Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. III, Part 22

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 772

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 22

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On August 29, 1906, at Fall River, Massachu- setts, Mr. Rogers was elected president of the Massachusetts branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The people of Worcester and especially the members of the order were greatly elated over the election of Mr. Rogers as state president. A grand banquet was given in his honor attended by the leading citizens of Worcester and men prominent in church, society and politics throughout the state. A beautiful ivory gavel, with silver mounting suit- ably inscribed, was presented to Mr. Rogers during the banquet. When the Hibernians started their new building on Trumbull street, Worcester, one of the finest society blocks in the state today, he was chosen chairman of the building corporation and has served in that capacity ever since. Mr. Rogers has always been an enthusiastic worker in the interest of Irish nationality and gives his hearty support to every measure that promotes the welfare of his fatherland. He is a member of the Wor- cester Lodge of Elks; Knights of Robert Emmet ; Court City of Worcester, Foresters of America ;

Irish National Foresters ; Division 3, Ancient Or- der of Hibernians; and the Washington Social Club.

Mr. Rogers married, July 12, 1904, in St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Worcester, Kathryn Theresa Morrilly, daughter of Thomas and Kath- erine (Mulkeen) Morrilly, of Fitchburg, Massa- chusetts. Mrs. Rogers was graduated from the Fitchburg schools and entered the Salem Normal school, where she received her training as a school teacher. Later she attended the Emerson School of Oratory in Boston, and for several years was well known as a dramatic reader. She also pursued a course of musical studies and did some excellent things in flower and landscape painting. Mrs. Rogers has been affiliated with church and social organizations. She is president of the Infant of Prague Society in Worcester, elected to office in December, 1904. Mrs. Rogers is devoted to the work of aiding St. Gabriel's Orphanage at High street.

HON. CHARLES AUGUSTUS DEWEY, pre- eminent among the most distinguished, honored and trusted citizens of Milford, is a representative of a family of royal descent, with coat-of-arms going back many generations in England, and who num- bers' among its members many well known men who have achieved success and distinction in various walks of life, including Admiral George Dewey, who gained renown during the Spanish- American war. The founder of the American branch of the family was Thomas Dewey, who came to the "Massachusetts Bay Colony" from Sandwich, Kent, England, in 1630, with Rev. John Warham and his little band of one hundred and forty passengers, who formed a church before leav- ing England, and sailed in the "Mary and John," and became the first settlers at Dor- chester, Massachusetts, arriving at Nantasket, May 30, 1630. Thomas Dewey married the widow of Joseph Clark, who bore him five children, among whom was Stephen Dewey, who married Elizabeth Ann -, and five children were the issue of this union.

Daniel Dewey (great-grandfather ), son of Stephen and Elizabeth Ann Dewey, was born at Westfield, Massachusetts, 1729. He was a prosperous farmer, was noted for fair and honorable dealing. and was active and influential in town affairs, and was universally respected. Prior to his death, which occurred at Sheffield. Massachusetts, April 1, 1776, he was appointed captain of a company of militia in the revolutionary war, but a few weeks after appointment passed away.

Daniel Dewey (grandfather), son of Daniel Dewey, was born at Sheffield, Massachusetts, June 29, 1766. He removed to Williamstown, May 12, 1787. During the administration of President Mad- ison he was elected a member of congress, and served from 1812 to 1814. One year prior to his death he was appointed judge of the supreme court, and during that short period discharged his duties with the utmost fidelity. Throughout the length and breadth of Berkshire county he was very in- fluential (politically), being a potent factor in the interests of the party whose principles he advocated. He lived a quiet, unostentatious life, and enjoyed the friendship of many estimable persons, who valued him at his true worth. For a number of years he was a trustee of Williams College, ren- dering valuable service in that capacity. He mar- ried Maria Noble, of Williamstown. He died at his home in Williamstown, May 20, 1815, and his

ISTON FUPLIC LISP: RY

Charles A. Dewey

WORCESTER COUNTY

obituary appears in Vol. 12, Massachusetts Re- ports.

