USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Millbury > Centennial history of the town of Millbury, Massachusetts, including vital statistics, 1850-1899 > Part 28
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Mr. Taft was admitted to the Ohio bar, in 1880, and in the same year he became a law reporter on the "Cincinnati Times" which was owned by his half-brother, Charles P. Taft, and later on the "Commercial" of the same city. He was assistant prosecuting attorney for Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1881-2. In the following year he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the first
THE HONORABLE WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT THE 27TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
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district of Ohio, by President Arthur, but he resigned in the next year, as he found the work uncongenial, and he returned to the practice of law in which he continued until 1885, when he was appointed assistant county solicitor of Hamilton County, Ohio. Two years later he was appointed and in the next year was elected, by popular vote, a judge in the superior court, a position formerly held by his father.
In 1890, President Harrison appointed him solicitor general of the United States where, under the supervision of the Attorney- general, he conducted the business of the government before the Supreme Court of the United States.
He was appointed, in March, 1892, also by President Harrison, United States Circuit Judge for the sixth circuit, embracing Michi- gan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee and became a member of the court of appeals of that circuit. In this capacity he handed down several notable decisions, especially on boycotts and strikes.
During a great railroad strike, in 1894, Frank W. Phelan was sent by Eugene V. Debbs, president of the American Railway Union, for the purpose of tying up traffic about Cincinnati. Judge Taft granted an injunction, restraining Phelan from instigating violence against employees of a railroad receiver in his court. Phelan violated the injunction and was sentenced to jail for six months for contempt. Judge Taft at the time announced that "the starvation of a nation cannot be the lawful purpose of a combination." He further said that "if there is any power in the army of the United States to run those trains the trains will run," and they were. The most important opinion written by Judge Taft was in the case of the United States against the Addington Pope Company and others, involving a construction of the Anti- trust Act. It was the judgment of the court of appeals, consisting of Justice Harlan, Judge Taft and Judge Lurton. It was a pioneer decision.
From 1896 until 1900 Judge Taft was a professor in the law department of the University of Cincinnati and also its dean.
Judge Taft was selected by President Mckinley as president of the Philippine Commission on which he served from March 13, 1901, until February 1, 1904, after July 4, 1901, being in addition the first civil governor of the Philippine Islands. In this capacity he faced many problems that were new to American political life with consummate skill, fairness, and firmness. The commission
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acted like a legislature, holding public meetings and causing bills to be published and discussed before they were passed. Arriving at Manila in June, 1900, the commission at once set itself to the accomplishment of the task before it and in August of that year sent a preliminary report. In June of the following year a code of laws was completed for the islands, a judiciary system was established, and law officers were appointed. Under the rule of Governor Taft the Filipinos experienced a degree of justice, peace and prosperity such as they had never reached in their previous history. Under him they had a government that would keep its faith with them, good roads were built and good schools were introduced. Governor Taft believed in stimulating the efforts of the islanders for their own benefit and further believed it to be "most important that Filipinos should suppress Filipino disturb- ances and arrest Filipino outlaws, " and it was for this purpose that the constabulary of the islands was first used.
Mr. Taft acquired great influence among the more conservative and influential Filipinos and in turn he felt his reponsibility toward them for, in 1902, he was tendered a position on the Supreme bench, one of his fondest ambitions, by President Roosevelt, but the entreaties of the Filipinos influenced him to decline the offer.
In that and the following years, partly through a conference with Pope Leo XIII, he arranged for the purchase of the lands in the Philippines belonging to the religious orders.
After having faced many problems entirely new in American administration and having met them with a wisdom and courage that won for him not only the respect of the people of the islands, but also the confidence of the people and the government of the United States, he was appointed, February 1, 1904, Secretary of War in the cabinet of President Roosevelt, succeeding Elihu Root in that office and following at a greater interval his own father. To the usual duties of this position were also added the adminis- tration of the Philippine Islands and preparations for the con- struction of the Panama Canal.
In an early report which he made on the government of the Philippines he stated that "The Philippine government is the result of an effort on the part of this nation to assist the Philippine people to stand upon their feet. It is a national experiment."
As Secretary of War he became a pacificator in several lands where the United States had the right to attempt adjustments, notably, in Panama he adjusted disputes which were acute.
