USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Millbury > Centennial history of the town of Millbury, Massachusetts, including vital statistics, 1850-1899 > Part 27
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In 1888, Mr. Ducharme bought of the Emerson estate the land and buildings on North Main Street, occupied in part by the store of Warren Sweetser and the drug store of N. H. Sears. Some of the buildings were removed to the rear and some to Church street. In 1892, the brick block which is now partly occupied by Mr. Ducharme for his business was built.
Mr. Ducharme is one of the largest property owners of the town, a man of sound judgment, and a good financier. For over twenty- five years he has served as trustee of the Millbury Savings Bank, and except for a few years at the beginning of his trusteeship, he has been a member of the board of investment. In 1914, he was elected as one of the vice-presidents of the bank. He has served the town in the capacity of selectman.
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
SILAS DUNTON
Silas Dunton who is ninety-seven years of age is one of the best known citizens of the town. The family of Mr. Dunton dates back to Samuel Dunton, the New England ancestor, who is known to have lived at Reading, in 1644. Moses Dunton, father of Silas, was a blacksmith and moved here from Sturbridge. At one time he had a shop of his own, but later was employed in the gun-works of Asa Waters. As assistant to his father, Silas Dunton worked in the shop for a short time, but when still a youth he entered the employ of A. G. Stiles & Co., who owned a general store. As a young man three years were passed as a salesman at Louisville, Ky., in the boat and shoe business, in the employ of Capt. A.Wood. Leaving this occupation he became a clerk in the dry-goods store of Hardon & Hunt, of Worcester. Later, he worked for a short time in a clothing store at Boston, then for a short time he was a clerk in Millbury. His next position was in charge of a store owned by Benedict & Denney, at North Oxford. In 1848, he became a partner in the firm of Robbins & Dunton, at Millbury, continuing for three years, when he became the sole proprietor. In addition to a general store, located in Randall Block, Mr. Dun- ton, in company with Mr. Denney, added a drug-store, which was continued for a few years. Mr. Denney later withdrew, and Mr. Dunton took his son-in-law, James A. Morse, into partnership, continuing for some time, until the store was sold and went into the possession of Crane & Aldrich. (Rufus R. Crane and Samuel W. Aldrich.)
Mr. Dunton, in company with other Millbury men, caught the oil-fever once raging in Canada, but, not meeting with success in this venture, he returned to Millbury and bought back his old business, continuing it under the name of Dunton & Morse. In 1872, the firm of Dunton & Winter (Silas Dunton and Thomas A. Winter) was formed, which from that time to 1915 was contin- ued, carrying on an extensive trade in groceries and dry goods. Several years ago Mr. Dunton retired from active management and Mr. Winter has conducted the business. In 1915 Mr. Winter became sole proprietor.
Mr. Dunton is a mason of high standing and, since 1850, has been a member of Olive Branch Lodge. In 1868, he was represen- tative to the General court. He is a man of a pleasant, genial
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nature and his long life has been passed mostly in his native place. His great age covers almost the entire history of the town.
(See Genealogy.)
JAMES H. FERGUSON
James H. Ferguson, son of John Ferguson, was born in Bristol, Rhode Island. He received his education in the schools of that town and spent his spare time on the farm. His trade of tinsmith and plumber was learned at Saundersville. In 1869, he came to Millbury where he has since resided. In 1886, he was a member of the firm of Crane & Ferguson, hardware dealers. Later in Odd Fellows' Block he carried on the hardware business together with the pursuit of his trade in his own name. In 1914, he moved to the Arcade building.
For years Mr. Ferguson has been an active politician in the Republican party, being frequently delegated to attend its con- ventions and he has many times held the position of chairman of the Republican town committee. He has served on the Board of Selectmen and is at present secretary of the Board of Health. In 1894, he was chosen to represent this district in the State Legislature and he was again elected in 1912.
He is a member of Olive Branch lodge, F. & A. M., of Tyrian Royal Arch Chapter, and of the Worcester County Commandery of Knight Templars.
