Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 10

Author: Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Boston, Biographical review publishing company
Number of Pages: 1238

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Taft. She died in 1878, leaving three chil- dren: Harry T., born in September, 1867, who is now in the woollen manufacturing business at Franklin, Mass. ; Sylvia W., born November 18, 1870; and Mary B., born in February, 1872. His second marriage, per- formed in June, 1879, united him with Dora Lovett. a daughter of Samuel P. and Sarah A. Lovett. She died in January, 1883, leaving one son. William Z., born December 25, 1882. Mr. Hayward's present wife, whom he married in 1886, was in maidenhood Eliza- beth C. Capen, of Stoughton, Mass. In poli- tics Mr. Hayward is a Republican. He is serving the public on the Sinking Fund Com- mittee. In 1892 he was a member of the House of Representatives, serving in the Committee on Banks and Banking. His busi- ness ability and progressive tendencies are of much value to the town, and he is held in high estimation. He is a member of the Unitarian Society.

EDWARD THOMAS GILMORE, one of the Board of Assessors in Westboro, Worcester County, was born in Greenwich, Mass., August 25, 1836, the eld- est son of Thomas Smith Gilmore and grand- son of Robert and Betsey, or Elizabeth, (Fay) Gilmore. On his mother's side he is grand- son of Eber Willard and Elizabeth (Powers) Bailey.

His father spent the larger half of his life in the town of Greenwich, where he con- ducted extensive farming operations for many years. A man of sound judgment, firm in his decisions, and skilful in business transac- tions, he was often chosen to responsible pub- lic positions, and served in that town on dif- ferent occasions as Selectman, Overseer of the Poor, Highway Surveyor, etc. In 1866 he moved to Westboro, Mass., and here contin- ued the pursuit of agriculture successfully until his death, at the age of seventy-four, March 30, 1883. He married Eliza Adeline Bailey, a descendant of the Powers family, who were among the original settlers of the old town of Greenwich, and they had seven children, as follows: Edward Thomas; Eliza-

beth Adeline, now living in Florida; Mary Frances, wife of D. Guilford Groundwater, of Cottonwood Falls, Chase County, Kan .; Stephen Albert, an extensive brick manufact- urer of Westboro; Henry Augustine and Her- vey Augustus, twins, the former of whom is an auctioneer and cattle inspector in West- boro and the latter a skilful farmer in this town and also a cattle dealer at the Brighton market; and Myron Walton, owner of a cattle ranch in Elmdale, Kan.

Edward T. Gilmore received his early train- ing in the common and high schools of his native town, and fitted for the Sophomore year in college at the New Salem Academy. He subsequently taught in village and district schools four years, having on an average sixty pupils each term. As in all schools of those days, he had classes of all grades, ranging from the lowest in the primary department to those in the high school. Going then to Springfield, he was employed during the war in the United States Armory, in the gun- stock turning department. At the close of the Rebellion he, in company with three asso - ciates, engaged in the oyster business, both as a planter and dealer, having two depots in Springfield, one in Westfield, and one, the headquarters for opening and shipping, in Fair Haven, Conn.

In this industry he carried on an extensive business, employing many vessels in the busi- ness of dredging for oysters in Chesapeake Bay and adjacent waters, and planting them in New Haven Harbor, also employing a large number of hands, and handling many hundred gallons of oysters daily.

In 1870 the partnership was dissolved, and the ensuing two years Mr. Gilmore was en- gaged as a commission merchant in New York City. Coming to Westboro in 1872, he began the manufacture of spring beds, which he car- ried on with his brothers six years, when he bought out his partners, and to the original business added the manufacture of finish lumber and boxes, which he conducted suc- cessfully eight years.

In 1889, at the earnest solicitation of his fellow-citizens, he accepted a position on the Water Board, which he retained five years,

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

three years of this time being superintendent of the water system. He is now serving his third term on the Board of Assessors of West- boro, and since 1891 has been a member of the Republican Town Committee. He is thoroughly conversant with local political affairs, and has served his party as a delegate to various senatorial, county, and legislative conventions.

On January 3, 1865, Mr. Gilmore was mar- ried at Hinsdale, N. H., to Mary Melissa Harris, of Vernon, Vt., the "Gretna Green " of New England. She was born March I, 1836, daughter of Austin and Polly (Clark) Harris, grand-daughter of Ziba and Polly (Lee) Harris, and great-grand-daughter of Sylvanus and Mary (Pond) Harris, and on her mother's side grand-daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Hall) Clark. Her great-grandfather Clark fought in the Revolutionary War. She had one brother, Austin Almeran Harris, who was a private in Company F, First Vermont Cavalry, and died in camp at Burlington, Vt., December 1, 1861.

