Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 137

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 137

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EORGE W. RUSSELL,* for many years a well-known carriage-builder and prominent citizen of Worcester, was born at Carlisle, Mass., on August 9, 1809. He was son of James, third, and Mary (Butler) Russell.

The founder of the family in America was William Russell, son of Robert, who settled in Cambridge in 1640. He was both a farmer and a carpenter, as the following, taken pre- sumably from an old record, shows: "He cul- tivated his farm, while at the same time he builded the houses of his neighbors, and was held in honor by his neighbors." Before leaving England he was married to Abigail

Winship. They had ten children, two of whom, Martha and Joseph, they brought with them. The fact of the baptism of these chil- dren, on record, speaks as to the religious character of the parents. James Russell, third, lived in Carlisle, Mass. He carried on the homestead farm, which was occupied by the Russells for more than one hundred and fifty years. The house he lived in is still standing and in habitable repair. Mrs. Mary Butler Russell was born in Billerica, Mass. She was the daughter of a Revolutionary sol- dier who was numbered among the killed, and a grand-daughter of Joseph Butler, of Con- cord, who was Captain of eighty-four men at Bunker Hill, among them his two sons.

George W. Russell attended school in his native town until sixteen years of age, when .he went to Concord and was apprenticed at the carriage-maker's trade. After mastering his trade he went to Amherst, where he worked at it for a while as a journeyman. Coming to Worcester in 1837, he formed a partnership with Mr. Albert Tolman, a former fellow-apprentice. Tolman & Russell, car- riage-builders, located on Exchange Street op- posite Waldo, soon secured the best class of patronage in this region. The firm was noted for prompt and honorable business methods and for the superior workmanship of its car- riages. It became in time the leading con- cern of its kind in the county, and was obliged to enlarge its shops and ware-rooms to meet the increasing demands of its trade. Mr. Russell deserves his full share of credit for these satisfactory results. He and his partner worked together in perfect unity, and each had the utmost confidence in the other. After some years of successful copartnership Mr. Russell bought out Mr. Tolman's in- terest, and the firm became G. W. Russell & Sons. About 1889 he passed over the man- agement of the business to his sons, though he still continued as practically its head until his death on January 21, 1893.

Mr. Russell was warmly interested in all public affairs of the city, and filled at various times the offices of Alderman, member of the School Board, and Representative to the legislature, He never cared for public office,

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and never sought for it, but accepted these re- sponsibilities as a part of his duties as a citi- zen. Modest and unostentatious, he exerted a definite and beneficent influence, his many fine personal qualities endearing him to his business associates and winning for him the esteem and good will of the community in which he lived.

Mr. Russell was three times married, his last wife being before her marriage Lydia D. Waite. His children were as follows: by the first marriage, James S., of Springfield, Mass., and Francis F., now deceased ; by the second marriage, Herbert J., who is the pres- ent manager of the carriage manufactory at Worcester, and Edward S., who resides in Chicago, Ill. Mr. Russell was one of the trustees of the Worcester Public Library. He was a public-spirited citizen and in every way loyal to his country. He took a warm interest in the temperance movement. For many years he was a member of the Central Congregational Church, of which he served as a Deacon. He rendered great assistance to the society at the time of the building of the new house of worship.

HARLES L. REDDING,* whose death, July 22, 1895, was a loss to the legal and business community of Worcester, Mass., as well as to his family, was born October 28, 1823, in New Braintree, this county. His ancestry was of the hardy New England type, and traced in direct line back to a Redding who came from England to Massachusetts in early Colonial times. His parents, Apollos and Lucy (Chace) Redding, resided on a farm in New Braintree during the first years of their married life, but subsequently became owners of a farm in Wayland, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

Charles L. Redding worked on the old home farm in New Braintree during seed-time and harvest, and in the long cold winters trudged through the deep snows to the little district school-house, where his education was ob- tained. In his early manhood he went to Ware, Mass., to learn the tailor's trade, and

in 1847 entered a tailoring establishment in Worcester. A few years later he invested his savings in a grocery store on Front Street, but at the end of three years retired from mercan- tile pursuits to accept a position as penny postman in the old postal service. Fifteen years later, in 1866, the free delivery system was established in Worcester; and Mr. Red- ding, thus thrown out of employment, started a law and collection agency, which he main- tained uninterruptedly until his death. He was a very capable, trustworthy man, fully alive to the interests of his clients, for whom he did all kinds of legal work aside from try- ing cases in court, as he never sought admit- tance to the bar. Achieving a wide reputa- tion for ability and trustworthiness, he built up the largest collection business in Worces- ter County, carrying it on at first alone, but afterward in partnership with his son George, who has succeeded him. His first location was on Front Street, near Main; but he after- ward removed to the First National Bank block on Main Street.

