Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 144

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 144

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On the 3d of December, 1840, Mr. Esta- brook married Jane S. Boyden, of Spencer, Mass. They reared five children, namely : Mary Eliza, born July 9, 1842, now the wife of George H. Spencer, of Brooklyn, N.Y .; Ella J., born March 3, 1844; Henry E., born November 19, 1846, now engaged in the lum- ber business in Worcester; Isabella A., born March 14, 1849; and Frank H., born October 27, 1851. Frank H. Estabrook, now proprietor of one of the largest tailoring es- tablishments in Worcester County, learned his trade in this city, and for some years was employed by Bigelow & Longley, and later was a member of the oldest tailoring firm in Worcester, that of N. W. & I. Brown, then changed to Brown & Estabrook. A master of his profession, and possessing artistic taste, he opened new chambers in 1897 in the State Mutual Building, where he has a large line of patronage from the leading families of the county. In 1885 he married Miss Hattie

Davenport, of this city. They have four chil- dren; namely, Margaret, Francis, Rachel, and Harold.

ILON GALUSHA HIGGINS,* presi- dent of the E. G. Higgins Wall Paper Company of Worcester, was born in Hardwick, Mass., May 11, 1825. His parents, Henry Fisk and Alla (Metcalf) Higgins, were married in November, 1813. Mr. Higgins comes of sturdy old New Eng- land stock on both sides of the family. His father's father, Jonathan Higgins, who was a Revolutionary soldier, lived to be ninety-four years old. His father, Henry Fisk Higgins, was a native of Hardwick, born July 27, 1779. An able and successful carpenter and builder, he was a good example of the industrious New England citizen. He died in Hardwick in 1860. Mrs. Higgins was born in Royalston, this county, June 9, 1789. One of her ances- tors, we are told, came over in the "May- flower," and was a member of the Plymouth Colony. We know not his name.

Elon Galusha Higgins, the seventh-born of a family of eleven children, was educated in the common schools of Hardwick, Enfield, and North Brookfield. His opportunities for study were limited, much of his time in boy- hood being devoted to work on his father's farm. When he was fourteen years old he went to work for a farmer in Ware, Mass., and all his earnings were paid to his father. When he was seventeen he received his time, and determined to support himself. At first he worked for a short time for a shoe manu- facturer in North Brookfield, and he was then employed for about a year in a shoe factory in Worcester. In 1847 he took the initial step in his way to fortune, learning the paper- hanger's trade. He worked at the trade for a number of years, and finally put in a small stock of paper for sale in his house on Will- iams Street, this city. As a workman he won a reputation for reliability and honesty; and he soon developed a good trade in the sale of paper. He finished a small store in the base- ment of his house, which he used for some time.

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In 1869, with his brother, F. W. Higgins, he stocked with wall paper a small store on Pleasant Street, fifteen feet wide and about thirty feet in depth. The store was in a low wooden building which was torn down many years ago to make room for the present Rogers Building. The members of the firm acted as book-keepers, and kept one clerk to aid in the sale of papers. In 1876 F. W. Higgins re- tired from the firm, and the subject of this sketch assumed control of the business. He moved from Pleasant Street to a store on Maple Street, where now stands the New State Mutual Building, and in 1880 he re- moved thence to 284 Main Street. His trade continued to increase, and in 1893 the business passed into the hands of an incorpo- rated stock company, styled the E. G. Hig- gins Company. The officers are: E. G. Higgins, president; Francis W. Higgins, treasurer and manager; and Maurice Rourke, manager of the retail branch of the business. These three gentlemen constitute the board of directors.

The firm now occupies two stores and the whole third floor of the handsome modern building, fifty-six by one hundred and twenty feet, on Main Street, recently erected by John E. Day, the stores being Nos. 274 and 278. Forty-eight persons, including travelling sales- men, accountants, and heads of departments, are employed. This house was the largest customer east of New York of the American Wall Paper Company, commonly referred to as the Wall Paper Trust. In 1896 the house re- ceived and shipped over one million rolls of wall paper, in which were many foreign novel- ties imported specially by them. They con- trol for central New England the products of three of the leading French manufacturers, four prominent English manufacturers, and several wall paper makers in Japan. Their sample books show reproductions of famous pieces of embroidered silk preserved in the National Museum in Lyons, France. One of the most beautiful is a fac-simile of a famous piece of gold embroidery wrought for the first Napoleon, now treasured in one of the reposi- tories of the French Government. Another is a reproduction of an old tapestry which hung

