Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 99

Author: Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Boston, Biographical review publishing company
Number of Pages: 1238

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Cheever. He prepared for college at Hallo- well Academy and at Phillips Academy, An- dover. Entering Bowdoin College in the class of 1834, he soon showed himself a painstaking student, possessed of natural abilities of a high order. At his graduation in 1834 he

ranked among the first in his class. The next year, 1834-35, he was a student at Andover Theological Seminary, and after that he went abroad, visiting France and Spain, spending several months with his uncle, George Bar- rell, Consul at Malaga, and at the same time writing home letters to the New York Evange- list. Returning to the United States, he re- ceived an appointment as teacher at Plaquemine, La., and subsequently in New Orleans. He completed his course in theology at Bangor Seminary. Remaining in Bangor as a resident graduate, he supplied the church at Old Town, Me., 1839-40; but, his health failing on ac- count of his excessive labors during a season of revival at Old Town, he voyaged to South America and around Cape Horn, going as far as the Sandwich Islands. Foreign travel at that time was far less common than it is to-day, and much novel, interesting, and val- uable information was collected by him and was incorporated in his letters to the Evan- gelist.

On June 4, 1847, Dr. Cheever received his ordination at Lodi, N. J., and during the year following was pastor of the church there. From 1848 to 1849 he was pastor of the Free Congregational Church on Chrystie Street, New York City, and then until 1852 was assistant editor of the New York Evangelist. His subsequent pastorates were at Greenport, L. I., 1852-55; at Westbrook, Conn. 1855-56; at Jewett City, Conn., 1856-61; at South Royalston, Mass., 1862-63; at Fitchburg, Mass., of the Trinitarian church, 1863-64; and at Worcester, Mass., over the Mission Chapel Church, 1864-73. He was secretary of the Church Anti-slavery Society from its origin in 1859 to its close in 1864. Subse- quent to this, Dr. Cheever resided in Worces- ter, but was not settled over any church. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by Bowdoin College in 1892.

He has claims to remembrance as a man of letters. Besides his voluminous writings as a newspaper correspondent, he published a large number of books, among which may be men- tioned the following: "The Whale and his Captors," "The Island World of the Pa- cific," "Memorials of Nathaniel Cheever,

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M. D.," "Short Yarns for Long Voyages," two books of the life and literary remains of Chaplain Walter Colton of the United States navy, "The Pulpit and the Pew," "Way- marks in the Moral War with Slavery."

Dr. Cheever died of old age at Worcester, Mass., on February 13, 1897, being in his eighty-fourth year. The Worcester Spy says of him : -

"Like his brother, the late Dr. George B. Cheever, the Rev. Dr. Cheever was one of the pioneers in the old anti-slavery agitation and in the warfare against intemperance and the liquor traffic. On almost all subjects of social reform he held radical views, and was per- sistent in his convictions and earnest in their expression. He was a firm and generous sup- porter of Christian education, a devoted friend of missions at home and abroad, a kind and ever-ready helper of the needy and friendless, and an advocate of every good cause."

Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, LL. D., who had a lifelong and intimate acquaintance and friend- ship with Dr. Cheever, wrote of him as fol- lows : -

"First, he had perfect honesty of conviction. There never was a nature more full of the at- tribute of honesty than his. He believed honestly, he acted honestly; and he often wondered that others could think and act differently, and especially that I, his old friend, should so far differ from him. But this brought to view one of his golden excel- lencies. He never showed the least sign of personal resentment toward those who opposed him, even if they treated him abusingly. . .

He always had, what has nearly perished out of our times, a burning indignation at oppression, injustice, and cruelty, wherever exercised. . But he had a brave spirit. He had a cheerful and serene confidence in the ultimate triumph of truth and right."

In his theological views Dr. Cheever was broad and charitable. A man of ardent and deeply religious temperament, he was keenly alive to the interests of the church and to the advancement of Christian principles. For many years he was a member of the Central Church. Dr. Merriman, pastor of that church, spoke of him as having "a big, loving heart,

tenderly sympathetic with all suffering, in- capable of resentment, full of generous human- ity, singularly reverent and open to divine fellowship, loyal, direct, affectionate."

Dr. Cheever was married on April 27, 1857, to Jane Tyler, of Jewett City, Conn., daughter of Dr. Lucius and Olive (Johnson) Tyler. Mrs. Cheever died on July 9, 1885. Of her five daughters, four are living, one of these being the wife of President Tucker of Dart- mouth College.

