Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 113

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 113

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George W. Hubbard was educated in the public schools in Hallowell. In the spring of 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was

working at the machinist's trade in Boston. Returning to his native State, he enlisted on June 4 in Company E, Third Maine Regi- ment, which was the first to be enrolled for three years. He went to the front under the command of General O. O. Howard, and served without mishap in Kearney's division, Third Army Corps, until taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864. He was held a captive in Lynchburg, Danville, Anderson- ville, Savannah, Millen, and Blackshear until the following December, when he was paroled. He was honorably discharged February 28, 1865, as First Sergeant of Company I, Sev- enteenth Maine Regiment, to which he had been transferred while a prisoner. Resum- ing work in the shop he had left four years previous, he followed his trade for ten years, when he was forced to relinquish it by an accident which resulted in the loss of his left eye. Coming to Worcester in 1875 as repre- sentative of the Kennedy Biscuit Company, he continued with that concern a year, and was afterward with C. H. Stearns in the same busi- ness for five years. For the succeeding eight years he was employed by Messrs. Reinbold & Marsh, confectioners; and on May 25, 1890, he was appointed to his present position at the State Armory, which had just been completed. This armory, which is the third largest in Massachusetts, has sufficient room for five or more companies. It is admirably equipped, having a drill hall one hundred and sixty by seventy-two feet ; and its custodian is always to be found upon the premises, ready to give his personal attention to all matters relative to the building and its use.

On October 11, 1865, Mr. Hubbard married Lizzie F. Decker, of Hallowell. Many of Mrs. Hubbard's ancestors on both sides were teachers; and her maternal grandfather, Sam- uel Locke, was known as the Iron School- master. The children of this union are: G. Walter Hubbard, of this city, who is married and has a daughter, Lottie M., a clerk in the Registry of Deeds; and Addie E., who is employed in the office of C. W. Claflin & Co., coal dealers.

Mr. Hubbard was made a Mason in Kenne- bec Lodge, Hallowell, in February, 1864, and

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MRS. JOHN W. RICE.

JOHN W. RICE.

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is still a member of that body. He also be- longs to the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and is a comrade of George H. Ward Post, No. 10, G. A. R., of which he has been officer of the day, Adjutant, and Junior Vice- Commander.

HOMAS SOUTHWICK, a venerable and esteemed resident of Leicester and a descendant of one of the early settlers in the northern part of the town, was born on April 28, 1816, son of Amasa and Mary (Richardson) Southwick. His grandfather, Nathaniel Southwick, a former resident of Worcester, was a lineal descendant in the fifth generation of Lawrence and Cassandra Southwick, of Salem, who suffered cruel per- secutions "in the dark days of delusion against the Quakers. " Amasa Southwick was born in Berlin, Mass., but resided for many years in Leicester, and was engaged in farming and in the manufacture of hand cards. His wife was also a native of Worcester County.

Of the four children born to his parents, Thomas Southwick is the only one now living. He grew up in Leicester, and during his boy- hood assisted his father on the farm in the intervals outside of school, and also worked some at making hand cards. His education was completed by a course of study taken at the famed Friends' School in Providence, R. I. All his life he has been a great reader, and has kept himself informed on matters of public interest. His residence has been in Leicester from his birth with the exception of fifteen years when he was in the commission busi- ness in New York City. At one time he was in business for himself in the manufacture of hand cards in Leicester, but the greater part of his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. He owns a large tract of valuable land in this place.

Mr. Southwick was married on January 21, 1868, to Annie B. Marshall. She is the daughter of the late Albert Marshall and his wife, Maria Mann Marshall, for many years prominent residents of Leicester. Mr. Mar- shall, who was born in Nelson, N. H., in De- cember, 1800, and died in 1895, was for many

years a member of the firm of Mann & Mar- shall, the well-known woollen manufacturers at Leicester. In politics he was a Whig and later a Republican, and in religious faith a Baptist. He was a member of the Baptist church in Worcester. His wife was born in Worcester. Their three children are all liv- ing, and are as follows: Mrs. L. H. Gould- ing, who is a resident of Duxbury, Mass. ; Lucy, who resides in Leicester; and Mrs. Southwick. Mr. and Mrs. Southwick have two children now living; namely, Nathan M. and Sarah M. They have been bereft of one son, Albert A. Sarah M. Southwick, who is a graduate of Leicester Academy, is a teacher in the public schools of the Commonwealth. Mr. Southwick is a member of the Society of Friends. In politics he is a Republican.

