Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 26

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 26

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In April, 1849, he became associated with Elbridge Boyden under the firm of Boyden & Ball, architects and engineers, and the part- nership lasted until 1860. His field books, covering a period of twenty-five years, show how closely he was identified with the growth

of the city from its incorporation. With his transit and rod Governor Lincoln's pasture was laid out into streets and building lots, and the same is true of the other old estates that made up the early town. One foundation after another, for buildings, public and pri- vate, was staked out to the number of nearly five hundred. When he came to Worcester, new cesspools were needed in Main Street; and, after they had been built and became a menace to the health of the people, he planned the first sewer. He took whatever work offered, and into all alike - measuring a com- post heap, staking the foundations of Me- chanics' Hall, or building the water-works - he put the same conscientious work. He al- ways regretted his lack of training. Being self-taught he lacked confidence, but he spared neither time nor strength to make his work the best in his power; and vacations, save those forced by sickness, were unknown.

While engaged in the general work about the city he was also concerned in the construc- tion of the Taunton Hospital for the Insane and the Fitchburg Jail.

He became a member of the Worcester County Mechanics' Association in 1853, and served as clerk from 1859-65, and was treas- urer for seven years during that time, and was afterward director, vice-president, and presi- dent for short terms. In 1862 and 1863 he served the city in the Common Council; in 1865 was Mayor; from 1863 to 1867 was Water Commissioner; and from 1867 to 1872 City Engineer.

With the Yankee apitude for seeking the better or quicker method, Mr. Ball patented a number of appliances used in connection with the construction of water-works. After work- ing for some years on a water meter he found Mr. Benaiah Fitts had developed a like de- vice, and the two entered into partnership, patented the meter, and in November, 1869, the Union Water Meter Company was formed, with Mr. Ball as president, an office which he held until his death. His connection with this company prevented his holding any offi- cial position in the city after 1872, and in that year he was called as consulting engineer in the abatement of the Miller's River nui-

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sance. In 1873-75 he built the Springfield water-works, and at the same time made plans for or reported upon water-works at Nashua, N. H., Amherst, Leominster, Marl- boro, Lawrence, and Westboro, Mass., New Haven and New Britain, Conn., and Portland, Me., and sewers for Keene, Fall River, and New Britain. In 1876 he sustained a griev- ous blow in the breaking of the dam at Lynde Brook Reservoir. It was his first consider- able work, in which he took just pride; and the disaster cut deep in his sensitive soul. He neither sought nor accepted any extenuat- ing circumstance, but put, if possible, added effort in the work that came to him in the re- construction of a broken dam at Clinton.

In 1879 he began the Brockton water- works, and continued with that city as con- sulting engineer for a number of years, plan- ning the system of sewers. He also planned the sewerage of Amherst, Westboro, and of the Concord and Sherborn Prisons, water- works for Claremont, N. H., Gloucester, Mass., and additional water-works for Lynn, Mass., and New Haven, Conn. Though in the years 1883 to 1885 he suffered so much from asthma that it seemed impossible that he could do any more work, in 1887 he was so far recovered that he yielded to the request of the State Board of Health to plan the drainage of the Mystic Valley, and entered upon the work with his former energy and enthusiasm. But the malarial air of the Saugus marshes aggravated the old trouble, and the next sum- mer he was forced to resign the post. He continued as consulting engineer on the Brockton, Taunton, and Framingham sewage systems, but was not again able to undertake any arduous professional work.

Mr. Ball was early interested in the tem- perance and anti-slavery movements. From the Free Soil he passed into the Republican party. Political chicanery filled him with astonishment and disgust, but he never failed to cast his vote.

For thirty-one years he was Deacon of the First Unitarian Church and for seven years president of the Worcester County Confer- ence of Unitarian Churches. He was thor- oughly liberal in his views, finding good in

all denominations, and wherever he might be was sure to attend some church unless pre- vented by sickness. He was a member of the Worcester County Society of Engineers, the Boston Society of Engineers, and the Ameri- can Water Works Association, and was also a member of the Worcester Society of Antiquity. His own slender advantages in the way of ed- ucation made him doubly interested in the subject, especially in that of technical educa- tion; and of all the duties that fell to him in his official capacity in 1865, undoubtedly he took most pleasure in those that sprang from his temporary connection with the Board of Trustees of the Worcester County Free Insti- tute of Industrial Science, who were then planning the first buildings of the institute. In company with some members of the board he visited Williamstown, the Rensselaer Poly- technic and the Sheffield School of Science, and was present at the meeting held in Octo- ber of that year to urge forward the work. In February, 1866, he surveyed the lot of land now occupied by the buildings, and at com- mencement in 1873 he served upon the Board of Examiners. For a number of years he took delight in visiting the old laboratory in Boynton Hall, and to the end of his life was interested in all that pertained to the school.

