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 37
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
five years, and being observing and quick to learn, he soon mastered the intricacies of vehicle build- ing, and in 1852 established himself in business on Canal street with George W. Wilder. There he engaged in the manufacture of light carriages, and his business was highly successful from the outset. In 1860 he purchased the business of his former employer on School street, and from this date he conducted the business on a broader scale, en- gaging in the manufacture of all styles of vehicles. He designed and built the first top-sleigh ever con- structed in his region, and was one of the original inventors of street water carts in the United States. In 1895 he completed one of the greatest inven- tions that has ever been put on the market for ap- plication to horse-drawn street sqrinklers. It is a distributer of the water, covering twenty-five to thirty feet in width, is simple, durable and com- pact, and distributes the water directly downward and upward at right angles with the length of the cart. This invention is looked upon as one of the most practical street sprinklers now used. Besides his carriage-making business, he conducts a large and profitable repair and jobbing house. He owns and occupies five buildings on School street. The largest of these structures was built in 1896, is made of brick and iron, four stories high, and measures fifty by one hundred and thirty feet. In addition to his other enterprises he is largely interested in real estate, and owns much valuable property in Worcester. Mr. Aitchison may well look upon his business career as a highly success- ful one. He is pre-eminently a self-made man. Thrown upon his own resources when yet a child, working among men many years his senior, and being compelled to do a man's labor, he acquired a courage of conviction and proper confidence in his own ability, which, taken with his faithfulness to duty, close attention to details. fair business deal- ing, and foresight and enterprise, constitutes the secret of his success. He is a member of the Worcester Agricultural Society, the Worcester County Mechanics' Association, and in February, 1854, joined the Montacute branch of Masons. In matters of religion, he accords with doctrines of the Unitarian faith. Is a Republican and a strong supporter of his party, but no office seeker. August 29. 1852, Mr. Aitchison married Catherine Hen- rietta Case, a daughter of Zelah and Jeannette ( Benton) Case. She died in September. 1901. June 19, 1902, he married Elizabeth Ann Bartlett, daughter of Soloman and Emeline ( Parker) ) Bart- lett, of Shrewsbury, who was born January 8, 1857.
O'NEILL FAMILY. The history of times. the events of men, and their characters, must ever be replete with interest and instruction. Chronicles of the great and the wise, the noble and the learned, are often presented to the world, and the military hero and chieftain finds everywhere his biographer. We read of campaigns that his mind has traced out, of battles which his plans have won, and we for- get, in our admiration of his skill and power, those by whom the heroic deeds were done and the victory gained. "Generals." says one author, "often calcu- late upon men as though they were 'blocks of wood' or 'movable machines.'" Yet every one of these nameless soldiers has feelings just as acutely alive to suffering and to honor as those who look upon them thus. It is well sometimes to turn away from the glare and tinsel of rank, from the glitter of arms and the pagentry of war, to follow the com- mon soldier in his partings and wanderings, to cast the glance of pity upon his sufferings, and allow the heart to be moved with compassion while re-
BOSTON PUBLIC
GEORGE T. AITCHISON
I31
WORCESTER COUNTY
garding the temptations which must ever beset his path.
It is only thus that a true knowledge of the evils and miseries of war can be obtained, and only when this knowledge is spread far and wide, that we may hope to see the banner of peace unfurled, and the olive-branch waving in quiet, where now the sword spreads its desolation, and the vulture feasts on the unburied dead. The history of the individual who bore the heat and burden of the day, and played his part in the brunt of battle, is too often lost sight of by an indulgent public because lack of birth, of rank and fame has caused his memory to fade into obscurity. Of the follow- ing families much can be truthfully said that will awaken the interest of their fellow-beings, and perpetuate the lustre of that halo which rarely fails to surround the victor's name, but which is all too soon forgotten. For generations back the ancestors of this family, as well as the sons of today, were warriors of no little ability in the de- fense of their respective countries, and won the respect of all for the faithful discharge of their personal duties.
Charles O'Neill, the ancestor, was born in Ire- land about 1723, was a carpenter by trade, married Alice MeGee, and six sons and five daughters were born to them, five of whom died in infancy, and among the surviving members were the following : Arthur, born in Dundalk, county Louth, Ireland. October, 1785; John, born May 24, 1787, was killed at Trafalgar under Nelson, October 21, 1805; James, born in Ireland, May, 1789: Charles, Jr., born June 21, 1793, died June 16, 1852; and Thomas.
