Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 31

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 31

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Eliakim Russell, Dr. Russell's grandfather, was born in Rindge, March 1, 1771. The ac- tive period of his life was devoted to agricult- ural pursuits. He married Sarah Converse, who was born in Rindge, March 15, 1776. They became the parents of twelve children, of whom Ira was the tenth-born and the fifth son. Of these the survivors are: Eliakim and Anna W. Grandfather Eliakim Russell lived to be eighty-nine years old, and his wife' died at eighty-seven. They were members of the Congregational church.

Ira Russell, Dr. Russell's father, prepared for his collegiate course at the New Ipswich Academy, and was graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of 1841. His prelimi- nary medical studies were pursued under the direction of Dr. Dixi Crosby, of New Hamp- shire, Dr. Abell, of Rindge, N.H., and Dr. Godding, of Winchendon. He was graduated from the medical department of the Univer- sity of the City of New York in 1844; and, lo- cating in Winchendon, he resided here until 1853, when he moved to Natick, Mass., and acquired a large practice. At the personal request of Surgeon-general Dale, he in 1861 accepted a commission as surgeon of the Eleventh Regiment, Massachusetts Volun- teers, and was later advanced in rank to that of surgeon of United States Volunteers. While serving with General Hooker's divi- sion, his executive ability attracted the atten- tion of the department, which ordered him to Baltimore for the purpose of organizing the Stuart Mansion Hospital; and in November, 1862, he was sent to St. Louis, Mo., to equip the Lawson Hospital. During the winter of 1862-63 he had charge of the wounded at Fayetteville, Ark. In February, 1863, he took charge of the general and post hospitals at Benton Barracks, that city, which under his direction became one of the largest in the ser-

vice; and, joining the staff of General Thomas in December, 1864, he organized the Wilson General Hospital for colored troops at Nashville, Tenn. He also accomplished a great deal of work in the way of scientific ob- servation, the records of which have secured a permanent place in medical literature, and at the close of the war he was brevetted Lieu- tenant Colonel for long and meritorious ser- vice. Returning to Winchendon in 1867, he continued in regular practice until 1875, when he established the well-known hospital called the Highlands, for the treatment of nervous and mental diseases, and was actively connected with this institution for the rest of his life.

In politics he was originally a Whig and later a Republican. His professional ability was in many respects far above the average, and he possessed the essential characteristics of an honorable, upright, and whole-souled man. He married Rowena Greenwood, April 24, 1844, and she became the mother of three children, two of whom are living: Frederick W., M.D., the subject of this sketch; and Sarah Jane, who is the wife of Erwin H. Walcott, and has one daughter, Mabel. Dr. Ira Russell died December 19, 1888. Mrs. Rowena G. Russell died in Natick, November 28, 1875. They were members of the Con- gregational church.

Frederick William Russell acquired his early education at the common schools and the high school of Natick. About the year 1860 he joined Company H, Fifth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, being the youngest as well as the least in stature of any member of that body. When the regiment was ordered to the front, he was rejected on account of his youth, but in 1862 he joined the hospital corps, with which he served in Baltimore, Missouri, and Arkansas. After his discharge in 1863 he entered Yale Col- lege, but later went to Harvard University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1869. His medical studies were completed at the University of the City of New York in 1870. Commencing the practice of his pro- fession in Winchendon, he in 1882 became assistant to his father, whom he succeeded

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as physician in chief and proprietor of the Highlands Hospital in 1888. The high rep- utation gained for this institution by its founder has been maintained by its present proprietor, who displays the requisite medical skill and practical sagacity for such a respon- sible position.

On June 11, 1872, he was united in mar- riage with Caroline Marvin, daughter of the Rev. A. P. and Caroline (Holbrook) Marvin, of Winchendon. Dr. and Mrs. Russell have had three children, namely: Rowena M., born February 6, 1881; Dorothy M., who was born June 9, 1884, and died December 9, 1889; and Walter M., born April 12, 1887. Dr. Russell has evinced much energy and public spirit in various directions. He assisted in securing the Winchendon water-works, and is at the present time serving as a Water Commissioner. He is president of the Elec- tric Light Company, president of the co-oper- ative and a director of the savings bank, the former of which he was instrumental in organ- izing, and he took an active part in establish- ing the Children's Hospital at Baldwinsville, of which he is a trustee.

