Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. I, Part 36

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 36

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Though constantly growing, the business remained in Allen court until 1879, when it took a move to the southward and expanded into the so-called Junction shops. Progress, however, knows no boundaries and the capacity of this location was soon overtaxed. In 1890, having been erected near the Boston & Albany Railroad on the corner of Grand and Tainter streets, the most extensive plant of its kind in the country, the business was re- moved for the third time into quarters seemingly ample for years of development, yet in 1892, before the blight of the Wilson Bill had struck the nation, enlarged area was again in urgent demand. During all these years of growth and prosperity, the younger of the Knowles Brothers was constantly at his post,

PUBLI

S. B.knowles

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an invaluable factor in all the many features of the vast enterprise. Of the older brother, it is said that he never sold a machine, gave little heed to the purely business details of the enterprise, but busied himself with the endless possibilities in the mechan- ism of loom making. On the contrary, F. B. had no mechanical tastes nor talent, could not drive a nail, but the pushing of the manufactured articles into public sight and favor was his delight. The financial side of the work he could and did handle marvel- ously well, till at his death he could truthfully say. had he cared to do so, that the Knowles Loom Works were the most extensive in the country, if not in the world.

The limitations of human strength and energy speedily appear in the strenuous life which the ardent Americans lead and, long before the Knowles Brothers had reached the age at which their fathers were still doing long and arduous days' work on their respective farms, these princes of mechanical industry found it necessary to abate somewhat the intensity of their labors, but they did not begin early enough, Both of them were wont to seek rest and recuperation during the winter months in vari- ous ways. Florida, long the fabled possessor of the fountain of youth, had been a resort for Francis B., and he was with his brother when, in the spring of 1884, the latter passed away at the Riggs House, in Washington, a victim of that specially character- istic ailment of Americans, another name for over- work, "Heart Failure," a fate that a few years later was to fall to the lot of F. B. himself, whose physi- cal breaking down began with his arduous labors at the Centennial Exposition in 1876 through his de- termination to make the Knowles loom succeed. The loom became a wonderful success, but at what a cost.

Recognizing the advisableness of a yearly respite, Mr. Knowles had several years before interested hin- self in Florida investments and had become the owner of extensive areas there. In Winter Park .. he was the principal owner of the Seminole Hotel. and was the president of the development company. and here a large part of the year, at any rate during the cold weather, but he was wont to remain. It was at the end of his annual stay that, in the spring of 1890, with his family he started homeward. For six weeks, by slow stages, they were working north- ward, that he might the better adapt himself to the climate. The month of May found them in Wash- ington and, while friends were expecting their early return, there came to his older son the startling dis- patch that the father had suddenly died of angina pectoris. The news thus sent came from Post- master General John Wanamaker, a personal friend of many years standing. There followed the sad completion of the homeward journey, the services at Piedmont Church, of which he had been so long a pillar, and the final resting place in beautiful Rural cemetery.

The smile which ever lighted the face of Francis B. Knowles was an excellent index of his nature. and perhaps this very look had much to do with the success that attended him. "The world shall be better for my having passed through it" is said to have been a sentiment close to whose truth he he tried to live. How well he succeeded a grateful community has repeatedly borne testimony. From friends, acquaintances, and employees there came one common statement, that lie merited all the suc- cess that he achieved, that he was a faithful friend, the kindest of employers and in every way the best of citizens.

In these hurrying days, it is a sad fact that the most admirably equipped men cannot afford the

time for political preferment. The degree to which machinery and enterprises are speeded, demands every bit of strength that a man possesses and ever the call is for more. Though a lifelong Re- publican in his political affiliations and a liberal supporter of campaign expenses, Mr. Knowles never saw the day in his Worcester life that he could give to serving his fellow citizens in any official capac- ity. Had he been able to accept there can be 110 doubt as to the positions in which he would have shone through the suffrages of those who knew so well his sterling worth. Whatever diversion he took from business was found in religious lines. For years he conducted Sunday school institutes through Worcester county, and in the labors of the Young Men's Christian Association he was inde- fatigable.

