USA > Massachusetts > Biographical history of Massachussetts; biographies and autobiographies of the leading men in the state, 1911, vol 9 > Part 26
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The career of Henry Joshua Winslow is marked by straight- forwardness of thought and purpose. He believes a good name more to be desired than riches. His success in material things has been continuous; and this success was won honorably, by the observance of honest principles, by a thorough mastery of his profession, by industry, energy, and perseverance.
Edward 2. Woods
EDWARD LEANDER WOOD
E DWARD LEANDER WOOD, a prominent mill official of Massachusetts and Maine, with which interests he had been identified for upwards of forty years, was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, October 6, 1845. He died at his Brook- line home, March 20, 1916, in the seventy-first year of his age. He was the son of General Moses Wood who was a prominent business man, a state Senator, and Brigadier General of the Militia. The father was a commanding figure in those days in all the affairs of life, with a high reputation for integrity and patriotism. The mother of Edward L. Wood was Mary Comee. On both sides the ancestry is among the earliest settlers from England and Scotland who located in Concord, Sudbury and Danvers.
On his father's side he was descended from Aaron Wood (October 10, 1762-July 4, 1815) and Bethia (Beard) Wood. Aaron Wood held many offices; he was Justice of the Peace in Westminster, and for five successive years in the state legislature. His father, the Honorable Nathan Wood, was sent to the Colonial Legislature from Westminster and served in two succeeding Provincial Con- gresses. His father was Abraham Wood of Concord, who was Town Clerk from 1701 to 1703, and Selectman from 1700 to 1704. The father of Abraham Wood of Concord was Abraham Wood of Sudbury. His father was Michael Wood of Concord, and his father, William Wood, who came to Concord in 1627, had been a Mayor of Sandwich in Kent, England, and wrote " The Prospects of New England." Two generations behind him was another William Wood who was Mayor of Sandwich in Kent, England.
On his mother's side, Edward Leander Wood's grandparents were James Maltman Comee (1777-1832) and Sarah (Putnam) Comee. Among his ancestors also were Walter Haynes who came to Sudbury in 1638; David Comee came to Concord in 1657; Andrew Beard who came to Billerica in 1675; John Putnam and Samuel Porter of Danvers; and Peter Noyes and Deacon Rice of Sudbury.
As a boy he grew up under the quiet influences of country life and the teaching of a devoted mother, which supplemented the sturdy example of the father. He attended the public schools of Fitchburg, where the family resided after his early youth, and entered the High School.
His mother's influence was particularly strong upon both his in- tellectual development and his moral and spiritual life. As a child, he was a normal, healthy, active boy, tender-hearted and ambitious. The Fitchburg High School was too slow to suit him, and so Edward Leander Wood, with his father's consent, hired a tutor and by studying alone with him entered Harvard College much earlier than he could otherwise have done. He was gradu- ated from Harvard with the degree of A. B. in 1867. The wishes
EDWARD LEANDER WOOD
of his parents, his own preference and circumstances united to de- termine his choice of a profession.
After graduation he went into the Rollstone National Bank of Fitchburg of which his father was President. In a few years seek- ing a larger and different field of activity he went to Lewiston, Maine, where he was connected with several corporations in the line of manufactures. In 1885 he moved to New York where he remained three years; and in 1888 he established his business rela- tions more permanently in Boston with his residence in Brookline. He was first agent and then for forty-five years was Treasurer of the Franklin Company of Lewiston; Treasurer of the Lewiston Gas Company; President of the Union Water Power Company; president of the Continental Mills; and Director of the Androscog- gin Mills. He was a large Real Estate owner in Lewiston and Auburn and originally the principal portion of Rangeley Lakes. This was largely his life work. Other positions in corporation management and the exercises of financial ability gave evidence of his standing in industrial enterprises.
He was a man of natural force of character and displayed the qualities of sturdy integrity and capability in his contact with men in active life. In his intellectual diversion from business he was devoted to the reading of history and kept well in touch with current events. His character and qualifications for such an honorable degree were recognized by his alma mater, Harvard College, in be- stowing upon him the degree of A. M.
In politics he was a Republican and always maintained his strict allegiance to the principles and general policy of that party.
In religious affiliations he associated with the Congregational and Episcopal denominations.
He belonged to the Essex Country Club, Manchester-by-the-Sea.