Judge Charles Augustus Dewey (father), son of Daniel and Maria (Noble) Dewey, was born at Williamstown, Massachusetts, March 13, 1793. He removed to North Hampton, in 1826, and for a number of years thereatter served as district at- torney. He was appointed judge of the superior judicial court in 1837 by Governor Edward Everett, and remained on the bench until his death, August 22, 1866, a period of thirty years, holding said po- sition longer than any previous judge with but one exception, that being Judge Wilde, this fact being an eloquent testimonial to his ability as an adjudi- cator as well as of his sterling integrity. He was very prominent with the legal profession throughout the state of Massachusetts, and in private life was universally respected for his many excellent char- acteristics. Ile was associated for many years with Chief Justice Shaw, one of the leading members of the profession. For forty years Judge Dewey served as trustee of Williams College, and many acres whereon that institution was located was for- merly the property of Judge Dewey, who was an extensive landholder. He married Caroline H. Clin- ton, who was born at Little Britain, Orange county, New York, January 26, 1800, and they resided on the site upon which now stands President Seeley's residence, one of the modern and imposing struct- ures which add so materially to the beauty and at- tractiveness of that section of the county. Eight children were the issue of this marriage.

Colonel Charles Clinton, the founder of the Clinton family in New England, of which Mrs. Charles A. Dewey ( mentioned above) was a repre- sentative, was a direct descendant of William the Conqueror. He was born in Ireland, and in 1729 came to America; he was a man of means, and chartered a ship, bringing over more than one hun- dred colonists, and they were landed and stranded at Cape Cod whence he later removed to Orange county, New York. Major General James Clinton, father of Mrs. Dewey, son of Colenel Charles Clin- ton, was born 1736, died 1812. At the age of twenty-two he was captain in the old French war, 1758, serving with his father at the capturing of Fort Frontenac from the French. In August, 1776, he was appointed brigadier-general, and was with General Washington at the closing conflict of the revolutionary war, during the siege of Yorktown and surrender of General Cornwallis, having com- mand of the "American Centre" of Washington's army with Count de Rochambeau, occupying the left wing and General Lincoln the right wing. Dur- ign the greater part of the war he was stationed at Albany, New York, and took charge of West Point when that traitor, Benedict Arnold, failed to deliver it with its stores to the enemy, which cost him his life. He also took part in the expedition against the British and Indians in central New York state with General Sullivan, in 1779, this be- ing considered one of the most savage and brutal attacks. Major-General Clinton was twice mar- ried : his first wife bore him seven children. She was a widow, by name Mary Gray, and was the mother of four children by her first husband, this making a total of eighteen children.

De Witt Clinton, son of General James Clinton, was born in 1769. Between 1817 and his death, in 1826, he was repeatedly governor of New York state, and while serving in that capacity was the main promoter of the great canal from Lake Eric to the Hudson, known as the Erie Canal, which act was highly commended and won for him the grati- tude of a vast multitude. He received the appoint-

ment as Minister to England, but declined this honor in order to accept the mayoralty of New York city, his term extending over a period of ten years. In 1812 he was the candidate for president of the United States on the Democratic and Fed- eral ticket, his opponent having been James Madi- son, who was elected to that high office by a small majority.

George Clinton, a younger brother of Major- General James Clinton, was also appointed brigadier- general, receiving his appointment upon the same day as his brother. He was the first governor of the state of New York, holding that position throughout the revolutionary war, and for a total period of twenty years. He was twice elected vice- president of the United States, the first time with Thomas Jefferson, the latter's second term, and the second time with James Madison, the latter's first term. George Clinton died while in office at Wash- ington, D. C.

Charles. Augustus Dewey, son of Judge Charles Augustus and Caroline H. (Clinton) Dewey, was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, December 29, 1830. He was fitted for college at Williston Sem- inary, East Hampton, and was subsequently grad- uated from Williams College with the salutatory honors in the class of 1851. He first studied law with his brother, the late Hon. Francis H. Dewey, of Worcester, then took a year's course at the Harvard Law School, and later pursued his studies in the city of New York, where he was admitted to the bar in 1854. Having practiced law there until the fall of 1856, he went to Davenport, Iowa, and pursued his practice for two years. In March, 1859, he came to Milford, Massachusetts, and for the fol- lowing two years was a professional partner of Hon. Hamilton B. Staples. In 1861 he was ap- pointed trial justice, and in 1864 the police court of Milford was established, and lie was appointed judge. He held this office until the Third District court of southern Worcester was organized, in 1872, when he was appointed judge of said court by Governor Washburn. Meanwhile he served seven years on the school committee of Milford, and for some time as its chairman. For a quarter of a century he was a trustee of the Milford Town Library and for the greater part of the time the chairman of the board.

