Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 119

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 119

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Mr. Manning married Caroline E. Woods, daughter of Charles Woods, of Hardwick, Mass., and she survives him. He left eight children ; namely, Frederick, Charles A., Grace W., Florence, David R., Robert H., Harold G., and Clarence W., all of whom are residing in Worcester. Mr. Manning had a wide circle of personal friends and business acquaintances, by whom he was highly es- teemed for his upright character and many sterling qualities. He was an attendant of Plymouth Church from the time of its organ- ization until his last sickness.

PHRAIM D. WEATHERBEE, an

energetic business man of Worcester, who spent his last years in retire- ment, was born in Fitchburg, Mass., in 1815. His parents, Ephraim and Eliza Weatherbee, died when he was very young, and he lived with an uncle until old enough to sup- port himself. Being naturally ambitious to

advance beyond the position of an ordinary laborer, he determined to obtain for himself a classical education. With means procured by his own efforts, he attended the Leicester Academy, afterward entering Yale College, and thence going to the Theological Seminary at Andover. Finding his religious views little in accord with the theology of the school, he finally decided to study medicine at the uni- versity in Washington, D. C.

He was there graduated a Doctor of Medi- cine, but, instead of entering professional life, he then turned his attention to the study of pharmacy ; and, after completing his appren- ticeship, he opened an apothecary shop in Wash- ington, D.C., not far from the Treasury De- partment. His place of business was after- ward burned, causing a total loss of his worldly possessions, and he thereupon decided to re- turn to New England. Locating in Worcester about the year 1850, he borrowed a sum suffi- cient to establish a small drug store on Front Street, near Washington Square, and before long was again conducting a paying business. That he used excellent judgment in choosing a site was soon afterward manifested by the de- velopment of the locality in business impor- tance. The city rapidly grew up around and beyond him, bringing with it new residents and new enterprises, which served to expand his trade into large proportions, with the result that for many years prior to his retirement his store was the centre of one of the busiest parts of Worcester. Prompted by a firm belief in the future growth and prosperity of the city, he took advantage of the opportunities offered for investment, and land that he bought for six cents a foot advanced in value to nearly one hundred times that sum. He erected the building which is now known as the Forrest House. His successful real estate dealings, together with his thriving drug business, en- abled him to retire with a handsome compe- tency in 1883. He died March 17, 1894.

He was a man of superior mental capacity and scholarly attainments, and he availed him- self of every opportunity to read books that would still further increase his knowledge of men and the world. His liberal mind per- mitted him to take a broad and intelligent view

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of national affairs, and being a profound thinker he was able to converse interestingly upon a varied line of subjects. Prejudice or superstition had no place in his nature, and his religious belief was both independent and unique. Politically, he acted with the Repub- lican party.

In 1851 Mr. Weatherbee was united in his first marriage with Esther Maria Woodward, daughter of David Woodward, of Marlboro, N. H. Two children were born of this union, but neither of them is now living. His first wife died March 29, 1880. In 1883 he mar- ried her sister, Mary J. Woodward, who sur- vives him. Her father, David Woodward, settled in Worcester in 1852. He was a stone-mason by trade, and erected several sub- stantial buildings in his day. He was a de- scendant in the eighth generation of Richard Woodward, who came from Ipswich, England, and settled in Watertown, Mass., December 16, 1664. The homestead of Richard's grand- son, John Woodward, which was built in 1686, is still standing at Waban station, Newton.

Mrs. Mary Woodward Weatherbee is a lady of well-known literary ability. She has con- tributed both prose and poetry to various relig- ious and secular newspapers and periodicals. Her articles upon her travels are unusually. interesting, and her poems are deeply religious in their sentiment. She is a member of the Unitarian church.

This is what she says of the old Woodward homestead that now, after two hundred and. eleven years, is still standing, and occupied by a lineal descendant of the seventh generation :

"Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." I would not have the old nests blown down by the winds of every new fancy. Where a man has builded his founda- tions well and made the world better by his works, I would have the old house stand to the last one of his lineage. This should be his memorial stone.

It was on a beautiful November day, just such a one as ghosts of men now dead a cen- tury might choose for stealing back again to earth. With all the ardor of a child returning to the paternal roof, even with a feeling akin

to the reverence of the Celestials for their ancestors, I went to lay my little wreath at the shrine of my ancestors. Almost I seemed conscious of forms coming out of nothingness and walking beside me as I left the station at Waban and hurried along a narrow foot-path to the main street, which, according to old deeds, was named Sherburn Road, but was afterward called Woodward Street, in defer- ence to the old house that had stood there two hundred years and more. Dust and shadow, they gathered around me - they, my ancestors, running back through eight generations. Strangers they are to me. I only know them as household names on my ancestral tree; and yet they press about me, these beautified souls, seeking recognition.