COL. GEORGE A. FLAGG
Col. George A. Flagg, son of Benjamin, was born in Millbury, in 1845. For many years he resided here and is pleasantly remembered by our older citizens. He received his education in the schools of Millbury, at Phillips Exeter Academy, and at Harvard University, graduating from the college in 1866 and from Harvard Law School in 1868. He took an active part in politics, representing the district of which Millbury formed a part, in the General Court. He served as secretary of the Republican State Committee. His rank of colonel was received from his service on the staff of Governor Robinson. He was a member of the School Committee. He was at one time associated with his father in business at the Millbury Cotton Mills. In 1879, he became connected with the Calumet & Hecla Mining Co. and, in 1893,
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was made its secretary and treasurer. Some years ago he moved . to Holliston, where he now resides.
JOHN GEGENHEIMER
John Gegenheimer, agent of the Cordis Mills prior to 1891, was conspicuous for his success in advancing the interests of that industry and of the welfare of its employees. He served the town as chief of the fire department and in other ways manifested his public spirit and devotion to the prosperity of the community. He was treasurer of the Millbury Electric Light Co.
He now resides at Needham where he is engaged in the hardware and plumbing business.
JOHN R. GREENWOOD
Mr. John R. Greenwood, widely known as a successful mill superintendent, came to Millbury in 1897 from Dexter, Maine, where for fifteen years he was agent in the Dexter Woolen Mills. In January, 1898, he took local charge of the affairs of the Mayo Woolen Co. which purchased the Mowry A. Lapham mill and under his direction repairs and alterations were made in the structure and machinery. The work begun at this mill has been continued by the later additions of recent machinery and similar improvements have been made under his supervision in other mills owned by the same company, viz.,-the "Wheeler" mills, the "Pinafore" mill, and the "Crane and Waters" mill. Thus under his direction the number of mills has increased to four and the business of the company has greatly expanded.
In 1913 and 1914, Mr. Greenwood was clerk of the Board of Selectmen and in 1915 was its chairman, having become a candi- date in response to solicitations from business men of the town.
Mr. Greenwood has proved himself to be a good financier, a successful manufacturer and a loyal citizen whose efforts have contributed to the growth and development of the town.
HUDSON WARREN HAKES
Hudson Warren Hakes, manufacturer and inventor, is the son of Henry Hudson Hakes, a Civil War veteran. He was born in Millbury, July 5, 1853, and during his boyhood attended the local public schools. At the age of eleven he worked for five cents an hour under John Hovey on the Waters' farm watering tobacco on
MACHINE CO
THE MILLBURY MACHINE COMPANY
THE H. W. HAKES MANUFACTURING CO. SHOP
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the same piece of ground now occupied by his manufacturing establishment. He later worked in the Millbury Cotton mill, then operated by Harrington and Flagg, and was afterwards employed in the sash and blind shop of C. D. Morse and Co.
When in his early twenties Mr. Hakes worked with his uncle, Mr. George Sweetser (brother of Warren Sweetser), at the Gilbert Loom Company of Worcester. Here he worked on loom con- struction and acquired a knowledge in the structure of looms which aided him in his later achievements. He afterwards was employed at the Crompton Loom Works, then located on Green St., Worcester.
In 1879, Mr. Hakes began the manufacture of loom fittings for himself in Millbury, hiring a room in the factory of C. D. Morse (where the Felters' Co. is now situated) and here he worked for two years when fire destroyed the entire plant.
In 1881, he built a shop, eighty feet long and fifty-six feet wide, on River St. where he has been located ever since. Here he has manufactured heddle-frames, wire goods and mill findings for woolen, cotton, and silk mills.
In 1895, Mr. Hakes formed a stock company for the manufac- ture of heddle-frames and at the same time extensive improve- ments were made in the factory. A new shop was erected and well-nigh the entire equipment was renewed. The company on the first day of the year moved into the new building and the old shop was moved to the bank of the river where it has since been used as a store-house.
In 1905, another building was erected, which is now used as the main shop.
In 1908, the J. H. Williams Manufacturing Company, of Utica, N. Y., was taken under the management of Mr. Hakes and brought from that place to Millbury. This company was incorporated in New York, in 1846, but the first owners have died. Mr. Hakes disposed of the company's machines for the manufacture of reeds, bobbins, and heddles, retaining for the plant in Millbury the shut- tle machinery. A further addition was made to the buildings for the accommodation of this machinery by the erection of the North wing which has been devoted to the making of shuttles of all kinds and where, it is interesting to note, the Garfield shuttle-eyes are used.