Mr. Redding was actively interested in city real estate. Property which he acquired years ago on Prospect Street was developed, and a new street laid out in that vicinity was named in his honor. Some time ago he built for a home a commodious and attractive residence on Wachusett Street, in the fashionable part of the city. He was a Constable for civil business many years, and was likewise a rep- resentative for Bradstreet's Agency. He was a strong adherent of the Republican party, but never aspired to public office, though he served as Warden of his district a number of terms. A large-hearted, even-tempered man, he had many personal friends, and was highly esteemed by his business associates.

Mr. Redding was married in 1845 to Susan C. Sturtevant, a daughter of Elisha Sturte- vant, of Ware, Mass., and his wife, Sarah Hurd, of Newport, N.H., both of English ex- traction. The Sturtevants settled in Massa- chusetts in the early part of the eighteenth century ; and the Hurds, who came from Eng- land at an earlier date, located first in Ware, Mass., and afterward in New York State, where the children of one family of that name

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were captured by the Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Redding reared two children - George Lyman and Charles Sturtevant.

George L., born in Worcester, October 2, 1854, was for a time in business with his father as junior member of the firm of C. L. Redding & Son. He is now carrying on suc- cessfully the entire business. On June 5, 1878, he married Miss Sadie A. Aitchison. Charles S., born in Worcester, March 17, 1858, was educated for the law; and after spending a time in his father's office he opened a collection and law office of his own. A few years since he became the travelling representative of a firm of wool dealers, in which capacity he has met with great suc- cess. He married Miss Jennie Eldora Allen, of Shrewsbury, Mass.

ILLIAM H. JEFFERSON,* lum- ber manufacturer of Hubbardston, Mass., was born in Middleboro, Plymouth County, this State, August 15, 1847. His parents, Benjamin and Experience (Freeman) Jefferson, were natives of Massa- chusetts, and the father was a stone-mason by trade. Benjamin Jefferson died at the age of fifty-three, and his wife lived to be seventy- two years old. Of their union were born nine children, of whom six are living, namely : Earl F .; Walter T .; James M .; Arabella; Louisa; and William H., the subject of this sketch.

William H. Jefferson grew to manhood in Middleboro and Rochester, his education being acquired at an early age in the common schools of his native town. He began to work in a mill when he was but eleven years old, a step made necessary by his father's death. His wages for the first winter amounted to forty-six dollars. He has since followed the milling business, which he has mastered in every detail. He continued as an all-round millman until 1889, when he bought his present plant in Hubbardston, and began the manufacture of long and short lum- ber, also framing lumber. His mill is equipped with modern machinery, which is propelled by water or steam power, as circum-

stances may require. He employs from six to eleven hands, keeps his saws moving the year round, and manufactures from five hundred thousand to six hundred thousand feet annu- ally.

Mr. Jefferson is married, and has two chil- dren - Alton F. and Rose M. Jefferson. In politics he is a Republican, and has served two years as Overseer of the Poor.

J OHN FLINT,* the well-known real es- tate broker of Webster, was born in Templeton, this county, on September 22, 1832, son of John and Fannie (Holman) Flint. His grandfather Flint was a soldier in the American Revolution, and fought at the battle of Lexington. John Flint, his father, who was born in Washing- ton, Mass., and died at the age of sixty-five, was a carriage-maker by occupation. He was twice married, and by his first wife had five children and by his second three. Five of the eight are living. John Flint, the subject of this sketch, was a child of the first mar- riage. One of his sisters, Almira, married George Wright, and is now living in Leom- inster. Another sister, Fannie, is married and lives in Chicago, Ill.

