Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 70

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 70

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Mr. Dresser was the first to conceive the idea of the present law for the registration of voters. He evolved the idea in the shape of an order, which was presented to the lower branch of the legislature in 1884 by Francis L. Chapin. The order was referred to the Committee on Elections, before whom Mr. Dresser appeared and urged that the order be made a law of the Commonwealth. As a re- sult of his efforts Chapter 298 was enacted. He was an active member of the Universalist Society, and did much to promote its growth and usefulness.

Mr. Dresser and N. Maria, daughter of Dea- con Oliver Morse, were married April 4, 1848.

They became the parents of five children, namely : Nella M., who was born in 1853, and died in 1854; Mira J., born February 17, 1855, now the widow of Elisha L. Spencer, and living at her early home; Fannie C., born August 9, 1857, now the wife of Frank E. Parker, proprietor of the Warregan House in Norwich, Conn., and of the Crocker House in New London, Conn., where they reside; Julius S., born January 25, 1863, who was educated at the academy in Franklin, married Mabel S. Rawson, and was in business with his father; and Emma Frances, born December 27, 1866, who was graduated from the academy in Frank- lin, and since her marriage with Harry E. Moore lives in Roxbury, Mass. Mrs. Dresser passed to the higher life August 5, 1888.

T HOMAS A. PROUTY, a retired mer- chant of Spencer, was born in this town, August 11, 1822, son of Captain John N. and Melinda (Luther) Prouty. His first American ancestor was Richard Prouty, who settled in Scituate, Mass., as early as 1667. The great-grandfather of Thomas, Isaac Prouty, was the first of the family to locate in Spencer. The grandfather was Thomas Prouty, who was a highly esteemed citizen in his day. Captain John N. Prouty was born at the family homestead in Spencer, and resided in this town all his life. He served as Selectman and Overseer of the Poor, and also belonged to the State militia. His wife, Melinda, was a native of Spencer.

Thomas A. Prouty was educated in the com- mon schools and at Leicester Academy. He taught school for some time, but when nineteen years old he entered mercantile business as a clerk, in which capacity he continued some twelve years. About 1854 he engaged in busi- ness at Paxton, Mass., as a member of the firm of T. A. & I. L. Prouty, and carried on a general store in that town for several years. Subsequently he returned to Spencer and con- ducted business here under the firm name of Thomas A. Prouty & Co. until his retirement in 1884.

Mr. Prouty married Georgiana E. Pike, of Paxton. He has three children, namely : John

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N. Prouty, who resides in Norton, Mass. ; Clara E., who is now Mrs. Frederick Watson, of Spencer; and Walter V. Prouty, of Worces- ter. While residing in Paxton, Mr. Prouty served as Assessor and Town Collector. He has served upon the School Committee of Spencer, has acted as a Justice of the Peace for over twenty-five years, was Trial Justice for three years, and is at the present time chair- man of the Boards of Assessors and Overseers of the Poor. His political principles are Democratic. A progressive citizen, he is interested in all movements having for their object the development of the business re- sources of the town.

ERMAN DIETZMAN, an enterpris- ing dealer in dry and fancy goods at 163 Mechanic Street, Clinton, was born in Germany, April 29, 1843. His ancestry were of the intelligent and thrifty agrarian population, which is regarded as one of the strongest pillars of the German Empire. His father, Godfrey Dietzman, was a prosper- ous farmer. The maiden name of his mother was Christiana Sandow. Of their two chil- dren, Herman was the first-born.

After acquiring a good knowledge of the common branches of study, Herman Dietzman learned the weaver's trade, and afterward fol- lowed it in Germany until 1866. Then he emigrated to the United States. Settling in Clinton, he found employment in the Lancaster Mills. After leaving the mills he entered a mercantile business. In May, 1880, he estab- lished himself in his present line of trade. By attending closely to every detail and keeping constantly on hand a large assortment of staple goods he has acquired and maintains a good patronage. During the past thirty years, in the capacity of local agent for several steam- ship lines, he has sold a large number of pas- sages to and from Germany and other European countries. He also acts as a Justice of the Peace and Notary Public.

