Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 138

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 138

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equipped with water and steam power and im- proved machinery, and this enterprise has be- come one of the most important industries in this part of the county.

Aside from his large business interests he was a prominent figure in the conduct of town affairs. In debates at town meetings he al- ways sustained his convictions with arguments which were hard to answer. He served with ability as a Selectman and upon the School Board; was twice the candidate of the Prohibi- tion party for Representative to the legis- lature and once for Representative to Con- gress ; was a charter member of the Library Association, president of the Worcester County West Agricultural Society, and a trustee of the Cemetery Association; was actively con- cerned in the Board of Trade, the Patrons of Husbandry, and the Independent Order of Good Templars, and a forcible advocate of temperance and total abstinence. Dr. Allen died suddenly of heart failure in 1896, and his loss was considered a public calamity.

In October, 1864, he married Lucy R. Bacon, only daughter of Charles and Lucy Bacon, of Barre. Of this union were born nine children, eight of whom are living, namely : Harding, the subject of this sketch; Lucy, wife of Louis E. Mason, of Worcester; Mabel, wife of James N. Heald; Flora and Charles G., who are graduates of Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and who assisted their father in business; Mary, George, and Clarence Allen, who reside at home.

Harding Allen went from the public schools of Barre to Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, and since completing his edu- cation has been identified with the manufact- uring enterprise founded by his father. He is thoroughly conversant with every detail, hav- ing had experience in each department, and is therefore well equipped for the position he now occupies as the official head of the estab- lishment. Aside from the manufacturing of the Yankee horse rake, the Victor steel Swivel plough, and the Yankee mowing ma- chine, Mr. Allen has introduced a mowing machine knife-grinder of his own invention, which is considered by experts to be the best

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implement of its kind yet placed on the market. His business ability has already as- serted itself, and it is generally believed by his fellow-townsmen that Barre's leading in- dustry has fallen into good hands.

On June 6, 1888, Mr. Allen married Carrie L. Williams, born in Barre, March 16, 1867, daughter of the late Elbridge Williams. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of Mount Zion Lodge, F. & A. M. Mr. and Mrs. Harding Allen attend the Unitarian church.

HARLES A. BABBITT,* senior member of the law firm of Babbitt & Farrar, Fitchburg, was born in Barre, Mass., March 11, 1851, son of Pliny H. and Lydia (Perry) Babbitt. His grandfather, Isaac Babbitt, whose active years were spent in tilling the soil of a good farm in Barre, was a native of this State. Pliny H. Babbitt in early life became an auctioneer, and has followed the business for the past fifty-nine

years. He has held various town offices, and for fifty years served as Deputy Sheriff and Constable. His wife died in 1864. She was a daughter of Asa Perry, of Jaffrey, N. H., and grand-daughter of Asa Perry, Sr., who sold two hundred acres of land to the town of Fitchburg for a poor farm in 1826. She was the mother of eight children, six of whom are living, the subject of this sketch being next to the young- est.

Charles A. Babbitt obtained his early educa- tion in the public schools of Barre, including the high school, and fitted himself for teaching at the Westfield Normal School, where he was graduated. He was principal of the academy in Londonderry, Vt., for two years, occupied a similar position at the West Dennis (Mass.) High School for the same length of time, and for the succeeding three years he taught in the evening schools of Boston. He began the study of law in that city, and, having saved sufficient means to defray the expenses of his collegiate course, he entered Dartmouth, from which he was graduated in 1879. He pursued a two years' course at the Boston University Law School; and after his admission to the

Barnstable County bar, in 1882, he began the practice of his profession in Orange, Mass., where he remained five years. In 1888 he removed to Fitchburg, where he has built up a profitable business ; and in 1891 he admitted to partnership his present associate, William G. Farrar.

Mr. Babbitt married Addie Packer, daughter of Josiah Packer, of Hudson, Mass., in 1883, and has two children.

In politics Mr. Babbitt is a Democrat, and is rendering able services to his constituency as a member of the City Council (1897). He was made a Mason in Mount Zion Lodge, of Barre, in 1872, and was officially connected with that body; and he is also a member of Thomas Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of this city.