OHN W. RICE, a retired business man of Barre and an ex-member of the legislature, was born in Rutland, Mass., December 8, 1818, son of John and Alice (Ames) Rice. He is a representa- tive of the eighth generation of the numerous family in this country founded by Edmund Rice, of Berkhamstead, England, who with his wife and several children came to America and settled at Sudbury, Mass., in 1638 or 1639

"Goodman Rice," the immigrant, was a citi- zen of influence in his day, serving as Select- man, as Deputy to the General Court, and in other official positions, also as Deacon of the church at Sudbury. Late in life he removed to Marlboro, where he died in 1663. He was twice married, and had eleven children. Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, the distinguished lect- urer, reformer, writer - before marriage Mary Ashton Rice- is a descendant of Thomas Rice, one of the sons of Edmund. The de- scent of Mr. John W. Rice, of Barre, as shown in the Rice Genealogy, is from Deacon Edmund's son Edward. The successive an- cestors in this line were as follows, the figures showing the generations : Edmund; Edward2 ; John, 3 born about 1647, who married Tabitha Stone, grand-daughter of Deacon Gregory Stone, an early settler of Cambridge, Mass .;

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Captain Edward,' born in 1689, who married Rachel Elgit at Sudbury ; John, 5 who married Sarah Martin; John,' born in 1745, who mar- ried Lydia Smith; John,7 born in 1783, who married Alice Ames, as indicated above, and was the father of John W. Rice. Captain Ed- ward Rice removed from Sudbury, Mass., to Rutland, where he was one of the early set- tlers, being proprietor of lots Nos. 34 and 60. The first town meeting in Rutland was held in 1722. Captain Rice was active in military affairs as early as 1724, and afterward took a prominent part in civil matters, holding some of the town offices. He was also one of the founders of the church. He died at Rutland, September 27, 1756, in his sixty-seventh year ; and his wife, Rachel, died in 1760. They had six or more children. Their son John, the second of the name in this line, a resident of Rutland, was the father of seven children ; and the third John, also of Rutland, son of John and Sarah (Martin) Rice, was the father of ten children, two sons and eight daughters, by his wife, Lydia, whom he married Febru- ary 6, 1774.

John Rice, fourth, father of John W. Rice, was the elder of the two sons and the only one that grew to maturity. He succeeded to the ownership of the Rutland homestead, and car- ried on general farming with unusual activity. It was his custom to market his produce in Boston, visiting that city many times a year; and each trip consumed about three days' time. He was a Universalist in his relig- ious belief ; but as there was no church of that denomination in Rutland, he heard only occa- sional preaching by the Rev. Hosea Ballou, who now and then came out from Boston. On November 17, 1811, he married Alice Ames, also a native of Rutland. They reared five children, namely: Martha, who married Syl- vanus Pond, of Holliston, Mass., and is no longer living; Mrs. Sarah A. Davis, of Au- burndale, Mass .; John W., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Adelaide J. Stone, of Worcester, Mass. ; and Edward M. Rice, of that city. John Rice, fourth, died October 17, 1856. Mrs. Alice Ames Rice died June 14, 1861.

John W. Rice, having acquired his element- ary education in the schools of his native

town, pursued a course of study at the Normal School in Barre, and then followed school teaching for a number of years. With the ex- ception of one year he has resided at Barre since 1839. For a while he devoted his energies to the mechanical employment of boot-making, and he next engaged in manufact- uring boots and shoes upon his own account. He also kept a general store, and conducted a thriving business both as a manufacturer and a merchant for thirty-five years, at the end of which time he disposed of these enterprises in order to partially retire from active business. He is now occupied with the care of his real estate, which consists of the post-office block and other valuable property ; and he represents several reliable insurance companies.

Since the breaking out of the Rebellion Mr. Rice has been a Republican in politics. He has served as a member of the Board of Se- lectmen, Town Treasurer, and Collector, and in 1874 he represented this district in the lower branch of the legislature.

