Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 90

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 90

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On September 25, 1884, Mr. Bartlett married Miss Abbie M., daughter of the late Christo- pher Whitney. They have three children - Christopher Whitney, Nellie, and Dorothy. Grasmere, which has been the home of Mrs. Bartlett since she was ten years old, contains fifty acres of land; and the spacious family residence, pleasantly located on a slight rise of ground, is surrounded by well-kept lawns. The orchards connected with this property yield abundantly of different kinds of fruit, and the various plants, shrubs, and ornamental trees are useful, attractive, and beautiful. The numerous buildings on the place, includ- ing the home of the superintendent of the farm, the barns and stables, are all models in their construction and are lighted by electricity.

ALDO CUSHING COREY, chair- man of the Board of Selectmen of Winchendon, was born in Ashburn- ham, Mass., March 31, 1847, son of Jonas and Susan A. (Cushing) Corey. He is a descend- ant of John and Ruth Corey, of Chelmsford, Mass., and of their son Hezekiah, who was born there in 1736, and who settled in New Ipswich prior to 1763, and during the Revolu- tion removed to Ashburnham, Mass.

Hezekiah Corey, Sr., served as a Lieutenant in the militia, and was also prominent in civic

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affairs, holding town offices. He was the father of eight children, and Hezekiah, Jr., was the eldest. Hezekiah Corey, Jr., was born

in New Ipswich, January 17, 1765. He died in Ashburnham, November 16, 1833. On Jan- uary 20, 1791, he married Lucy Townsend, who was born February 19, 1769. She died November II, 1867, at the advanced age of nearly ninety-nine years. They were the par- ents of seven children, of whom the third, named Asahel, was born in Ashburnham, March II, 1794.

When a young man Asahel Corey engaged in the manufacturing of chairs in his native town, and also kept a general store. His natural ability called him into prominence in public affairs, and he represented his district in the legislature for the years 1833, 1834, 1835, and 1836. In 1816 he married Polly Conant, who was born in Gardner, August 30, 1797. He died April 19, 1863, and she died April 24, 1865. They reared two children: Jonas, the father of Waldo Cushing; and Charles A. The latter married Elizabeth L. Barry, and died in 1870, leaving two children, one of whom is living - Fred A. Corey, who married Kate E. Clifford, of Fitchburg.

Jonas Corey, the elder son of Asahel, was born in Ashburnham, in 1816. When young man he worked in his father's store, and from 1852 to 1862 he was employed as book-keeper by McIntyre & Cushing, lumber dealers, Fitchburg, Mass. Entering the army as Captain of Company B, Fifty-third Regi- ment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, he served one year upon the lower Mississippi, and was present at the capture of Port Hudson. Returning to Fitchburg he was for a short time associated with Andrew E. Worcester in the lumber business under the firm name of J. Corey & Co. ; and subsequently he engaged in the same business alone at Ashburnham, still retaining his residence in Fitchburg. Some years later he established the Corey Despatch, Freight & Express Company, which was eventually purchased by the United States Express Company, for whom he worked until about 1870. He died October 28, 1872. Susan A. Corey, his first wife, was born in Brooklyn, Pa., November 13, 1824, daughter

of Laban and Nancy (Whitney) Cushing, of Ashburnham. She died January 12, 1857. His second wife, Mrs. Adeline A. George, born Dunham, died April 6, 1898. Jonas Corey was the father of two children by his first marriage, namely : Waldo C., the subject of this sketch; and Frank Eugene, who was born in Ashburnham, March 31, 1850, and married Nellie C. Marble, of Richmond, Me.

Waldo Cushing Corey was educated in the public schools of Fitchburg. After the com- pletion of his studies he took a position as book-keeper with J. Cushing & Co., grain dealers, for whom he worked four years, and for the succeeding year and a half he was em- ployed in the freight office of the Fitchburg Railway. Coming to Winchendon in Febru- ary, 1872, as book-keeper for E. Murdock, Jr., the woodenware manufacturer, he continued in that capacity until his employer's death, and when Mr. Murdock's large estate was incorpo- rated as the Murdock Fund, Mr. Corey was appointed a trustee and general manager.

On March 14, 1883, Mr. Corey married Clara B. Goodspeed, daughter of George N. and Antantia (Ballou) Goodspeed, of this town. Mrs. Corey is the mother of one daughter - Ethel G., born February 5, 1884.