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Mr. Hakes has been not only a manufacturer of mill findings, but he has been an inventor as well. He has not only invented improved machinery in his own works, but he has also invented improvements in heddles and shuttles, to meet the requirements of advancing ideas. He has also contributed to the facilities for the manufacture of textile goods. He has been granted three patents for improvements in the structure of heddle-frames and two patents for the invention of hand threading shuttles, thus, in his own shop, meeting the requirements of the law which forbids the use of shuttles that require the operator to suck the thread through the shuttle-eye. He has been granted a patent for a holder in the automatic (Draper) shuttles whereby a rigid, strongly supported bevelled surface, instead of the metal strap commonly used, receives the head of the bobbin and guides it into its place.
Mr. Hakes first invented in this country the adjustable handle- bars for bicycles securing a modified patent, the basic idea having previously been discovered in England. He also invented an adjustable spring bicycle seat though he never put this invention on the market.
Besides the patents already granted, the last being in 1914, Mr. Hakes has five patents still pending for which application has been made.
WARREN A. HARRIS
Mr. Harris has always lived on the farm which he owns and which was formerly in the possession of his father, Harry W. Harris. For many years he has been a dealer in wood, lumber and ice, having an ice house and a wood sawing plant located near the outlet of Singletary Lake. He also does a teaming business, so that in connection with all his industries he employs several men. He is the proprietor of many acres of land adjoining the lake, including Harris Grove which has been cleared so as to make an attractive place for summer campers and others who wish to enjoy the charm of this beautiful sheet of water.
WM. E. HORNE
Wm. E. Horne came to Millbury, in 1874, and went to work as a clerk for Augustus S. Winter, with whom he remained for several years. He first engaged in business for himself in the brick build- ing which stands at the foot of Wigwam Hill, earlier used as a
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school-house for the paper-mill district, and later as a store by H. L. Bancroft, and by Redding & Co. Here he dealt in groceries and general merchandise. The increase of business led him to move to his present location at Burbank Square, which is the site of the old hotel of Elias Lovell. With some of his sons, who were taken into partnership, he has built up an extensive business in groceries, fish, provisions, dry-goods, boots and shoes. Mr. Horne is also a dealer in ice, wood and lumber and does an extensive teaming business. One of his ice-houses is located at Brierly Pond and the other, formerly owned by H. M. Goddard, is at Singletary Lake.
Mr. Horne is proprietor of the farm formerly owned by David T. March. The house in which he resides was once occupied by Maj. Gen. Burbank. The later residence built by the general, and situated next to the school-house in Bramanville, is also owned by Mr. Horne, who also possesses "Wigwam," or, as it is sometimes called, "Soapstone" Hill.
FREDERICK W. MOORE
Frederick W. Moore was born at Port Huron, Mich., but re- ceived his education in the public schools of Salmon Falls, N. H., and Exeter, N. H. He has resided at Exeter, N. H., Milltown, N. B., Ware, Mass., Thorndike, Mass., and Moosup, Conn. Since 1891, he has been the resident agent of the Cordis Mills and under his management these mills have doubled in size, so that today they constitute the largest industry in town.
Mr. Moore is president of the Millbury Steel Foundry Co., a trustee of the Millbury Savings Bank, and was formerly a director of the Blackstone Valley Electric Railway Co. He is a prominent Mason.
In public town affairs Mr. Moore has been active and has held many important positions. He has served as moderator at special town meetings. He was chiefly instrumental in inauguratnig the present financial system of the town and for several years was chairman of the finance committee. He was on the committee in charge of remodelling the Union School Building. He was chairman of the committee which changed the street lighting system from the arc to the tungsten light. He was secretary of the committee for the erection of the new High School Building.
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PETER C. PARADIS
Peter C. Paradis, grocer and general store-keeper, was born in St. Guillaume, P. Q. After attending the local school for a few years, upon the death of his father, he came to the United States at the age of fifteen. He began work as a mill-hand and attended night schools while thus employed. At North Grosvenordale, Ct., he was employed for several years as clerk in J. H. Wousard's store. In 1879, he came to Millbury, where he has since resided. Mr. Paradis bought the "Duggan place" on Maple Street and opened a small store, but the business has greatly increased.
Mr. Paradis has been president of the French Naturalization Club, an active member of the St. Jean Baptiste Society, a member of the Foresters of America, and L'Union St. Jean Baptiste. In politics he is a member of the Republican party and has been a member of the town committee for several years. He was chairman of the board of selectmen in 1909, was on the board in 1912, and was chairman in 1913 and 1914. In 1915 he served in the State Legislature.
