Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 11

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

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts > Part 11

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John Flagg, who was a lifelong resident of Worcester, spent his active years prosperously engaged in general farming at the homestead, and died March 16, 1861. He was quite prominent in public affairs under the old town government, serving as Selectman, Over- seer of the Poor, and Tax Collector; and he represented the district in the legislature for two terms. His religious belief was the Baptist. Sarah, his wife, whom he married about the year 1800, was born in Ashburn- ham, Mass., June 19, 1775. She gave birth to eight children, namely: Rhoda, on March 12, 1801, who married Darius Rice; Phineas, September 30, 1802, who died from the effects of a fall, January 20, 1807; Sarah, November 13, 1804, who married in 1834 and died in 1838; Lucy, November 14, 1807, who died May 3, 1810; Mary W., March 26, 1810, who married Eden Davis, and died, an octo- genarian, in Thompson, Conn .; Nahum, the subject of this sketch; Hannah, October I, 1815, who died January 11, 1860; and Charles Flagg, November 3, 1821, who is also de- ceased. The mother died at the homestead April 15, 1843, aged sixty-eight years; and the property was sold to Thomas Yates in 1878.

Nahum Flagg spent his youth in attending school and assisting his father upon the farm. After leaving home at twenty-one, he was for the next ten years employed as a farm as- sistant. Then he engaged in farming upon his own account. In 1851 he settled upon his present farm of seventy acres, and soon after erected the present residence. He car-

ried on general farming until 1872, since which time the property has been devoted to dairy purposes. At present the milk of eighteen cows is sold to regular customers in the city.

On April 13, 1843, Mr. Flagg was united in marriage with Lydia F. Harrington, a daughter of Francis and Lydia (Perry) Har- rington, born in Worcester, December 12, 1814. Mr. Harrington, who was a prosper- ous farmer, died October 17, 1841, aged sixty- four years; and his wife, on October 27, 1868, at the age of ninety years, eight months, and seven days. Of their three sons and three daughters, Mrs. Flagg is the only survivor. Mr. and Mrs. Flagg have two children, namely : Albert D., who was born August 22, 1844; and Ellen M., who is residing at home. Albert D. Flagg on September 16, 1885, married Mary C. Mullikin, who was born in Jersey City, daughter of William E. Mulli- kin, and who previous to her marriage re- sided in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Albert D. Flagg and Miss Ellen M. Flagg are members of the local grange, Patrons of Husbandry, of which Mr. Nahum Flagg has been the treas- urer for sixteen years, and his sister the sec- retary for the past eighteen years. Nahum Flagg is one of the best known and most prosperous among Worcester's agriculturists. Mrs. Nahum Flagg is a member of the Con- gregational church.

WHITIN DUDLEY, who was for many years a prominent merchant of Whitinsville, was born in Am - sterdam, N. Y., on April 3, 1817. His parents, Amasa and Ann (Fletcher) Dud- ley, removed from Whitinsville to New York State, but returned not long after his birth. His childhood was passed in Uxbridge and Whitinsville. After receiving his education in the common schools and at Uxbridge Acad- emy, he was employed in his father's store until he was about thirty years of age. Com- ing then to Whitinsville, he had charge of the store of P. Whitin & Sons until the firm was dissolved in 1864. At that time he formed a partnership with Charles P. Whitin, under the

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

firm name of P. W. Dudley & Co., and subse- quently managed the affairs of the concern throughout the rest of his life. He had also an interest in the First National Bank, of which he was a director.

Mr. Dudley possessed untiring industry, understood his business thoroughly, and was a man of strict integrity. All persons with whom he associated, whether employees or pa- trons, recognized his worth, and appreciated him accordingly. During the troublous years of 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, in the ca- pacity of chairman of the Board of Selectmen, he directed the affairs of the town in a man- ner that reflected great credit upon him. After the close of the Civil War he de- clined re-election. His benevolence was shown in the thoughtful care with which he provided for the families of soldiers and aided the worthy poor who applied to him. He was especially interested in the temperance movement, and at the time of his death was the president of the Worcester Southern Tem- perance Union and a member of the State Temperance Alliance. A member of the Congregational church since he came to Whitinsville in 1846, he was one of the Dea- cons of that society dating from January II, 1866, and the superintendent of its Sunday- school for a number of years.

