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. III > Part 100
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
He married, February 17, 1820, Mary Taft, daughter of Samuel Taft, for many years a promi- nent resident of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, and de- scended from a common ancestor with the late Judge
358
WORCESTER COUNTY
Alphonso Taft, whose son, William H. Taft, is now secretary of war. Seven children were born of this union. Mr. Perry died September 5, 1864, then lacking but seven days of being seventy-four years of age. He had maintained remarkable vigor of mind and body up to the very moment of his decease. His demise was caused by an apoplectic stroke. His wife survived him twenty-one years, dying at the advanced age of ninety-one years. Of the chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Perry, a son, George WV. Perry, was a Union soldier in the civil war, a corporal in Company G, Thirty-sixth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He died in 1862, at Warrenton, Virginia, of typhoid fever contracted through ex- posure incident to the service.
Josiah Perry, youngest of the children of Joseph H. and Mary (Taft) Perry, was born March 14, 1832, in Dudley, and educated in local schools, in- cluding that of Mr. Roberts and the Nichols Aca- demy. His early manhood was spent in his father's employ, and under these most favorable auspices he learned thoroughly the business in which he has ever since been engaged. Upon the decease of Mr. Joseph H. Perry, his sons, Charles H. and Josiah Perry-bought the interests of the other heirs and of the junior partner, Charles Carpenter, continuing the business under the name of Joseph H. Perry's Sons. The new firm shortly after its formation sub- stituted the manufacture of cassimeres and suitings for that of satinets. Upon the decease of Charles Perry, January 31, 1868, Josiah Perry became sole proprietor by purchasing the interests of his broth- er's heirs.
In the conduct of this important industry Mr. Perry has been uniformly successful, save during a period some years ago of general business prostra- tion, when he made an assignment for the benefit of his creditors with whom a compromise was effected by the payment of twenty-five cents on the dollar, and he resumed business legally free from indebted- ness. It is a sufficient commentary on his business integrity that when he had re-established his manu- facturing interests upon a paying basis, and was in a position so to do, he paid the creditors who had released him from obligation dollar for dollar of his indebtedness to them.
Mr. Perry was one of the original stockholders and directors of the First National Bank of Web- ster, and its vice-president from its organization up to 1901, since which time he has been president of that institution. He is also director and treasurer of the Merritt Woolen Company of Dudley. Mr. Perry affiliates politically with the Republican party. In 1879 he represented his district in the state legis- lature, serving with characteristic efficiency in the manufacturers' committee. He served Dudley as a member of the board of selectmen, and in 1900 was one of the members of the electoral college, who voted for Major William MeKinley for president of the United States. Mr. Perry has been a member of the Congregational Church since 1858 and has served as a member of the church committee.
On January 1, 1862, Mr. Perry married Martha J. Elliott, of Thompson, who was born there in 1840, and died in Dudley. October 2. 1904. Their children were: Mary Josephine, born February 22, 1863, be- came the wife of Eben G. Parsons, of Webster, June 1.4, 1888, and their children were: Grace, Josiah Perry, Josephine, Mary and Marjorie Elliott Parsons. Fannie L., born April 8, 1865, died Au- gust 4, 1865; and Anna Larned, born October 2, 1869, resides at home.
PATRICK H. MCGRATH, who ranks among the leading agriculturalists of West Millbury, his
farm being among the highly cultivated and there- fore productive pieces of property in that section of the state, is a native of Millbury, Massachusetts, born February 28, 1866.
Patrick McGrath, father of Patrick H. MeGrath, was a native of Ireland, and throughout his active career displayed those characteristics for which his countrymen are noted. He was born in 1831, reared and educated in his native land, and after his emi- gration to the United States devoted his attention exclusively to the tilling of the soil, this occupation proving a lucrative means of livelihood. He was a man of honor and integrity, and his straightforward actions in every day life won for him the commen- dation of all with whom he was brought in contact Prior to his emigration from Ireland he was united in marriage to Alice Cullins, who bore him several eliildren, amongst them being Patrick H., Nellie, Mary, Bridget, and Alice, born in Millbury, Mas- sachusetts.
The common schools of Millbury, Massachusetts, afforded Patrick H. MeGrath the means of obtaining a thorough English education, and by improving his opportunities he qualified himself for a useful and active life. He chose the occupation of farming, thus following in the footsteps of his father, and by paying strict attention to all the details connected therewith, also by judicious and careful manage- ment, his property has been made to yield large re- turns for the labor expended. He is a Democrat in polities, but has never sought or held political office, preferring to devote his time to his personal inter- ests. He is a leading member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He attends the Roman Catholic Church.