On November 16, 1843, John W. Rice and Myra Holden, who was born in Barre, April 27, 1824, daughter of Ethan and Phoebe Holden, were united in marriage by the Rev. Samuel Brimblecom. Three children were the fruit of this union; namely, Albert E., Maria L., and Martha A. Albert E., born January 22, 1845, was formerly associated with his father, and is now Postmaster in Barre. He was a soldier in the Civil War, serving as a member of the Tenth Massachu- setts Light Artillery. He married Georgi- anna Davis, of Orange, Mass., and has two children - Marion D. and John S. Maria L., born November 7, 1852, married Frederic S. Jervis, and resides with her father. Martha A., who was born October 1, 1856, married Oscar P. Stone, and died August 20, 1882. She left a son, John H. After making their home in the same dwelling for fifty years, happily growing old together, Mr. and Mrs. Rice on November 16, 1893, celebrated their golden wedding. Their health and strength being unequal to the pleasant exertion of entertaining many friends, the guests were limited to their immediate family and their pastor, the Rev. A. F. Bailey, of the Unitarian

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church, and his wife. An elaborate dinner was served. Floral gifts, among them many chrysanthemums, favorites of Mrs. Rice, con- gratulations, and heartfelt good wishes, were received; and reminiscences were indulged in. The following poem was written for the occasion by a friend in Springfield : -

'Tis fifty years since ye were wed. Time's pendulum hath swiftly sped. Unwearied, his stern hands have tolled Each passing cycle that's enrolled. In graven characters of grace. Across the polished dial's face. 'Twas in November, crisp and clear, The festive season of the year. Each storehouse to the sloping eaves Was packed with freshly garnered sheaves, Till chanticleer, with boastful stride, Proclaimed in clarion tones his pride. Autumnal fires illumed the hearth, Whose genial warmth had lured to birth, Despite approaching winter's hums. The sturdy-flowered chrysanthemums, Whose odorous breath, from clustered blooms, Scented the brightly garnished rooms.

The day was glad without alloy, The bells rang out in tones of joy. Attended by the wedding train, Before the altar knelt ye, twain, As o'er the silence, hushed and still, In silvery tones the words, " I will," Reverberated into rhymes. With tuneful peal of marriage chimes.

Life's history then grew on apace : Each added year claimed added space. Three children, prattling in their play, Held heartstrings captive 'neath their sway, Till each in turn a lover greets. Then - " history itself repeats," And down posterity's incline Four generations form the line.

Now, in a retrospective view, Each chapter glows with changeful hue : Betwixt some leaflets may be pressed Rosebuds. by faded lips caressed ; Or half-shut booklets may enfold A ringlet cut from brow grown cold. Yet, with fond memories entwined, Firm faith with tender hope enshrined Reflects, as sunlight o'er a stream, A home where love still reigns supreme. The baby girls, your heart's delight, With husbands made new homes look bright. The boy, who at your knee was taught to pray, Is grandsire, with some locks of gray.

And here have met this happy throng To celebrate with feast and song. Each child's and grandchild's loyal heart A tribute brings, - a counterpart Of filial love, whose earthly leaven Is quickened through the grace of Heaven. Ring out, glad bells, ring out your lay, The golden wedding of to-day !

And when, complete in angel's grasp, The volume with its jewelled clasp Unloosed, the silken pages shine Resplendent with a light divine ; And yearning wish and pleading prayer Are written with an answer there In God's own message, crowned with love, " Come, join the marriage feast above !"

Mrs. Rice died March 27, 1896.

Mr. Rice is one of the many retired busi- ness men of this town who have acquired com- fortable competencies by their industry and ability. That he stands high in the estima- tion of the community has been attested in words that follow. He is one of the oldest members of Mount Zion Lodge, F. & A. M., and is connected with King Solomon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Warren.

· "His fellow-citizens know him as one who has been ready to aid every worthy enterprise. They have known him in past years as a suc- cessful business man, and also as one who in his days of activity sought to shield, as far as possible, those who must share the misfort- une which came to him. As Town Treasurer during the war he disbursed the bounties of the town to its soldiers; and when the treasury was empty he did not hesitate to provide the necessary funds, at whatever risk, personal to himself. He was one of those who had faith enough in the Central Massachusetts Railroad to make considerable investments in its stock, as well as to pledge the faith of the town in its behalf."