Mr. Flint received his education in the public schools of Templeton. When sixteen years of age he commenced working for Colonel Artemas Lee in the bakery business at Bald- winsville, and for the succeeding eight or ten years remained with him. He then worked in a shop at East Templeton for several years, and subsequently, in 1862, came to Webster. Here he engaged in the bakery business on his own account until 1885, when he sold out in order to take up his present line of activity. Mr. Flint has served his town for several years as Assessor and for three years as Selectman, the last year being chairman of the board. He has also been engineer of the Webster Fire Department, a member of the Water Committee since 1870, and a Water Commissioner since 1893. Fraternally, he belongs to Ben Franklin Council, No. 33, R. A. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Flint's marriage occurred in 1855.

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His wife's maiden name was Marguerite Nugent. Her parents were John and Mar- guerite Nugent, of Hubbardston, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Flint have no children.

HEODORE HARRINGTON,* an en- terprising cutlery manufacturer of Southbridge, was born in this town, May 16, 1820, son of Henry and Maria (Oaks) Harrington. The family is of Scotch origin. His grandfather, Daniel Harrington, who was a native of Shrewsbury, Mass., and the de- scendant of an early settler in that town, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Grandfather Harrington's wife was before marriage a Miss Smith. The Harrington family, we are told, was of Scotch origin.

Henry Harrington, the father above named, was born in Shrewsbury. Having learned the cutler's trade, he established a factory in Southbridge, where he carried on business for many years. His wife, Maria, who was a daughter of Ames Oaks, of Southbridge, be- came the mother of twelve children, seven of whom are living, namely: James, a resident of Charlton, Mass .; Theodore, the subject of this sketch; Daniel, Henry, Dexter, and John, all of whom reside in Charlton; and Frances, wife of Jerome Johnson, of South- bridge. Henry Harrington died here in 1876.

Theodore Harrington was educated in the public schools of his native town. After fin- ishing his studies he worked in his father's factory until twenty-one years old, and for the succeeding seven years he was employed at the United States Armory in Springfield, Mass. In 1849 he engaged in the cutlery business in Southbridge; and, with the ex- ception of a short time in which he was associated with his brother, he has since con- ducted a thriving business on his own account. He was the first to engage in the manufacture of shoe knives, which has been his specialty for many years; and, having acquired a wide reputation for producing first-class goods, his output finds ready sale in both domestic and foreign markets. He employs regularly a force of twenty men,

On October 9, 1845, Mr. Harrington was united in marriage with Lavinia Fitz, daugh- ter of Colonel John and Catharine (Town) Fitz, of Charlton. She is a representative of an old family whose ancestors emigrated from Scotland during the Colonial period. Her father was prominent in the military and po- litical affairs of his day. Mr. and Mrs. Har- rington have two children: Ella, who was born in June, 1849, and is the wife of Henry A. Morse, of this town; and T. Jerome, who was born in Charlton in December, 1850, was educated at Franklin Academy and Bryant & Stratton's Business College, and is now man- ager of his father's factory. T. Jerome Har- rington married Alice M. Oliver.

In politics Mr. Harrington is a Democrat, but is inclined to vote independently. Dur- ing the Presidential campaign of 1844 a pair of razors made in his factory were presented by him to Henry Clay. He attends the Uni- versalist church.

OSEPH CALVIN PAIGE,* an enter- prising young farmer and fruit-grower of Hardwick, was born here, February 12, 1867, son of Joseph Cutler and Nancy M. (Dexter) Paige. He is of the eighth generation in descent from Nathaniel Paige, the immigrant, who settled at what is now Bedford, Mass., and whose great-grand- son, John Paige, second, according to the his- tory removed from Bedford to Hardwick in 1757."

John Paige, third, son of the second John, was a man of marked ability and one of the richest men in the town in his day. His wife was Anna Clark. He died September 21, 1836, and she on March 27, 1845. Their son, Clark Paige, grandfather of Joseph Cal- vin, was born in Hardwick in 1789, and died here in 1831. He married Lydia Cutler, who was born in Warren, Mass., October 29, 1791, and died May 4, 1878. Seven children blessed their union: John, born May II, 1814; Lydia, born April 8, 1816; Joseph C., born in December, 1818; David, born in De- cember, 1820; Frazier, born July 16, 1822; Timothy, born March 20, 1825; Calvin, born

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October 25, 1827. Only Timothy and Calvin are now living.

