Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 16

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 16

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Educated in the public schools of his native town, and reared to farming, Nelson Loring,

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with the exception of some six years spent in New York City and State, has spent his mature years in farming. He has carried on the home farm since 1848. The property con- tains two hundred and thirty-five acres of land. While his time is chiefly given to dairying, for which he keeps from twenty-five to thirty head of cattle, mostly Ayrshire stock, he raises ex- cellent crops of the staple products. Keeping up with the times in the way of improvement, he has remodelled his residence, which is one of the oldest in town; and his farm takes high rank among the most valuable estates in this section.

On March 26, 1850, Mr. Loring was joined in marriage with Maria A. Spooner. Born in Petersham, Mass., February 24, 1825, she was a daughter of Lucius and Nancy (Curtis) Spooner, the former of whom died June 16, 1873, aged eighty-one, and the latter on Octo- ber 3, 1867, aged seventy-five years. Mrs. Loring gave birth to eight children, namely : Charles W. Loring, on November 16, 1852, who is married and lives in Utah; Henry, September 15, 1855, who resided in Colorado, and died in 1896; Joseph W., March 6, 1857, who died September 18, 1895 ; Adella, August 14, 1858, who is the wife of Albert Bradley, of Barre; Lilla, June 25, 1860, who is unmar- ried and resides at home; Frank E., June 22, 1862, who is married and lives in Vermont ; Clarence, June 14, 1864, who is also a resi- dent of Utah; and Jennie H. Loring, October 17, 1866, who died November 24, 1891. The mother died September 9, 1896. In politics a Republican, Mr. Loring was a Selectman for about twelve years and a member of the Board of Assessors for some time. He attends the Unitarian church. In Barre he is regarded as one of its successful farmers.

EORGE H. THOMPSON, a leading farmer of New Braintree, son of Charles B. and Elizabeth D. (Fagan) Thompson, was born on the farm he now occu- pies, May 22, 1863. His first ancestor in this country, James Thompson, who came with his parents from Ireland or Scotland when eight years of age, and settled on the site of the

present town of Holden, Mass., was one of the earliest settlers of New Braintree. James came to New Braintree on March 30, 1749, and died in June, 1790. He was Captain of the first militia company ever organized in this town. His wife died in 1776. Nathan Thompson, son of James and great-grand- father of George H., born in New Braintree in 1741, died here on March 12, 1814. He was a farmer, and for nineteen years he served the community as Town Treasurer. The first of his three marriages was contracted with Mary Hawes, who died in 1790. The maiden name of his second wife was Joanna Nichols; and that of his third wife, the great-grandmother of the subject of this sketch, was Mary, or Polly, Doty. Mary, or Polly, Doty Thomp- son, born in Hardwick on July 10, 1769, who was married on October 5, 1793, died on Oc- tober 1, 1854.

Moses Thompson, son of Nathan and grand- father of George H., and the first of the fam- ily to settle on the estate now known as the Thompson farm, which for four generations previously had been known as the Woods farm, bought the place in 1834. Here he passed the remainder of his life, engaged in general farming ; and here he died on May 26, 1891, at the age of eighty-two. Born in New Braintree, November 21, 1808, he became known as one of the most progressive farmers in this section. For nineteen years he filled the double office of Assessor of Taxes and Town Treasurer. In religious faith he was a Congregationalist, and in politics he was successively a Whig and a Republican. His wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Bush, born in North Brookfield on December 4, 1811, died in New Braintree on August 26, 1891. She became the mother of three chil- dren, all still living, namely: Charles B., born September 20, 1834; Nathan, born Au- gust 26, 1837; and Harriet D., born Novem- ber 6, 1841. Nathan, who is a clergyman of the Congregational denomination, resides in Cheltenham, Md., where he is the superin- tendent of the Reformatory for Colored Boys. Harriet is the widow of L. K. Harlow, late of Boulder, Col.

Charles B. Thompson, who was born on the

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farm, lived here until 1892, and, like his an- cestors, carried on general farming. He now owns a farm of forty-six acres in Hardwick, near Gilbertville village, which he purchased when he left New Braintree. Having been one of the leading agriculturalists in this town, his removal was much regretted by his old neighbors and friends. In politics he is a Republican. He served in a number of town offices while here, including that of Town Treasurer for several years. In religion he is a Congregationalist. His education was re- ceived in the public schools and at New Salem Academy. On January 23, 1858, he married Elizabeth, daughter of William and Jane M. Fagan. Mr. Fagan, who died in October, 1877, was a farmer by occupation. His widow now resides in Maple City, Mich. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom but one are living. Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, who was born in New Braintree, February 6, 1837, has had seven children, of whom three are deceased. The survivors are : George H., now of New Braintree; Francis H., born May 22, 1867; Ethel G., born Sep- tember 22, 1878; and Gertrude E., born Feb- ruary 14, 1884. Anna M. died at the age of eleven years, Harry W. at the age of three years and five months, and Charles M. at the age of nineteen months.