AMES H. SANDERS, one of the founders of the Southbridge Printing Company and superintendent of the works, was born in Crompton, R.I., December 29, 1851, son of James and Mar- garet (Henry) Sanders .. His father, who was born in Lancaster, England, in 1811, learned the trade of a dyer or color mixer. Emigrat- ing to the United States in 1843, James San- ders settled in the State of Rhode Island, where he followed the business of a color mixer in printing factories until 1850. He then engaged in the cotton printing business, which he followed for the rest of his active period. His death occurred when he had at- tained the age of seventy-two years. His wife was a native of Lancaster. Further ref- erence to James and Margaret Sanders may be found in a sketch of Thomas Sanders, which appears elsewhere in the REVIEW.

James H. Sanders was educated in the pub- lic schools and at East Greenwich (R.I.) Academy. Having learned color mixing, he and his brother Thomas engaged in the cotton printing business at Sandersdale, near South- bridge, about 1874; and since the incorpora- tion of the concern as the Southbridge Print- ing Company in 1884 he has occupied the re- sponsible position of superintendent of the works.

On January 8, 1879, Mr. Sanders was united in marriage with Louise M. Hawley, daughter of John S. and Mary M. (Malcolm) Hawley, the ceremony taking place in Illi- nois. Mrs. Sanders is a descendant of Israel Hawley, one of four brothers, who arrived from England at an early date in the Colonial

JAMES H. SANDERS.

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period; and her great-grandfather, Samuel Hawley, served as a soldier in the war for in- dependence. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders have had two children, namely: Mary Louise, born No- vember 16, 1879, who was educated at the Lasell Seminary, and is now studying at a conservatory of music in Boston; and Ruth Hawley Sanders, who was born November 5, 1893.

Mr. Sanders is a member of Phoenix Coun- cil, Royal Arcanum; Armor Lodge, No. 87, Knights of Pythias; and Optic Lodge, An- cient Order of United Workmen. He at- tends the Methodist Episcopal church.

J JOHN W. KNIBBS was born in the historic town of Hargrave, Northamp- tonshire, England, in 1854. His par- ents, Charles Lewis and Betsey (Wills) Knibbs, the former of Alconbury, Hunting- tonshire, England, were sturdy, unpretentious, yet highly respectable people. His father was a landscape gardener and an expert in the rais- ing of fine vegetables. The father's chief endowment to his son was his own hardy char- acteristics; while from his mother, who was of Welsh descent, the lad inherited keen Celtic perceptions.

At the early age of twelve years John took the first step in his business career, and be- came an apprentice in a baker's shop. He served in this capacity until he was fourteen years old, when he advanced to the position of baker, performing a man's work and receiving a man's wages. These were, indeed, years of toil and struggle for the boy. His duties were arduous, and his hours of labor from four o'clock in the morning till late at night. Yet, nothing daunted, he applied himself earnestly and worked with all his might, and at length his patience and quiet determination brought their reward. By the time he was fifteen he had a boy under him as apprentice. The bakery became noted for its excellence, and its trade was doubled within a few months.

Now comes an important period, a turning- point in the life of Knibbs. Misfortune hav- ing overtaken his father, the youth gave all his earnings to his parents. The family contem-

plated coming to America and making a home here. The baker offered young Knibbs one- half the business profits to remain in his employ ; but he declined, and in May, 1871, started for this country in company with his father, mother, and sister.

The family landed at Boston in early June; and young Knibbs, then sixteen years of age, soon after made his way to Worcester. Here he worked at farming for General W. S. Lin- coln, and later he worked on Jonathan Chapin's farm in Holden. Afterward he came into the employ of Calvin Taft, a retired merchant, and cared for that gentleman's horses and grounds. Knibbs remained on the Taft estate eight years, retaining a position which twelve differ- ent men had previously failed to hold. This place was more to his liking than any he had had before. Although faithful to all his trusts, he took the most pleasure in caring for the horses. Mr. Taft noted with satisfaction his devotion to duty, and came to esteem him very highly. He gradually gave Knibbs more and more option in the work as his own health declined, and during his final sickness John Knibbs was his trusted personal attendant.

