USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Fitchburg > Fitchburg, Massachusetts, past and present > Part 2
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Soon after Page located other settlers began to come in, until in 1748, there were at least five other garrisons within the present boundaries of Fitchburg. The owners were Samuel Poole, Samuel Hunt, Isaac Gibson, Joseph Spofford, and John Fitch. The latter lived in the northern part of the town, since set off to form a part of the town of Ashby, and it seems certain the town of Fitchburg was named for him, as he was prominent in se- curing its incorporation. In 1748. Fitchburg re- ceived a visit from the In- dians and on the 5th of July, the garrison of John Fitch was attacked by them. The two soldiers JOSEPH SPUFFORD HOUSE NOT OF PEARL HOL 1744-5 who were with him were killed, but he kept up the defence of the garrison for some
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FITCHBURG OF THE PAST.
time, his wife loading the guns and he firing them. They finally surrendered, however, being told that their lives would be spared if they would do so, and the family, consisting of Fitch, his wife and five children, the youngest a babe, were taken to Montreal.
The following day Deas. Goodridge and Amos Kimball were fired upon by Indians, but escaped to Page's ...... ....... ...... garrison. The alarm being given, soldiers started in pursuit of the Indians, but finding a piece of bark stuck on a tree, on which Fitch had written a request The FITCH TOHLEMONUMENT for them not to follow them further as their captors would kill him if overtaken, they gave up the pursuit.
The following fall, the Fitch family ASHBY were ransomed and all returned safely, MARCH 1767 WAS THE FIRST MODERALLER THE FIRST CON STABLE WITH J LOCKI J JONES WA FCIMAN THE with the exception of Mrs. Fitch, who died on her way home. For years after John Fitch was a prosperous and influ- ential citizen in Fitchburg and after- FIRST YEAR OF THE TOWN ward in Ashby, where his neighborhood was set off in 1767 to form a part of ' APR.8.1795 DIED that town. He died April 8, 1795, aged 87 years, at the house of a rela- tive in Ashby, and a monument com- memorating these events was afterward erected to his memory. There has been a difference of opinion in the past regarding the year of the Indian raid and also doubt expressed as to the town of Fitch- burg being named in honor of John Fitch, but these questions have been set at rest by the researches of the late Stephen
JOHN FITCH
IFASHUI
W
TAKEN ID CANADA
AFTER HIS RETURN PROCURED THE INCORPORATION OF
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
Shepley and Henry A. Willis. Mr. Shepley's investigation fixes the time of the Indian raid in July, 1748. This ac- count differs from Peter Whitney, Rufus C. Torrey and the monument date, but these last authorities differ from each other and are not fully substantiated. The statement made at different times, that the town received its name from a cer- tain large landholder by the name of Fitch, was found (after a thorough search of records in Boston and Worcester by Mr. Willis) to have the slightest possible foundation, the person referred to being a non-resident and having only an indirect interest in a small piece of ground.
The earliest account of any visit of the pale faces within the limits of Fitchburg, as well as the only other Indian epi- sode connected with the history of the town, dates back to the IIth of February, 1676. On the day previous the Indians attacked Lancaster, destroyed the settlement by burning the houses, murdering many of the people and taking the rest with them into captivity. Among the number spared was Mrs. Rowlandson, wife of the minister of the place, who on her return from captivity published an account of her jour- neyings through the wilderness. From her description it would seem that she passed the night of Feb. II within the limits of Fitchburg and on Rollstone Hill. Let us for a moment imagine the scene, surrounded by a band of merciless savages, exulting over the destruction of her home and the murder of those near and dear to her. Overwhelmed by the loss of her husband and children and exposed to the wintry blasts, with a prospect of hope- less captivity in view, what torture of mind and body might she not have endured. It was but one case of many in those days of hardship and danger. Mrs. Rowland- son's description of the massacre at Lancaster and suc- ceeding events is as follows: (Forty-two persons sought shelter under her roof and after a hot assault the Indians suc- ceeded in setting the house on fire. ) "Quickly," Mrs. Row- landson says, "it was the dolefullest day that mine eyes ever saw, now the dreadful hour is come some in our house were fighting for their lives; others wallowing in blood; the
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FITCHBURG OF THE PAST.
house on fire over our heads and the bloody heathens ready to knock us on the head if we stirred out. I took my chil- dren to go forth but the Indians shot so thick that the bullets rattled against the house as if one had thrown a handful of stones. We had six stout dogs but not one of them would stir. The bullets flying thick, one went through my side and through my poor child in my arms." The brutalities of an Indian massacre followed. Mrs. Rowlandson was taken captive with one poor, wounded babe. She adds, "Down I must sit in the snow, with my sick child, the picture of death, . in my arms. Not the least crumb of refreshment came within either of our mouths from Wednesday night to Satur- day night, except a little cold water."
