Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 112

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 112

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Mr. Daniels is especially actively concerned in the growth and welfare of Fitchburg and in its educational and religious interests. He has been secretary of the Board of Trade from its reorganization in 1891, is a trustee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank, a director of the Fidelity Co-operative Bank, was vice-president of the Young Men's Christian Association, and treasurer of the First Baptist Church of Fitchburg. He served in the Common Coun- cil in 1884-85, and has been a member of the School Board since 1888.

Mr, Daniels was married in 1872 to Miss

Abby F. Lane, who died in 1879, leaving two children : Herbert L., a graduate of Cornell University ; and Ernest T., who is in the hard- ware business in Fitchburg. In 1892 he mar- ried Miss Florence R. Dwinnell, by whom he has two children - Ellen Shepherd and George Eaton Daniels.

LBERT L. GILMAN, founder of the well-known carriage manufactory in Worcester which is still carried on in his name, was born in the Prov- ince of Quebec, November 25, 1848, son of Roswell and Arathusa Gilman. His parents had migrated from one of the Western States to Canada before his birth. They managed a farm in Canada until 1868, and then, removing to Auburn, Mass., they there engaged in the same occupation.

Albert L. Gilman was educated in Canada. He assisted his father in farm work until be- ginning his apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, and after its completion he accompanied his parents to Massachusetts. He found em- ployment in a carriage shop on Cypress Street, Worcester, whose proprietor was Henry Ed- wards, with whom he remained some eight years, becoming an expert carriage builder. In 1876 Mr. Gilman established himself in business at the corner of Thomas and Union Streets; and shortly afterward, enlarging his enterprise by purchasing B. D. Rice's factory, he continued in that location until the prop- erty was sold, when he removed to Washington Square. To meet the demands of his con- stantly increasing business, he at length erected and equipped a two-story brick building on Exchange Street, and in due time found him- self in possession of the best appointed car- riage factory in the city. He manufactured vehicles of all kinds, including wagons for the fire and other departments, police patrol wagons, ambulances, and so on. Possessing the faculty of designing vehicles for any pur- pose desired, he was called upon to build many styles of carriages and wagons. These inva- riably proved satisfactory, and in that particu- lar field he was practically without opposition. As far as possible each component part of a

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vehicle built by him was made in his factory from the raw material, and every detail of the work was completed under his personal super- vision, which accounted for the excellent finish and durability of his work. The commercial as well as the industrial department was con- ducted by him in an able manner. Genial, courteous, and upright, he was exceedingly popular among business men, and enjoyed the esteem and confidence of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. His death, which occurred August 20, 1896, was deplored as an untimely removal.

On May 25, 1872, Mr. Gilman married Annie Hersey, of Spencer, daughter of Martin and Sarah (Adams) Hersey. She survives him, and is now conducting business. He left two children; namely, Edith J. and Albert R. Gilman.

Mr. Gilman belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He was for many years a member of the Lincoln Square Baptist Church and a lib- eral contributor to objects of charity.

ARREN BAKER, for many years one of the best known and most exten- sive manufacturers of woollen fabrics in Worcester County, was born January 3, 1812, at Charlton, Mass., and died June 10, 1882, in Worcester. He was a son of Brad- ford and Ruth (Thayer) Baker, well-to-do members of the farming community of Charl- ton, and came from a long line of American ancestors of English origin.

He was reared and educated in Charlton. When about eighteen years old he went to Rut- land, a nearby town, where he worked in a woollen-mill and made himself familiar with the management of its various departments. In 1842 he started a mill in Hopeville, a part of the city of Worcester; and the following year he opened a mill for the manufacture of warps in two different places in Worcester County, Spencer and Cherry Valley, and also became partner in a cotton-mill in South Worcester. He gradually gained in financial strength, was interested in other manufactur- ing plants, and in 1850 purchased the Ridg-