Come, dear reader, walk with me, and see how lovely, in keeping with even these modern days of 1898, may be an old house of 1686.

Along this quiet, beautiful residential street, under stately trees, past several beauti- ful Colonial mansions, ten minutes' walk brings us to a winding lane or avenue, grass- grown but for the ruts of carriage wheels. This is the only approach to the Woodward homestead. With an eye to the beautiful, to the front there is a broad, unbroken stretch of upland and green fields. Here and there knots of stately forest trees. The homely iron knocker on the door still does duty, and a kindly welcome is given us by Mrs. Minnie Woodward Rand, the ninth in descent from Richard and Rose Woodward, who came from Ipswich, England, with their two sons, George and John, in 1634.

John, the second in descent from Richard, acquired the first twenty-five acres in 1681, added twenty-five, and built the house in 1686. Ebenezer, his son, succeeded in 1716; John, in 1747; Ebenezer, second, in 1781; Elijah F. in 1810; S. Newell in 1846; Fred F. and Minnie Woodward Rand in 1892.

John Woodward, of whom I write, was probably born in Watertown, and buried beside his father and grandfather, he and the other six generations above, making with Mrs. Minnie Woodward Rand and her brother Fred F. and his two sons, all of whom are now liv- ing in the old house, seven generations of the

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Woodward family born at the homestead, and eight in occupancy.

My great-great-great-grandfather, Daniel, born in 1681, married Elizabeth Greely in 1707. Slate stones, marking their graves, are in Centre Street Cemetery, dated 1682 and 1689.

Before I introduce you to the dwellers of the house, through all these generations, ob- serve that the rooms and furnishings are the same as in the days of the original occupants. The old mahogany desk still keeps its lustre through all the dust of the vanished years. What high service it has done for the faithful Captain in the Revolutionary War, for the Town Clerk, the Assessor, for the Representa- tive to the General Court, for the teacher of the boys' private school, and for the Congrega- tional Deacons! The old mahogany claw- footed chairs are there, that have waited for many a wedding, a christening, and a funeral guest.

In looking over the list of names of the honored dead, I find that Ebenezer Woodward, of the fourth generation, was chosen Selectman in 1744, and served two years.

Captain John Woodward, of the fifth gener- ation, was chosen Town Clerk and Treasurer, December 14, 1778, and held the office by annual choice until March, 1795. He was Captain, Selectman seven years, and Repre- sentative two years. He was Moderator of the town meeting in 1776 that passed the unani- mous vote requesting Congress to declare the colonies independent. He loaned the town of Newton one hundred pounds in 1777 for war expenses. He was fifty-one years of age at the time of the Revolutionary War, and, being too old to join the Regulars, he raised a company called the "Alarm List," was chosen Captain, and led his men in the battle of Lexington and Concord. His sword still hangs in the old house in the possession of his great-great- grand-daughter.

Ebenezer, his son, of the sixth generation, then seventeen years old, went as drummer boy. He was chosen Town Clerk and Treasurer in 1795. He was appointed Assessor in 1798, to assist in levying a tax of two million dollars by the United States.

Elijah F. Woodward, of the seventh gener- ation, was chosen Town Clerk and Treasurer in 1821, and held the office continuously until his death in 1846. He was Representative to the General Court for four years, chosen in 1835. He was Town Clerk and Treasurer for twenty years, from 1826 to 1846, the time of his death. He was also surveyor, and he con- ducted a private school for boys at the home- stead. There was a Congregational Deacon for six generations, from John of the third to S. Newell of the eighth.

In an old trunk, in the garret of the house, were accidentally found the deeds on parch- ment, first of twenty-five acres, from Richard Robbins to his daughter Rebecca, given as a wedding dowry at her marriage to John Woodward, and dated June 7, 1681.