Mr. Corey is highly esteemed for his busi- ness ability, integrity, and sound judgment. He served as Town Treasurer for the years 1884, 1885, and 1886; was elected a Select- man in 1894, and re-elected in 1897 ; has been chairman of that body for the past three years ; and in 1895 was elected a Water Commissioner for three years. In politics he is a Democrat. He is an advanced Mason, being at present Master of the Blue Lodge and Past High Priest of North Star Chapter, Royal Arch. Masons, and belonging to Jerusalem Commandery, Knights Templar, of Fitchburg. Mr. and Mrs. Corey attend the Unitarian church.

FRANCIS BANGS KNOWLES, one of the founders of the L. J. Knowles & Brother Loom Works, Worcester, was born in Hardwick, Mass., November 29, 1823, son of Simeon, Jr., and Lucetta (Newton) Knowles, Richard Knowles, the immigrant

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progenitor of the family, settled on Cape Cod before 1653; and Simeon Knowles, Sr., grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Provincetown.

Simeon Knowles, Jr., settled in Hardwick, Mass., after marriage, and carried on a carriage manufactory in connection with farming. He died in Warren in 1860; and his wife, Lucetta, who was a native of Hardwick, died in 1867. He was the father of four children, namely : Lucius J. Knowles, who was one of the propri- etors of the loom works; Laura Loraine, who was the wife of Rufus Washburn; Harriet Eveline, who married Lorin Brown; and Fran- cis B. Knowles, the subject of this sketch - none of whom are living.

Francis Bangs Knowles in his early years acquired a good education, qualifying himself for a teacher. He taught one term of school in Dana, Mass., and he afterward taught for a brief period in Gloversville, N. Y. ; but, as the life of a pedagogue offered little or no in- ducement to a youth of his ambitious and progressive nature, he shortly abandoned the profession. As a travelling salesman for a large manufacturing concern he built up for it an ex- tensive trade in New England. His desire to advance, however, would not admit of his re- maining in the employ of others for any length of time, and at the age of twenty-two years he engaged in the clothing business on his own account. In 1863 at the urgent request of his brother, Lucius J., he moved his family from Gloversville to Warren, Mass., for the purpose of engaging in the manufacture of looms. The business was started by Lucius J. Knowles in one room, with a force of three mechanics, manufacturing power looms for the production of narrow fabrics, such as tape and ribbon. In 1866 the firm of L. J. Knowles & Brother removed to Worcester, first locating on Allen Court and later in the building now occupied by their successors, the Crompton & Knowles Company. The ability, activity, and far-reaching foresight of Mr. Francis B. Knowles soon placed the concern in the front rank of manufacturers in its line; and the con- stantly increasing demand for its machines made necessary its removal to the present quar- ters, which contains some five acres of floor

space. He continued to exercise an unabated impetus in behalf of the enterprise for the rest of his life, and his efforts were not only the means of building up a manufacturing business which furnished the facilities for successfully conducting other important industries, but afforded steady employment to a large number of workingmen. A short time previous to his death it was deemed advisable to place the business in the hands of a corporation, which organized under the name of the Knowles Loom Works -; and some two years ago the lat- ter was consolidated with the Crompton Com- pany.

Mr. Knowles acquired a wide reputation both as a business man and a philanthropist. During his business career his name was al- ways to be found among the largest contribu- tors to religious and benevolent objects, and he earnestly endeavored to cause those around him to profit by his presence in the world. As a boy his genial manners made him a favorite with his companions, and generosity early asserted itself as one of the leading features in his character. His affection for his elder brother, Lucius J., was singularly deep, and from the time the latter left the paternal roof to begin life for himself he was not fully con- tented with his lot in life until they were again united, some twenty-one years afterward. Their attachment for each other was unusually strong; and it is a somewhat singular coinci- dence that both should have died in Washing- ton, D.C., and of the same disease, neuralgia of the heart. The death of Francis Bangs Knowles occurred on May 15, 1890, while he was on his way North from his winter home at Winter Park, Fla. Impressive funeral services were held in the latter place at the same time as those in Worcester. Shortly afterward a memorial volume was issued, containing the resolutions passed by various organizations, including the Piedmont Church, of which he was an original member, a Deacon, and super- intendent of the Sunday-school; the Pilgrim Church; the directors of the Knowles Loom Works; the Central National Bank; and the faculty of Rollins College, Winter Park, Fla., for the establishment of which he donated a large sum. It also contains the funeral ad-

PHILASTUS POWERS.

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dresses of the Rev. Messrs. D. O. Mears and George H. Gould, and the whole serves as a fitting tribute to a worthy character.