Three daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore, namely: Gertrude, born Octo- ber 3, 1865, in Springfield, Mass., who died January 31, 1867; Maude Adeline and Alice Clark, both of whom are successful teachers in the public schools of Westboro, having taught since their graduation from its high school.

AMES C. BEMIS, the agent of the Boston & Albany Railroad at Cold- brook Springs, was born in Paxton, Mass., February 18, 1824, son of Al- pheus and Polly (Prouty) Bemis. The grand- father, Abijah Bemis, was an early settler in Paxton. Alpheus Bemis, who was born in Paxton, January 17, 1784, spent the active period of his life in the cultivation of a farm adjoining his father's property, and died Au- gust 28, 1858. He was not a member of any religious denomination, and in politics he acted with the Democratic party. Polly Bemis, his wife, whom he married August 12, 1805, was born in Spencer, Mass., December 9, 1789. She became the mother of nine children, three of whom are living, namely:

Hiram P., born July 10, 1818, residing in Paxton; James C., the subject of this sketch ; and Mary R., born August 25, 1826, residing in North Brookfield, Mass. The others were : Delia, born August 14, 1809, who died April 4, 1820; Roxy, born October 13, 1811, who died November 7 of the same year; Roswell, born June 9, 1813, who died September 4, 1893; and Alpheus, born May 6, 1821, who died December 16, 1895. The mother passed away August 25, 1866.

James C. Bemis was educated in the schools of Paxton and Spencer. At the age of sixteen he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, and, locating in the village of Coldbrook Springs in 1841, followed that calling here for about twenty years. Soon after his arrival he also engaged in the hotel business as the proprie- tor of the Coldbrook Springs House, which he carried on successfully until it was destroyed by fire in 1885. Immediately after the disas- ter he erected the present hostelry, which is now managed by his son. In December, 1873, he entered upon his duties as the local agent of the Boston & Albany Railroad Com- pany, a position that he has efficiently filled up to the present time.

On April 30, 1846, Mr. Bemis was joined in marriage with Mary B. Washburn, a daugh- ter of Levi and Abigail Washburn, born in Gill, Franklin County, Mass., December 3, 1825. She has had five children, namely : Herbert E., born September 25, 1859, who died at the age of seven months; Francene R., now the wife of M. C. Needham, of Cold- brook Springs; Mary J., now residing in Hardwick, Mass .; Ida M., now the wife of C. H. Parker, an enterprising merchant of this village; and James W. Bemis, who is now the proprietor of the Springs House. Mary J., first married Elias F. King, who died January 19, 1886. She is now the wife of H. L. Sturtevant, a hotel-keeper in Hardwick. James W. Bemis contracted the first of his two marriages with Alice M. Hatch, who died August 25, 1883. His present wife was formerly Agnes Crossley. Politically, Mr. Bemis, Sr., is a Democrat. He has served with ability as a member of the Board of Selectmen for several years; has also filled

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

the offices of Assessor, Collector, and Treas- urer; and he is a member of Mount Zion Lodge, F. & A. M., of Barre, Mass.

HOMAS H. JONES, a prominent and public-spirited resident of Warren, son of William Jones, was born February 8. 1830, in West Stockbridge, Berkshire County. He is of Welsh extraction, and comes of patriotic Revolutionary stock. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Jones, served as a soldier throughout the entire struggle for independence.

William Jones, born in New Marlboro, Mass., there grew to a vigorous manhood. Settling then in West Stockbridge, Berk- shire County, he was for more than a quarter of a century one of the leading agriculturists and an influential man in the town and county. He was Selectman of the town for many years, represented Stockbridge in the General Court of Massachusetts for one term, and for a number of years was Deputy Sheriff. In 1855 he removed to West Springfield, Mass. From Springfield, in 1861, he came to Warren, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1875. In his earlier years he was a prominent member of the Whig party, and he became one of the most ardent supporters of the Republican party after its formation. His wife, Melinda (Hubbard) Jones, who was born in Sandisfield, Mass., bore him four children, of whom Thomas H. is the only survivor.

Thomas H. Jones obtained a practical com- mon-school education in West Stockbridge, where he grew to man's estate. Commencing life for himself as a farmer, he followed that occupation in Berkshire County until 1861, when he came with his family to Warren. Here he purchased a farm, and successfully conducted it for some years. In 1890 he removed to the village, where he is now

living. Since his arrival in Warren he has served his townsmen in the several capaci- ties of Superintendent of Streets, member of the local Board of Health, and Cemetery Commissioner. He was also Cattle Inspector in the town for a number of years. In poli-

tics he is an uncompromising Republican. He is active in fraternal societies, belonging to both the Masons and the Odd Fellows.