LTON BLODGETT, formerly a mem- ber of the Heywood-Williams Com- pany, chair manufacturers, Fitch- burg, was born in Marlboro, N. H., April 1, 1812. While attending school he displayed a natural aptitude for the acquisition of knowledge, and after the completion of his studies he assisted his father upon the home- stead farm until he was twenty years old. For several years he was employed on Walter Hey- wood's timber lands in Gardner, Mass. After his recovery from a severe illness of three years' duration he bought a piece of agricult- ural property in Troy, N. H., where he was engaged in tilling the soil for some time. Subsequently, relinquishing his farm, he be- came connected with Walter Heywood's chair factory, having charge of the seating depart- ment until the Heywood-Williams Company was organized, when, purchasing some of the capital stock of that concern, he became iden- tified with it for the rest of his life. The habits of industry acquired in his youth re- mained with him through life, and contributed much toward his progress in business affairs ; and his firm adherence to upright principles in his dealings was recognized and admired by all with whom he came in contact.

In 1837 Mr. Blodgett was united in marriage with Mary Ann Buttrick, originally of Win-

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chendon, Mass., and later of Troy, N. HI. Mrs. Blodgett's ancestors were early settlers of Concord, Mass. ; and her maternal grand- father, William Knight, served in the Conti- nental army from the commencement to the close of the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Blodg- ett's father, Daniel Buttrick, was a prosper- ous farmer during his active years, and was a man highly respected for his upright character. He and his wife, Mary, reared a family of chil- dren, of whom three daughters are living, namely : Mary Ann, who is now Mrs. Blodg- ett ; Maria H., who married Harrington Sib-, ley ; and Martha C., who is now Mrs. Lucius Aldrich. Another daughter, Lydia R., the wife of Walter Heywood, died September 17, 1897. Alton Blodgett, the subject of this sketch, died September 19, 1878, in his sixty- seventh year. His widow resides in Fitch- burg.

YMAN D. THURSTON, general mer- chant and Postmaster at Leicester, Mass., was born in the adjacent town of Paxton, September 8, 1832. His parents were Joseph and Lucy B. (Davis) Thurston, the former a native of Brookfield, Mass. Joseph Thurston settled upon a farm in Paxton, and resided there until 1848, when he went to Leicester. Four or five years later he removed from Leicester to Worcester, where he made his home till his death, which occurred on October 30, 1857. He was of the seventh generation in descent from John Thurston, who with his wife, Margaret, and two sons came over in 1637 in the ship "Mary Anne," of Yarmouth, England, and settled in Dedham, Mass. Lyman D. Thurston was edu- cated in the common schools and Leicester Academy. He resided in his native town until sixteen years old, when he came to Leicester. At the age of eighteen he entered the clothing factory of J. & J. Murdock, by whom he was employed as apprentice and jour- neyman for a number of years. In 1858 he engaged in general mercantile business in com- pany with his brother, J. H. Thurston, under the firm name of J. H. & L. D. Thurston. That firm continued in existence until 1863,

when Lyman D. bought his brother's interest ; and since then, with the exception of a short time in which he was associated with William F. Holman, he has carried on the business alone.

Mr. Thurston contracted the first of his two marriages with Hannah S. Lyon, of Leicester, by whom he had two children, both deceased. His present wife was formerly Mary E. Denny. The children of this union are: Carrie L. and Mary D. Thurston.

For thirty-seven years Mr. Thurston has been Postmaster in Leicester, having received his first appointment from the Lincoln admin- istration in 1861 ; and his efficiency and popu- larity are attested by the fact that he has re- tained the office under each succeeding President. He served as Town Clerk for six- teen years, was Town Treasurer five years, and was Representative to the legislature in 1895. He holds a commission, and acts as Justice of the Peace. Politically, he is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. He is a member of the First Congregational Church in Leicester, and has been a Deacon for the past thirty-eight years.

ATHAN S. JOHNSON, a retired business man of Dana, was born in this town, August 18, 1832, son of Seth and Sophia (Stone) Johnson. His paternal grandfather was Seth Johnson, whose farm, which was originally located in Hardwick, became a part of Dana when this town was set off and incorporated in 1801. He was an industrious man, and lived to be about seventy-three years of age. He married Mrs. Sarah Hillman, born Washburn, a widow, who lived to be over eighty years old. Their family consisted of six children, namely : Seth; Electa, who became Mrs. Ellis; So- phronia, who became Mrs. Foster; Elvira, who became Mrs. Brown; Sarah, who became Mrs. Stone; and Fiducia, who became Mrs. Meachum.

