Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. I, Part 19

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 19

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In connection with his church benefactions it should be here recorded that he was long associ- ated with the Plymouth Congregational Church of

Worcester, to which he was a very generous do- nator as the years and decades rolled by. Among these benefactions must not be forgotten the superb chime of bells which each week sounds from the belfry of this church edifice. The same was given in memory of his late wife, Catherine B. Goodnow ; also, as a memorial of his only son, Henry B. Goodnow, who died in infancy, he gave an organ to this church, the total expense being ten thousand dollars. In 1887 he gave five thousand dollars to- ward the Catherine B. Goodnow Fund of the Young Women's Christian Association of Worcester. To- ward the completion of this magnificent building he gave not less than thirty thousand dollars.

Although having lived four score and three years, until recently he of whom we write saw with un- dimmed eye, and was exceptionally robust for one so far advanced on the journey of life. He was a constant attendant at the church of his choice. In- deed, the life of Mr. Goodnow was one of marked success, and of such noble characters the world has none too many. He died February 1, 1906, after an illness of only two days, and a large concourse of sorrowing friends followed him to his last resting place.

SAMUEL R. HEYWOOD. In sketching the useful and eventful career of Samuel R. Heywood, founder of one of the most enterprising and suc- cessful manufacturing establishments of the city of Worcester, it is to be noted that his influence has touched almost every branch of trade and public interest in his community within the period of more than a half century. He has not only been one of the principal factors in making Worcester an im- portant manufacturing center, but a leader in the promotion of various other enterprises-financial, commercial, transportation, etc. He has rendered valuable service to the public in various official sta- tions, and has liberally aided with his influence, personal effort and means, all that goes to make up the higher life of the community-the churches, schools of all degree, and those beneficent insti- tutions which minister to the needs of the suffering and afflicted. In all the relations of life he has so acquitted himself as to receive sincere recognition as an ideal citizen.

Mr. Heywood was born at Princeton, Worcester county. Massachusetts, November 24, 1821, and was reared upon a farm, where he developed attributes of a' model manhood-a splendid physique, which enabled him to carry into his octogenarian years the ambitions and abilities which in ordinary men wane in the sixties ; and those habits of industry and persistency which were to form the foundations of a career of unusual usefulness and success. As a lad he attended the ordinary country schools, and was for two terms a student in the Westminster Academy, defraying his, expenses with the earnings from his own labors. When about twenty years old he entered upon a business life as an employe of E. D. and E. A. Goodnow, of Princeton, manufacturers of boots and shoes, and proprietors of an extensive general store. In August, 1848, he located in Hub- bardstown, as senior member of the firm of Hey- wood & Warren, general merchants, bringing to the business a small amount of capital of his own earning, and a character which afforded him all the credit he desired. In the course of three years he purchased the interest of his partner, and car- ried on the business until January, 1855. This ex- perience marks the end of his preparation for the larger enterprises upon which he was now to enter. He had not only acquired considerable means, but he had developed his business abilities to such a de-

