Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. III, Part 69

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 69

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The birth of Calvin L. Stockwell took place in Fitchburg, 1831, and his education was acquired in the public schools. In early manhood he went to Rutland, this county, where he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, at the same time operating a saw mill with excellent financial results, but he subse- quently relinquished the manufacture of lumber and turned his attention to the grain business. In 1874 he removed to Sterling, where he resumed general farming upon quite an extensive scale. being for some time interested in the cultivation of small fruits, but for a number of years he has made a specialty of raising apples and vegetables. He also conducts a well equipped dairy, which is the source of considerable profit, and by utilizing every avail- able resource he has made agriculture a remunera- tive occupation. While residing in Rutland he took an active interest in local civic affairs and held some of the minor town offices. His political af- filiations are with the Republican party. He is a member of the Baptist Church. At one time he belonged to a secret order known as the Native Americans.

In 1853 Mr. Stockwell married for his first wife Miss Sarah Maria Wheeler, daughter of Almond and Eliza Wheeler. of Fitchburg. She died and he subsequently married Susan Wright, daughter of Abraham Wright, of Elgin Corner, New Brunswick. His children, all of whom are of his first union. are: Frederick C., Frank H., Rosa Lillie, died young ; Minnie E., and Myrtle E.

AVERY CLARK BULLARD. deceased, late of Oakham, was a son of William Bullard and a de- scendant of an early settler in that town. This family is probably descended from George and Beatrice Bullard, who were early settlers in Water- town, Beatrice died prior to April 20, 1655, at which date George married for his second wife Mrs. Mary Marplehead, a widow, and after the year 1660 he was among the residents of Watertown Farms, now Weston. His death occurred in 1688, or 89. His children were all of the first union and among them were two sons, Jacob and Jonathan.

Two other immigrants by the name of Bullard, Robert and Benjamin, were among the early settlers in Watertown, and Benjamin, who married the only

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daughter of Henry Thorp, afterward went to Sher- burne. As no children of either Robert of Benja- min appear in the Watertown records it is reason- able to suppose that the Bullards of Watertown are the posterity of George and his first wife, Beatrice. The identity of the original settler of this name in Oakham cannot now be ascertained, but the informa- tion handed down from father to son that their first Oakham ancestor came from Watertown may be considered quite reliable, and in all probability he was a son or a grandson of either Jacob or Jona- than Bullard. The Bullards have been landed pro- prietors in Oakham for more than one hundred and fifty years, their property having descended from father to son, and Avery Clark Bullard inherited his farm from his father, William Bullard. The latter married for his second wife Almira Bellew, a native of Rhode Island, and she bore him two children, one of whom was Avery Clark Bullard.

Born in Oakham, May 15, 1825, and educated in the district schools, Avery Clark Bullard followed in the footsteps of his ancestors, remaining at home for the purpose of assisting his father in carrying on the farm, which he was to eventually inherit in turn. This farm, which comprises eighty acres of fertile land, he cultivated successfully for many years or until relieved from its active management by his son. For more than half a century Mr. Bullard was actively concerned in local civic affairs, serving with marked ability as selectman, assessor, overseer of the poor, highway surveyor and in other official capacities, and his public duties were always performed with exceptional fidelity. Politically he is a Republican.

In 1847 he married Miss Melvina Caroline Robin- son, daughter of William and Jane (Bourne) Rob- inson, of Northboro, this county. She became the mother of three children, namely: Rosa Jane, born in 1854; Mary, 1857, and Henry Dexter, 1859. Rosa Jane is the wife of Wendell Packard, of Oakham, and has three children. Mary, who is the wife of Frank Boyd, of Oakham, has two children. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are residing at the Bullard home- stead. Henry Dexter Bullard, who is now manag- ing the homestead property, is one of the most ener- getic and progressive general farmers in that local- ity, cultivating with profitable results all of the farm products indigenous to the climate. In poli- tics he is a Republican. His religious affiliations are with the Congregational Church. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Improved Order of Red Men. He married Miss Lizzie Gleason, of Oakham. Avery Clark Bullard, after an active and useful life, passed away November 21, 1905.

THE FAIRBANK FAMILY of Oakham, rep- resented in this work by Miss Susan Fairbank, are the descendants of Jonas Fairbank, an early settler . in Dedham, Massachusetts, who immigrated front England in 1633 and was the progenitor of a num- erous posterity, among whom is the present vice- president of the United States. Miss Fairbank is the fourth child and the third daughter of the late James Chandler and Lurana (Robinson ) Fairbank, the former of whom was born at New Ipswich. New Hampshire, in 1801, and Lurana, born in Oakham in 1803, whom he married in 1825, was a daughter of John and Susanna (Fay) Robinson, formerly of . Northboro, this county, but for many years resi- dents of Oakham. John Robinson was a soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war.

