Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 29

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 29

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Mr. Harding was a typical self-made man. Starting without capital or education, thrown on his own resources in early boyhood, he worked his own way to influence and affluence, and won the sincere respect of his fellow-men. Broad-minded and a strong supporter of good government, he filled with ability a number of public offices. He was in the Common Coun- cil in 1852 and 1856; was Alderman in 1853 -54, 1862, and from 1872 to 1877 inclusive ; and he was chairman of the Water Committee which superintended the rebuilding of the Lynde Brook Reservoir after it broke away in 1876. He was a member of the First Uni-

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versalist Church. Mr. Harding died April 9, 1889.

In 1832 he was married to Eliza Burr, daughter of Heman M. Burr, his old employer. Five children were born of this union. Three died in infancy, and two - Edwin B. and Jennie - are now living. Edwin B. married Elmira A. Gould, and has had three children - Frances A. and Wilbur A. (deceased), and Wilton E. Jennie is the wife of Charles Goodwin, of Worcester, and has three children.

DWARD WINSLOW LINCOLN, whose efficient services through a long term of years, ending only with his death on December 15, 1896, as chairman of the Parks Commission of Worcester, won for him the title of "Father of the Parks," was a native of this city, and was here a resident during the greater part of his life. He was born on December 2, 1820, in the old Lincoln mansion, which is now a part of the Lincoln House in Elm Street. A son of Governor Levi and Penelope Winslow (Sever) Lincoln, grandson of the Hon. Levi Lincoln, Sr., and on the maternal side a descendant of the sec- ond Governor of the Plymouth Colony, whose name he legally bore after 1846, he was a scion of good stock; and in his veins flowed some of the best blood of the old Bay State. His name, originally John Waldo Lincoln, the same as that of an uncle, was changed in his twenty-sixth year to avoid confusion of identity.

His grandfather Lincoln was a descendant in the fifth generation of Samuel Lincoln, weaver, who came over from England and set- tled at Hingham, Mass., about 1637. The line may be thus shown: Samuel,1 Samuel, 2 Jedediah, 3 Enoch, 4 Levi, 5 Levi,6 Edward Winslow.7

It is interesting to note that President Lin- coln was descended from the same immigrant ancestor, Samuel, of Hingham, weaver, the line being, say the historians: Samuel'; Mordecai2; Mordecai,3 who died in Berks County, Pennsylvania; John, 4 who went to Virginia; Abraham,5 who settled in Ken-

tucky; Thomas," who married Nancy Hanks, and was the father of Abraham,7 the Presi- dent.

Levi Lincoln, Sr., son of Enoch, was grad- uated at Harvard College in 1772. He was Attorney-General in President Jefferson's Cabinet in 1801, later was Lieutenant Gov- ernor, and afterward Acting Governor of Massachusetts; and he was appointed by President Madison an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, but, owing to failing eyesight, declined to serve. From the close of the Revolution he was consid- ered, it is said, the head of the Massachusetts bar. His wife was Martha Waldo. He died in Worcester in 1820.

His eldest son, the second Levi Lincoln, was graduated at Harvard College in 1802. He was successively Speaker of the Massachu- setts House of Representatives, Lieutenant Governor, a Judge of the Supreme Court. For nine years, 1825-34, he was Governor of the Commonwealth and from 1835 till 1841 a member of Congress. His brother, Enoch Lincoln, died in 1829, while Governor of the State of Maine. The Hon. Levi Lincoln, second, was also the first Mayor of Worcester, in 1848. His wife, Penelope Winslow Sever, was a daughter of William Sever, grand- daughter of William, Sr., and Sarah (Warren) Sever, and great-grand-daughter of James and Penelope (Winslow) Warren. James Warren was a lineal descendant in the fourth genera- tion of Richard. Warren, who came over in the "Mayflower " in 1620; and his wife, Pe- nelope, was a daughter of Isaac Winslow, who was a son of Governor Josiah and Penelope (Pelham) Winslow and grandson of Governor Edward Winslow. There were five sons in Governor Lincoln's family - Levi, William S., D. Waldo, George, and Edward. Levi Lincoln, third, went into the navy, and died after a long illness in 1845. William S. Lin- coln lived in Worcester most of his life, and was a highly honored citizen, serving in the war of the Rebellion, and leaving the army a General. D. Waldo Lincoln, the father of the present Waldo Lincoln, was killed in a railroad accident at New London while watch- ing the Harvard-Yale boat-race. He was at

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the time president of the Boston & Albany Railroad. George was in the Mexican War, and lost his life while trying to rally a de- moralized regiment at Buena Vista.