George H. Thompson grew to manhood in his native town, obtaining his education in the public schools and the academies in the vicin- ity. He now owns the old homestead, whose original one hundred and fifty acres he has in- creased to three hundred. While he does more or less general farming, cutting annually about a hundred tons of hay, he makes a spe- cialty of dairying, and has a fine herd of about sixty cows. On December 10, 1887, he was married to Adelaide Wight, who, born in Dover, Mass., June 28, 1863, is a daughter of Frederick H. and Susan E. (Ware) Wight. Mr. Wight, a market-gardener, resides in Dover, of which place he is a native. His wife is a native of Wrentham, Mass. Mrs. Thompson is a member of the Congregational church. Her children are: Georgia E., Grace W., Charles B., Ruth W., and Anna F. In politics Mr. Thompson is a Republican. He

is a member of P. of H., No. 170, at New Braintree. As an agriculturist he takes a leading rank in this section of the State, and as a citizen he commands the full confidence and respect of his fellow-townsmen.

HARLES NELSON DOANE, Town Treasurer of Dana, Worcester County, Mass., was born in Greenwich, Hampshire County, March 19, 1830, son of Isaac and Mary (Stone) Doane. His paternal grandfather was Uriah Doane, who came from Cape Cod to Dana Centre, where he followed farming for the rest of his life.

Isaac Doane, son of Uriah, was born in Dana, June 29, 1798. In early life he was a seafaring man. Later he resided in Green- wich, and about the year 1830 settled upon a farm located in the southern part of Dana, where he tilled the soil industriously as long as his health would permit. He died Decem- ber 27, 1877, lacking about six months of being eighty years old. In politics he was in his later years a Republican, having previ- ously supported the Whig party ; and he served as a Selectman and an Assessor. In his re- ligious belief he was a Methodist. Mary Stone Doane, his wife, was born in Dana, March 29, 1809, daughter of Nathan and Mary Stone, both of whom were natives of this town. Her paternal grandparents lived on what was called "Granny Stone " Hill. Her father died November 26, 1858, aged eighty-three; and her mother died January 16, 1864, aged eighty-five. Isaac and Mary S. Doane became the parents of six children, namely: Charles N., the subject of this sketch; Albert H., who was born September 29, 1836, and died September 14, 1838; Syl- vanus H., born May 8, 1840, died De- cember 24, 1862, while serving his country in the Civil War; Lucinda V., born October 2, 1842, died August 27, 1848; Alfred W., born December 4, 1844, who resides in Dana Centre; and Franklin S., who was born No- vember 4, 1847, and died August 20, 1848. The mother died April 7, 1890.

Alfred W. Doane, only surviving brother

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of the subject of this sketch, was educated in the district schools and at the New Salem Academy, pursuing a twelve weeks' course at the latter institution, and paying his tuition with money saved from his earnings. He was for some time engaged in the butchering busi- ness. He finally bought the T. S. Johnson farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres at Dana Centre, and for the past twenty years has been engaged in farming and lumbering. He is at the present time the leading lumber- man of this locality, and has been successful in business. He has served as a Selectman, Assessor, and in other town offices. In poli- tics he is a Republican. On November 24, 1870, he married Susie M. Johnson, who was born in Dana, September 7, 1850, daughter of Joel and Abigail (Richardson) Johnson. Her father was a merchant and hotel-keeper. He died January 25, 1892, aged seventy-six years, five months, and twenty-five days. Her mother, who was born December 8, 1815, was a representative of the well-known Richard- son family of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Al- fred W. Doane have one daughter, Mabel F., who was born August 30, 1876. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

Charles Nelson Doane acquired his educa- tion in the school located in District No. I. He remained at home until twenty years old, assisting his father upon the farm, and about the year 1852 began work in the pianoforte leg factory, then carried on by Stimpson & Doane, with whom he remained some four years. In 1856 he established himself in the manufacture of piano cases and billiard tables at North Dana; and, after the burning of his factory in the latter part of that year, he re- moved to Orange, Mass., where he engaged in the same business. Selling out his interest in this enterprise some six months later, he was for the succeeding seven years engaged in teaming at North Dana. Then, starting in the butchering business here, he carried on a market from 1856 to April, 1895, when he re- tired in favor of his son. He is the owner of a valuable farm, and devotes his time to its cultivation.