ŤVith so long a lineage, including so many names of sterling worth, there need be no surprise that Mr. Knowles was a devoted member of the Congregational church. His advent to Worcester was in the days when that denomination was be- ginning its career of expansion. He was here early enough to give hearty aid and comfort to the propo- sition to establish Plymouth Church, but that was located somewhat distant from the part of the city in which his interests chiefly lay, hence he was ready to help forward the new Piedmont venture and here was his church home for the remainder of his days. He was an early Sunday school sup- erintendent here and one of the most beloved deacons from the beginning. Still he was not at all confined in liis giving, and when Pilgrim Church was taking shape, along with his sister-in-law, Mrs. Helen C. Knowles, he gave the site for the edifice and was in addition a liberal giver to the enterprise all the way along. He was a generous donor to- wards every good cause, and Knowles Hall, an edifice in the plant of Rollins College at Winter Park, Florida, attests his interests in the educational de- velopment of the new south. To the same insti- tution he gave a further sum of money for the endowment of scholarships. No good cause ever appealed to him in vain. He was the third largest giver toward the edifice of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association and had long been a life member. The last check drawn by him was for $5,000 in be- half of the Young Women's Christian Association of Worcester.

His home life was an ideal one. There he sur- rounded himself with all that wealth and culture could provide, and the same was a favorite resort for those who delighted in art and literature. Mrs. Knowles, having traveled extensively at home and abroad, is an excellent judge of art and, with ample means at her command, has made a collection of paintings larger than that afforded by some public galleries. The only regret that one can have in contemplating so admirable a career is that to the successful manufacturer, the faithful friend, good citizen and Christian gentleman there had not been granted greater length of days for the enjoyment of the fruitage of wise planting and judicious culture.

For more than twenty-five years the name of Lucius J. Knowles, of Worcester, was a synonym for the business enterprise and integrity. His name with that of his brother, though only the initials were usually employed, became known as far as the necessity of looms extended, and that means the limits of the civilized world. From a long line of industrious Cape Cod farmers, he and the other children of Simeon Knowles were the first to en- joy the luxury of double names, but the easily pro- nounced combination, Lucius James, was quite too long for his busy life and it was generally abbrevi-

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ated, especially when written, to the first letters only. The student of genealogy may find interest in the fact that his Christian appellations do not appear in the long line of ancestral names. Evidently Simeon, the third, intended to begin a new series. Hardwick, as an agricultural town, though a great improvement on Eastham, so long the home of the Knowles family, did not present attractions sufficient to hold the older son of Simeon and Lucetta. Evidently, like so many New Hampshire people, he thought his native town a good one to emigrate from. It is easy to fancy his boyhood on the country farm, getting what he could out of the district school, meanwhile dreaming dreams of the great outside world in which he early determined to play a con- spicuous part.

One of his early schoolmasters was his maternal uncle, John C. Newton, for many years a resident of Worcester, and thereafter he was privileged to add several terms at Leicester Academy, then one of the best secondary schools in the Commonwealth. In a word, though by no means liberally educated, he was well equipped for the work on which he was about to enter. Before he was twenty-one years old. we find him in Shrewsbury, a clerk in the store of W. W. Pratt. In 1838, when only nineteen years of age, he formed a partnership with his Uncle Newton, his former teacher, and together they conducted a general store in the same village. On the retirement of his uncle in 18441, he took in as partner, his first employer, W. W. Pratt, and so continued till 1844. During these days, the young merchant has married and, in a small way, pros- pered, but he is very far from the goal which in vision attracts him. In these days the public be- gins to hear of the accomplishments of Daguerre, the Frenchman, in his experiments with light on sensitized silver, and L. J. Knowles is the very first man in Worcester to undertake a realization of this wonderful discovery. His studio was on Main street, near the old location of the Quinsigamond Bank, or just north of Central street. It is possible to find in the city today several specimens of his early work. Indeed, the very first exposure made for pay is still a cherished possession of the subject. But photography did not satisfy and he next engaged in spooling cotton thread in New Worcester. In 1847 he is making cotton warp in the town of Spencer and two years later in Warren. There he busied himself with both cotton and woolen mills and engaged in the manufacture of the steam pump which he had invented. This was eminently suc- cessful and its development would have satisfied any ordinary man, but he had not yet reached the voca- tion which he deemed specially his own. All suc- cessful men have pet schemes or plans, some of which, if they are persistent, they realize. During all these years Mr. Knowles, who was a mechanic by nature, had fancied improvement in looms for the making of fabrics. His first invention in this line was in 1856. By the aid of one wood workman and two machinists, the first loom was set up in the pump works. An inspection of the inventions made by this Hardwiek farmer's son, with a realiza- tion of the consideration each one involved, leads us to wonder where he found any leisure for di- version. We are told that when in Shrewsbury he made improvements in organs and other reed instruments, and that here he began his studies in the "safety steam boiler feed regulator." As early as 1840, he was working on appliances for the applica- tion of electricity as a motor, anticipating in this re- speet the invention of later years, for he made several engines to be thus propelled. Apparently there was very little time when he was not devising some