way Mill at Millbury, where he manufactured satinets for six years. The following five years he was senior member of the firm of W. & H. Baker, furniture manufacturers; and, after the partnership with his brother was dis- solved, he opened a retail furniture store at the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets, Worces- ter. Deciding in a short time to manufacture his own furniture and thus double his profits, he started a factory just outside the city limits, in Northville, where he made furniture for the wholesale as well as retail trade, carrying on a brisk business for a time. His tastes and in- clinations, however, led him to dispose of that factory and turn his attention once more to textile manufactures. He bought a woollen- mill in the town of Auburn, Mass., invested some of his capital in mills located in other towns near Worcester, and until 1877 he was one of the foremost manufacturers of his line of goods in this section of New England, hav- ing, without doubt, a greater knowledge of the business in all its details than any other per- son. He was a man of indomitable energy and persistency, and in his forty years of active life accomplished as much work as three men ought to do. His close application to his varied interests proved too much for his physi- cal well-being, and in 1877 he suffered a stroke of paralysis, from which he never recovered. He was quiet and unostentatious in manner, and well worthy in every way of the hearty respect accorded him by all with whom he came in contact, whether in business, political, social, or religious circles.

On January 3, 1841, Mr. Baker married Miss Anna Schofield, of Leicester, who was born and reared in England, but after coming to Massachusetts lived in Leicester until her marriage, making her home with her widowed mother, who died in 1876. Mrs. Baker, a bright-minded and interesting woman of four- score years, still lives in Worcester.

IRVING SPRAGUE was born in Leices- ter, Worcester County, April 23, 1820. During his active career he was prominently identified with various manufact- uring and business interests in Leicester; and

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at his death, which occurred August 28, 1893, the town lost one of its most highly respected and worthy citizens. His ancestors, both pa- ternal and maternal, were among the earliest settlers of this section of Massachusetts; and in Leicester his parents, Thomas and Betsey (Morse) Sprague, were born and lived and died.

Erving Sprague obtained a practical educa- tion in the district school, and at the age of sixteen years left the home farm to learn the trade of a card-maker. Entering the shop of James Trask in Leicester, he served an appren- ticeship of five years with him, and was subse- quently employed as a journeyman card-cloth- ing maker several years .. Forming then a partnership with Bayliss Upham, he continued manufacturing for some time on his own ac- count ; but prior to the Civil War he gave up that business, and from that time forward was profitably engaged in lumbering and wood dealing. A man of persistent energy and good executive and financial ability, he met with eminent success in all his undertakings, and proved himself a typical representative of the self-made men of New England. Politically, he was a Whig in his earlier years, and prior to the Rebellion he served as Selectman of the town and held other important local offices. On the formation of the Republican party he became one of its most loyal -supporters, and from that time until his death conscientiously advocated its principles.

On April 4, 1848, Mr. Sprague married Miss Ruth W. Bryant, who was born in Leicester, Mass., November 9, 1825, a daugh- ter of Joseph and Melinda (Watson) Bryant, lifelong residents of this town. Her ancestors also were pioneers of Leicester, among them being men of prominence in town and county affairs. Her paternal grandfather, David Bryant, as a soldier in the Revolutionary army assisted in the great struggle for national inde- pendence. Mrs. Sprague occupies the old

homestead. She has been bereft of two children - Jennie E. and Myron W. - and has one son living, Walter E., now a Highway Commissioner in Leicester. Myron W. Sprague was a member of the Republican Town Committee. He married Alice E.

Comins, of Charlton, Mass., on October 4, 1893, and died June 10, 1898. He left three children - Ruth Comins, Fred Louis, and Myron Erving Sprague.

PPLETON PARK WILLIAMS, pres- ident of the Upton Manufacturing Company at West Upton, Mass., was born in Providence, R.I., Jan- uary 28, 1867, son of Zephaniah and Minerva Victoria (Park) Williams. He belongs to the Taunton family of this name, whose immi- grant progenitor was Richard Williams, who was born in Wotton-under-edge, Gloucester- shire, England, January 28, 1606, and was a son of William Williams, an Englishman of Welsh descent.

