Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 150

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 150

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The father, Colonel Whitney, died on May 15, 1846. He was a farmer and a stock dealer and drover. He held various town offices, and was sent as Representative to the legislature. His widow died on January 2, 1891. She is buried in Rural Cemetery in Worcester, and the Colonel is buried in Princeton.

Charles Andrew Whitney attended the pub- lic schools until he was fifteen years of age, when he began learning the trade of cutter in a boot and shoe shop in West Millbury, with Amasa Wood & Son. Nine years later, in 1859, he went to Chicago as one of the firm of Thompson, Whitney & Co., and engaged in boot and shoe manufacturing. The third member of the firm was Mr. Whitney's brother Levi. For about ten years this firm contin- ued in active and prosperous business, having a factory in North Clark Street, and employ- ing from three to five men to travel and sell their goods in the North-west.

Mr. Whitney was married on November 29, 1864, in Millbury to Martha E. Waters, of this place, daughter of Jonathan E. Waters. One of her remote ancestors was among the first settlers in Millbury, and the farm which was sold by Mr. and Mrs. Whitney in the fall

of 1897 was a part of the original three thou- sand acres bought by his father, Nathaniel Waters, of Salem, in 1715. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney have two children - Charles Dana and Jessie Marion. The first named, who was born on March 18, 1866, is Millbury agent for the Adams Express Company. He mar- ried Nellie L. White, and has one son, Ray- mond Cyrus, who was born on March 19, 1893. Jessie Marion, who was born on March 2, 1869, is the wife of S. Foster H. Goodwin, of Worcester. She is the mother of two chil- dren: Haven Whitney, who was born on March 31, 1895; and Margery, who was born on August 6, 1896. Mr. Whitney is a thirty- second degree Mason. In politics he is a Re- publican. For two years he filled the office of Selectman, one year being Chairman of the board.

ARCUS M. DUNN,* who died at his home in Auburn, Mass., Janu- ary 18, 1885, was born on No- vember 2, 1827.

His father, Henry Dunn, was born in Northbridge, Mass., February 12, 1786, and died December 2, 1867. He was an exten- sive landholder and a pioneer manufacturer of satinets, his factory being the second of the kind in Worcester County. On November 3, 1807, he married Rachel Goldthwait, who was born February 10, 1787, and died in Febru- ary, 1848. Of their sixteen children but six grew to mature life, and only one survives, Lora, widow of Leonard Bosworth, in Barring- ton, R.I.

Mr. Dunn married Miss Lucy E. Eaton, daughter of Dr. Gardner and Sarah (Frost) Eaton, of Vermont. Dr. Eaton lived in Ver- mont the greater part of his life, but spent some time travelling in the West. Of his union with Miss Frost three children were born, namely: Louisa R., widow of Emery Ayers, of Lowell, Mass .; Lucy E., now Mrs. Dunn; and a son that died in infancy. After the death of his first wife he married again, and his second wife survived him.

Mrs. Dunn was but a child when her mother died, She was educated in Vermont, and

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came with her sister to Winchendon, Mass. Her marriage with Mr. Dunn took place when she was nineteen years old. Two children, a daughter named Flora Belle and a son, Henry Morton, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunn; and they brought up, besides these, two or- phan children of Mr. Dunn's sister- Morton and Ellen A. Gifford. Morton Gifford re- mained with Mr. and Mrs. Dunn after the breaking out of the Civil War. Though a frail youth, he enlisted September, 1861, in the Twenty - fifth Massachusetts Volunteers. His term of service in Company K of that regiment expired October 20, 1864, according to the published record. Becoming a physi- cian, he continued in the South as a practi- tioner for some time, and then started North, but was never again heard from. Ellen A. Gifford married a Mr. Martin, and removed to Wisconsin. Flora Belle Dunn, whose un- timely death the mother has been called to mourn, was a woman of many gifts and graces, charming in person and manner. She was the wife of E. M. Rewey, an editor on the Sun, and one of the best exchange readers in this country. Henry Morton Dunn resides in Auburn. He is married and has a family of five children, three sons and two daughters.

OSEPH S. WESBY,* founder of the ex- tensive book bindery business of J. S. Wesby & Sons, of Worcester, Mass., died in this city November 3, 1886. He was a man of sterling integrity and persis- tent energy, and self-made by the old slow but sure process. Although handicapped through much of his life by ill-health, he struggled perseveringly and achieved well-merited suc- cess in his business ventures. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., February 18, 1818. His father, John Wesby, was a native of Phillips- burg, N. J., and was there reared to seafaring pursuits, in which his ancestors before him had been engaged for several generations.

