Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. I, Part 141

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 824

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. I > Part 141

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beginning as an agent for the Germania Fire Insur- ance Company of New York. In 1902 he became general local manager of the company, which he still represents. He also represents the Reliance, of Philadelphia ; Commercial Union, of New York; American Insurance, of Boston; the Worcester Mutual; and the Merchants and Farmers. In the insurance business Mr. Mooney has been successful in an eminent degree, building up one of the largest and best known offices in this line in Worcester. His advice is considered safe and sound in all financial matters, and is often sought in estimating the value of real estate and in investments. He is one of the original incorporators of the Bay State Savings Bank, and a member of its investment com- mittee.

Mr. Mooney has always taken an active interest in all public and municipal affairs, laboring efficiently in forwarding every material and moral interest. He was a member of the common council for two terms, serving on important committees and always on the finance committee. During the famous strike of the Knights of Saint Crispin, in 1870, Mr. Mooney was secretary of the organization and was a prominent factor in the management and direct- ing of the same during that troublous time. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and of the Father Matthew Total Abstinence and Mutual Benefit Society, of which he was presi- dent for five consecutive terms, and was serving in that capacity when the society presented a testi- monial to the late Hon. George Frisbie Hoar, in recognition of his public services, and he was ap- pointed to make the presentation speech. He is a charter member of the Police Relief Association of Worcester. In politics he is a sterling Democrat. In 1885 Mr. Mooney married Joanna M. Healey, of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their children are : Frances C., John J., Richard J., died March 25, 1905; Rachel, Annie, and Julia.

Richard Henry Mooney, A. M., son of Richard and Margaret (Doyle) Mooney, was born in Wor- cester, Massachusetts, and has always lived there. He attended the public schools of his native city, and entered the College of the Holy Cross, Wor- cester, from which he was graduated in the class of 1879, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Dur- ing his college course he took a very high rank in his class, gaining prizes in English composition, elocution, mathematics and physics. Having decided to make teaching his profession, he entered the theo- logical and pedagogical department of the Laval University of Montreal, Canada, where he pursued a special course in theology, moral and dogmatic ; sacred Scripture and history of sacred writings; literature; ancient, medieval and modern history ; history of education; psychology and philosophy. He then became a special student in the State Nor- mal school, at Worcester, under the direction and supervision of Professor E. Harlow Russell, princi- pal of the school, a recognized authority in pedagogy and child study. In June, 1881, he received his diploma from the State Normal school, and his degree of Master of Arts from his alma mater.

In September, 18SI, he began his work of teaching in the Adams Square school, Worcester, which was then an ungraded school, where he taught everything from the alphabet to algebra. In September, 1882, he was appointed by the school committee principal of the Quinsigamond school, over which he still presides. In the growth and development of this school Mr. Mooney takes pardonable pride, and the entire village of Quinsigamond, which is the largest and most thriving of the many suburbs of Wor- cester, the location of the South works, so-called,

of the American Steel and Wire Company, is con- tributory to this educational institution. When Mr. Mooney first took charge of the school there were five teachers in charge of about two hundred pupils, but at the present time ( 1906) there are twenty-five teachers in charge of over one thousand pupils. The graduates of this school are now engaged in the various active pursuits of life, in the shop, office, store, in the army and navy, in public service in different departments of the city and county, in the legislative department of the state government, and the customs department of the United States. It has always been the constant aim of Mr. Mooney in training the pupils under his charge to thoroughly qualify them for the duties of life. He does not leave them on the threshold of the school-room, but meets them out in the world in the various walks of business, professional, and social life, and cheers them on in their undertakings. In his career as a teacher he has manifested diligence. industry. exe- cutive ability of a very high order, decision, energy, and a careful preparation of every detail in school organization, discipline, and teaching. In school economy, methods of culture and history of educa- tion-in all that goes to make a thorough and prac- tical master of pedagogy, and in the science and art of education, he holds high rank. Many of the methods and devices occasionally put forward by lecturers at school conventions as new and original, have been in vogue in the Quinsigamond school for many years. Especially is this so in regard to promotions, individual work with pupils, special attention to defective and backward pupils, small classes, continuous and generous use of the black- boards by pupils and teachers, and in many other aids, devices, methods, and principles of teaching.