How little do the mothers of the present day, surrounded by the comforts and blessings of civilization, know of the sorrows of the women of a former generation.
CHAPTER III.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
FI TCHBUR The administration of municipal affairs is committed to the hands of A TOWN a Mayor, Board of Aldermen, and FEB. 3 872 Common Council. The annual election is held on the first Tuesday in December and the city govern- MAR. 8, ment is formally organized on the 1764 CITY, first Monday of the following Janu- ary. Six Aldermen-one from each ward-compose the Board, and the Common Council consists of eighteen members-three from each ward.
Meetings of the city government are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
The officers of the city for the present year are as follows : Mayor: Frederick Fosdick.
Aldermen : Ward I-Frank A. Wood ; Ward 2-David M. Dillon : Ward 3-John Parkhill ; Ward 4-James F. D. Garfield ; Ward 5-Henry M. Choate : Ward 6-Horace M. Kendall. Clerk of the Board of Aldermen : Walter A. Davis.
Common Councilmen : Ward I-Michael D. Crimmins, Frederick Ryan, Joseph A. Fuller ; Ward 2-George S. Coggswell, James Hanna, Francis A. McCauliff; Ward 3- William H. Goodwin, Benjamin G. Bagley, Henry F. Rock- well : Ward 4-Willard Dennis, Joseph C. Moulton, William Edwards ; Ward 5-Alvin E. Battles, Charles P. Washburn, Clarentine E. Ferson ; Ward 6-Thomas H. Doherty,
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CITY GOVERNMENT.
Michael Whalon, James H. McCarty. President of the Common Council: Henry F. Rockwell: Clerk: J. E. Kellogg, elected by the Common Council.
The following named well known citizens have filled the office of Mayor since the incorporation of the city :
Amasa Norcross, from formation of the City Government to Jan. 1875 : Eugene T. Miles, from Jan. 1875 to Jan. 1876 ; Hiram A. Blood, from Jan. 1876 to Jan. 1877 ; David H. Merriam, from Jan. 1877 to Jan. 1879 : William H. Vose, from Jan. 1879 to Jan. 1880 : Eli Culley, from Jan. ISSo to Jan. 1882 ; George Robbins, from Jan. 1882 to Jan. 1883 : Alonzo Davis, from Jan. 1883 to Jan. 1886, and Frederick Fosdick, from Jan. 1886 to the present time.
AMASA NORCROSS,
first Mayor of Fitchburg, was born in Rindge, N. II., Jan. 26, 1824, he received an excellent academic education. first in the academy of his native town and subsequently in a sim- ilar institution at New Ipswich, N. H. Selecting the profes- sion of law he became in 1844 a student in the office of the Hon. Nathaniel Wood in Fitchburg, and in 1847 was ad- mitted to the bar, since that time he has pursued his professional labors in this city and is to-day the senior mem- ber of the Fitchburg bar. In 1858-59 and 1862 Mr. Norcross was a member of the Massachusetts house of representatives. elected on the republican ticket, in 1858 he was a member of the committee of probate and chancery of which Gov. An- drew, then a member of the house, was chairman, and in 1859 and 1862 he was a member of the judiciary committee. In August of the last named year he was appointed by Presi- dent Lincoln United States assessor for the 9th Congressional District of Massachusetts, serving for ten years and until the office was abolished by act of congress. In 1862 the authori- ties of Dartmouth conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. In the session of 1859 Mr. Norcross was appointed a member of the joint committee of the senate and house of representatives to examine and amend the report of the com-
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
missioners appointed to codify the laws of the state. Upon this committee were several distinguished lawyers, among whom were Gen. Caleb Cushing and Gen. Benjamin F. But- ler. In 1874 he was a member of the Massachusetts senate and chairman of the judiciary committee of that body, also chairman of the committee on federal relations. To him was assigned the honor of drafting the report which recom- mended rescinding the resolutions of censure upon Charles Sumner which had been passed by the legislature of Massa- chusetts. The rescinding resolutions reached Senator Sumner at Washington a few days before his death and doubtless contributed materially to soothe his last hours. In the fall of 1876 Mr. Norcross was elected representative to congress and re-elected in 1878 and again in 1880.