In 1845 Mr. Knowles married Ann Eliza Pool, who died leaving two children - Lila and Frank P. On April 23, 1867, he married for his second wife Hester A. Greene, who survives him. She is the mother of three children : Mabel, wife of Dr. Homer Gage; Frances W. ; and Lucius J. Knowles.

HILASTUS POWERS, a prosperous farmer and extensive land-owner of Phillipston, was born upon the farm that he now occupies, July 21, 1821, son of Oliver and Azubah (Carruth) Powers. The family is of English origin ; and the name, which was formerly spelled Poer, was intro- duced into England by a follower of William the Conqueror.

Edward Powers, Mr. Powers's paternal grandfather, was born in Harvard, Mass., September 10, 1754. He came to Phillipston from Petersham about 1778. Settling upon the site of the present homestead when it was practically a wilderness, he cleared and im- proved the estate, and resided here until his death, which occurred September 9, 1830. He held several town offices, including that of Selectman, and was one of the first Deacons of the church in Phillipston. In 1778 he mar- ried for his first wife Priscilla Curtis, who was born in Petersham, September 14, 1758. She died February 3, 1808. On December 28 of the same year he married Lydia Knapp, who was born April 10, 1761. Of his first mar- riage there were five children, namely : Sally, born September 14, 1779; Oliver, born March 26, 1781; Sylvia, born April 3, 1785; Pris- cilla, born October 28, 1789; and Edward, born October 25, 1794.

Oliver Powers, father of Philastus, was a lifelong resident of Phillipston. Besides cul- tivating the homestead farm of one hundred and thirty-nine acres, upon which he erected the residence now occupied by his only surviving son, Philastus, and made various other im- provements, he took a prominent part in town affairs, holding at times the different town

offices, including that of Selectman. He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1820, and reappointed for successive terms until the close of his life. He did much work as a con- veyancer, besides settling estates, acting as guardian for minors, and transacting such other business as usually pertains to the office of Justice of the Peace in a New England town. He was concerned in all matters relating to the general welfare of the community, and took a lively interest in church affairs. He died March 27, 1859. His wife, Azubah, who was born in Phillipston, April 23, 1782, died August 31, 1858. She was the mother of twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity. Only two are now living: Philastus, the sub- ject of this sketch; and Mary Levinah, who married Charles Horr Baldwin, and resides in Athol, Mass. The deceased are: Philander Oliver, born August 19, 1805; Curtis, born August 10, 1807; Lanson, born August 29, 1809; Azubah Philena, born July 8, 1811; James, born July 17, 1813; Lydia, born June 8, 1815; Edward, born April 20, 1817; Amos H., born September 1, 1819; and Martha and Mary, twins, born July 28, 1823. Philander O. Powers studied for the Christian ministry, was ordained, and in 1834 was sent by the American Board of Foreign Missions as mis- sionary to Turkey.

Philastus Powers received a practical com- mon-school education. He was brought up on his father's farm, and since reaching manhood has been actively engaged in general farming, cattle-dealing, and lumbering. He has added adjoining land to the homestead property, and in addition to this has acquired possession of several outlying tracts. He is at the present time the largest real estate owner and heaviest tax-payer in the town.

On June 12, 1850, he married Martha Ett Farr, who was born at Fort Ann, N. Y., Sep- tember 7, 1824, daughter of Colonel James and Hannah Farr. Seven children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Powers in the early years of their wedded life, namely : Mary Farr, who was born February 11, 1852; Flora Cordelia, born October 31, 1853; Clara Melissa, born October 2, 1855, who married Walter White; James Oliver and Hannah Azu-

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bah, twins, born August 28, 1859; Jennie Francenia, born November 1, 1861 ; and Hel- ena Gertrude, born July 26, 1862. Of these only two, Mary Farr and Helena Gertrude, are now living. Mary Farr is the widow of Eu- gene Tolman, formerly a jeweller in Worcester, Mass., where she now resides. She has two children : Florence Edith, born December 18, 1872, who is the wife of Everett W. Durgin, a jeweller and optician in Worcester; and Lawrence Powers, born August 11, 1876, who is a designing engineer, employed by the Taunton Locomotive Manufacturing Company, of Taunton, Mass. Helena Gertrude Powers is the wife of Seth Parker Heywood Hale,'a dealer in general merchandise and also Post- master and station agent at Williamsville. Mr. and Mrs. Powers have a grandson, Walter LeRoy White, born March 9, 1884, the son of their daughter Clara, Mrs. Walter White, whose husband's lineage, we are told, runs back to the "Mayflower." He is a farmer and prominent in all offices and committees in town.