In 1889 Mr. McGrath married Mary Donovan, a daugliter of James Donovan, of Ireland, and their children, all of whom reside at home, are as follows : Edward, William Francis, and James.
DR. LEONARD SPAULDING, deceased, form- erly a well-known medical practitioner of Millbury, belonged to an old Middlesex county family. His grandfather was Benoni Spaulding, a native of Billerica, who probably resided in that part of the town which was set off as Carlisle in 1780, and in- corporated in 1785. Benoni Spaulding owned and cultivated a farm during the active period of his life.
Asa Spaulding, son of Benoni and the father of Dr. Leonard Spaulding. was born in Carlisle, and like his ancestors was engaged in agricultural pur- suits. He was a prominent resident of Carlisle in his day and was accidentally killed by a railroad train February 20, 1847. He married Elizabeth Green, who was born in Carlisle in 1792, and her death occurred April 14, 1839. Asa and Elizabeth (Green) Spaulding were the parents of seven ehil- dren, three sons and four daughters: Albert G., Warren Spaulding, Louisa, Lydia, May, Ann, Harriet, and Leonard.
Leonard Spaulding was born in Carlisle, 1816. His early education was acquired in the public schools of his native town and he subsequently at- tended Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts. When a young man he went to St. Louis and for some years was engaged in teaching school. He eventually, however, turned his attention to the study of medicine and in 1844 located for practice in Millbury. For more than twenty-five years he prac- tieed his profession in that town, gaining the love and confidence of the entire community not only as an able physician, but also for his many kindly acts of charity and benevolence. Dr. Spaulding died in Millbury, May 23, 1872. He was a member of the Massachusetts State, the Worcester County and
٠
DOSTU
٩,٠
HT MAYNARD
359
WORCESTER COUNTY
other medical societies. In politics he was a strong Republican during the later years of his life, and for some time served on the Millbury school board, the board of health, and was a member of the Mas- sachusetts legislature. He was also a strong anti- slavery man.
Dr. Spaulding inarried (first) Hannah Colburn, who bore him two children, who died young. He married (second), May, 1852, Sarah A. March, born in Millbury, May 4, 1825, daughter of Tyrus and Rebecca ( Merriam) March. Dr. and Mrs. Spauld- ing became the parents of seven children, namely : Leonard, born 1853, died October 29, 1874; Caroline R., died in 1877; Irving (twin), died April 29, 1882; Irvilla (twin), died at the age of nine months; Ed- ward; Elizabeth, died in infancy ; and Charles Alden, deceased. Mrs. Spaulding occupies a pleasantly lo- cated residence in Millbury, and although bereft of all of her children accepts her misfortune patiently, devoting her time to religious and charitable work. Dr. Spaulding was a man who was very benevolent to the poor and much loved by all.
HERBERT THEODORE MAYNARD, Among the most progressive of the successful young manu- facturers of Worcester county, the gentleman whose name forms the caption for this narrative may be ap- propriately numbered. That he has been the archi- tect of his own fortune will be readily gathered from the resume of his career here presented, and that he is at the head of the most important manufacturing interest of his community-employing two hundred operatives, while still under forty years of age, is a sufficient attestation of superior business qualifica- tion as well as of his value to the home of his adoption.