In all these professional and official positions Judge Dewey has discharged his responsible duties not only with admirable ability, fidelity and prompti- tude, but to such complete satisfaction of all parties concerned as rarely falls to the lot of one obliged to deal with so much conflicting mentality and in- terest. He is learned in legal lore, wears an in- herited mantle of judicial rectitude, and holds the scales of legal equity with a firm hand of clemency. At his bar the innocent and guilty are alike sure of both justice and kindness. He is a man of strong convictions on subjects he deems important, and pronounces his opinions without equivocation when properly necessary. In politics he is a strong Republican, and exercises a potent influence in be- half of that party. He is a member of the Con- gregational Church, in which he is and has been for years an active and zealous worker. He is par- ticularly fond of good literature, and the greater part of his leisure time is devoted to the study and perusal of the same.

Judge Dewey married, March 12, 1867, the cere- mony being performed by the Rev. George G. Jones, in Milford, Massachusetts, Marietta N. Thayer, who was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, June 22, 1847, daughter of Alexander W. and Marietta (Dustan) Thayer. She has the ancestral honor of

WORCESTER COUNTY

being a descendant of the celebrated Hannah Dus- tan, of "Salem Witchcraft fame," who in March, 1697, was carried off from her home in Haverhill, Massachusetts, by the Indians, and subsequently escaped from captivity, returning to her family with the scalps of ten Indians whom she had toma- hawked. One daughter was the issue of this mar- riage, Marie Thayer Dewey, born August 8, 1872, in Milford, Massachusetts. She was educated in the public and high schools of Milford, graduating from the latter with the class of 1888, then was a pupil in Miss Salisbury's private boarding school for two years, and for one year was a student in the Burnham School at Northhampton. February 24. 1897, she became the wife of Dr. Charles H. Cole, of Milford, a prominent physician. They are the , parents of one son, Charles Dewey Cole, born July 1, 190I.

MOULTON FAMILY. Menzies Moulton, father of Joseph M., John Warren and Albert Chapin Moulton, was born in Monson, Massachu- setts, in 1832, and grew to manhood in that town. Learning the carpenter's trade he followed it as a journeyman until 1862, when he enlisted at Rut- land in the Fifty-first Regiment, Massachusetts Vol- unteers, for service in the civil war, and partici- pated in the battles of New-Berne, Kingston, White- hall, Goldsboro and Gettysburg, besides many other engagements of a minor character. He subsequently established himself as a building contractor in Rut- land, and followed that business successfully for many years. He is still living and resides in North Rutland. He was long and prominently identified with loeal civie affairs, having served as chairman of the board of selectmen for a period of twenty years, the longest term on record; for a number of years chairman of the board of assessors; and held every other town office of importance. He is one of the charter members of the local post, Grand Army of the Republic, and has long officiated as its adjutant. Menzies R. Moulton has been three times married. His first wife, who was before marriage Jane E. Chaffee. of Wales, Massachusetts, bore him one daughter, Carrie, who died in 1856. For his second wife he married Maria Reed, and Inez, the only child of this union, did not live to maturity. Of his union with Oella Bigelow, his present wife, were born nine children, namely: Sarah, Joseph M., Alice, John Warren, Oella, Albert Chapin, Helen, Samuel and Henry W. Sarah, married Byron Bates, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island; Alice and Henry W. died young; Oella is unmarried and re- sides in Monson ; Helen, married Charles Ware, of Connecticut ; Samuel, died at the age of twenty- three years.

Joseph M. Moulton was born in Rutland, June 13, 1864. He was reared and educated in Rutland and his early training in the woolen manufacturing industry began in his youth. His aetive life has been devoted exclusively to the manufacture of satinets and union mixtures, and the products of the Moulton Brothers' establishment at North Rut- land, in which he is overseer in the carding depart- ment, have long enjoyed a high reputation in the textile trade centres of this country. The plant, which is equipped with improved . machinery of the most modern type propelled by both steam and water-power, furnishes steady employment to a large number of skilled operatives, and its busy wheels of industry also serve to prevent the locality from having the appearance of somnolence, which would contrast most unfavorably with the industrial activity of the adjoining towns. In politics Mr.

Moulton is a Republican. His religious affiliations are with the Congregational Church.