way of improving an old machine or of making an entirely now one. In fine, more than one hundred inventions issued by him stand to his credit in the Washington patent office.

Of the calling of his younger brother int 1863. mention has been made in the sketch of the latter's life, and of the development of the loom manufact- ure, the second greatest industry in Worcester, the story is briefly told in that chapter. Were it de- sirable to extend the story in any way it would be only to note the character of the workmen that the loom works demand. Skilled mechanics are ever the boast of New England and few enterprises ever drew together a greater number of men, every one of whom was able to successfully conduct great enterprises of his own. An inspection of the intel- ligent faces seen in the great shops on Grand and Tainter streets can not but impress the beholder with the nobility of labor. The overalled, dusty workmen are members of the city government. leaders in the political parties of the state, deacons and Sunday school superintendents in their re- spective churches and, in nearly all cases, among the most respected men in the community.

While a resident of Warren, Mr. Knowles en- joyed the distinction of representing the district to which his town belonged in the general court in 1862, and again in 1865, thus having the privilege of assisting in upholding the hands of John A. Andrew in the trying days of the civil war. In 1869, his senatorial district sent him as its choice to Boston as one of the forty senators for that term. That he was painstaking, faithful public ser- vant need not be affirmed. He was one of the most public-spirited citizens in Warren and his de- parture was considered a great loss to the township. but the demands of his investment in Worcester were too strong to be resisted. However, he left in the town so long his abode and so loyal to him. substantial tokens of his reward, for in his will he devised the sum of $5,000 as a fund for the support and maintenance of the free public library of that town, also the sum of one thousand dollars for the perpetual care of his lot in the cemetery, where rest the remains of his parents and those of his brother's wife.

As a resident of Worcester, the directory for 1871 has his name for the first time and thence for thirteen years he was an embodiment of zeal and energy for every good cause and work in the city's development. Not alone was he devoted to the improvement and advancement of the industry with which his name was linked, but also the best in- terests of the city were his. 1n 1873 he held a seat in the common council and gladly would his fellow citizens have kept him there longer had his time and other duites permitted. The dominance of business robs the public of the very best services which might otherwise be employed. He was a director in the Central National Bank and in the State Mutual Life Insurance Company, was presi- dent of the People's Savings Bank and of the Board of Trade and was a prominent figure in the management of other financial interprises of a public or semi-public character. It was a pleasant recog- nition of his life-long labors, intellectually as well as physically, that Williams College in 1869 gave him the honorary degree of A. M. Many a wearer of such honors, secured in regular course, never merited them half so much as this self-taught me- chanie and manufacturer of Worcester. The col- lege was honored in his acceptance of the proffered recognition.

When a young man in Shrewsbury, Mr. Knowles married, May 13, 1841, Eliza Ann Adams, of that

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town, and for more than twenty years she was his faithful companion as he strove for success. She died at the age of fifty-six years, February 17, 1873. Some time afterwards he was married to Mrs. Helen C. Hayward, of Boston, daughter of Alex- ander and Cornelia (Goodnow) Strong. Possesseu of similar tastes, theirs was a singularly happy life during the remainder of his earthly work. The col- lection of paintings which they made and with which they adorned their beautiful Main street residence was one of the largest and best in Central Massa- chusetts. Mrs. Knowles, who did not long survive her husband, dying November 5. 1884, when fifty- one years old, signalized her devotion by leaving th esum of $25,000 for the furtherance of art study in Worcester. The income of this sum, at present in the care of the St. Wulstan's Society, is the prime source for the maintenance of the Art Museum, one of Worcesters most cherished institutions.