Mr. Mooney's collateral work has always been along the lines of educational thought, activity and philanthropy. He has interested himself very much in the organization of societies which he foresaw would or might do some good. In 1887 he was elected secretary of the Alumni Association of the College of the Holy Cross, his alma mater, and he has built up that organization to its present pros- perous condition. In 1899 he organized the Young Ladies' Lyceum of the Church of the Sacred Heart, Worcester, over which the Right Rev. Thomas J. Conaty. now Bishop of Los Angeles, California, presided, and was appointed its first president. In 1890 he organized the Worcester County Total Ab- stinence Union, comprising the active total abstin- ence societies in the towns and cities of the county, and was appointed its lecturer. He has also organ- ized many total abstinence societies for young men and young ladies throughout Worcester county. and has lectured on temperance in many cities and towns in New England. He was one of the incorporators of the St. Vincent Hospital, House of Providence, and of St. Joseph's Industrial Home, Millbury, Massachusetts.

Mr. Mooney has published several books as aids in the work of teaching. In IS9I he published "One Thousand Questions and Answers on United States History. 'Civil Government, Literature and Finance," also "One Hundred Questions and Answers on Alcohol." In 1892 he published historical papers, containing, with notes, the "Declaration of Inde- pendence," the "Articles of Confederation," the "Constitution of the United States." "Washington's Farewell Address," and "A Table of the Presidents." In 1892. by vote of the Worcester County Teachers' Association in convention assembled, he prepared a classified list of books for supplementary reading by grades for the public schools. In 1893 he pub- lished "Patriotic Prose and Poetry." All of these

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books have had an extended circulation. Mr. Mooney has now in preparation "A Short History of Ireland," and Elementary Algebra, and a Prob- lem Book in Arithmetic.

During the winters of 1886-87-88-89-90 Mr. Mooney lectured before the pupils of the various evening schools on historical, scientific and other subjects. He has spoken before many local audi- ences, teachers' associations and societies in adjacent cities and towns on literary, educational and patri- otic subjects. He is often introduced by presiding officers as "the silver-tongued orator." In 1895, while serving as president of the Worcester County Teachers' Association, he presided over the largest convention of that association ever held up to that time. He is a member of the Massachusetts Teachers' Association. On Memorial Day, 1895, Mr. Mooney was the orator on behalf of the Grand Army of the Republic and the citizens in general at the soldiers' monument on the common, where he de- livered one of the most eloquent and patriotic ad- dresses ever heard there. In May, 1899, he spoke under the auspices of the Men's Union of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church on the Catholic Relig- ion. In 1895 Mr. Mooney was chairman of the committee which organized the Schoolmasters' Club of Worcester county, of which G. Stanley Hall, president of Clark University, was the first president, and Mr. Mooney held that office in 1899. Mr. Mooney presided at the first dinner given by that club. Mr. Mooney is an associate member-a life member-of the George H. Ward Post, No. 10, Grand Army of the Republic, and is always a wel- come speaker at its gatherings. He was a member of the committee of fifteen, chosen at a meeting of citizens, to arrange for the reception and dinner in honor of the soldiers who returned from the Span- ish-American war. In 1896 he was chairman of the committee which inaugurated the first course of lectures for teachers ever given in Worcester. In September of that year, as editor and proprietor, he began the publication of the "School Register." a monthly paper devoted to the interests of educa- tion.

Mr. Mooney takes an active interest in public and civic affairs, and is always ready to perform his duty as a citizen. He believes that a quiet, con- servative intercourse between the world and the school is of mutual benefit. In 1885 he was appointed by the executive of the commonwealth to the office of justice of the peace, which commission he still holds, a period of twenty-one years, which is an eloquent testimonial to his ability as an adjudicator as well as of his sterling integrity. He is a member of the board of trade and serves on the committee on municipal affairs. As president of the Quinsigamond Improvement Society, he has been instrumental in securing many improvements for the village in the way of better roads, sidewalks, electric lights, shade trees, electric car service, and finally, after years of agitation and hearings before different committees of the city government, a public play ground for the youth of the village. called Greenwood Park.

In 1892 Mr. Mooney married Edith Genevieve Loring, of Westborough, Massachusetts, daughter of Willard Loring, of that town. Mrs. Mooney was graduated from the Westborough high school and from the State Normal school, at Worcester, and previous to her marriage was a teacher in the public schools of Worcester. Their children are: Mar- garet Loring, Richard Henry, Jr., Miles, and Edith Loring Mooney. The family home is on Vernon street. in the southern part of the city of Worcester, and is surrounded by a spacious lawn and four

acres of land. The estate is dotted with many fruit and ornamental trees.