On October 19, 1842, Mr. Dudley was married to Sarah A. Tobey, of Worcester. The children of this union were: Henry M., Herbert H., Sarah Jane, and Walter Whitin Dudley. The eldest, Henry Dudley, who died in June, 1876, was born in Uxbridge on August 12, 1846. He graduated at Willis- ton Seminary, Easthampton, Mass., in 1865, and from the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale College in 1868. In 1875 he opened a drug store in Whitinsville, and was in busi- ness here for seven years. At the end of that time he removed to Woonsocket, R.I., where he was engaged in the drug business until his death. He was a Sir Knight of Woonsocket Commandery, K. T. ; a member of the Woon- socket Business Men's Association; a mem- ber of Mount Hope Lodge, New England Order of Protection, and the Royal Society of Good Fellows; a charter member of Ames

Lodge, A. O. U. W .; and an associate mem- ber of the Sons of Brown, being the first asso- ciate elected in that organization. As a scientist Mr. Dudley had few superiors among the druggists of the State, and he was relied on by many physicians in Northern Rhode Island for chemical and microscopical tests. Herbert Dudley, an enterprising merchant of Whitinsville, has served on the School Com- mittee and the Board of Selectmen, and is now Town Treasurer. Sarah Jane Dudley, who is a graduate of Wheaton Female Semi- nary, is deeply interested in benevolent work, and was the organizer of the Samaritan Asso- ciation of Whitinsville. Walter Dudley, who was educated at Greylock Academy in South Williamstown, is in business in Whitinsville with his cousin, Charles V. Dudley. The father, P. Whitin Dudley, died on July I, 1872.

B ENJAMIN FRANKLIN PAIGE, a retired business man of Hardwick, born here, March 24, 1820, is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Webb) Clark Paige, who were also natives of the

town. His grandfather, John Paige, likewise born in Hardwick, was a son of John Paige, who was a son of Christopher Paige and an early settler in Hardwick. The father, who was extensively engaged in farming in the region of Muddy Brook, died at the age of fifty-eight years. He left in all about four hundred and twenty-five acres of land, includ- ing a well-stocked farm. His wife, whose first husband was Ezra Clark, bore him five children, of whom two died in infancy. The survivors are: Benjamin F., the subject of this sketch; Mary C., born December 18, 1823, who is now the widow of the late Henry Bassett, and resides in Ware, Mass .; and John W. Paige, born August 15, 1825, who is a resident of this town. The mother died at the age of seventy-three years. She was a member of the Congregational church.

Benjamin Franklin Paige was educated in the district schools of Hardwick. He was a small boy when his father died. As his mother was left with the care of a large farm,

HAMMOND BROWN.

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he assisted in its cultivation until he was twenty-one years old. He then went to Bos- ton, where he kept a victualling establishment for a time. Then, having acquired an aver- sion to the business, he sold out, and, return- ing to his native town, engaged in peddling Yankee notions. In 1843, when twenty- three years old, he settled in the locality known as Furnace; and, entering the palm-leaf business, he followed it successfully until his retirement in 1890. Through energy and business ability he has acquired a comfort- able fortune, which is judiciously invested. In addition to considerable agricultural prop- erty in Hardwick, he owns tenement houses in North Brookfield and Holyoke, Mass.

On December 31, 1848, Mr. Paige was joined in marriage with Pamelia Danforth, who was born in this town, September 15, 1827. Her parents, Cyrus and Hannah P. (Jenney) Danforth, were natives of Hardwick. His children by her were: Mary, who married James Matthews, and died in her thirty-fifth year; and George D. Paige, who married Lotta Conkey, and resides in Hardwick. Mrs. Matthews left one son, Benjamin P., who was drowned when nine years old. A Republican in politics, Mr. Paige was one of the prime movers in organizing the party in this town. For many years he has been ac- tively engaged in promoting the business in- terests of this locality. Both he and Mrs. Paige are held in high estimation by the en- tire community.

AMMOND BROWN was one of the pioneer boot and shoe manufacturers of New England as well as of West Brookfield. A son of Brigham Brown, he was born March 27, 1810, in Leicester, Worcester County. Reared and educated in Leicester, he there learned and followed for a time the shoemaker's trade. Soon after attaining man's estate he came to the part of Worcester County that is now in- corporated as West Brookfield, and with John M. Fales, in the firm Fales & Brown, began to manufacture boots and shoes. Several years later the partnership was dissolved,

after which he continued the business alone. For a full half-century he was one of the lead- ing shoe manufacturers of this town, giving employment to a large number of men. He also invested in land, and for some years of his later life was successfully engaged in gen- eral farming, becoming as well known in agri- cultural circles as he was in manufacturing and political life. Politically, he was an un- compromising Democrat, conscientious in all his convictions. Once his mind was made up as to the proper course for him to pursue, he seldom deviated from that course. He served as Selectman and Treasurer of West Brook- field, and in 1853 he was a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention. While liberal in his religious belief, he attended the Congregational church, and was a gener- ous contributor toward its support. A man of noble physique, he had corresponding mental and moral attributes.