on the wall of a French feudal castle. It is said that the owner of the castle was so pleased with the tapestry that he caused the designer to be deprived of his eyesight in order that he might not make a similar design for any one else. One design of tapestry paper shown re- quires one hundred and eighteen impressions ; and as each impression is allowed some time to dry, it takes eight weeks to complete the pattern. Mr. Higgins also carries in stock everything in the line of window shades and Venetian blinds, and has the agency for the metallic window screens and Venetian blinds, which are made in all kinds of wood in all shapes and sizes, for house or piazza. He has accomplished a wonderful work during his business career, and is entitled to a leading place among the self-made men of Massachu- setts. He is an active man, and for his age is remarkably well preserved. He still visits his place of business daily, though the active management is entrusted to others.

He was married in 1845 to Lucy Maria, daughter of Lawson Graves, of Hopkinton, Mass. Lawson Graves and his father were natives of Hopkinton. His wife, who was a Miss Polly Childs, was seventh in descent from William Childs, an early settler of Watertown, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins celebrated their golden wedding in 1895, and a beautiful poem was written for the occasion by Mrs. E. E. Miles. They have five chil- dren now living, namely: Francis Leland, born October 15, 1851; William Elliston, September 20, 1853; Ethel E., October 29, 1858; Edward Lawson, January 5, 1863; and Arthur Clarence, May 29, 1867. They have been bereft of four, as follows: Addie Maria, born August 1, 1847; Charles Albert, July 10, 1849; Frederick Othello, January 23, 1856; and Albion Galusha, July 1, 1860. Mr. Higgins's surviving sons are all actively interested in the wall paper business.

Mr. Higgins is a leader among the Second Adventists in Worcester, and has given liber- ally of his means to support their cause. He contributed generously to their new church in this city. He has held the faith for fifty- five years, and entertained many of the most noted preachers and apostles of that belief at

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his house. A strong temperance advocate, he has never used liquor or tobacco, and he has never entered a theatre. He is an enthu- siastic Bible student, and is well versed in all parts of Holy Writ.

1 SRAEL N. KEYES,* the veteran box manufacturer of Worcester, who died in this city when a little past the age of seventy-four years, nearly forty of which he had been successfully engaged in business, was born in Princeton, Mass., March 3, 1823, son of Dennis and Sarah (Rice) Keyes. He was a descendant in the seventh generation of Robert Keyes, who settled in Watertown, Mass., about the year 1633; and his mother's ancestors, the Rices, were among the very first settlers in Holden, Mass.

Israel N. Keyes acquired a common-school education in his native town, and after finish- ing his studies he learned the carpenter's trade in West Boylston. Coming to Worces- ter in 1844, he followed his trade as a jour- neyman until 1856, when he engaged in busi- ness for himself upon the site of the present mill at the corner of Central and Union Streets. The original building was destroyed by fire and rebuilt soon after he began busi- ness, and from that time forward his enter- prise kept pace with the city's growth. The business, which previous to 1861 was con- ducted under the firm name of J. L. & I. N. Keyes, was carried on by I. N. Keyes alone until November, 1873, when he admitted his two brothers and his son, George N., to part- nership, the firm name becoming I. N. Keyes & Co. In November, 1875, John L. Keyes again retired, but the business was continued under the same style until July 1, 1878, when the partnership expired by limitation; and from that time until his retirement in 1894, I. N. Keyes was sole proprietor of the enter- prise. The business comprised the manufact- ure and sale of mouldings, house finishings, and packing cases, besides general planing in all its branches. The annual output in the last few years aggregated from two million to three million feet of native lumber, besides large quantities of Michigan and Southern

white wood. After his retirement Mr. Keyes spent his winters in California, where he owned a small ranch; and he passed his sum- mers on his farm in Rutland. For many years he took a deep interest in agriculture, owning at one time several farms in Worcester County. He was an extensive real estate holder, being assessed at the time of his death for property in Worcester valued at seventy- two thousand, four hundred dollars. He was a member of the Worcester County Me- chanics' Association, and in his younger days was an active member of the fire depart- ment. He was an attendant of the First Uni- tarian Church.