Mr. Wesby was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia, where he subsequently served an apprenticeship at book-binding with the Lipppincotts, noted publishers. He re- mained with that firm until he had mastered

the trade, and then, on account of ill-health, went to: Boston, hoping the change might prove beneficial. Securing a situation in a bindery, he continued there until 1846, when Mr. An- drew Hutchinson of Worcester sent for him to come here to take the place of John B. Gough, who afterward became the famous apostle of temperance. Mr. Wesby succeeded Mr. Gough in the bindery, and, becoming his close friend in after years, assisted him in his efforts to re- form, thereby winning his gratitude and es- teem.

After being employed' by Mr. Hutchinson many years, Mr. Wesby opened a bindery for himself in Sears Block on Main Street, nearly opposite Central Street. Beginning in a modest way, with Charles A. Wilson as a partner, he became quite successful and in a short time bought out his partner's interest. When he had acquired sufficient capital and patronage to warrant a removal to larger quar- ters, he took possession of the upper stories of the building now occupied by Putnam & Davis, booksellers. Energetic, artistic, and painstak- ing, he grew rapidly in favor with the pub- lic, and built up the largest book-binding busi- ness in Worcester County. He added new machinery with steam power, and all new in- ventions for facilitating his work, and carried on a substantial business in all branches of book- binding, in paper ruling, and in manufacturing account books and ledgers. He bound thou- sands of books for public and private libraries, and for many years was at the head of his pro- fession, his place being almost the only one of its kind that was up-to-date in all of its ap- pointments. Mr. Wesby eventually took into partnership his eldest son, Herbert, and in 1885 his other son, Edward : the firm has since been known as J. S. Wesby & Sons. Since the death of their father, these sons, both capable business men, and experts in their line, have carried on the business with most satis- factory results.

Mr. Wesby was interested in municipal affairs, but was never an aspirant for office. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and, though not a member of any re- ligious organization, was a man of high Chris- tian principles and character,

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Mr. Wesby was married in 1846 to Miss Annie E. Puffer, of Worcester, a daughter of Seth and Achsa (Pollard) Puffer. Her father was for many years associated in business with the late Osgood Bradley, car-builder, and was a valued and respected citizen of this city. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wesby, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Charles Porter, of Worcester, who lost one child at the age of eight years, and has two living - Maud E. and Joseph S. ; Herbert, who married Miss Lizzie Bullock; and Edward, who married Edna Earle.

LIVER P. SHATTUCK, senior partner in the firm of Oliver P. Shat- tuck & Son, tobacconists, in the city of Worcester, died at his home No- vember 7, 1895. He was born at Water- ville, Vt., on October 24, 1831, son Moody and Fanny (Locke) Shattuck of that town, and was a descendant in the eighth gen- eration of William Shattuck, who was born in England in 1621, settled in Watertown, Mass., about 1640, and died there in 1672.

Mr. Shattuck came to Worcester in 1853 and secured employment as travelling agent for a large lumber concern located at the corner of Central and Union Streets. Later on he worked in the same capacity for his brother, M. E. Shattuck, a cigar manufacturer. Hav ing gained a thorough knowledge of this busi- ness and having made a wide acquaintance among men in the trade, Mr. Shattuck eventu- ally opened a store of his own at 369 Main Street, where he built up a large business. Among the foremost brands of tobacco manu- factured by him in late years were "La Norma " and "We Three." The latter brand had as a label portraits of Mr. Shattuck and Messrs. George Bliss and E. H. Eaton, who had for a long time been associated with Mr. Shattuck in business and were widely known in the tobacco trade. Not long before his death, Mr. Shattuck celebrated his twenty-fifth anniversary in business, and entertained a number of his friends at the store. During the last six years of his life, being afflicted with an ailment which developed into Bright's

disease, and made him unable to devote his entire time to business, he spent a part of every summer at his old home in Vermont. He continued, however, to be at the store every day when he was in the city, and was fully in touch with its affairs, although his son, Edson M., gave careful attention to the details. The latter was admitted to partnership in 1892, and since his father's death he has assumed full management of the business.

Mr. Shattuck was married on February 3, 1870, to Marion Carr, a native of Gardner, daughter of George W. and Mary (Willard) Carr, and representing a time-honored New England family. There were born of this marriage : Edson M., already spoken of; and another son, Edwin S., who died in infancy.

