USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Millbury > Centennial history of the town of Millbury, Massachusetts, including vital statistics, 1850-1899 > Part 32
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The "Albany Gazette," in 1881, thus referred to him :- "The life of an individual like Mr. Kendall deserves a brief notice. As our country advances in science, it will be a matter of patriotism to gather up the names of those who were its earliest promoters, and in the list of practical men no one better demands attention than the subject of these brief lines. He was decidedly an individual of a keen, investigating turn of mind, and of great industry. We believe we are correct in stating that he was the first in this country who attempted the manufacture of thermom- eters. These were originally, of course, rude and imperfect, but within a few years most of them were accurate and well constructed. So generally were his merits allowed that some years since he received the patronage of the Regents of the University in an order to supply all the academies of New York with his thermometers."
ASA KENNEY, Jr.
Asa Kenney was born in West Millbury (then a part of Sutton) in 1768. His youth was spent on the farm but he afterwards turned his attention to mechanical work and was regarded as one of the most skilful mechanics of his day. He occupied a small
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shop, directly opposite that of Thomas Blanchard, in West Mill- bury and connected with this was a brass foundry, the first one built this side of Boston. Thus he was the pioneer in brass work for this section. He also made silver spoons, trusses, surgeon's lancets and gold beads. Brass trimmings used for gunwork at the armory of Asa Waters, and at the other gun shops in the county, were cast at his shop.
Mr. Kenney also gained a knowledge of clock construction being one of the few good clock-makers of the time, such as Robert Burr of Lexington, and Charles Stratton of Holden. He made a specialty of the tall brass hall clocks that are now so highly prized and many clocks made by him are still running of which some are to be found in Millbury and Sutton, one being in the possession of Mr. Henry W. Carter. In was then the custom to make a few clocks and go on a circuit to find purchasers, but the superior workmanship and the excellent time-keeping qualities of his instruments furnished Mr. Kenney with much unsolicited work. Many of these clocks were built with an indicator which gave the day of the month and the changes of the moon. Some were constructed with a vessel upon the top and, as the pendulum swung back and forth, the heaving of the vessel could be plainly seen. The price paid at the time for many of these was as high as seventy-five dollars and today the owners are loath to part with them at any price.
It is uncertain when the custom of using brass balls upon the horns of cattle originated, but the first ones used in the county were made by Mr. Kenney. Previously, a clumsy piece of wood had been used.
Mr. Kenney disputed with Thomas Blanchard the claim to the invention of the eccentric lathe, and the contention was referred to a board of arbitrators, of which the Hon. Salem Towne, of Charlton, was chairman. Mr. Blanchard's counsel was Gov. Levi Lincoln and the Hon. John Davis. The counsel for Mr. Kenney were the Hon. Samuel Hoar, of Concord, and the Hon. Jonas L. Sibley, of Sutton. A gentleman who was present at the hearing stated that "Kenney exhibited a beautiful brass model polished like a mirror; Blanchard exhibited a rather clumsy wooden model about four feet long." After a hearing which continued several days the matter was decided in favor of Thomas Blanchard.
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In personal appearance Mr. Kenney was of medium height, rather thick-set, and in his prime weighed about two hundred pounds. He was a man of generous nature, liberal with his means, and although he had no superior in his special line of work, he did not succeed in securing to himself a competence. Unlike Thomas Blanchard, he died poor.
Mr. Kenney continued his work in brass until the infirmities of age came upon him. He was succeeded by his son Hiram who built a shop nearby.
MOWRY A. LAPHAM
Mowry A. Lapham was born in Burrillville, R. I., in 1819, where he attended school until he was sixteen years of age. His father was a carpenter and mill-workman with whom he worked for two years. He then moved to Waterford, Mass., and worked as a carpenter for two years. The following two years were spent in a machine-shop after which he was employed for two years at the machine works of Southwick & Brown at Millville. He next was employed by Hawes, Marvill & Devoll of Fall River. While living here he married Harriet T. Thayer, of Mendon, in that part of the town which is now Blackstone. At the age of twenty-six, having returned to Millville, he was employed in the machine- shop of Farnum & Harding, as superintendent of the iron and wood-working department.
His career as a manufacturer began in 1860, when he went to Cherry Valley, Mass., and engaged in the manufacture of Kersey- meres, in the firm of Lapham & Smith. Upon the retirement of Mr. Smith, two years later, Mr. Lapham, as sole owner, operated the mill until it was burned, four years afterward.