A careful study of early records has brought to light the fact that Richard Williams was a kinsman of Oliver Cromwell, the two finding a common ancestor in Margaret Cromwell, daughter of Robert Cromwell and wife of William Smyth. (See New England Histori- cal and Genealogical Register for April, 1897.) Richard Williams married Frances Dighton, a native of Gloucestershire. The exact date of their arrival in New England is not known; but it is thought that Richard, his wife, and his unmarried sister reached Dorchester, Mass., some time during the year 1636, and that he left the women there in 1637, while he was making ready for them a home in Taunton. He was known as the peacemaker on account of his honorable methods in deal- ing with the Indians. He was one of a com- pany who organized and operated the first iron works in America, and was actively concerned in the business growth of the town of Taun- ton as well as in its political and religious affairs. He died there in 1693. His first two children died in England. After arriv- ing in this country his wife bore him seven children, and it is quite certain that their names were: Samuel, Nathaniel, Joseph, Thomas, Benjamin, Elizabeth, and Hannah. They all married, and reared large families.

Many ancient documents and records show that members of the Williams family were prominent in public affairs as well as private

APPLETON P. WILLIAMS.

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speculations in the early days of Taunton's existence. Their descendants are scattered throughout the United States, and many have rendered distinguished services to the com- munities in which they lived. At a large family reunion held in Historical Hall, Taun- ton, October 30, 1896, an interesting address upon Richard Williams and his descendants was delivered by the Hon. Josiah H. Drum- mond, of Portland, Me., who is numbered among them. At this meeting the results of much careful research into the early history of the family were made known. It was stated that in the Taunton directory the name of Williams occurs ninety times, and in the church registry twenty-three.

Zephaniah Williams, the father of Apple- ton P. Williams, was born in Pomfret, Conn., on February 20, 1835. He has been for nearly forty years connected with the Provi- dence line for New York. He was a member of the Union Congregational Church, Provi- dence, and served as Deacon from the time of its organization until his resignation in 1894. He now belongs to the Central Congrega- tional Church. He married Minerva Park, daughter of Appleton Park, a retired grain dealer of Pawtucket, R.I., and president of the First National Bank of that city.

Appleton Park Williams in his childhood and early youth attended the public schools of Providence, completing the regular high- school course in 1885. His classical studies were pursued at Brown University, and while there he was president of the Reading-room Association and manager of the 'varsity base- ball team. He was graduated in the class of 1889. For some time after that he was with the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company ; but failing health compelled him to resign a responsible position, and he made an ex- tended tour through Canada and the maritime provinces, also visiting nearly every State in the Union. In 1892 he located in West Upton, where country air and out-of-door exercise could be obtained in connection with a business enterprise; and, purchasing his present factory, he organized the Upton Man- ufacturing Company, of which he is president and treasurer. Boxes are here manufactured

in large quantities, and this enterprise has proved exceedingly beneficial to the town.

In 1895 Mr. Williams's practical sagacity was called into public use by his fellow- townsmen, who elected him to the School Board, upon which he labored diligently in forwarding the educational interests of the community for two years; and in 1897 he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Repre- sentatives. As chairman of the School Com- mittee he has succeeded in properly grading the public schools and otherwise improving the system. His effective work in securing the erection of the new high-school building, which has not only provided better facilities for public use but has greatly added to the at- tractiveness of the town, will be long appre- ciated by the people of Upton. The building was completed in 1897, and formally opened to the public on September 23 with appropri- ate exercises, consisting of an eloquent ad- dress of welcome by the chairman of the School Board, remarks by Mrs. Alice Free- man Palmer, formerly president of Wellesley College, an historical address written by the Rev. George S. Ball and read by the Rev. Walter Knight, pastor of the Unitarian church, and music by Bird's Orchestra of Marlboro.

On September 20, 1893, Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Emelyn Palmer Butts, daughter of the late George W. and Louisa M. (Green) Butts, the former of whom was a retired banker of Providence. Mrs. Williams died on June 22, 1895.

Mr. Williams is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and of the Uni- versity Club of Boston. While residing in Providence he was actively engaged in re- ligious work, being especially interested in the mission schools and the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. He is serving upon the Financial Committee, is superin- tendent of the Sunday-school, and is con- nected with the First Congregational Church of Upton, and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts State Sun- day-school Association. He was a delegate to the World's Sunday-school Convention in London in July of the present year, 1898.

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ENRY B. WELLINGTON was for

many years known far and wide as the leading blacksmith of Worces- ter, Mass., and a highly respected citizen. One of the seven children of Nahum and Mary (Ballard) Wellington, he was born here, May 23, 1831, and died at his home in this city, October 12, 1891. He came of pa- triotic Revolutionary stock, and was a lineal descendant of Roger Wellington, who, as one of the original proprietors of Watertown, Mass., settled there previous to 1640, and was subsequently an influential and prominent citizen.

