Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 121

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 121

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A UGUSTUS W. SMITH, a well-to-do agriculturist of West Brookfield, son of Welcome Smith, was born in this town, February 4, 1833. His pa- ternal grandfather, Captain Israel Smith, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and had command of a company of Rhode Island militia. In 1805 Captain Smith re- moved with his wife and children from Rhode Island to Brookfield, Mass. Having become a prominent farmer and one of the leading residents here, he served as Selectman and in other offices of minor importance. A consist- ent member of the Congregational church of this town, he was actively interested in its Sunday-school. He and his wife had been known as one of the oldest couples in the community for some time before their de- cease. She died in her ninety-fifth year, and he in 1853, when he was ninety-seven years old. One of their daughters, Mrs. Martha or Patty Blair, the mother of Warren A. Blair, of whom a biography will be found elsewhere in this volume, attained the age of one hundred and two years. Welcome Smith, son of Cap- tain Smith, was born in Rhode Island. In 1805 he came with his parents from that State to Brookfield, where he grew to man's estate. After his marriage with Hannah Blake, a native of Windsor, Mass., he settled on a farm, and spent the remainder of his life engaged in agriculture. At his death he was forty -four years old.

Augustus W. Smith received his element- ary education in the district schools of West Brookfield. Afterward he studied at Willis- ton Seminary in Easthampton and at the Quaboag Seminary in Warren. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he has made farming his principal occupation. Also for several years he conducted a meat market at West Brook- field, being in partnership during that time with three different men; and he followed auctioneering for a number of years, having

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charge of many sales of personal property and of real estate in this locality. He is known as one of the leading farmers of this section of the county, and he has been a valued mem- ber of the West Brookfield Farmers' Club for some time.

Mr. Smith has rendered excellent service to the town on its School Committee, and he was for a number of terms its Tax Collector. On October 15, 1859, he married Ruth Tyler, a daughter of Jonas R. Tyler, of Warren. They have had six children; namely, Lindsey T., William E., Charles, Frederick G., Carrie A., and Windsor R. Charles died some time ago.

J AMES S. STONE, the well-known insurance agent of North Dana, son of Daniel and Sarah F. (Johnson) Stone, was the first child born in this village, the date of his birth being March 12, 1833. His father, who was a son of Elias Stone, was born in Dana, September 12, 1806; and his mother was born in the same town, April 3, 1 809.

Elias Stone was born December 1, 1778. He removed to Dana from the vicinity of Worcester, accompanied by his wife, Abigail. who was born March 6, 1783. He acquired possession of five hundred acres of land, which included one-half of the present village of North Dana, originally called Stonesville, and here made his home. He was the father of five children, namely : Daniel; Jonathan E. ; Harriet; Rhoda; and Abigail, the only sur- vivor, who is now Mrs. Lindsey, and resides in Dana.

Daniel Stone, father of James S., acquired a good business education, which was completed at the New Salem Academy. After teaching school for a time he engaged in developing the water-power at North Dana, erecting a grist- mill and a wood-working mill here in 1832. He also built the first house in the village. His mills he later sold to Hale & Goodman, who for many years manufactured pianoforte legs. Engaging in the insurance business about the year 1850, he continued to follow it in connection with farming until his death,

which occurred January 19, 1895. He was the leading business man of Dana in his day, and also a prominent factor in public affairs, serv- ing in the principal town offices, representing his district in the legislature of 1848 and 1850. He was a Justice of the Peace for over forty years. In politics he was in his later years a Republican. In his religious belief he was a Methodist. His wife, Mrs. Sarah F. Stone, survived him a short time, and died July 11, 1895. She was the mother of three children, namely: Charles H., who died at the age of four years; James S., the subject of this sketch; and Mandana V., wife of J. E. Oakes, of Springfield, Mass.

James S. Stone obtained his education in the common schools, the New Salem Academy, and the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Mass. For some time after leaving school he worked in the pianoforte-leg factory in North Dana. He was later in charge of a similar manufactory in Erving, Mass .; and, going thence to Philadelphia, he was for the succeed- ing ten years employed by the firm of Hale & Kilbourn, manufacturers of furniture, picture frames, and car seats. Returning to his native town in 1882, he became associated with his father in the insurance business, and, succeed- ing to the agency after his father's death, is now the local representative of twelve leading companies. He also attends to the transac- tion of legal business requiring the services of a Justice of the Peace, having held his com- mission for the past sixteen years.