On April 18, 1852, Mr. Jones married Agnes P. Milligan, who was born in Alford, Mass. Her parents, Thomas and Lucy F. (Fletcher) Milligan, were respectively natives of New York State and Vermont. On the mother's side she is of Revolutionary stock, several of her Fletcher relatives having served in the Revolutionary War. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Milligan, three are now living, namely : John L., of Alford; Agnes P., now Mrs. Jones; and Mrs. Jennie M. F. Tripp, of Springfield, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had three children, of whom Ar- thur S. is deceased. The others are: Mary L. and Willie E. Mary L. is the wife of Charles G. Hamblett, who is assistant road- master on the Boston & Albany Railroad be- tween Springfield and Worcester.

ENRY FRANKLIN ROCKWELL, one of the most popular Mayors of Fitchburg, was born September 9, 1849, in the old Spofford-Garrison house at the north end of the city. He is a son of Henry O. and Sarah C. (Laws) Rock- well. His father's mother's family, the Gib- sons, were among the settlers of New England, in 1628, and some members of it served in the Revolutionary War. Henry O. Rockwell, who was a business man of Fitchburg, held decided views, was highly respected, and died in 1877, aged sixty-two years. His wife, who is still living, is a daughter of the late William Laws, of Westford, Mass. They had one son older than Henry F., William B., who resides in California.

Henry Franklin Rockwell was educated in the graded schools and the high school of Fitchburg. In 1864 he entered the employ of Samuel H. Woods, druggist, of Boston, with whom he remained three years. After this he spent nine years in Brooklyn, N.Y. He started in business for himself in Fitchburg in 1877. As a business man he has been very successful. Mr. Rockwell was an origi- nal director in the Fidelity Co-operative

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Bank. A prominent member of the Republi- can party, he was chairman of the Republican City Committee for five years. He was in the Common Council in 1886, 1887, and 1888, serv- ing in the capacity of its president during the last two years ; and on the Board of Aldermen for three successive years, serving on the Com- mittees on City Property, Claims, Highways, and Finance. In 1892 and 1893 he was in the legislature, and served during both terms on the Committees on Railroads. He was the Mayor of Fitchburg in 1896 and 1897; and he is now serving his third term in that office, to which he was elected in 1897 by the largest majority ever given a Mayoral candi- date in that city.

In 1881 Mr. Rockwell was married to Jessie F., daughter of Thomas Lamberson, of Brooklyn, N. Y. They have two children : William M., in the Fitchburg High School; and Jessie K. Mr. Rockwell is a member of Alpine Lodge, No. 35, K. P., Uniform Rank; and of Apollo Lodge, I. O. O. F. He at- tends worship at Christ Episcopal Church.

ON. GEORGE KING NICHOLS, of Grafton, Mass., one of the best known citizens in this section of Worcester County and one of the most highly esteemed, was born at Sher- brooke, Lower Canada, now the Province of Quebec, on April 10, 1827, his parents being John Adams and Melinda (King) Nichols, the former a native of Thornton, N.H., and the latter a native of Sutton, Mass.

His father's grandfather, Colonel Moses Nichols, was a practising physician at Am- herst, N.H., and was an officer in the Ameri- can Revolution. As we learn from the His- tory of Amherst, N.H., this patriotic ances- tor was born in Reading, Mass., in 1740. He was a son of Timothy and Hannah (Per- kins) Nichols and grandson of Captain Thomas, who was a son of Richard Nichols, immigrant, an early settler of Reading. Colonel Nichols fought at the battle of Ben- nington, under General Stark, and opened the engagement with the regiment under his com- mand.

The first of the family in Sherbrooke was the Colonel's son, Dr. Moses Nichols, Jr., who had studied medicine with his father, and eventually settled there for practice, hav- ing previously lived for a time at Thornton, N.H. John Adams Nichols, above named, son of Dr. Moses Nichols, Jr., engaged in mercantile business in Sherbrooke; but death ended his career when still a young man, and when his son George was only three and a half years old. The family then removed to Graf- ton, and Mrs. Nichols subsequently married Colonel William French, of Kingston, R.I.