His grandfather was Asa Maynard, of Northboro, this county, who married Roxanna Mixter. His father, Daniel Webster Maynard, was born in North- boro, in 1840, died in 1897, and his mother, who was before marriage Andie Rice, was born in the same town in 1841. Daniel W. and Andie ( Rice) May- nard reared a family of four children, namely : Herbert Theodore, see forward; Henry Mortimer, a merchant of Marlboro, Massachusetts, married Lillian Spofford, a native of Marlboro; Charles Asa, a successful dental practitioner in Boston, married Carrie E. Brown, of Westboro, this county, and their children are: Harry, Charles Asa, Jr., Helen and Louise ; Fanny D., born in Westboro, resides in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Herbert Theodore Maynard was born in North- boro, December 9, 1867. From the public schools of his native town he went to the Westboro high school, and his education was concluded with a com- mercial course at the Bryant & Stratton Business College in Boston. His business training was in- augurated in his uncle's grocery store in Providence, Rhode Island, and subsequently continued in the large grocery establishment of Messrs. Cobb, Ald- rich & Company, Boston. He obtained his first knowledge of the shoe manufacturing business as bookkeeper in the office of Messrs. H. H. Brown & Company, at Natick, this state, and after serving in that capacity for four years was admitted to partner- ship. In 1890 the company moved its plant to North Brookfield, and shortly before the death of the senior member of the firm, Mr. H. H. Brown, which occurred in 1903, his interest was purchased by Messrs. Maynard and Spaulding, who have ever since carried on the business in a most enterprising and progressive manner. In addition to his North Brookfield establishment, Mr. Maynard is actively interested in the Whitcomb & Paine Shoe Company
of Holbrook, Massachusetts, and is treasurer of that concern. He has rendered efficient service to the Republican party as a member of the town com- mittee ; has been since 1901 a member of the board of selectmen of North Brookfield; is now serving upon its board of health; and in various other ways the general public has received the benefit of his business ability and sound judgment. He is a mem- ber of Meridian Sun Lodge, F. and A. M., of which he is master.
On November 19, 1900, Mr. Maynard married Myra Hortense Witter, who was horn April 5, 1878, daughter of Dr. W. F. and Phalla K. (Hooker) Witter. Mr. and Mrs. Maynard have one son, John, born June 21, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Maynard attend the Tucker Memorial Church.
JAMES E. FARWELL. The late James E. Farwell was cut off in his prime by an untimely death. He was enjoying great business prosperity, he had established himself firmly in the liking and respect of his fellow citizens, and had built a hand- some home at 78 June street. Mr. Farwell had the artistic temperament, with unusual business capac- ity. When a boy he learned the trade of painter and decorator at his native place in Orleans county, Vermont, developed skill with the brushes, and be- came a sign writer. In 1887 he came to Worcester and started the business of manufacturing signs with his brother, under the name of Farwell . Brothers. Ill health compelled him to retire from this business and he took up insurance, in which he showed unusual aptitude. He was first a solicitor, but was soon promoted to be an adjuster for the casualty insurance company with which he started, and later was made superintendent of agencies.
His name is best known however in Worcester as one of the founders and partners of two extreme- ly profitable and prosperous insurance institutions. The Ridgely Protective Association is a sickness, and accident and death benefit institution, with membership limited to Odd Fellows, while a similar company for Free Masons is called the Masonic Protective Association. He was associated with Senator Frank M. Heath and ex-Mayor Francis A. Harrington in the organization and successful man- agement of these two societies in Worcester, and was secretary and general manager .of both. Mr. Farwell was active in both orders. He was a Knight Templar, a Shriner, and had taken all the Masonic degrees including the thirty-second. He had taken all the degrees of Odd Fellowship. He was secre- tary and director of the United States Indemnity Society. He was a member of the Hancock Club, an exclusive club of Worcester business men, oc- cunving the handsome old colonial mansion of the Salisbury family, at Lincoln Square. He was a member of the Shaffner Society, and belonged to the old Worcester County Mechanics' Association, the Frohsinns. the Wapiti Club, and Commonwealth Club. in which he was very prominent.
Mr. Farwell was born November 4, 1858. He married Cora E. Beard, daughter of James Beard of Province of Quebec. Mr. Farwell died December 31, 1900.
ELISHA NONEY BIGELOW, an old and honored resident of Webster, Massachusetts, was born in Dudley, March 21, 1825, the son of the late William H. and Sarah F. (Gibbs) Bigelow. He is a descendant of Colonel Bigelow, who ren- dered valuable aid in the war of the revolution to the cause of the colonists.
William Bigelow. grandfather of E. N. Bigelow,
360
WORCESTER COUNTY
was born in that part of Brookfield formerly known as Podunk, whence he removed to and died in Brattleboro, Vermont. He was a lawyer, a man of distinguished appearance and was greatly re- spected by all who knew him. He married and among the children born to him and his wife was one named William Henry, the father of E. N. Bigelow.
William H. Bigelow was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts, May 12, 1799. died in October. 1876. He acquired his education in the best schools of Vermont. He was employed for some time as a bookkeeper. and later engaged in the hotel busi- ness in Dudley, Massachusetts, and later in Ox- ford, in which he met with good success. He mar- ried Sarah F. Gibbs of New Salem, Massachusetts, who bore him twelve children, one of whom was E. N. Bigelow. The death of William H. Bigelow occurred in Oxford. and his wife passed away in 1864. in Webster. Massachusetts.