Mr. Wellington learned the blacksmith's trade of his father, with whom he worked until twenty-five years old. Going then to Clinton, he set up a smithy in that town, where he remained a few years, most successfully em- ployed. Preferring Worcester, however, as a place of residence and business, he returned to this city and opened a shop on Exchange Street, nearly opposite Waldo Street, and was there prosperously engaged in his vocation until his death. A scientific and expert horse- shoer and blacksmith, he built up a thriving business, one of the most extensive of the kind in the county. Intelligent and progressive, he kept up to the times in regard to methods and improvements constantly made in black- smithing, and thoroughly mastered every de -. tail of his trade. He was kind-hearted and sympathetic to a rare degree, and with a love for dumb beasts, more especially of the horse, that led him always to work for its comfort, a desirable trait that went a long way in insur- ing his success in his work. Mr. Wellington stood as a high type of the honest, generous man, whose deeds of unostentatious charity are only known to the recipients and almoners of his bounty. He was an attendant of the Uni- versalist church, toward the support of which he contributed liberally.

A loyal citizen, Mr. Wellington always sup- ported the principles of the Republican party, but never sought or received public office. Fraternally, he was an active member of the Masonic order, belonging to Montacute Lodge, F. & A. M. ; to the Worcester County Com- mandery, K. T. ; and to the Worcester Lodge

of Perfection. He was also a member for a quarter of a century of the Worcester County Mechanics' Association.

Mr. Wellington was first married to Miss Mary Wood, who died a few years later, leav- ing two sons - Charles and Walter. On Octo- ber 23, 1883, Mr. Wellington married Mrs. Hannah Tinkham Stratton, of Rochester, N. Y., who survives him. Mrs. Wellington is a daughter of Jesse and Hannah (Eddy) Tink- ham, and comes of Colonial ancestry, the Tink- ham family having been prominent in the annals of Enfield, Mass., for several genera- tions.

IDWIN MORSE, for many years a con- tractor and builder of Worcester, was born in Hubbardston, Mass., on April 13, 1824. He was the son of Asa and Elizabeth (Goulding) Morse, and was of the eighth generation from Samuel Morse, who was born in England in 1585, came to this country in 1635, and settled at Dedham in 1637. Asa Morse, who was well-to-do farmer and respected citizen of Petersham, married Elizabeth Goulding, a native of Worcester, on May 22, 1823.

Edwin Morse spent his early life in Peters- ham, where he attended school and worked on the farm. After his school days were over he lived for a few years with his uncle in Orange, Mass., and while in that place he learned the carpenter's trade. He subsequently went to Worcester and was employed for a time as a skilled carpenter, but soon engaged in contract- ing and building for himself. Not having sufficient capital, however, he retired after a few years, and entered the employ of W. H. Eddy, contractor and builder, and while with him had charge of the work upon many struct- ures in Worcester and vicinity. He was com- petent and faithful in the discharge of his duties, and his employer showed his recogni- tion of this fact by placing him in positions of great responsibility. He remained in the em- ploy of Mr. Eddy for many years, but in the late seventies he had acquired sufficient capital to start in business for himself again. He continued active as a contractor and builder up

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to the time of his death, which occurred June 1, 1879. He was an attendant of the Central Congregational Church of Worcester and a man of noble Christian character. Devoted to his home and home ties, he was happiest when by his own fireside; and, though his life was quiet and unostentatious, it was well-lived. Mr. Morse possessed great patience, industry, and perseverance ; and these qualities, combined with prudence and good judgment, rendered him successful in his business undertakings. Mr. Morse was married in 1850 to Martha Jane Worcester, daughter of William and Sybil (Learned) Worcester, of Worcester, Mass. Her father was of the seventh generation in descent from the Rev. William Worcester, who came from England about 1639, and was pastor of the first church established in Salis- bury, Mass.

Mr. and Mrs. Morse have had three children, namely: William Worcester (deceased) ; Sybil Jane ; and John Edwin, who is now a clerk in the Mechanics' Savings Bank of Worcester, and is a young man of ability and promise.