Edward Winslow Lincoln was fitted for col- lege in the Worcester High School, and was graduated from Harvard in 1839 in the class with Edward Everett Hale, D.D., and the late Dr. Samuel Eliot, of Boston. He then went to Alton, Ill., and, after studying law in the office of his brother William, was there ad- mitted to the bar, and for a time acted as pros- ecuting attorney for the city. In 1845 he returned to Worcester; but, the outlook not seeming bright to him for a young lawyer, he gradually came to give much of his time to horticulture, of which he was very fond, and to journalism. His most interesting experience with a newspaper was during the Presidential campaign of 1848. A stanch Whig, he bought an interest in the Ægis, and vigor- ously advocated the election of Zachary Tay- lor, fighting a hard battle with the Spy, the Free Soil organ, edited by John Milton Earle. Mr. Lincoln also ran the True Whig, a purely campaign paper.

Appointed Postmaster of Worcester by President Taylor in 1849, Mr. Lincoln held the office four years. Later he edited the Bay State, at first a daily and then a weekly paper, but not a long-lived one. During the Civil War he was a warm patriot, and in va- rious ways helped the Union cause.

Politically, Mr. Lincoln was a Democrat after the split in the Whig party, and for most part consistently voted the straight Democratic ticket, on which he was frequently a candidate for office. He ran for Sheriff in 1861, and in 1888 he was a candidate for elector on the Cleveland ticket. He was fre- quently mentioned as a Democratic candidate for Mayor, but would never consent to the use of his name in that connection. In city poli- tics he was always non-partisan, supporting that candidate who he believed would best serve the interests of the city. In 1860 he was elected secretary of the Worcester Horti- cultural Society. This office he held contin- uously until his death.

Mr. Lincoln's most lasting service to his

native city was his work as a member of the Parks Commission, of which he was the chair- man from its organization in 1870. Elm Park was his own creation; and later on, when Newton Hill was acquired by the city, Mr. Lincoln took its improvement and transition into his own hands, for which not only the people of to-day, but coming generations, may well be grateful. As his work in this capac- ity was entirely without compensation and actuated by the most entire disinterestedness, his suggestions to the city in regard to its park system carried much weight, and were uniformly complied with. Had he not given his time and taste to the city, it would have cost Worcester one hundred thousand dollars to hire a professional landscape gardener. But this item is small compared with what he saved by his success in making a little money go a long way,

Mr. Lincoln is survived by his second wife and seven children. His first wife was Sarah Rhodes Arnold, of Providence, R.I. She died July 1, 1856, having been the mother of four children. Three died in infancy; and one, a son named John Waldo Lincoln, is a civil engineer, and settled on the Pacific coast. The second Mrs. Lincoln was before marriage Katharine Von Weber Marston, of Bristol, R.I. She is a daughter of the late Lieutenant Colonel Ward Marston, of the United States Marine Corps. Of the seven children born of this union, six are living; namely, Annie M., Mrs. Marion Lincoln Bogert, Marston, Adeline Sever, Helen, and Pelham Winslow. The youngest daughter, Miss Katharine Lincoln, died in 1895.

ILAS WHEELER, a retired busi- ness man of Hubbardston, was born in this town, April 12, 1820, son of James Harvey and Lucy (Wood- ward) Wheeler. His first American ancestor was Thomas Wheeler, born in 1620, who was one of the early settlers of Concord, Mass. Adam Wheeler, great-grandfather of Silas and a native of Concord, came to Hubbardston from Rutland as early as 1766, and engaged here in farming. The records show that he

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held the office of Assessor for the years 1768- 69 and 1771, was a Selectman in 1768-69 and 1783, and that he served as a Captain in the American army during the war for indepen - dence. He and his wife, Nancy, spent their last days in Hubbardston, and he died August 24, 1802. His son, Silas, who was born in Rutland, January 26, 1763, followed agricult- ure during his active years, and died Novem- ber 3, 1826. He married Catherine Morse, who was born in Hubbardston, and died December 1I, 1824.

James Harvey Wheeler, father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in Hubbardston, June 21, 1786. He learned the millwright's trade, which he followed for many years, and, was also interested in a chair factory in this town. He died February 1, 1864. He served as a Selectman for the years 1817-18. His wife, Lucy Woodward Wheeler, who was born in Hubbardston, April 7, 1787, became the mother of six children, of whom Silas is the only one now living. The others were: Betsey, born April 3, 1811; Lucy, born March 14, 1813; James S., born June 13, 1815; Julia, born May 24, 1817; and Moses C., born February 16, 1825. The mother died December 29, 1862.

