Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 43

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 43

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In 1874 Mr. Draper established the Bloom- ingdale Cement Drain Pipe Works, which proved so successful that in 1889 it was en-

larged by the purchase of the plants of the Lovell . Drain Pipe Works, and in 1890 he added another department, that of manufactur- ing artificial stone vases and articles of a sim- ilar character, which is now an important in- dustry.

Mr. Draper's church affiliations are now with the Plymouth Congregational, of which he was one of the founders, although he first united with the Union Church, at that time having its place of worship on Front Street. He was also one of the original members of the Young Men's Christian Association of Worcester. In politics he is a stanch Repub- lican; and, though never solicitous of public office, he served on the School Board from 1872 until 1875 and on the Board of Over- seers of the Poor for nine consecutive years. He was prominently connected with the Worcester Horticultural Society for over twenty-five years, as special judge of the fruit department for fourteen years, and is a trustee of the Worcester County Agricultural So- ciety. He was one of the originators and first president of the Massachusetts Fruit-growers' Association. He is also a trustee of the State Agricultural College, an office to which he was appointed by Governor Ames fourteen years ago. In 1872 he assisted in organizing the Worcester Grange of the Patrons of Hus- bandry, which he served as Master the first three years of its existence. He subsequently filled the office of secretary of the State Grange, and was afterward Master of that body eight years. During this time he was elected Overseer in the National Grange, and, owing to the death of the Master of that powerful farmers' organization in 1880, he became its chief executive officer. In 1862 Mr. Draper joined the Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M .; and later he became a member of Eureka Chapter, R. A. M., and of Worces- ter County Commandery, Knights Templar, in which he has held important official posi- tions. He is also a member of the Massachu- setts Society of the Sons of the Revolution. He is one of the trustees of the Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank, and was one of the projectors of the Worcester & Shrewsbury Narrow Gauge Railway, the second of the

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kind built in this country, which has recently been leased by the Consolidated Street Rail- way Company.

On September 20, 1866, Mr. Draper was married to Josephine C. Dean, a teacher in the public schools of Fall River and a daugh- ter of Aaron Jefferson and Alice King (Webb) Dean. Mr. and Mrs. Draper have six children, namely: Alice Gertrude, a grad- uate of the Worcester Normal School, now a teacher in the Bloomingdale School; Effie Blanche, the wife of William L. Smith, of the city engineer's department; Lizzette Marie, principal of the Bloomingdale School ; Sophie Anna; Sylvia Louise, a student in the Classical High School; and James Edwin, ; a student in the Bloomingdale School.

HARLES SIDNEY EDMONDS, clerk of the American Optical Company in Southbridge, was born in Wolcott- ville, Conn., April 9, 1835, son of Ebenezer and Sarah (North) Edmonds. His immigrant ancestor, William Edmonds, who was born in England in. 1610, settled in Lynn, Mass., in 1630. His great-grand- father was Ebenezer Edmonds, who served as an officer in the Revolutionary War; and his grandfather was Luther Edmonds, who mar- ried Betsey Allen, of Dudley, Mass., and resided in that town. The father, born in Dudley in 1807, was a machinist by trade. He settled in Southbridge about the year 1837, and afterward resided here until his death, which occurred in 1891, at the age of eighty-four years. He was prominently iden- tified with the Universalist church. Sarah, his wife, became the mother of three sons: George B., who is now in the railroad busi- ness in New York City; Herbert Luther, an optician of Baltimore, Md .; and Charles S., the subject of this sketch.

Charles Sidney Edmonds was educated in the Southbridge public schools and at the Leicester Academy, near Worcester. Previ- ous to attending the academy he was em- ployed as a store clerk. After completing his studies he entered the spectacle factory of Ammidown & Son, with whom he remained

until 1864. In that year he became associ- ated with his father in the same business, in the firm of E. Edmonds & Son, which car- ried on a flourishing trade until the consolida- tion of the Cole and Ammidown concerns as the American Optical Company. Of this company he was one of the original stock- holders and directors, and is now the clerk.