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In 1905, with a Congressional delegation, Secretary Taft went on a tour of inspection in the Philippines and again, in 1907, fulfilling a promise made when he retired from the office of civil governor, he went to the Philippines and assisted in the opening of the first Filipino legislative assembly.
In 1906, Mr. Taft was sent by President Roosevelt to Cuba to adjust a revolution there and for a short time he acted as provi- sional governor. In March and April, 1907, he visited Panama, Porto Rico, and Cuba to familiarize himself with conditions. La- ter, he visited Japan and the Philippine Islands, returning to America through Russia.
Mr. Taft delivered the Dodge lectures at Yale University, in 1906, on "The Responsibilities of Citizenship." These were published as "Four Aspects of Civic Duty." Some of his political speeches have been published under the titles, "Present Day Problems" and "Issues and Outlooks."
In 1906, Mr. Taft became president of the American Red Cross and promoted its re-organization.
Mr. Taft was nominated for the presidency of the United States in the Republican National Convention, held in Chicago, in June, 1908, and he was elected to that position November 3, 1908, for the term beginning March 4, 1909, receiving three hundred twenty- one electoral votes against one hundred sixty-two for William Jennings Bryan, the Democratic candidate. His popular plu- rality was one million, forty-five thousand, seven hundred and fifteen.
After he had become President, Mr. Taft called an extra session of Congress to revise the tariff and on August 5, 1909, he signed the Payne-Aldrich tariff bill thus making it a law. Although this measure did not meet his wishes, it seemed to be the best that he could secure from Congress and he stoutly defended it in the early addresses of his administration. To Congress and in public speeches he has committed himself in favor of a central bank, subsidies for ocean shipping, a postal savings system, a bureau of mines, a bureau of public health, liberal conservation legislation, a broader plan of government supervision of interstate commerce, an improved form of government for Alaska, the fortification of the Panama Canal, and several reforms in judicial procedure.
President Taft strove to make as much progress as possible through the laws which were already in existence. This he did
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especially in the curbing of great combinations of capital through the Sherman anti-trust law.
President Taft secured treaties with England and other powers by which each agreed to submit questions that might arise in the future, over which there might be contention, to arbitration. The senate, however, would not confirm the treaties. Thus although his efforts to produce instruments that would submit further differences to arbitration were not successful, yet the moral value of his endeavor was very great.
Although the Republican majority was very great during his administration it was divided by a so-called Progressive element that was impatient of results.
In 1912, Mr. Taft was again nominated for the Presidency by the Republican party but the so-called Progressive party was formed, headed by President Taft's predecessor in office, and the vote of the party was so divided in the states that the Democratic candidate was elected.
In the year of his retirement from the Presidency, Mr. Taft was elected as Kent professor of law in Yale University, and in the same year he was made president of the American Bar Association.
LEVI L. WHITNEY
The Honorable Levi Lincoln Whitney, formerly a well-known business man of Millbury, was born in Princeton, January 20, 1838. His father, Col. John Whitney, was at one time a deputy sheriff of the county. The maternal grandfather was Col. Jacob W. Watson, of Princeton, an old time tanner and currier, with whom Mr. Whitney lived for three years. When sixteen years of age, Mr. Whitney came to Millbury and entered the employ of A. Wood & Sons, shoe manufacturers at West Millbury. For a part of the time he worked in the store and office of the company, but spent the remainder of the time in learning the trade of a shoe cutter. After being employed here for a year, he attended Wor- cester Academy for a year. Upon returning to Millbury, he was again employed by A. Wood & Sons and spent his whole time in the factory. Two brothers, Charles A. and John N. Whitney, were also employed by the same company, the latter being foreman of the cutting room. With this company Mr. Whitney remained till he was about twenty-one years of age.