ARRIS O. PALMER, M.D.,* an able physician and surgeon of Hubbards- ton, was born in Orford, N. H., July 19, 1841, son of Asa and Pa- melia (Rugg) Palmer. His father was a na- tive of New Hampshire and a hard-working farmer. He was a member of the Congrega- tional church. In politics he affiliated with the Republican party. Ten children were born to him and his wife. The four living are : Addison, a builder, who resides in Worcester, Mass. ; the Rev. Charles M. Palmer, a gradu- ate of Dartmouth College and a Congrega- tional minister in Sharon, Vt. ; Harriet, widow of William H. Felton, late of Marlboro, Mass .; and Harris O., the subject of this sketch. The parents died in Orford.

Harris O. Palmer acquired his early educa- tion at the Orford Academy and the seminary in Newbury, Vt. At the age of twenty-two years he began his medical studies with Dr. E. V. Watkins, of Newbury. Later he pur- sued a course at Dartmouth College, under Dr. A. B. Crosby, then professor of surgery ; and, after graduating from that institution in 1866 with honors, he completed his preparations at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, N. Y. Locating for practice in Worcester, he was later appointed assistant physician at the Mas- sachusetts State Insane Asylum, a position

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which he held for one year. Since 1872 he has resided in Hubbardston, where he has at- tained a high reputation as a skilful physician and surgeon.

On September 1, 1897, Dr. Palmer was united in marriage with Frances Lillian Ellis, a native of Rockville, Conn. The Doctor is a member of the State and County Medical Societies, the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and the Patrons of Husbandry. Politi- cally, he is a Republican, and for two years was a valuable member of the School Commit- tee. Dr. and Mrs. Palmer are members of the Congregational church.

EONARD GLEASON,* a well-known farmer of Holden, is a native of Worcester. He was born on June 21, 1821, being a son of James and

Susanna (Symonds) Gleason. His paternal grandfather, Jonathan Gleason, who died in Worcester at an advanced age, was one of the early settlers in that place, and was a farmer by occupation. He was three times married, and had a large family of children, to each of whom he bequeathed a tract of farming land.

James Gleason, who was born in Worcester on March 18, 1784, and died there at the age of sixty years, added to the land thus received, and devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He attended the Unitarian church, and in pol- itics was a Whig and later a Republican. His wife, who was born on April 6, 1784, died at about forty-one years of age, having been the mother of eight children. Of these, Leonard Gleason is the only one living

His youth was passed in Worcester, where he attended the public schools. He lived with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, giving his time to his father in the good old-fashioned way. Upon reaching his major- ity he lived out for a time on the farm of William A. Wheeler, of Worcester, and for his first month's wages received twelve dollars. After a short time, however, he returned to his father's farm, and there remained until his father's death. In 1851 he sold the old farm and bought the place where he has since lived. This contains in all about one hundred and

twenty acres, which are devoted to general farming. Most of the improvements upon the estate have been made since Mr. Gleason took possession of it.

Mr. Gleason was married in April, 1851, to Harriet Holden, who was born in Holden on January 9, 1814, daughter of John and Sally (Smith) Holden. Her grandfather, John Hol- den, who was a soldier in the Revolution, spent the greater part of his life in Leicester, Mass. Her father, who was a farmer in Hol- den, died there at the age of seventy-four years, and her mother died at the age of seventy- seven. Both were members of the Baptist church. Their family consisted of three chil- dren, two daughters and a son. Of these, Mrs. Gleason is the only one now living. Mr. and Mrs. Gleason have one daughter, Ellen, the wife of Albert Goff, who lives with Mr. Glea- son. Another daughter, Harriet J., died at the age of seven months. Mrs. Gleason is one of the oldest members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Gleason is also a member. He has been Highway Surveyor in the town and a member of the School Board. In politics he is a Republican. Both he and his wife are highly esteemed in Holden, and have a large number of friends.

G EORGE W. COWDEN,* an esteemed resident of Rutland, his native town, was born on January 30, 1836, son of Samuel D. and Olive (Bosworth) Cowden. His father, who was a lifelong inhabitant of Rutland, was by occupation a shoemaker. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal de- nomination, and practised in his daily life the principles of his faith. In politics he was a Whig and later a Republican. He died here at the age of seventy-three years; and his wife, who was a native of Winchendon, died at the age of seventy-five or seventy-six. Of their family of four sons and one daughter, four are now living; namely, Mrs. Harriet L. Bullard, George W., James, and Charles. Silas D. is deceased.