At the time of Mr. Taft's death, June 17, 1881, Mr. Knibbs possessed a neat little sum of money; for he had been saving at least two- thirds of his income for several years. With this capital he built a brick and stone stable on Barton Place, and started a general livery, feed, and boarding stable. He had married Miss Etta E. Hill, and he now took his father- in-law in business with him as a partner. This partnership was dissolved in about one year. W. M. Johnson was partner to Mr. Knibbs from 1883 to 1889, when he retired.

The choice Mr. Knibbs made in establish- ing himself in this particular business was a happy one. His old love of horses had devel- oped into positive enthusiasm, and he threw all his energies into his work. Success crowned his efforts, and he began to reap the results of his well-laid plans. Soon he be- came known as a prompt and reliable business man and the best judge of horses in Central Massachusetts. In 1883 Mr. Knibbs began the breeding of horses. His noted stud horse, Governor Benton, is now the head of a large

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family of fast, sound, and reliable trade horses. They are also good roadsters and animals of excellent blood, full of true speed and good disposition, and known among horsemen for their soundness in wind and limb and in every particular. Mr. Knibbs has offered voluntary prizes for the fastest colts sired by Governor Benton.

Mr. Knibbs has been treasurer of the Worcester Trotting Association ever since it was organized, which fact alone is evidence enough of the confidence placed in the man by all who know him. He is a contributor to several trade journals of the equine world, and writes in an easy, flowing style. His com- ments and articles are always interesting and widely read. Mr. Knibbs held a United States contract for the transportation of mails from the depot to the post-office for six years, and since 1889 his 'bus has accommodated the public.

Mr. Knibbs is a useful and esteemed citizen. Active and alert, genial with his friends, ready and fluent in speech, delighting to hear or tell a good story, he is especially popular with horsemen, and his stable is a favorite ren- dezvous of those who love the noble animal. Mr. Knibbs is the same man at home that he is elsewhere. He and his wife are truly united. Their marriage has been blessed with three children.

The business carried on by Mr. Knibbs has been prosperous and profitable. He has ac- cumulated within a very few years a comfort- able property, and owns the buildings and land occupied by his business. He has also in- vested in other real estate, and possesses a val- uable residence block on Chatham Street. In March, 1890, he became proprietor of the storage warerooms at 6 Barton Place and IO Mason Street and the concern known as the Metropolitan Storage and Loan Company, J. H. Dickie manager. It has been well said of this company that they have supplied a long- felt want, supplying model accommodations for storing furniture, works of art, pianos, car- riages, and other articles of value at reasonable rates. The large measure of success Mr. Knibbs has achieved has been entirely by his own efforts. He began with nothing but

nature's legacy. Almost without the rudi- ments of an education and scarcely knowing the pleasure and freedom of boyhood, he com- menced his struggle with the world. The difficulties he encountered seemed only to de- velop his resources, strengthen his courage, and fire his ambition. The careful perform- ance of each day's work, with a hope ever before him for something better, led him on from one achievement to another; and to-day the people of Worcester look upon him with mingled feelings of pride and respect, as they say to themselves, "Here, indeed, is a self- made man."

ERMANN F. A. LANGE, a leading florist of Worcester, was born in Hamburg, Germany, May 11, 1847. His father, Johan Heinrich Carl Lange, who was born in Mecklenburg, Ger- many, was a market-gardener and florist, carry- ing on business in Hamm, a large village about two miles east of Hamburg. His mother, in maidenhood Anna Harms Menck, of Hanover, had two children: Hermann F. A., the subject of this sketch; and Henrietta, who became the wife of Amandus Pünger, and is now the mother of five children.

After graduating from one of the German common schools when only thirteen years old, Hermann F. A. Lange became apprenticed to a firm of gardeners for a term of seven years. Having acquired proficiency in the art quicker than was usual, he graduated with honors in five years, and received his diploma as a pro- fessional florist. Subsequently, resolving to follow his trade in America, he went to Liver- pool, England, from which port he sailed for New York on Christmas Eve, 1866. After so long and rough a voyage that the vessel was reported lost, it finally reached New York in safety about the middle of January, 1867.