In 1893 Mr. Moulton was united in marriage with Miss Louise C. Somers, daughter of Lee and Mary (Hunter) Somers, of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Moulton are the parents of three children, namely : Wendell, born March, 1894; Mary, born 1897, and Gladys, born 1899. Wendell and Mary are now attending school in Worcester.

John Warren Moulton was born in Rutland, April 30, 1867. After concluding his attendance at the public schools he became connected with a woolen mill at North Rutland, where he learned the business in all of its details, and is now joint proprietor of that establishment. The Moulton Brothers' mill, which is the only manufacturing in- dustry in North Rutland, employs an average force of fifty operatives and produces annually large quantities of woolen cloth of excellent quality, in- cluding union mixtures and satinets, which have a steady and constantly increasing demand in the textile trade. The business is not only the source of a good income to its proprietors, but is exceed- ingly beneficial to the community, and the spirit of enterprise displayed by the firm is heartily ap- preciated by their fellow-townsmen. Politically Mr. Moulton acts wth the Republican party; he was elected one of the town constables 111 1889, which office he still holds; he was also elected one of se- lectmen in March, 1906. In his religious faith he is a Congregationalist.

In 1886 Mr. Moulton was joined in marriage with May Belle Taylor, daughter of James M. and Mary Ann (Walker) Taylor, of Leeds, England. Mr. and Mrs. Moulton have had six children, three of whom are living, namely: John Warren, Jr., Mabel Greta and Dorice, all of whom are attending sehool. The others were: Nellie O., Jessie V. and another child who died at birth.

Albert Chapin Moulton was born in Rutland, December 22, 1869. His early education, acquired in the Rutland public schools, was supplemented with a commercial course at a business college in Worcester. About the year 1888 he engaged in the provision business in Worcester, which he followed for ten years, and he then accepted an appointment on the police force. A year later he returned to Rutland, where he entered the woolen manufactur- ing industry in company with his brother, J. War- ren Moulton, who under the firm name of Moulton Brothers are now carrying on a flourishing business at North Rutland, employing an average force of fifty operatives and producing satinets and union mixtures of a superior quality, which command a ready sale in the textile markets. In politics Mr. Moulton is a Republican and although he evinces a lively interest in public affairs, local, state and national, his numerous business duties prevent him from participating in civie matters beyond the exer- cise of his elective privileges. He is a member and a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

September 2, 1892, he married Sarah E. Holmes, daughter of John and Maria Holmes, of Millbury, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Moulton have one son, Albert B., born April 23, 1895, now attending school in Worcester.

MISS PERSIS E. KING, of Malden, a retired educator, who was formerly one of the most prom- inent teachers in the Boston public schools, is the second child and eldest daughter of the late Horace and Catherine Augusta (Mead) King, of Rutland. Her grandparents were Samuel and Persis ( Esta- brook) King, the former of whom went from Wren-

WORCESTER COUNTY

tham, this state, to Rutland and was a prominent resident there during the early years of the last century.

The birth of Horace King took place in Rut- land, July 16, 1806. Forced to depend upon his Own resources at an early age by the untimely death of his father, his opportunities for obtaining an education in his boyhood were exceedingly limited, but he afterward remedied this defect by devoting his leisure hours to study. When fourteen years old he began to support himself, and three years later went to Boston, where he secured employment in the home of Dr. Jeffreys, with whom he re- mained for one year. He next obtained a position as waiter and general utility man at the old Nor- folk House, Roxbury, and although his duties were numerous he nevertheless found time to improve his education. His desire for mental progress was equalled by his habits of economy and thrift, which enabled him early in life to realize the fact that the future prosperity he was so ambitious to acquire depended wholly upon the accumulation of a suf- ficient amount of funds with which to establish him- self in business. A resolution to save his earnings was adhered to with the result that in a short space of time he found himself in possession of quite a sum of money, and when a favorable oppor- tunity for a safe business speculation presented itself he was prepared to invest. The inadequate means of regular communication existing at that time between Boston and its suburban districts at- tracted his attention, and quickly discerning that with better facilities the passenger traffic would rapidly increase, he established an omnibus line be- tween Roxbury and Boston, commeneing business with two vehicles, which ran at regular intervals. In this unpretentious manner was the movement for rapid transit in Boston inaugurated, and Horace King was the pioneer. As he had foreseen the omnibus business developed rapidly, both in volume and importance, requiring as it expanded the addi- tion of many new vehieles annually in order to meet the constantly increasing demand for public trans- portation, and hy judicious management Mr. King in a few years acquired the ownership or control of every line running into the city. These "busses," as they were called, furnished comparatively the only means of transportation from Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, Dorchester, Brookline, South Boston, Charlestown, Cambridge and other points to Boston, requiring the services of two hun- dred and fifty horses and employing upwards of one hundred and fifty men. Nor did their usefulness cease at the introduction of the street railway, but they were long afterward considered a profitable investment for capital. Al- though the omnibus business necessarily demanded much of his time, Mr. King did not sever his eon- nection with the hotel business in Roxbury, and he erected and for some years condueted the present Norfolk House, which has long been a prominent landmark in that locality.