Educated in the district schools and the New Ipswich Academy, James Chandler Fairbank de- veloped at an early age a superior capacity for bus-

iness pursuits, which was far beyond that usually found among country bred young men, and he at- tained prominence in both mercantile and industrial circles, accumulating by his ability and sound judg- mment a handsome competency. Commencing his business career as a commercial traveler, whose special mission was the introduction to the trade of a patent window fastener, he succeeded admirably in bringing that appliance conspicuously before the public and procuring for it an extensive sale. Hav- ing acquired the necessary commercial experience, he established himself in the manufacture of straw- goods, chiefly bonnets, at Oakham, the inauguration of which was attended with such gratifying success as to warrant the establishment of a similar indus- trial enterprise in Ware, Massachusetts. The profits of these ventures not only enabled him to secure for himself and family a valuable homestead, but also provided the necessary capital for more extensive · business operations, and acquiring an interest in a large cordage manufactory in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he entered actively into its management, removing his family to that place. Through his keen sagac- ity, progressive tendencies and judicious general policy, that concern was substantially as well as rapidly developed, and he continued to direct its affairs with uninterrupted success for a number of years or until his retirement from active business pursuits. When free from cares of active life, Mr. Fairbank returned with much visible pleasure to his former home in Oakham, the scene of his early business prosperity, and in the society of his loving family and warm personal friends and acquaintances he passed in peaceful serenity the remaining years of his life, which terminated March 31, 1877.

James Chandler and Lurana Fairbank had a family of nine children, namely: Jeremiah, Lurana, Sarah, Susan, Martha, James, John, Maria, and Samuel. Jeremiah Fairbank, who is now a bookkeeper in a manufacturing establishment in Elizabeth, New Jersey, married Margaret White, of New Bruns- wick, New Jersey. Lurana became the wife of Rev. William Mellen and was for nearly a quarter of a century a co-laborer with her husband as a Christian missionary in Africa. Both died in Oberlin, Ohio. They were the parents of nine children. Two of their daughters are now laboring in the African missionary field under the auspices of the American board of commissioners of Foreign Missions. One of their sons, recently deceased, was a lawyer in Mexico and another is practicing medicine in New York. Sarah Fairbank married Ezra Batcheller, formerly shoe manufacturer and later merchant of North Brookfield, this county. Martha and James did not live to maturity. John Fairbank, who was a graduate of Amherst College and of the Columbia University Law School, is now practicing law in South Dakota. He is a veteran of the civil war and is unmarried. Maria married Daniel Rugg, of Champaign, Illinois. Samuel Fairbank, who had the distinction of being the only member of the family to engage in agricultural pursuits, acquired suc- cess in that honorable and independent calling, but died a young man. He married Lizzie Packard, of Oakhamı.

Susan Fairbank was born in Oakham, December 29, 1832. Her studies in the Oakham public schools were supplemented with courses at the Oread In- stitute, Worcester, and the Hopkins Academy, Had- ley. She has traveled extensively, and being a lady of culture and refined tastes has devoted much of her life to the improvement of her mind. Bright- ened by superior intellectual attainments she has a familiar acquaintance with a varied line of sub- jects, and her conversational powers are exceed-

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ingly brilliant. Miss Fairbank spends a goodly portion of the year at the family homestead in Oak- ham, which occupies a commanding position upon the summit of a lofty eminence overlooking the surrounding country, and constitutes a conspicuous landmark as well as one of the most beautiful estates in that locality.

THE MARBLE FAMILY of Ashburnham, is of English origin. There were several early immi- grants of this surname. The spelling varies from Marable and Marrable to Mirable. There was a John Marble in Boston early; a son was born to John and Judith Marble named John, November 10, 1646, in Boston. Another pioneer was William Marble, of Charlestown, in 1642, who went to Eng- land in 1656 and perhaps remained there.

(I) Joseph Marble, the immigrant ancestor of the Marble family of Ashburnham, was born about 1650. He may have been son of a Nicholas Marble, who is found in Gloucester, Massachusetts, as early as 1658. He was very likely a brother of Samuel Marble. Joseph and Samuel Marble settled in An- dover, Massachusetts. Samuel, who seems to be the elder, had children: Samuel, born 1660, a brick mason; Freegrace, the progenitor of the Sut- ton branch of the family, given elsewhere in this work : Enoch Noah, whose son Joseph died January 29, 1746, in the Louisburg expedition; Daniel; Job and Rebecca (twins), born 1695.