In 1867 Mr. Dietzman was united in mar- riage with Honora Kearns. She was born in Westport, Ireland, daughter of James and Ho- nora (Grady) Kearns. Her father, who was a

merchant, and died in Ireland at an advanced age, had two other children - Mary T. and Bridget. Mary T. is now Mrs. Holman. The mother came to the United States in 1865 to pass the rest of her life with her children, who had preceded her. She died in 1869. Mrs. Dietzman, who has charge of the milli- nery and cloak departments of her husband's store, is an expert dress and cloak maker, and was engaged in business for herself previous to her marriage. She is familiar with every de- partment of the establishment, which is under her immediate charge when her husband is absent. Besides attending to both the ready- made and custom department, she teaches a dress-cutting school, which is attended by a large number of pupils. She has three chil- dren, namely: Frederick J., born July 29, 1872, who is attending the University of Leip- sic, Germany ; Angela T., born July 27, 1877; and William H., born in 1878. Both Angela and William are graduates of the Clinton High School. The latter is preparing for the legal profession at the Boston University.

" Politically, Mr. Dietzman is a Democrat. He has served as a Selectman for three years and as Road Commissioner for the same length of time. At one time he was an engineer of the fire department. He is a member of sev- eral German societies. Mrs. Dietzman and her children belong to the Roman Catholic Church.

WIGHT HYDE, formerly a promi- nent and esteemed resident of Brookfield, and a son of Abijah and Sallie (Moore) Hyde, was born in Ware, Hampshire County, Mass., February 15, 1819. By both parents he came of English ancestry. Both of his grandfathers served in the war of the Revolution.

Having been educated principally in the schools of Barre, this county, Dwight Hyde was employed as a clerk in various places for several years. Then, familiar with the grocery and dry-goods business, he opened a general merchandise store in Spencer, Mass. This he carried on for a number of years, being for a portion of the time in partnership with

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Luther Hill, who was the junior member of the firm Hyde & Hill. In 1850 or soon after, he came to Brookfield, bought a farm at Rice's Corner, in the southern part of the town, and was there prosperously engaged in agriculture until 1872. Removing then to the village, he bought the property now owned and occupied by his widow on Lincoln Street. Here he re- sided throughout the rest of his life. A man of excellent judgment, sound sense, and consid- erable legal knowledge, he served wisely as Justice of the Peace for many years, and did a large amount of probate business. He was also Selectman for many terms, being the chairman of the board at different times; and he was an active member of the Unitarian Con- gregational Society, to which Mrs. Hyde also belongs.

On April 15, 1846, Mr. Hyde married Miss Martha M. Rice, who was born in Brookfield, daughter of Alfred and Fanny Rice, both of this town. The Rice family was one of the earliest to locate in this section of Worcester County, and since the incorporation of Brook- field it has been influential in local affairs. Rice's Corner, in the southern part of the town, was named in honor of one of Mrs. Hyde's ancestors. Alfred Rice, a well-known sleigh manufacturer, prominent in business and political circles, served as Selectman and Overseer of the Poor in Brookfield, and for one term was a Representative in the General Court. He died April 20, 1883, at the vener- able age of eight-six years. Of the two chil- dren born to him and his wife, Mrs. Hyde is the sole survivor. Mr. Hyde died at his late home on Lincoln Street, August 4, 1880.

OHN R. HOSMER, the well-known building contractor of Fitchburg, was born in Acton, Mass., March 16, 1857, son of John E. and Emma (Tuttle) Hosmer. Simon Hosmer, the grandfather, who was a lifelong resident of Acton and died at the age of seventy-seven years, owned quite a large farm at the Four Corners, where he spent the greater part of his active period, and had a family of nine children. John E. Hos- mer, the father, learned the carpenter's trade,

and, settling in Ayer, Mass., has for many years been a prominent builder in that section. He is a member of St. Paul Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Ayer. Emma Hosmer, his wife, was a daughter of Captain Daniel Tuttle, a Civil War veteran and a well-known resident of Acton. She became the mother of seven children, of whom John R., the subject of this sketch, is the eldest, and all are living except- ing Mrs. Samuel Putnam, who died in Febru- ary, 1898.

John R. Hosmer accompanied his parents to Ayer when he was twelve years old, and com- pleted his education in the high school in that town. He served an apprenticeship at the car- penter's trade with his father, remaining in the latter's employ until twenty-one. In 1880 he engaged in business for himself in Gardner, Mass., where during the succeeding nine years he erected several business blocks and private residences. In 1889 he came to Fitchburg, where he has since been kept busy with numer- ous important contracts, both public and pri- vate. Among these may be mentioned the new Fitchburg high and other public school buildings, the Central Street fire station, the Grant mill, a portion of the Park Hill mills, the shops of the Fitchburg Steam Engine Com- pany, and the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion building in Springfield, Mass.