Mr. Brown contracted the first of his two marriages in 1834 with Miss Roxy Bemis. Of her children by him, the survivors are: George H. Brown, of West Brookfield; and Mrs. C. P. Blanchard, of Brookfield. His second marriage was made in May, 1860, with Mary A. L. Blair, who was born in West Brookfield, Mass. A daughter of Joseph and Mary (Tuffs) Blair, she is a descendant of one of the oldest families of this town and of pio- neers of this part of the county. Mrs. Brown is an active member of the Congregational church, and is highly esteemed in the social circles of the town in which her life has been spent. Mr. Brown died August 21, 1891, in his eighty-second year.

EORGE LEWIS DARLING, a pros- perous farmer of Sutton, was born in this town, March 21, 1844, son of John and Lydia (Fuller) Darling. His pa- ternal great-grandfather was William Darl- ing, who served as a Lieutenant in the Con- tinental army during the Revolutionary War, and who after his discharge from the army carried on a fulling and grist mill in Sutton. John Darling, father of George L., was born in 1799. The active period of his life was

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devoted to general farming, and he lived to an advanced age. Having in a large degree the respect and confidence of his fellow-towns- men, he was frequently called upon to serve in positions of public trust, and was Select- man in 1859.

George Lewis Darling was educated in the public schools of his native town. He as- sisted his father in carrying on the home farm until entering upon his apprenticeship to the machinist's trade, which he followed as a jour- neyman for some time. Failing health finally compelled him to abandon it; and, returning to the homestead, he has since given his at- tention to agricultural pursuits. His prop- erty, which is desirably located, contains about two hundred acres of well-improved land, and he has made good use of his oppor- tunities for self-advancement.

In 1872 Mr. Darling was joined in mar- riage with Abby Jane Sheldon, daughter of Ezekiel and Mary (Robbins) Sheldon. Her father served in the First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery during the Civil War, and three of his brothers were also in the Federal army. Mrs. Darling is the mother of three children : John, born in 1874; Florence, born in 1877; and Clara, born in 1879-all of whom reside at home with their parents.

Politically, Mr. Darling is a Republican. His farm and other property interests have prevented him from taking a very active part in public affairs. He is, however, serving with ability as Road Surveyor of his district; and his assistance in advancing all measures calculated to be of benefit to the community can always be depended upon. In his relig- ious belief he is a Baptist.

EORGE FREDERICK PARKER DAY, Deputy Collector of Taxes, Fitchburg, was born in this city, February 26, 1849, son of Leonard and Susan B. (Parker) Day. He is a descendant in the eighth generation of Ralph Day (first), an Englishman, who settled in Dedham, Mass., prior to 1640. Records show that this ances- tor was made a freeman in 1645, that he was an Ensign, that he served as a Selectman

during the years 1661 and 1662, and that he died November 28, 1677. His wife, Susan, a daughter of Jonathan Fairbanks, of Dedham; died July 8, 1659. Ralph Day (second), who was born in Dedham and baptized February II, 1657, was a lifelong resident of that town, and died October 21, 1694. He married Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Flower) Fuller, of Dedham; and his son, Jeremiah, the next in line, was born in Ded- ham, September 28, 1692. Jeremiah Day, who settled in Walpole, Mass., and there re- sided for the rest of his life, married Mary, daughter of Andrew Willett, a merchant of Boston. Jeremiah Day (second), born in Dedham, April 25, 1725, died in Walpole, April 1, 1752. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Aldrich. Joseph Day, son of Jeremiah (second) and great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Wal- pole, December 8, 1750. He resided in Wal- pole and Foxboro, Mass., and in Eddington, Me., and died in Massachusetts in March, 1832 or 1833. On November 18, 1773, he married Elizabeth Gay, who was born in Ded- ham, November 27, 1752, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Gay. Benjamin Day, G. F. P. Day's grandfather, was born in Foxboro, Sep- tember 12, 1779. The greater part of his life was spent in Orange, Mass; and he died in Fitchburg, Mass., November 20, 1861. He married Martha Bacon, who was born in Ded- ham, November 10, 1782, daughter of Josiah and Abigail (Smith) Bacon, and the ceremony took place in Dover, Mass. She died January 3, 1869. A singular fact brought out in tracing the genealogies of the Day and Bacon lines is this: the great-grandfather of Benja- min Day and the great-grandmother of Martha Bacon (who became his wife) were brother and sister, being respectively Jeremiah and Abiell Day, son and daughter of the second Ralph Day, of Dedham.