Silas Wheeler acquired his education chiefly in the district schools. When ten years old he went to work for a neighboring farmer, with whom he remained five years, receiving for his services his board and clothing. Sub- sequently returning to the homestead, he as- sisted his father until becoming of age. For some years afterward he was engaged in team- ing between Lexington and Boston, and later carried on a livery business at Barre, Mass., for about six years. Going then to Peters- ham, he followed farming and lumbering for about eighteen years, or until 1873, when he returned to his native town, and has since lived here in retirement.

On December 25, 1845, Mr. Wheeler was joined in marriage with Amanda Rice, who was born in Hubbardston, November 28, 1821. Of this union there are three sons living, namely: Silas Theodore, born in Lexington, September 28, 1846; William H., also born in Lexington, September 4, 1848; and Elwin

C., born in Barre, July 25, 1851. Silas Theodore Wheeler, who is a machinist of Worcester, married Mary E. Upton, of Peters- ham, and has one son, Fred E. Wheeler. William H. and Elwin C. Wheeler are carry- ing on mercantile business in Hubbardston under the firm name of Wheeler Brothers. The mother died September 17, 1886. Mr. Wheeler is one of the most highly respected residents of Hubbardston, where his genial manners make him universally popular. He has served with ability as Selectman and Overseer of the Poor for eight consecutive years, and in politics he is a Republican. He attends the Unitarian church.

ILLIAM MAYO, a respected resi- dent of Westminster, formerly cashier of the Westminster Na- tional Bank, and at one time Representative to the legislature, was born in Orange, Mass., February 20, 1817, son of Stephen and Mary (Cheney) Mayo. His father was a prosperous farmer of Orange, and his mother was a daughter of Levi Cheney, of that town.

Receiving his education in the public schools, he subsequently learned the carriage- maker's trade, which he followed for some years in Westminster, settling here in 1841. Later he was engaged for a time in painting chairs. On the organization in 1875 of the Westminster National Bank he was appointed cashier, the duties of which responsible po- sition he performed with ability for twelve years, when he resigned. He is one of the trustees of the Worcester North Savings In- stitution of Fitchburg.

Mr. Mayo married Maria Goddard, daughter of Martin Goddard, of Orange. His children are: Emma, who married Milton S. Creed, of Gardner, and resides in that town; and Ham- ilton, who married for his second wife Laura Merriam, of Leominster, Mass., is a resident of that town, and has two children : Winthrop, born in 1893; and Esther, born in 1895. Previous to the Civil War Mr. Mayo served as Selectman for several years, was Town Clerk twelve years, and Town Treasurer one year.

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In 1859 he worthily represented the towns of Westminster and Gardner in the General Court.

USTAF C. H. STENMAN, a well- known resident of Worcester, son of Carl and Sophia (Majaux) Stenman, was born in Stockholm, Sweden, November 7, 1847. He received his early education in the public schools of Stockholm and at Ystad, in the State of Skone. Subsequently he studied in the island of Rugen and in Stralsund, Ger- many, where he spent three years. At the end of this time he went to sea, and for the following two years was a sailor, visiting in that time the West Indies and South America. After returning to Sweden by way of Ham- burg, he attended an agricultural college. The knowledge gained here enabled him to secure a place as foreman on a large farm in Germany, where he remained until 1871. Then, in October of that year, he sailed for America from Copenhagen in the steamer "Franklin " of the Baltic Lloyd line, hoping for a speedy passage and safe arrival. On the voyage the machinery broke down, and cholera carried off eight passengers, making orphans of twelve children aboard. When, compelled by lack of coal, the vessel put in at Halifax, it was placed in quarantine, and was subse- quently detained so long that not until the early part of December were the passengers and crew allowed to land.

Coming at once to Worcester, Mr. Stenman entered the employ of Washburn & Moen, and for the three succeeding years remained in their wire factory. In 1874 he went to Bos- ton, where he obtained employment in the printing department of the establishment of James N. Osgood & Co. Three years later, however, he returned to his former position in Worcester. About 1880 he entered the em- ploy of William E. Rice, who had started new wire works, and spent the ensuing three years there. Then he was engaged in a mercantile business here until 1886 and in Manchester, N. H., until 1889, in which year he came back to Worcester. In the beginning of January, 1898, he entered the employ of the large es-

tablishment of Putnam & Sprague as Swedish salesman. It was recognized that his long business experience in Worcester and his many years of residence here gave him large influence and acquaintance among his country- men in the city.