When all Europe resounded to the din of arms and the glory of martial life, amid the confusion of carnage and battle, when Napoleon, the mightiest of heroes and conquerors, was ascending to the zenith of his glory, when the erowned heads of Europe were terrified by the magic power of his name, and tried to save themselves and their thrones, this family gave five of its sons, Arthur, James, Charles, John, and Thomas, to their coun- try's call, and joined the forces of Wellington, Blucher and Nelson; which forces later witnessed the downfall of that mightiest of warriors (Napoleon) on the field at Waterloo.
Arthur O'Neill enlisted in September, 1804, and was assigned to duty under Nelson upon the sev- enty-fourth gunship "Terrible," which prove its name, and he was killed by a cannon ball, a few months after enlisting, in an engagement which took place near the coast of Holland, between his Majesty's fleet and the French naval force.
Two years after the death of Arthur O'Neill, his brother, James, enlisted. This was in May, 1806. He was assigned to the Royal army of George IV, in the Ninety-sixth Regiment of foot. After two years and seven months of service, in Decem- ber. 1808, he was with Sir John Moore on his retreat, and in July, 1809, was killed in the bloody battle of Talavera.
After the death of Arthur and James, another brother. Charles, resolved to take up arms against the French and, consequently. in February, ISIo. at the age of seventeen years, enlisted at Belfast, Ire- land, and was assigned to the Eighth Regiment of foot, and after several enlistments, completed eight years of service, being honorably discharged at Chelsea. England, in 1818. at which time he was under Colonel McCabe. The horrors of war first presented themselves to this young recruit twelve months after enlistment when, at Gibraltar, he re- ceived three hundred lashes for not attending divine services at the Church of England. The Duke of York
heard of his treatment, and upon investigation, find- ing he was a Catholic, immediately issued an order to allow "liberty of conscience" to the soldiers, to worship as they saw fit, etc. This was in ISII, and he was confined to the hospital for four months. He saw service during the memorable Peninsular war and the Continental Campaigns from 1811 to 1815; the bloody battle of Barossa, the memorable seige of Badajos, and the historic battle of Water- loo, which terminated with the overthrow of the great and mighty Napoleon. In all of the above battles he was an actor, but did not receive a wound until on the field at Waterloo, when a ball penetrated his left arm which rendered him practically help- less. Not content to remain idle, he resolved to continue his fighting, and had gone but a few hours, when a second ball entered his right thigh, from which he fell and was compelled to lie in the spot where he fell all that day and night, into the next day, or about thirty-six hours altogether, until removed to the hospital at Brussels, where he remained for several months. until the regiment was transported back to England, receiving his dis- charge as above stated. For twelve years follow- ing Charles O'Neill remained at home in Ireland, and in 1830 he petitioned the government to com- mute his life pension, as he wished to sail for Amer- ica. This the government allowed, and adjusted his pension to a four-year settlement, payable in advance, together with a clear deed for two hun- dred and eighty acres of land in Upper Canada, which he accepted, and then sailed for Quebec, and in turn came to Worcester, Massachusetts. where he died June 16, 1852. Prior to leaving Ireland he married Bridget O'Riley, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Collins) O'Riley, and had thir- teen children, four of whom died in infancy. The surviving members of the family were: John, born March 27, 1828. died July 12, 1863; Arthur, born February 10, 1831, died about 1892; Charles, born April 12, 1832, died April 7, 1898; Captain Thomas, horn August 17, 1835, died June 4, 1864; Mary, born October 10, 1836 (living) ; Lieutenant James, born April 19, 1838 (living) ; Annie, born, 1840. died June 4. 1875; Ellen, born, 1841, died, 1844; and Catherine, born August 23, 1843 (living). These children were all born in Worcester, Massa- chusetts.