Leonard Day, G. F. P. Day's father, was born in Orange, November 8, 1807. He set- tled in Fitchburg, where the major part of his active years was spent, and he died Septem- ber 27, 1864. He was prominently connected with the stage line between Boston and Fitch- burg until the completion of the Fitchburg

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Railroad in 1845, when he became one of its first conductors, later succeeding Henry F. Kenney as its agent at Fitchburg. His wife, Susan B., born in Brattleboro, Vt., in 1819, was a daughter of Stephen and Hannah Avery (Paddleford) Parker. Her ancestry on the pa- ternal side is traced to a native of Chelms- ford, England, who sailed from London for New England on board the ship "Susan and Ellen " in 1635. Her grandfather, Captain Parker, was a Revolutionary soldier, whose widow, having removed to Canada, received a pension from the United States so long as she lived.

George Frederick Parker Day was educated in the common and high schools of Fitchburg, and soon after the completion of his studies he went to California on account of ill health. Upon his recovery he returned to this city, and in 1872 entered the city engineer's office under Thomas C. Lovell, remaining in the department about three years. In 1876 he became connected with the engineering de- partment of the Fitchburg Railroad as first assistant engineer, under E. K. Turner, chief engineer. During the succeeding ten years he took an active part in the reconstruction of the Vermont and Massachusetts Division be- tween Fitchburg and Greenfield. This work included the building of the large double-arch stone bridge in West Fitchburg, the horse- shoe curve improvement at Ashburnham Junc- tion, supplanting the former switchback, which required the turning of all locomotives and the shunting of trains; the survey and building of a new line between Baldwinsville and Royalston, thereby eliminating four large bridges over the Miller's River; the change of location of the railroad and the cutting of a new channel for the river between Royals- ton and Athol, and also, a mile east of Miller's Falls, improvements that enabled the road to dispense with four more long bridges over the Miller's River; the separation of grades of the Vermont & Massachusetts and New London Northern Railroads west of Miller's Falls; and the building of the new Connecticut River Bridge between Montague and East Deerfield in connection with the double track- ing of the fifty-six miles. In 1886 Mr. Day

resigned his position on account of his son's health; and, accompanying the latter to South- ern California, he remained there until 1889. In the spring of 1890 he was appointed by George E. Clifford to his present position of Deputy Collector of Taxes, the duties of which office he has since discharged with ability.

Mr. Day joined Aurora Lodge, F. & A. M., in July, 1871, and became a junior member of the American Society of Civil En- gineers in 1880. He married in June, 1879, Marion F., daughter of Charles L. and Har- riet E. (Harris) Wilder, of Lancaster, Mass. They have two children: Leonard, born Au- gust 8, 1880; and Alice Wilder, born August 21, 1883.

ILLIAM F. FULLAM, a success- ful builder and lumber dealer of North Brookfield, was born in this town, October 1, 1856, son of William and Ann (Bryant) Fullam. The family is .of English origin. The grandfather of William F. was Elisha Fullam, a resident of Vermont. Both of his parents were natives of that State. The father, after learning the carpenter's trade in Worcester, Mass., settled in North Brook- field over half a century ago, and there fol- lowed the business of contractor and builder until a short time before his death, which oc- curred on December 20, 1893. In politics he supported the Republican party. As a busi- ness man and a citizen he was widely known, and he had the respect of his fellow-townsmen for his many commendable qualities. He was a member of the Congregational church. Ann Fullam, his wife, who is still living, be- came the mother of several children, of whom the survivors are: Ella, who is now Mrs. J. M. Doane, of Brockton, Mass .; William F., the subject of this sketch; and Frederick L. Fullam, of North Brookfield.

William F. Fullam received his education in the common schools of his native town, concluding in the high school. After serving an apprenticeship with his father and master- ing every detail of the carpenter's trade, he · became associated with the latter in 1879 in

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the firm of William Fullam & Co. The part- nership continued until the elder Fullam's re- tirement in March, 1893. Since then Mr. Fullam has been the sole proprietor of the business. He does quite an extensive trade, both as a building contractor and a lumber dealer, and in the busy season he employs from fifty to sixty men.

By his marriage with Ann M. Kingsbury, of North Brookfield, a daughter of Joel Kings- bury, Mr. Fullam is the father of three sons - William H., Frederick A., and Charles F. Fullam. In politics he is a Republican. He has served with ability as a Selectman for three years, during two of which he was the chairman of the board. In 1897 he was elected a Water Commissioner for three years. He belongs to Woodbine Lodge, I. O. O. F., of North Brookfield; and to the local grange, Patrons of Husbandry. His interest in pub- lic affairs has been proved on several occa- sions, and he is regarded as one of the pro- gressive men of the town. He is an esteemed member of the Congregational church.