Seth Johnson, father of Nathan S., was born in Dana, June 30, 1801. He was a prosper -. ous farmer from the time of attaining to years

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of maturity until compelled by old age to retire from active labor; and besides the home farm, which he inherited, he owned other real estate. By reason of unusual strength he lived consid- erably beyond the customary span of human existence. His death occurred December 1, 1894, at the age of ninety-three years and five months. Though not an office-seeker, he served with ability as a Selectman, and from the ranks of the Whig party he joined the Re- publican movement at its formation. In his religious belief he was a Universalist. His wife, whose maiden name was Sophia Stone, was born in Dana, April 20, 1802. They had four children, one of whom died at the age of two years; and another, Mary J., who became Mrs. Goodale, died at the age of twenty-seven. The survivors are: Delucia S., wife of Seth D. Williams, of Worcester, Mass. ; and Nathan S., the subject of this sketch. The mother died November 15, 1869.

Nathan S. Johnson acquired his education in the old district school-house which stood upon the site of his present residence. When a young man he engaged in mercantile business in Dana Centre with M. J. Hillman, and about three years later he went to Jamaica Plain, Mass., where he kept store one year. Return- ing to Dana, for the succeeding nine years he was engaged in the manufacture of palm-leaf goods; and going hence to Worcester he fol- lowed various lines of business for twenty-one years, or until 1892, when on account of his father's illness he once more returned to his native town, where he has since lived in retire- ment. As a business man Mr. Johnson has been successful, and he is now enjoying the rest and recreation which his easy circum- stances permit. In politics he is a Republi- can.

On July 1, 1862, Mr. Johnson was joined in marriage with Isabella A. Robbins, who was born in Northfield, Mass., daughter of John B. and Susan (Fisher) Robbins. Her father was born in that town, October 10, 1797, and died July 8, 1869; and her mother was born in Hinsdale, N. H., June 27, 1798. They were the parents of seven children, namely : Nancy D., Mary A., John D., and Susan B., none of whom are living; Sarah E., wife of James

Stockwell, of Warwick, Mass .; George T. Robbins, a resident of Petersham, Mass. ; and Isabella A., who is now Mrs. Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have had no children.

AJOR JAMES HARRISON BARKER, who served the Union in the Civil War and was for a long time a respected resident of Milford, was a native of Westmoreland, N.H. Born on August 5, 1818, he was a son of Benjamin and Abigail (Babbitt) Barker. He came to this town some time before his mar- riage, and for some years manufactured boots, and followed other occupations. Prior to 1861 he was the Postmaster for six years, and he was reappointed in 1866. For eight terms each he was Selectman and Assessor, and in 1858 and 1859 he represented this district in the Massachusetts General Court. He was Justice of the Peace for seven years, dating from January 1, 1872; a member of the dis- trict police for three years ; and at the time of his death he was serving his second term of three years as County Commissioner.

Before the Civil War, Major Barker was in the State militia, where he rose from the ranks to the grade of Lieutenant Colonel. On September 2, 1862, he enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Massachusetts Infan- try, and afterward served as Major of the regi- ment until his resignation on January 29, 1863, on account of ill health. He fought at Fredericksburg, Va., on December 13, 1862, and in other engagements. Subse- quently he took a warm interest in Grand Army matters, and was made the post Com- mander in Milford. He was also an active Mason. In politics he was a Republican. Taking a warm interest in the town, he was one of the prime movers in making plans for the building of Memorial Hall and Music Hall, and in many other ways worked energet- ically for the town's interests.

The Major was married on April 26, 1848, to Elizabeth Alden Parkhurst, of Milford, a daughter of Otis and Sarah (Jones) Parkhurst. By this union he became the father of three children, namely: Emma Diana, born May

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26, 1855; Otis Benjamin, born May 9, 1858; and Kate Elizabeth, born June 12, 1864. The first named of these married Fred Swa- sey, of Norwich, Vt., who was a highly skilled architect, having studied abroad. Mr. Swasey died on February 21, 1890, in California, to which State he had gone with his family on account of his health. Three children survive him - Lillian P., Elizabeth Alden, and Louise R. Otis Benjamin Barker, the son, who is with the Standard Clothing Company in Boston, married Bertha Springer. Katie Elizabeth married Reuben A. Cook, a native of Milford, Mass., who is now the agent and treasurer of the Queen City Cotton Company in Burlington, Vt. They have three children - Harrison A., Cora Louise, and Elizabeth. An illness from which the Major had suffered for nearly two years at length obliged him to give up busi- ness. A few months later, on October 5, 1888, he died.