Mr. Stone is quite actively concerned in local public affairs. He has served upon the Boards of Selectmen and Assessors. Of late he has voted with the Democratic party. He is a member of Orange Lodge, F. & A. M., of Orange, and has advanced in the order as far as the chapter. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church.

L. M. SMITH, an overseer in one of the departments of the Whitin Machine Works at Whitinsville and well known in musical circles throughout the county, was born at Somerset, Mass., on November 28, 1836. His parents

JOHN BECKER.

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were Joseph and Phoebe (Chase) Smith. The father, who in early manhood was a seafaring man, was later employed in the pottery busi- ness. He died at the age of forty-seven.

Mr. Smith (whose full name is Benjamin Lloyd Mason Smith) came to Whitinsville at the age of seventeen, and entered the depart- ment of the machine shop in which spinning rolls were made. His ability and faithfulness were duly recognized by his promotion to the head of the department. This position he has now held for the past thirty-six years. He is a trustee and the auditor of the Whitinsville Savings Bank and a trustee of the Pine Grove Cemetery Association. WVide-awake on all questions of public interest, he has rendered valuable service in town office. He has been for eight years a member of the Board of Se- lectmen and for fifteen years the chairman of the Board of Assessors. In 1885 he repre- sented this district in the Massachusetts legis- lature, and served on the Water Supply Com- mittee. Politically, he is closely identified with the Republican party. He has taken a warm interest in the Whitinsville Public Li- brary. An esteemed Mason, he is connected with Granite Lodge, F. & A. M., and St. Elmo Royal Arch Chapter. He is also a member of Uxbridge Lodge of Odd Fellows, in which he has held all the offices.

Mr. Smith has been a choir leader for four- teen years, a part of the time in the Methodist and a part of the time in the Congregational church. He assisted in organizing and con- ducting the Whitinsville Choral Union of seventy-five voices, which participated in the great Peace Jubilee in Boston in 1869 and in 1872 ; and he was also one of the organizers of the Whitinsville Musical Association, of which he is the present director and vice-president. For the past thirty-five years he has been ac- tively connected with the Worcester County Musical Association, having been councillor for many years, and for twelve years on the board of government. Had circumstances per- mitted him to give his full attention to the study of music in early life, he would un- questionably have achieved fame as a musician. The maiden name of Mrs. Smith, who came from Northbridge, was Elmira H. B. Keech.

The beautiful home of the family on Railroad Avenue was built about ten years ago.

OHN BECKER, manufacturer of mill- ing machines and a resident of Fitch- burg, is a native of the quaint old Ger- man town of Marburg, Province of Hesse-Nassau, and was born in 1850. He accompanied his parents to the United States when a child, and attended the public schools of Boston until he was twelve years old, com- pleting his education in a private school. He subsequently served a five years' apprentice- ship at the metal engraver's trade. He then carried on business for himself for a number of years as a metal engraver, and also con- ducted an experimental machine shop. Fi- nally he engaged in the manufacture of en- graving and milling machines. At the earnest solicitation of the Fitchburg Board of Trade he located his factory in this city in 1891, and is now carrying on an extensive business.

In 1874 Mr. Becker was united in marriage with Cecilia M. Johnson, of Boston, who has borne him three children: Emily B., born in 1875; C. Marie, born in 1878; and John, born in 1888.

In politics Mr. Becker is an independent Republican. He is connected with Newton Lodge, F. & A. M., and is a member of the Congregational church.

OSES POLLARD, formerly a well- known and successful farmer of Westboro, Worcester County, died at his home in this town, August 15, 1891. He was born September 9, 1815, in Hubbardston, Mass. He was a son of Joel and Ruth (Fisk) Pollard and a grandson of Joel Pollard, Sr., one of the pioneer settlers of Hubbardston. His father was a prosperous farmer and lumber dealer, a large landholder, and an influential citizen. He was energetic, enterprising, and active, and served for many years in the important town offices.