While usually enjoying a high degree of health, Mr. Knowles was conscious of serious impairment of the same through his excessive labors in the care of his wife during a visit made by them to Europe some two years before his death. Realiz- ing somewhat the limitations of energy and strength, he had begun to abate the incessant strain to which! he had so long subjected himself. It was with this thought in mind that with his wife he had visited Fortress Monroe in the winter of 1884, and coming northward had met in Washington his brother and wife. Here at the Riggs House he was taken vio- lently ill with the same ailment which carried off Charles Sumner and so many other hard workers, viz .: angina pectoris, and after a brief period of agony died February 25. His body was brought home for interment and with that of his brother sleeps in Rural cemetery.

From the day that he found himself possessed of anything to give, Lucius J. Knowles was a gen- erous giver. To his church, to public measures, to everything that seemed good and needy he was charitable. The Lord, loving a cheerful giver, must have had an unusual liking for the Knowles Broth- ers. He was long a mainstay in Union Church and for many a year one of its cherished deacons. While a Congregationalist in his first allegiance, few churches ever went to him for aid without get- ting it. Though he has passed on to another world several thousands of his estate went towards the building of the beautiful edifice of the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he was a life mem- ber. While his home was in the southern part of the city, on Main street, and he had a just and proper liking for his vicinage, he was not cribbed nor con- fined by narrow boundaries. In everything his progress was on the very broadest lines possible. Worcester's most prosperous days have been seen under the developing care and assistance of such men as the brothers' Knowles, men whose interests and affections were here not spread over a section so extended that little thickness was possible. Con- stant, determined, honest, progressive, would that Worcester had more of their kind and character.

ALONZO WILLIAMS COLE. In the Cole family to which Alonzo Williams Cole, of Wor- cester, belongs, the tradition of three emigrant brothers is confirmed by sufficient proof. John, Job and Daniel Cole came to New England in the em- ploy of William Collier, a London merchant, in 1633. John Cole died in Plymouth, in 1637, and in his will mentioned Master Collier's men in describing his brothers to whom he made bequests.

(I) Daniel Cole, the youngest of the trio, first appears on the records April 6, 1640, when he owned

fifty acres of upland granted then. Ile was re- ported as able to bear arms at Yarmouth in 1643, and was made a freeman June, 1645, at Yarmouth. He was one of the jury that tried Alice Bishop for infanticide in 1648. He was a tailor by trade. He sold land at Marshfield June 8, 1649. He re- moved to Eastham in 1652. He was a deputy to the general court in 1654-57-61-67-89. He was constable in 1664 and selectman in 1668-70-71-72-81.

He died December 21, 1694, aged eighty years. His wife Ruth died December 15, 1694, aged sixty- six years. Administration was granted to his son Israel, on Daniel Cole's estate, January 15, 1695, and later an agreement was signed by all the heirs, as given in the following list of his children: I. John, see forward. 2. Timothy, born September 4, 1646. 3. Hepsebah, April 16, 1649; married Daniel Doane. 4. Ruth, April 15, 1651; married John Young. 5. Israel, January 8, 1653. 6. James, November 3, 1655. 7. Mary, March 10, 1658; mar- ried Joshua Hopkins. 8. William, September 15, 1663. 9. Daniel. 10. Esther or Hester; married Medad Atwood.

(II) John Cole, eldest child of Daniel Cole (I), was born in Yarmouth, July 16, 1641. He moved to Eastham with his parents and lived there during mnost of his active life. He married Ruth Snow, daughter of Nicholas Snow, December 12, 1666. He was at Groton in 1672, but returned to East- ham when the settlers had to abandon their homes in 1675-76, in King Philip's war. He was living in Eastham again in 1695. His wife died June 27, 1717. He died June 6, 1725. Their children, most of whom were born in Eastham were: I. Ruth, born March II, 1668; married William Twining. William (2), William (1). 2. John (see forward). 3. Hepsibah, June 20, 1672. 4. Hannah, March 27, 1675; died June 11, 1677. 5. Joseph, June 11, 1677. 6. Mary, October 27, 1679. 7. Sarah, June 10, 1682.