In 1855 Mr. Edmonds first married Sarah Nash, who died in 1865. On October 27, 1868, a second marriage wedded him to Althea J. Hobbs, a daughter of Hartwell and Josephine (Clark) Hobbs, formerly of Brook- field, Mass. Her maternal grandfather, Major Hiram Clark, of Brookfield, who was educated for the ministry, was appointed to a position in the navy yard at Washington, D.C. Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds are the parents of three children, namely: Josephine Sheldon, born April 21, 1870, who is a graduate of Radcliffe College, class of 1896; Charles Howard, born September 23, 1873, who grad- uated from the Boston English High School in 1893, and is now invoice clerk in the office of the American Optical Company; and Stuart Hobbs Edmonds, born October 25, 1876, who attended the Worcester Academy, and is now studying architecture in Boston. For several years Mr. Edmonds, Sr., was Worshipful Master of Quinebaug Lodge, F. & A. M., and High Priest of Doric Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is now a member of Worcester Commandery, Knights Templar; of Aleppo Temple of the Mystic Shrine in Bos- ton; and of the Massachusetts Consistory, thirty-second degree. He was also prominent in various musical organizations that once flourished here, including the local band; and .he was a member of the Universalist church choir. Politically, he is a Republican. Both he and Mrs. Edmonds in 1897 made an extended pleasure trip through the British Isles and continental Europe.

HARLES H. ALLEN, a veteran of the Civil War, and who was a success- ful boot and shoe manufacturer of Spencer for a number of years, was born in this town, June 17, 1841, His par-

CHARLES S. EDMONDS.

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ents, Pliny and Sarah (Barnes) Allen, both also natives of Spencer, were respectively of English and Scotch origin. Israel Allen, the paternal great - grandfather, who came here from Shrewsbury, Mass., and located upon land in the northern part of the township, fought for independence at the battle of Bunker Hill and elsewhere. The grandfather, Ivory Allen, was likewise a native of Spencer.

Pliny Allen, the father, was a prosperous farmer during his active years, and was also engaged in the hauling and manufacturing of lumber. In politics he was a Republican ; and he served as a Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor. He was actively inter- ested in the growth of the town, as well as the moral and religious welfare of the community, and was one of the original members of the Methodist Episcopal church. When he died, in 1884, he was eighty-three years old. Of his nine children, five are living, namely : Clementine C., the wife of A. Carpenter, of Springfield, Mass. ; David B., who is residing at Togus, Me. ; Charles H., the subject of this sketch; George A., of Spencer; and Susan A., the wife of George A. Hildreth, of Worcester.

Charles H. Allen was educated in the pub- lic schools of Spencer. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-second Regi- ment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for one year in the Civil War upon the Lower Mississippi. After returning from the army to his native town he became an operative in the shoe factory of Isaac Prouty & Co. Here in time, having acquired a good knowledge of the business, he was ad- vanced to a responsible position in the fitting and stitching department, continuing as a foreman for a number of years. In 1879 he formed a partnership with Charles A. Bemis for the purpose of engaging in the manufact- ure of boots and shoes in the firm of Bemis & Allen, which conducted business for ten years. Subsequently he was a member of the firm Bacon, Young & Co. until its dissolution. He married Hattie M. Boice, of Spencer, a daugh- ter of Elliott Boice, late of this town. His living children are: Carrie M., who is a teacher in the high school at Cheshire, Mass. ;

Chester B., a teacher in the high school at Camden, Me .; Mary E., a teacher in the public schools of Spencer; Lulu H., who is conducting a private kindergarten in this town; and Sarah E., Susie L., and C. N. Everett, who are residing at home. He had another daughter, Ruth C., who is now de- ceased. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

In politics Mr. Allen is a Republican, and he is now serving his fourth year as a member of the Board of Selectmen. A charter mem- ber and Past Master of Spencer Lodge, F. & A. M., in which he has occupied other important chairs, he is also a member of Worcester Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and of Worcester County Commandery, Knights Templar. Much esteemed in the Grand Army, he is a comrade of F. A. Stearns Post, No. 37. With an honorable record both as a business man and town officer, he fully merits the esteem accorded to him by the entire community.

. IVES WALLACE, a dealer in flour, feed, and hay, located in Depot Square, Clinton, was born in Holland, Hampden County, Febru- ary 2, 1864, son of William S. C. and M. (Perry) Wallace. His grandfather, John Wallace, who was born in the same town, and was a farmer there, died at the age of seventy- two, having been the father of three children. William Wallace, above named, was brought up on his father's farm and educated in the common schools of Holland. After leaving school he was employed in farming for some time. Then he removed to Springfield, where he is still living. He was Selectman and Assessor while in Holland. His wife, born in Wales, Mass., who was a daughter of Silas Perry, had ten children, all of whom are liv- ing: Their names are: David P., Carrie, Mary, Daniel, Frank, Hattie, John, S. Ives, Abbie, and Fred. Fred is now twenty-nine years of age. Both parents are members of the Baptist church.

