Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 85

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 85

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G EORGE HENRY ATWOOD was a prominent business man of Worces- ter for many years. Born in Rox- bury, Mass., on May 9, 1831, he was a son of Daniel and Nancy (Hallowell) Atwood. The Atwoods were a Cape Cod family, and had re- sided in that section for many generations. Daniel Atwood was a sea captain. His wife, Nancy, was a native of Roxbury, her par- ents having resided there for many years. Daniel died when his son George was a boy.

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Young Atwood obtained his early education in a private school. He began his working life by going into partnership with his brother in a dry-goods store at Natick. The store was located in the old Arcade Building, where for eight or ten years the firm carried on a success- ful business. When his brother died, Mr. At-

wood sold out the business. In 1861 he came to Worcester, and with G. P. Cobb estab- lished a wholesale and retail fish business on Exchange Street. Two years later the firm re- moved to the corner of Main and Exchange Streets and subsequently to 135 Front Street, where the business is at present carried on by the surviving partner. The business prospered after Mr. Atwood began his connection with it, acquiring the patronage of the hotels and other large buyers. There was a wholesale depart- ment in addition to that for the retail trade. Mr. Atwood was the leading member of the firm up to the time of his death. The success of the business was due not only to his skilful management and promptness, but in large part to the fact that people soon found out that he never represented anything as other than it was. When a customer was told that a certain article bought was perfectly fresh, he could rely im- plicitly on the statement. On the other hand, if something desired was not quite fresh, he was informed of its condition before purchasing it. By this policy of strict honesty the firm soon won the confidence of the public and as a consequence a continually increasing patron- age, proving that "it pays to be honest.'

Mr. Atwood was a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., and of Worcester Royal Arch Chapter. In politics he was a Republi- can, and he could always be counted on to stand by his party. A man of quiet tastes, he did not care to take an active part in political affairs or to place himself in a position of public prominence ; but he never failed in his duties as a citizen, and he took much interest in all affairs of local importance. Although a man of genial temper and having many friends among the men of the city, his chief social pleasures were found by his own fireside in the companionship of his family and friends. Al- though in ill health for the last five years of his life, and knowing that his end was liable

to come at any moment, he continued in active business. He died on January 25, 1888.

On September 28, 1862, Mr. Atwood was united in marriage with Hannah S. Wheeler, of Natick, Mass., a native of Wayland. The Wheeler family came from England and settled in Wayland about the beginning of the eigh- teenth century. Mrs. Atwood's grandfather Wheeler was one of the early Judges of the Civil Court of Middlesex County, and he and his family were prominent in public affairs. On the maternal side she comes of fine old stock, having descended from Edwin Rice, who came from Berkhamstead, England, in 1638, and settled in Sudbury, Mass. One of her connections was among the signers of the Dec- laration of Independence. Her children are : Lillian Sherman, born on June 2, 1868; and Grace Hallowell, born January 31, 1875. Mr. Atwood's valuable estate, which he made his home, was on Pleasant Street.

ILLIAM BROWN, the well-known carpenter and undertaker of Paxton, son of William and Diadama (Wheeler) Brown, was born in Franklin County, New York, July 16, 1826. His first ancestor in this country was John Brown, who came from England in the ship "Lyon." His paternal grandfather, Solomon Brown, was a sharpshooter in the Revolutionary army, and fought at Lexington. It is said that at Lex- ington he was the first to shed British blood. William Brown, son of Solomon, born in New Haven, Conn., died in Malone, N.Y., where he had been engaged in farming for many years.

William Brown, the subject of this biog- raphy, grew up on his father's farm, and at- tended the public school in his district. While he was a pupil there William A. Wheeler, the late Vice - President of the United States, who had charge of that and other schools, was a frequent visitor. In this way Mr. Brown came to know him well, and the acquaintance thus begun ripened into a close friendship in subsequent years. Mr. Brown came to Paxton in 1849, and has since resided here. When about thirty years of age

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ROBERT H. COLE.

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he began working at the carpenter's trade, which he subsequently followed for many years. Also serving in the capacity of Ceme- tery Commissioner, he has had charge of the greater part of the undertaking business car- ried on in this town.