LBERT H. CONVERSE, Selectman and Assessor of the town of Warren, Mass., and proprietor of a manufact- uring plant at West Warren, was born in Wardsboro, Vt., on May 16, 1842, son of Waldo and Welthy (Burroughs) Con-

verse. His grandfather, Joseph Converse, re- moved to Wardsboro from Brimfield, Mass., where he had been for many years a resident. Waldo Converse, who was then about six years old, resided in Wardsboro for nearly half a century, and then came to Warren, which was the birthplace of his wife. He died here in 1886. He is survived by two children: Al- bert H., the subject of this sketch; and Hul- dah S., who is the wife of Ira M. White, of Warren. The family is said to be of English origin.

Albert H. Converse grew to manhood in his native town, and received his education in the public schools of Wardsboro and in the high school at Townshend, Vt. His father was a millwright by trade, and also a carriage manu- facturer. Albert early showed a taste for

mechanical pursuits, and learned wood-working in his father's shop. Later he took up black- smithing, and in time he became a skilled craftsman both in wood and iron work. When about twenty-three years of age he began busi- ness for himself at Wardsboro in the manufact- ure of carriages and in general repairing in wood and iron. After continuing this for two years, he worked as a journeyman for the Ames Plough Company at Ayer Junction, Mass., and in 1875 he came to West Warren and started business for himself. He has met with good success, and to-day is carrying on a prosperous business. He manufactures carriages, does blacksmithing, and has a general repair shop.

In 1869 Mr. Converse married Sarah, young- est daughter of Christopher and Charlotte Berry, of Boston. In politics he is a Republi- can. He is a Mason, and is connected with the lodge at Jamaica, Vt., which he joined in 1863. In his native town he served as Col- lector of Taxes, a member of the School Com- mittee, and Superintendent of Roads. During the twelve years in which he has been Assessor of Warren and the five years in which he has served on the Board of Selectmen he has shown himself faithful and efficient, and has earned the respect of all residents of the town. He has displayed an untiring activity in behalf of the public good, and his judgment in impor- tant crises has been esteemed.

LFRED M. BROWN was for several years one of the most enterprising business men of Cherry Valley, Worcester County. A son of Will- iam and Caroline Brown, he was born April 22, 1846, in Leicester, Mass., but was reared and educated in Cherry Valley, whither he came with his parents in early boyhood.

Shortly after attaining his majority he started in business on his own account as a teamster. He soon had charge of all the transportation of merchandise for the mills of this locality, and in course of time developed an extensive expressage business between this place and Worcester, to which he made daily trips. In order to still further increase his income, he next established a coal yard; and in

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addition to furnishing the coal for the mills of Cherry Valley, he built up a large retail trade in fuel in various parts of Worcester. Having acquired considerable money by his business operations, he made judicious investments in real estate, and in 1884 he built coal yards at Jamesville, Mass. He kept several men and a number of horses employed in his expressing and coal business, both of which he continued successfully until his death, December 16, 1895.

Mr. Brown married November 22, 1868, Miss Louisa Williams, who died at an early age, leaving four children, namely : Alfred, now nineteen years of age; Ruth, thirteen years old; Robert, a sturdy lad of ten years; and Mildred, a bright little girl of ten years. On September 18, 1894, Mr. Brown married Miss Inez Owen, daughter of William and Al- mira Owen, of Barton, Vt. Fraternally, he was a Mason, belonging to Quinsigamond Lodge, F. & A. M. ; and politically he was an adherent of the Republican party, and took an active part in the management of local public affairs, serving for a time as Highway Com- missioner.

EORGE W. HUBBARD, armorer at the State Armory, Worcester, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Hallowell, Me., September 18, 1842, son of Ezekiel and Lucy (Goodwin) Hubbard. His father was born in Wiscasset, Me., in 1802, and his mother was born in Pittston, same State, in 1805. Ezekiel Hubbard followed the shoemaker's trade in Hallowell for some years, afterward engaged in the wool business, and was later a shipbuilder. He acquired consid- erable prominence in the political affairs of Kennebec County, and served as one of its Commissioners. In 1885 he went to Denver, Col., where he died the following year. His wife died in 1892. They had a family of five sons and five daughters. Of these, three sons and two daughters grew to maturity, and the three sons are now living.

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 112

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