In the same year Mr. Lange came to Worces- ter to take charge of the conservatory of Dr. Benjamin F. Heywood. Within three years he was admitted as a partner in the concern, and he subsequently managed the business suc- cessfully till 1877. He then leased the prem- ises upon his own account, and conducted the

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establishment until 1882. In that year he purchased seven acres of land at Grant Square, of which before the end of the first year he had put five thousand feet under glass be- sides erecting a substantial residence. At

the present time he owns fourteen acres of land and thirty greenhouses, besides several dwelling-houses. For the past twenty years he has conducted a store on Main Street, Worcester. He makes a specialty of cut flowers, of which he has the largest and finest display in the city. He also keeps a great variety of flowering and ornamental plants, and is particularly proud of his carnations, chrys- anthemums, roses, and violets, which are the chief features of his conservatories. An idea of the growth of his business may be obtained from the fact that the first hot-house at Dr. Heywood's was ten feet wide and fifty long, while the many that Mr. Lange now owns are twenty by a hundred and fifty feet each. His two acres of greenhouses are heated by steam generated in two immense boilers, needing over four hundred tons of coal annually, and he gives employment to about twenty men.

On September 15, 1870, Mr. Lange was married in Worcester to Lena Mayberger, who was born in Northampton, Mass. She died January 7, 1897, leaving two sons - Albert H. and Carl C. The former received his educa- tion in the high school and at Worcester Acad- emy. Having left the latter institution at the age of sixteen years, he has since become the manager of his father's business. With a natural aptitude for the florist's business, he has been a most successful grower. He mar- ried Sarah Drennan, a daughter of Colonel James M. Drennan, City Marshal of Worces- ter, and now has two children: Hermann F. A. Lange, aged three years; and Helen Frances, aged two. Carl C. Lange is also em- ployed in floriculture. Mr. Lange, Sr., is a trustee of the Worcester County Horticultural Society and a member of the Worcester Agri- cultural Society. An esteemed Free Mason, he belongs to the Blue Lodge, Lawrence Chap- ter (Rose Croix), and to Worcester (County) Commandery, K. T. He is also one of the oldest members of the Royal Arcanum, Lodge No. 12; is a charter member of the Worcester

Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and belongs to Einigkeit Lodge, D. O. H. Like so many of his countrymen, he possesses musical tastes, and is a member of the Frohsinn Singing Society. Relig- iously, he is by heritage a Lutheran. Mr. Lange is an intense lover of Nature; and his knowledge of her has been increased, and his mental horizon widened, by close observation and study during extensive travels in this country.

C OHN C. HOWE was a noted machinist and inventor. Born in Northboro, Mass., in 1820, he was a son of Stephen and Patty (Stowe) Howe. The Howes have resided in Worcester County for several generations. Stephen Howe, who cultivated a farm in Northboro, was quite prominently identified with the public affairs of that town.

By attending the common schools for the usual period John C. Howe acquired a good practical education. In his boyhood he aided his father upon the homestead farm. When old enough to begin life for himself, he went to Springfield, Mass., and served an appren- ticeship at the gunsmith's trade, also becom- ing an able machinist. Coming to Worcester in the forties, he began work for Ethan Allen in the manufacture of firearms. Here his su- perior skill asserted itself from the first. Even in his younger days, as a journeyman, he was able to complete without assistance any of the parts of a gun or pistol or any machine or tool required in their manufacture. Some time later the stories of easily acquired wealth attracted him to California. This was in the early days of the gold excitement. He soon returned East, and re-entered the employ of Ethan Allen. In the course of time he pro- duced several inventions that were utilized by his employer, acquiring local fame as a me- chanic and a national notoriety as an in- ventor. In 1864 he devised an improved cartridge that was adopted by the United States government in 1868, and used by the War Department for several years. He also invented a labor-saving machine for making

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brick, an improved roller skate, and a breech- loading gun. His last notable achievment was an improved air-gun. Like most inventors, his business ability was vastly inferior to his genius, making it possible for others to reap the profits of his labor. His gun patent was secured by the Smith & Wesson Company at a nominal price. Although his improved cart- ridge was manufactured and used for years by the United States government, for some unac- countable reason it refused to remunerate him. He, however, prosecuted his claim with such vigor and persistency as to secure a judg- ment against the government in 1884; but Congress failed to appropriate the sum awarded him until some six years after his death. He was therefore obliged to continue to labor even in old age, becoming employed for some time as an expert gunsmith in Hart- ford, Conn. His last days were spent in Worcester, where he died August 19, 1892.

Mr. Howe married for his first wife Mary Bartlett, of Marlboro, Mass., who died leav- ing three children - Frank H., Ellen F., and Mary J. His second marriage was with Annie Grout, of Ashland, Mass., who is no longer living. She had one son, Orrin C. Mr. Howe's daughter, Ellen F., married Henry M. Pressey, the general yard-master of the Boston & Albany Railroad freight depart- ment in this city. She has three children, namely: Ida G., who is now the wife of Robert Moore, of Worcester, and has one daughter, Gertrude F .; Cora B .; and Mabel F. Pressey. Mrs. Pressey recently received the sum of sixty-six thousand, nine hundred and seven dollars, which was appropriated at the last session of Congress to satisfy the judgment awarded her father.