S. Ives Wallace, whose early life was spent in Holland, was educated in the public schools

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there and in the high school at Brimfield. Going subsequently into the office of the Cutler Company at North Wilbraham, whole- sale grain dealers, he remained there for three years. Then in 1885 he came to Clinton, and in company with his brother Frank went into his present business. Messrs. Wallace have both wholesale and retail departments, and are quite prosperous. Their store was originally established by William G. Wilder. Mr. Wallace was married in 1886 to Lucy M., one of the five children of William R. Ses- sions, a farmer of Hampden and the secretary of the State Board of Agriculture. Mrs. Wallace has two children - Earle S. and Sylvia P.

In politics Mr. Wallace is a Republican. In 1895 he was elected Road. Commissioner for three years. For two years he has been a member of the Republican Town Commit- tee, and he has just been nominated by accla- mation for the State legislature. He is also a Mason, a member of Clinton Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Order of Red Men, the Royal Arcanum, Prescott Club, and the Outing Club. In the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges he has held various official positions. He is a regular attendant of the Unitarian church and the treasurer of the society. Of a cordial and winning per- sonality, he has won many friends since com- ing to Clinton. His success in business is due to his prompt and reliable methods and the unfailing courtesy with which he attends to his customers.

NDREW J. THAYER, a prominent man of East Douglas, was born in Uxbridge, Mass., January 19, 1829, son of Asa and Chloe (Taft) Thayer. His grandfather, also named Asa Thayer, re- sided in Uxbridge, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. The father, who was born in Uxbridge, September 2, 1799, after com- pleting his education in the common schools, went to Watertown, Mass., where he was em- ployed as a clerk in a general store. Later he returned to his native town, and then for ten years kept a hotel. In 1850 he engaged

in a general mercantile business at East Douglas, and for several years was the pro- prietor of the East Douglas hotel. As the result of his business prosperity he acquired large real estate interests, owning twenty of the best houses in town, and building what is known as Thayer's Block. He served as Deputy Sheriff for six years, was a Represent- ative to the General Court in 1837, and was appointed Postmaster at East Douglas by Pres- ident Buchanan and reappointed by President Lincoln. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Chloe Taft, a native of Uxbridge. His children were: Andrew J .; Charles A. ; Frank H. ; Anna F., who became Mrs. Shad- low; Ella G., who became Mrs. Wyman ; Etta, who became Mrs. Algier; Lucius M. ; and Walter G. Thayer. Lucius M. Thayer was Captain of Company I, Fifty-first Regi- ment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil War, re-enlisting at the expira - tion of his first term of one year. The mother lived to be eighty-two years old.

Andrew J. Thayer attended the public schools of Uxbridge and East Douglas. At the age of seventeen he became a store clerk in Franklin, Mass., where he remained for two years; and for the succeeding seven years he was employed in the same capacity at Whit- insville. Going to Boston about the year 1855, he was with the Paine Furniture Com- pany for the next fifteen years, most of the time acting as buyer. After returning to East Douglas in 1870 he engaged in the lumber and grain business, which he has since carried on with success. Shortly after settling here he purchased the Knapp farm of one hundred acres; and in 1875 he bought the Deacon Hunt estate, on Mechanic and Main Streets. He is a large stockholder in the American Axe and Tool Company, is vice-president of the Whitinsville Savings Bank, represents several reliable insurance companies, and acts as a Justice of the Peace.

On November 20, 1852, Mr. Thayer was united in marriage with Mary Ann Knapp, who was born in Douglas, March 29, 1831, daughter of Moses and Alta Knapp. Mrs. Thayer has had four children, two of whom are living, namely: Helen L., born Decem-

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ber 25, 1858; and Annie J., born August I, 1863, who is now Mrs. Correll. The others were : Frank H., who died May 12, 1857, aged three and a half years; and Fannie E., born September 17, 1856, who died February 6, 1858. Though not an aspirant to public office, Mr. Thayer has served as an Assessor, a member of the School Committee, and Dep- uty Sheriff. In politics he is a Republican. The family attend the Second Congregational Church.