George W. Cowden grew to manhood in Rutland. Upon reaching the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to learn the shoemaker's

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trade, and during the fifteen years succeeding he worked at it as a means of livelihood. The first real estate he owned was in the southern part of Rutland, about a mile from the Centre, and there he resided for some three years. In 1869 he bought the place which is now his home, the estate then comprising about a hun- dred acres. All but forty-seven acres of this has since been sold to the Commonwealth, and now forms a part of the grounds upon which the Consumptives' Home is being built.

At twenty-six years of age Mr. Cowden mar- ried Marietta R. Streeter, a native of Paxton. Three children born of this union died in in- fancy. Two, Fred F. and Alice E., are living. Mr. Cowden has served his fellow-townsmen on the Board of Selectmen for three years, filling the office with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens. He is at the present time a member of the Board of Overseers of the Poor. Politically, he is a Democrat. He was formerly a member of the grange.

AMUEL C. SWEETSER,* the pioneer ice-dealer of Worcester, Mass., and at a later date one of its most prosperous real estate men, died at his home in this city March 24, 1887. He was born November 20, 1814, in Paxton, Worcester County, the birthplace of his par- ents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Earle) Sweetser. His great-grandfather, we are told, was born and reared in Scotland, whence he emigrated to Massachusetts, and locating in the wilds of Paxton became the owner of a good farm. The pioneer's son and grandson followed the honor- able occupation to which they were brought up and became well-to-do farmers.

Samuel C. Sweetser came to Worcester when a lad of ten years, and for a while attended the Thomas Street School. In early manhood he work for a liveryman, and after becoming fa- miliar with the business bought out his em- ployer, and conducted the stable in a profitable manner for some time. In 1855, forming a partnership with Benjamin Walker, he became the founder of the ice business in this section of the State, and for years put up ice in suffi-

cient quantities to supply the city and its suburbs. The partnership continued until 1870, when Mr. Sweetser retired with a com- petency. Henceforward his time was occupied in looking after his large real estate interests, he having made judicious investments on Chandler, Austin, and Main Streets. He erected many buildings with stores on the street front and residences in the rear, and these proved excellent property, always in demand either to rent or sell. Mr. Sweetser had few advantages as a boy, but his natural sagacity and his close application to business won him signal success in his various under- takings. He was a careful, thoughtful man, who left nothing to chance, but always cared for what he had in hand, and from first to last was strictly honest in his dealings with all men. He was never a seeker for public office, but was a firm supporter of the best principles, and as a true and loyal citizen gladly assisted every worthy cause.

In May, 1843, Mr. Sweetser married Abi- gail Wheaton, who died in early womanhood, and whose four children died in infancy. On January 8, 1850, he married Susan K. Nichols, a daughter of Charles P. and Irene (Hartwell) Nichols, who removed to Worcester in 1836 from the neighboring town of Oxford, where John Nichols settled in the early part of the eighteenth century. To Mr. and Mrs. Sweet- ser were born the following children: Cather- ine Abby, who is the wife of Clarence Smith, of Worcester, and has one daughter; Elizabeth, who was married May 30, 1880, to James Cook, of Oxford; Ella A., who was married in 1891 *to E. S. Harvey; Charles H. ; and Carrie M., who was married November 12, 1895, to Albert A. Gordon, of Worcester, an employee of the Crompton Loom Works. Mr. E. S. Harvey was born in England, but came to America when a boy, and soon became con- nected with the Crompton Loom Works, with which, with the exception of a few years that he was engaged in setting up machinery in Lowell, he continued until his death in 1893. He worked his way through every department until he became a salesman for the company, a position which he faithfully filled even after attacked by the insidious disease that proved

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fatal. He was a capable, efficient salesman, implicitly trusted by his employers, who entrusted to him many important commissions, and was highly esteemed by his friends and large circle of acquaintances for his high moral character and manliness.

APTAIN WILLIAM H. ELWELL, *

a retired shipmaster residing in Worcester, was born in Gloucester on October 17, 1836, son of Cap- tain Robert and Dorcas (Day) Elwell of that town. He comes from one of the old Glouces- ter families, and from a line of seafaring men. His grandfather, Robert Elwell, who was for fifty years in the United States navy, was on board the frigate "Constitution " at the time when she was in active service, and wit- nessed the hard-fought battles and nobly earned victories that made "Old Ironsides " so dear to the American heart. He was gunner, quarter- master, and later held other offices. He was in the navy throughout the whole of the great Revolutionary struggle, always rejoining as soon as his term of enlistment expired. A man of patriotism and loyalty, he could always be depended upon as one who never shrank from any duty.