Joseph Marble lived in Andover at first but finally settled in Stow, where many of his descend- ants have lived. He married, May 30, 1671, Mary Faulkner, daughter of Edmund and Dorothy (Rob- inson) Faulkner, of Andover, who were married in 1647 at Salem. Her father died in 1687. Joseph Marble married (second) Ruth - -, who survived him. He was on the grand jury in Andover. 1692, and tithingman in 1695. He was on a petition of the proprietors of Andover for a new grant of land from the general court. He died at Stow in 1749, aged about ninety-nine years. His will filed at Cambridge in 1749 mentions his wife Ruth, eldest son Joseph, deceased, and his sons Joseph and Ben- jamin; Jacob, deceased, and his children Joseph, Samuel, John and Hannah, "he thinks," showing the family probably did not live in Stow; Robert, Jonathan, David and Asa, his sons. The executors were the widow and son Asa, who had the home- stead. The children: 1. Joseph, born about 1675, died before 1749; had sons Joseph and Benjamin. 2. Jonathan. 3. Jacob. died before 1749, had chil- dren Joseph, Samuel, John and Hannah. 4. Edmund, mentioned in Andover history, not in will of father. 5. Robert. 6. David, place of residence unknown by father 1749. 7. Asa, called youngest in 1749, was then of age.

(II) Asa Marble, son of Joseph Marble (1), was born about 1720, called the youngest son in his father's will. He remained on the homestead at Stow and inherited it on his father's death. He was impressed into the British service and served in the French and Indian wars. He married Han- nah Wheeler and their children, all born in Stow, were: Olive (twin), born September 15. 1755; Jabez (twin), born September 15, 1755; Ruth, born March 31, 1758; Hannah, born March 21. 1760; Mary, born September 30, 1763; Joseph, born July 20, 1765. Both Jabez and Oliver were soldiers in the revolution.

(III) Jabez Marble, son of Asa Marble (2), was born in Stow. September 15, 1755, and was brought up in that town. He was a farmer all his life. He was a soldier in the revolution, serv- ing from October, 1775, to March, 1776, in the

siege of Boston int Captain Brook's company, Colonel Dyke's regiment. He served for his twin brother, who had previously served three months of an enlistment of eight months, and Jabez answered to. the name of his brother. This was not unusual in the revolution. Each family if possible kept one or more soldiers in the field, but even the of- ficcrs were changed often so that the farms could: be carried on and famine avoided. Jabez served in Rhode Island in 1777 and 1779 and later for two or three months in 1780. Jabez was one of thirteen revolutionary soldiers surviving in Ashburnham in 1810. He died December 23, 1843. Warren Marble, deceased, owned a cannon ball that Jabez Marble brought home from the service. The twin brothers removed to Ashburnham in 1780 and settled on two hills near the foot of Mt. Hunger in the northeast part of the town, built their log houses there, and later more substantial dwellings. Both were farm- ers. Jabez was also in the war of 1812.

He married, November 29, 1780, Mary Salter, born January I, 1762, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Knight) Salter, of Ashburnham. Her father was a farmer. The children: Hannah. died September 21, 1792; Eunice, born April 28, 1783, married (first). July 12, 1814, George Wilkes, Jr .; (second), 1819, Josiah Caswell, of Fitchburg, and they have two children : Jabez, married, 1815, Ann Dutton and had one child; Stephen, born November IS. 1787, died August 19. 1855; married, November 12, 1816, Polly Flint, of Ashby, Massachusetts, and had four children ; Phebe, born February 1, 1790, married John Carter, of Fitchburg; Lydia (twin), born February 8, 1792, married John Russell, of Town- send; Lois (twin), born February 8, 1792, mar- ried, April 21, 1812, Joseph Smith, of Leominster; Joel, born February I, 1794, see forward; Grata, born May 4, 1797, married, April 7, 1822. Joseph Wheeler; Asenath, born October 25, 1801, died Au- gust 22. 1867; married, 1821, David Flint.

(IV) Joel Marble, son of Jabez Marble (3), was born in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, February I. 1794. He received the meagre common school education provided for farmer boys of those days and helped his father on the farm from an early age until he reached his majority. He had the farm occupied later by his son Warren. He also owned the Hosea Green place. He lived in the northeastern part of the town all his life and died March 10, 1869.

He attended the Orthodox Church. In politics he was a Whig until the Republican party was or- ganized. He was a private in the Ashburnham Light Infantry under Captain Ivers Jewett and was called out during the war of 1812 to serve in the vicinity of Boston in the summer of 1814. His company was mustered into the service September 9, stationed at South Boston and Dorchester, discharged Octo- ber 30, 1814.