Mr. Mooney is a member of no organization or society not connected with his profession of teach- ing. Everything is subordinated with him to the great work of turning out good, intelligent and pa- triotic citizens. In religion he is a Catholic, in poli- tics a Republican.

John Francis Henry Mooney, A. B., son of Richard and Margaret (Doyle) Mooney, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. After his graduation from the public schools he entered the College of the Holy Cross, where he was graduated in 1879, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He immed- iately took up journalism and for twenty years was connected with the Worcester Evening Gasette as reporter, and was also the local daily correspondent of the Boston Globe. He is now ( 1906) engaged in the insurance business with his brother, Nicholas J. Mooney. In 1884 he was elected a member of the house of representatives in the state legislature from ward 5, and served on the committee on education which reported the free text book bill, which was passed that year. He served six years as a member of the Worcester Light Infantry, in which he at- tained the rank of sergeant. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and was for a long time president of his division. He is a member of the Independent Order of Elks. Mr. Mooney is one of the best known men in Worcester, meeting in his work for a number of years men of all condi- tions and in all walks of life. He is a sterling Democrat.

JOHN J. POWER. William Power, father of Alderman John J. Power, of Worcester, Massachu- setts, was born in Waterford, Ireland, about 1850. He belonged to a well known and numerous family of this surname, among whom there were many men of distinction in Ireland. He came to America in 1869, when a young man, and made his home in Worcester. He had learned the carpenter's trade thoroughly in the old country, and was a skilful mechanic. For the first year he worked for John P. McDonald, carpenter and builder, of Worcester. In 1870 he started in business for himself, and soon became one of the leading carpenters of the city ; in the course of his career he built over three hun- dred houses in Worcester. He had many con- tracts also outside of the city, and continued actively in business until his death, January 29, 1894. He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and of St. John's Roman Catholic Church. His home was always in the fourth ward where he was highly esteemed, and had considerable influence among his fellow citizens. He owned a number of houses in that ward. He married Nora Ahassey in St. John's Church, Worcester. Their children are: Alice G .. resides at home ; John J. (see forward) ; M. Agnes. resides at home ; William H. ; George A., student in the Harvard Medical school: James T., student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Thomas F., stud- ent at Amherst College: Henry R., student in the Worcester Classical high school, orator of the class of 1906.

John J. Power, son of William Power, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, October 31, 1876. He received his education in the public schools of Worcester. and at Holy Cross College. He became associated in business with his father while still in school. His father died when he was less than eighteen years old and he succeeded to the business and care of the estate, being the eldest son. He con- tinned the business successfully, and has since car-

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ried on a general contracting and building business. He is a member of the builders' exchange and of the board of trade. He belongs to the Washington Club. In politics he is a Democrat, and he has taken a strong interest in public affairs. He was elected from ward four, a member of the common council for the years 1901-2-3-4, and of the board of alderinen for 1905-6. He has served on all the important committees of the city council and is, notwithstanding his youth, one of the veterans of the city council; an efficient and faithful official. Alderman Power resides in a handsome new resi- dence at No. I Granite street. He built the house for his own use. He married, October 31, 1905, Hannah M. Kehoe, daughter of Michael and Mary Kehoe, of Worcester.

ROBERT LYONS GOLBERT, for many years identified with the business interests of Worcester, in which city he has spent the greater part of his life, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, July 2, 1837, a son of Robert Lyons and Rebecca (Stevens) Golbert, of Boston, whose family consisted of four other children, namely: George, who died while serving in the Army of the Potomac during the civil war; Benjamin B., who died in 1903, was a soldier in the Ninth Company of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry; Elizabeth, died in infancy; and William. Robert Lyons Golbert ( father) was probably a native of Boston, was of German descent, and followed the trade of a sail maker. His wife, Rebecca (Stev- ens) Golbert, was a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and a descendant of an English family who were for many years residents of Boston.