He was twice married. To his first wife, Sarah Augusta Holyoke, daughter of William Holyoke, he was married at her home in Marl- boro, Mass., December 21, 1848. Two chil- dren were born to them, a son, who died in 1857, and a daughter, who survives. Mrs. Ball died January 14, 1864; and he married November 29, 1865, Mary Jane Otis, daugh- ter of Benjamin B. Otis, of Lancaster.

Mr. Ball was not a great reader, but what he did read was well digested. For fiction he cared little. Thackerary interested him, but theology and science attracted him more than anything else. When ill health forced him indoors for a season, experimental chem- istry was his resource, and he obtained some results of practical value. Geology always interested him, and he recognized that science as an essential aid in engineering. In the country he was a close observer, knew trees

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and plants - not by the Latin name - but the habit of growth and characteristic of root, leaf, and fruit. As he walks to Marlboro the last of November, 1847, he notes the peeping of frogs and the full-blown dandelion by the roadside; and to the end he found keen enjoy- ment in the beauty of river and sky, of rock and woodland. In the pain and restlessness of his last hour he could still observe how "fine" the sky was.

During the greater part of 1894 he enjoyed better health than for several years; but in November over-exertion developed new com- plications that brought him great suffering, and death came as a release on the 19th of De- cember.

RANK BABBITT, the proprietor of a large dairy and stock farm in Barre, was born where he now resides, August 9, 1827, son of Dean and Lorania (Babcock) Babbitt. The Babbitt farm was cleared from the wilderness by Frank's grandfather, Bena- jah Babbitt, who came to Barre among the early settlers and spent the rest of his life here.

Dean Babbitt, the father, was born at the homestead, December 14, 1780. He was a blacksmith, following that trade in connection with farming during the active period of his life; and he always lived upon this farm, which he inherited at his father's death. In politics he was a Democrat and in religious belief a Unitarian. He died July 26, 1866. His wife, whom he married in 1803, was born in New Braintree, Mass., August 5, 1783. She had thirteen children, all of whom lived to maturity; namely, Mary, Sophia, Jane, Lorania, Avery, Sewell, James, Susan, Charles, George, Harriet, Julia Ann, and Frank. Frank is the only one now living. The mother died May 11, 1859.

Frank Babbitt acquired his education in the town schools of Barre. In his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade with his father, for whom he afterward worked until he suc- ceeded to the business. Besides conducting the smithy, he carries on general farming, dairying, and stock breeding, making a spe-

cialty of raising fine oxen. The homestead, which he has improved by remodelling the buildings, is now considered one of the best farms in town.

At the age of twenty-eight Mr. Babbitt first married Mercy Ellen Howe, a schoolmate. Born in Barre in 1835, she was a daughter of Eliphalet and Keziah Howe, representatives of a highly reputable family of this town. She died August 1, 1885, leaving one daughter, Kezzie E. The latter, born April 27, 1866, died April 25, 1887. Mr. Babbitt married for his second wife Mrs. Maria H. White, his first wife's sister and the widow of E. D. White, by whom she had two daughters - Mrs. Mattie L. Dunbar and Clara M. White. Po- litically, Mr. Babbitt is a Democrat. In re- ligious belief both he and his wife are Unita- rians. In 1893 he went to California to visit a sister, who at that time was the only sur- vivor of the other children of his parents.

OSEPH W. TEMPLE, the treasurer of the Spencer Savings Bank and an ex- member of the legislature, was born in this town, February 17, 1833, son of Colonel Alonzo and Adeline (Ryder) Temple. The father, a native of Rutland, Mass., after settling in Spencer, followed the business of contractor and builder. Many well-known residences and other buildings have been erected by him. He was actively concerned in public affairs, having served as a Selectman and Assessor, and during the excitement caused by the Free Soil agitation in 1851 he was a member of the legislature. He was also a commissioned officer in the State mili- tia. Colonel Alonzo Temple died in 1884. Of his children, the only one now living is Joseph W., the subject of this sketch.