In 1863, he bought the Burbank paper-mill privilege in Millbury, then owned by F. W. Richmond of Providence, R. I. A company was formed by M. & S. Lapham, and a mill was built. After the death of Smith Lapham, the business was continued under the name of Mowry A. Lapham. The first mill erected by Mr. Lapham was burned in 1876 and the present mill was built in 1879. As a successful manufacturer he contributed notably to the material welfare of the town.
Mr. Lapham never lived in Millbury, but resided in Worcester.
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For six years he was a member of the board of Aldermen and for many years was a director of the Manufacturer's Mutual Insurance Company of Worcester.
Mr. Lapham had two children, Frederick A., once selectman of Millbury, and Hattie M., who married F. A. Leland, of Worcester.
Dr. WILLIAM H. LINCOLN
Dr. William H. Lincoln, eldest of five children, was born at Dorchester, Mass. He attended the local public schools and later the So. Paris, Maine, Academy. As a young man he began the practice of dentistry in Portland, Maine. In 1850, he entered Bowdoin Medical School at Brunswick, Maine, and for six years kept up the practice of dentistry and attended to his medical studies, receiving the degree of M. D. from Bowdoin in 1856.
He began the practice of medicine at Turner, Maine. Here he married Laura Nudd who died about a year after their marriage. Soon after this he moved to Hubbardston, Mass., where he con- tinued the practice of his profession. Here, in 1859, he married Eunice A. Reid.
In 1862, Dr. Lincoln enlisted, as assistant-surgeon, in the Seventh Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers with which he served three years, being promoted to the rank of surgeon. At the conclusion of the war he was made a fellow in the Massachusetts Medical Society.
In 1865, Dr. Lincoln began the practice of medicine in Millbury and resided here for the remainder of his life. He was faithful in his attention to his patients. His manner was zealous and determined, for to him the patient was always of paramount and the attention to friends of secondary importance. His practice was a wide one and he was known as a skilful surgeon as well as a competent physician.
Dr. Lincoln was a member of Olive Branch Lodge, F. and A. M .; of Tyrian Royal Arch Chapter and its treasurer for seventeen years; of Worcester County Commandery of Knights Templar; and of George A. Custer Post 70, G. A. R. For many years he was a member of the Second Congregational Church.
(See Genealogy.)
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NYMPHAS LONGLEY
Nymphas Longley, son of John, was born at Norridgewock, Maine, in 1793, but as a young man he moved to Millbury. Here he became prominent in local affairs and was usually referred to as 'Squire Longley. He served on the board of selectmen and as overseer of the poor. He was a man of intelligence and worth, kind-hearted, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of his fellow- townsmen, conducting himself in the manner of a gentleman of the old school.
(See Genealogy.)
EZRA LOVELL
Capt. Ezra Lovell served actively in the Revolutionary War (see record of Revolutionary Soldiers). He rose from the grade of corporal to the rank of first lieutenant. He afterward attained the rank of captain and was generally known by this title. He was a conspicuous man of his generation and an influential one in local affairs. As grandson of one of the earliest settlers and grand- father of Russell Buckman Lovell who is still living in Millbury at an advanced age Captain Lovell was a member of one of the most representative Millbury families that the town can boast. He was a farmer in his middle and later life.
JOHN MARTIN
In 1856, John Martin moved from Lincoln, R. I., to Millbury, which continued to be his residence. He was first employed by Joseph Merry in the cotton waste business at the location which the Hull Bros. at present occupy. Later he was engaged in the foundry business with Warren Sweetser, having a shop on South Main Street. After retiring from this enterprise, he turned his attention to farming. He again became interested in foundry work with W. R. Cunningham, but he sold this out when the latter retired. He was much interested in the public affairs of the town and served as a member of the board of assessors for one year. He was a trustee of the Millbury Savings Bank from 1884 until his death. He was a member of the Olive Branch Lodge of Masons.
FRANCIS MCCRACKEN
Francis McCracken, who was of Scottish descent, made carpets and other woolen goods on hand-looms at the old Common in the early days of Millbury and is reputed to have been the first weaver
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of fancy kerseys by hand in town. Previous to his coming to this country he held a commission in the British army. He lived to a good age, being ninety-two years old at the time of his death.
(See Genealogy.)