Mr. Shattuck was seen much on the street and was a very popular man in the city. His place of business was easily recognized by its advertising sign, a life-size image of himself, which, at the time of the celebration above noted, he had gilded. Mr. Shattuck was al- ways a Republican in politics. He served for four years as Councilman from Ward Two, and during half that time was president of the board.

Mr. Shattuck was actively interested in va- rious fraternal organizations. He was Master of Montacute Lodge, F. & A. M., in 1889 and 1890, also a member of the general relief com- mittee of the lodge. He was a member of Eureka Chapter, R. A. M., and High Priest in 1880 and 1881 ; of Hiram Council, R. and S. M .; of Worcester Commandery, K. T .; Worcester Lodge of Perfection; Goddard Coun- cil, P. of J. ; Lawrence Chapter of Rose Croix ; Massachusetts Consistory ; and Aleppo Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine. He held mem- bership in the Worcester Lodge of Odd Fel- lows; Blake Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Han- cock Club; and the Worcester Continentals.

The funeral of Mr. Shattuck was attended by fully twelve hundred persons. It was con- ducted by the Knights Templars, Mr. Shattuck having been Past Eminent Commander in that body. More than fifteen fraternal organiza- tions were represented at the services, which were held in the First Universalist Church. There were also many prominent men of this

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city and many personal friends of Mr. Shattuck and his family. Rev. Dr. Gunnison, in a fit- ting address, spoke of death as "not extinc- tion, but emancipation; not the end of the volume of existence, but the finishing of the preface." Of the friend whose dust was there resting on its way to the burial he spoke as one who had been "upright in business, kind and charitable, an honorable citizen, a loyal comrade, a kind husband and father. "

OLON S. HASTINGS,* long one of the progressive agriculturists of Princeton and later a resident of Worcester, was born in Sterling, Mass., on December 26, 1806, son of Stephen and Silence (Sawyer) Hastings. He is of the sixth generation in descent from Thomas Hastings, who came to New England in 1634 and settled at Watertown, Mass. His father, Stephen Hastings, who was a farmer by occu- pation, was a man of progressive ideas, and was one of the early members of the Worces- ter County Agricultural Society, and an ac- tive worker in promoting its interests. Be- sides Solon S. he had two other sons, Rufus and Aaron S., both of whom are deceased.

The Hastings family is said to be of Danish origin, and is known to have been in England before the Norman Conquest, holding the castle and seaport of this name. (See Hast- ings Memorial.)

Solon S. Hastings was brought up on a farm. He obtained his education in the schools of Sterling and at Leicester Academy. After this he engaged in teaching school dur- ing the winter months, and was the Sterling schoolmaster for twelve years. He was un- usually successful, and in the same season sometimes taught two different schools, the opening of the school in one district being de- layed in order to secure his services there at the close of his first term. He also taught in a private school in Boston, but eventually re- turned to the farm to aid his father, who was growing old, and there continued until his father's death in 1840. The following year he decided to settle permanently in Princeton, and he was subsequently engaged in agricult-

ural pursuits there until a few years before his death, which occurred at Worcester on February 16, 1889.

Mr. Hastings was abreast of his times in every way, and partly as a result of this habit of observation, partly on account of his natural aptitude and fondness for country life, he met with unusual success as a farmer. He was a life member of the Worcester County Agri- cultural Society, a frequent exhibitor at the county fairs, and a recognized authority on all agricultural matters. A man of rare charac- ter, exemplary in all business and social rela- tions, he possessed the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He filled many posi- tions of public responsibility with signal abil- ity and unfaltering trustworthiness. For over twenty-five years he was a director of the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which is the oldest of its kind in the county. In 1859 he was Representative to the General Court from Princeton, Rutland, and Oakham, and in 1864 he was State Senator from this district. In 1850 he was elected to an im- portant clerkship in the United States naval service at Boston, under the Hon. Charles Hanson, and in 1870 was employed by the general government in collecting census re- turns in this vicinity. Personally, Mr. Hast- ings was of a retiring disposition, and was both conscientious and conservative in all re- lations, religious, civil, or financial. He was interested in educational matters, and was a regular attendant at various religious institu- tions. The last years of his life, with a com- fortable leisure at his command, he alternated · his residence between Worcester and Prince- ton, spending the summers in the latter place and winters at the Bay State House in Worcester.