On August 2, 1854, Mr. Doane was joined in marriage with Frances E. Blackmer, who

was born in Stockbridge, Mass., in June, 1836. Of this union there is one son, Alfred E. Doane, who was born November 6, 1860.

Politically, Mr. Doane is a Republican. He has served with ability as chairman of the Boards of Selectmen and Assessors for a num- ber of terms, has held other town offices, and has been Town Treasurer for the past seven years.

Alfred E. Doane is an enterprising and alert. young business man. He is actively in- terested in local public affairs, having been a Selectman for the past seven years, and unani- mously elected chairman of the board in 1896. He has served as Assessor, Overseer of the Poor, and as a member of the School Board. He is prominently identified with the Repub- lican party here, and is a member of the Town Committee. On February 2, 1886, he mar- ried Hattie M. Sprague, who was born in Westfield, Mass., December 25, 1864. She is the mother of one daughter, Helen F. Doane, who was born December 5, 1897.

ARWIN R. BOYNTON, a well- known resident of Paxton, Mass., for the greater part of his life, is a native of Grafton, Vt. His earli- est ancestors in this country were English. Born March 4, 1818, he is a son of David and Lucy (Johnson) Boynton. David Boynton, son of Ebenezer, a former resident of Paxton, was also born in the town; and he spent here the most of his life, engaged in farming. His wife, Lucy, was born in Worcester.

A very young child when he was brought to Paxton by his parents, Darwin R. Boynton was educated in the Paxton schools; and all the associations of his childhood cluster around the place. At the age of seventeen he began learning the trade of boat-builder, and he worked at it subsequently for a number of years. Then he engaged in painting, and in time became a contractor. For thirty years he pursued this business most successfully, doing much work for people in Paxton and the adjoining towns.

For many years Mr. Boynton has served his fellow-townsmen as Constable. In discharg-

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ing the duties of this office he has shown him- self both able and faithful. He is an active worker in the Congregational church, of which he has been a member since 1844, and which he has served for some years on its Executive Committee. The present Mrs. Boynton, for- merly Mrs. Marianna Holmes, whom he mar- ried on New Year's Day, 1894, is a daughter of Joseph H. Penniman, of Paxton. She is also a member of the Congregational church.

REN EUS H. LOW was a well-known and highly respected resident of North- bridge. Born in Steuben County, New York, he was a son of Thomas and Susan (Decker) Low. One of his ancestors, Thomas Doughty, was a physician of note in the early days of New York. Although Dr. Doughty had lost a leg and was obliged to stump around on a wooden substitute, he succeeded in taking care of a large number of patients, and lived to the advanced age of ninety years. Mr. Low's paternal grandfather was the superin- tendent of cotton-mills in Matteawan, N. Y., for many years. His maternal grandfather, David Decker, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Thomas Low, a machinist by trade, went to Whitinsville at the age of forty years, and was subsequently a foreman in the machine works until 1895, a period of twenty- nine years. He died in 1896.

Irenæus H. Low learned the machinist's trade in Holyoke, Mass. He was employed by the Remington Arms Company in Ilion, N. Y., during the Civil War, and later at Chicopee, Mass., by the Ames Plough Com- pany. Following that he worked at his trade in Syracuse, N. Y. In 1866 he went to Whit- insville as master mechanic, having charge of the cylinder work in the Whitin machine shop. The ability with which he filled this position is well attested by the fact that he held it for a period of thirty-one years. For a long time he was an active member of the Republican party. His first Presidential vote was cast for Horace Greeley. He represented this district in the legislature in 1894, and served in the Committee on Printing, which in that year issued the book entitled " Massachusetts in

the Army and Navy." At the time of Speaker Reed's visit to Whitinsville, Mr. Low was the president of the Whitinsville Republi- can Club. A well-known Mason, he was Mas- ter of Granite Lodge twice and a member of St. Elmo Royal Arch Chapter and of Deka- mus Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. For years he was an active member of the Congre- gational church and a liberal giver toward its many benevolent works.