(III) Jolin Cole, second child of John Cole (2), born in Eastham, Massachusetts, March 6, 1670; married Mary -, who died February 17, 1731-2. He died December 13, 1746. Their children were: I. Jonathan, born October 4, 1694. 2. John, Octo- ber 14, 1696. 3. Mary, August 25, 1698. 4. James, October 23, 1700. 5. - -, January 21, 1703. 6. Joshua, March 20, 1705. 7. Moses, July 22, 1707. 8. Phebe, October 29, 1709. 9. Thankful, October 20, 1712; died young. 10. Joseph, (see forward ). II. Thankful, October 19, 1716.

(IV) Joseph Cole, tenth child of John Cole (3), was born in Eastham, Massachusetts, October 13, 1714. He died in the south parish of Eastham in 1800. The records of his children are not at hand and that of Jesse, presumed to be his son, is not recorded.

(V) Jesse Cole, believed to be the son of Jo- seph Cole (4), born in Eastham, Massachusetts, February 4, 1755; married January, 1772, Bethia Young, of Eastham, of one of the pioneer families there. She was born September 21, 1752. Jesse Cole was a soldier in the revolution, in Captain Solomon Higgins' company of Eastham, enlisted July 12, 1775, and served six months, four days in defence of the seacoast. He died in the south parish of Eastham in 1803.

The record of his children is not complete. Among them were: I. Jesse, Jr., who died in 1800. 2. Elisha, ( see forward).

(VI) Elisha Cole, the grandfather of Alonzo Williams Cole, of Worcester, Massachusetts, born in Orleans. Massachusetts, June 4, 1784: died there April 6, 1865. He was educated in the common schools of Orleans, and at an early age studied navigation and followed the sea. For many years

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he was a sea captain, but finally abandoned this occupation and bought large tracts of land in and near Orleans, where he conducted a farm and salt works. He raised sheep and cattle and was one of the leading mmen of his day in the town. He continued to run his farm up to the time of his death. He was a selectman in 1828 and repre- sentative to the general court 1833. He was a Universalist in religion and a Republican, in his later years, in politics. He was greatly interested in publie questions and his one great desire in his last years was that he might live until Richmond was taken. His wish was gratified.

He married January 5, 1804, Keziah Doane, daughter of Azariah and Polly Doane, and de- secendant of the emigrant, John Doane (I), through Daniel Doane (2) ; Joseph Doane (3); Joshua Doane (4), father of Azariah Doane (5). She died at Orleans, September 20, 1869. Children were: I. Jesse, born September 30, 1804: died March 16, 1806. 2. Bethiah. December 4, 1806; died October IO. 1808. 3. Meriel, December 25, 1808. 4. Alonzo ( see forward ). 5. Dorinda, January 19, 1814. 6. Keziah Doane, July 1, 1817. 7. Elisha, June 12. 1820. 8. Mary Doane. July 16, 1822. 9. Sally, April 8. 1825. 10. Mark, November 12, 1826; died July 21. 1849. II. Benjamin, February 10, 1830.

(VII) Alonzo Cole, fourth child of Elisha Cole (6), was born at Orleans, Massachusetts, March 4. 1812. He received a common school education in the schools of his native town. He shipped before the mast when very young and followed the sea for many years. He was captain of various ves- sels. He was part owner of his last vessel, a barque, the Clara C. Bell. His wife wished to ac- company him on one of his voyages, and against the wishes of her parents and friends she went with him on a voyage south, taking with her their only child. Alonzo Williams. While in port at Charleston, South Carolina, she was stricken with yellow fever and died. He determined to bury the body of his wife in Orleans. He succeeded in evad- ing the quarantine officers until he reached Boston, where some of the crew informed the authorities and he was fined for evading the quarantine laws. But he succeeded finally in getting the body buried in the old graveyard in Orleans after much diffi- culty. It cost him fully a thousand dollars to carry out his purpose.

Mr. Cole was a Universalist in religion and a Republican in politics. He was a Free Mason. He married August 20, 1839, Melissa Smith, dangh- ter of William and Abigail (Doane) Smith, of Or- leans. William Smith was also a sea captain. Their only child was Alonzo Williams Cole (see forward).

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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 36

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