Moses Pollard was educated at Westminster Academy, and afterward, at the earnest solici- tation of his parents, remained an inmate of

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the paternal householdl until his marriage. Removing then to New Braintree, this county, he became identified with the best interests of the town, and rendered faithful and appreciated service as Selectman and Assessor. An ener- getic and clear-headed man of business, he ably filled the position of president of the company having charge of the local cheese fac- tory. In 1872 he purchased a valuable piece of farming property in Westboro, and removing hither he was here successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until his decease. Here likewise he served on the Board of Assessors. For a number of years he was vice-president of the Westboro Savings Bank and for a long time an official member of the Westboro Grange. He was an active member of the Congregational church, and while in New Braintree he held the office of Deacon, but de- clined a similar honor in the Westboro church, although he was church assessor and a liberal contributor toward its support. In politics he was a Republican.

On April 6, 1843, Mr. Pollard married Ann O. Pierce, of New Braintree. She died in 1875, leaving four sons, namely : Herbert, who lives on the old homestead in New Brain- tree; David, a merchant in Ashland, N. H. ; Charles, of De Land, Fla. ; and Moses F., an extensive dairy farmer, occupying the home farm in Westboro, who married Matilda Win- chester, and has four children. On July 5, 1876, Mr. Pollard married Mrs. Phebe S. Hartwell Brown, of Worcester, who survives him.

| MERSON WARNER, M.D., physician and surgeon, Worcester, was born in New Braintree, Mass., April 30, 1831, the son of Amory P. and Cemira C. (Haskins) Warner. He is a descendant in the eighth generation of William Warner, an Eng- lishman, who arrived at Ipswich, Mass., in 1637, and whose son John, born in England in 1616, settled in Hadley, Mass. Eleazar War- ner, son of John, was born November 13, 1662, and his birthplace was probably Hadley. Eleazar Warner, Jr., the next in this line, was the first white child born in New Braintree, the

date of his birth being July 29, 1694. He was the father of Phineas Warner, who was born at New Braintree in 1726; and Phineas, Jr., Dr. Warner's grandfather, son of the elder Phineas, was born there, November 2, 1763.

The first of the family to settle in New Braintree was Eleazar, Sr., who went there prior to 1694, and became a prominent man of his day, holding various town offices. He cleared a good farm, upon which his children were reared; and the Doctor's lineal ancestors, above named, for the next four generations, were industrious tillers of the soil in that town. Phineas Warner, Jr., married Mary or Martha Pollard, and became the father of several chil- dren. He died at the age of seventy-seven ; and his wife, who survived him, lived to be eighty-six. The Doctor's grandfather and great -grandfather were Deacons of the Congre- gational church.

Amory P. Warner, Dr. Warner's father, was born at the homestead, July 9, 1805. Cemira C. Haskins, whom he married March 12, 1829, was a native of Prescott, Mass. They reared but one child, Emerson Warner, the subject of this sketch. The parents occupied the home farm until 1860, when they came to Worcester, and resided here for the rest of their lives

Emerson Warner pursued the regular pre- paratory course at the Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass., which he entered at an early age. He was prevented by feeble health from continuing his studies until twenty-one years old, when he entered the Wesleyan Uni- versity, Middletown, Conn., at which he was graduated a Bachelor of Arts in the class of 1856, later receiving the degree of Master of Arts from the same institution. When fifteen years old his educational acquirements were such as to enable him to commence teaching, which he continued to do at intervals for some years. He taught several terms in Wilbra- ham. His medical course was completed at the Harvard Medical School, where he was graduated in 1863. He came to Worcester from Shrewsbury, January 1, 1866, and almost immediately rose to prominence both as a phy- sician and surgeon. He was in regular attend- ance at the opening of the Worcester Dispen- sary, and for seventeen years he was upon the

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staff of the City Hospital. He has been con- sulting surgeon at the Memorial Hospital ever since its establishment, and is now one of the consulting staff of the City Hospital also. He has been president of the Worcester District Medical Society, and for many years was a Councillor of the Massachusetts Medical So- ciety.

In politics the Doctor is a Republican. He was a member of the school boards of other places previous to settling in Worcester, and served in a similar capacity in this city for twenty years, or until failing health compelled him to resign. During the years 1884-85 he was Representative to the legislature, and as chairman of the Committee on Public Health he labored diligently in the interest of that department. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was chosen a lay delegate to the General Conference in 1880.