On June 5, 1881, Mr. Hosmer married Nellie T., daughter of Henry S. Humes, of Shirley, Mass., and has one son - Kenneth W., aged fifteen years. Mr. Hosmer is an ad- vanced Mason, being a member of Aurora Lodge, Thomas Chapter, and Hiram Council, of Worcester; Lady Emma Chapter and Jeru- salem Commandery, of Fitchburg; and Aleppo Temple of the Mystic Shrine, Boston. He is also a member of Apollo Lodge, I. O. O. F .; King David Encampment and Canton Hebron ; and of the Fitchburg Board of Trade.

EANDER S. PRATT, founder and for many years proprietor of an extensive cotton manufacturing business in Grafton, was born in Shrewsbury, Mass., May 25, 1812, son of Shepard and Catharine (Walker) Pratt. The family dates

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its origin in America from an early period in Colonial history ; but, unfortunately, its rec- ords, which had been carefully collected and compiled by a brother of the subject of this sketch, were destroyed in the fire at Marble- head in 1888.

Leander S. Pratt came to Grafton about the year 1840, and established a cotton manufact- uring enterprise, which for half a century was the principal industry of this town. He con- tinued in active business until 1860, when he retired, leaving the management of the factory to his son, Charles L. ; and he died at his winter home in Worcester, January 21, 1893. He was a man of rare business ability and sound judgment. His advice was frequently sought for by the town, in whose affairs he was actively interested, and he rendered efficient services as a member of the Board of Select- men. He was also in sympathy with the moral and religious welfare of the community, and for many years was a Deacon of the Con- gregational church.

Leander S. Pratt married Martha H. Stone, daughter of Deacon Albert Stone, of Grafton. Six children were born of this union, and five sons - Henry W., Charles L., Herbert L., Albert S., and Clarence R. Pratt - grew to maturity, a daughter having died in infancy. Henry W. Pratt is a prominent lumber and real estate dealer in Wisconsin.

Charles L. Pratt succeeded his father in the cotton manufacturing business in Grafton, and in 1861 erected a new brick factory, which ad- mitted of a largely increased production. He continued as the official head of the concern until the plant was destroyed by fire in 1893. Owing to the business depression it was not re- built. Aside from the textile industry he has interested himself in other local enterprises, being officially connected with the Grafton Co- operative Bank and the Savings Bank. Polit- ically, he is an ardent supporter of the Repub- lican party, and upon reaching his majority was chosen a member of the Town Committee. He has served with ability in various local offices, was in 1874 Representative to the legislature, and was assigned to the Prison Committee. He is an advanced Mason, be- longing to the Chapter, Council, and Com-

mandery in Worcester, and Boston Lodge of Perfection. Charles L. Pratt married Addie P. Tidd, of Westboro, Mass. Herbert L. Pratt has for the past ten years been agent of the Bates Cotton Mills, Lewiston, Me. Al- bert S. Pratt, who died in 1877, was asso- ciated with his brothers in the Grafton mill. Clarence R. Pratt became familiar with the textile business under his brother, and was later appointed superintendent of the Canadian Cotton Manufacturing Company, of Cornwall, Ont., one of the largest enterprises of its kind in the Dominion. He remained there until the high protective tariff established in the United States made Canadian competition unprofitable, whereupon he returned to Grafton for the pur- pose of resuming his association with his brothers. In 1889 the concern was incorpo- rated as the Pratt Manufacturing Company, continuing as such until the conflagration previously mentioned. In 1895 the power was leased to the Grafton Electric Company, of which Clarence R. Pratt is president. He is also interested in financial affairs, being a director of the Grafton Savings Bank. His aid and influence can always be depended upon in supporting the various public and private institutions of the town. He is a member of Evening Star Lodge, I. O. O. F. Clarence R. Pratt and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Caro Whittemore, are the parents of three children; namely, Horatio Whittemore, Winthrop Stone, and Evelyn Raymond. Mrs. Pratt is the daughter of the late Horatio H. F. Whittemore, M. D., of Marblehead, a brief sketch of whose life is given below.

Dr. Whittemore was born in West Cam- bridge (now Arlington), Mass., February 15, 1830, and was a grandson of Amos Whitte- more, the inventor of the cotton carding ma- chine, which has not yet been improved upon. He was fitted for college at Phillips Academy, Exeter, N. H., and was graduated from Harvard University with the class of 1852. Beginning the study of medicine with Dr. Wellington, of West Cambridge, he continued it after the lat- ter's death with Dr. Clark, then City Physi- cian of Boston. He was for a time assistant at the United States Marine Hospital, Chelsea, under Dr. Davis, the superintendent ; and he