ARKMAN T. DENNY, the cashier of the Leicester National Bank and treasurer of the Leicester Savings Bank, is a native of Leicester, having been born here, December 20, 1851, son of Christopher C. and Anna S. (Tyler) Denny. The name of Denny has been identified with

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the history of Leicester since the year 1717, when Daniel Denny, an Englishman, on com- ing to America selected this town as his home. From Daniel' the line descends through Sam- uel, Joseph, 3 Christopher C., 4 to Parkman T. 5

Christopher C. Denny was for years a mem- ber of the well-known firm of White & Denny, card-clothing manufacturers. Giving his sup- port to the Republican party, he interested himself in affairs pertaining to the general welfare of the town, which he served as Select- man and in other offices. He also at one time represented this district in the Massachusetts General Court. As a trustee of the Leicester Savings Bank he rendered valuable service. For years he was a Deacon in the First Con- gregational Church. He died in July, 1895. His wife, Anna S. Tyler Denny, was born in Boston. Of his children, two survive, namely : Henry R., of St. Paul, Minn., a son by a former wife; and Parkman T., the special sub- ject of this brief biography.

Parkman T. Denny passed his boyhood here in Leicester. Being studiously inclined, he was a constant and regular attendant at the public-school sessions; and, having completed a prescribed course at Leicester Academy, he entered the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, from which he was graduated in 1872. For a year he was an instructor in mathematics and science at the South Jersey Institute, Bridge- ton, N.J. Returning to New England, he spent two years in the office of Ware & Van Brunt, architects, of Boston, and after that he did architectural work on his own account in Worcester for several years. Later on he became book-keeper for Bisco & Denny, card- clothing manufacturers in Leicester, continu- ing with them for several years. In 1885 he was appointed teller in the Leicester National Bank, of which he was made cashier April 1, 1890, and still holds the position, having proved himself a faithful and efficient officer. In 1885 he was made clerk of the Leicester Savings Bank, and on April 1, 1890, treas- urer, in which capacity he continues to serve. He is a director in the Leicester National Bank. For several years he served as Au- ditor of the town. True to the example of his father, he has ever been a loyal Republican.

He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M .; of Worcester Royal Arch Chapter; Hiram Council and Worcester County Com- mandery, Knights Templar.

DIN A. H. HIXON, secretary and librarian of the Worcester County Horticultural Society, was born in Boston, March 17, 1843, son of Dwight and Marion (Wentworth) Hixon. He is of French, Scotch, and English descent. His grandfather Hixon, who resided in Wal- pole, N. H., married a Miss Hale.

Dwight Hixon, the father named above, was born in Walpole in 1810, and died in Boston in 1853. His wife, Marion, whom he married in 1835, was born in Castine, Me., daughter of Paul and Arabella (Rackcliffe) Wentworth. Eight children were the fruit of their union. Of these, two sons and two daughters died in infancy,. another daughter died at the age of eighteen years, and two sons and one daughter are living. Although left a widow without resources and with several children dependent upon her, Mrs. Marion W. Hixon bravely ac- cepted the responsibility, and refused some advantageous offers of marriage in order to devote her entire time to her task. Being a woman of energy and ability, she, with the assistance of her elder children, managed to keep her family together until all had reached maturity ; and that the children are exceedingly proud of their venerable mother is not to be wondered at. Mrs. Hixon, now eighty-three years old, resides with her daughter, Mrs. Wil- lis P. Clark, on Windsor Street, Worcester. She is bright and interesting, and unusually prepossessing in appearance and manner. Her paternal grandfather, Paul Wentworth, Sr., served in the Revolutionary War.

Adin A. H. Hixon attended school in Ded- ham, Mass., until eleven years old. He then began to serve an apprenticeship at the drug business, giving his meagre wages to his mother. He was employed in drug stores in Boston and Charlestown until 1866, when he came to Worcester, and for the succeeding three years worked for Jerome Marble & Co. He next engaged in the manufacture of brick,

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following the business for three years, at the expiration of which time he turned his atten- tion to horticulture. To this and kindred mat- ters he has since devoted his attention. He has been an active member of the Worcester County Agricultural Society for twenty years. He is custodian of the property of the Worces- ter County Horticultural Society, has served as its librarian for the past eight years, and since the death of Edward Winslow Lincoln he has officiated as its secretary.