Joseph Cutler Paige acquired his education in the Hardwick public schools. His life was devoted to general farming, and from the time he reached his majority he lived on the farm now occupied by his widow and son. He made numerous improvements here, and was one of the leading farmers of the town. He kept a dairy and stock farm as well as culti- vating the soil. This house was built by Dr.

William Cutler. Joseph Cutler Paige was married on November 2, 1865, to Nancy M. Dexter, who was born in Weathersfield, Vt., May 22, 1825, daughter of Joseph D. and Olive (Gould) Dexter. Her father was born in Hardwick, and her mother was born in Weathersfield, Vt. Mr. Paige died December 13, 1886, leaving his widow and one son.

Joseph Calvin Paige, the only child of his parents, received his education in Brimfield and at Williston Seminary. For a while he was engaged in the hardware business in Bos- ton. Since 1892 he has been in charge of the home farm, which embraces about six hundred acres. He has a dairy of eighty to one hun- dred cows, from which he gets about thirty cans of milk per day. He is also the largest fruit-grower in this section, raising princi- pally apples and small fruits.

On October 5, 1892, Mr. Paige was married to Mabel Lincoln. She died ten months later. On August 12, 1895, he married Etta E. Freese, who was born in Portland, Me., June 17, 1875, daughter of W. L. Freese. He has no children by either marriage. He is a Republican in politics, as was his father; and he has served on the School Board.

ENRY W. GOODMAN, * senior member of the manufacturing firm of H. W. Goodman & Co., of North Dana, and one of the leading busi- ness men of the town, was born here, Decem- ber 13, 1854. His father, Allen Goodman, son of Moses Goodman, was a native of Pres- cott, Mass .; and his mother, Nancy Williams Goodman, was a daughter of Nathaniel Will- iams, an early settler in Dana, who owned

large tracts of land here, including a part of the present village of North Dana. Na- thaniel Williams held various town offices, represented his district in the legislature, and was prominently identified with the building of the Union church. He died in North Dana at the age of about seventy years.

Allen Goodman, father of Henry W., was the inventor of a machine for making piano- forte legs, and, as one of the firm of Hale, Goodman & Co., carried on business in North Dana for forty years. The manufacture of picture frames and billiard tables was at length substituted for pianoforte legs, and the plant was finally converted into a satinet fac- tory. Allen Goodman took a leading part in local public affairs, serving as a Selectman and member of the legislature. In politics he was a Republican. He attended the Uni- versalist church. He had six children, namely: Allen W., who is in the laundry business in Philadelphia; John W., who is no longer living; Lucy, now Mrs. Matthews, of Worcester, Mass .; Orange H., foreman in his brother's factory in North Dana; Sarah V., who is now Mrs. Williams, of this town; and Henry W. Goodman, the subject of this sketch. John W. Goodman succeeded his father in the manufacture of billiard tables, and moved the business to Athol, Mass., where it is now carried on under the firm name of J. W. Goodman's Sons.

Henry W. Goodman was educated in the schools of his native town and at the New Salem Academy. After completing his studies he went to Orange, Mass., where he was employed at the New Home Sewing Ma- chine factory for seven years. Returning then to North Dana, he became associated with his brother John in the manufacture of palm-leaf goods. That partnership existed until 1885, when his brother withdrew. After that Mr. Goodman continued alone until, in 1896, he associated himself with Mr. O. J. Powers. The braiding is done by the people of the locality at their homes, and the sewing by machines at the factory. At first Mr. Goodman employed only four or five work- men at the factory and about five hundred persons outside; but at the present time the

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business requires a force of about eighty-five factory hands and from three to four hundred outside people - men, women, and children. Large quantities of palm-leaf goods and of Canton braid hats are manufactured at the fac- tory, from whence they are shipped direct to the trade. Mr. Goodman's knowledge of sew- ing machines, acquired in his youth, enables him to keep the machines used in the work in perfect repair. His entire equipment is of the latest improved pattern, and several of his machines were built to order.

On August 2, 1886, Mr. Goodman was joined in marriage with Jennie P. Stone, of Dana, daughter of the late Sidney Stone. Of this union there is one daughter, Hazel M., who was born April 11, 1889.

In politics Mr. Goodman is a Republican. His energy and ability have placed him among the leading business men of this section of the county. He owns a handsome residence, to- gether with other real estate, including timber lands, suburban property, and village lots. The family attend the Universalist church.