Joseph W. Temple attended the graded schools and high school of Spencer, and com- pleted his studies with a two years' course at the Leicester Academy. At the age of fifteen he became a clerk in a Spencer store. When nineteen he joined in business with his brother, William H., forming the firm of Temple & Co., which conducted a thriving store for a number of years. Later he was in

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partnership with T. R. Whittemore, and still later he conducted the business alone. He was next engaged in business in Brookfield, under the firm name of Clapp & Temple; and in 1861 he became a member of the firm Shumway, Temple & Co., boot manufacturers of Warren, Mass. Some time afterward that business was moved to Spencer, and was sub- sequently conducted under various firm names. He was also a member of the firm of Bullard, Boyden & Temple, boot manufacturers, for some thirteen years. In 1887 he was ap- pointed treasurer of the Spencer Savings Bank, in which capacity his business ability has since proved of much benefit to that institu- tion.

Mr. Temple married Sibyl A. Green, of Spencer, a daughter of the late Josiah Green, who was one of the pioneers of the boot manufacturing industry in this town. He has rendered efficient public service as Town Clerk and Assessor, and he was a valuable member of the Committee on Mercantile Affairs while representing this district in the legislature of 1884. A Republican in poli- tics, he has served upon the Republican Town Committee. As an enterprising and progres- sive business man, he is widely known through- out this section of the county.

ACOB BOOTH, the president of the Southbridge Printing Company and a highly valued resident of Southbridge, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Atkin- son) Booth, was born at Woonsocket, R.I., on September 8, 1836. The father, who was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1801, and came to this country in 1834, died in 1857. He was a millman. Helping to start factories in different places, it often became necessary for him to change his residence. Of his nine children, three are living -- Isaac, William, and Jacob, all residents of Southbridge. William is in the coal business here.

Jacob Booth received his education in the schools of Oswego, Onondaga, and Cayuga Counties, New York, to which State the fam- ily removed when he was very young. At the age of eleven he began working in the factory

of which his father was then an employee. When thirteen years old he was apprenticed with Messrs. Gale & Eaton, of Syracuse, N. Y., to cabinet-making and piano finishing. During his apprenticeship, which lasted six years, he also learned ornamental painting and graining. Going then to Burrillville, R. I., he was there engaged in the painting and paper-hanging business until 1866, when he came to Southbridge. Here for the next twenty years he followed the same line of business, and was very successful. At the same time he was interested in the manufact- ure of furniture. Since 1884 he has been the president of the Southbridge Printing Com- pany, which is engaged in the manufacture of cotton prints, and has for some time been in- corporated. He is also a director of the Na- tional Bank of Southbridge, a member of the Board of Investment of the savings-bank, and a director of the Street Railway Company, the Southbridge Optical Company, and the Gas and Electric Light Company.

Mr. Booth attends the Globe Congregational Church. He has served the town on the Board of Health and as an Overseer of the Poor. In politics he is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of Phoenix Council, R. A. His first marriage was contracted in 1873 with Miss Julia Vaughn, a daughter of Hubbard and Adeline S. (Pierce) Vaughn, of South- bridge. Born of the union was Carrie E. Booth, who is now the wife of H. R. Harris, and resides in this town. Mr. Booth's second marriage, which took place in 1887, united him with Jossie A., daughter of Henry W. Rice, of Brookfield, Mass.

ALLEN DAY, a successful and pro- gressive agriculturist of Coy's Hill, Warren, was born April 4, 1835, on the homestead he now occupies, and on which his father, the late Captain Lyman Day, spent his entire life. His paternal grandfather, Na- than Day, came from Milford, Worcester . County, to Warren in 1792, and, settling on Coy's Hill, bought the present homestead prop- erty, which was then heavily timbered. Na- than had cleared a large portion of the estate,

JACOB BOOTH.

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and had been industriously employed for some time in otherwise improving it, when he died, December 4, 1849.

Captain Lyman Day received a thorough agricultural training from his father. Having inherited the home farm, he cultivated it suc- cessfully throughout the remainder of his years. Taking a lively interest in military affairs, he commanded a company of local militia for several years. He married Eliza Allen, of Warren. Of their children, three are still living, namely: Elizabeth A., the widow of Dr. Lorenzo Warriner, late of War- ren, Mass. ; Laura A., the wife of Philip Spaulding, of Amherst, Mass. ; and E. Allen, the subject of this sketch. The father died April 14, 1867; and on July 30, 1850, the mother passed away.