J OHN HOLT, the Postmaster of Man- chaug, town of Sutton, was born in Millbury, Mass., September 22, 1854, son of Lawrence and Mary (Dunkerly) Holt. The grandfather, who was a soldier in the British army, served under the Duke of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo. The family has a claim upon a tract of land one mile square in the city of Manchester, Eng- land, and efforts are still being made to ob- tain possession of the property. Lawrence Holt, who was born in England, after learn- ing the trade of an iron founder, emigrated to the United States, accompanied by his wife and one child. While he located in Millbury, he obtained employment at his calling in New York. Afterward he worked at his trade in Millbury.

John Holt attended the public schools in Sutton, and studied telegraphy in Boston. His mercantile training was acquired in the store of A. & B. H. Watson, Norfolk Square, Boston. Coming from there to Manchaug, he became a clerk in the company store of B. B.

& R. Knight, which was then under the man- agement of T. C. Page. He continued in the same capacity under Mr. Page's successor, H. A. Brown; and upon the retirement of the latter in 1885 he was advanced to the posi- tion of manager. The store is one of the largest establishments in this section, em- ploying a force of six clerks, and carrying a stock of general merchandise, which includes a line of nearly every department of trade. In addition to the wide business knowledge and executive ability necessary to successfully conduct the place, the varied character of its patrons, comprising many nationalities, de- mands considerable . tact. The display of these qualities, together with a uniform cour- tesy, has enabled the present superintendent to give general satisfaction, both to the pub- lic and his employers.

In politics Mr. Holt is a Prohibitionist. He served with ability as a Selectman from 1886 to 1891 ; he has been Postmaster for the past ten years; and in 1896 he was chosen a member of the School Committee for three years, in which capacity he is required to pro- vide six schools with teachers and supplies. He married Edna Josephine Manahan, and has a family of four children, namely: Mary Edna, born September 22, 1882; John Law- rence, born May 24, 1884; Vera Lillian, born November 14, 1887; and Mildred, born June 21, 1890. Mr. Holt belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen in East Douglas. He was formerly the treasurer and collector of the Baptist church, and is now acting in the same capacity in the Sunday-school con- nected with that society.

HARLES PARKMAN RICE, who was for many years a successful mer- chant of Westboro, was born here, October 16, 1809. His father, Jesse Rice, son of Ezekiel Rice, was a de- scendant of Edmund Rice, of England, who came to this country, and settled in Sudbury, Mass., in 1638. Ezekiel was a farmer, resid- ing in Framingham, Mass. When Paul Revere rode through the town crying, "To arms! the redcoats are upon us," Ezekiel, who

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was ploughing in his field, left his horse and plough, took his gun and powder-horn, and started on foot for Concord. He remained in the army throughout the entire Revolu- tionary War, most of the time under General Putnam, for whom he had a great admiration. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Rice, from whom, doubtless, he inherited his marked characteristics, was Barnabas Newton, who was a large real estate owner, both in this town and in others. He was a very public- spirited man and one whose judgment was sought and highly prized by the townsmen.

Charles Parkman Rice worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He then went to Boston as an employee in a provision establishment. At the expira- tion of two years he was called home by the death of his father, to attend to family affairs. At that time it was thought best to sell the farm, and at the end of a year the family moved. After this he had charge of what was known as the Parkman farm for several years. From there he entered the employment of Lyman Belknap, who was carrying on an ex- tensive business in the meat line, sending out several carts through this and adjoining towns. and employing quite a number of men. Mr. Rice had the general oversight of the men employed. He also had entire charge of a de- partment in which the produce of the farmers in the vicinity, such as butter, cheese, lard, and meats, was collected, and on every Wednes- day sent in a heavy market wagon drawn by two horses to Boston, where it was marketed on Thursday, and its place in the wagon taken by a supply of heavy groceries, such as mo- lasses, oil, and flour, for the return trip, which ended on Friday night. In 1836 Luther Chamberlain, an enterprising business man, having bought and fitted up for business purposes the historic church that has been known as "The Arcade Building," urged Messrs. Belknap and Rice to open a market there. They did so, starting with a quarter of beef, a bushel of turnips, and a dozen pumpkins. From this small beginning the market grew rapidly. For some time it was the only one between Framingham and Worcester, and consequently it had customers

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 11

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