Mr. Hixon was married in this city, January 5, 1871, to Mrs. Fannie E. Daniels, widow of Henry Daniels and a daughter of David R. and Sarah N. (Britton) Gates. Mr. Hixon and his wife now reside in the house where she was born. She is a descendant in the eighth generation of Stephen Gates, who came from Norwich, England, on the ship "Diligence " in 1638, first settling in Hingham and later in Marlboro, Mass. Her great-grandfather, Simon Gates, first, who came from that town to Worcester in 1749, was the original owner of the Gates estate, which has since been divided among his descendants. A portion of the house he occupied is still standing. Simon Gates, second, her grandfather, who was a minute-man and marched to Lexington in 1775, was born at the homestead, and died here in February, 1849, aged nearly ninety- three years. He married Sarah Edgerton, a native of Nova Scotia, and she died in 1843, aged eighty-five years. They were the parents of eight children, namely: John; Levi; David R. ; Horatio; Olive; Roxelana; Sarah; and Mary, who died young. David R. Gates, the father, who was born at the homestead about the year 1800, and was a lifelong resident of Worcester, died in 1872. He was twice mar- ried, and by his second wife, Sarah Britton Gates, he had seven children, namely: Levi, who went to Washington Territory in 1850, and died there, leaving two sons, one of whom has been Mayor of Portland, Ore. ; Horatio, who died in California; Louisa, who married Henry Hoyt, and died in 1888, leaving a daughter, who resides in Boston; Nathan Brit- ton, a prosperous farmer in the State of Wash- ington, having four daughters; Fannie E., who is now Mrs. Adin A. H. Hixon; Ellen Maria,

wife of Eben Sanford, of San Francisco, Cal. ; and Caroline A., wife of François Hixon, a machinist of this city and brother of Adin A. Mrs. Sarah B. Gates died February 8, 1893, aged eighty-three.

As an example of longevity in the Gates family may be mentioned a cousin of David R., Mrs. Fannie Gates Bradford, who was one hundred years old in September, 1894, and died in the following November. Mrs. Hixon has a portrait of her as a centenarian.

Mr. and Mrs. Adin A. H. Hixon have one son, Allyne Wentworth Hixon, who was born November 11, 1874, and is an enthusiastic horticulturist. Mr. Hixon belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and the Patrons of Husbandry.

AMUEL B. RIPLEY, for several years a prominent real estate dealer of Worcester, Mass., died suddenly at his home, 6 High Street, on Monday, November 29, 1897. He was born February 15, 1819, in Oakham, Mass., son of Jephthah and Mary Ripley, and was a descend- ant of an old Colonial family.

Mr. Ripley grew to manhood on his father's farm in Oakham, but, not taking sufficient interest in agricultural pursuits to become a farmer, left home just before attaining his ma- jority, to engage in other occupations. For a few years he was in the meat and provision business on Front Street, Worcester; and on selling out his market he returned to Oakham, where he opened a store of general merchan- dise, which he conducted with success until 1852. Mr. Ripley then joined a party of his friends and fellow-townsmen going to Califor- nia, and on arriving at the Pacific coast was employed in digging for gold for a while; but, realizing that he had really a better chance for obtaining that precious metal in some other way, he opened a general store and meat mar- ket, and for four years had a profitable trade. When he came back to Worcester he turned his attention to real estate, a business for which his sound judgment, his knowledge of values, and his keen foresight admirably fitted

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him. He built apartment houses, which he had no trouble in selling at a good advantage, their desirability as tenements being apparent from the first. He subsequently built the block now owned by R. C. Taylor; and in 1873 he erected Hotel Pleasant, a first-class family hotel, which was at first managed by George Tower and afterward for five years by Mr. Ripley himself. More recently he built the blocks now occupied by the Evening Post and other business concerns, at the head of Beacon Street. In all of his ventures he suc- ceeded well, and while advancing his own interests also assisted materially in the up- building of the city. A man of upright character, kind and considerate, he had a large circle of warm friends among the lead- ing citizens of Worcester.

Mr. Ripley married Martha Macullar, who was born in Barre, Mass. She is a sister of the late Addison Macullar, well known in this city.

EORGE GIBBS SAMSON, a pros- perous farmer of Ashburnham, was born near Ashburnham village, Sep- tember 26, 1820, son of Jonathan and Betsey (Gibbs) Samson.

The farm he occupies was cleared by his maternal grandfather, Jonathan Gibbs, who, after living here a number of years, was killed by a tree falling upon him and breaking his back. Mr. Gibbs's son-in-law, Jonathan Sam- son, who had previously kept an inn at Rindge, N. H., bought the place in 1830, and resided here until his death, December 2, 1869. He was born in Boylston, Mass., December 20, 1786, and was married May 15, 1814, to Bet- sey Gibbs. She survived him less than a year, dying February 19, 1870.

George Gibbs Samson bought the estate of his father, and has lived here for fifty years. The farm contains one hundred and sixty acres, and is one of the finest in the town. The farm-house was built by his father nearly seventy years ago.

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 113

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