On July 18, 1851, Dr. Warner married for his first wife Miss L. Angeline Cleveland, of Hardwick, Mass. She died September 20, 1854, and the two children born of their union both died while young. His second wife, whom he wedded May 24, 1856, was before marriage Miss Isabelle H. Andrews, of Glas- tonbury, Conn. She became the mother of two daughters, namely: Isabel, now the wife of Dean S. Ellis, M. D., a sketch of whom ap- pears elsewhere in the REVIEW; and Effie Lu- ella, who was born September 7, 1865, and died September 30, 1884.

During the years 1872 and 1873 Dr. Warner visited the principal hospitals of Europe for the purpose of observing the practical demon- stration of advanced ideas in medical science. In 1886 ill health caused him to give up the more laborious portion of his practice, and much of his time for the past twelve years has been spent in foreign travel. He has visited Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, made special trips to Egypt and the Holy Land, passed two winters in Italy, and has twice circumnavigated the globe. When he located in this city he took possession of the substantial frame house on Main Street erected in 1793 by the Rev. Dr. Austin, then pastor of the Old South Church. A portion of that

landmark is now standing near the Knowles Loom Works, whither it was moved in order to make room for the present Warner Block, a four-story building, extending from 570 to 576, where he now resides. About the year 1887 Dr. Warner shared his office with Dean S. Ellis, M.D., and the professional association still continues.

OUIS DEBLOIS BARTLETT, ma-

chinist and inventor, for many years a resident of Fitchburg, was born September 24, 1825, in Marblehead, Mass., and died there on October 19, 1898. He was the youngest son of the Rev. John and Rebecca (Deblois) Bartlett. Mr. Bartlett's maternal grandfather, George Deblois, was a prosperous merchant of Boston and Salem pre- vious to the Revolutionary War. Several distinguished men have borne the same sur- name. Betsey Deblois, an aunt of Mr. Bart- lett, was the wife of General Despard, who was killed at the battle of Waterloo. Some mem- bers of the Deblois family have displayed con- siderable literary talent.

Mr. Bartlett's first paternal ancestor in this country, Roger, son of Roger and Mary Bart- lett, was born in Brandescomb, England, Feb- ruary 6, 1723. He was married October 9, 1749, to Anna Hurd, who was born in Charles- town, Mass., March 22, 1723, daughter of Ben- jamin and Elizabeth Hurd. Samuel Bartlett, son of Roger and Anna, was born November 17, 1752, and was a silversmith by occupation. He was elected Registrar of Deeds of Middle- sex County in 1795, and he held the office until his death, September 29, 1821. He married September 19, 1776, Mary, daughter of Isaiah and Elizabeth Barrett, of Boston. She died August 1, 1823, aged seventy-two years.

Their son, John Bartlett, father of Louis D., was born in Concord, Mass., May 23, 1784. He opened a store in Castine, Me., with the intention of following a mercantile life, but suddenly changed his mind, and, resolving to enter the Christian ministry, became a student at Harvard College, where he was graduated in 1805. He also studied theology under the

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Rev. Dr. Channing. Shortly after his gradua- tion he was appointed chaplain of the Boston almshouse. While acting in that capacity he was deeply moved by seeing the irrational and in many cases inhuman treatment of the insane inmates, and it was at his suggestion that a meeting of prominent citizens was called that resulted in the founding by Mr. McLean of the hospital which has since borne that name. Mr. Bartlett received a call to become pastor of the Second Congregational Church and Society of Marblehead. He was ordained May 22, 18II, and there continued actively engaged in the work of the ministry until his death, which ; occurred February 3, 1849. . While under his charge the church became Unitarian, as it has since remained. He was a prominent Mason. He assisted in the formation and management of the Marblehead Humane Society. His wife, Rebecca Deblois Bartlett, died December 24, 1858. She was a worthy helpmeet to her husband, and organized the Dorcas Society in connection with the church at Marblehead. They were the parents of six children, namely : John Stephen, born May 14, 1812; Sarah Lydia, born July 27, 1814; Samuel William, born November 26, 1816; George Edward, born June 1, 1819; Mary Susan, born January I, 1823; and Louis Deblois. Of these chil- dren, two are still living: Sarah Lydia and Mary Susan, the last named being the wife of Captain William B. Gerry, a kinsman of El- bridge Gerry.