Robert Lyons Golbert attended school in Boston until twelve years of age, when his father died, and he then went to live at Hanson, Massachusetts. At the age of seventeen he returned to Boston and secured employment in the last factory of John Armstrong, where he thoroughly mastered all the details of the trade. In 1856 he came to Worcester and entered the employ of Samuel Mawhinney, the well known last manufacturer and in 1869 was ad- mtted to partnership with his employer. This con- nection continued until Mr. Mawhinney moved his business to Brockton, Massachusetts, and Mr. Gol- bert continued to manufacture lasts in Worcester until February, 1905, when the business was incor- porated as the Golbert Last Company, his associates being A. B. Taylor and Louis A Wheeler. Mr. Golbert is a member of Athelstan Lodge, Eureka Chapter, Worcester County Commandery, and Grand Lodge of Perfection, Free and Accepted Masons. He is also a member of the Worcester Board of 'Trade, Worcester Mechanies Association, and the Hancock Club. He is a Republican in politics. Mr. Golbert married Mary Elizabeth Field, of Nantucket, Massachusetts. and they are the parents of one daughter, Sadie Golbert.

JOSIAH H. CLARKE. Joseph Clarke (1), the emigrant ancestor of the late Josiah Howe Clarke, of Worcester, was one of the pioneer settlers in Dedham, Massachusetts. He was a proprietor in Ded- ham. September 28, 1610. He was one of the first thirteen settlers of Medfield, Massachusetts. He was admitted a freeman there May 18. 1653. His home- stead was on the south side of South street, Med- field, and the old cellar hole near the corner of Oak street still indicates the location of his house. He was selectman in 1660, but was seldom in office. He died in 1684. His wife Alice, whom he probably m""rried in England, died in 1710. Their children were: Joseph, born July 27, 1642; Benjamin, see forward; Ephraim, born February 9, 1644; Daniel,

born September 29, 1647, died in 1676 of wounds received from the Indians during the attack and burning of Medfield; Mary, born March 12, 1649. married, 1673, John Boyden; Sarah, born February 20, 1651, died 1704; John, born 1652, died 1720; Nathaniel, born 1658; Rebecca, born 1660, died 1739. (II) Benjamin Clarke, second child of Joseph Clarke (1), was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, February 9, 1644. He married, 1665, Dorcas Morse. He had a grant of land in Medfield, "near the way as you go to Nantasket." His house was on Main street, opposite Pound street. The original well is said to be still in use. His house was burned by the Indians in 1676, and he built again on the same spot. What is known as the Peak House in Medfield is an addition subsequently made to his second house in or about 1762. After the old part decayed and was torn down, the present structure was moved to its present location. Its unique shape has attracted much attention and is even believed to be one of the houses left from the burning in King Philip's war. Benjamin Clarke was a very prominent citizen. He was for seventeen years selectman of the town and two years deputy to the general court. He died in 1724 and his widow in 1725. Their children were: Hannah, born October 22, 1666, died 1757 ; Benjamin, born November 20, 1668, died at the Eastward: Theophilus, see forward; Tabitha, born December 10, 1672; Timothy, born December 19, 1674, died 1676: Timothy, born May 12, 1677; Edward, born November 11, 1679, died 1746, at Medway; Ebenezer, born 1682, died 1683; Rebecca, born 1684, died 1687 ; Seth, born 1687.

(III) Theophilus Clarke, third child of Benjamin Clarke (2), was born in Medfield, Massachusetts, September 25, 1670. He married Rachel

They settled in Medfield, where he lived until after her death, December 1, 1717. He married (second) Elizabeth Cutler, of Reading, Massachusetts, Feb- ruary 24, 1718. Thereafter he lived in Medway. Fle had twelve children by the first marriage and three by the second. The children of Theophilus and Rachel, all born in Medfield, were: Ebenezer, born January 21, 1690, died 1700; Rachel, December 13, 1692; James, March 7, 1693-4: Rebecca, January 23 1694-5; Benjamin ; Theophilus, born April 16, 1698, died August 28, 1716; Deborah, October 12, 1701 ; Zebiah, November 1, 1703; Caleb, (see for- ward) ; Dorcas, March 13, 1706-7; Mary, May 5, 1710; Abigail, April 20, 1712. The children of Theophilus and Elizabeth (Cutler) Clarke: Esther, January 1, 1719; Lieutenant Theophilus, April 19, 1722, died in service 1760; Benjamin, March 17. 1724.