Dr. WILLIAM BOWEN MOORE
Dr. William Bowen Moore, son of John Elias Moore, was born in Charleston, S. C., Feb. 13, 1805. He was a graduate of Brown University and of the Medical School of Philadelphia, Penn. He practiced medicine in Millbury, from 1828 to 1842, and was con- sidered a skilful physician. As his health became impaired, he sought to recuperate in his native city, placing himself under the care of an eminent physician who resided there, but all efforts in his behalf proved futile, and he died there, Apr. 10, 1843. A Charleston paper, published at the time, thus referred to him:
"It is not often that the grave closes over one whose loss is so afflicting, so irreparable as Dr. William Bowen Moore who died here the 10th instant. As a physician and surgeon Dr. Moore was highly respected by the faculty. He was skilful and his affectionate manners rendered him always a welcome visitor in the sick room. Dr. Moore was uniformly courteous and affable. The poor of the towns where he practiced will long remember his kindness. In a letter to a friend in this city, a short time before his death, he said, 'Nothing on earth is so eloquent and over- coming as a good heart. It is noble, yes, Godlike, to overcome by charity and love. If there is anything I grieve over, it is my inability to do for my kind that which my heart prompts me to do.'"'
His daughter was the first wife of Nathan H. Sears.
(See Genealogy.)
CHARLES DIMINICK MORSE
Charles Diminick Morse was born at Woodstock, Conn., where he received his early education.
About 1850, he came to Millbury and entered the employment of J. Coombs & Co., manufacturers of sashes and blinds. This industry had been established by Allen & Goddard near the site of the present N. Y., N. H. & H. depot in a building which is still standing below the Gowing bridge. He remained with this firm for a year when Mr. Coombs moved to Chicago. In 1852, T. S.
29
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Fullam, E. M. Park, A. S. Small and C. D. Morse formed a firm known as Fullam, Morse & Co., which purchased the business of Coombs & Co. Later in the same year Mr. Small retired and, in 1853, Mr. Fullam also retired, selling to Horace Armsby. The firm then became Armsby & Morse. About 1856, Mr. Park retired. In 1871, Mr. Morse bought the interest of Mr. Armsby and the firm became C. D. Morse & Co., which it continued to be until the time of Mr. Morse's death.
The shops were totally destroyed by fire, July 24, 1872, but they were immediately rebuilt. In 1881, another fire occurred with a partial loss, but the works were again soon repaired.
Mr. Morse filled many important positions of trust and honor in the town. He served on the board of selectmen, but declined a re-election, owing to the pressure of private business. He was a member of the board of assessors and of the board of fire engi- neers. In 1878, when after a long and heated controversy it was decided to build a new town hall, he was made chairman of the building committee. He was a member of the committee appoint- ed by the town to bring about some legislation that should compel the city of Worcester to properly treat its sewage before putting it into the Blackstone River, and it was while serving upon this committee that his ability as an indefatigable worker attracted general attention throughout the state. During the sewage con- test he not only gave much time without compensation, but he expended many dollars of his own money.
He was a leading spirit in the movement for a public supply of water, as he was largely instrumental in securing a charter for and in the organization of the Millbury Water Co., but he did not live long enough to see his plans carried out.
In 1863, Mr. Morse became a member of the board of directors of the Millbury National Bank, and, in 1879, upon the death of Hosea Crane, he was chosen to be its president, filling the position with ability until his death. Among other offices held by him were the following: vice-president and member of the board of investment of Millbury Savings Bank; director of Millbury & Worcester Street Railway Co .; president of Millbury Electric Company; president of Millbury Business Union, and a Director of the Millbury Water Company.
In politics Mr. Morse was a Republican, and was a man of influence in the councils of his party. In 1873, he was elected as
CHARLES DIMOCK MORSE 1827 - 1895
JOHN RHODES 1813 - 1889
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representative to the General Court by the district which at the time included the towns of Webster, Dudley, Sutton, Oxford, Douglas, and Millbury.
Mr. Morse was a member of Olive Branch Lodge, F. and A. M .; of Tyrian Royal Arch Chapter; and Worcester Commandery Knight Templar. He was connected with the Builders' Exchange of Worcester, and was its president for two years. He belonged to the Worcester Board of Trade, and the Home Market Club of Boston. He was a member of the Second Congregational Church of Millbury, which he supported loyally.