Local affairs always received a proportionate share of Mr. Norcross' attention. On the organization of the City Gov- ernment in 1873 he received the honor of first election to the Mayoralty of the new city : he was re-elected the following year. With financial and other public organizations he has been for many years prominently identified. He is a director in the Rollstone National Bank, president of the Worcester North Savings Institution and of the Fitchburg Fire Insur- ance Company. He took an active part in organizing the Fitchburg Benevolent Union, was its first president and is now one of its life members. For fifteen years he has been a trustee of the Lawrence Academy at Groton ; by an act of . legislature was made one of the original members of the or- ganization known as the Cushing Academy at Ashburnham, of which he is now a trustee, contributing largely to the or- ganizing and building up of this now flourishing academy.
EUGENE T. MILES,
second Mayor of Fitchburg, familiarly known in Fitchburg as Captain Miles, was born in Framingham, Aug. 26, 1826. His parents resided in Shrewsbury but were temporarily stopping in Framingham. He was educated as a business man in Worcester, where he began as clerk in Kinnicut's
Eugene J. Miles
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CITY GOVERNMENT.
hardware store. In 1856 he came to Fitchburg and was associated with A. G. Page in business ; Mr. Page sold his interest to Mr. Augustus Whitman. The partnership with Mr. Whitman extended from 1856 until the death of Capt. Miles, in 1876. He was one of the corporators of the Whit- man & Miles Manufacturing Co., in 1864, of which company he was president at the time of his death. He was connected with a number of other manufacturing companies of this city and also at Akron, Ohio. He was prominently connected with the municipal affairs of Fitchburg for many years, was a member of the board of selectmen in 1864, '65, '66 and 1872, and Mayor of the city in 1875. He was one of the directors of the Fitchburg National Bank and one of the trustees of the Fitchburg Savings Bank. He was also president of the Worcester North Agricultural Society, and a member of the State Board of Agriculture and one of the vice-presidents of the Fitchburg Board of Trade since its organization.
Capt. Miles was an earnest supporter of the Union army during the late war, ever ready to aid the soldiers and their families. He finally concluded to go to the front, but the health of his partner failed, which left the sole management of a very extensive business entirely to his care, compelling him to resign his commission as captain of Company A, 53d Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, before the regiment left its quarters in New York for active service in the field. At the close of the war he was captain of the Fusiliers one year. He also did a large share of the work of the committee on the soldiers' monument.
In the very meridian of his manhood, and in the midst of usefulness he was called from the scenes of this life. He died very suddenly at his residence on Blossom street, June 26, 1876.
Better known to all of the citizens of Fitchburg, both rich and poor, than almost any other man, and bound up as he was with so many of our mercantile interests, his loss was severely felt. His characteristics were a devotion to the wel- fare of his adopted city, honesty of official life as well as integrity in business affairs of every description, and the 3
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
exercise of those estimable qualities that go to make up the companion and friend ; and it may be truly said of him that in his death the poor man, the soldier, and the soldier's family lost a sincere friend.
HIRAM ALBRO BLOOD,
third Mayor of Fitchburg, was born in Townsend, Mass., Feb. 3, 1833, where he received an academical education.
He was first elected Mayor by the board of aldermen and common council, Nov. 2, 1875, to fill out the unexpired term of Eugene T. Miles, and at the subsequent annual election in December he was elected mayor by the people and was inaugurated January, 1876, and filled the office of Mayor for one year and two months.
At the age of twenty he entered the commission house of Bliss, Sutton & Co. in Worcester, Mass., as a clerk and be- came a member of the firm in 1854, at which time he opened a branch house in Fitchburg, and came here to live and has resided here ever since. In 1857 he dissolved his connection with Bliss, Sutton & Co., and entered into a co-partnership with William O. Brown of this city, under the name of Blood & Brown, which existed until 1860, when Mr. Brown with- drew to enter the United States Army, becoming a major of the 25th Regiment, and a new firm was formed under the name of II. A. Blood & Co., which continued to carry on the business. In 1865 Mr. Blood withdrew from all mercan- tile pursuits and became entirely interested in railroads, to the construction and operation of which he has ever since given his time and attention.
In 1865 he became connected with the Fitchburg and Worcester Railroad company, as a director, and as its super- intendent and general manager. He afterwards built or was largely instrumental in building, the Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg, the Framingham and Lowell, the Mansfield and Framingham and the Fall River railroads, of which he suc- cessively became superintendent and general manager, and afterwards united and consolidated them together with the
Mince Poly
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CITY GOVERNMENT.