February 1, 1871, he was married to Elzo E. Carpenter, daughter of William H. and Isabelle E. (Slocomb) Carpenter, and a descen- dant of William Carpenter who came from England in 1638 in the ship Bevis and settled in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Mrs. Wood's grandparents on her father's side were Christopher and Mary (McCrillis) Carpenter; and on her mother's side Rufus and Betsey (Sargent) Slocomb. Two children were born to Mr. Wood- Edward L., Junior, who died in 1902, and Elizabeth Carpenter Wood. Mrs. Edward L. Wood died March 28, 1915 at her home in Brookline.
Mr. Wood was of the class of men who have done so much for New England in the development of its natural resources in the water power of its streams, and in the establishment and maintenance of its manufactories of textile fabrics and kindred industries.
WILLIAM MADISON WOOD
W ILLIAM MADISON WOOD was born in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, June 18, 1858. His father was William Jason Wood, and his mother was Amelia Christian Madison. His father came from the Azores, availing himself of the opportunity of serving on the American vessels, especially whaling vessels, which frequent those islands, and finally locating in America. On account of delicate health he gave up sea-faring life and through the friendship of one of the sea captains with whom he sailed, he established himself in a little home in Edgartown, married a girl of English descent and settled down in that quiet little town. From this home and parentage the future eminent manufacturer and head of great mill operations was born and passed the years of infancy. In early youth the family moved to New Bedford and located a little out of the city. Here the boy at four years of age began going to school and laying the foundation of useful education which was to stand him well in the practical life he was to follow. He was fond of study, of an in- quiring mind and remarkable memory, with habits of industry and perseverance, and passed his early boyhood in the usual duties of the home and attendance upon school. The father, always in delicate health, competing in the struggle for livelihood, passed away when the boy was but eleven years old, leaving besides the mother and son, three little daughters and three other boys who had blessed the little home. But he left the inheritance of strict integrity, industry and honesty of purpose.
Now came the period in the youth's life when he must not only try to support himself but contribute to the care and support of others. Among the little ventures showing the trend of the youth's mind and his disposition to engage in transactions of profit and utility was an instance of his purchase of a barrel of apples at auction, sorting them out and then selling them a peck at a time to neighbors, and thus doubling his money. It showed the character of the young trader to seize a good opportunity and avail himself of a chance to display self-reliance and make a profitable investment. Necessity compelled him to be industrious, and with energy, good principles, and commendable enterprise he started early to win his way in the world and to overcome the many obstructions that al- ways are quite inseparable from the strenuous struggles of life.
WILLIAM MADISON WOOD
Attending the public schools of New Bedford and graduating at the Grammar School, he entered the High School, but was obliged by circumstances to relinquish the coveted opportunity of continu- ing his education, and to seek some employment. Let it be said to his credit that he did not thus abandon the idea of acquiring an education and a fund of useful knowledge. After leaving school he spent his evenings, and even nights, for several years in study. He took up Latin, French and German and became well versed in Algebra and the higher mathematics, giving a discipline to his mind beyond the ordinary topics of study and a practical ex- perience in information that might be of material advantage in the ambitious but uncertain life before him.
He had before attracted the attention of Andrew G. Pierce one of the leading men of the Wamsutta Mills in New Bedford, and as his first active employment he was given a position in the counting room of the mills as messenger boy and boy of general utility in the routine work of the office. But he soon showed ability far beyond his position or his years. When not running errands or performing other duties his habits of observation were active and he was taking notes of everything going on about him and studying the details of the business. He was anxious to get ahead and know more of the manufacturing branch of the business. So after three years of clerical work, assisting in the routine of the superintendent's duties, with a desire to learn the technical part of the industry, at his request he was transferred to the manufacturing department in- side of the mill. Here he entered enthusiastically into every detail of the work and spent all the time possible around the machinery. He was not a mill employee in the ordinary sense of the term, but an active person in the service of the company in looking after the details of manufacture and practically learning the processes from raw material to the finished product. He had with the friendly interest of many leading men and stockholders an unusual op- portunity, and his willingness to work and study insured his advancement. He realized his advantage with the access given him to all avenues of knowledge in the business. His personal traits drew to him the friendship and interest of those above him. After three years of experience in the mill he had a thorough knowledge of the cotton manufacturing industry and a reputation for marked ability.