Politically a stanch Republican, Mr. Powers has served his fellow-townsmen as Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor. He is a member of the Congregational church. Hav- ing sound judgment and a large share of busi- ness ability, he has exercised these qualities both to the benefit of the town and the in- crease of his own prosperity, and he is now one of the most substantial residents of Phil- lipston.

G. WARREN'S SONS are the proprietors of a large tannery in Holden, which is both profitable to them and beneficial to the town. The busi- ness, which is conducted by Samuel, Berthier, and the Hon. Henry W. Warren, sons of the late Waterman G. Warren, was founded by the latter about the year 1840. The family originated with John Warren, one of the com- pany headed by Governor Winthrop, which ar- rived at Massachusetts Bay, June 12, 1630. Members of the family for five generations have been identified with the tanning industry in Worcester County, and the business was

carried on at Leicester by Ebenezer Warren, the great-great-grandfather of the members of the present firm as early as 1744. Jonathan Warren, their great-grandfather, was also a tanner. His son, Samuel, the father of Water- man G. Warren, carried on that business in Auburn. Born in Leicester, Mass., July 31, 1779, Samuel became prominent in the town and a Deacon of the Baptist church. He died September 10, 1832. His wife, Sally (Gould- ing) Warren, who was born in Auburn in 1790, died November 20, 1861. Of their seven children there is one survivor, Elbridge War- ren, who resides in Auburn.

Waterman G. Warren, who was born in Au- burn, May 15, 1807, served his apprentice- ship to tanning under his father's direction, and followed the business in Auburn until 1839, when he moved to Holden. In the fol- lowing year he began the tanning business in this town, and in 1850 he purchased and es- tablished a tannery upon the farm now occu- pied by his son Samuel. The present brick building was erected and taken possession of in 1875. Waterman's son Samuel had already been received into partnership. Waterman continued in business until his death, which occurred August 7, 1886. For years he occu- pied a position of prominence among the lead- ing men of Holden, and his integrity, business ability, and progressive tendencies were highly appreciated by his townsmen. In politics he supported the Republican party, and he was an earnest advocate of temperance. On April 22, 1830, he was united in marriage with Mary Eddy, who was born in Auburn, Febru- ary 7, 1806. She had five children, all born in Auburn, namely : Ann E., on February 13. 1831, who is now the widow of the Rev, Lester Williams, and resides in Boston; Susan E., born March 27, 1833, who is unmar- ried and resides in Holden; Samuel, October 15, 1834; Berthier, October 22, 1836, who resides in Worcester; and Henry W. Warren, March 18, 1838. The mother died Septem- ber 3, 1887. Both of the parents were at- tendants and liberal supporters of the Baptist church.

Samuel Warren attended the common schools of Holden, the Worcester Academy,

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and the Westfield Normal School. His knowledge of tanning was obtained in his father's tannery. Having first joined his father in business in 1867, he afterward be- came a member of the firm W. G. Warren & Sons, and then of W. G. Warren's Sons. The success of the last-named concern is in a great measure due to his ability. On May 13, 1869, he married Marion Lakin, who was born in Paxton, Mass., June 27, 1845. Her parents, George S. and Nancy (Hubbard) Lakin, were born, the former in Paxton, Feb- ruary 26, 1802, and the latter in Holden, June 13, 1815. George S. Lakin was a boot and shoe manufacturer in Paxton during the active period of his life, which ended in 1875. His wife died in 1883. They were the par- ents of two children, one of whom is no longer living. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Warren are the parents of three sons, namely: Her- bert L., born August 24, 1870; Arthur K., born December 13, 1871; and George W., born December 3, 1882. The father was a Representative in the legislature of 1867, and a Selectman of the town in 1872 and 1873. He has frequently been elected an Assessor, and is at present a member of that board. He was also a member of the School Commit- tee for four years. His wife was one of the first women in the State elected to the School Board, on which she has served since 1887. She is a member of the Congregational church, and Mr. Warren attends services there.