Mr. Stenman was married in 1872 to Emma Carlson. His only child, Sophia C. Stenman, is now employed in the capacities of stenog- rapher and typewriter operator at the Norton Emery Wheel Works. After attending the high and normal schools in Worcester, she graduated at Becker's Business College. Mr. Stenman is a charter member of Court Gen- eral Stark, F. of A., Manchester, N.H .; of Court Harmony of the Worcester Order of Foresters of America; of Court Engelbrekt, F. O. A., now numbering over four hundred members, and of which he is Past Chief Ranger; and of the Knights of Sherwood Forest, the uniformed branch of the F. O. A. He also belongs to the Svea Gille, which is a social club composed entirely of Swedish members, and of which he was the presiding officer for two terms, and to the German Singing Society. Both he and his family at- tend the Episcopal church.

ORMISDAS BELISLE, the manag- ing partner of the firm E. & H. Belisle, merchants of Manchaug, was born in St. Paul, Abbotsford, Province of Quebec, Canada, his parents being Oliver and Dometile (Sansoncie) Belisle. His grandfather, Michael Belisle, fought in the British army during the War of 1812, en- listing from St. John Baptist.

Having obtained his education in the schools of St. Paul, Abbotsford, Hormisdas Belisle came to Manchaug. Here he worked in the mill for six years. At the end of that time he entered the employ of Michel Benoit as clerk in his store. After eight years spent in that position, during which time he gained a thorough knowledge of the general merchan- dise business, he started his present store, in company with his brother Eli. The latter, a contractor and builder in Worcester, is a silent partner in the firm of E. & H. Belisle.

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He married Hermenegile Fifle, and has a fam- ily of two children. The store is one of the largest in the town of Sutton. Three assist- ants are employed, and the concern is in a most prosperous condition. Mr. Belisle has built up an excellent line of trade, and his many patrons have entire confidence in his fair dealing. His aim is to offer the best there is in the market at reasonable prices. Mr. Belisle attends the Roman Catholic church. In politics he is a Democrat. He is unmarried.

EORGE P. PROUTY, formerly of the firm of Isaac Prouty & Co., incor- porated, boot and shoe manufacturer's of Spencer, was born in the neighboring town of Rutland on September 12, 1831, son of Isaac and Mary A. (Goodell) Prouty. His father, born December 9, 1798, who was a well-known boot manufacturer of his time, founded what is now one of the largest boot and shoe factories in the world. In 1820 Isaac Prouty started in the business at North Spencer in a small way. After some years he came to Spencer. For a long time only boots were made by him. The shoe department is a comparatively recent addition to his establish- ment. Since he brought the business into Spencer, it has been conducted under the name of Isaac Prouty & Co., which was incor- porated in 1894. In politics he was succes- sively a Whig and a Republican. A fine ex- ample of the self-made man, the people of Spencer were honored by his citizenship among them. He was a regular attendant of the Congregational church, and gave liberally toward its support. His death occurred on January 26, 1872.

George P. Prouty resided in Spencer after he was two years of age. He went to school here, and also for two terms attended the Leicester Academy. At the age of ten years he began working in the factory. Having practically served an apprenticeship in all the different departments, he understood thor- oughly every detail of the business, and could detect at a glance any imperfect workmanship. Upon reaching his majority he was taken into

partnership with his father and his brother, Lewis W. Prouty, who is also deceased. He retained his interest in the business through- out the remainder of his life.

Mr. Prouty was married to Mary L. Bemis, of Spencer, and became the father of two chil- dren, John G. and Mabel L. Orthodox in religious belief, he attended the Congrega- tional church in Spencer. Not only did he derive distinction from being the son of his father, but from his personal worth and abil- ity, which were recognized both by his em- ployees and the townspeople at large. His death on May 1, 1898, was mourned as the loss of a representative man of the town and a leading factor in its industrial prosperity.

ERBERT LINCOLN RAY, who keeps a general store and is the Post- master at Sutton Centre, was born in this town, January 28, 1868, son of George W. and Eliza (Bennet) Ray. His grandfather, Silas Ray, who was the first of the family to settle in Sutton, was a well-to- do farmer. George W. Ray, a native of this town, acquired considerable prominence in this section as an extensive dealer in hay, which be purchased from the farmers and dis- posed of in Worcester. He won a high repu- tation for integrity, had the sincere esteem of his fellow-townsmen, and was quite pros- perous.