Politically, Dr. Russell is a Republican. For several years he served upon the School Committee. He is now chairman of the Board of Health, and has rendered efficient services to the town in a public capacity. He is a member of the Natural History, the Med- ical and Psychological, and the New England Psychological Societies - all of Boston. He is also a member of the Loyal Legion, the Sons of Veterans, and the Grand Army of the Republic. Dr. and Mrs. Russell are members of the Congregational church.

ILLARD F. LAWRENCE, a well- known business man of Leominster, was born in this town, June 25, 1852, son Lawrence. of George and Eliza (Conant) George Lawrence, who was a me- chanic; was born at Lincoln, Mass., in 1829, and died in 1873. He was during the later years of his life employed in the piano case manufactory owned by J. H. Lockey, of Leom- inster. In politics he was a stanch Re-

publican and a strong supporter of his party. His wife, Eliza, who was a native of Acton, is still living. Her father, who died at the age of eighty-eight years, served as a drum- mer in the War of 1812. George Grosvenor Lawrence, a brother of Willard F., and three years his junior, married Sarah J. Fletcher, of Leominster.

Willard F. Lawrence received a practical education in the public schools of his native town. After leaving school he began his working life in the grocery store of Kendall & Lawrence Brothers. He remained with this firm for ten years, after which he became book-keeper in a coal office. - In 1887 he went into business for himself as a dealer in coal and hay; and in 1896 the Union Coal Com- pany, a stock concern, was organized, with Mr. Lawrence as the leading partner. The company has a branch office in Fitchburg. Mr. Lawrence is also a director in the Leom- inster Co-operative Bank and a member of the Investment Committee.

He was married on December 8, 1873, to Ellen N., daughter of J. H. and Abbie Had- ley, of Leominster, and has two sons and a daughter - George Francis, Margery Newton, and Howard Grosvenor - who reside with their parents. Mr. Lawrence is a member of Wachuset Tribe, No. 41, Independent Order of Red Men; and of Monoosnock Council, No. 977, Royal Arcanum.

HARLES G. STEARNS, M.D., a well-known physician and surgeon of Leicester, is a native of Barre, Mass. He was born April 28, 1850, son of Timothy L. and Eliza (Howe) Stearns, the former of whom was a native of Framingham and the latter of Shrewsbury, Mass.

The early years of his life were spent in Barre. His education was begun in the dis- trict school of that town, and continued at Worcester Academy and the Fitchburg High School, where he was graduated in 1871. In 1874 he was graduated with honors at Am- herst College, being one of the first ten of Phi Beta Kappa men. After leaving col-

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lege he taught the West Springfield High School for one year, and was principal of a grammar school in the city of Fitchburg for three years.

He entered the Harvard Medical School in 1878, and, on receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1881, settled in Brookfield, Mass., having previously, in 1880, served a term as house physician at Carney Hospital in Boston. After four years spent in practice in Brookfield he removed to Leicester, where he has since resided, and where he has built up and continues to enjoy a large and lucrative practice, having established a reputation for professional skill and integrity. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, in which he now holds the office of Censor for the Worcester District.

Dr. Stearns was elected trustee of the Leicester Public Library in 1889, and has served continuously since that time, being now chairman of the board. He is also a member and secretary of the Board of Trus- tees of Leicester Academy. He is connected with the First Congregational Church of Leicester.

Dr. Stearns married in 1881 Miss Carrie Willard, daughter of Joseph Willard, Esq., of Fitchburg, Mass.

HARLES H. SHEDD, paymaster at the Lancaster Mills, Clinton, was born in this town, July 24, 1853, son of Henry and Mary (Farns- worth) Shedd. His father was a native of the State of New Hampshire, and was the son of a brick manufacturer. His mother was born in Harvard, Mass., daughter of Samuel Farns- worth, of that town.

Henry Shedd, who was an expert cotton- mill operative, in 1853 moved from Shirley to Clinton, where he became overseer of a de- partment in the Lancaster Mills. He re- mained there until his death, which occurred in 1883, at the age of fifty-seven years. He was a highly esteemed citizen, who took a deep interest in the general welfare of the community. It was his custom to spend much of his leisure time in hunting. In pol-

itics he acted with the Republican party, and he was a member of the Unitarian church. His wife, Mary, became the mother of three children, of whom Charles H., the subject of this sketch, is the only survivor. One daugh- ter died at the age of eighteen, and another, Ella M., died in 1896, at the age of forty-six. The mother, who is still living, resides with her son. She attends the Second Advent church.