Captain W. H. Elwell began his seafaring life in his boyhood with his father, who was a shipmaster, and sailed in the merchant service until the Civil War broke out. He became captain at an early age, and sailed in vessels engaged in the European carrying trade, and later in vessels engaged in the West India mer- chant service. Though a skilled navigator, he was cast away seven times and encountered many hardships. In 1863 he enlisted in the United States navy as acting engineer on a corvette that was in the Atlantic Squadron. Subsequently he was in the Gulf Squadron until he resigned in 1865. He then settled in Boston, and with the exception of a few short voyages he has not since lead a seafaring life. The Captain's robust health has served him in good stead, and to-day he is still hale and hearty and possessed of the genial and generous nature so characteristic of the mariner. Dur- ing the seventies he came to Worcester, where

he has since made his home. He has observed much, is an excellent story-teller, and a lively companion.

Captain Elwell was married on July 28, 1857, to Sarah H., daughter of John B. and Mary (Foote) Morse, of Gloucester. The Morse family, first represented in this country in the early part of the eighteenth century, has produced men of prominence and ability, who have been valuable citizens in the community in which they have lived. Samuel Morse, great-grandfather of Mrs. Elwell, resided in Byfield, Mass. His son John, who married Sarah Townsend, was a leather dealer of Hav- erhill. John B. Morse, Mrs. Elwell's father, who was born in Roxbury, Mass., on May 10, 1819, spent his boyhood in Haverhill, and attended the schools there. He was only a boy when his father died, and the support of the family fell in large measure upon him, as he was the eldest child. He was apprenticed at the trade of making shoes, and in time be- came an expert workman. Capable, energetic, and filled with a noble courage, he deter- mined to do his duty by his widowed mother and orphaned brothers and sisters. For a time he served on the Boston police force, and at last, after working steadily for some years, he had succeeded in saving a small capital. This he invested in a retail provision store, and during the following thirty years was en- gaged in the management of this store, which was in Boston, near Faneuil Hall. In his career as a merchant Mr. Morse displayed the executive ability upon which all business suc- cess is founded. He was shrewd, painstaking, a keen buyer and a careful student of the fluct- uations of the market, and seldom erred in judgment. His patrons knew that they could have entire confidence in his statements. Among men in his line of business he was well known and well liked on account of a certain genial good fellowship that seemed to per- meate all his actions and business intercourse. He retired a few years before his death. Mr. Morse never sought public office, but was prompt in the fulfillment of all his duties as a citizen, and was a supporter of good morals, good government, and good works. He at- tended the Methodist Episcopal Church on

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Coral Street in Worcester. His wife, Mary Foote, was the daughter of Stephen Foote, who was a native of Maine and was descended from one of the early settlers of the State. Mr. and Mrs. Morse were the parents of the following- named children : Fred Milton, who resides in Worcester; Ella M., who is married and lives in Cambridge; and Mrs. Elwell.

ILLIAM PIPER,* for many years a well-known real estate operator of Worcester, was born at Amherst,

N. H., in 1802. He came to Leominster when a little child, and remained there until he was seventeen years old, attending school and later working to support his mother. De- siring to be where there were greater oppor- tunities for advancement, he then came to Worcester, and set to work with a courageous persistency which, in spite of poor health, eventually won success. Without money and without influence, he had to begin at the very lowest round of the ladder. Working for a number of years at any odd jobs he could find to do, and accumulating a small amount of money, he then, shortly after marrying the woman of his choice, opened a boarding-house, which he managed successfully for some time. He subsequently kept a restaurant in this city, but while still a young man began his real estate operations. Naturally of keen foresight and clear judgment, he seemed to have especial sagacity in estimating the future value of real estate. His very first purchase, which was a tract on Salem Street, demonstrated this. The property was afterward purchased by the Salem Street society, and their present church build- ing erected upon it. His next investment was in property on Park Street, which he later de- veloped and sold. The old Front Street Opera House, now used as a theatre, was erected by him and sold at a good price. He also built the Piper Block on Main Street, between Me- chanic and Front Streets, now owned by his heirs and still in use. By means of these and other judicious investments in real estate, Mr. Piper accumulated a handsome fortune, and was reckoned among the moneyed men of Worces-

ter. He took a strong interest in all the public affairs of the city, and in his quiet and conser- vative way exercised a very strong influence. He was Republican in his political principles, and always a loyal supporter of his party. He died on April 22, 1869.