Mr. and Mrs. Paradis were active in founding the Church of the Assumption and are closely identified with its interests. Both are well known for their benevolence. Mrs. Paradis is president of Council 212, of L'Union St. Jean Baptiste.
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR
William L. Proctor who, with E. M. Wood, succeeded to the business of Buck Bros. in the manufacture of edge tools, after the death of Richard T. Buck, is a native of Sheffield, England. He was educated at Wesley, England, and later learned the business of steel making. Some years previous to 1887 he made several business trips to this country in which he finally came to reside. By his knowledge of steel and its working Mr. Proctor became a valuable assistant to Mr. Buck. He now carries on the business in company with his sons, Richard W. and Harold B. Proctor. Mr. Proctor has been prominent in musical affairs.
Rev. GEORGE A. PUTNAM
The Rev. George A. Putnam is descended from John Putnam who came to Salem Village, now Danvers, from Ashton, Abbotts, in Buckinghamshire, England, in 1634. The lineage descends
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John1, Thomas2, Deacon Edward3, Elisha4, Nehemiah5, Reuben6, Rev. John Milton7, Rev. George Augustus8. In the same family, though not in a direct line, were the distinguished generals of Revolutionary fame, viz :- Gen. Israel Putnam of Connecticut, and Gen. Rufus Putnam, who was born in Sutton, Mass., and who was also very prominent in settling the State of Ohio.
The father of the Rev. George A. Putnam was born in Sutton and, as his father died when he was young, he spent his youth on the farm of Jonathan Waters at West Millbury. The Rev. George Augustus Putnam was born at Dunbarton, N. H., May 8, 1835. He attended the district school in that place and prepared for college at Kimball ยท Union Academy, Meriden, N. H. He then entered Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 1858 and went to Bangor Theological Seminary from which he was graduated in 1860. His first pastorate was in the First Congregational church of Yarmouth, Maine, with which he remained from 1860 to 1870. On January 22, 1871, he came to the First Congregational Church of Millbury, and was installed as pastor, April 11, 1872.
For nearly four decades Mr. Putnam continued in the pastorate of the church, resigning June 26, 1910, but he was made pastor emeritus, so that his pastoral relation with the church was modified, but not terminated.
In October, 1875, Mr. Putnam went abroad for study and rest, visiting Scotland, England, France, Italy, Egypt, and Palestine. He remained absent a year having his full salary continued by a loyal and generous church.
Although he has lectured occasionally, Mr. Putnam has con- stantly devoted his time, his attention, his talents, his learning and his strength to the duties of the pastorate. This office, how- ever, he has interpreted in a broad sense of the function so that he has been widely influential as citizen in the town and as a friend among the people.
During his long pastorate the First Congregational Church has grown in strength and in numbers so far as the condition of the community permitted. Business disaster and a change of popu- lation greatly depleted the number within the limits of the parish yet the proportion of church members among the residents has increased.
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HERBERT A. RYAN
Herbert A. Ryan was educated in the local public schools and at Eastman's Business College, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. His occu- pation is that of undertaker and florist. He is also treasurer of the Millbury Water Company. He was active in the early develop- ment of the Blackstone Valley Street Railway Company and, previous to its consolidation with other companies, he was treas- urer of the Millbury Electric Light Company.
Mr. Ryan is a member of the Olive Branch Lodge of Masons and a past Grand in the Morning Star Lodge of Odd Fellows. For many years he has been a prominent member of the Millbury Bap- tist Church in which he has held the offices of church treasurer and superintendent of the Sunday school.
(See Genealogy.)
THE RIGHT REVEREND MONSIGNOR THOMAS JOSEPH SHAHAN, D.D.
Among the prominent men who have gone out from Millbury the Right Reverend Thomas Joseph Shahan is the most eminent scholar. His active life, as student, teacher, and writer has led to his recognition the world over as an authority in ecclesiastical matters and he enjoys the esteem and confidence of the highest power in the Roman Catholic Church. In 1913 he was appointed bishop.
Bishop Shahan was born at Manchester, N. H., Sept. 11, 1857, being the son of Maurice Peter and Mary Anna (Carmody) Shahan. He was reared in Millbury and educated in the public schools, spending three years in the high school. In 1872, he entered Montreal College, where he studied for six years, grad- uating in 1878. In that year he entered the American College at Rome and after four years' study was, in 1882, ordained to the priesthood.