Of the above family volumes could be written, for it is seldom, if ever, a family gives five sons to its country's cause. and who distinguish them- selves as have these five boys. When the war of the rebellion broke out they immediately responded to the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 troops, and enlisted at Worcester, Massachusetts. Enlist- ments as follows: John. the eldest son, enlisted July, 1861, and was assigned as teamster in Com- pany E, Twenty-fifth regiment, under his brother, Captain "Tom," and received an honorable discharge at close of the war; Arthur. second eldest son, enlisted, 1862, as private in Company E, Twenty- fifth regiment, discharged honorably, 1865: Charles, the third son, saw more service than his other brothers, as three years previous to the war of the rebellion he enlisted in the United States navy, entering the service in the fall of 1857. When the war broke out, lie enlisted this time in the army with Company F. Nineteenth Infantry, as corporal, in the fall, 1861, and was discharged honorably at close of the war, 1865. He was twice wounded but fully recovered. Captain "Tom" O'Neill, the fourth son, was captain of Company E, Twenty- fifth regiment, and is known the country over for his bravery and daring, also from the immortal As that fell from his lips, which have been
I32
WORCESTER COUNTY
quoted and requoted by eminent statesmen time and time again, notably among whom was our own beloved Senator, George Frisbie Hoar, who very frequently remarked: "Let the dying words of our brave Captain "Tom" O'Neill be emblazoned on our flag; teach them to our children; instill them upon the minds of our growing youth, and in the time of need our country can look for the kind of material needed to help it through its difficulties." Captain "Tom" was shot through the abdomen at the bloody battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, at five o'clock A. M., and died the following day, June 4. 1864, at five o'clock A. M. The words of the dying hero were: "Boys! I am dying. Let the Union flag be wrapped around me, and place a fold of it under my head. Write to my dear mother, and tell her I die for my country, and I only wish that I had two lives to give." Not a dry eye could be seen in that remnant of the regiment. The flag was produced, and the brave and dying hero tenderly kissed it, then, placing it to his bleeding wound consecrated its folds with his life's blood. His dying request was carried out, the flag was wrapped around him, and with blood-stained prayer- book in his hands, and a rosary, scapular, and agnus dei around his neck the brave Captain awaited the final call of his Maker, a hero in the eyes of his country, and a Christian in the eyes of God and man. His body was brought to Worces- ter, where he was buried with full military honors, June 13, 1864. It was attended by members of the city government, all Irish societies, and a large concourse of people. Escort duty was by the state guards. The funeral mass was celebrated at St. John's Catholic Church by the late Bishop P. T. O'Reilly, then pastor of St. John's Church, and obsequies at the cemetery were conducted by the late Rev. John J. Power.
Captain "Tom" O'Neill attended the public schools at Worcester, Massachusetts. When a mere boy, possessing all the military ardor of his fam- ily, he enlisted with the Jackson Guards, an Irish military company of Worcester, remaining in that organization until the disbandment by Governor Gardner, January 9, 1855. In 1861 the Emmet Guards received a charter from the state, and Thomas O'Neill attached himself to that organiza- tion, was elected second lieutenant, and went to the war as such. He returned after a three months' enlistment, and immediately re-enlisted, returning to the field of battle as captain of Company E, Twenty-fifth regiment. The 30th of October, 1861, was made memorable by a visit to Camp Lincoln by Governor Andrew, accompanied by Colonels Ritchie and John W. Wetherell. In the afternoon His Excellency review the various regiments in the presence of a multitude of people. After the review the governor addressed the battalion, saying he had seen all the regiments which the state had sent to the field, but the Twenty-fifth was the hand- somest one he had ever set his eyes upon, and was composed of the noblest looking body of men he had ever seen assembled in a body.
James O'Neill, the fifth son of this illustrious family, enlisted July, 1861, in Company E, Twenty- fifth regiment, United States Volunteers, as cor- poral under his brother, Captain "Tom" O'Neill, and went from Worcester to Annapolis, leaving that city three months later and going to Roanoke Island, with the Burnside expedition. He was
corporal of the color guard, and during the sick- ness of the regular color bearer he took the colors and carried them through the fight at Roanoke Island and again at Newberne took the colors through the fight and was the first man to mount
the intrenchment, planting the United States colors on Fort Thompson, the rebel fort, for which dis- tinction he was promoted to regimental color bearer, with rank of sergeant. Continuing to serve his country and his regiment with repeated distinctions, his valuable services were very appropriately and speedily recognized, and at Goldsboro, 1863, under Major-General Foster, of the Ninth corps, he was promoted to lieutenant. Having gone successfully through a number of campaigns, he was yet to meet the worst, the battle of Cold Harbor, the battle in which his brother, Captain "Tom," together with thousands of others lost their lives. Although he never received a wound, he was not without hav- ing experience with the horrors of war, and was confined at the Chesapeake Hospital, at Fortress Monroe while his brother, Captain "Tom," lay dead on the field of battle. It was during these trying hours that a fond mother, up North, was worry- ing and weeping for her five sons, who were fight- ing so bravely in the South for the cause of their country.