By his marriage with Jane A. Griffith, of Ilion, N. Y., Mr. Low became the father of two children. His son, Walter Irenæus, who graduated from Yale University, class of 1890, and in 1897 received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, is a teacher of history in the Shef- field Scientific School of Yale. Having mar- ried Catherine Young Caskey, Walter has now one daughter, Catherine Caskey Low. His sister, Grace E., who graduated from Mount Holyoke College, is a teacher in the public high school of her native town. The father died at Whitinsville, May 7, 1898.

ILAS MANDERVILLE WHEEL- OCK, the treasurer of the Calumet Woollen Company at Uxbridge, was born in Uxbridge, November II, 1817. A son of Jerry and Sukey (Day) Wheelock, he belongs to the seventh genera- tion descended from the emigrant ancestor, Ralph Wheelock, who came from Shropshire, England, in 1637, and settled in Dedham, Mass. The paternal grandfather, Simeon Wheelock, who was an officer in the Revolu- tion, was born in Mendon in 1741. He was Town Clerk of Uxbridge from 1773 to 1777.

Jerry Wheelock, son of Simeon, born in Uxbridge on September 19, 1784, was one of the pioneer builders and operators of woollen machinery here. He early learned the trade of "set workman " and later that of machinery builder. In 1810, when the woollen-mill was built in Uxbridge, he became a member of the firm with his father-in-law, Daniel Day. This connection he severed a few years later, and entered the employ of Artemus Dryden, Jr., of Holden, for whom he was afterward engaged in building woollen machinery for

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many years. He also superintended the set- ting up of machinery in new mills. In 1814 he was in Falmouth when that town was bom- barded by the British warship "Nimrod." That same year, also, he became a member of the corporation known as the Rivulet Manu- facturing Company, with which he was subse- quently connected for four years. For the next sixteen years he was engaged in the manufacture and repair of woollen machinery. In 1834 he went into the manufacturing busi- ness with his sons, and was associated with them until his retirement in 1846. His death occurred on October 10, 1861.

Having received his elementary education in the public schools, Silas M. Wheelock at- tended a private school taught by Mr. E. Porter Dyer and later by Mr. C. C. Jewett, who was subsequently the librarian of the Smithsonian Institute. When only nine years of age he commenced work in a woollen-mill. From that time to the present he has been connected with the woollen in -. dustry as workman, department superintend- ent, or manager. He was also for some time in a commission house in Boston and in New York City. In 1846 the firm of C. A. & S. M. Wheelock was formed for the purpose of man- ufacturing satinets, linseys, and tweeds, which it did until 1855. Then, after considerably enlarging its factory and adding to its power, it began the manufacture of fancy cassimeres, discontinuing that of all other fabrics. The new departure proved successful, and at the present time cassimere is produced on a large scale. Mr. Wheelock has been the general manager and financier of the firm. In 1870 he bought the property of the Harris Woollen Company at Putnam, Conn., comprising a fac- tory containing twelve sets of machinery, a water-power estimated at one-fourth of the Quinnebaug River at that point, and a num- ber of dwellings. This was soon taken in charge by a corporation formed under the laws of Connecticut, bearing the name of the Putnam Woollen Company. In 1880 the capital stock was increased, a second factory was bought, and new machinery and water privilege were added to the former purchase. Mr. Wheelock was chosen treasurer and busi-

ness manager of the corporation, and he filled the dual office until 1887. Then, on account of other business, he resigned. In 1883 he purchased the Central Mill property in Ux- bridge, including a factory, machinery, power, and houses. The Calumet Woollen Com- pany, a corporation organized under the laws of Massachusetts, took this property, and, after making extensive repairs and additions, began the manufacture of fancy cassimeres, with Mr. Wheelock for treasurer and general manager. The property known as the Ux- bridge Woollen Factory, and which utilized the whole of the Blackstone River water- power, after it was purchased by Mr. Wheel- ock in 1886, became the property of the Calu- met Woollen Company, and is now known as the Hecla Mill. Mr. Wheelock has now charge of the Calumet and Hecla Mills, and is the owner of the Wacautuck Mills, in which are made the goods of C. A. & S. M. Wheelock. From 1867 to 1870 he was inter- ested in a woollen factory at Wilsonville, Conn., which was operated under the firm name of S. M. Wheelock & Co.