Mr. Hastings was married in 1845 to Lois R., daughter of Edward and Rebecca (Bea- man) Goodnow, of Princeton, and sister of Edward A. Goodnow, the noted philanthro- pist. Representatives of the Goodnow family were among the first settlers of Princeton. Mrs. Hastings survives her husband, and now resides at Hotel Newton in Worcester.

Mr. Hastings in his will bequeathed one thousand dollars each to the Woman's Board

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of Missions and to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, also other bequests, public and private, and left the residue of his estate to the Woman's Board of Missions and the Massachusetts Home Mis- sionary Society.

ILLIAM GOSS, who is now living retired from active work upon his farm in Worcester, near the Auburn town line, is one of the most respected citi- zens in this locality. He was born in 1816, a son of William and Eunice (Wood) Goss. Both his parents were natives of Mendon, Mass. His paternal grandfather, a farmer by occupation, reared six children. Mr. Goss's parents had seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely: Brigham, born March 8, 1806, who died in 1892; Anna W., born December 29, 1807, who died unmarried, May 28, 1839; Emily B., born in March, 1810, who died October 4, 1871 (no children) ; Sumner, born in 1811, who died about 1887, leaving one daughter; Farnum, born April I, 1813, who died unmarried in 1838, at the age of twenty-five; William, the subject of this sketch; and Clarissa, born November 9, 1819, who died unmarried, at the age of thirty. The mother passed away February 26, 1860, aged eighty-two years. Her husband survived her four years, dying July 4, 1864. They carried on a farm in Worcester for many years.

William Goss, who is the only surviving child of his parents, was educated in the dis- trict school. Brought up to farm life, he con- tinued to reside with his parents until their death, and since the age of fourteen he has lived in his present residence. He has one hundred and sixty acres of good land, which he devotes to general farming. He formerly owned fifty-nine acres more, which, however, he sold some twenty-four years ago.

On September 30, 1845, he married Mary Hallett, of St. Johnsbury, Vt., who was born November 3, 1819, a daughter of Gideon and Lydia (Hall) Hallett. The first American ancestor of the Hallett family came from Cov- entry, England, about 1640. Mrs. Goss's

parents were natives of Cape Cod, her father born on November 11, 1772, and her mother on October 8, 1776. They were married in Westminster, Vt., February 27, 1797. They had thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters, as follows: Edmund B., born Au- gust 20, 1798; Atherton, born October 10, 1799; Ruth, born February 13, 1801 ; Lydia, born August 31, 1802; Gideon, born April 10, 1804; Freeman, born November 24, 1805 ; Russel, born December 12, 1807; Marsena, born November 26, 1809; Sabrina, born No- vember 30, 1811; Phila Ann, born July 19, 1813; Otis, born January 19, 1815; Howes, born February 6, 1817, who died the follow- ing year; Mary, born November 3, 1819, who became the wife of the subject of this sketch. The mother died August 11, 1854. Her hus- band survived her some years, passing away February 1, 1862.

Mr. and Mrs. Goss are the parents of three children, namely: Fannie A., who is the wife of Bartlett A. White, and resides on the Goss homestead; Hattie S., who is the wife of Al- bert G. Magna, resides at Holyoke, Mass., and has two sons - Russel W., aged nineteen, and Joseph N., aged sixteen, both high-school students; and Carrie E., who is the wife of Frank G. Davis, son of the late Rev. Elnathan Davis, resides in Watertown, N. Y., and has two daughters - Alice M., aged eighteen, a young lady of musical talent, and a student at the high school, and Grace A., aged fourteen, who is attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Goss celebrated their golden wedding September 30, 1895, in their present home, where they began domestic life, and were the recipients of congratulations from relatives and numer- ous friends. Mr. Goss casts his vote with the Republican party, but has never sought public office.

AMES WHITE,* well known a few years since as one of the leading contractors and builders of Worcester County, died at his home in Worcester, September 8, 1886. He was born at Pomfret, Conn., a son of Artemas and Patty (Sabin) White, and is said to have been a lineal descendant of

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Peregrine White, who was born on board the "Mayflower " in December, 1620, before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock.