Unable to stand the strain any longer, Mrs. O'Neill instructed her youngest daughter, Catherine, who was then but twenty-one years of age, to go South and see "my loving boys." Although it was heart-breaking to leave a loving and heart-broken mother, this young girl, started on her sad errand, little dreaming of the many obstacles that were to confront her, this being her first trip away from home. Upon her arrival at Washington, she tried hard and unsuccessfully to procure a passport to Fortress Monroe, and was sternly informed that "the office was closed yesterday, and no more pass- ports will be given." After repeated refusals, she determined to make one last and fervent effort, and going up to the officer in charge, she said : "Sir! please listen to my story, and then refuse me if you will." The officer was kind to her, and said: "What is it, my little girl?" She began by saying : "Sir! my mother has given five sons to her country, and one of them is lying at the point of death in that hospital; the fourth was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor, and she (my mother) has sent me here to see him before he dies." The of- ficer was tenderly affected by her story and in- quired who she was, and she replied, "I am a sister to Captain "Tom" O'Neill. He was killed three weeks ago at the battle of Cold Harbor, and my other brother-" but before she had finished the officer said: "Come with me, and I will give you a 'general passport which will take you wherever you want to go.'" After receiving the passport she still had another obstacle to overcome, as it was difficult to procure a boat, but at last she was successful in getting aboard a collier, and after a long, dreary all-night ride was landed at Fortress Monroe the next morning. Upon inquiry at the. hospital for her brother, an attendant told her that her brother, James, had just stepped out and would return soon. This made her happy, but after a half hour's wait the fellow returned, only to inform her that he was James O'Neill from a New York regiment. Keenly disappointed, she then set out to find her own brother James, and was success- ful. He was deathly sick, and requested her to stay with him until he was well. She did so, staying three weeks, and nursing him. The pass- port is now tenderly preserved by the surviving members of the family. together with many other relics of that memorable conflict. One relic in
particular is a sword presented to Captain "Tom" by the citizens of Worcester, and another. a vest pocket prayer book, many leaves of which are Lesmeared with his life's hlood, for during the
I33
WORCESTER COUNTY
succeeding twenty-four hours, after he received his mortal wound, this prayer book, together with other sacred relics, was his constant companion and silent adviser. In life and health his thoughts were of his country. as well as his Maker, and in his dying hours, when health and strength both failed him, his mind was with his God.
James O'Neill, after the war was over, estab- lished a school for physical culture at Woods' gymnasium, in New York city, which he conducted for two years. He then accepted a position with the New York Racquet and Tennis Club, remaining for nineteen or twenty years. During this period of time he was instructor to a large number of the prominent citizens of New York, including James Gordon Bennett, Herman Oelrichs and members of the Vanderbilt family, all of whom were developed under his supervision. As an athlete in various branches. his fame was known not only in America, but in the countries across the water. In 1875, at Troy, New York, on Saratoga Lake, he made a world's record in a single scull. which still holds good, the time being twenty minutes nineteen and one-half seconds for "dead" water. three miles with a turn. In all of his boat races he was de- feated but three times : his winnings include singles, doubles, four-oared and six-oared races. Another world's record of his is the "handlift" in dumb- bells, lifting 1,325 pounds, three inches off the floor, in a match against "Charlie" Foster. Still another feat is that of lifting a dumb bell with one hand (185 lbs.), from floor to full length over head, while he himself weighed butt 154 pounds. He mar- ried Della Covell, of Saratoga, New York, and had two children, one dying in infancy, and the other, Bertha, born in New York city, May 29, 1867. She is a highly accomplished lady; she re- ceived a convent and private school education at New York, then went to Italy for four years. tak- ing, with other studies, a complete course in music. She is now a dramatic soprano, receiving her musi- cal training from Madam Gillitie, of Milan. She has traveled extensively in Europe and North and South America, having toured these continents with the International Grand Opera company for several years, bearing the role of star in such important presentations as "Favorita," "Carmen," "Faust," "Bohemian