Returning to America he became assistant pastor of St. John's Church at New Haven, Conn., for about eight months, after which he was appointed chancellor and secretary of the diocese of Hart- ford where he resided for five years.
In the fall of 1888, he was appointed to a chair in the newly created Catholic University at Washington and went abroad for three years during which he studied at Rome, at Paris, and at Berlin, spending two years at the University in the latter city.
.
MONSIGNOR THOMAS J. SHAHAN
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Since 1891, he has resided in Washington, serving for eighteen years as professor of church history and lecturer on Roman law and for the last four years as rector of the Catholic University, an office to which he was appointed by Pope Pius X., in 1909, as successor to Bishop O'Connell, of Richmond, Va.
He founded, and for ten years edited, the Catholic University Bulletin (1895-1913) and lectured and preached extensively, besides contributing frequently to periodicals and newspapers.
He was made a prelate to the papal household (monsignor), an honorary office, by Pius X, in 1909, and was appointed as an original member of the board of judges for the Hall of Fame, Uni- versity Heights, New York. He is president of the Catholic Educational Association, an extensive organization, and is also president of the National Conference of Catholic Charities.
He has written the following books, "Blessed Virgin in the Catacombs" (1892), "Giovanni Battista de Rossi" (1900), "The Beginnings of Christianity" (1903), "The Middle Ages" (1904), 'The House of God" (1905).
Since 1905, he has been one of the five editors of the Catholic Encyclopedia (New York, sixteen quarto volumes of eight hundred pages each), the standard work, in English, on the doctrine, dis- cipline, history and institutions of the Roman Catholic Church.
In 1882, he received the degree Doctor of Divinity from the Prop- aganda College at Rome; in 1889, the degree of Licentiate of Canon and Civil Law from the Roman Seminary; and, in 1910, the honorary degree of LL.D. from Manhattan College, New York.
WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT
Mr. Taft honored and delighted the people of Millbury by attending the Centennial exercises in 1913. It is with mingled feelings of intimacy and awe that the citizens regard him. The feeling of intimacy is fostered by those older ones who remember him as a boy, by those who have been companions with him in his early years, and also by those who feel the pleasant touch of acquaintance with the Torrey family from which on his mother's side Mr. Taft has sprung. As a member of this family he is also related to several of the pioneers of the town who have done so much in moulding the influences that were at work in the early days. The Holman, Trask, Bond, Goodell, and Waters families all take justifiable pride in their connection with him. For many
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years his grandfather, Mr. Samuel D. Torrey, was one of the conspicuous figures in the life of the community and it was in his home that the ex-President was a visitor when a boy. He attended the public schools of Millbury and of all the youth who have had it impressed into their minds that some day they might become President of the United States he is the one, from Millbury Schools, who has actually attained that high position.
William Howard Taft was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 15, 1857. Both of his parents were of old Massachusetts families. His father, Alphonso Taft, who was born in Vermont, was descend- ed from Robert Taft who settled in Mendon in 1660. Mr. Alphon- so Taft was a prominent citizen of Cincinnati and a judge in the superior court of Cincinnati. He served in the cabinet of Presi- dent Grant as Secretary of War and as Attorney-general and was successively United States minister to Austria-Hungary and to Russia, under President Arthur.
On the mother's side Mr. Taft was descended from William Torrey who came to New England in 1640 and from the Waters family which has been conspicuous in the earliest Millbury and Sutton history. After her husband's death Mrs. Taft again made her home in Millbury, living with her sister, Miss Delia C. Torrey.
Mr. Taft was graduated from the Woodward High School of Cincinnati, in 1874, and from Yale University, in 1878, where he stood second and was salutatorian in a class of 132, being also elected class orator by his class. In 1880, he was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School, dividing the first prize. He received the degree of LL.D. from Yale, in 1893; from University of Penn- sylvania, in 1902; from Harvard and Miami, in 1905; from the State University of Iowa, in 1907; from Princeton, in 1912; from Wesleyan College, in 1909; and from Amherst, in 1914.
In 1886, Mr. Taft married Helen Herron, daughter of John W. Herron, Esq., of Cincinnati, for eight years United States district attorney for the Southern District of Ohio.
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