Mr. Brown married Hannah B. Metcalf, of Paxton, a daughter of John P. and Lydia Met- calf. His only son, the late Dr. Wesley E. Brown, was practising medicine at Gilbert- ville, Mass., when he died. In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican. He has served the people of Paxton in the office of Selectman for several years and in that of Assessor for two years. For fourteen years he has been a Jus- tice of the Peace, in which capacity he has transacted a large amount of important busi- ness. He is an active worker in the Congre- gational Church of Paxton, having been for the past thirty-eight years a member of the so- ciety and for several years its chairman. He commands the full confidence of all who know him, and is a valued resident of the town.

ERNON PROUTY, a leading agricult- urist and stock-raiser of Spencer, son of John N. and Melinda (Luther) Prouty, was born on the farm he now occupies, June 7, 1834. His paternal grandfather, Thomas, was a son of Isaac Prouty, who was the first of the family to settle within the limits of the town of Spencer. The father, who died in 1848, spent his lifetime in Spen- cer, residing on the farm his son Vernon now occupies. He was well acquainted both in this and the adjoining towns, and wherever he was known he was respected and admired. In politics an old-time Whig, he was for sev- eral terms a Selectman. His wife, Melinda, was also born in Spencer. Of their children, four are living ; namely, Thomas A., Melinda A., Isaac L., and Vernon. Melinda married John Rockwood, of Worcester.

Vernon Prouty received the education afforded by the public schools of a half-cen- tury ago. Since then he has been a close student of public affairs, both in politics and social life, and to-day is well informed on all topics of general interest, He has spent his

active life in agriculture, for which his early training on his father's farm had adequately prepared him. Besides carrying on general farming he makes a specialty of breeding and raising graded Durham cattle. His farm, con- taining one hundred and twenty acres of land, is kept in an excellent condition. In politics Mr. Prouty is a Republican.

OBERT H. COLE, now retired, who formerly manufactured optical goods in Southbridge, was born in

Worcester, Mass., May 28, 1818, son of Elisha and Mary (Mckinley) Cole. His paternal grandfather, also named Elisha, a sailor by occupation, was lost at sea when Elisha Cole (second), was an infant. The maiden name of Grandmother Cole was Turner. The father, a native of Boston, born in 1788, followed the tailor's trade succes- sively in Boston and Worcester and later in Southbridge, to which he came in 1818, pre- vious to its industrial development. He re- sided here for the rest of his life, which ter- minated in 1865. In religious belief he was a Baptist, and he acted as a Deacon of that church for many years. Mary, his wife, who was a daughter of Robert Mckinley, of Ches- ter, N.H., became the mother of nine chil- dren. Of these, Robert H., the subject of this sketch, alone survives.

Robert H. Cole was educated in the schools of Southbridge. When fifteen years old he was apprenticed to William Beecher, of whom he learned the trade of jeweller and watch- maker. At the age of twenty-one he became a partner in the business, under the firm name of Beecher & Co. Purchasing his associate's interest a year later, he carried on the store alone for the succeeding six years. Then he and Lucius H. Ammidown formed a partner- ship for the purpose of engaging in the manu- facture of spectacles. The firm of Ammidown & Co. may be said to have been the founders of the optical industry in Southbridge. Their beginning was made in a building at the lower end of Main Street. After the death of Mr. Ammidown in 1853, William Beecher succeeded to the latter's interest. Mr.

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Beecher again retiring, others were admitted to partnership under the firm name of R. H. Cole & Co. That concern carried on busi- ness until 1869, when the American Optical Company was organized and incorporated with R. H. Cole as president. This position was held by Mr. Cole until his retirement in 1891. He is still a heavy stockholder in the concern. He is also interested in the Water Supply Company, the Southbridge Electric Company, and the Southbridge & Sturbridge Street Railway Company ; and he is vice-pres- ident of the Southbridge National Bank, and has been the president of the savings-bank for the past twenty years.

In 1842 Mr. Cole was united in marriage with Adelia Ammidown, a daughter of Hold- ridge and Thankful (Newell) Ammidown, of Southbridge. The children of this union were: Henry H., born 1844, who died 1849; Ella M., who was born in 1846; and Alfred E., who was born in 1848. Ella M. Cole completed her education at a private school in Worcester, and Alfred E. graduated from the Southbridge High School. Mr. Cole has travelled quite extensively in the United States, both for pleasure and in the interest of the American Optical Company. In 1871, accompanied by his wife, he visited England, Ireland, Scotland, and continental Europe. In early life he was a Whig, and he cast his first Presidential vote for William H. Harri- son in 1840. He has acted with the Republi- can party since its formation. A leading member of the Central Baptist Church, he has contributed liberally to home and foreign mis- sions, and to the interests of temperance.