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Mr. Whitney's brother, the late Charles A. Whitney, and Orville E. Thompson engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes at Chicago, Illinois, and, in 1859, Mr. Whitney moved there, and became a member of the firm of Thompson, Whitney & Co. which did a large business until the great Chicago fire, in 1871, when its factory was destroyed. Upon returning to Millbury, Mr. Whitney was associated with the firm of Crane & Waters, at Bramanville, continuing there until 1875. In 1875, he was also associated with Gustave Molt, on Dorothy Stream, in the manufacture of indigo- blue dye and he remained in this business for several years. In 1877, Mr. Whitney bought the mill now owned by the West End Thread Company which he operated till 1884. At one time he was in business in Worcester with his son, Walter L. Whitney, near the old Junction Depot, manufacturing the Pentecost Steam Generators. He was a director in the Millbury National Bank, a trustee of the Millbury Savings Bank in 1873, and president of the latter institution in 1888. He was a member of the board of selectmen in 1877, in 1878, in 1879, in 1881 and 1887. In 1880, he represented the fifteenth district in the Massachusetts Legis- lature and, in 1888, he was elected to the state Senate. He is a member of Worcester Commandery Knights Templars. Mr. Whitney resides in Worcester.
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CHAPTER XXIX INDEPENDENT SKETCHES, A-C
HENRY AUGUSTUS AIKEN
Henry Augustus Aiken, a descendant of Edward Aiken, was born in Merrimac, N. H. He maintained a jeweller's store and for a time was engaged in the printing business. He owned the Aiken Block which formerly stood on South Main St., not far from the present Town House. He was an esteemed citizen.
ASA ANDREWS
Asa Andrews, an early citizen, was a small manufacturer and was conspicuous in town and church affairs. He had a son, Dr. Asa Andrews. Miss Mary Andrews, of this family, was long active in the Second Congregational Church. She was esteemed for her deeds of charity and for her missionary interest.
The Andrews house stood on the spot now occupied by the Millbury National Bank, but years ago it was moved to the rear of Farnsworth Block.
AMOS ARMSBY
Amos Armsby, son of Horace, was born at Sutton, Mass., Sept. 10, 1835. He was educated in the public schools of Haydens- ville (now Whitinsville), Mass .; in Illinois, where his parents resided for a time; and at Millbury Academy in this town. In 1849, his parents moved to Millbury and here he resided for the remainder of his life. He was a man of decided opinions. He took a warm interest in the welfare of this town and filled an important place in the religious, social, and business affairs of the community.
Mr. Armsby was first employed as clerk in the office of the J. D. Wheeler Mill. Later he was book-keeper for his father in the sash and blind shop. In 1872, he was assistant to Frank C. Miles, treasurer of the Millbury Savings Bank and cashier of the Millbury National Bank. When, in 1874, the banks divided, David Atwood succeeded Mr. Miles as treasurer of the Savings Bank
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and Mr. Armsby succeeded him as cashier of the National Bank. This position Mr. Armsby held until 1897 when he succeeded Mr. Atwood as treasurer of the Savings Bank, a position which he held at the time of his death. In the resolutions passed by the Board of Investment of the Savings Bank at the time of his decease it was stated that the Bank had "lost a treasurer of spotless integ- rity, sterling character, high ideals and ripe judgment." He was also a stockholder and director in the National Bank.
Mr. Armsby served the town as assessor and, for ten years, as a member of the school committee of which he was chairman at the time of his death. Like his father he was a deacon in the Second Congregational Church and also clerk and treasurer of the Society. He was treasurer of the Worcester South Conference of Congregational Churches and was a member of the Congregational Club of Worcester.
Mr. Armsby was twice married. His second wife was Alice M. Davis who was educated at Mt. Holyoke Seminary. She was active in church and social affairs and at the time of her death in 1897 was vice-president of the Mt. Holyoke Seminary Alumnae Association.
(See Genealogy.)
HORACE ARMSBY
Deacon Horace Armsby, a widely known and highly respected citizen, was born in Paris, Maine, in 1809. His grandfather, Joshua, was a soldier in the Old French War and with the wages received he assisted himself through Harvard College from which he was graduated in 1773.
Mr. Armsby early learned the trade of carpenter. In 1849, he moved to Millbury and engaged in the manufacture of doors, sash, and blinds. From 1853 until 1872, he continued in this business in company with Charles D. Morse.
Mr. Armsby was honored by the citizens with many responsible positions, having been chosen assessor, selectman, and representa- tive to the General Court (1861 and 1862). He was president of the Millbury Savings Bank at the time of his death, having been elected to that position in the previous year. For twelve years he was a deacon in the Second Congregational Church in whose affairs he ever took a warm and active interest.
(See Genealogy.)
