Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 7

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 7

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Educated in the Uxbridge High School, Charles T. Aldrich was fitted for a college course or a business career. Choosing the latter, he secured employment in a woollen- mill. After acquiring some acquaintance with the business, he became associated with the firm of Aldrich & Cutler, of which his father was the head; and he was with them in Bellingham for four years. In 1868 he went to Southern Kansas, and for four years was there engaged in milling and agricultural pur- suits. Returning then to Massachusetts, he established a factory in Ashland, Middlesex County, where he made woollen goods for eighteen years, employing the average num- ber of seventy-five hands, and having a pros- perous business until he was burned out, Oc- tober 7, 1890. Two months later he bought his present plant in Millbury, where in the manufacture of unions and satinets he em- ploys one hundred hands, and is carrying on a thriving business. Politically, he is a straightforward Republican; and, fraternally, he is a Master Mason and an Odd Fellow.

On December 24, 1864, Mr. Aldrich mar-

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CHARLES T. ALDRICH.

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ried Emma G. Aldrich, of Blackstone, Mass., a distant relative of his and a daughter of William and Olive (Foster) Aldrich. She died in November, 1889, leaving four chil- dren, all of whom are married; namely, Charles, Henry, Louis, and Alice. A second marriage on December 6, 1890, united Mr. Aldrich with Susan H. Freeman, of Cam- bridge, Mass. Mr. Aldrich has been quite an extensive traveller, both in this country and abroad. He visited the Paris Exposition, France. Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and England, in 1889; and in 1895 he made another trip across the ocean.

HARLES R. PROUTY, a thorough- going and prosperous agriculturist of West Brookfield, son of Homer R. Prouty, was born in North Brook- field, Mass., April 4, 1833. The father was born, bred, and educated in Spencer, Mass. When a young man he taught school for several winters. After his marriage he began farming at Waite's Corners in North Brook- field, where he was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits and in manufacturing woollen goods for many years. Taking a deep interest in the welfare of the town of his adoption, he was active in the management of local affairs, and served as Assessor for sev- eral years. He died in September, 1877, at a good old age. One of his brothers, Isaac Prouty, was the founder of the extensive shoe manufactory at Spencer known as the Prouty Shoe Shop, supposed to have been at that time the largest plant in the world. Homer R. Prouty married Nancy Allen, of Spencer, Mass., who bore him several children. Of these, three survive, namely: Charles R., the subject of this sketch; Henry M., a resident of Hardwick, Mass. ; and Homer D., a resi- dent of North Brookfield.

Charles R. Prouty left school while yet of school age, to enter a shoe shop, where he was afterward engaged in pegging shoes until he was about seventeen years old. Since then he has given his attention to agriculture in all its branches. In 1856 he removed to West Brookfield with his newly-won bride. Six

years after, he purchased his present farm, which compares favorably with any in this vicinity. Since coming here he has been actively identified with all the leading move- ments of special value to the town. He has served wisely as Assessor of West Brookfield for ten years and as Overseer of the Poor for one term. In politics he is a stanch Republi- can. He joined the local Farmers' Club soon after its organization, was its president for one year, and for a long time one of its ex- ecutive committee. He is a member of the Congregational church.

On March 19, 1856, Mr. Prouty married Susan, daughter of Joseph W. and Ann (Shaw) Wood, of West Brookfield. The only child born of the union is Albert S. Prouty, of West Rutland, Mass. He married Emma J. Newton, and they have three children- Leon- ard A., Katie B., and Grace M. Mrs. Prouty and her brother, Charles W. Wood, of this town, are the only survivors of her parents' children.

OSEPH B. LOMBARD, formerly a representative man of Warren, was born here on November 16, 1817. A son of Elijah and Thirza (Brown) Lombard, he was of English extraction. His immigrant ancestor, who came to the country in 1646, was a settler of Springfield, Mass. The father, who was born in Brimfield, came to Warren in early life, and worked for a time at the blacksmith's trade. Later he be- came a hotel-keeper. His wife, Thirza, was born in what is now known as Warren. He bore the same name as his father, who was a soldier of the Revolution, and died of camp fever.