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took his degree of Doctor of Medicine at the Harvard Medical School in 1855. Going to Europe as surgeon of the new ship "Cathe- dral," he availed himself of the opportunities afforded him of visiting the famous hospitals of England and France, where he gained knowl- edge that proved exceedingly beneficial to his future practice. Upon his return he was for a short time assistant to Dr. Davis at the Ma- rine Hospital; but at the earnest solicitation of many prominent citizens of Marblehead he was induced to settle permanently in that town, where for the remainder of his life he practised his profession with ability and faithfulness. He was respected and beloved by all who knew him, besides the many who were familiar with his character without having a personal ac- quaintance; and so strictly did he perform the duties of his calling that his night bell' was just as sure to summon him to the bedside of the poor as of the rich. During the Rebellion he had the medical supervision of Forts Sew- all, Glover, and Miller; and, when the urgent call came for surgeons to go to the front, he quickly reported for duty in Virginia, where he rendered valuable services to the government. Dr. Whittemore continued to practise as long as his health would permit, and even while confined to his bed he gave advice. His phys- ical powers, however, were not equal to his will, which, though almost indomitable, was at length forced to succumb to the fatal disease. He died November 24, 1872. He held vari- ous town offices, was a trustee of the savings- bank, the Academy Fund, and the Unitarian Society ; was president of the Musical Associ- ation and a Past Master of Philanthropic Lodge, F. & A. M .; and by all of these or- ganizations his death was considered a severe loss. Dr. Whittemore married June 5, 1856, Evelyn H. Pratt, of Worcester, who with a son and daughter, Mrs. Clarence R. Pratt, survives him.

A® SA GODDARD, road builder and con- tractor of Worcester, was born in Charlton, Mass., November 12, 1860, son of Benjamin F. and Mary Frances (Hammond) Goddard. His grand-

father, Artemas, and his great-grandfather, Deacon Benjamin Goddard, were natives of Shrewsbury, Mass., where each was engaged in farming. Artemas Goddard married Cynthia Newton, of Northboro, Mass., and both lived to be octogenarians. They had two sons and four daughters, of whom the survivors are : Benjamin F. ; and Sarah, who is now Mrs. Hammond, and has five children.

Benjamin F. Goddard was born in Shrews- bury, July 27, 1832. For many years he manufactured shoe heels, and was also engaged in the coal business with his son in Worcester, Mass. Some time ago he retired with a com- petency. He is now residing in Charlton, Mass. Mrs. Mary Frances Goddard, his wife, died in 1869. She was a sister of William Hammond, and on the maternal side was re- lated to the Gibbs family, of Charlton. She was the mother of four children, namely : Francis H., a well-known insurance man of Worcester; Luther, a coal dealer, who died in this city in November, 1896, aged thirty-nine years, leaving a widow; Asa, the subject of this sketch; and Ada L. Goddard, who resides with her father.

Asa Goddard attended the common schools during the winter season until he was sixteen years old. Learning the machinist's trade, he followed it for six years, at the end of which time he engaged in the manufacture of black- smith's tools, being for two years a member of the firm of George Burnham & Co. After his withdrawal from that concern he opened a job- bing shop for general machine work and repair- ing. He later began to deal in blacksmith's drills, and subsequently added agricultural machinery to his business, handling as many as one hundred carloads per annum. When the State began the construction of macad- amized roads, he became interested in the work to such an extent that in 1895 he entered the field as a contractor ; and, finding the machinery then in use to be deficient, he introduced some valuable improvements of his own invention. Within the short space of three years he has acquired a high reputation as a road-build- ing contractor, and has constructed public highways in Holden, Yarmouth, Brewster, Westminster, Worcester, Shrewsbury, Paxton,

THOMAS B. RICE.

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Princeton, Westboro, Sandwich, and Uxbridge. During the present year, 1898, he is filling contracts in Lowell, Clinton, Sterling, West Boylston, Uxbridge, Wrentham, Walpole, Westboro, and on Cape Cod. Besides his three complete portable road-building plants he operates a quarry in Sterling, where from two hundred to three hundred tons of stone is crushed daily. He deals in all kinds of road- building machinery and tools, and is prepared to rent crushers and steam-rollers. As an inventor he has taken out several patents, in- cluding among others valuable improvements in blacksmith's drills and stone-crushers.

Mr. Goddard was married December 24, 1881, to Miss Eldora M. Willard, of this city, daughter of William H. and Hannah B. (Wig- gin) Willard, the former of whom is a well- known carriage-builder. Mrs. Goddard's par- ents have had twelve children, six of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Goddard have four children : George E., born November 24, 1884 ; Albert N., born October 12, 1889; Dorothy F., born January 27, 1895 ; and A. Chester, born December 18, 1896.