(IV) Caleb Clarke, ninth child of Theophilus Clarke (3), of Medfield, and Medway, was born in Medfield, Massachusetts. September 24, 1705. He married Phebe They were living in Fram- ingham in 1734, when he appears among the tax- payers. In 1735 he was in Sudbury, the adjoining town. His brother Theophilus settled in Holliston, which adjoins Framingham on the other side. They had ten children born in Sudbury and perhaps others before they settled there. The children of Caleb and Phebe Clarke were: Phebe, born August 26, 1735: Rebecca, March 28, 1737; Rachel, October 7. 1738; Abigail, March 19, 1740-1, died March 20, 1741 ; Benjamin, see forward: Seth, June 29, 1746; Calvin, August 26, 1735, a soldier in the revolution, married Martha Hunt: Jonas (twin), born June 15, 1751; Abigail (twin), born June 15, 1751; Zebiah, February 12, 1753, named for her aunt, her father's sister. Caleb, Jr., was probably his eldest son.

(V) Benjamin Clarke, son of Caleb Clarke (4), and his fifth child, was born in Sudbury, Massa-

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chusetts, July 17. 1744. He seems to have been a soldier in the revolution credited to Framingham. He married, October 19, 1768, Abigail Hunt, daugh- ter of William and Mary Hunt. She was born in Sudbury, December 17, 1750, and married there. She died February 11, 1830, in Marlboro, aged seventy-nine years. He died April 15, 1829, aged eighty-six years. They settled in Marlboro, which was a colony of Sudbury. Some of their children were born in Sudbury, however. They probably

inoved in 1776. The children of Benjamin and Abi- gail (Hunt) Clarke were: Mary, born in Sudbury, December 18, 1769, married, August 29, 1787, Simon Eames: Abigail, born in Sudbury, March 22, 1772; Sarah or Sally, March 30, 1774, died young ; Benja- min, see forward : Sally, May 4. 17So, married, Sep- tember 11, 1798, Jonathan Weeks; Nancy, March 5. 1782: Betsey, October 10, 1784, married, February 20, 1S05, Levi Colby.

(VI) Benjamin Clarke, fourth child of Benjamin Clarke (5). was born in Marlboro. April 2, 1778. He married in 1800, Catherine Eustis, and they had sixteen children, among whom was Benjamin, born about ISor. He settled in Marlboro and all his chil- dren were born there. He was a farmer.

(VII) Benjamin Clarke, eldest son of Benjamin Clarke (6), was born in Marlboro, Massachusetts about 1801. He married Lucy Howe, of Marlboro, born November 1, 1794, the daughter of Josiah and Molly ( Adams) Howe (married February 24, 1770). Josiah Howe was the son of Josiah and Mary ( Good- ale) Howe (married August 12, 1741). Mary Good- . ale was the daughter of Benjamin and Hannah Good- ale. Josiah was born December 22, 1720. He was the son of Josiah and Sarah (Bigelow) Howe (married June 14. 1706), and he died June 14. 1766. The latter Josiah Howe was born in 1678 and was the son of Josiah and Mary (Haynes) Howe, who were married March 18, 1672. The last named Josiah was the son of John Howe (1). (See Howe Fam- ily elsewhere in this work, for John Howe (I), of Sudbury.) Benjamin Clarke was a prosperous farmer of Marlboro, Massachusetts. Three of his children came to Worcester to live: John B., who was associated with his brother Josiah H. in the dry goods business: Dr. Henry, see forward : Josiah Howe. see forward.

(VIII) Dr. Henry Clarke, son of Benjamin Clarke (7), was born in Marlboro, Massachusetts, October 3. 1824. He attended the schools of his native town and spent several years at the acad- emies in Leicester and Marlboro. He began his professional studies in the office of Dr. Henry Sargent, of Worcester, in 1847. In 1848 he entered the Harvard Medical School, where he distinguished himself and won the Boylston prize. He was grad- uated in 1850. and after a year spent in the hospitals of Paris and Vienna began to practice medicine in Worcester. To his practice he devoted himself with' a zeal and industry that often overtaxed his physical strength, never very robust, and in 1861-67 he went to Europe for rest and study. During the civil war he was for several months, in 1862, at the front as a volunteer surgeon. He was for several years in the fifties city physician. He was a member of the school board. and for fourteen years physician to the county jail. He was one of the original trustees of Memorial Hospital under the will of Ichabod Washburn, and was surgeon at the City Hospital from the first. He died after a short illness April 17. 1880. aged fifty-five years. Though at his death he had harely passed middle life and in aspect and manner appeared younger than his years, he stood in the very first rank of Massachusets surgeons and physicians. As a surgeon he was re-

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Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. I, Part 141

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed Publication date: 1907 Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 824

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 824