WORCESTER COUNTY

gree as to justify him in seeking a wider field for his effort, and he decided to remove to Worcester. Here he became a partner of one of his first em- ployers, E. A. Goodnow, under the style of Good- now & Heywood, in the wholesale and retail boot and shoe trade. This partnership was dissolved in the following year, Mr. Heywood taking the retail trade, in which he continued until 1864. He at once engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, ex- tending his operations from time to time, constantly reaching out into larger and more distant markets, and introducing new goods as experience demons- trated their worth and acceptability. The Heywood boot soon came to be known as the best product in its line, from what was for many years the lead- ing city in the country in this class of manufacture. Later, as a more cultivated taste warranted the making of a lighter and more dressy style of foot wear, he turned his attention to the manufacture of that style of goods. At whatever stage, his house maintained its high reputation by its use of only the very best obtainable materials, the most finished workmanship, and strictly honorable business deal- ings. To the present time the product of the Hey- wood factory is the standard in men's high-grade foot wear, stylish, perfect fitting and durable, made in all the leading styles and shapes, and in sizes and widths to fit any foot. Aside from the great and constantly increasing demand for the Heywood goods from every part of the United States, for fifteen years past they have been extensively sold in Canada, England, Honolulu, Havana, Buenos Ayres, Cape Town, and other foreign markets. The constant development of this industry necessitated various enlargements of the factory, and changes in the managerial force. In 1879 Mr. Heywood erected the Wachusett building on Winter street. which was then one of the largest and best equipped boot and shoe factories in the country. This estab- lishment, after repeated enlargements, now occu- pie- a frontage of one hundred and forty feet on Winter street, eighty-five feet on Harding street, and a wing ninety-one feet in depth at the east end, near Grafton street, all the principal buildings be- ing five stories in height. The plant is equipped with the latest and most improved machinery, and is a model one in every respect. At whatever stage of the development of this gigantie enterprise, Mr. Heywood has given to it his close personal atten- tion, maintaining a close oversight of every detail- the selection of material, the operation of the îna- chinery at every step of manufacture. besides keep- ing a close touch with the market, its conditions and possibilities. and introducing innovations in style of goods, seeking new outlets for his product ; and, in short, ever maintaining for his house a position of leadership which was unquestioned throughout the country. As they came of proper age, Mr. Hey- wood introduced his sons to the business, as will appear in connection with their respective names. In 1884 the Heywood Boot and Shoe Company was incorporated, with Mr. Heywood as president, a position which he has occupied to the present time, abating nothing of his deep personal interest, and exercising general managerial powers.

While thus busied with the building-up and con- duet of a great establishment which would seem- ingly tax the abilities of any one man, Mr. Heywood has given his aid to various enterprises having a large place in the business life of the city. In 1865 he became a director in the Central National Bank of Worcester, serving as such until February, 1903, when that institution was absorbed by the Worcester Trust Company. In 1864 he was also a charter m. m- ber of the People's Saving Bank, and a member

of its board of trustees and finance committee from that time until July, 1884, when he became presi- dent, in which position he still continues. He has also for many years been a director in the Cotton and Woolen Mutual Insurance Company of Boston. In all these various positions he has displayed the same high ability and conscientiousness which have characterized him in his personal concerns. He has, besides, rendered inestimable service to the com- munity and commonwealth in various important po- sitions where he labored with rare sagacity and 1111- failing devotion to the interests committed to his keeping. He was a member of the common council in 1859, and of the board of aldermen for two years following. In 1873 and 1874 he was again elected to the common council, and in the latter year was president of that body. In 1875 he repre- sented the city of Worcester in the Massachusetts house of representatives, and was re-elected for the two succeeding years, serving ou the railroad com- mittee each year. He was an ardent admirer of that splendid old-school statesman (and his intimate personal friend) Hon. George F. Hoar, was an early and efficient advocate of his election to the United States senate for his first term, and as a member of the legislature was largely instrumental in ef- fecting a result which gave to the country the serv- ices of one of its grandest men. A man of strong convictions and unflinching moral courage, Mr. Heywood has never allowed considerations of per- sonal popularity or expedieney to govern his con- duct as a citizen. He was an original "Free Soil- er," and cast his first vote for James G. Birney for president, and labored in his behalf as zealously as though defeat were not foreordained. Mr. Hey- wood aided in the organization of the Republican party in 1856, and was ever a vigorous upholder of its principles. In his political conduct he only re- garded legitimate and honorable ends to the good of the nation and community, regardless of all per- sonal considerations. That he held office from time to time was in no instance due to his self-seeking. but to the estimation in which he was held in the community as a man well equipped, in heart and brain, for the service of his fellows. His well known interest in education and his broad humanitarian- ism led to his being called to connection with the system of state charities of the commonwealth. In 1877 he was appointed by the governor a trustee of the State Reform School at Westboro, and he was one of the seven trustees retained by that executive out of the entire number (twenty-one) when in 1879 the state schools at Monson. Lancaster and Westboro were by act of the legislature consolidated under one management. He held this position until 1888, giving to its duties munch thought and labor, marked with a genuine feeling of sympathy for unfortunate youths, and a spirit of genuine helpful- ness toward them. He has always been among the foremost in the establishment and maintenance of the ennobling institutions of this city, and one of his most highly appreciated acts was the creation of the much needed library at the Memorial Hos- pital. His example and precept have ever been recognized as a power for practical temperance. Without pretension to oratorical powers, he possesses the faculty of impressing his hearers through his evident sincerity. A Congregationalist in religion, he was formerly with the Salem Street Church, and with Plymouth Church from its organization. He was prominent in its creation, active in all per- taining to its interests. especially in connection with the erection of its edifice and the extinguish- ment of its building debt. His personal benefactions are ever liberal, being freely bestowed for legiti-