About a year after the death of his father George K. Nichols was adopted into the fam- ily of Colonel Joshua W. Leland, a prominent man of his time and descendant of one of the old and representative families of Grafton. The farm upon which he lived in the southern part of the town was deeded to his ancestors by the Indians, and has since been handed down from father to son in direct line. Colo- nel Leland was one of the most highly hon- ored and most able men in the community in which he lived. His title was gained from his connection with the militia. He repre- sented his district for two terms in the legis- lature. He sent his adopted son to the town schools, to Leicester Academy, and subse- quently to a select school at Manchester-by- the-Sea taught by Master Price.

At the age of sixteen the young man went to Boston, and there secured employment in a dry-goods store, where he remained until he was of age. He then went to Albany, N. Y., and worked in a similar store for two years. Returning at the end of that time to Boston, he began the study of medicine with Dr. William E. Townsend, and subsequently started on a course of lectures in the Harvard Medical School. This, however, he did not complete, but left Harvard and went to the University of Pennsylvania, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1855. This was before that university moved to its present magnificently equipped build- ing. Dr. Nichols took up the practice of his profession at Saundersville, Grafton; but at the expiration of two years he resigned it in order to accept an offer presenting very flatter-

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GEORGE K. NICHOLS.

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ing inducements to go into business in Boston as a partner in the firm of Nichols, Bacon & Co., dealers in dry-goods.

In 1860 he sold out to the other members of the firm and formed a partnership with Sam- uel Harrington, his father-in-law, who was then doing business at the old green store at Grafton, one of the oldest stands in the town. The business at this place was established in 1806 by Wheeler & Warren. In 1841 the firm became Harrington & Wheeler, and in 1843 Mr. Harrington became sole proprietor. When, in 1860, Mr. Nichols became a partner, the firm name was changed to Harrington . & Nichols, and continued so until 1877, after which Mr. Nichols carried the business on under his own name. In 1883 Mr. Harring- ton L. Nichols was taken into partnership with his father, and the firm name has since been George K. Nichols & Son. In 1873 the old building was replaced by a fine new struc- ture, the Nichols Block, which contains, be- sides the store, the National and Savings Banks and the G. A. R. Hall.

Mr. Nichols was for many years a member of the Standing Committee of the Congrega- tional church, and he has been since 1874 one of the Deacons. He is a member of the Worcester Congregational Club, and in 1894 and 1895 was its vice-president. Greatly in- terested in all things pertaining to the wel- fare of the town, Mr. Nichols has served the public in many important positions. He was one of the Selectmen of Grafton in 1864, 1865, and 1866, when to that board fell the by no means easy task of filling the town's quotas for the war and transacting much other business relating to the soldiers and their families. In 1869 he was elected to the leg- islature, and during his term served on the Committee on Prisons. In 1892 and again in 1893 he was elected to the State Senate. His first election was the more notable be- cause his predecessor in the office had been a Democrat, who had gone in with a heavy vote. For his second term he was unani- mously nominated by his party, and was elected by a largely increased majority. In 1892 Mr. Nichols was a member of the Sen- ate Committee which, with. Governor Russell

and his staff, represented the State at the opening of the Columbian Exposition in Chi- cago. He had previously, on the floor of the Senate, vigorously opposed keeping the mam- moth exhibit open on Sundays. During both of his Senatorial terms Mr. Nichols was on the Committee on Water Supply, and was chairman of the Committee on Public Health. During the last term he was also on the Com- mittee on Prisons. It was through his efforts as chairman of the Public Health Committee that the Sanitary Plumbing Bill was presented and passed, this being the first plumbing bill ever passed in the Massachusetts legislature. It referred to the licensing of plumbers and to supervision of plumbing, and probably created more opposition than any other bill brought before the Senate that year. Mr. Nichols, always active in debate, ably defended the measure. He was also instrumental in secur- ing the passage of the bill to prevent the using of drug-store licenses for the sale of in- toxicating liquors.

Mr. Nichols in 1872 became a director in the Grafton National Bank, and since 1882 he has been its president. While in the legis- lature in 1869 he presented a petition for a charter for a savings-bank to be established in Grafton. He was one of the organizers of the bank, from 1877 to 1895 he was president, and he is now on the Board of Trustees. Mr. Nichols was chairman of the committee ap- pointed by the town to arrange for the Centen- nial of 1876. He was chairman of the com- mittee chosen to provide a town house, which resulted in the purchase of the present build- ing and its adaptation to that purpose.

In 1857 Mr. Nichols married Mary L., daughter of Samuel Harrington. She died September, 1893, having been the mother of three sons, namely: Harrington Leland, who is in business with his father; George Perry ; and Samuel French Nichols. Harrington L. Nichols, who was born in 1859, is active in the Congregational church and in the work of the town library, being one of the trustees thereof. He is one of the directors of the National Bank, and in 1895 and 1896 was Se- lectman. He has been for several years a member of the Republican Town Committee.