Joseph B. Lombard attended the schools of his native town, and also the Westfield and Oxford Academies. Upon reaching his ma- jority he went into a store in Warren as clerk, and during several years subsequent to that time gave his attention entirely to a mercantile business. He then worked at farming for a time. Following that he was for five years in the provision business at Warren village. Later on and until his re-

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tirement from business he kept a general merchandise store in West Warren, which was unusually prosperous. Politically, Mr. Lombard was an independent voter. He was warmly interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of his native town, and served his townspeople in many ways. For several years he was Selectman and for a part of the time the chairman of the board. He also served in the capacities of Highway Surveyor, Assessor of Taxes, Moderator of town meetings, Over- seer of the Poor, and Constable. He was a member of the committee appointed to super- vise the erection of the fire-engine house. In 1857 and again in 1868 he represented the town in the legislature. A man of great pub- lic spirit, he was a generous contributor to benevolent enterprises and a liberal supporter of the cause of Christianity.

Early in life Mr. Lombard married Alice A. Chapin, of Warren. Of her four children by him, two are living - Mary C. and Joseph Edward. Mary is now the wife of Marcus Burroughs, of Warren. Joseph Edward Lom- bard, who is a prominent resident of West Warren, has been for twenty years a qualified Justice of the Peace. He is also the organist of the Congregational church in Warren. Mr. Lombard, Sr., died September 17, 1890.

HARLES WILLIAM CARROLL, a contracting stone mason of Milford, son of Richard and Catherine

(Davis) Carroll, was born in this town, November 1, 1863. The father, who was born in Ireland, February 1, 1816, son of Michael and Mary (Woods) Carroll, came to Milford when a young man, and at once began to work as a contracting stone-mason, build- ing houses, foundations, etc. One of the pioneers of the granite industry in Milford, he opened a large quarry, which was subse- quently sold to the Milford Granite Company, and from which he took out stone for his own use. Up to the time of his death, which oc- curred on November 15, 1882, he was in ac- tive business. He built both private and public edifices in this and adjoining towns, and he laid the foundations of the Town Hall

and Washington Block. Partly as a recrea- tion, as he was fond of agriculture, he carried on extensive farming on his farm in Carroll Street, on the northern edge of the village. This street was laid out and named for him. The farm he reclaimed from a rocky, barren waste, and erected upon it the present sub- stantial and spacious house and farm build- ings. His family now reside here. He was active in town affairs, and he is said to have been the first Irishman to serve as a member of Milford's Board of Selectmen, the duties of which office he ably discharged for several years. He also served at various times on the Board of Overseers of the Poor. In 1851 he married Catherine Davis, a daughter of John and Joanna Francis Brennan Davis, born in Ireland, April 1, 1826. Of this union the following-named children have been born: Michael Joseph, on June 19, 1852; Joanna Maria, January 14, 1856; Charles William, November 1, 1863; Catherine Veronica, Oc- tober 19, 1866; and Richard Davis Carroll, January 14, 1868. The first named of these graduated from Holy Cross College, Worces- ter, in 1876, and subsequently studied for three years and a half in Montreal, after which he was duly ordained a priest. He was for three years a curate in Northampton, Mass., and for the last eleven years he has been the pastor of the Fisherville Catholic Church, having also in his charge the mission at Upton. Joanna Maria resides on the home- stead; Catherine Veronica is the wife of Dr. J. J. Duggan, of this town; and Richard Davis Carroll is associated in business with his brother, Charles W.

Charles William Carroll was in business with his father until the latter sold his gran- ite quarries. Then he was superintendent for the Milford Granite Company for two years. After this he formed a partnership with Mr. Ryan in the clothing business, which was carried on for the next five years in a Main Street store, and is now conducted by the Globe Clothing Company. Although this venture proved most successful, Mr. Carroll became convinced at the end of five years that life indoors was not entirely beneficial to him. Consequently, deciding to engage in

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some more healthful occupation, he sold out his interest, and again engaged in the granite industry. After spending a year in the em- ployment of Timothy Shea as superintendent, he opened the extensive quarries which he is now excavating. Mr. Carroll does a most prosperous business, not only fulfilling large contracts, but furnishing rough and cut stone to other contractors. He ships granite to all parts of New England and to customers in New York, and has furnished it for a number of railroad bridges and embankments.