Mr. Morse was one of the most conspicuous men of his genera- tion in Millbury. He stood for progress and improvement in all matters, frequently exerting his influence for better schools, roads, public buildings, fire protection, and general conditions. He was a man of firm convictions and resolutely maintained his purposes. In the controversy over the sewage question, in the location and erection of the town house, and in the provision for an adequate water supply he stood in the midst of ardent controversy, but in all he was a most potent factor in bringing each to its final con- summation. Few men in all its history have been so intimately identified with the progress of the town or known abroad as such valued and representative citizens.
(See Genealogy.)
JOHN RHODES
John Rhodes was born at Whitesboro, N. Y., Feb. 5, 1813. His father, who was a dyer, was at the time engaged in farming. John Rhodes followed his father's occupation until nineteen years of age, when he went to North Carolina, travelling through the state with a team and selling dry-goods.
His first mill-work was done as a dyer in a Connecticut mill, and later he moved to Providence, R. I. When he was twenty-four years of age he was employed in the same capacity by J. & A. Morse, of Smithville, R. I. In 1846, he moved to Bellingham, Mass., where, until 1851, he operated a mill for the manufacture of cotton warp. He then came to Millbury, and, in company with Joseph H. Merry, rented a small mill, now occupied by Hull Bros., where for three years he continued the manufacture of cotton warp.
In 1854, the firm bought the stone mill (now occupied by E. F. Rice & Co.) and upon the retirement of Mr. Merry some time later
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Mr. Rhodes continued the business alone. About 1864, he leased, at North Oxford, what was known as the "Protective" mill, and a year later he bought the property, and renamed it the "Oxford Cotton Mill." He then became associated with a partner, in the firm of Rhodes & Wilmarth. The mill was sold by Mr. Rhodes in 1888. In 1872, he bought what is now known as Mayo Mill No. 3, then known as "The Pinafore" situated on the site of the Old Braman mill.
Several years after the death of Alfred Morse, at Farnumsville, in company with Wm. Andrews, of Woonsocket, and Capt. Peter Simpson, of Millbury, Mr. Rhodes bought the privilege, tene- ments, hotel, and all the factory property formerly owned by Mr. Morse. The business was continued by them for a few years, when Mr. Rhodes withdrew.
Mr. Rhodes married, in 1838, Sarah B. Johnson, of West Woodstock, Conn. They had two children, Otis W., and Maria, who married Henry M. Wilcox, of Johnston, R. I. Mrs. Rhodes died in 1880. In 1869, Mr. Rhodes was chosen to represent the district in the legislature, a position which he filled acceptably. For some time previous to his death, he was in ill-health, and his interests were looked after by his son-in-law, Mr. Wilcox. The closing years of his life were spent in the fine residence which he built at the corner of Main and Elm streets, once the site of the home of Dea. Elijah Waters.
The career of Mr. Rhodes as a business man was honorable and successful. For many years he was a director in the National Bank. He was a prominent mason, for many years being treasurer of the Olive Branch Lodge. He contributed generously toward fitting up the present Masonic Hall.
Hon. HENRY C. RICE
The Hon. Henry C. Rice was born in Millbury in 1828. He was a son of Oliver Rice, a former well-known citizen, whose trade was that of pail-maker. These he made of sassafras wood which was strong and light. He lived at the Hodgdon place on Providence Street.
Henry C. Rice was graduated from Brown College in 1850 after which he studied law in the offices of Peter C. Bacon, Esq., the Hon. Dwight Foster, and P. Emory Aldrich, Esq. He was admit- ted to the bar in 1852. He represented Worcester in the General
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Court for two years, being a member of the committee on the revision of the statutes of the state. In 1879, he was a senator of the Commonwealth.
He married Josephine, daughter of the Hon. Charles Allen. He died at Worcester in 1891.
SAMUEL SAWYER
Samuel Sawyer, a Civil War veteran, was born in Westbrook, Maine, in 1808. He came to Millbury in 1833, and for almost fifty years followed the trade of a blacksmith. At the breaking out of the Civil War he raised a company for the service backed by Col. A. H. Waters who assumed whatever expense attended the work, but because of rivalry the efforts failed. His father had been a soldier in the War of 1812, losing an arm in that struggle. As he was determined to do his share as a soldier,in 1862 he enlisted in the 36th Massachusetts regiment. In 1828, he became a mem- ber of the Worcester Light Infantry and at the time of his death he was the oldest member of the organization. During his connec- tion with this company he formed the acquaintance of Ambrose "E. Burnside who later became a Union general. During the war General Burnside found out that Mr. Sawyer, who at the time was over fifty years of age, was a private under his command, so he sought to make military duty easy for him. Later, it is believed, General Burnside recommended him to General Sherman for whom he became despatch carrier. General Sherman did not forget the aged Millbury private for when, after the war, the gen- eral was a guest at the New England fair, held at Worcester, among the thousands of people assembled he recognized the white haired despatch carrier of war days and he gave him a hearty hand shake as a comrade. Mr. Sawyer was in engagements at Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, in the Wilderness and before Peters- burg, being under fire for forty days and nights.