On completion of six years service in the mills Mr. Wood re- ceived an offer of a position in a banking house in Philadelphia and went there for a short period. His experience there was quite invaluable in giving him an insight into financial affairs and the
WILLIAM MADISON WOOD
operations of railroads and other enterprises of public nature and the varied interests handled by banking institutions. Still his inclinations were turned to the manufacturing business and the op- portunities for again embarking in such industries where his abilities could be more fully and more congenially employed were awaited with ardent hopes to be realized.
The opportunity came when his old friends and benefactors Mr. Otis N. Pierce and Mr. Edward L. Anthony sought his asso- ciation in reorganizing some Fall River mills which had met with heavy losses. They were sound, shrewd business men, and wise counselors of the best type who recognized the abilities of this young man for the work desired and encouraged the ambition of Mr. Wood to serve as assistant in management and as paymaster. Now began his special career in which he has won deserved renown. He soon got in touch with the interests of all the mills in the finan- cial and manufacturing administrations. For six years he remained in Fall River, and with his administrative abilities brought great success to his efforts. He was then but a young man in the twenties and had established a reputation for mill management extending far beyond the range of his operations. In 1884 the Washington Mills of Lawrence had met with reverses and had been taken over for debt by Frederick Ayer, and in 1890 Mr. Wood was offered the superintendency. The problem of restoring these mills and putting them on a paying basis was considered a task beyond the ability of any man. He was told that it was impossible, men whom he succeeded had failed and lost courage. But he found the right men in the mills waiting for the right man to guide them to success, and in ten years he solved the problem, established the mills in sound condition and divided a surplus. His policy was to win the confidence of associates, give them an opportunity for self-reliance and success would follow no matter how big the problem. In due time, encouraged by the solution of the Washington affairs, he paralleled that adventure by the great Wood Mill.
As a great organizer and head of combined interests of different corporations Mr. Wood's ability was widely recognized so that in 1899 in association with a number of prominent wool men he organized the American Woolen Company which is now the largest single corporation manufacturing woolen goods in the world. He was at first Treasurer, but is now its President and active head.
This organization has in its continuation upwards of 50 great plants of the country and insures union of interests and joint economy of management, beneficial alike to producers and con- sumers of goods. Mr. Wood is President or prominent official of
WILLIAM MADISON WOOD
many of these companies and they all feel the inspiration of his guiding influence. Without a peer he stands as the foremost textile man in the country, directing the largest number of em- ployees of all the industries of New England. The story of his life is a wonderful illustration of the rise of the poor boy to affluence and high position with his guiding principles of thoroughness in what he does and the sacred keeping of his word.
Mr. Wood is President and Director of the American Woolen Company, the Wood Worsted Mills, Ayer Mills, National and Providence Worsted Mills, Washington Mills, and Director of the Southern Illinois Coal and Coke Company. He is also Director in many Corporations in the manufacturing line associated with the American Woolen Company, Vice-president of the Home Market Club, Director of the Merchants Bank, New Bedford, and of the Rhode Island Insurance Company, President and Director of Kil- burn Mills, Vice-president of the National Association of Wool Manufacturers, Vice-president of the Massachusetts Real Estate Exchange; Director of the Pierce Manufacturing Company, the Nyanza Mills. He is an active man in all these positions.
In politics he is a Republican though not especially active as such, and in religious associations he is an Episcopalian.
He belongs to the Metropolitan and Union League Clubs in New York, and to the Algonquin, Country, and Essex Country Clubs of Massachusetts, N. Y. Yacht Club, Eastern Yacht Club and Co- rinthian Yacht Club.
Mr. Wood married the daughter of his great business associate, Frederick Ayer, and has four children: William M., Jr., Cornelius Ayer, both in United States Naval Service; Rosalind, and Irene. His daughter Irene was married Jan. 12, 1918, to Capt. Bernard L. Sutcliffe of the British Army in the Northumberland Fusiliers and who is the son of a prominent wool merchant, Thomas Sut- cliffe of Sutcliffe & Co., Halifax, Yorkshire, England.
He has a beautiful country home in Andover and another resi- dence on the island of Cuttyhunk.
In his own words the greatest opportunity of any man "is the opportunity of being with limited means and thus compelled by necessity to persevere, to be industrious, to have patience, to be self-reliant, and further to be square with everybody, to do more than you are paid to do, and be honest with yourself." His life is a concrete example for an American youth without wealth, without family influence, to rise to eminence in the great industrial world.
1951
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