Mr. Keyes was three times married. His first wife, whom he wedded November 14, 1848, was Sarah A. Plympton, of Shrewsbury, daughter of Lyman Plympton. She died in 1857. His third wife, Mary Loring Keyes, survives him, and he also left two sons : George N. Keyes, born March 31, 1850; and Robert Keyes, a son by his last union.

George N. Keyes, who was connected with his father's business for thirty years, and is now retired, was married on November 26, 1872, to Ella J. Fales, of Holden, Mass. He has six children, as follows: I. George, born October 26, 1873; S. May, born March 20, 1875; Lila M., born August 1, 1877; Charles L., born April 22, 1880; Walter E., born December 2, 1882; and Ella L. Keyes, born May 20, 1885.

YRON C. DAVIS,* who died on January 18, 1887, was one of the foremost manganese experts in the United States. He was born in Rutland, Worcester County, Massachusetts, March 4, 1847, and was the son of Danforth Davis, a farmer.

Living in Worcester when a boy, he at- tended school in this city, and afterward here learned the machinist's trade, at which he continued to work for a number of years in the same shop where he had served his appren- ticeship. Till the firm failed in 1876, he was one of their most valued men, being trusted with the responsibility of hiring the help.

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After that event he was out of employment for a while. Visiting the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, his attention was drawn to the industry of manganese mining. In this year he was engaged in manganese mining at Harper's Ferry, and he subsequently devoted his energies to developing inventions for the treatment of that metal. While following out these ideas he spent some time in Washington. The experience gained there was valuable, but the financial result was very poor, and Mr. Davis travelled to seek other openings. In

1878-79 he secured control of a manganese mine in Cranmore, Va., which had been oper- ated with poor success. Through his enter- prise this mine was developed, and has fur- nished probably the largest supply of the ore in this country. Mr. Davis put new machin- ery in the mine and built a railroad to ship the ore. He had little capital, but his energy and ability availed as much as funds. He was in- strumental in bringing manganese to the notice of large iron operators, and about 1880 he moved to Pittsburg, Pa., and became connected with the great firm of Carnegie Brothers & Co. With their co-operation he developed the metal to its fullest extent, and, combining it with iron ore, made the best of American steel rails, competing successfully with foreign rails. He was fast accumulating a fortune when the hand of death stayed his progress. Going to Santiago de Cuba to further the exportation of manganese, he was there attacked with yellow fever which proved fatal.

The following is the translation of an item that appeared in a newspaper published in Santiago de Cuba about January 20, 1887 : "The interment of the American, Mr. Davis, who died in our city, took place yesterday morning. It was attended by a great number of people of our best society and by represent- atives of commerce, industry, the army, and navy. The consuls of the United States, Eng- land, France, Germany, and other countries also were present."

This appreciative notice is from a paper published in Washington, D. C. : "Man's plans are not God's, and so for some all-wise pur- pose Mr. Davis's life work ended just as it seemed to be in the flush of coming perfection.

One of the sad features of all this bereave- ment-was that the body of our deceased friend could not for some years, under Cuban laws, be removed to this country, as his death was occasioned by the yellow fever. He was as active in church work and church relations in Pittsburg as he had been here. He was the life and soul almost of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg, of which he was an Elder, and one of the right-hand men of the pastor. At memorial services, which were held in that church January 30, there was gathered as large a throng as could be crowded into the church. The address by the pastor was a touching tribute to the value of the life work of brother Davis. The press brings its sad offering to place on his grave."

IMEON N. STORY,* one of the oldest jewellers in Worcester, was born in Norwich, Conn., in 1817, son of Isaac and Lucy (Ross) Story. His father was a sail-maker of Norwich. The Story family has been represented in this coun- try more than two hundred years.

Simeon N. Story was educated in Norwich, and in 1831, when fourteen years of age, he came to Worcester to learn watch-making and the jewelry business with P. & D. Goddard & Co. After a seven years' apprenticeship, he opened a jewelry store in company with Mr. Dunbar, a former member of the Goddard firm. In 1840 Mr. Story bought out his ·partner, and from that time he continued in business alone until his retirement from active life in 1895. He gradually developed a large trade, and was most successful, having won a reputation for fair dealing which served to maintain his busi- ness long after other firms had passed out of existence. The name of Story in this vicinity is a synonym for honesty in trade.