For several years Mr. Carroll was the chair- man of the Democratic Town Committee, of which he is still a member. In 1894 and 1895 he was sent by the town to represent it in the legislature. During his first term there he was a member of the Committee on Public Service, and during his second he served in the Committee on Railroads. Mr. Carroll is an active member of the Catholic Debating Society and a Deputy Grand Knight of the Valencia Council, K. of C.

ANIEL F. FITZGERALD, the manager and treasurer of the Knights of Labor co-operative store at 94 Front Street, Worcester, son of Daniel and Bridget (Walsh) Fitzgerald, was born in Worcester, February 24, 1863. His father, a native of County Kerry, Ireland, emigrated to America in 1850. The family name is an honored one in Ireland, where it has been known since the time of the Anglo- Norman conquest. Although the Fitzgeralds have intermarried somewhat with the Saxon races, they are to-day, it is claimed, a more pure-blooded Celtic family than any other in Ireland. One of its noted members was Lord Edward Fitzgerald, who was an active leader in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

After obtaining a practical education in the public schools of his native city, Daniel F. Fitzgerald learned the trade of iron moulder, and subsequently worked at it as a journeyman for about six years. When only twenty-two years of age he was Master Workman of Iron Moulders' Assembly, No. 7073. At about the same time he was prominent among those who

were making an effort to organize the Worces- ter Central Labor Union. He has occupied his present position of manager and treasurer of the co-operative store for the past eleven years. Since his retirement from political life in 1897, he has given his full time to his business. For so young a man Mr. Fitzger- ald has received a large share of political honors. At the age of twenty-four he was first elected a member of the Common Coun- cil from Ward Four. In this capacity he served his constituents for eight successive years. During a part of that time he was chairman of the committee then known as the Highways and Sidewalks Committee, and a member of the Committee on Finance for six years. In 1896 he was chosen Alderman, the election having been the first held under the minority representation clause. He served in the Board of Aldermen for one year, in which the contract was placed for the new city hall building, and during which he was a member of the Education and Military Com- mittees and a trustee of the City Hospital. He was influential in securing an appropria- tion for the construction of the boulevard at the Lake, north of the Causeway. Among the benefits derived from this appropriation was the furnishing of labor to many unem- ployed men during the panic of 1893. Mr. Fitzgerald could always be depended upon to support all measures for the public good, and was a strong advocate for the opening of new streets through the congested parts of the city. His political principles are Demo- cratic, and for several years he was a member of the Democratic City Committee.

Mr. Fitzgerald served for eight years as a call member of the Worcester Fire Depart- ment, being lieutenant of Protective Hose No. 7 for half of that time. For three years he was a member of the Emmet Guards, while they were an independent company; and at the formation of their veteran corps he was chosen the first president, which position he filled for three years. He is a member of Court City of Worcester, Foresters of Amer- ica, of which he has been the secretary, and was Chief Ranger in 1894 and 1895. Since 1891 he has been sent as delegate from the

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court to the Grand Court of the State. The Grand Court also chose him as a represent- ative to the Supreme Court, held in Cleve- land in 1895 and in Denver in 1897. At the Cleveland session he served as chairman of the Committee on Unwritten Work, and at the Denver he was the chairman of the Commit- tee on Mileage and per diem. At the present time he is serving in the highest non-elective office of the order in the State, that of Deputy Supreme Chief Ranger. At the last convention of the State Court, held in May, 1898, he was elected Grand sub-Chief Ranger of the State. He is also a member of the uniformed Foresters, known as the Knights of Sherwood Forest. For two terms he has served the Worcester Conclave as Commander and the Supreme Conclave as Quartermaster- general. Mr. Fitzgerald is likewise a mem- ber of Division No. I, A. O. H., and of the Knights of Robert Emmet. He attends St. John's Catholic Church, of which he has been a devoted member for many years.

ARREN ELDREDGE MOORE, a veteran agriculturist of Northboro, Mass., was born December 31, 1817, at Berlin, Mass., in the same county of Worcester, being the son of Warren and Han- nah (Carter) Moore. Warren Moore was an industrious and thrifty farmer. He spent his life in the town of Berlin; and, besides being very active in military affairs, he was promi- nent in religious circles and assisted in build- ing the Orthodox church. Both he and his wife died in 1826, before reaching middle age.