New Bedford and Taunton, and the Taunton Branch rail- roads into one system under the name of the Boston, Clinton, Fitchburg and New Bedford Railroad Company, reaching from Fitchburg and Lowell in the north, to Mansfield, Taun- ton, New Bedford and Fall River in the southern part of the state. This system of railroads was for a time operated by Mr. Blood as general manager and was afterwards united and consolidated with the Old Colony Railroad Company, of which it now forms an important part. In the construction of these railroads, and in their subsequent operation and con- solidations, Mr. Blood was the moving and directing spirit.
In 1875 he procured the Charter for the Wachusett Na- tional Bank of Fitchburg, obtained all the subscriptions to its capital stock, established the bank and became its first vice- president.
He is now chiefly interested in railroads in the state of Ohio, being the president of The Cleveland and Canton Rail- road Company in that state, which position he has held since May, 1884, but he still retains his residence in Fitchburg, where he has an office, as well as an office in Boston, Mass.
DAVID H. MERRIAM, 1242345
fourth Mayor of Fitchburg, was born, July 3, 1820, at Essex, in the county of Essex and state of New York, was one of seven children of Josephus and Betsey Merriam. His father died when he was eight years of age, his mother moved to Fitchburg in July, 1829, with her seven children. Fitchburg at that time contained about 2,000 inhabitants.
He carried on the carriage and harness business five years, from 1842 to 1847, he then commenced studying law with Hon. Nathaniel Wood and Ebenezer Torrey. In 1850 was appointed Assistant Marshal of Massachusetts, by the President, to take the census of this district. In I851 was admitted to the bar at Worcester, at the April term of the su- preme judicial court, and in 1858 he was admitted to practice in the United States court by the Hon. Judge Sprague upon examination, he being the first person ever admitted to
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
practice in the United States court from Fitchburg. In 1851 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the county of Worcester by Gov. George S. Boutwell, which office he has held thirty-six years. In 1861 he represented the district, in which Fitchburg was a part, in the Massachusetts house of representatives, and was a member of the judiciary commit- tee, and a member of a joint committee of a special session to prepare for the families of the soldiers by passing the state aid laws and other acts of like nature. Was one of the se- lectmen of Fitchburg in 1861. In 1863 was appointed Provost Marshal of the 9th District of Massachusetts by President Lincoln and held the office during the war, and was honorably discharged, Oct. 15, 1865, having served until the close of the war. In 1868 he was appointed Special Justice of the police court of Fitchburg by his Excellency Alexander H. Bullock, governor, which office he now holds. HIe was elected Mayor of Fitchburg in 1877 and 1878, and has held the office of Commissioner of Insolvency for the county of Worcester for eighteen years and has practiced law in Fitchburg thirty-six years, and holds a commission as Notary Public and Justice of the Peace and Quorum for the Commonwealth.
WILLIAM H. VOSE,
fifth Mayor of Fitchburg, was born in Leominster, Nov. 5, 1808. His early life was spent on the farm, but at the age of 14 he entered a woolen mill to learn the art of finishing cloth. In 1828-29 he was employed in the Fitchburg Woolen Mill. At 21 years of age he went to Royalston and was em- ployed as overseer in the mill of Rufus Bullock, father of the late Governor A. H. Bullock, till 1846, when he moved to Winchendon and formed a partnership with George S. Coffin, which continued about two years, the firm being en- gaged in the manufacture of woolen goods. In 1848 Mr. Vose bought an interest in the Fitchburg Woolen Mill ; soon became manager of the company and continued in that posi- tion until the time of his death, which occurred Oct. 27, 1884.
David H. Merriam.
Wm. H. Vose.
Eli Culley.
Alonzo Davis
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CITY GOVERNMENT.
For several years Mr. Vose was a valued member of the directors' board of the Fitchburg National Bank and a trus- tee in the Fitchburg Savings Bank. He also served on the board of selectmen for two years, from April 1862. He rep- resented the district of which Fitchburg formed a part in the legislatures of 1863 and '64. In 1873 and '74 he represented Ward 3 in the board of aldermen and was chairman of the important committees on highways, water and education. Those who served with him on those committees know with what fidelity to the best interests of the whole city he investi- gated every matter brought before the city council. His time and valuable business experience was always freely given to city affairs to bring the greatest good to the greatest number. In December, 1878, he was elected Mayor and served one year-declining an unanimous renomination.