He married in 1840 Eunice Howe, daughter of Levi Howe, an old resident of Worcester. Mrs. Story died some time since, leaving two daughters: Emma M., who resides at home with her father; and Clara L., now Mrs. R. F. Upham. When Mr. Story retired from business, he closed out his stock, but he is often called upon at his home to repair watches

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and to do other fine work. He is a remarkably well-preserved man, and he takes as keen an interest in the world as ever he did. He has attended closely to business throughout his life. He has been a director and vice-presi- dent of the Five Cent Savings Bank since 1846. He has been a member of the First Baptist Church for sixty-six years, and a Dea- con of the church for more than thirty years. A Whig in early days, he has always voted the Republican ticket since the organization of that party.

EORGE W. HUSE,* for a number of years a valued employee of the Knowles Loom Works Company, of Worcester, and a Deacon of the First Baptist Church, died in this city on November 13, 1894. He was born at Thompson, Conn., in 1819, and belonged to a family which, though not largely represented in America, has been settled here for several generations. He passed his boyhood years at Thompson, and attended the schools thereabout; but his edu- cational opportunities were few, as his parents were poor and it was necessary for him to

begin early to earn his own living. After working for a time as a farmer's boy, he went to Manchester, Conn., and became book- keeper for a Mr. Brown. Ambitious and persevering, he worked evenings to learn the wheelwright's trade, which he mastered in three years' time. On February 18, 1852, he came to Worcester, and here secured employ- ment as an expert wood-worker in the establish- ment of Richardson & Merriam, builders of wood-working machinery. He did the draught- ing and constructed the wooden parts of the machinery. A few years later he became su- perintendent of the factory, and continued as such until the firm failed. By this failure Mr. Huse was a financial loser. He then worked for Rice, Barton & Fales of this city, con- structing the wooden parts of their paper-mak- ing machines, but a few years later entered the employ of the Knowles Loom Works. The wooden parts of the looms were made by Mr. Huse, and, as he was a most painstaking and expert artisan, his work was of a very high

class. He soon became one of the most valued and trusted employees of the firm, and contin- ued with them for fourteen years, or till the close of his earthly life. His death was sud- den, occurring in the evening in an electric car on Main Street. The change coming without premonition and unattended by pain, it was spoken of at the funeral as a translation. There was mourning in the community, for Deacon Huse had endeared himself to many friends. There was no man in Worcester, it was remarked, who could ever say a word against him. He left the memory of a life that is an example of a true following of Christ, his deeds corresponding with his pro- fessions. He never cared for public office, but devoted his time outside of business hours to his family and friends.

Mr. Huse was married in 1845 to Almira Stone, of Douglass, Mass., daughter of Arche- laus and Rhoda (Tiffanny) Stone, and descend- ant of one of the comparatively few New Eng- land families whose settlement in this country took place over two hundred and fifty years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Huse had one son, Dr. Charles A. Huse, born in 1855. He was educated in Worcester, at Brown University, and at the Harvard Medical School. He began the prac- tice of his profession at Deer Island as assist- ant physician to the Port of Boston, but in 1882 he came to Worcester, and subsequently practised in this city until his death in 1884. He married Irene Phillips, of this city. They had one son, Charles P. Huse, who is now a student in the Worcester High School.

OHN JEPPSON,* Superintendent of the Worcester Emery Wheel Company, was born at Nalmo Higanas, Sweden, on the first day of July in the year 1844. A son of Gudmand and Bengta (Person) Jepp- son, his father a carpenter by trade, he is the descendant of an ancient and respected family. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, but did not attend school much after ten years of age, as he was then set to learn the potter's trade. £ Subsequently, he learned the art of making fire-bricks. Not satisfied with industrial conditions in his

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native land, and believing that opportunity for a successful career for skilled mechanics was to be found in the western world, he quitted home, and in 1869 reached America, coming direct to Worcester. Shortly after his arrival here he found employment with F. B. Norton, the founder of the Emery Wheel Company, beginning as a journeyman. From that posi- tion he has worked his way upward step by step, and now enjoys the consciousness that success has come as a reward of his faithful effort and not by chance or the help of friends.

Mr. Jeppson was married in 1872 to Bo- thelda Ahlstrom, who is the grand-daughter of Germen Ahlstrom, superintendent of the coal mines in Higanas. She is the mother of one son, George N., born in 1873, who is at pres- ent a member of a technical school in Stock- holm, Sweden. Mr. Jeppson is a member of Boylston Lodge of Masons, which he joined in 1878 ; also of Quinsigamond Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Worcester. He attends the Lutheran church, of which he is one of the trustees.