Warren E. Moore was left an orphan when but nine years old, and subsequently lived with relatives in Berlin until he was six- teen. He then came to Northboro, and for seven years thereafter worked as a farm laborer. At the age of twenty-three he bought the original part of his present home- stead, which was then known as the old Hol- land Maynard place. Industrious, energetic, and progressive, he added to the improvements already made, and as time went on bought ad- joining land. He has now a fine farm of one

hundred acres in a good state of cultivation, the visible result of a half-century of well- directed toil.

In politics Mr. Moore was formerly an old- line Whig, and since the formation of the Re- publican party he has been one of its firmest supporters. During the progress of the late Civil War he served as Selectman, and he has also ably filled other town offices. He was for many years president of the Northboro Agricultural Society. He has been a con- sistent and valued member of the Orthodox church ever since he was eighteen years of age, and for twenty years has served as Dea- con. He has also been superintendent of the Sunday-school and its librarian.

Mr. Moore has been twice married. His first wife, Abbie Cutting, of Princeton, Mass., died in 1867, leaving four children, namely : Mary Susan, a successful school teacher, who died at the age of twenty-eight years; Levi Eldridge, now superintendent of the Grafton & Upton Railway; Josiah Lorenzo, a resident of Northboro; and Hannah, wife of De Witt Farwell, of Fitchburg, Mass. Two other children died in infancy. In 1870 Mr. Moore married Emma Newton, of Newfane, Vt. Levi Eldridge Moore has been twice married, and has two sons and two daughters. His first wife was Marcia Kidder and his second Alice Gordon. Josiah L. Moore is married to Miss Etta Adams, of this town. They have four sons, namely: Harry, who was grad- uated from the Northboro High School, and is now in Bates College, Lewiston, Me. ; and Arthur, Robert, and Ernest, who are all at- tending school. A daughter named Clara was drowned at the age of eleven years.

ARREN A. BLAIR, chairman of the Overseers of the Poor at West Brookfield, has been connected with the management of local affairs for many years, and is among the best known and most respected residents of the place. This town, where he was born February 2, 18 22, was also the birthplace of his father, Deacon Reuben Blair. Of Scotch extraction, he comes of pioneer stock. His great-grandfather, Robert

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WARREN E. MOORE.

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Blair, the founder of the family in Worcester County, was one of the earliest settlers of Warren.

Reuben Blair, Sr., the grandfather of War- ren A., was born in Warren. Soon after coming of age he removed to West Brookfield, and purchased a tract of timber land. Here, after erecting a small log house, he proceeded to hew out a farm from the woods. A man of resolute courage and thorough patriotism, he fought in the great struggle for national inde- pendence, and in his later years he drew a pension for his services in that war. Deacon Reuben Blair, born and brought up on the homestead, helped to clear and otherwise im- prove the place, and in due time succeeded to its possession. He married Patty Smith, who was born in Pomfret, Conn. A woman of strong personality, possessing marked mental and physical vigor, she outlived him by a long period, attaining the notable age of one hun- dred and two years. She was a member of the Congregational Church of West Brook- field, of which her husband was the Deacon for a length of time.

Having completed his education at the Monson Academy, Warren A. Blair selected farming as his regular occupation, and contin- ued to reside on the homestead. On the death of his father the place became his property, and he was there engaged in gen- eral farming and lumbering until 1868. Then he removed to the village, having dis- posed of the homestead, which is now used as the Town Farm of West Brookfield. He has been an efficient agent as well as a pleased witness of the progress of the town, which has now reached a high state of prosperity. For twenty-four years he has served as Assessor, was for seven years on the Board of Select- men, and for twelve years he has been an Overseer of the Poor, being the chairman of the Overseers for a large part of that time. In politics he supports the Republican party, and he is an influential member of the West Brookfield Farmers' Club.

On December 26, 1850, Mr. Blair married Mary F. Burgess, who was born in West Springfield, Mass. Her father, Jeremiah Burgess, a native of Springfield, died in the

prime of manhood, when Mrs. Blair was but fifteen years old. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Ashley, was born and educated in West Springfield. After surviv- ing him for some time, she died in 1889 at the advanced age of ninety-five years. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Blair, Frank W. Blair, of Worcester, is the only sur- vivor. Annie F. and Roderick A. died when young. Mr. and Mrs. Blair are active mem- bers of the Congregational church. Mr. Blair for twenty-three years has served on the Parish Committee, and Mrs. Blair is a member of the Home Missionary Society.