E. Allen Day completed his early studies at the Quaboag Seminary. Under the able tui- tion of his father he became familiar with the various departments of general farming while yet young. Since he took possession of the paternal estate, he has met with merited suc- cess in his undertakings, and has been an in- fluential factor in developing the agricultural and industrial resources of this part of the county. He has served for a number of terms as a member of the School Committee of War- ren. In his political relations he is a straight- forward Republican. He was a charter mem- ber of the Warren Grange, to which he belonged for several years; and he is now a member of the West Brookfield Farmers' Club.

On January 22, 1862, Mr. Day married Frances L. Adams, of West Brookfield, a daughter of William and Martha (Marsh) Adams, both of whom are now deceased. Her paternal grandfather, Ephraim Adams, settled in West Brookfield soon after the close of the Revolutionary War; and her mother's father, Caleb Marsh, bore a Lieutenant's commission in the Revolutionary army. She has one sis- ter living, Susan F., the widow of Lemuel Fullam, late of West Brookfield. Mr. and Mrs. Day have three children - William L., Herbert A., and Alice F. Alice is the wife of Peter Kuntz, of New York City. Both sons reside on Coy's Hill, and are active members of the Warren Grange. William is a Past

Master of the organization, and Herbert is the present secretary. Both parents are members of the Congregational church.

ARLTON D. RICHARDSON, a prominent dairyman of West Brook- field, was born in this town, Sep- tember 25, 1865. A son of Du- quesne H. and Julia (Allen) Richardson, he comes of English descent. The father, who was a native of Stockbridge, Vt., came to

West Brookfield in 1859. Settling upon the farm where his son now resides, he tilled the soil energetically until his death, which oc- curred in March, 1895. In politics he sup- ported the Republican party. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for many years served it as a stew- ard. Julia, his wife, who was born in Brook- field, became the mother of six children, five of whom are living, namely : Clarence L., who resides in this town; Hattie L., the wife of Edwin M. Hawes, of Worcester; Herbert E., a school superintendent of Hampden County, Massachusetts; Myron A., who lives in West Brookfield; and Carlton D., the sub- ject of this sketch.

Beginning in the common schools of West Brookfield, Carlton D. Richardson completed his education at the Brimfield High School. Accustomed from his early boyhood to make himself useful about the farm when not in school, he was while still a youth perfectly competent to perform the duties devolving upon an agriculturist. Since he took charge of the homestead property, he has given his principal attention to dairying. He is practi- cal, progressive, and successful in his special line, having availed himself of the most im- proved methods in the treatment of dairy prod- ucts; and the gratifying results attending his efforts have gained for him a wide reputation as an expert agriculturist and dairyman.

On November 26, 1889, Mr. Richardson was united in marriage with Amy J. Doane, of North Brookfield, a daughter of Hubbard S. Doane, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in the REVIEW. Mr. Richardson is a member of the Worcester South Agricultural Society, a

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director of the Worcester West and Eastern Hampden Agricultural Societies, a member of the State Board of Agriculture, of the Mas- sachusetts Dairy Bureau, of the West Brook- field Farmers' Club, and of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Association of Spencer. He also belongs to the North Brookfield Grange, Pa- trons of Husbandry, of which he has been Master for two years, is a member of the Executive Committee of Quabaug Pomona Grange, and is now serving his second term as a Deputy of the Massachusetts State Grange. His exhibits at the different fairs have long been noted for their excellence in all respects. In politics Mr. Richardson is a Republican.

AMUEL WHEELER, an enterpris- ing general farmer, market gar- dener, and florist, of South Berlin, was born in this town, November 3, 1851, son of Samuel H. and Sarah (Holder)

Wheeler. His great-grandfather was an early settler in Berlin; and the grandfather, Levi Wheeler, who was a lifelong resident of the town, followed agriculture here until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy years. Samuel H. Wheeler, the father, was born here, and brought up on the home farm. Besides farming he did considerable teaming during his active years, and also erected a sub- stantial dwelling, which is now occupied by one of his sons. He died at the age of sev- enty-eight. His wife, Sarah, who was a daughter of Joseph Holder, a custom shoe- maker of Bolton, became the mother of eight children, three of whom are living; namely, Mrs. Mary G. Hapgood, Samuel, and Henry A. The mother died at the age of fifty-six. Both parents were members of the Friends' Society.