OSEPH H. DODD,* who died at his residence in the city of Worcester in 1895, was for many years prominently identified with the manufacturing inter- ests of this city. He was born October 28, 1824, in the neighboring town of Holden, being the posthumous son of Joseph Dodd, who married Betsey Chapin. The Dodd fam- ily originated in England. John Dodd, father of Joseph, was the son of William Dodd, of Princeton, Mass., and grandson of James Dodd, who, we are told, was born in 1724 in Eng- land, whence he came to this country about the year 1738.

Joseph H. Dodd was reared and educated in Princeton, Mass., whither his mother removed when he was about three years old. After leaving school he came to Worcester to learn the machinist's trade of Beaman & Towne, manufacturers of perforated-sheet paper and metals. In 1857 he formed a partnership with P. D. Towne, and as junior member of the new firm of Towne & Co. was prosperously engaged in manufacturing until his death. He had great mechanical ability and inventive talent,

and to the work of perforating paper, in which the firm was at first engaged, he added that of perforating metals, and also entirely revolu- tionized the process of board boring. For many years the firm of Towne & Co. were the only paper and metal perforators in the United States, and during their existence had no competitors that could excel or even equal them in fineness and durability of work. Mr. Dodd invented the means, likewise, by which metal could be perforated in large quantities and at a rapid rate, thus greatly expediting his manufacturing interests. For some four- teen years prior to his decease he was an inva- lid, but notwithstanding his physical weak- ness attended to his business in person. He is spoken of as one who ever maintained his integrity, preferring the approval of his own conscience to worldly gain without it - a man of fine spirit, quick discernment, and excel lent judgment and remarkable self-control. Public-spirited, generous, affable, and social, he had hosts of friends, but no enemies. He was a life member of the Worcester County Mechanics' Association, and for many years had been connected by membership with the Union Congregational Church, of which he was a Deacon for many years, and for a long time was one of the committee on music.

In 1854 Mr. Dodd married Martha E., daughter of Heman M. Burr, of Leicester, Mass., the descendant of one of the earliest and best known families of New England, her an- cestry dating back to the early part of the seventeenth century. The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dodd are as follows: Charles Heman, a mechanical draughtsman in Boston; Edwin M., a wool dealer in Providence, R. I., married Ellen Louisa Tiffany, of Worcester, and has five children; and George T., a resi- dent of Boston, married Lillian Alley, of Lynn, Mass., and has one child.

AMES W. HARKINS, JR.,* who has achieved international fame as a play- wright, was born in Toronto, Canada, on June 3, 1863, son of James W. and Mary (Kelley) Harkins. His paternal grand- father was the first of the family in this coun-

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try. His maternal grandfather was a native of Donegal County, Ireland.

Mr. Harkins was educated in the public schools. After he was graduated from the Worcester High School he spent the following six years as a teacher at Inman's College in Worcester, at Little Rock, Ark., at Sherman, Tex., and in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minn.

His first play, which was entitled "Victor," was put on the stage in Minneapolis, and met with an astonishing success. Although in many ways it lacked finish, it showed so much dramatic talent on the part of its author that his friends advised him to go on the stage in order to learn the details required in play- writing. Influenced by this friendly criti- cism, and realizing himself that under stimu- lating environment and with an increased knowledge of theatrical requirements he might become capable of producing much better work, he abandoned the profession of teach- ing and entered upon a theatrical engage- ment. After a year spent in playing minor parts, he published what was destined to become his first great success. This was " The Midnight Alarm," and it was followed within a year by "The Fire Patrol," an equally successful production. In both these plays, as given in the original cast, Mr. Harkins played the leading part. A year later appeared "The White Squadron," which is probably the best known of Mr. Harkins's pro- ductions. It was first brought out in New York, and at once met with immense favor. But five years have since elapsed, yet it has al- ready been played in various parts of America and in England and Australia. Mr. Harkins has sold the right of production in America, but retains all rights for foreign presentation. After "The White Squadron " appeared "The Man without a Country," which, though bear- ing the same name as one of Dr. Hale's best known books, is an entirely original work. Dr. Hale gave his permission that the title should be used. In 1895 Mr. Harkins collab- orated with Mr. Edwin Barbour in the author- ship of "Northern Lights," and in the same year he brought out himself "The Man o' War's Man," both of which have achieved great and merited popularity. In 1897 Mr. Harkins and

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 144

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