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Obadiah B Hadwen

WORCESTER COUNTY

miate religious, moral and charitable work abroad as well as at home. His personal character is hest discerned by considering the relations which have ever subsisted between himself and his hundreds of employees, who recognize in him a apprecia- tive personal friend as well as a just and kind ein- ployer. A half century of uninterrupted business life is a record made by but few men of large affairs, yet today, thanks to his native vigor of mind and body, pure life and equable disposition, he maintains an active interest in the great business with which his name will ever be associated, and in all the varied community interests which have engaged his atten- tion during his entire career.

In June, 1856, Mr. Heywood married Harriet Butler Milliken, daughter of Z. T. and Anna B. Milliken, of Chelsea, Massachusetts, natives of Franklin county, Maine. Of this marriage were born five children, three of whom were sons, two coming to maturity, one passing away in infancy and one still remains to share with his father the duties and responsibilities of his large concerns. The children were :

I. George Ezra, born January 26, 1859, died the following month.

20, 2. Frank Everett Heywood, born April

1860. He was most promising from his youth. When seventeen he graduated from the Worcester Classical High School, and was then for a year a student at Easthampton. He entered Hary- ard University, where he was not only a close student, displaying a special interest in chemistry, but was prominent in athletic sports. He graduated with the class of 1882, and the same year was ad- mitted to partnership with his father as a member of the firm of S. R. Heywood & Company. At the incorporation of the Heywood Boot and Shoe Com- pany in 1884 he became vice-president and treasurer, and served in that twofold capacity until his death, October 25, 1899. He was also a director in the Citizens' National Bank of Worcester. He was a man of excellent business ability, and admirable personal character-qualities which marked him as, in the course of events, the fit successor of his hon- ored father in the headship of the Heywood Com- pany. He died universally mourned, and it was noted by a local chronicler that seldom had the city seen evidence of such sincere and general grief as that which followed him to his untimely grave. December 18, 1884, he married Harriet Dodd Jen- nings, born December 4, 1864, daughter of Horace N. and Maria (Dodd) Jennings, of East Orange, New Jersey. His widow resides in Worcester, with her children: Chester Dodd, born October 12, 1887; Philip Butler, born March 24, ISS9; Florence Blair, born May 18, 1893; Richard, born May 8, 1897.

3. Caroline Louise Heywood, born September 13, 1862, died September 16, 1866.

4. Henrietta Butler Heywood, born May 15, 1865, died November 25, 1868.

Albert Samuel Heywood, only surviving son of Samuel R. Heywood, was born May 31, 1867. He was fitted for college in Worcester High school and Worcester Academy. He was graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with the class of 1892. He became connected with the General Electric Company of New York, and was winning distinction in the world of electrical science when occurred the death of his brother, Frank Everett Heywood, and this untoward event made it desira- ble that he should abandon a calling in which he was deeply interested in order to share the burdens of the father. He accordingly resigned his posi- tion January 1, 1900, and became vice-president and treasurer of the Heywood Company, the po-

sitions which had been rendered vacant by the death of his brother. Taking up his new duties methodic- ally and with cheerful alacrity, he has proven hin- self an earnest and devoted man of affairs, and a worthy companion as well as son to his honored parent. September 28, 1899, he married Laura Chester Foute, of Atlanta, Georgia, who was born in Adairsville, Georgia, October 30, 1873, daughter of William Edward and Eliza (Houston) Roberts Foute. Their children are: Edward Foute Hey- wood, born July 17, 1900; Harriet Butler Heywood, born August 16, 1901; Dorothy Heywood, born October 5, 1902.