EORGE CHANDLER, M.D., for- merly an able physician and promi- nent citizen of Worcester, was born in Pomfret, Conn., April 28, 1806, son of John W. and Mary (Stedman) Chandler. He was a descendant in the sixth generation of William Chandler, who settled in Roxbury, Mass., in 1637. The intervening ancestors were: John, Joseph, and Peter. The last

named was his grandfather. His father was a farmer.

George Chandler resided at home until seventeen years old, acquiring his elementary education at the district school, which he at- tended during the winter. Subsequently he studied in academies at Dudley and Leices- ter, Mass., and at Woodstock, Conn .; and he was at Brown University for two years, teach- ing school in Westboro, Mass., during the winter vacations. Then he entered Union College, Schenectady, N.Y., after passing a successful examination for the Senior class, and duly graduated with the degree of Bach- elor of Arts. He studied medicine with Dr. H. Holt, of Pomfret, Conn., attended lectures in Boston and at the Yale Medical School, and received his degree of Doctor of Medicine from Yale. In November, 1831, he located for practice in Worcester. Next year he took charge of the practice of a physician in Ward, now Auburn, Mass. ; and he became an assist- ant at the Massachusetts State Lunatic Asy- lum in the following year, remaining there until 1842. For the next three years he was in charge of the insane asylum at Concord, N.H., and while there perfected the plans for a new retreat. On July 1, 1846, he began his duties as head physician at the Massachusetts State Lunatic Asylum, Worcester, and was in charge there until July 16, 1856, when he resigned. Relinquishing the treatment of the insane, in which he had been remarkably suc- cessful, he resumed private practice in this city, and for a number of years resided on Pearl Street. Some time during the seventies he retired permanently and thereafter occupied a pleasant home on Chestnut Street. Dr. Chandler was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, an honorary member of the New Hampshire and Connecticut societies, and he also belonged to the American Anti- quarian Society. Aside from his professional prominence he was quite active in political and military affairs, having been commis- sioned surgeon in the State militia by Gov- ernor Edward Everett in 1839. In 1856 he was a member of the legislature and of the Board of Aldermen in 1862. At one time he was inspector of the State almshouse at Mon-

ALBERT B. F. KINNEY.

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son, and for many years acted as a Justice of the Peace.

In 1842 Dr. Chandler contracted the first of his two marriages with Josephine Rose, of Worcester, who died in 1866. By that union there were four children, two of whom are living and reside in this city, namely : Mary, the wife of A. George Bullock; and Fannie, the wife of Waldo Lincoln. On April 8, 1874, the Doctor married for his second wife Mary E. Douglas, a daughter of Stephen and Nancy (Howe) Douglas, of Greenwich, Mass. During the years 1867, 1868, and 1869 he travelled extensively in Europe, Asia, and Africa, accompanied by his daughters. In 1874, with his second wife as his companion, he made another tour, travelling through Norway, Sweden, and Russia, visited Ken- tucky, California, Oregon, and Puget Sound, and took a trip up the Columbia River. He was a recognized authority upon historical and genealogical subjects, and some years ago he compiled the genealogy of the Chandler family.

LBERT B. F. KINNEY, of Worces- ter, a well-known broker and dealer in bicycles and sporting goods, was born in Barnston, Stanstead County, Canada East, September 25, 1840. He is of Scotch origin. His grandfather, the Rev. Oliver Kinney, who was a Baptist minister of New England, married a Miss Peck, of Rhode Island. They became the parents of six chil- dren, and lived to be octogenarians.

Oliver Kinney, son of the Rev. Mr. Kinney and father of Albert, was born at Woodstock, Vt., in 1806. When a boy he accompanied his parents to Canada, and sub- sequently became a worthy and prosperous farmer. He married Sarah Banfield, a school teacher of Bolton, Vt. ; and they reared four- teen children, eight sons and six daughters, of whom Albert was the sixth child and third son. The greater number of these children married and had families. All the daughters became teachers. Five of the sons and three of the daughters are still living. Both par- ents are now deceased, the father having

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Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Part 99

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