INDSOR T. BUTLER, agent of the Clarendon Mills and a promi- nent resident of West Boylston, Mass., was born in this village on February 26, 1847, son of Granville and Julia (Barnard) Butler. His grandfather, who was Joseph Butler, a native of Vermont, settled in Clin- ton early in life, before the town was incor- porated. He there followed the occupation of farming, but later removed to West Boyls-

ton and from that place to Boylston, where he died.

Granville Butler, father of our subject, was born in Lancaster, and when he grew to man- hood had charge of the spinning-room in the cotton-mill for which his son is now agent. He died in Berlin in 1895 at the age of seventy-one. His wife, Julia, who was born in Sterling, was the daughter of Windsor Bar- nard, a farmer and mason. She was one of a family of twelve children, of whom nine grew to maturity and six are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Granville Butler were attendants of the Congregational church. Of their family of seven children, four are living; namely, Windsor T., Charles E., Wilbur A., and Ernest L.

Windsor T. Butler removed with his par- ents to Berlin at five years of age, and there remained for two years. Since that time he has resided either in this town or in Boylston. His education was received in the public schools and at Worcester Academy. He began his working life as sweeper for his father, but after a short time spent in the mill he left it in order to attend school. He was subsequently on a farm for four years, and on April 4, 1866, he returned to the mill as book- keeper. From this position he was succes- sively promoted to be paymaster, superintend- ent, and finally, on the Ist of July, 1895, to be agent for the mills. For the four years previous to this time, and while he was super- intendent, he was also practically agent. Two or three veterans excepted, he now has the distinction of having been in the employ of the company longer than any other man. Mr. Butler has charge of one hundred and eighty workmen, and under his management the business is most successfully conducted. Formerly jeans were made at the mill. The present output of manufactured products, in- cluding cotton goods of various kinds and crochet quilts, is double what it was when Mr. Butler first came here.

In June, 1873, Mr. Butler was united in marriage with Mary F. Pearson, a native of Norwich, Conn., and daughter of John and Mary Pearson. Mr. Pearson was a manufact- urer of melodeon and organ cases in New Lon-

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don and later proprietor of a hotel. He had a family of two children. Mr. and Mrs Butler have had two children, one of whom is living. This is Mabel L. Butler, a graduate of Mount Holyoke Seminary in the class of 1895 and formerly assistant teacher in the high school of this town. Mr. Butler belongs to the Re- publican party in politics, but has never cared to hold public office. He was the first man to be initiated in Boylston Lodge, F. & A. M., at West Boylston, and has been secretary of the lodge. He is also a member of Clinton Royal Arch Chapter, Hiram Council, and of Worcester County Commandery, Knights Templar. Mr. Butler's daughter is a member of the Baptist church, and the family attend services in that house of worship.

A SA BALL FAY, the present Repre- sentative of Northboro in the Massa- chusetts legislature, was born in this town, August 31, 1838, son of Abraham and Abigail (Ball) Fay. His grandfather, Asa Fay, who was an extensive farmer and real estate owner in Northboro and a soldier in the Revolutionary War, took an active part in the management of local affairs.

After attending the public schools of North- boro for the usual period, Asa B. Fay worked on the home farm until attaining his major- ity. Then he went with his brother to Lake- land, Minn., where he remained a year. In August, 1862, he returned to Northboro, and enlisting in Company C, Thirty-fourth Mas- sachusetts Volunteer Infantry, served in the Civil War until its close. He took an active part in seventeen battles, and also met the enemy in numerous small skirmishes, having been in the engagements at Harper's Ferry, New Market, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Cedar Creek, Winchester, and Fisher's Hill; in the campaign along the James River; at the battle of Hatcher's Run; at Petersburg and Appo- mattox; and in Richmond when Sherman's army passed through that city. He was mus- tered out of service in Boston, receiving his discharge in June, 1865. During all his ser- vices he was wounded but once, and that by a spent ball in the arm at the battle of Pied-

mont. He was successively Orderly Ser- geant, Sergeant-major of the regiment, and Lieutenant, and was in command of his com- pany at the surrender of Lee.