G EORGE H. STODDARD, of Upton, Mass., one of the foremost workers of the Democratic party in this sec- tion of the State, was born in the town of Upton on March 21, 1834, son of Hart- ford and Sarah (Taft) Stoddard, the latter a sister of the Hon. Velorous Taft. Mr. Stod- dard's father, who was for many years a prom- inent citizen of Upton, was for thirty years prior to the Civil War extensively engaged in the boot and shoe business in the South. He owned a large amount of land in Upton, in- cluding some hundred acres at the Centre. His brother, E. B. Stoddard, uncle of George H., was one of the wealthiest men of Upton. He built a beautiful residence here at a cost of fifty thousand dollars, which is one of the finest in the town. For fifty years he was a boot and shoe merchant at Charleston, S.C. ; but his splendid property, together with the business, the whole estimated to be worth about three-quarters of a million of dollars, was swept away by the ravages of the Civil War.

Mr. Stoddard was educated at Phillips Academy, Andover, in the famous class of 1852, which included such men as Judge Bishop, William T. Harris, present United States Commissioner of Education, Mr. Fair- banks, of the Fairbanks Standard Scales Com- pany, and Francis E. Clarke, since the founder of the Christian Endeavor organization. After his graduation Mr. Stoddard was for a number of years in business at Upton Centre in the store now owned by S. B. Fiske; and subse- quent to that he was for several years in the newspaper business, during which time he

travelled through every city in the State. For two years he canvassed the State for sub- scribers to the National Democrat, published in Washington, D.C., and American Indus- tries, which was published in New York. In later years he has carried on a farm in Upton.

There are probably few men living who have a wider acquaintance than Mr. Stoddard with Democratic workers throughout the Com- monwealth. He is well known in all the State political organizations, and is most un- flinchingly loyal to his party on all occasions and at all times. There can be no question as to the sincerity of his motives, for the fact that he has always remained true to the mi- nority party is sufficient guarantee that he does so out of allegiance to his conviction that he is in the right. He has been twice nomi- nated by his party as Representative to the General Court of the Commonwealth; and, although the party was in hopeless minority, he received a most flattering vote. Mr. Stod- dard takes a warm interest in all the affairs of the town, and is everywhere recognized as one of the most public-spirited of Upton's citi- zens. He is an interesting and forceful speaker, and has on a number of occasions spoken at camp-fires, and once he delivered the memorial address before the Grand Army Post at Upton. For nine years he was on the School Board; and on graduation day for four years he awarded the diplomas to the grad- uates of the high school, and made the pres- entation speech. He presided at the dedica- tion of Upton's new town hall, and has been president of the Farmers' Club in this town.

Mr. Stoddard married Melissa A., daughter of one of Upton's most venerable and honored citizens, Captain J. E. Ward, who has been a prosperous farmer and mill-owner. Captain Ward was born here on November 11, 1811; and, though now well advanced in years, he is still active and vigorous. He enjoys attend- ing the church, of which he has been for a half-century an honored and faithful member, reads the newspapers, and takes a lively interest in matters of public moment. He resides on the old Ward homestead, where he and his wife have lived together for more than sixty- five years, she a member of the church for

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sixty years and always deeply interested in charitable associations. Her maiden name was Eliza A. Hayward. Their golden wed- ding, which was celebrated in a most happy manner, was attended by two hundred and fifty guests. Captain Ward has been active in local politics, and has filled various town offices. For years he was commander of a company of State militia, as were also his father and grandfather before him. Of the three children born to him Mrs. Stoddard is the only one now living, and it is a great comfort to him and his good wife to have her and her husband reside with them. Mrs. Stoddard taught in the public schools for sev- eral years, and was a member of the School Committee for six years.

Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard have three children living, namely : Mrs. C. H. Porter, of War- ren, the mother of two children -- Florence F. and Roy Ward Porter ; Mrs. W. L. Annette, of Milford, also the mother of two children --- Margaret S. and Raymond W .; and Waldo W. Stoddard, who is at home and is unmar- ried.