To his delight he was at the dedication of the Bunker Hill monument, and heard the famous oration by Daniel Webster.
He died in February, 1900, at the age of eighty-one. A son of Mr. Sawyer, Alphonso P., was appointed auditor for the govern- ment at Porto Rico, by President Taft, holding the position for over a year. Another son, Charles H., resides in Millbury, but is engaged in business in Worcester.
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IRVING B. SAYLES
Irving B. Sayles was a native of Woonsocket, R. I., and his early life was passed there. He came to Millbury when a young man and was associated with Nelson Walling at the Walling Woolen mill in Bramanville for whom he was bookkeeper.
In 1893, he was appointed a national bank examiner by President Grover Cleveland and assigned to a district in Massachusetts. He quickly mastered the duties of the office and continued to fill the position until 1906, when, upon the death of Amos Armsby, treasurer of the Millbury Savings Bank, he was chosen to fill the vacancy. The wisdom of the choice was demonstrated by the faithful and highly efficient manner in which he discharged the duties of the office from first to last.
Mr. Sayles entered into politics soon after coming to Millbury and became a leader in the Democratic party. He held many offices within the gift of the voters of the town, including those of selectman, assessor, trustee of the town library, and school-com- mitteeman. He was still in service as library trustee and on the school board at the time of his death. In 1872 he was elected representative to the legislature of the Commonwealth and, in 1886, was elected senator from the third district. In 1888, he was nominated for Congress from the tenth district but was defeated by a very small majority by the Hon. Joseph H. Walker of Worcester.
Mr. Sayles was a member and Past Master of Olive Branch Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and a charter member and Past High Priest of Tyrian Royal Arch chapter of Millbury. He was also a mem- ber of Worcester County Commandery Knight Templars of Wor- cester. He was Past Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Massachusetts.
His courteous and dignified bearing and his serene disposition caused his relations with the officials of the bank and with the public to be most agreeable.
Mr. Sayles married, first, Amelia Walling, daughter of Nelson and Eliza Walling. Their children were Dwight, Nelson Walling, and Ethel. Mr. Sayles married, second, Cora Campbell.
NATHAN H. SEARS
Nathan Henry Sears was born at Brewster, Mass. In 1848, he moved to Worcester where he worked on leather goods. In 1853
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he came to Millbury where he was foreman for the firm of Johnson, Brown and Co. who manufactured leather goods. He kept a drug store from 1865 until 1898.
Mr. Sears was a prominent citizen in many lines of activity. He was for a number of years a member of the fire department and part of the time was its chief, having one of the steam fire- engines named in his honor. For over forty years he was com- missioner of cemeteries, much of the time being chairman of the board. During this period the condition and appearance of the cemeteries was greatly improved, a change in which he took much pride. He caused the graves of Revolutionary soldiers to be marked. He has long been identified with leadership in the Republican party. He represented the district for a term in the State Legislature. For sixteen years, i. e., from 1898 until 1914, Mr. Sears was postmaster. He was town treasurer for two years in 1872 and 1873.
Mr. Sears served two enlistments in the Civil War, the first being with the Tenth Unattached Co. and the second with Co. F., 1st battalion of heavy artillery, both terms of service being at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor.
Mr. Sears was a member of the Unitarian Society of Millbury in whose affairs he ever took a warm interest. He was a member of George A. Custer Post 70, G. A. R. He was a prominent Mason, having taken thirty-two degrees in that order.
Capt. PETER SIMPSON
Capt. Peter Simpson, son of Peter Simpson, was born in St. Ours, near Montreal, Canada, in January, 1821. At the age of sixteen he left home and worked on a farm in Claremont, N. H. In 1838, he went to Woonsocket, R. I., where he was employed in the woolen mills of Edward Harris, after which he worked in woolen mills at Blackstone. He later returned to Woonsocket, and was employed in the woolen mill of Daniel Paine. He after- ward returned to the employ of Mr. Harris with whom he remained until about 1860 and was for many years superintendent of his mills.
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