Charles H. Shedd attended the common and "high schools of Clinton; and, after finishing his studies at a private school, he spent three years in the drug business with L. W. Boyn- ton. He then became an assistant in the laboratory of the Lancaster Mills, where he remained two years. At the expiration of that time he entered the office, later became book-keeper, and was subsequently advanced to his present position as paymaster, the duties of which he has ably and faithfully per- formed for the last ten years. As the com- pany has a pay-roll of twenty-three hundred names, the position is a most responsible one, and calls for an accurate accountant. Politi- cally, Mr. Shedd is a Republican. He has been a member of the Board of Town Auditors for several years, was elected a Selectman for three years in 1897, and is clerk of the board. He is always ready to help advance the suc- cess of any worthy public enterprise. He is connected with Lancaster Lodge, No. 89, and is secretary of the Twenty Associates, a se- lect local organization. He is a member of the Unitarian church, of which he is treas- urer, and also a member of the Parish Com- mittee.

REDERICK T. CHASE, formerly a well-known and much esteemed resi- dent of Webster, was born in Pascoag, R.I., November 22, 1844, son of John and Elizabeth (Sales) Chase. His paternal grand- father, Joseph Chase, a native of Cape Cod and a farmer by occupation, married Isabelle Thomas, of Newport, R.I., who was a sister of Major-general Thomas, one of the four Major- generals appointed by Washington to com- mands in the Continental army. John, son of

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Joseph, born in Douglas, Mass., in 1804, was engaged in the manufacture of woollens from 1835 until his death in 1871. By his wife, Elizabeth, who was a native of Pascoag, there were three children; namely, Oscar F., Mari- ette, and Frederick T.

Having received his education in the public schools of his native town, Frederick T. Chase came to Webster with his parents in 1860. Subsequently entering his father's factory in this place, he soon acquired a thorough knowl- edge of the business. After his father's death he became the sole proprietor. In 1879 he found it necessary to enlarge the factory ; and he was subsequently obliged to make other additions, until it had attained to three times its original capacity. The product was all sold in American markets.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Chase served his fellow-townsmen as Selectman, being the chairman of the board for five years. He also represented his district in the legislature of 1876, serving as chairman of the Committee on Manufactures. An esteemed Mason, he was a member of Webster Lodge, the Royal Arch Chapter, Worcester Commandery, and a brother of the Scottish Rite. He attended religious services at the Universalist church. Married in 1867 to Miss Jennie S. Alton, of Webster, a daughter of S. and Emby Alton, he became the father of three children - John F., Frederick T., Jr., and Bessie F. His death, which occurred January 16, 1898, was widely regretted as that of a high-minded and public-spirited citizen.

ON. NATHANIEL LAFAYETTE JOHNSON, one of the most promi- nent residents of Dana, was born in this town, May 30, 1822, son of Nathaniel and Martha (Joslyn) Johnson. He is a lineal descendant of Solomon Johnson, whose birth took place about the year 1617, and who in 1639 was residing in Sudbury, Mass.

Solomon Johnson was one of the original settlers of Marlboro, which was set off from Sudbury in 1660; and he served upon the Board of Selectmen, 1661 to 1666. He was

the father of five sons, one of whom, born in 1640, was the first Nathaniel in the family. John Johnson, son of Nathaniel, first, and one of eight children, was born in 1679. He married Mary Plympton in 1707, and was the father of six children. Nathaniel Johnson, second, son of John, was born in 1718. In 1740 he married Sarah Forbush. Their chil- dren were: Joel, born October 31, 1743; Silas, born April 21, 1745; Sarah, born July 26, 1748; Stephen, born June 6, 1751; Cath- erine, born April 25, 1753; Mary, born Oc- tober 15, 1755; Susanna, born July 5, 1758; Persis, born May 2, 1760; Nathaniel, born January 12, 1762; and Aaron, born May 10, 1763.

Stephen Johnson, the third son, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, served as a sol- dier in the Revolutionary War; and shortly after the declaration of peace he settled on a farm in that part of Hardwick which in 1801 came within the limits of the town of Dana, then incorporated. He was a man of good understanding and of many noble qualities, and was well and favorably known throughout this locality. He served as a Justice of the Peace for many years. He was a Universalist in religion, and was an intimate friend of the Rev. Hosea Ballou, who wrote his obituary. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat, and served as Representative to the General Court. He died December 31, 1834, in his eighty- fourth year. His second wife, Elizabeth Mann, died March 20, 1820, aged seventy-one years. Their children were: Stephen, Jona- than, Nathaniel, Joel, John, Susannah, and two others.