James White learned the carpenter's trade with his father, and continued in his employ several years thereafter. When about thirty years old he came to Worcester, Mass., where he worked at carpentering until he had estab- lished a fine reputation as a skilled mechanic and a man of honesty and integrity. Starting then on his own account as a builder and con- tractor, he steadily grew into prominence, and in course of time found himself one of the fore- most contractors of Worcester County. He employed many men, and during his career had charge of the erection of structures of all kinds, including among others the Union Depot, the State Normal School building, the Polytechnic Institute building, and various blocks and mills. By his own unaided efforts he won success, and stood deservedly high in the community as a builder, a citizen, and a man. He remained true to the principles of his worthy ancestors, and his life but added honor to the line from which he sprung. Mr. White was interested in city matters, but never held public office. A great reader, he kept himself well informed in regard to the affairs of the world at large. Desirous of helping young men and women to educate themselves, in his will he left hand- some bequests to several schools and colleges. He united with the Union Congregational Church soon after coming to Worcester, but for many years in his later life was a member of the Old South Church, and a liberal sup- porter of its charities.

Mr. White was twice married. His first wife, Eliza Healey, of Douglas, Mass., died, leaving one daughter, who married B. D. Allen, formerly a well-known music teacher of Worcester, but now a resident of Beloit, Wis. Mr. White's second wife, Miranda Carter, of Worcester, survives him.

DWIN P. BEMIS,* of Spencer, Mass., was born in the adjacent town of Paxton, March 26, 1815, son of Amos and Ruth (Bartlett) Bemis. Both his father and his grandfather, Abijah Bemis, who is said to

have served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, were natives of Paxton; and his mother was born in Rutland. When he was nine years old his parents removed to Spencer. He was educated in the district schools. In his youth he learned the shoemaker's trade, and, after becoming of age, he followed it for two years in Philadelphia. During the greater part of his life, however, he has resided in Spencer and given his attention to agricultural pursuits, winning success by persevering, well- directed industry. He owns a good farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres.

In 1844 Mr. Bemis was joined in marriage with Elizabeth Cheever, daughter of Joseph Cheever, of Spencer. Of this union were born five children, two of whom are living, namely : Emma E., wife of Orin R. Lamb; and E. Cheever Bemis. Mrs. Bemis died in May, 1872. She was a member of the Baptist church.

Politically, Mr. Bemis supported the Free- Soil movement during its existence, and he has since acted with the Republican party. He is a member of the Farmers' and Mechan- ics' Association, and takes a lively interest in public improvements.

HARLES H. FAIRBANKS,* a thriv- ing farmer of West Brookfield, was born in Brimfield, Mass., January 27, 1831, son of Ebenezer and Mar- garet (Gleason) Fairbanks. His grandfather, Henry Fairbanks, a native of Sherborn, Mass., settled in Brimfield, and his father, who was born in that town and lived there some years after marrying, removed to a farm in West Brookfield in 1846.

Ebenezer Fairbanks served as a Selectman in Brimfield, and later in West Brookfield. In the latter part of his life he acted with the Re- publican party in politics. He died in his eighty-fourth year. His wife, Margaret Glea- son, was a native of Warren, Mass. They had four sons, namely : Charles H., the subject of this sketch; Isaac, a resident of North Brookfield; Edward, who resides in Warren; and Dwight Fairbanks, of this town.

Charles H. Fairbanks obtained his education

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in the public schools of his native town and of West Brookfield and at the Quaboag Seminary, Warren. He came here with his parents when fifteen years old. As a young man he engaged in the provision business in Brookfield, re- maining. there some ten years, and afterward he followed the same line of trade in Spring- field about two years. General farming, how- ever, has been his principal occupation, and for many years he has successfully tilled the soil of the home farm, formerly owned by his father.

On February 13, 1858, Mr. Fairbanks was joined in marriage with Sarah Kellogg, of West Brookfield, daughter of Chester and Eliza (Davis) Kellogg. Her father was born in Suffield, Conn., and her mother was born in Warren, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks have two children: Mary E., wife of Philander Holmes; and Charles L. - both of whom re- side in this town.

Independent in politics, Mr. Fairbanks was at one time a member of the Board of Select- men. As a public-spirited citizen he takes a lively interest in all matters affecting the gen- eral welfare of the community. He was one of the founders of the West Brookfield Farmers' Club.

R EV. JOHN DAVIS EDMANDS JONES,* for twenty-seven years su- perintendent of agencies of the State Mutual Life Assurance Com- pany, was born on November 11, 1819, in Needham, Mass., and died of pneumonia, after a brief illness, on January 12, 1893, at his home in Worcester.

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 150

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