E. N. Bigelow was educated in Webster, Massa- chusetts, whither his father's family had removed when he was but a small boy. After leaving the school-room he went to Fitchburg, where he was employed as clerk in the mill office of Charles Brad- ley for three years. He then returned to his home in Webster and learned the shoemaker's trade. which was in those days an excellent calling. He followed this occupation for thirteen years with considerable success. He then learned the drug
Charles married for his first wife Tryphosa Lakin. of Paxton, who died December 31. 1874. and his second wife was Mrs. Clara D. Adams, a widow. of Belchertown. this state. His children are: Harlan Page. Ellen Tryphosa, Charles Henry and Emma Frances. William Duncan, who entered business, and bought out the establishment of Dr. . Amherst College, but was obliged to withdraw at E. G. Burnett in Webster. He conducted this store with the most gratifying success for thirty-nine years. when he retired from active business life, and now lives in retirement in his pretty home in High street. Wehster.
In politics Mr. Bigelow is a staunch Democrat. and for twenty-eight years has served as chairman of the cemetery committee. He has also served his town as selectman and was overseer of the poor for five years. He has been a member of the water committee since its inception in 1892, and is trustee of the Webster Savings Bank. He was chairman of the building committee of Webster's 'magnificent high school. He is a member of the Webster Ma- sonic Lodge. Mr. Bigelow and his family are regi- lar attendants of the Methodist Church. Mr. Bige- low's genial, kind disposition has won for him a large circle of friends. He is beloved by all who known him and is ever ready to extend a helping hand to those in need.
August 6, 1846. E. N. Bigelow married Angeline Logan. a daughter of Jonathan and Lodina (Rindge) Logan. of Southbridge, Massachusetts. and one of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow are the parents of the following children: Ida B .. wife of Jacob Peterson and they have one child, Howard: Minnie, married Dr. William E. Peter- son, of Waltham. Two children born to Mr. and Mrs. E. N. Bigelow are deceased; Ella Isora, who died at seven, and Sarah Maria, who died in in- fancy.
JAMES DUNCAN. There are but few now living who have any adequate conception of the intense excitement which prevailed throughout New England and the other northern states during the long and bitter agitation of the slavery question some fifty or sixty years ago. William Lloyd Gar- rison and Wendell Phillips not only maintained their vigorous campaign in the larger centers of population, but carried the war into the country villages as well. with equal vigor and persistency. North Brookfield was not overlooked by those
sturdy abolitionists, and one of their strongest sympathizers and most able supporters in that town was the late James Duncan, whose name appears at the head of this sketch.
To those familiar with the racial significance of family names it is needless to state that the late Mr. Duncan was of Scotch descent. He was the fifth child of William Duncan, of Dudley, and An- nice ( Morse) Duncan. of Charlton. this county, who were married May 30, 1808. William Duncan was horn in Dudley. June 4. 1784. and died in North Brookfield. July 13. 1857. He was a farmer. His wife was born in Charlton, January 30. 1789. and she survived her husband but a short time, hier death having occurred November 15, 1857. They were the parents of twelve children. namely: Will- iam, born in Worcester. January 19, 1810, died July 23. ISII: Charles, born July 17, 18II: William (2d). born December 14. 1812: Angeline, born April 6. 1815: James. of whom later: Almira, born February 8. 1820; Timothy Mason, born Novem- her 10, 1821: Caroline, born December 6. 1824: Emily, born April 2, 1827: Annie L., born Septem- ber 2. 1829: and Leonard C., born June 5. 1834.