Nathaniel Johnson, third, the Hon. N. L. Johnson's father, was born in Dana, August 23, 1787. Inheriting the homestead, he sub- sequently carried on general farming energeti- cally during the rest of his active period; and he and his wife passed their last days with their son in Dana. He served with ability in various town offices, was a member of the legislature in 1835, and was a Justice of the Peace. In politics he passed from the Whig party into the Republican ranks. He was a member of the Congregational church. He married Martha Joslyn, who was born in New

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Braintree, Mass., August 14, 1791, daughter of Matthews and Abigail Joslyn. Her mother died September 21, 1814, aged forty-seven years; and her father died March 19, 1840, aged seventy-three. Mrs. Martha Joslyn Johnson became the mother of four children, namely: Eliza M., who was born January 13, 1817, and died at the age of nineteen; Na- thaniel L., the subject of this sketch; Char- lotte A., born April 12, 1823, who married Sylvester Lincoln, of Greenwich, Mass., and died at the age of thirty-seven; and Theolocia A., born April 20, 1824, who married Henry C. N. Howe, of Enfield, Mass., and died Sep- tember 18, 1898. Nathaniel Johnson, third, died May 15, 1867, and his wife died October 24, 1883.

Nathaniel Lafayette Johnson was educated in the district schools and at the New Salem Academy. In early manhood he taught school for some time, and also studied law. He sub- sequently acquired a practical knowledge of mercantile business by working as a clerk in Dana and in Worcester; and in 1844 he estab- lished himself in trade in his native town, carrying on a general store here for some years. His connection with the palm-leaf business began at about the same time. He followed it steadily until 1890, shipping his goods to the Western cities. His factory in Dana required an average force of eighty hands, and the business furnished employment directly or indirectly to about three or four hundred people. He was one of the organ- izers of the National Bank of Barre in 1863, was then made a director, which position he has held continuously to the present time, and he has been its president since 1883. He also assisted in organizing the savings-bank in Barre in 1869, was then made one of its vice- presidents, and is still a trustee of that insti- tution. For many years he was a director of the Athol National Bank. He is the owner of the old Johnson farm, which he has culti- vated since 1855. He has done considerable probate business, and settled many estates.

On July 1, 1858, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Margaretta Harsha, who was born in Argyle, Washington County, N. Y., March 18, 1837, daughter of David and Nancy

Harsha. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one son living, John H., who was born December 9, 1864, and is now a well-known lawyer of Worcester. Their other child, a son, Charles, born October 4, 1859, died January 4, 1861. John H. Johnson married Flora P. Barnes, of Sterling, Mass., November 19, 1889, and has one daughter, Marion, born March 6, 1897, and a son, Nathaniel L., born May 11, 1898.

In politics Mr. Johnson is independent. Besides holding the important town offices, he served in the House of Representatives in 1857, 1860, and 1871, being chairman of the Committee on Claims in 1871. He was a member of the Senate in 1873 and 1874, being chairman of the Committee on Claims both years ; and he was chairman of the Committee on Probate and Chancery in 1874. He served as Postmaster in Dana for seventeen years, was a Trial Justice several years, and for nearly forty years he has served as a trustee of the New Salem Academy. He is a member of the American Bible Society. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Congregational church.

LBERT SADLER, the chairman of the Board of Overseers of the Poor of Upton and the Town Sexton, was born in Upton on February 4, 1825, son of Ira and Sylvia (Wood) Sadler. His ancestors were the first settlers of the town; and the first town meeting was held at the house of his great-grandfather, John Sadler, in 1735. John Sadler was Selectman of Upton from 1736 to 1745 and from 1748 to 1752, Moderator in 1744, 1745, and 1752, and Treasurer in 1736, 1744, 1745, 1746, 1747, and 1750. He cleared the land in the south- ern part of the town, and built the old house in which some of the Sadler family have since lived. Albert Sadler's grandfather, also named John, enlisted in the Continental army in 1778, being one of six soldiers the family furnished for the defence of the colonies. He was Selectman in 1806, 1815, and 1816. His son, Ira Sadler, had six children besides the subject of this sketch. These, in the order of their birth, were: Mary A., who married

CHARLES S. TURNER.