Mr. Wheelock has served his town for sev- eral years as Selectman and on various town committees. In 1888 and 1889 he repre- sented the Second Worcester District in the State Senate, where during both years he was a member of the Committees on Manu- facturing and Parishes and Societies. Politi- cally, he is a Republican. Formerly a Whig, he voted for both William Henry Harrison and Henry Clay. He is a member of the so- ciety of the First Congregational Church, and has always been a generous contributor toward church expenses. For thirty-seven years he has been a director of the Blackstone Bank, which was merged into the Blackstone National Bank. He is also a stockholder in the Elec- tric Light Company. Since 1852 he has been a member of Uxbridge Lodge, No. 120, I. O. O. F., having served in all the offices. In 1841 he was united in marriage with Irene, daughter of Luke and Nancy (Wood) Taft, of Uxbridge. She has been the mother of five children, of whom Arthur and Eugene A. are living. The others were: Ellen, who mar- ried E. B. Haywood, of Uxbridge, and died

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in 1871; Alice, who was the wife of H. R. Smith, of Leominster, and died in 1891 ; and Henry, a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic School and a mill superintendent, who mar- ried Jennie G. Taft, of Uxbridge, and died in 1881.

UGENE A. WHEELOCK, son of Silas M. and brother of Arthur Wheelock, born in Uxbridge on February 15, 1846, attended the public schools of this town until 1862. In 1863 and 1864 he was a pupil at Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Mass. On leaving the seminary he entered the office of C. A. & S. M. Wheelock. In July, 1867,

he took charge of a woollen-mill in Thomp- son, Conn., where he remained until April, 1870. Since that time he has been agent of the Putnam Woollen Mills at Putnam, Conn., and since 1886, when his father retired from the position, he has been the treasurer of the company. In politics he is a Republican. He has been a member of the School Board at Putnam for the past two years, and he is con- sidered a most efficient official in that capac- ity. At the present time he is the auditor of the First National Bank of Putnam. On June 17, 1868, he married Sarah S. Taft, a daugh- ter of Zadock Taft, of Uxbridge. Two sons and three daughters have been born to him, and are all living. His eldest son, Silas M. Wheelock, second, occupies the position of superintendent of one of the mills.

RTHUR WHEELOCK, son of Silas M., born in Uxbridge on March 26, 1851, was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Wilbraham Academy. At the age of seven- teen he entered the office of C. A. & S. M. Wheelock as book-keeper and to assist in buying stock and in selling the goods. He continued in that position until 1883, when, upon the incorporation of the Calumet Mills and the purchase of the Central Mill property, he was made a director and mill manager. Since the purchase of the Uxbridge Mill, in 1883, he has been largely interested in their management, as well as in that of the other

mills of the corporation. He is also a direc- tor of the Blackstone National Bank, the pres- ident of the Uxbridge and Northbridge Elec- tric Company, and a life trustee of the Uxbridge Public Library. For three years he has been a Selectman of the town and a member of the School Board. Taking much interest in the welfare of the town, he has been active in an attempt to introduce a larger and better water supply. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member and Past Grand of Uxbridge Lodge of Odd Fel- lows. For some twenty-five years he has been connected with the Unitarian church and an active worker in its varied benevolences. In 1873 he was married to Emogene Atchinson, a daughter of Daniel Atchinson, of Wilbraham. His children are: Stanley H. and Annie A. The former, who was born in July, 1879, is now a Senior student at Phillips Exeter Acad- emy. Annie, who was born in 1886, is at- tending the public schools of Uxbridge.

ARRISON MOORE, who was a suc- cessful farmer of Worcester, traced his descent to one of the early set- tlers of this section of Worcester

County. His ancestors, whose name was orig- inally spelled Mowers, were much respected in the town; and Moore's Hill and Street were named in their honor. His paternal grand- father, John Moore, a farmer and miller, was accidentally drowned at his mill while in the prime of life, and left his widow with two sons - WVillard and Joshua. Willard Moore, his father, was born in Worcester, and here re- ceived such training as was usually given to farmers' sons in his day. Willard subse- quently purchased land bordering on Salis- bury Street, where he carried on mixed hus- bandry. He married Mary Curtis, who bore him six sons and two daughters, of whom Harrison was the youngest child.

Harrison Moore, born in the part of Worces- ter then called the Red Mill District, became a farmer from choice. When ready to estab- lish himself as a householder, he settled on the fifty-acre farm on Moore's Hill now occu- pied by Mrs. Naomi S, Moore. An enterpris-

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ing and skilful agriculturist, he was success- ful in his undertakings and made improvements of an excellent character on his homestead, greatly increasing its value. In politics he was a Republican. He served the community as special policeman and grand juryman.

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 16

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