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He married a daughter of Charles H. Thurber, of Providence, R. I. George Perry and Sam- uel French Nichols are electrical engineers and contractors in Chicago. The former was educated at the Worcester Polytechnic Insti- tute, and the latter at Amherst College. George Perry Nichols married Miss Mabel I. Nobles, of Aurora, Ill., and has two daugh- ters - Margaret Irene and Mary Elizabeth. Samuel French Nichols married Mary J. Forbes, daughter of A. P. Forbes, of St. Louis, Mo. They have one son, George Le- land Nichols.

ILLIAM P. WOOD, an able farmer and business man of Upton, son of Perry and Caroline (Staples) Wood, was born in Mendon, Mass., May 2, 1838. His great-grandfather, Obadiah Wood, mar- ried a sister of the Rev. Elisha Fish, who was installed as the second settled minister in Upton on June 5, 1750. His grandfather, Obadiah Wood (second), who owned the old homestead in Mendon, was a Quaker.

Perry Wood, the father, was a prosperous farmer and a bridge-builder of considerable note in his day. He possessed much natural ability, and took an important part in town affairs. By his first marriage, which was contracted with Caroline Staples, there were nine children. His second wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Walker Stoddard, bore him two children. Eight of his children lived to maturity, namely: Joseph, who prac- tised law in Milford, and died in 1890; Henry, who was in the employ of the Swift Dressed Beef Company, and died in Philadel- phia some years since; Obadiah, now an in- valid; Frank, who occupies the old home- stead in Mendon; Mary, now the wife of Al- bert Shippee, of Holliston, Mass .; Hattie, the wife of Liberty Freeman; Carrie, the wife of Thomas Harper, of Upton; and William P., the subject of this sketch.

William P. Wood was educated in the schools of his native town. When a young man he bought the Ora Wood place in the southern part of Mendon, where he carried on farming for some years. Later he ran an

express between Upton and Worcester, was engaged in lumbering and manufacturing, has done stone work, has built roads, and has had charge of the public highways in this section. He is the owner of a desirably located farm in Upton. The milk from his dairy is sold to regular customers in town.

On November 25, 1863, Mr. Wood was joined in marriage with Adeline S. Walker, daughter of Chester Walker, a prosperous farmer and stone-mason of this town. Mr. Walker was one of the largest land-owners in Upton, did considerable business as a lumber- man, was widely known throughout this local- ity, and was for many years a leading member of the Congregational church. Mrs. Wood is the mother of three sons and one daughter, namely: Perry, a lumber manufacturer, who married Hattie Clark, of Upton, and has two children - William Perry and Ada Malora; Chester Walker Wood, who married Emme- ranza Klemmer, of Trenton, N.J., has two children -- Frances and Walter Klemmer - and conducts business for Swift & Co. in New Brunswick, that State; Benjamin Claflin Wood, who assists his brother Perry in the lumber business; and Mary Josephine, who resides at home. An energetic and upright business man, Mr. Wood is deservedly popu- lar with his fellow-townsmen, and is held in high estimation by a large circle of friends and acquaintances outside of his own neigh- borhood. He is a Master Mason, having taken his degrees in Blackstone River Lodge.

AHUM FLAGG, a retired farmer of Worcester, son of John and Sarah (Ward) Flagg, was born in a house on Millbury Avenue, April

27, 1812. His great-grandparents were Ben- jamin and Abigail Flagg, of Watertown, Mass. The grandfather, Phineas Flagg, who was born in Watertown, October 9, 1751, came to Worcester when a young man, and on May 25, 1775, settled upon the farm which was the birthplace of his grandson, the sub- ject of this sketch. He married Rhoda Stone, who was born August 5, 1754. Their chil- dren were: John, born June 11, 1778; Abel,

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born October 31, 1780, who died August I, 1865, leaving seven children; Sarah, born March 5, 1783, who married Sullivan Taft, and resided in Heath, Mass., for the rest of her life; Daniel, born April 17, 1785, who died March 12, 1810; Polly, born December IC, 1787, who died March 2, 1805; and Ben- jamin, born June 12, 1790, who carried on a farm at Tatnuck for many years, and spent his last days with his son in Springfield, where he died in 1880, aged ninety years. The father died October 1, 1791. The mother, who was again married, left the home farm to her son John.

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 10

Author: Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, pub Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Boston, Biographical review publishing company Number of Pages: 1238

Author: Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Boston, Biographical review publishing company
Number of Pages: 1238