About the year 1850 Mr. King sold a large por- tion of his interest in the omnibus business to Messrs. Flagg and Estabrook, to whom he also sur- rendered the control, but the new concern did not flourish and he was eventually obliged to resume charge of its affairs. His recall was too late, how- ever, as the business had been hopelessly crippled by incompetency and mismanagement, and in the financial panic of 1856-57 the onee flourishing busi- ness, together with his entire fortune, were swept away. Broken in health and spirit from the effects of the disaster, he returned to his former home in Rutland, and resided there for the remainder

of his life, which terminated January 31, 1903, at the age of ninety-six years, six months.

In June, 1837, Horace King visited the home of his boyhood for the purpose of consummating the happiest event of his life, that of his marriage with Miss Catherine Augusta Mead, and after the cere- mony the bride was conveyed in a comfortable chaise to her new home in Roxbury. Mrs. King was a native of Rutland and belonged to a highly reputable family of that town, being a descendant of Deaeon William Mead, who served the churel in that capacity for a period of fifty years; also of Benjamin Mead, a revolutionary patriot, who par- ticipated in escorting British prisoners of war from Boston over the hills to the Continental prison at Rutland. He possessed a vigorous constitution, which in his case was truly indicative of a long life, as he died in 1858, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. Some of Mrs. King's relatives have acquired honorable distinction in more recent years, notably Major-General George Gordon Mead, United States army (1815-1872), who served in the Seminole, Mexican and civil wars, and in 1863 was appointed to the command of the Army of the Potomac.

Horace and Catherine A. King were the parents of eight children, namely: Charles, born in 1838, died in 1840; Persis E., see forward; William Mead, born February 8, 1842; Sidney C., born December 17, 1844; Horace, born December 12, 1846; Mary Forbes, born February 6, 1848; Edwin Elmer, born in 1850, died in 1861 ; and Frederick Augustus, born in 1852, died young. All were born in Boston or Roxbury. William Mead King, who died in 1888, inarried Nancy M. Tenny, of Jersey City, New Jersey, who bore him three children. Sidney C. King, who is residing in Taunton, this state, mar- ried Maria L. Mead and has one child. Horace King, who was holding a responsible and lucrative position in the service of the Boston & Maine Company, sacrificed it after the wreek of his father's fortune in order to return to Rutland and care for the family. Mary Forbes King is unmar- ried and resides in Rutland; although not a strong person physically, yet she was a constant help and faithful attendant during her parents' life, especially during their declining years.

Persis E. King was born March 29, 1840. She was educated in the Boston public schools, and after the financial disaster previously referred to, turned her attention to educational pursuits. At the breaking out of the civil war she offered to serve the Federal government in some elerical capacity, was accepted and while acting as a clerk or copyist in the quartermaster's department under the Rev. Horace James, chaplain of the Twenty-fifth Regi- ment, Massachusetts Volunteers, she met with some thrilling adventures that can never be effaced from her memory. Miss King inaugurated her educa- tional career as a district school teacher in Rutland. Her services were subsequently secured for the public schools of Worcester, where in due time she was promoted from the Orange street to the Lamartine street school, and for a number of years she taught successfully in the eighth grade under the supervision of Charles T. Haynes, who being an able teacher himself, exacted a high standard of service from his subordinates. From Worcester Miss King went to the Everett school, Boston, where the remaining years of her activity as a teacher were spent under the supervision of Prin- cipal Hyde, a warm personal friend of her father, and afterward advanced to the position of chief executive of the Boston school board. Owing to her impaired health, resulting from overwork she

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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. III, Part 22

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed Publication date: 1907 Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 772

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 772