the close of his Freshman year on account of ill health, married for his first wife Nancy Prouty. of Spencer. She died April 24, 1839. His second wife was before marriage Lydia Gilbert, of North Brook- field. He died April 24, 1874. His children were: Nancy Prouty, Emma N. and George W .. none of whom are now living. Angeline, who became the wife of Pliny K. Howe, of Paxton. died in North Brookfield, January 22. 1875. Timothy Mason Dun- can was married first to Mary Ann Cary, of North Brookfield. who died September 12. 1869; second to Mrs. Harriet (Eaton) Tower. widow of Rev. James E. Tower, of Groton. Of his second union there is one son, William Cary Duncan. Leonard C. Duncan married Mary A. Brewer. of North Brookfield, and has two sons George M. and Fred- erick W. Almira Duncan, who became the wife of John Prouty, of Spencer, died in West Brookfield. May 2. 1842. Caroline Duncan married E. M. Wheeler, of Spencer, who was graduated from the Castleton (Vermont) Medical School and practiced his profession in Rowe. Greenfield, Paxton. Mill- bury and Spencer. His death occurred in the last named place November 13. 1881. Emily Duncan, who died in Spencer, January 18. 1876. was the wife of Leonard L. Pierce. of Worcester. Annice L. Duncan married for her first husband Ivory L. Ellis, of Paxton, who was killed by the Indians in California. July 9 1853. Of this union there was one son. George Ivory, who died in infancy. For her second husband she married Lysander Brewer. of North Brookfield, and her death occurred in that town March 5. 1881.
James Duncan was born in Paxton, Worcester county. July 31. 1818. After concluding his studies in the public schools he went to Salem, where he was for a short time employed in a factory, but an inherent desire for a more independent occupation asserted itself and he accordingly established him- self as a hotel keeper in North Brookfield. He con- tinned to entertain the travelling public until his hostelry was destroyed by fire, but he retained his livery business which was already well established,
DELUN PUBLIC LIBRARY
James Duncan.
361
WORCESTER COUNTY
and carried it on successfully for a period of forty years. He also owned a number of farms, which he cultivated with excellent financial results, and he amassed a substantial competency. As a busi- ness man he was both able and industrious, and as a citizen he displayed an earnest sympathy in all public movements calculated to be of benefit to the community in general. His high moral character and manly courage stood forth pre-eminently and with dignified firmness during the exciting period of his activity in assisting fugitive slaves to reach the protection of the British flag in Canada, and his self-sacrificing interest in their behalf, together with his sound Christian sentiments, which constituted the fundamental principles of his philanthropy. should make interesting as well as helpful reading for the younger members of the present generation, who might emulate his example with profit.
Mr. Duncan was an abolitionist when the es- pousal and advocacy of such sentiments made him the victim of a persecution which almost amounted to ostracism, but he was willing to stand popular antagonismn for the sake of his conscience, and in company with such able associates as Hon. Amasa Walker and Hon. Freeman Walker, he was instru- mental in creating the strong anti-slavery feeling which subsequently became almost universal in this state. He was well known to William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips, Rev. Samuel May, Rev. Theodore Parker, Frederick Douglass, Mrs. Lucy Stone Black- well and other anti-slavery celebrities, who regarded him as a most efficient co-laborer, and he was not only one of the promoters of the "underground" railway system, but his house became an important station along the line. He never allowed poverty to go unrelieved when brought to his notice and his profound sympathy for the unfortunate naturally made him .the enemy of slavery and the friend of the fugitive slave. These sentiments, too, necessarily led him into the ranks of the Republican party at its formation, but he never aspired to office. pre- ferring to serve his party with his vote and influ- ence, which was both powerful and far-reaching. in- stead of accepting honor at its hands. He witnessed the predominance of that party which not only liberated the slaves, but preserved the integrity of the Union. and with the accomplishment of these stupendous undertakings he took no further part in public discussion, considering that his life-work had been finished. His life thence forward was full of serenity and good-will toward his fellowmen, and the long period of peaceful existence he was permitted to enjoy as a reward for his philan- thropic labors was sweetened by a loyal pride in the rapid progress of his country and its institu- tions.
Shorty after locating in North Brookfield Mr. Duncan united with the First Congregational Church, but subsequently withdrew on account of the pro-slavery sermons preached by the pastor, and for a long time worshipped at the Union Church. He eventually, however, resumed his affiliations with the First Church, and his implicit belief that an immortal existence is obtainable by all through the divine omnipotence of a supreme and merciful "Heavenly Father," was forcibly emphasized upon every appropriate occasion. His fortune was not accumulated through the medium of selfishness or penury, but came to him through the legitimate business channels based upon a well conceived sys- tem of constant economy practised in his earlier years, and it enabled him to spend his declining years free from the cares of active business pur- suits. For a number of years prior to his death
he struggled with an obstinate, though compara- tively painless, disease, which eventually affected him mentally as well as physically, and the final dissolution occurred on the morning of Sunday, January 12, 1890.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.