Louis Deblois Bartlett acquired most of his education in the Marblehead Academy, during his last years there being a pupil of John Ruggles, with whom he studied engineering. At the age of about seventeen years and six months he left home to learn the machinist's trade in Boston in the shop of Otis Tufts. His apprenticeship expired September 24, 1846; but this did not sever his connection with his employer, who in 1851 offered to take him into partnership. In 1853 this came about by the formation of a stock company, Mr. Bartlett having an interest as a stockholder and being appointed superintendent of the shop. During that year the company was very suc- cessful; and in 1854 their works were enlarged at an expense of fifty thousand dollars, in order

to fit them for the building of sugar machinery, for which they had received large orders from Louisiana and Texas. A dry season the fol- lowing year interfered to such an extent with the transportation of the machinery that the delay in delivery caused the purchasers to de- cline payment ; and litigation ensued, which re- sulted in the company sustaining such loss that they closed their works July 12, 1856.

Being thus forced out of business, Mr. Bart- lett invented an ash sifter, which he patented in 1857, and on which he realized a handsome profit. This was the first of the ash barrel sifters. He then advertised for employment as a mechanical engineer, and secured a position which he retained until 1859. During this. time he furnished the Essex Machine Com- pany, of Lawrence, with several plans for sugar mills and sugar machinery. The Khedive of Egypt had authorized Mr. George A. Stone, of Boston, to act as his agent in the construction for him of an iron steam yacht to be called "Le Voyageur de la Mer," a vessel of thir- teen hundred tons and one thousand horse power. Mr. Bartlett was employed as super- intending engineer in the completion of the vessel, and performed his work in a satisfactory manner. The firm employed to build the hull failed to fulfil their contract, and the finishing of this work also was intrusted to Mr. Bartlett. In the face of many difficulties he succeeded, and the vessel was launched in the fall of 1858. He was retained in Mr. Stone's employ until the early part of 1859.

In March of that year he took the entire charge of the manufacture of steam machinery for the Putnam Machine Company, of Fitch- burg. In 1860 he purchased an equal interest in that company, and he subsequently contin- ued in active service for nearly twenty-seven years, being a director and the clerk of the company for most of that time, the treasurer for several years, and filling a presidential vacancy for several months. During this time he obtained three different patents for improve- ments on stationary engines, giving the Put- nam Company the shop right to use them. He also did successful and important work for the company in legal suits relating to steam- engines. At one time he won a case against

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Mr. George H. Corliss, who was the plaintiff, much to that gentleman's surprise, as the latter was usually successful in his suits at law. Mr. Bartlett was acquainted in early life with John Ericsson, the inventor of the monitor. He was for several years a director of the Roll- stone National Bank, a trustee and a member of the Investment Committee of the Worcester National Savings Institution, and he was in- trusted with the management of several estates. He served several years as a trustee of the Fitchburg Public Library, and was its treasurer at the time of his death.

On October 12, 1853, Mr. Bartlett was married to Harriet Morton Barstow, daughter of Captain William C. and Sarah F. (Morton) Barstow. Mrs. Bartlett's grandfather, Captain Silas Morton, was a Revolutionary soldier, being commissioned Lieutenant in Captain George Duncan's company, First Massachu- setts Regiment, January 1, 1777. He was with the American army in New Jersey, where he served as Orderly and carried despatches for Washington. He spent the terrible winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge. He was at West Point at the time of Arnold's treason, and was a witness of the execution of Major André. December 15, 1781, he was appointed Lieu- tenant in the Second Massachusetts Regiment, with which he subsequently took part in the siege of Yorktown. He received from the hand of Lafayette one of the dress swords taken from the British, which were, by act of Con- gress, divided among the American and French officers for distinguished services during the siege. At the evacuation of New York by the British in November, 1783, he was serving with the Light Infantry with the rank of Adju- tant. He was Captain by brevet, and after the war became a member of the Society of Cin- cinnati. He married Miss Betsey Foster, of Kingston, Mass. One of his children, Mrs. Harriet Morton Gilbert, is now living.

Captain William C. Barstow, father of Mrs. Bartlett, was a son of Charles Barstow, a ship- builder of Pembroke, Mass. He was a sea captain, connected during the latter part of his active life with the Black Ball Line of packets plying between New York and Liverpool, and was very popular with the travelling public,

In later years he was president and treasurer of the East Boston Land Company, a corporation that has been active for many years in building up and improving East Boston. For several years also he was the executor and had charge of General William H. Sumner's property.

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 121

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