J OSEPH MURDOCK, who was formerly the president of the American Card Clothing Company and a representative man of Leicester, was born here, June 15, 1818, son of Joshua and Clarissa (Harts- horn) Murdock. He came of Scotch origin. His great-grandfather, also named Joshua Murdock, was a Sergeant of volunteers during the war of the Revolution. William Mur- dock, of Westminster, son of Joshua, was his grandfather. The father, who was a native of Westminster, Mass., followed cabinet-making in Leicester for many years. The mother was a native of Medfield, Mass.

Joseph Murdock attended the common schools and subsequently Leicester Academy. He remained in his native town until he was eighteen years of age. Going then to Macon, Ga., he was there engaged as a clerk in a mer- cantile business for a short time. Subse- quently he became a partner in the firm of Bond & Murdock, which existed until 1847. Returning to Leicester in 1848, he formed a partnership with his brother, Joshua Mur- dock, Jr., the firm being known as J: & J. Murdock. An extensive business in the man- ufacture of card clothing was carried on, and the original firm existed until 1890. In that year the business was absorbed by the Ameri- can Card Clothing Company, for which J. & J. Murdock have since been the agents. Mr. Murdock, as the president of the company, was the most important factor in the develop- ment and successful issue of its business

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transactions. His long experience as a man- ufacturer gave him a wide knowledge of com- mercial affairs. As the agent of a company which conducts large transactions he had much experience in financial management. He was a director of the Mechanics' National Bank of Worcester and a trustee of Leicester Academy for a long period of years.

In 1842 Mr. Murdock was united in mar- riage with Julia Carpenter, of Brookfield. Julius O. Murdock, of Leicester, is their only son. Mrs. Murdock died on October 29, 1890. In politics Mr. Murdock was a Repub- lican. For a number of years he was Select- man of the town and for some portion of that time the chairman of the board. His first Presidential vote was cast when General Will- iam Henry Harrison was elected. He was a member of the Congregational church in Leicester, and gave liberally toward the support of its various activities. Mr. Murdock fur- nished a notable illustration of a successful business man who won his place in the com - mercial world by his own energy and perse- verance. He died April 19, 1898, after an illness of six weeks, and was buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Leicester.

LI WARREN BATCHELOR, a well- known business man of West Upton, son of Daniel W. and Maria (War- ren) Batchelor, was born in Upton, June 30, 1841. His mother was a grand-daughter of Elijah Warren, one of the early settlers of this town and the founder of the old Warren homestead, which may still be seen about a half-mile from West Upton village. Her father, Major Eli Warren, was one of the foremost men of Upton for a half-century and a pioneer in the boot and shoe manufact - uring business here when all the work was done by hand. His shoe shop was opposite the site on which West Upton Hotel now stands. He also kept a large general store. His title of Major was obtained in the State militia during the old training days. Robust in health and of a muscular physique, he took pride in his physical strength. It is related that when past eighty years of age he could

go into the field with a scythe, and cut as large a swath as any of his men. A solid, re- liable business man, no one in the town was more respected. A man of strong will power, he always said what he meant and meant what he said. It was said of him that his word was as good as his bond, and his bond was as good as gold. Major Warren built a section of the old Worcester and Hartford turnpike, a part of which is still standing. This section, which crossed the meadows near West Upton, on the night before it was to be accepted by the commissioners sank from view into the mud, so that, when the Major awoke in the morning, he found himself thirty thousand dollars poorer than he was when he went to bed the night before. He was a zealous Uni- tarian, and was one of the principal contribu- tors toward the building of the old Unitarian church, since sold to the Catholic society. At his death he left a fund of four thousand dollars to be used for the benefit of the Uni- tarians.

Having received his education at the High- land Military School, Eli Warren Batchelor began working in his father's boot and shoe factory, which was carried on under the name of D. W. Batchelor & Son until 1879. Then he took charge of the business, and conducted it for five years. Since that time he has been engaged in the coal business in West Upton, also conducting a large dairy and stock farm.

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 7

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