He married, November 19, 1818, Susan Sawin, born December 18, 1796, daughter of Asa and Susannah (Grimes) Sawin, of Ashburnham. Her father was a farmer. The children: 1. Luke. born April 30. 1820, died August 14, 1890, see forward. 2. Newell, born January 29, 1822. died August 12, 1885: married, April 29. 1845. Emma J. Wilker, of Ashburnham, and they had-George Francis, born Julv 16. 1846; Franklin Augustus, born March 17, 1848, died June 28, 1848; Ella Augusta, born Feb- ruary 10, 1850, died August 28, 1852: Celia Viola, born August 25. 1853: Charles Sumner, born No- vember 1, 1855; Lyra Madora, born August 4, 1858, died March II, 1865: Rosetta Emogene. born March 3. 1862; Fernando Ulysses, born November 7. 1865, died June 4, 1876; Lila Malora, born October 18.

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1867; Melvin Newell, born September 7, 1869, died May 29, 1876. 3. Infant, born and died June, 1823. 4. Susan, born September 9, 1824, died December 20, 1838. 5. Warren, born August 1, 1826, married, May 22, 1851, Mary L. Wilker, of Ashburnham, and had children-Emma, born March 16, 1852; Frank L .. born August 1, 1854; Walter H., born Septem- ber 13. 1858; Susie E., born December 1, 1861 ; Lizzie L., born January 7, 1865; Burton H., born July 11, 1867, died August 8, 1870; Harlan B., born December 10, 1871, died July 22, 1877.

(V) Luke Marble, son of Joel Marble (4), was born in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, April 30, 1820. He was educated in the public schools, at- tending the winter terms until he was of age, work- ing in summer on the farm. He also learned the trade of morocco leather dressing in the employ of Walter Russell. He worked in the tanneries at Ashburnham and Saxton's River, Vermont. He worked a year in Brackett's tannery, Newton. Then for two years he was in the morocco leather busi- ness on his own account in Ashburnham. He then went to live on the farm of his wife's father and conducted this, while also engaged in lumbering. He bought a part interest in the farm and in 1863 built the saw mill now owned by his son, Warren E. Pitt Moore, his father-in-law, owned about a hundred acres of land until 1880, when that also was purchased by Mr. Marble and he became owner of the entire estate. He not only carried on the farm but manufactured lumber and stock for pails, tubs and chairs until he sold out to his son, War- ren E. He then retired, bought the Ivers Adams place in Ashburnham village where his son-in-law, Frank W. Davis, now resides. During his last years he had no business except to care for his property. He died at Ashburnham, July 16, 1890. He was an active member and steward of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In politics he was a Republican. He was an assessor in 1868. He served in the militia when young.

Luke Marble married Abigail Moore. born in Boylston, April 24. 1845, daughter of Pitt Moore, who was born in Sterling and was educated in Leslie Academy. He was a man of genial disposi- tion, scholarly tastes, and was well posted in all affairs of his day. He was a violin player. He at- tended the funeral services of General Washington, held in Worcester, December 28, 1799. He resided near Little Watatic, at what was known as Hinds place. He died March 5. 1877, aged ninety years. He was a brother of Rev. Martin Moore, many years editor of the Boston Recorder. ( See Worces- ter County History for account of Rev. Martin Moore.)

The children of Luke and Abigail (Moore) Marble: Jonas Pitt, born April 3. 1846, died Sep- tember 14, 1848; Joel Pitt, born June 11, 1848. see forward; Alden Bailey, born August 11, 1851, see forward; Warren Eldo, born October 7, 1855, see forward; Mary Esther, born April 24, 1857, mar- ried. February 5, 1881, Frank Walker Davis, of Ashby (see Davis sketch elsewhere), and they have children-Bertha Mary, born October 2. 1884; Ruth Marble. born April 5. 1893. Mother of above chil- dren died March 22. 1900.

(VI) Joel Pitt Marble, son of Luke Marble (5). was born at Ashburnham. Massachusetts, June 11. 1848. He was educated at the district school near his home in the northeast part of the town, attend- ing the winter terms until he came of age, working in summer for his father, from an early age, on the farm and in the saw mill. He left home to work for C. & G. C. Winchester. chair manufacturer of Ashburnham, where he was employed for seven