ANIEL CROSS,* who at the time of his death, January 13, 1890, was distinguished among the merchants of Fitchburg as being the oldest active business man of this city, was born in Swanzey, N. H., March 13, 1813. He served his apprenticeship at the tailor's trade in Keene, N. H., and in 1833 came to Fitchburg, there being at that time but three stores in town. He began business in a small building that stood on the site of the present City Hall; and in the following year he removed to the second floor of the Sentinel Building, where he remained eight years. For the succeeding thirty years or so he conducted a profitable merchant tailoring business on the opposite side of the street, which was later occupied by A. L. Williams & Co .; and then, removing to quarters in Stiles Block, 355 Main Street, he continued in business there for the rest of his life. His death was from heart failure, resulting from a severe attack of the grip. Throughout his long and industrious business career he maintained a high reputation for in-

tegrity and fair dealing, and as a result he gained the sincere respect of the community.

He avoided public notoriety, and would not consent to become a candidate for office until 1888, when he was elected a member of the Board of Aldermen, and served with ability upon the Committees on Police, Water Supply, and Public Buildings. He was the oldest citi- zen ever elected to the upper branch of the city government, entering that body in January, 1889, shortly before his seventy-sixth birthday ; but his physical and mental powers had lost none of their accustomed activity, and his wise counsels carried weight and influence among his colleagues. On March 24, 1886, the Fitchburg Merchants' Association honored Mr. Cross by electing him its first president ; and the complimentary dinner given in his honor on January 16, 1888, will be long remembered by those present for the many testimonials of respect tendered him by prominent business men and leading citizens. He was a trustee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank from 1876; was chosen auditor January 29, 1880; was upon the Investment Committee from March 3, 1885 ; and served as a director of the Fitchburg Fire Insurance Company from July 3, 1873, until his death. His funeral was attended by the officers of the Merchants' Association in a body, and many places of business were closed during the forenoon out of respect for the de- parted associate.

Mr. Cross was twice married, and his first wife died in 1845, leaving a daughter, who, with his second wife, survives.

- "ARDING ALLEN,* manufacturer of farming implements, Barre, Mass., was born in this town, May 26, 1867, son of Dr. Charles Gilbert and Lucy (Bacon) Allen. He is a representa- tive of one of the best known families of Barre, being a descendant of Jonathan Allen, who moved here from Sudbury in 1750.

Dr. Charles Gilbert Allen, the father, was born at the family homestead, September 4, 1839. He was a son of George S. Allen, a prosperous farmer and noted stone-mason, who laid the foundation of the Barre Town Hall.

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The maiden name of his mother was Winslow. As a boy he spent his summers in working upon the farm, while his winters were devoted to study at the district school. After a short course at the Bernardston Academy he taught penmanship there, and was later engaged in the same capacity by the school committees of different towns, also teaching an evening writing school in Barre. His desire, how- ever, was to enter professional life; and, hav- ing completed the necessary preparations, he attended the Harvard Medical School, and was graduated a Doctor of Medicine. For a time he was associated in practice with the late Dr. Billings. Enlisting in Company F, Fifty- third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, in 1 862, he served some time as hospital steward; and, being later appointed assistant surgeon of the Thirty-fourth Regiment, he served in that capacity until the close of the war. He was taken prisoner, and while confined in Libby Prison the kindness he displayed toward his fellow-captives won their sincere affec- tion as well as the admiration of the Confed- erate officials. After his return from th army he resumed the practice of his profes- sion ; but the severe exposure in the South had so undermined his health that he was forced to seek some out-of-door employment, and for that purpose he purchased a farm located about two miles from Barre Centre.

Dr. Allen was, however, too ambitious and progressive to remain confined to the simple routine life of an agriculturist, and as soon as his health would permit he varied the monot- ony of farm life by dealing in agricultural im- plements. This venture proved so successful that he subsequently took the agency for sev- eral States, and as a canvasser became widely known among farmers. He was the inventor of the Yankee horse rake and the Allen stone puller, both of which have had a large sale in New England and the Western States; and having purchased an interest in the Swivel plough, invented by C. M. Lufkin, of Alstead, N.H., he added improvements to that appliance, and put it on the market as the Victor plough, which soon acquired su- premacy. The plant established by him on Prince River consists of nine large buildings

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 137

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