After returning home Mr. Fay engaged as a dealer in lumber and wood in Northboro until 1873, when he transferred his business and residence to Keene, N.H., where he lived for six years. Since that time he has made Northboro his home, and has been identified with its leading interests. As a young man he was much interested in town matters, and served as Selectman and Assessor in North- boro; and while in Surry he was twice elected to the New Hampshire legislature, of which he was a member in 1876 and 1877. In 1892 he was appointed Postmaster of Northboro. He is now one of the Selectmen of the town, a member of the School Board, and the town's Representative in the General Court, to which he was elected in the fall of 1897. Frater- nally, he is a member of the Joe Johnson Post, No. 96, G. A. R., was its first Commander, and was annually re-elected to that office for several years. He is also vice-president of the Thirty-fourth Regimental Association. On December 26, 1892, he married Miss Anna M. Barnes, who died May 26, 1894.

HARLES B. BLAIR, the efficient Town Clerk and Treasurer of Warren and a dealer in coal, was born here, April 10, 1852. His parents, Shep- ard and Mary A. (Bishop) Blair, were natives respectively of West Brookfield, Mass., and Homer, N. Y. The father, who resided in Warren for more than a half-century and was a well-known farmer, died here in 1883 in his eighty-fourth year. He had a special fondness for music. During his earlier life he taught a singing-school, and afterward for many years he was the choirmaster in both the Congregational and Methodist churches of Warren. He was one of those who were ac- tive in founding the Methodist church, and throughout his life was one of its most zealous supporters. In politics he was a strong anti- slavery man. He was a son of Reuben Blair, who was a lifelong resident of West Brook-

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field, where the family had been for some time settled.

During his boyhood Charles B. Blair worked on his father's farm when not attend- ing the common schools. Subsequently, at the age of eighteen, he began to take building contracts, which line of business he contin- ued for several years. In 1877, however, he started the business in which he is so success- fully engaged to-day. Taking much interest in town affairs, he has occupied the office of Tax Collector for one year, also those of Overseer of the Poor and Selectman for one year each. Since 1891 he has been regularly elected both Clerk and Treasurer. Born of his marriage with Mary L. Gould, a daughter of the late John B. Gould, of Warren, he has two living children: Carl M., who is a stu- dent in Amherst College; and Florence M., who is a student in the Warren High School. Politically, Mr. Blair is a Republican. He has rendered important service to his party as a member of the Republican Town Commit- tee. A Mason of Quaboag Lodge, he belongs to King Solomon Royal Arch Chapter and Worcester County Commandery, K. T., being also the treasurer of the chapter. Mr. Blair is a popular man about town, not only so- cially, but with business men, who appreciate his ability and respect his personal worth.

DWIN D. GOODELL, the chairman of Brookfield's Board of Selectmen and the Postmaster of the town since his appointment on January 19, 1898, son of Warren and Clarinda (Healey) Goodell, was born August 16, 1842. His paternal grand- father, Waldo Goodell, was a native of Con- necticut. His mother was a native of Dud- ley, Mass., and a daughter of J. W. Healey, of that town; while his father was born in Woodstock, Conn. The latter was a promi- nent shoe manufacturer in Dudley for many years.

After leaving the common schools young Goodell entered Nichols Academy, at that time the leading educational institution in Dudley, and was for three years a student there. On September 27, 1861, before he had

finished the course, he enlisted in the army, becoming a member of Company D of the Twenty-fifth Regiment of Massachusetts Vol- unteer Infantry. His regiment was assigned to General Burnside's command. With it he fought in the battle of Roanoke Island, New- bern, Kinston, Goldsboro, White Hall Junc- tion, and Dover Swamp. Afterward he was in General Butler's army at Bermuda Hun- dred, and fought at Drewry's Bluff and at Arrowfield Church; and under General Grant he was at Cold Harbor, where he lost his right foot, and seventy-three per cent. of the men of his regiment were either killed or wounded. Mr. Goodell was carried to the Military Hospital at Washington, and after two months of treatment there was sent home on a furlough. In July, 1865, he was honor- ably discharged from the service. Soon after he came to Brookfield, and for a number of years had charge of the cutting-room in the boot department of the factory of E. Twitchell & Co. Subsequently he formed a partnership with H. L. Butterworth, under the firm name of H. L. Butterworth & Co., for the purpose of manufacturing boots. At the end of three years the plant was destroyed by fire, where- upon the firm was dissolved. Following this Mr. Goodell was employed for a short time by George H. Burt & Co., then manufacturing shoes in Brookfield. In 1887 he started in the retail boot and shoe trade, which he has carried on successfully since.