years, during the last two of which he had charge of the lower shop and yards with seventy-five men under lim. Then he entered partnership with M. B. Lane, of Ashburnham, buying a half interest in Lane's tin-ware and stove business. Six months later Lane sold his interests to Frank B. Gilson and the firm name became Marble & Gilson. The shop was in the Town Hall, Main street, until 1880, when the present store on Central street, adjoining the postoffice, was built. The business has been ex- tended in many ways. At present the firm has a large trade in groceries, hardware, glass ware, tin- ware and stoves and a plumbing and heating busi- ness. Mr. Marble is a member of the Ashburnham Methodist Episcopal Church and has been treasurer for many years. He has always been a Republican. He is interested in town affairs and has been over- seer of the poor. He is a charter member of the Naukeag Lodge, No. 196, of Odd Fellows, and has been its treasurer from its organization. He is a member of the Ashburnham Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. No. 202. He married, June 11, 1871, at Ashburnham, Caroline Lydia Holmes, born Jan- uary 20, 1846. They have one daughter, Emma Esther, born January 30, 1877, resides with her parents.

(VI) Alden Bailey Marble, son of Luke Marble (5), was born in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, Au- gust II, 1851. He received his schooling in the common schools, working for his father on the farm until he was twenty-three years old, when he bought his present farm of L. W. Wright, known as the old Caldwell place. John Caldwell formerly had his tannery on this farm and lived and did business there for thirty years. This was the first tannery to use water power for grinding bark. Mr. Marble has added to this farm by purchase at dif- ferent times, making a total at present of six hundred acres. He is one of the most prosperous and successful farmers of Ashburnham. He has an extensive milk business in connection with an excellent dairy. His customers are in both Ash- burnham and Fitchburg. He also deals extensively in timber and wood for fuel. He is a member of the Ashburnham Methodist Episcopal Church and was treasurer for a number of years. and trustee of the church. In politics he is a Republican. He has been a member of the Ashburnham board of assessors and also road commissioner. He married, February 1, 1873, Flora Jaquith, born November 18, 1852, adopted daughter of Solomon and Lucy Ann (Sawyer) Jaquith. Solomon was a farmer, liv- ing at Ashby, Massachusetts. The children: Grace Adelaide, born January 14, 1876, married, August 30, 1005, Oliver S. Kendall, Jr. and they have : Har- riet Sawyer Kendall, born July 23, 1906; Ralph Alden, born June 12, 1882, who was a student at University of Vermont, now civil engineer at Es- tancia, New Mexico; married Cora (Shaler) Ventress, of Shalerville, which was founded by her ancestors and is in the town of Haddam, Connecti- cmt, and they have: Alden Shaler, born June 27, 1906.

(VI) Warren Eldo Marble, son of Luke Marble (5), was born October 7, 1855, at Ashburnham. Massachusetts. He received his education in the common schools of his native town. He began early to help his father on the farm and in the mill, and by the time he was twenty-five years of age was well fitted to carry on the business. He bought of his father the farm as well as the mill. He lias been very prosperous. He has two saw mills, the lower one built in 1825 by Jacob Whiteman, the upper in 1863 by Luke Marble, his father. He makes rough lumber for building purposes and also stock

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Luke Marble

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for chairs, tubs and pails. He has added the latest mill machinery to his plant, Mr. Marble finds a good market for his product. selling his lumber in Fitchburg and his stock in the wooden-ware towns of Ashburnham, Ashby, Gardner and Win- chendon. Mr. Marble's plant is located in the northeast part of the town. His farm contains over seven hundred acres. It was known in early history as the Whiteman place. Much of it is

wood-land from which he draws the supply for . blankets, and for the past ten years has dealt ex-

his mills. He has a herd of twenty cows in his dairy. He has bought a number of neglected farms and improved and sold them. He has erected four new houses for investment at South Ashburnham. He owns a large farm on Russell Hill. He is a member of the Methodist Church, steward and a trustee. In politics he is a Republican. He has been assessor of the town of Ashburnham for a number of years. He is a member of Naukeag Lodge, No. 196, Odd Fellows, and was chaplain of that body in 1899 and 1900. He was at one time a member of the Ashby Grange. Patrons of Hus- bandry.

He married, June 14, 1882, Nellie Mary Fuller, born February 28, 1861, daughter of George L. and Emily (Derby) Fuller, of Shirley, Massachu- setts. Her father is a farmer in Ashburnham. The children : Leon. Luke, horn April 13, 1883, died April 18. 1883; Marion Nellie, born May 20, 1885; Mary Abbie, born March 3, 1887. died December 28, 1900; Bernice Emily, born October 11, 1889: Helen Jose- phine, born March 9, 1892; Oscar Luke, born Janu- ary 20, 1895; Elizabeth, born May 4, 1899. died May 8, 1899; Philip Warren, born August 30, 1901, died August 31, 1901; Robert Joel. born January 19, 1903.

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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 69

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