Mr. Piper married Sarah Rice, daughter of Martin Rice, of Marlboro, and descendant of Edmund Rice, one of the original settlers of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Piper were the par- ents of the following-named children : William H. ; Sarah H., who died on March 3, 1858; Phœbe Caroline; and George M. Piper. Will- iam H., who enlisted at the first call for vol- unteers for the Civil War, was in the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment. After the war he engaged in the drug business. He died on October 9, 1867. Phoebe Caroline married Almon R. Meek, of Indiana, in 1872. Mr. Meek, who was a graduate of the Harvard Law School and had practised for a time in Boston, went South, and during the reconstruction period was Attorney-general of Florida. He was a power in politics in that State, and at one time United States Commissioner. He died on January 13, 1888.

RANCIS A. MCCLELLAN,* managing partner in Boston for the firm of Jerome Marble & Co., who was a valued factor in mercantile affairs in Worcester and Boston for a number of years, was born in Sutton, this county, December 24, 1854. His parents were John and Anna J. (Daggett) McClellan.

The immigrant McClellans came from Scot- land to New England mostly between 1690 and 1700, and several generations have had birth here. The family produces a strong and able type of men. James McClellan, great-great- grandfather of the subject of this sketch, set- tled in Worcester in 1718. John McClellan was engaged in farming for a great many years in Grafton, Mass., and was a prominent citizen of that town. He was a Deacon of the Bapistt church. His wife was a daughter of the Hon. Ebenezer Daggett, of Attleboro, and was born in that town. They had a family of eight chil- dren.

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Francis A. McClellan acquired much of his early education in the schools of Grafton, Mass. When about eighteen years of age he engaged as clerk in a paint and oil store in Worcester, and in time he became one of the most valued employees there. He earned the sobriquet of "Old Reliable," because he never forgot anything and could always be relied upon for accuracy, truthfulness, and his presence when wanted. His employers trusted him implicitly. Gifted with a sunny disposi- tion, he performed his duties with cheerful energy, never unwillingly or sullenly. H grasped the technicalities of the trade with quick perception, and was one of the best in- formed clerks in the trade; and it was not long before he was advanced to the duties and salary of a general salesman. He rose to the position of head salesman for the firm of Je- rome Marble & Co., and about the year 1887 became one of the firm. He was the youngest member of the company; but his enterprise and sagacity were invaluable. It was he who advanced the idea of opening a branch store in Boston; and in 1886, a few months before he was admitted to partnership, he was sent to that city to work up patronage. His perseverance and his genial manner won upon people, and his attention to business produced the best of results. Determined in all that he undertook, he had the perseverance to contend without friction or passion against obstacles; and his cheery nature and hearty manner won him hosts of friends. He placed the Boston branch of the business on a firm basis, assuring it yearly increasing prosperity. Mr. McClellan died suddenly January 18, 1889, at the Hotel Ven- dome, Boston, where he lived. He was a member of the Dry Salters Club, of New Eng- land, and the Paint and Oil Club, of Boston. The former club passed the following resolu- tions : -

BOSTON, January 30, 1889.

The Dry Salters Club, of New England, desires to place on record its sense of the loss it has sustained in the death of Mr. Francis A. McClellan. It also wishes through its presi- dent and secretary to express to his family and to the firm of which he was a member its warm assurance of sympathy. Mr. McClellan had

served the club with efficiency and devotion as its secretary and also as a member of various committees. Fully appreciating its purpose and possibilities, he brought to its work a tact and discretion which greatly contributed to its success and usefulness and early made him a leading man in its councils. In losing him the club has lost one of its most honored and valued members. To the individual members of the club, his associates in business life, his death comes with the force of a keen personal loss. Coming to the business community of Boston a stranger, he steadily won his way to their esteem and admiration. They learned to respect his enterprise and integrity and to trust implicitly to his honesty and good will. He stood for all that is honorable and worthy in a merchant - dignified, courteous, prompt, trustworthy, the type of the honorable gentle- man. His word required no bond, the rights of others no other guardian. In deep sorrow they desire to bear testimony to the greatness of their loss.

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 138

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