Girl," "Huguenots," "Mignon," Trovatore." etc. Recently she gave up the stage to join her husband, who is the owner of Sunset ranch, one of the largest fruit-growing ranches in California, located at Dinuba. near Fresno, and con- sists of six hundred and forty acres of land. Al- though still a young woman (thirty-eight years of age) she too, like her father and her uncles, her grandfather and her granduncles, has seen con- siderable of the "horrors of war," and is now the possessor of a very costly girdle made from various coins of the Republic of Argentine, South Amer- ica, which was presented to her by the soldiers of Buenos Ayres, Argentina, South America. The fol- lowing is the free English translation of the in- scription which is written in Spanish on the girdle: "Presented to Mrs. Benito Nichols as a reward for kindness to the soldiers in the time of war. We shall always be under obligation to her and shall always hope for her prosperity and happiness. Buenos Ayres, Argentina, S. A." This reward of merit came as a recognition of her services dur- ing the revolution of 1890 in Argentina. At that time she was residing in a modern two-story house, occupying the upper story. In the lower story lived the vice-consul of Belgium. The house faced on a square where the insurrection broke out. and in less than a fortnight over eight hundred soldiers
were killed, and more than that number wounded. Grasping the situation at the very start, Mrs. Nichols turned to her home into a veritable hospital, and tenderly cared for the wounded and dying, bestowing upon each, care and devotion, and her services were recognized by the presentation of the above girdle, with the inscription. During this battle Mrs. Nichols was shot in the fleshy part of the arm, from a stray bullet, while caring for the wounded on the street, but she recovered in time. Mrs. Nichols is thoroughly versed in several languages, and fluent in Italian, French, Spanish, German, Portugese and her own native tongue, English. She married Benito Nichols, son of Jolin
and Nichols, of Randolph, Vermont, the former named being a judge of the supreme court of Randolph, Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Benito Nichols, who reside in California, are the parents of one child, George B. Nichols, born 1887.
Catherine (O'Neill) Kane, the youngest mem- ber of this illustrious family, was born August 23, 1843, at Worcester, Massachusetts. She received a public school education. She married Owen M. Kane, July 29, 1873, and their children are: Mary B., born September 20, 1874: received her educa- tion in private schools in Connecticut; graduated from the convent on Vernon street, Worcester, Massachusetts, taking a special course in music; resides at home with her mother; James M., born December 12, 1875. died January 12, 1876; Eugene J .. born July 30, 1877: educated in the Worcester public schools, going tlience to work in the Steel & Wire Company, and by close application and at- tention to his duties has risen rapidly, and now holds the responsible position of foreman in the Ensley Mills in Alabama; Annie T., born July 30, 1878, received her education in the Worcester pub- lic and high schools, graduating from the latter in the class of 1897; resides at home with her mother ; Katherine A., born January 11, 1880, died November 18. 1883: Charles M., born November 23. 1883; graduated from the Worcester public schools. going thence to work in the Steel & Wire Company, where he too, has advanced rapidly. hold- ing the responsible position of stocktaker: Catherine J .. born September 30. 1886: educated in the Worcester public and high schools, graduating from the latter in the class of 1905; resides at home with her mother.
THOMAS WALTER HOWE. John Howe, the immigrant ancestor of Thomas Walter Howe, of Holden, Massachusetts, was born in England and is said to have been son of John How, of War- wickshire, descendant of John How, of Hodinhall. Until a comparatively recent date the name has been spelled How. John Howe settled in Sudbury, Massachusetts, as early as 1639. He was one of the petitioners for the Marlboro grant in 1657. He was ·admitted a freeman in 1640, was selectman of Sud- bury, 1642, was appointed on committees there. He removed to Marlboro in 1657 and was the first set- tler. He died there in 1680. His wife Mary died
about 1687. Their children: I. John, born August 24, 1640, see forward. 2. Samuel, born October 20, 1642, married, June 5, 1663, Martha Bent. 3. Sarah, born September 25, 1644, married, June, 1667, Sam- uel Ward. 4. Mary, born June 18, 1646, died 1647. 5. Isaac, born August 8. 1648, married, June 17, 1671, Frances Wood. 6. Josiah, married, March 18, 1671, Mary Haynes, of Sudbury. 7. Mary, born January 18, 1654. married, September 18, 1672, John Witherbee. 8. Thomas, born June 12, 1656, mar- ried Sarah Hosmer; (second) Mary Barran. 9. Daniel, born June 3, 1658, died young. 10. Alex-
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.