IBA BOYNTON GRANDY, a well- known citizen of Upton, Mass., was born in Fayston, Washington County, Vt., on August 9, 1840, son of Calvin and Thomazin (Johnson) Grandy. The Grandys are of Scotch extraction. Mrs. Grandy was a descendant, on her mother's side, of the Gibson family. Her sister was the wife of Robert White, a Revolutionary soldier, who, it is said, lost both arms in the war.

Calvin Grandy was born in Cavendish, Vt., and there passed his early years. He learned two trades, those of carpenter and gunsmith, but the latter part of his life was devoted to farming. Besides his son Ziba there were in his family two other sons and three daughters. All of the boys were natural mechanics, and the youngest, Cyrus, was something of a genius in that line. At the time of his death he was engaged in constructing engines. The other, L. C. Grandy, was a lumber dealer and con- tractor on a large scale. One of the daughters married Alexis C. Bates, of Derby, a repre- sentative of one of the oldest and most re- spected families in that region. Cordelia Grandy married Robert Campbell, a mill-

wright of Waitsfield, Vt. Lucinda Grandy married Gilbert A. Stearns, of Hopkinton. One of her sons, Fred Stearns, is worthy of mention as an example of pluck and self-reli- ance. After graduating from the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology he was employed for a time by the government in the coast sur- vey, but, the appropriation giving out, he was no longer needed and was dismissed. Unwill- ing to remain idle, he went to New York City and entered the employ of the street cleaning department. For four weeks he carried the broom, and did work that might be done by the most ignorant laborer. At the end of that time his persistent diligence was rewarded. Colonel Waring recognized him as a man of ability and push, and made him superintendent of one of the divisions. Efficient and trust- worthy, he still holds this position.

Ziba B. Grandy received his education in the public schools of Fayston and Derby, Vt. After leaving school he first purchased and operated in Fayston a horse-power sawing- machine. He was at work in New York City for some months in 1863, and during the draft riots he was a witness of the hanging of the negro by the mob. History has stated that the unfortunate black was suspended from a lamp-post, but Mr. Grandy says that he was hung from the limb of a tree on Twenty-fifth Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. Returning from New York to Upton, Mr. Grandy entered the employ of Arby T. Wood, in whose mill he worked for two years. In company with his brother he then bought the mill, which was located at the Centre, and operated it for a number of years. After sell- ing out he became interested in the manage- ment of two portable saw-mills, which he moved as far as Stafford Springs, Conn. There he established a steam saw and grist mill; but, his health failing, it became neces- sary for him to engage in some occupation that would keep him in the open air. He conse- quently took charge of a travelling photo- graphic gallery, and for the next five years journeyed from place to place. Returning to Upton in 1882, he entered the factory of Beson & Nelson, where he is still employed. In this position he has proved himself very

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capable, and has won the confidence of his employers.

Mr. Grandy was married in 1864 to Ellen L. Fiske, of Upton, a daughter of E. A. and Sarah Fiske, and descended from one of the oldest and most valued families of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Grandy have three daughters and a son, namely: Lillie M., who was born in 1866, and is now the wife of Ar- thur Fitts, of Upton; Jennie L., who was born in 1868, and is now the wife of George H. Walker, of this town; Nettie M., who was born in 1873, and is now the wife of John Holbrook, of Upton; and Walter, who was born in 1880, and is now pursuing a course of study in the Upton High School.

ENRY BEECHER BULLARD, an enterprising merchant and a leading resident of Sutton, was born in Holden, Mass., April 9, 1839, son of Joseph and Olivia (Hill) Bullard. The paternal grandfather was Dr. Artemas Bul- lard, a native of Hopkinton, Mass., who spent the greater part of his active life in Sutton, and was a prominent physician of this locality in his day. His practice extended to the ad- jacent towns, which he visited on horseback ; and he was sometimes called to Holliston and places equally distant from home. His prop- erty, which is still known as the Bullard place, is located about a half-mile from Sut- ton village, and is now owned by his grand- son. He was vigorous and active until his death, which occurred when he was seventy years old, and which was the result of acci- dentally falling from a scaffold in his barn. Mr. Bullard married Lucy White, of North- bridge, Mass., who lived to the age of ninety- one years. Their children were: Dr. Artemas Bullard (second), who became a medical prac- titioner of note in the West and served as a surgeon in the Civil War; the Rev. Asa Bul- lard, who resided in Cambridge, Mass., and was widely known for his efficient services in behalf of Congregational Sunday-school work; the Rev. Ebenezer Bullard, who was for many years pastor of a Congregational church in Fitchburg, Mass., and is living in retirement

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 119

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