In all the relations of public and private life he was most exemplary and few men who have held positions of trust en- countered so little adverse criticism as Mr. Vose. His spot- less integrity and sincerity inspired perfect confidence and it seemed impossible for him to deceive or dissimulate. He weighed questions carefully and deliberately and arrived at conclusions slowly but with sound judgment. He was cheerful even under depressing circumstances and inter- course with his hopeful spirit was an excellent remedy for despondency. While freely expressing his convictions he treated with uniform courtesy all who came in contact with him and was always ready to listen and give due weight to - the opinions of those who differed from him. He contributed in many ways to the prosperity of the city, but his most valuable contribution was the influence of his character and example on the rising generation.
ELI CULLEY,
sixth Mayor of Fitchburg, was born, Feb. 4, 1840, near the city of Bath in the west of England. At the age of fifteen came to the United States and located in Massachusetts. He was living in Boston at the time of the war and enlisted in
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FITCIIBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
Company K, 43d Massachusetts Regiment. On his return from the army, being in poor health, he did not actively en- gage in business for some time ; but later on began the man- ufacture of files in Weymouth, Mass. In the spring of 1868 he removed his file business to Fitchburg, at first occupying a building near the Rollstone Machine company's works on Water street, and later moving to his present place of busi- ness at Newton lane. He was president of the Common Council in 1875, member of the board of Aldermen in 1877 and 1878, and Mayor in 1880 and 1881, and is the only Mayor who has served as president of the Common Council and on the board of Aldermen as well. He was representa- tive to the Legislature in IS80.
GEORGE ROBBINS,
seventh Mayor of Fitchburg, is a native of Leominster, where he was born, Dec. 5, 1827. At sixteen years of age he was apprenticed to learn the trade of plate and sheet iron worker. In 1854 he came to Fitchburg and started in his present gas fitting and plumbing business. He served the town in the capacity of selectman prior to its incorporation as a city, and was a member of the committee who drafted the city charter.
ALONZO DAVIS,
eighth Mayor of Fitchburg, was born Nov. 15, 1817, in Gardner, Mass., where he learned the chair business. In 1845 he removed to Fitchburg and in company with Augustus Rice started a chair manufactory in "Newton Lane," continuing the chair business with Hiram Wood, John D. Pratt, Henry T. Pratt and Charles E. Pratt, as partners, at different periods of time, until 1855 when in company with Henry T. Pratt a new brick factory was con- structed on "Tuttle Flat"-so called-of the following dimen- sions : 150 feet long, 40 feet wide, four stories high, where the chair business was continued under the firm name of A. Davis & Co. until 1864, when Mr. Davis purchased of his
FREDERICK FOSDICK
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CITY GOVERNMENT.
partners their interests and became sole owner, continuing the business to 1877. A little later Mr. Davis sold his factory to the Parkhill Manufacturing Company and retired from the chair business, which he had carried on for thirty- two consecutive years. Mr. Davis served as member of the city government for eight successive years, commencing in 1878; two years as common councilman ; three years as alderman, and three years as Mayor.
FREDERICK FOSDICK,
ninth and present Mayor of Fitchburg, was born in Groton, Mass., April, 1850, came to Fitchburg in 1870, and was in the office of the Burleigh Rock Drill Company thirteen months, then went to Pennsylvania coal mines for the pur- pose of setting up some pumping machinery for New Bedford parties, returning to Fitchburg in 1872, and taking the posi- tion of draughtsman for the Haskins Machine Company. Upon organization of the Fitchburg Steam Engine Company took the position of Treasurer and Business Manager, which he still retains. He was three years on the school committee by election, two years president of common council and ex- officio on school committee, and two years Mayor, ex-officio on school committee, making seven years on the school board. He is also a trustee in the Worcester North Savings Institution.
The other members of the present city government are as follows :
ALDERMEN.
FRANK A. WOOD, was born in Westminster, February, 1844, lived there until the beginning of the war, when he en- listed in Company A, 36th Regiment, at expiration of his term of service returned to Fitchburg and has been in busi- ness here most of the time since ; for the past fourteen years has been engaged in the provision business on Water street. Was on the city council in 1877.
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
DAVID M. DILLON, was born in St. Johns, New Bruns- wick, in 1843 ; went to learn the boiler makers trade at the age of fourteen ; left his native city and came to Boston in 1860, where he continued to work at his trade. In 1863 he was employed by the United States government as a boiler maker and stationed at Port Royal, S. C., where he re- mained for over a year. Coming North he finally located at Worcester where he started the boiler business in 1865, con- tinuing in the business for four years. He sold out in Worcester and came to Fitchburg in 1870.
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