ZRA H. BLAIR, who was for many years a prominent business man and one of the most esteemed citizens of West Brookfield, was born in Warren, Mass., April 2, 1823, son of Captain James and Ann (Hutchins) Blair, his father being a prosper- ous farmer. His youth was spent upon his father's farm, where he acquired some knowl- edge of agriculture, and he was educated in the public schools of Warren and in Quaboag Seminary at that place. Soon after attaining his majority he went to Providence, R.I., where he was employed for several years as clerk in a dry-goods establishment. In 1855 he came to West Brookfield, and bought out the general store of Captain Newell; and dur- ing the rest of his active career, which ex- tended over a period of thirty years, he had a large trade in dry goods and groceries, few stores outside of the large cities doing as much. In 1860 he removed from the original small store, and occupied the stores under the new Town Hall, comprising about one-third

of the entire floor. Later he occupied one- half and some years afterward the entire floor and part of the basement. About 1878 he ad- mitted to partnership Mr. B. F. Blodgett, then of Springfield and formerly a valued clerk in his employ. The firm name now be- came E. H. Blair & Co. The constantly in- creasing business induced Mr. Blair in 1879 to build a large block on the corner of Main and Central Streets, where they could have more room and better facilities. Besides his own large store, four others were fitted up in the same building, making the most striking and substantial business block in the place. This building was destroyed by fire on April 7, 1887; and the excitement, exertion, and ex- posure incident to the occasion brought on an illness from which Mr. Blair failed to re- cover, his death occurring on Monday, May 3, 1887.

His loss was a severe blow to West Brook- field, as he had long been not only one of its leading business men, but also one of its most honored citizens. Appointed Postmaster dur- ing President Lincoln's first administration, he continued in office until the incoming of President Cleveland, when he resigned. He had been Town Treasurer a still greater number of years, and was Treasurer at the time of his death; and he served as Town Clerk for twenty-one years .. He was also treasurer and one of the trustees of the Quaboag Building Association. A Republican in politics, he was often urged. to accept the Republican nomination of his district for Representative, but would not consent, preferring to remain in the ranks; but he was ever ready with his influence and, if needful, with his money to help the cause of good government. He at- tended and helped to support the Congrega- tional church, and served as treasurer of the Parish Committee for many years. He was also the chairman of the Building Committee of the present Congregational church at West Brookfield, and was one of the largest contrib- utors to the building fund. Mr. Blair was a friend of the poor and a man easily approached by the humblest citizen of the town, being ever ready to give advice and assistance to those in trouble without a thought of compen-

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sation. When times were hard and laboring men out of employment, they were always sure of getting sufficient credit at his store to tide them over. Many had occasion to say that in his death they had lost a true friend.

Mr. Blair was married on November 12, 1857, to Lomira Barnes, a native of West Brookfield and a daughter of Noah Barnes, second, who was born in North Brookfield. The Barnes family is an old one in North Brookfield. Mrs. Barnes's great-grandfather, Jonathan Barnes, a resident of that place, fought on the American side in the Revolu- tionary War. Mrs. Blair's mother, whose name in maidenhood was Lydia Kendrick, was a daughter of Thomas Kendrick, of North Brookfield.

Four children, all daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Blair, namely: Cora L., a teacher in the Clark School at Northampton, Mass. ; Mariana, who resides at home with her mother; Grace K., a student at Northfield, Mass. ; and Ellen, who died in infancy. Mrs. Blair is a lady highly esteemed in the best social circles of West Brookfield and the vicinity.

EORGE J. DUDLEY, farmer, a well-known resident of Sutton, his native place, where for a number of years he has been prominent in the conduct of town affairs, was born on February 17, 1849, son of Jason and Mary A. (Daniels) Dudley. The ancestor of this family in America was Francis Dudley, who was born in England, and who emigrated to this country in 1663, settled in Concord, Mass., and married Sarah Wheeler. How nearly he was related to Governor Thomas Dudley we are unable to state. It is said that Sir Richard de Dudley, living in England in the fourteenth cen- tury, had for his wife Isabella de Sutton. Whether there is any connection between this and the fact that the town in which so many Dudleys live to-day is called Sutton is not known.

Mr. Dudley was educated in the common schools of Sutton, the high school at Mill- bury, and at Howe's Business College in the

city of Worcester. When he was about twenty-one years old his father died, leaving to his management a large farm. The present condition of the farm, its size, and cultiva- tion attest that he has given careful and in- telligent attention to the charge left him, and has greatly improved the property.

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 43

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