Politically, Mr. Goddard is a Republican. In his religious belief he is a Universalist, and belongs to All Souls' Society, in which he has served officially. His factory is located at 69 Winter Street, and he resides at 57 Woodland Street. He is a man of original ideas and progressive tendencies, which his energy and perseverance enable him to put in practice in his business.

HOMAS BRIGHAM RICE, now living in retirement in Barre, was born in this town, January 30, 1817, son of Francis and Nancy (Brigham) Rice. He is a descendant of Jonas Rice, who was one of the first permanent settlers in Worcester, Mass., and whose son, Adonijah, born November 7, 1714, was the first white child of whom it was the birthplace. Adonijah Rice died in Brid- port, Vt., January 20, 1802.

Jonas Rice, second, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, bought a tract of land in Barre in 1749, and settled upon it in 1753. He was one of the first Deacons of the

Congregational church. He successively mar- ried Jane Hall and Lydia Conant. His chil- dren were all by his first union. Thomas Rice, the grandfather, born in Worcester, was a prosperous farmer, and passed the greater part of his life in Barre. He served as a Lieu- tenant in the Revolutionary War, and lived to. be eighty-one years old. In politics he was a Federalist and in religious belief a Congrega- tionalist. The maiden names of his succes- sive wives were Hannah Wright, Sarah Nourse, and Abigail Barber. His children were: Thomas, Willis, Abel, and Rufus by his first wife; and Sarah, Hannah, Jane, Francis, Jonas, and Seth by his second. Francis Rice, who was born in Barre, July 19, 1782, learned the carpenter's trade, but did not work at it. He preferred farming, which he followed industriously and with success. Originally a Democrat, he joined the Republi- cans on the slavery question, and was identi- fied with public affairs continuously from 1821 to 1847, being a legislative Representative in 1835 and 1836. His wife, Nancy, who was born in Barre, March 4, 1789, became the mother of seven children, of whom six attained maturity, and Thomas B. is the only survivor. The others were: Abigail B., Francis D., Juliana, Henry E., Calista E., and an infant. The father lived to his ninety-sixth year, and the mother died at eighty-six. They were Unitarians.

Thomas Brigham Rice acquired a high- school education. At the age of twenty years he entered the Registry of Deeds office in Worcester. Subsequently he was employed in other positions until 1856, when he entered the service of the Boston & Worcester Rail- road Company, afterward the Boston & Al- bany, as a station agent. From that post by merited promotion he reached the responsible position of cashier, the duties of which he ably and faithfully performed for a period of thirty years. In October, 1889, having ac- quired a competency, he resigned from the company's service, and has since lived in re- tirement at his pleasant home in Barre village.

On October 29, 1844, Mr. Rice married Maria Bacon, a daughter of David Bacon. Born in Barre, June 6, 1821, she died March

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9, 1855, leaving one daughter - Lucy, born October 22, 1845, who is unmarried and re- sides with her father. Mr. Rice still retains much of the spirit and activity of his early manhood. He is held in high estimation by his fellow-townsmen. In politics he is a Re- publican with independent proclivities.

AMES E. PEIRCE, farmer and dairy- man, a highly esteemed citizen of West Boylston, was born December 20, 1834, on the homestead where he resides. He is a son of Levi and Polly (Merriam) Peirce and grandson of Levi Peirce, Sr., a native of Hol- land, a suburb of Worcester. Grandfather Peirce served in the Revolutionary army. After settling in West Boylston he was en- gaged in farming, surveying, and basket-mak- ing. He died suddenly at the age of seventy- four. His wife was Persis Robinson, a native of Lexington, Mass. At the time of the battle of Lexington she was living there, and from her home could plainly discern both sides in action. She died in West Boylston at the age of seventy-three. She and her husband reared eight children.

Levi Peirce, Jr., father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1794. He was reared on a farm, receiving a common-school education. After attaining his majority he took part of the Childs estate in this town, and there he spent the rest of his life. He was a farmer, surveyor, and basket-maker. His farm comprised one hundred and thirty acres of good land, and he owned besides fifty acres of outlying land in Boylston. Active, indus- trious, and capable, he was highly respected in the town, and held a number of offices of trust. He served as Assessor, Overseer of the Poor, and Selectman, presiding for some time as chairman of the board; and he was on the School Committee. He was also honored with election to the State legislature, and was Cap- tain of a militia company. He spent most of his life in West Boylston. The house and barn owned by his son James were erected by him. He died at the age of seventy-four. His wife died at the age of forty-five. Of their children seven. are . living - William,

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 70

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