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CHARLES BOWLER ATWOOD
Charles Bowler Atwood, noted American architect, was a man of peculiarly sensitive artistic temperament. He was a close and a sound student of his art with a remarkable experience. He was a remarkable draughtsman using his left hand with sureness and rapidity. D. H. Burnham, with whom he was associated in his ripest work, said of him, "He was of an honorable, charitable dis- position, but like most great artists a mere child in the practical things of life."
Mr. Atwood was the son of David Atwood and was born in Charlestown, May 18, 1849, but he was reared in Millbury. He received architectural training in the offices of Elbridge Boyden, of Worcester, and of Ware and Van Brunt, of Boston. He studied in the Scientific School of Harvard University and after his grad- uation he returned to the office of Ware and Van Brunt with whom he remained until 1870. In 1872 he opened an office for himself in Pemberton Square, Boston.
In 1870, he built the first State Mutual building in Worcester, the Merchants and Farmers' Fire Insurance Co. building, also in Worcester, and the Five Cent Savings Bank building in Lowell.
Within a few years he received a prize for his plans of a City Hall in San Francisco, two prizes for plans of a state capitol in Hartford, Conn., a prize for the design of the court house in Spring- field, Mass., and the first prize with the commission to build the city hall in Holyoke, Mass. In 1875, he removed to New York City where for many years he was engaged in designing everything in relation to architecture in association with Herter Bros. He designed the residences of David Dows, William H. Vanderbilt, Elliot F. Shepherd, and W. D. Sloane, all in New York City. He also designed the interior decorations of many notable houses in other parts of the country, including that of Mrs. Mark Hopkins . at San Francisco.
In 1884, Mr. Atwood established himself independently in New York City and received from Mr. Vanderbilt a commission to design two houses for his sons-in-law, Mr. H. McK. Twombly and Dr. Seward Webb. He also entered into competition for the Boston Public Library Building and he gained the first prize, but his building was not erected. Later he submitted a design for a new City Hall in New York City and gained the first prize of
DR. GEORGE C. WEBBER 1837 - 1895
CHARLES B. ATWOOD 1849 - 1895
-
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five thousand dollars. His plans were recommended by the board of experts as the only suitable ones to be accepted, but this build- ing also was not erected.
In 1886, he was selected by Mrs. Mark Hopkins to complete her magnificent residence at Great Barrington, Mass., and Mr. Atwood labored upon this for two years.
In April, 1891, at the invitation of Mr. D. H. Burnham, he went to Chicago as one of the corps of architects who were at work on the buildings and grounds for the Columbian Exposition. He was made designer-in-chief with the task of harmonizing the plans of the various architects and for this position of censorship he was well fitted by his sound scholarship and remarkable experience. He designed particularly the peristyle, the forestry building, the casino, the music hall but most notably the fine arts building. Of Mr. Atwood's work on this building we have some light in the following incident which was written by Daniel H. Burnham, architect-in-chief of the Exposition, and utilized in the "Rem- iniscences of Augustus St. Gaudens," prepared by his son. We shall recall that Mr. St. Gaudens was esteemed to have been the greatest sculptor and the greatest artist that had worked in America and that the Parthenon to which he referred has stood for two thousand years as the world's most perfect work in archi- tecture. When the Art Building had been finished and just before the Fair had opened Mr. St. Gaudens took Mr. Burnham by the shoulders and said, "Old fellow, do you realize the rank of Atwood's building? In my judgment it is the best thing done since the Parthenon." And Mr. Burnham stated that "this conclusion has been justified by the statements of many eminent critics."
From 1893 until 1895 Mr. Atwood was a partner in the archi- tectural firm of D. H. Burnham & Co.
Following his marked success as designer-in-chief of the buildings at the World's Fair in Chicago, Mr. Atwood was summoned to Paris to assist in the plans for the Paris Exposition, but he could not complete this task.
He died in Chicago, Dec. 19, 1895, and his remains were brought to Millbury where they were interred in Central Cemetery.
DAVID ATWOOD
David Atwood, a native of North Eastham, Mass., for many years was cashier of the Millbury Bank, and was the first treasurer
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of the Millbury Savings Bank, a position which he held until 1897, when failing health compelled him to retire. For several years, he served the town as treasurer. He was a member of the school committee, and a trustee of cemeteries. All of these positions he filled ably and honorably. In 1897, he went to California, and he remained there until 1899, when he visited Millbury for a few months. He returned to California, and lived there until his death, at Los Angeles, Sept. 22, 1907. He was buried in Central Cemetery, Millbury, Sept. 30, 1907. Mr. Atwood's eldest son, Chas. B. Atwood, was a noted architect (see sketch).