OBADIAH BROWN HADWEN, who enjoys national reputation as a scientific horticulturist and pomologist, is a native of Rhode Island, born in Providence, August 2, 1824, son of Charles and Amy Sherman (Brownell) Hadwen. He comes of sturdy English ancestry, descending from John Hadwen, of Rochdale, England, who was a settler in Newport, Rhode Island, in early colonial days. His great-aunt was the wife of Obadiah Brown, who was prominent as a pioneer in the cotton-spin- ning industry in America. Charles Hadwen, father of Obadiah B. Hadwen, was a resident of Provi- dence, Rhode Island, where he was a leading mantı- facturer and merchant. In 1835 he retired from these occupations and removed to Worcester, Massa- chusetts, and purchased and located upon the Wing Kelley farm, near Tatnuck.

Obadiah Brown Hadwen attended in turn tlie Friends' Schools in Providence, Rhode Island, the Clinton Grove Institute in Ware, New Hampshire. where he was a student for four winters' terms, and the Worcester ( Massachusetts) Manual Labor School, where he remained for one term. The prin- cipal preparation for his peculiarly useful life work, however, was obtained upon the parental farm near Tatnuck, where he developed those tastes and capa- bilities which marked his career. In 1844, the year before attaining his majority, he came into posses- sion of a portion of the home farm which he has since occupied for the long period of sixty-two years. For forty years of this time he followed market gardening, and a nursery and dairy business. Mean- time he greatly enhanced the value of the property by the erection of new buildings. But his principal delight was practical and scientific agriculture and horticulture, and in these lines his deep knowledge and sound judgment found general acknowledgment. He adorned his grounds with trees of his own planting, in great profusion, of the most beautiful specimens of their kind, many which were .unknown in that region until introduced by him, and which have attracted the admiring attention of horticult- mrists from every part of the United States. Amid the changes incident to the great expansion of a thriving industrial city, the rural surroundings of his farm have been almost entirely obliterated, but his immediate home and the grounds pertaining to it have been preserved intact-a veritable rus in urbe.

Mr. Hadwen's accomplishments as a horticult- urist found early recognition, and for more than half a century he has been known as the leading ex- ponent of those interests which he has labored so earnestly and usefully to promote. He early be- came connected with the famous Massachusetts Agricultural Club, organized April 4, 1840, and was for many years its president and is now a most act- ive member, and he was long vice-president of the Worcester County Agricultural Society, of which he is yet a trustee. His unusual abilities also found legislative recognition, and he was for many years a trustee of the Agricultural College at Amherst,

WORCESTER COUNTY

where, under his direction in the capacity of chair- man of the board, many important additions and salutary innovations were made. He became a men- ber of the Worcester County Horticultural Society in 1847, serving that body as trustee, vice-president and president, and he was re-elected to the latter office in 1895, after a period of twenty years from his first incumbency, and has since been re-elected no less than twelve times. He has also long been a prominent member of the Massachusetts Horti- cultural Society and the American Pomological So- ciety. In 1867 he was made one of the commis- sioners in charge of the public parks of Worcester, and the great value of his services in that capacity is evidenced by his continuous reappointment. For several years he was chairman of the parks commis- sion, and he still holds membership in that board. This brief epitomization of his life work sets him forth among the most valuable members of the community-one who, in love of nature, delightedly holds communion with her visible forms, and brings her refining and uplifting influences to bear upon all about him, conveying the lesson that contentment and peace and most real happiness comes to him who nestles closest to nature's heart. And so it is not strange that in religion he adheres to the tenets of the Society of Friends. He was originally a Whig in politics, and his abhorrence of human slay- ery led him to identify himself with the Repub- lican party on its organization, and he cast his vote for its first presidential candidate, General (then Captain) John C. Fremont. An ardent Unionist and an appreciative admirer of Abraham Lincoln, he was a firm upholder of that great statesman in his struggle for the vindication of the national author- ity and the re-establishment of the Union. His natural tastes and habits of mind forbade him tak- ing an active part in political affairs, but he suf- fered himself on one occasion to be elected to the common council of Worcester, and was a valued and efficient member of that body in 1868-69.