Berthier Warren obtained his education at the Wilbraham Academy, the Williston Sem- inary in Easthampton, and in Claverack, N. Y. In 1866 he went to the South, accompanied by his brother, Henry W., and, purchasing a cotton plantation in Leake County, Missis- sippi, was for some years engaged in its culti- vation. In 1875 he and his brother returned to Holden, and started in business under the firm name of B. & H. W. Warren. Later they joined their father and elder brother, Samuel. The new tannery was thoroughly equipped for manufacturing card leather, which has since been one of their chief prod- ucts. After the death of the father the firm adopted its present style of W. G. Warren's

Sons. This concern has one of the best es- tablishments of its kind in the State, is sup- plied with machinery of the latest pattern, and employs an average of twenty men throughout the year. While residing in Mis- sissippi Mr. Berthier Warren served on the Board of Registration for one year, and was Clerk of the Chancery Court for three years. On September 14, 1871, he married Eunice C. Boyden. They have had two children - Mary Silence and Harry Lester Warren. The latter died in 1881, when one year old.

The Hon. Henry Waterman Warren ac- quired his early education at the public schools, the Worcester Academy, and the Westfield Normal School. Subsequently, having fitted for college at the Williston Sem- inary, he graduated from Yale, class of 1865. In the following year he engaged in cotton planting in Mississippi, of which State he was a resident for the succeeding ten years. During that time he was actively concerned in public affairs. He was appointed Judge of Probate of Leake County in 1867; was a mem- ber of a Constitutional Convention; served as Representative in the legislatures of 1870 and 1871; was Speaker of the House in 1871 and its Clerk during the succeeding four years; and in 1873 he was appointed by Gov- ernor Powers Levee Commissioner, whose duty it was to collect and disburse the funds for the payment of the old levee debt, and to dispose of the tax-lands held by the State for that purpose. He was a delegate to the Re- publican national convention held at Chicago in 1868, which first nominated U. S. Grant for President, and of the Cincinnati conven- tion that nominated Rutherford B. Hayes. In the summer of 1876 he returned to Holden, where he has since been actively interested in the tanning business. He served as a mem- ber of the Board of Selectmen for the years 1878, 1879, 1880, 1885, and 1886, being its chairman for two years. He was elected Town Treasurer in 1889, a member of the Board of Overseers of the Poor in 1890, and he represented his district in the Massachu- setts legislature for the years 1882 and 1885. On November 8, 1877, he married Dora L. Howe, daughter of Deacon William and Mary

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Ann (Jefferson) Howe. His children are: William H., who was born September 28, 1879; Blanche L., born July 11, 1881; Helen G., born November 7, 1883; and Waterman G. Warren, born November 16, 1 890.

ALISHA CHAPIN WOOD, a highly esteemed resident of Upton, was born April 5, 1815, son of Jonathan and Sarah (Chapin) Wood. His great-grandfather, Colonel Ezra Wood, was one of the first set- tlers of Upton and in his day one of its weal- thiest and most influential men. His grand- father, Ezra Wood, a prominent farmer, was for many years a Justice of the Peace; and he represented his district in the Massachusetts General Court.

Jonathan Wood was also a farmer and for a quarter of a century the proprietor of the fa- mous old Wood's Inn, situated half-way on the stage road between Worcester and Providence. He was an old-time Whig, and he served the town as Selectman and in various other posi- tions of trust. He was also Captain of the Horse Guards. His wife died in May, 1896, at the advanced age of ninety-six years and seven months.

Elisha Chapin Wood was educated in the Upton public schools, in Frye's School at Bolton, and in Thurber's School at Milford. He worked for a time in the shoe manufactur- ing business at Milford, but never moved there. Afterward until five years ago he cultivated his present farm of some two hundred acres in Upton. At one time he conducted a livery stable in Upton village. About thirteen years ago he retired from active business life, and was succeeded by his son. He has always been an active temperance worker, and it is due to his zeal and that of a few other earnest citizens that the town has not granted a liquor license since he became a voter.

In June, 1835, Mr. Wood married Cynthia C., daughter of Elisha and Bethiah (Ward) Carpenter. He and his good wife have passed sixty-three years of happy wedded life. They were married in the room which is now their comfortable and homelike parlor, and in which

their friends assembled to celebrate in turn their golden and pearl wedding anniversaries. They would have celebrated their silver wed- ding in the same room had such an event been known in their day. They enjoy social inter- course, especially receiving and entertaining their friends, as they did a half-century ago. Indeed, they may still be counted among the young couples of Upton. Their pleasant home is on the southern shore of Pratt Pond. Only three years since they participated in a Ray- mond excursion to Montreal and Quebec, tak- ing their son and grandson along with them. Of their children, two daughters died in in- fancy. Their son, Charles, who resides with them, married successively Hattie Prouty and Elsie Shove, of Uxbridge, and has one son, Leroy E. S. Wood.

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 90

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