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Thomas J. Hall; Elbridge, who married An- geline Rathburne; Edwin, who died in in- fancy; Lucy, who became the wife of James Wiswall; Henry W., who successively mar- ried Caroline Walker and Laura Copeland; and Sarah W., who married Sidney Carpenter.

After leaving the public schools of his na- tive town Albert Sadler learned boot-making, and worked at that trade until hand work therein was supplanted by that of machinery. After this he was employed in the straw shop of William Knowlton & Sons until his retire- ment, which occurred about two years ago. He was married in 1850 to Martha A. Pierce. His only daughter died in infancy. He has been many times elected to the Board of Over- seers of the Poor, of which he is now the chairman. The office of Town Sexton has been filled by him since 1887. In politics he is a Republican, and he is a regular attendant of the Congregational church. The Farmers' Club of Upton, of which he is a member, owes much to his wise advice; and he takes a warm interest in the annual fairs held under the auspices of that organization.

OHN P. ASHEY, of Leicester, a suc- cessful hardware dealer, plumber, and steam-fitter, is a native of Essex, Vt., where his birth occurred, December 23, 1861. His parents, Lewis and Ellen (Lavio- lett) Ashey, who were born in Canada, re- moved, when he was an infant, to Swanton, Vt., where they carried on a farm, which was his home until he was fifteen. His education was obtained in the district school. In his sixteenth year he began learning the trade of a plumber, steam-fitter, and tinsmith with WV. H. Blake (second), of Swanton, serving a three years' apprenticeship. He subsequently worked at his trade in Springfield, Mass., whence he went to Worcester, where he was employed as a journeyman for seven years by O. S. Kendall & Co. In 1889 he came to Leicester, and started in business for himself. Here he has built up a good trade in stoves, ranges, furnaces, general hardware, plumbing, steam-fitting, tin, sheet iron, and copper work-

ing. He is a first-class mechanic, honest and conscientious in his dealings, and has a large patronage in the towns in the vicinity of Leicester.

In 1883 Mr. Ashey was married to Delia Rivers, of Milford, Mass. They have three children; namely, Corinne D., Harold C. L., and Roy J. W. Ashey.

Mr. Ashey is a Republican in politics and a member of the Republican Town Commit- tee. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M .; Blake Lodge, No. 49, K. of P .; and Council No. 12, Royal Arcanum - all of Worcester.

HARLES S. TURNER, who was the president and general manager of the Worcester & Nashua Railroad pre- vious to its lease by the Boston & Maine road, was born in Bethlehem, N. H. A son of Timothy P. and Priscilla (Bullock) Turner, of that town, he was a descendant of James Turner, one of the earliest settlers of the Granite State. The Turners came origi- nally from Wales about the year 1700. James Turner, who was born in Bernardston, Mass., was the third settler in Bethlehem. Of Timothy Turner's sons, the survivors are : James N., of Bethlehem, N. H. ; and Hiram N., of St. Johnsbury, Vt. His son Timothy N. died in April, 1898.

On reaching his majority, Charles S. Turner went to Norwich, Conn., where he be- came employed in the railroad business. After serving some time as station agent, he became general agent of the Worcester & Nor- wich road, his office being in this city. He had spent fifteen years of active and success- ful service in this position when he was made the general superintendent of the road. Six- teen years later he was elected president of the consolidated Worcester, Nashua & Rochester road. Having filled this position in the most satisfactory manner for four years, he re- tired from active business. His brother, William H. Turner, succeeded him on the Norwich road as superintendent. That was before the Union Station was built; and the trains came into and went out from the old

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Foster Street station, which was used until the middle of February, 1877.

Mr. Turner had lived a retired life since 1883, devoting his attention to private affairs and attending to his real estate. For some time he had an office with the Adams Express Company, when that concern was located at 375 Main Street. He was warmly interested in the Worcester & Shrewsbury road, also in the line of electric cars running on Foster Street ; and he was a director of both corpora- tions. A man of foresight and of unusually sound judgment, his counsel was sought for not only by private people, but by public in- stitutions. He was a trustee of the Worces- ter Mechanics' Savings Bank, and had been an honorary member of the Worcester Continen- tals since 1876. He formerly attended the Salem Street Congregational Church, which has since formed a part of the new Union Church. Later he attended the Church of the Unity. He died at his residence, 13 Elm Street, Worcester, on August 8, 1897.

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 31

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