Samuel Wheeler, after attending the public schools, supplemented his general studies with a commercial course at a business college in Boston. For some years he worked in the shoe shops winters and spent his summers assisting his father on the farm. After his father's death he came into possession of a part of the property. In company with his brother he engaged in the cultivation of

flowers, making a specialty of carnation pinks. They built hot-houses covering an area of ten thousand feet, which enabled them to carry on an extensive business. The partnership ex- isted for fifteen years, or until 1895, when it was dissolved; and Mr. Samuel Wheeler has since conducted the business alone.

In 1872 Mr. Wheeler was united in mar- riage with Emily G. Bruce, daughter of Will- iam Bruce, a prosperous farmer of Hudson. He has- five children; namely, Cora E., Her- bert L., Edwin E., Marion G., and Bernice A. Cora E. married Arthur F. Brewer, a farmer of Berlin, and is the mother of one son, Leon. Herbert I .. , who assists his father on the farm, married Delia Berry, and has one daughter, Mildred L.

Mr. Wheeler has been chairman of the Board of Selectmen for several years, and has also served as an Overseer of the Poor and as a member of the Board of Health. Connected by membership with the Patrons of Husbandry, he has been Master of the local grange for three years, has served as Chaplain, Overseer, and Treasurer, and was for two years Overseer of the District Grange. He is widely and favorably known throughout this section as an excellent authority on all matters relating to floriculture, and from a small beginning has built for himself a successful business. He is prominently identified with the Society of Friends.

JMMONS E. CHAPIN, Town Treasurer, Selectman, and Assessor of Brook- field, son of George and Mary Cha- pin, was born in the town of Milford on Janu- ary 4, 1834. Both of his parents were natives

of Milford. His father, who died in 1886, was at one time engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes in his native town; and his grandfather, Eli Chapin, resided there for many years.

Emmons E. Chapin grew to manhood in Milford, and attended the public schools in that town, making the most of the slender op- portunities afforded him. His working life began at the age of sixteen years, when he went to Worcester. After remaining there

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four years, he came to Brookfield, and entered the employ of Kimball & Robinson, boot and shoe manufacturers. There he continued until July 11, 1864, when he enlisted in Company F of the Forty-second Massachusetts Infantry for the hundred days' service, and afterward did guard duty at Alexandria, Va. Upon his return to Brookfield he worked in a boot and shoe shop for a time. Subsequently he be- came a clerk for the firm of Crosby & Davis and still later a member of the firm H. V. Crosby & Co., of Brookfield. The latter con-

nection lasted fourteen years. During ten consecutive years of the period he also served as Postmaster of the town. Retiring from the firm in 1881, he engaged in agriculture on his farm of forty acres, situated in Brookfield village.

For twelve successive years Mr. Chapin has been a member of the Board of Assessors. He has also been a Selectman for several terms, and he is serving his second term as Town Treasurer. A comrade of Dexter Post, No. 38, G. A. R., he has been its Quartermaster for several years. He is also a member of Hayden Lodge, F. & A. M., of Brookfield, and for the past twenty years its treasurer. Of his children by his marriage with Lucia A. Crosby, the only survivor is George H. Cha- pin, now the Town Clerk of Brookfield. The services rendered to the town by Mr. Chapin, Sr., are fully and cordially appreciated, and have won for him the esteem and good will of the entire community.

ILLIAM A. BARR, of Spencer, the founder of the well-known firm of William A. Barr & Son, and son of Hiram and Sallie (Thompson) Barr, was born in New Braintree, Mass., July 15, 1835. His grandfather, John Barr, leaving Braintree, Mass., settled in New Braintree, where his three sons grew up. Hiram was a soldier in the War of 1812. Although he learned the carpenter's trade, after coming to Spencer he engaged in agriculture, and followed it during the remainder of his life.

William A. Barr was only two years old when his parents came to live in this town,

and hence his boyhood associations are all connected with Spencer. He spent his school days here, profiting to the extent of his ability by the instruction offered. When eighteen years of age he secured employment in the wire-mill of Myrick & Sugden in Spencer, where he worked for three years. Subse- quently for a short time he was employed in the tannery of Horace Warren, of Leicester. In 1859 he began the manufacture of shoe heels in Spencer. This enterprise, which was started with a very modest equipment, has gradually increased in proportions, so that it is now in a very flourishing condition. Sev- eral years since the building in which the business was begun was burned, after which, on the same site, on Wall Street, the present fine brick factory was erected. For a number of years after the fire Mr. Barr continued to be sole proprietor of the business. Eventually he took his son, Alton H. Barr, into partner- ship, forming the firm of William A. Barr & Son. Although the senior member of the firm retired some time ago, the firm name remains the same.

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 26

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