JOHN E. BACON
John E. Bacon, for many years previous to 1870 agent of the Cordis Mills, was a man widely known among mill owners. His marked integrity commanded universal respect. Quiet and un- assuming in manner among his fellow-townsmen he was careful of the position which he assumed on questions that arose. He was interested in the public schools. He left a definite impression on the townspeople.
HENRY HARRIS BANCROFT
Henry Harris Bancroft was a tenor singer and for many years he frequently sang in local concerts. For twenty years he was a travelling salesman for the H. A. Matthews Manufacturing Co., in which he had an interest. He was well-known in the hardware, sheet-metal, and similar lines of trade covered by his company, particularly in the important centers of the middle west.
HENRY L. BANCROFT
Henry L. Bancroft, son of Solomon, was born on the Greenwood farm in Millbury, June 25, 1821. He received his education in the local schools and at Leicester Academy. He became a mill- wright by occupation and the erection of many mills along the Blackstone came under his supervision. He later conducted a general store in Bramanville.
Mr. Bancroft was an ardent Republican in politics. For many years he was moderator at the town meetings. He also served the town as tax collector, as assessor, as selectman, as a member of the school committee, and as overseer of the poor. He was for two years a member of the State Senate and occupied a prominent place in the councils of his party.
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Mr. Bancroft was an active and influential member of the First Congregational Church and for twenty-five years superintendent of its Sunday school. He sang in the church choir for the greater part of his life even until he was well advanced in years. He was zealous in every good work that in his opinion was for the upbuild- ing of the community. He resided on Burbank Hill.
(See Genealogy.)
ISAAC BARNARD
Isaac Barnard gave to the North Parish of Sutton what is now the "Old Common" of Millbury (see page 20). He was the great, great grandfather of William C. Barnard, of Worcester. Isaac Barnard's daughter married the Rev. James Wellman, first pastor of the First Congregational Church in Millbury. Mr. Barnard died in Worcester, and was buried on the Common. Wm. S. Barton, in his work, "Inscriptions from the Old Burial Ground on the Common, " gives us the following relating to Isaac Barnard,-
"Barnard "My glass is run-
"Erected in memory of Isaac Barnard, Esq., who departed this life March ye 18, 1788, Aged 86 years. -Rev. XIV. 13."
A note tells us that he was, "A Royalist Protestor of 1774, disarmed by order of the Committee of Correspondence in May, 1775."
JAMES A. BENCHLEY
James H. Benchley, a former local business man, was a member of the firm of Benchley & Jackson, which owned a machine shop at the site of the W. W. Windle Co. Mill. His son, Henry W. Benchley, held the high position of Lieutenant-Governor of the state, the only man from the town to attain this dignity, though Millbury has had several citizens who have become state senators. Mr. Benchley later removed to Texas where he died some years ago. His son, Charles H. Benchley, has for many years held the position of mayor's clerk in Worcester.
STEPHEN BLANCHARD
Stephen Blanchard, a brother of Thomas, the inventor, was an active man in business and in general affairs. His old tack factory where he and his brother Thomas worked is still in existence. The
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old home was at the corner of the main street and Oxford Road, West Millbury, and was built in 1812, after his house, which for- merly stood there, was destroyed by fire. The house built in 1812, was a well-known landmark of the village and stood until a few years ago, when it, too, was burned. At the rear of this old homestead is the West Millbury cemetery where lie buried Samuel Blanchard and wife, the father and mother of Stephen and Thomas. Though Stephen Blanchard did not exercise the inventive genius of his brother Thomas, yet he was a man of ability and character.
THOMAS BLANCHARD
The greatest inventor that Millbury has produced was Thomas Blanchard whose inventions supplemented those of Asa Waters and revolutionized the manufacture of guns in America, if not in the entire world. His inventions have made possible the turning of irregular forms such as shoe lasts, pulley-blocks, etc., and later models of his machines are widely in use today. The relative importance of Mr. Blanchard's contributions to the progress of mechanical production has thus been stated by the late Col. Asa H. Waters (History of Sutton, 1878, p. 758).
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