his plant from Barre to Athol. He accepted the offer
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made him by the citizens' committee, and on Nov. 28, 1866, the first issue of the "Worcester West Chronicle" was published in Athol. It was printed on an Adams hand press, on a sheet twenty-four by thirty-six inches, folio form, with twenty-eight columns. In 1867 a power press was purchased. In 1870 the paper was enlarged to thirty-two columns, and on a sheet twenty-seven by forty- two inches. In January. 1875, it was again enlarged to forty-eight columns on a sheet thirty by forty-four inches quarto form, and, in 1881, a new cylinder press was purchased. In 1890, two more pages were added, the paper continuing to be a ten page weekly until September, 1895, when it was made a semi-weekly, being published on Thursdays and Saturdays. The paper has been from the start under the same business and editorial man- agement.
R. WILLIAM WATERMAN, the editor and proprietor of the Chronicle, was born at St. John's, Newfoundland, Nov. 8, 1836, and came to Massachusetts with his mother when quite young. His parents were of American and English descent, his father, William Waterman, being a descendant of one of the oldest Massachusetts families of that name. His mother was Jane Ryland Burton, daughter of George Burton, a commissioned officer in the English army stationed at Newfoundland. His father died when he was an infant, and at the age of fourteen young Waterman commenced to learn the printing busi- ness, graduating in 1857 from the University office in Cambridge, after serving seven years apprenticeship. Notwithstanding he had gained as thorough a knowledge
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of book printing as could be obtained in one of the best offices in the country, he gave a year's time soon after in another office in gaining a still further knowledge of type setting in foreign languages. At Andover, Mass , he did the composition on Henderson's Commentary of the Minor Prophets, in which he set six languages, all but one Oriental. ' Mr. Waterman was afterwards employed at the New England Type Foundry in Boston, and at the River- side Press, Cambridge, as a type setter. While at the former place he worked upon "Uncle Tom's Cabin," in the manuscript of Harriet Beecher Stowe. At the University office, when a boy, he worked upon the manuscript of the first edition of Longfellow's "Hiawatha," carrying the proofs to the author daily. He was also employed at the Boston Stereotype Foundry, and at Wright & Potter's State Printers, going from the latter place to Barre, Mass., as foreman of the Barre Gazette office in 1864, and in January, 1866, established in that town the Worcester West Chronicle, which he removed to Athol in the fall of that year. He has been promi- nently identified with various Press Associations, having in 1870 been one of seven to organize, at Worcester, the Massachusetts Press Association, of which he has several times been elected vice-president, and it was through an invitation issued by him to newspaper publishers, that the Suburban Press Association was organized at Athol, in 1881, which has now become the "Suburban Press Asso- ciation of New England," the largest and most useful in the United States, and of which he has been the
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The Worcester West Chronicle.
OPEN TO ALL. INFLUENCED BY NONE
ATHOL MASS, THURSDAY, JANUARY : :. 1883.
NO 2.
The Chronicle.
The Chronicle.
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corresponding secretary to the present time. He was also one of the delegates sent to Cincinnati to organize the National Press Association in 1885 which has since held its sessions in the different states of the Union, most of which he has attended. He has had an extensive and varied experience in travelling in the United States and Mexico, having been in every state except Washington. Mr. Waterman was married Jan. 1, 1861. at Cambridge, Mass .. to Henrietta Florence Taylor, daughter of Charles and Mary E. Taylor of that city. Miss Taylor was a native of North Reading. and was born at the old Whittredge homestead, which has been in the possession of her family from the Colonial days. Mr. and Mrs. Waterman have had three children, Charles A. J., who was born in Cam- bridge, and for a number of years was successfully engaged in the job printing business in Athol. He died in 1889, leasing a widow. one daughter and a son. George Burton, born in Barre, died in infancy, and Marshall B .. born in Barre in 1866 is the only surviving child.
The first number of the "Athol Transcript" was issued Tuesday morning, Jan. 31, 1871, by E. F. Jones & Co. Mr. Jones was an able and popular printer, and had been for several years the foreman of the Chronicle office. Lucien Lord was the silent partner, and Dr. V. O. Taylor became the first editor. The changes that have taken place in the ownership and management of the paper are as follows: July 3, 1872, Col. George H. Hoyt bought Mr. Lord's interest, and the firm name of E. F. Jones & Co. was continued. Col. Hoyt doing the editorial work.
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and giving the paper a strong political tinge. During the absence of Col. Hoyt in the Legislature the editorial duties were ably assumed by his sister, Mrs. Clare H. Burleigh. June 24, 1873, Lucien Lord, W. L. Hill and E. A. Smith purchased the entire business and plant and a new firm was organized, under the name of Smith, Hill & Co., with Mr. Smith as business manager, Mr. Hill as editor, and Mr. Lord as silent partner. This partnership continued until April, 1881, when Messrs Lord and Hill purchased Mr. Smith's interest, the former continuing as silent partner, and the latter as editor and business manager, the company name being the Athol Transcript Company. In September, 1893, W. H. Brock purchased Mr. Lord's interest, and succeeded him as silent partner, the firm name remaining as before.
DR. VERNON O. TAYLOR, the first editor of the Trans- cript, was born in Charlestown, Mass., Aug. 28, 1847. He was educated in the public schools of Charlestown, and Park Latin School of Boston, entered Tufts College, but left that institution in the sophomore year to enter the Harvard Medical School, from which he received the degree of M. D., in July, 1868. In September of that year he went to the west coast of Africa, and sojourned in the colony of Senegal until April, 1869. In September, 1869 he located in Athol, and commenced the practice of medicine. In addition to the duties of his profession he was local and special correspondent for the Springfield Republican, and was editor of the Transcript for nearly two years. He was married Sept. 15, 1871, to Sabra J.
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