Mr. Goodell has been for many years a member of the Board of Selectmen of Brook- field and for a large portion of the time the chairman of the board. Also for some years he has been a member of the Brookfield Board of Water Commissioners. He is a Re- publican in politics. In 1885, 1886, 1887, and 1893 he was a Representative in General Court from the Fifth Worcester District. The maiden name of Mr. Goodell's wife was Effie Kinne. She is a native of Plainfield, Conn., and is the mother of one daughter, Edith D. Goodell. Mr. Goodell is a member of Dexter Post, No. 28, G. A. R., which he has served as Quartermaster and in other official positions. For many years he has been the chairman of the Republican Town

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SAMUEL OSGOOD.

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Committee of Brookfield. Mr. Goodell's career as a soldier places his personal bravery beyond question, and his career as a business man as fully establishes his personal in- tegrity.

AMUEL OSGOOD, a venerable and highly respected citizen of Sterl- ing, where for thirty years he was a successful schoolmaster, was born on May 7, 1814, on the estate where he now resides, being the son of Taylor P. and Betsy (Stockwell) Osgood. His paternal grand- father, whose name he bears, was a son of Jonathan Osgood, who was one of the earliest settlers in this town, coming here in 1720. Jonathan Osgood secured the land now com- prising the Osgood farm, cleared a part of it, and spent the remainder of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Taylor P. Osgood, who was an adopted son, was born in Templeton, and was brought up on a farm in that town, remaining there until nineteen years of age and attending the public schools. He always had a great fondness for books, and was a diligent reader, so that he became a man of wide information and scholarly tastes. He was interested in all public affairs, and served the town as Select- man from 1823 to 1825. When General La- fayette made his second visit to this country, he passed through Lancaster, Sterling, and other Worcester County towns, and at Sterl- ing one of those who stood upon the platform with the distinguished patriot was Taylor P. Osgood. His son Samuel well remembers the great enthusiasm everywhere displayed at that time. Taylor P. Osgood died at the age of seventy-five. His wife, who was previously a Mrs. Stockwell, of Templeton, was born in New Braintree. She died in 1823, at the age of fifty. By her first marriage she was the mother of six children and by her second marriage the mother of one child, Samuel Os- good, the subject of this sketch. Both Mr. and Mrs. Taylor P. Osgood were members of the Unitarian church.

Samuel Osgood, who has resided in this town all his life, was educated in the public

schools and at Ipswich Academy and the Tem- pleton High School. During thirty years he taught school in this town in three different districts, and after his retirement from the teacher's desk he served on the School Com- mittee for some twenty-five years. During his long pilgrimage he has seen two genera- tions mature and pass away, and of the men and women who started life with him only a very few now remain. Mr. Osgood's farm, which comprises one hundred and twenty acres, with forty acres of outlying land, is carried on by his grandson, Luther W. Rugg, and is devoted to general farming.

In 1836 Mr. Osgood was united in marriage with Harriet Kendall, of Kendall Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Osgood have been the parents of nine children, of whom seven are living; namely, Charles T., Mary, Samuel, Harriette, Anna, Joseph H., and Jessie. Charles T. married Mary T. Buttrick, and has a daugh- ter, Fannie, now Mrs. Edwin Daily, who is the mother of three children - Harold, How- ard, and Milicent A. Daily. Mary Osgood married Luther Rugg, and is the mother of two children: Gertrude, now deceased; and Luther W., who married Nellie T. Palmer, and has three children - Luther, Gertrude, and Charles H. Harriette Osgood married Henry Stephenson. They have been the par- ents of two children - Ernest Osgood and Clifton, the latter of whom was killed on the railroad. Samuel Osgood, Jr., who is a farmer in Lancaster, married Mary Joudry. Anna E. Osgood is the wife of Frank Bul- lard, who lost a leg in the battle of the Wil- derness during the Civil War. Mr. Bullard was for many years Postmaster at Westboro. Joseph H. Osgood is a farmer. He married Josie E. Whitney, and has two sons - Herbert L. and Harry. Jessie H. is the wife of Andrew P. Lowe and mother of Louis R., Esther G., and Andrew Osgood Lowe, the last named a well-known elevator builder of St. Paul, Minn. On the Osgood home- stead are now living four generations of the family, Mr. Osgood having great-grandchil- dren about him.

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 85

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