Herbert Lincoln Ray obtained his educa- tion in the common schools of Sutton, grad- uating from the high school in 1884. For some time after he was in business with his father. In 1890 he bought the store at Sut- ton Centre, which he has since conducted. He carries on a thriving business as a general merchant. His establishment, in which is also located the post-office, is the only depot of general goods in this locality. He was reappointed Postmaster in 1897.

Mr. Ray married Lucia Hoyle, a daughter of Loren C. and Lois (Mascroft) Hoyle, the former of whom is a prominent citizen of Sut- ton. Mrs. Ray's father enlisted in Company E, Fifteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volun- teer Infantry, which was known as the fight-

George & Prosty

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ing regiment, under the command of Captain Charles H. Watson. After serving for a year and a half with the Army of the Potomac, he was discharged on account of physical dis- ability. Upon regaining his health, he again entered the service, and was attached to the commissary department until the close of the war. He is a highly respected citizen and a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. and Mrs. Ray are the parents of two daughters: Maud, born in 1890; and Flora E., born in 1893. Mr. Ray belongs to Sutton Grange, No. 109, Patrons of Husbandry, is a leader in all matters of interest to the young people of the community, and attends the First Congregational Church,

ILEAZER SMITH, a leading agricultu- rist of Spencer, Mass., was born in Sut- ton, Vt., November 22, 1831, son of John and Mary Smith, both of whom were na- tives of the Granite State. Mr. Smith's early years were spent on his father's farm in Ver-

mont. He gained what instruction he could from the common school of his district, and has since increased his stock of knowledge by reading and observation. Like many another substantial and valued citizen, he is, in the main, self-educated. He was married in Ver- mont to Derinda Parker, who was born in the northern part of the State, daughter of Jona- than and Nancy Parker, and who died a quar- ter of a century ago. Her children number four, and are as follows: Charles H., who re- sides in Leominster, Mass. ; Melbern E. and Fred P., who reside in Spencer; and Amelia .V., who is the wife of John Green, a well- known resident of Spencer. Mr. Smith's sec- ond wife, in maidenhood Emma M. Dicker- man, was born in Spencer. Her children are: Ada E., wife of Alfred E. Emerson; and Lewis E. Smith.

Mr. Smith came from Vermont with his first wife early in the fifties, and secured em- ployment in Spencer as a farm laborer, work- ing by the month. Industrious and frugal, in a short time he managed to save sufficient money to rent a farm. Finally, in the six- ties, after some years of successful effort, he

bought a farm, and since that time has been his own master. Mr. Smith, in addition to general farming, has carried on other lines of industry, and has been very successful. He bought a number of wood lots, from which he has cut and sold wood. For many years it has been his practice to purchase cattle and horses in Vermont, which he has sold in Spencer. Politically, he is a Republican. He is a member of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Asso- ciation of Spencer.

LDEN BRADFORD PLIMPTON, a highly esteemed resident of Quinsiga- mond village in the Seventh Ward of Worcester, residing at 27 Whipple Street, was born in West Boylston, this county, on January 27, 1824, son of Colonel Simon and Betsy (Brigham) Plimp- ton. The family genealogy is traced back- ward in England through twenty generations who spelled the name Plumpton.

Sergeant John Plympton, whose English birthplace and parentage are unknown to us, is said to have left his native country secretly on account of the opposition of his kinsfolk to his Puritanism. He became a member of the church at Dedham, Mass., in January, 1643, and also joined the Artillery Company in Boston. In 1673 he removed to Deerfield. His son Jonathan was one of the slain at Bloody Brook in September, 1675 ; and he was himself taken captive by the Indians two years later, and, it is said, was burned at the stake in Canada. Mr. Alden B. Plimpton's grand- father, Jonathan Plimpton, was of the fifth generation in descent from Sergeant John Plympton.

Colonel Simon Plimpton commanded a cavalry regiment of Massachusetts militia. After his death his widow married a second time, and by this union had one son, William A. Winter by name, who died in Fall River, Mass., on December 24, 1875, where he had been a minor civil officer. He left a son, William F. Winter, who is a teller in Pocas- set Bank, Fall River. Mrs. Winter died in 1869, in the sixty-ninth year of her age. Mr Alden B, Plimpton's own brother, Albert

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Brigham Plimpton, is a carpenter of Lowell, a man of considerable education. He has lost his wife and his only son.

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 29

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