Mr. Hadwen married, December 25, 1845, IIar- riet Page, of Westminster, Vermont, a descendant of an honored revolutionary family of that state. Three children were born of this marriage. A son, William E. Hadwen, is deceased; and another, Charles Hadwen, is a prominent produce merchant in Chicago, Illinois. A daughter, Amy, is the wife of John H. Coes, of the Coes Wrench Company of Worcester, Massachusetts.

CHANDLER FAMILY. William Chandler (I), the immigrant ancestor of one of the foremost families of Worcester county, to which John Greene Chandler, of Lancaster, belonged, was born in Eng. land and settled early in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He was there in 1637 and was one of the proprietors. He was admitted a freeman May 13, 1640. His homestead consisted of twenty-two acres. The fol- lowing, from the Roxbury records, gives a con- temporary opinion of him: "He lived a very re-

ligious and godly life among us and fell into a con- sumption to which he had a long time been in- clined; he lay near a year sick in all which time his faith, patience and holiness and contentation so shined that Christ was much glorified in him. He was a man of Weake parts but Excellent faith and holiness: he was a Very thankful man, & much magnified God's goodness. He was poor but God prepared the hearts of his people to him that lie never wanted that which was (at least in his esteem) Very plentiful and Comfortable to him. he died ahout in the yeare 1641 & left a sweet memory be- hind him." Rev. John Eliot wrote: "A Christian. Godly brother." He was buried January 19, 1641-2.

His widow Annis married ( second), July 21, 1643, John Dane, of Barkhamstead and Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England, and Ipswich and Roxbury, in New England. Dane died at Roxbury and was buried September 14, 1658. She married (third), at Roxbury, August 9, 1660, John Par- menter, of Sudbury, a prominent man there, select- man 1641.

The children of William Chandler were: I. Hannah, born about 1629 in England, married, De- cember 12, 1646, George Abbot; (second), 1690, Rev. Thomas Dane. 2. Thomas, born about 1630, married Hannah Brewer. 3. William, born in Eng- land, married (first), August 5 or 18, 1658, Mary Dane, of Ipswich; married (second), October 8, 1679, Bridget Henchman, widow of James Richard- son. 4. John, born February 16, 1658, married Elizabeth Douglas. 5. Sarah, born at Roxbury, married ( first), November 4, 1659, William Cleaves; (second) Wilson; (third), October II, 1688, Ephraim Stevens; (fourth) Allen.

(II) Deacon John Chandler, son of William Chandler (I), was born about 1635. He married, February 16, 1658, Elizabeth Douglas, of Wood- stock, Connecticut. She died in New London, Con- necticut, July 23, 1705. She was born in England about 1610, the daughter of William, and Anna ( Mattle) Douglas. He and his wife were ad- mitted to the church May 28, 1665. He was active in the settlement of Woodstock and served on im- portant committees. He had first choice of a home lot and he took one situated on the brook on the highway at the north end. He was selectman of Woodstock in 1693, 1694, and also moderator in 1694. He was on the committee to build a meeting house on Plaine hill, nearly in front of the Bowen Mansion. He was one of six who bought the Moshamoquet Purchase of James Fitch, of Norwich. Deacon Chandler died April 5, 1703, aged sixty- eight years. By his side in the graveyard at Wood- stock are buried a number of his descendants. His will was dated June 1, 1702.

The children of Deacon John and Elizabeth Chandler, all born in Roxbury, before their removal to Woodstock, were: I. John, born March 4. 1659. died young, and his gravestone bears the earliest date of death of any of the family in America as recorded by gravestones. 2. Elizabeth, born Feb- ruary 20, 1661, married, November 18, 16So, Robert Mason, of Roxbury. 3. John, born April 16, 1665. 4. Joseph, born April 3, 1667, died in Roxbury, Sep- tember 29, 1668. 5. Hannah, born September IS, 1669, married, July 7, 1685. Moses Draper, of Rox- bury. 6. Mehitable, born August 24, 1673, baptized June, 1673: married, June 25, 1695, John Coit, of New London. 7. Sarah, born November 19, 1676. died July 3, 1711; married (first), June 9, 1697, William Coit, of New London; (second), Septem- ber 2, 1708, John Gardiner, of Gardiner's Island. 8. Joseph, born June 4, 1683, married, June 29, 1708, Susannah Perrin, of Roxbury.

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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 19

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