Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. III, Part 88

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 88

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In 1890, Mr. Burhoe was united in marriage with Miss Helen Angenette Rockwood. She was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, June 5, 1868, daugh- ter of Benjamin H. Rockwood, born in Norfolk, Massachusetts, in 1839, and Mary Davis Fuller Rockwood, whose birth took place in New Bedford, this state. in 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Burhoe have two daughters, namely: Florence Alice, born in West- boro, June 16, 1801 ; Helen Marion, born in West- boro, October 4, 1894.

EDWARD WHITMAN BUTTRICK. a widely known resident of Lancaster, is a native of Lan- caster. this county. He is a son of Jonathan and Charlotte (Howard) ) Buttrick, the latter of Bridge- water, Massachusetts, and is a descendant on the maternal side in the seventh generation of John and Priscilla ( Mullins) Alden, the Mayflower Pil- grims. His parents, who for many years resided in Lancaster, had a family of four children, namely : George Thomas, Sarah Jane, Ann Eliza, and Ed- ward Whitman. George Thomas married Ellen M. Rice. Ann Eliza died at the age of nine months. Edward Whitman Buttrick was born in Lancaster, January 24. 1849. He studied preliminarily in the public schools, from which he entered the Lan- caster Academy, and he completed his education in Worcester. He began the activities of life as an apprentice at the carpenter's trade, which he sub- sequently followed as a journeyman for some time,

but he finally abandoned that occupation in order to engage in mercantile pursuits, and for a number of years he conducted a retail grocery establishment in Clinton. His entire life has been spent in Lancas- ter, where he owns a pleasantly located country es- tate, and he is now carrying on a general contract- ing business. He is also quite extensively engaged in the manufacture of cider, and the product of his mill has acquired a high reputation in this locality.

In politics Mr. Buttrick is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, but being naturally unob- trusive and retiring he has never sought for nor held public office. He is a prominent Odd Fellow, being affiliated with both the lodge and encampment, and he has occupied all of the important chairs in each of these bodies. He attends the Unitarian Church. He married, December 15, 1874, Julia A. Martin, of West Bridgewater, daughter of Charles N. Martin, a native of Dorchester, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Buttrick have no children.

WINFIELD SCOTT, general manager of the Brown Wool Company, Uxbridge, is a native of Connecticut and belongs to a family, several mem- bers of which have been successfully engaged in the manufacturing of textile fabrics and other useful commodities. His father, Charles Scott, was a na- tive of Norwich and became a prominent woolen manufacturer of that city. He married Elizabeth Willeston.

Winfield Scott was born in Norwich, February 29, 1848. After the completion of his studies, which were pursued in the schools of his native city, he en- tered his father's woolen mill as an apprentice and by diligently applying himself to the work in hand in due time became fully conversant with the busi- ness in all its details. He was subsequently for some time employed in a responsible capacity in Norwich, from where he went to Millville, Massa- chusetts, and establishing himself in the manufac- ture of woolen goods in that place, transacted a large and profitable business there for a number of ycars. In 1902 he removed to Uxbridge, where he has ever since occupied the responsible position of general manager of the Davis & Brown Wool Com- pany's extensive plant. In politics Mr. Scott is a Republican and although he displays a lively inter- est in the important issues of the day, especially the present wide-spread discussion relative to the mod- ification of the tariff on raw materials, his business affairs have always prevented him from taking any active part in political affairs beyond the exercise of his elective privileges. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

In 1872 Mr. Scott was united in marriage with Mrs. Jennie Farr, nee Scott, widow of Jeremiah F. Farr, and a daughter of John C. Scott, of Millville, this county. Of this union there is one son, John C .. who married Minnie Hill, and they have one son, Earle C. Scott.

EBENEZER B. HAYWARD. William Hay- ward, the immigrant ancestor of his well known Uxbridge family, came from England. 1648, early in the colonial period and settled in Bridgewater, this state. He was a grandson of Sir Roland Hayward, who was sheriff and alderman of London, also Lord Mayor in 1570. He died in 1593. Their line is as follows : William. Jonathan, Samuel. Captain John, Caleb. Ebenezer W., Ebenezer B. Caleb Hayward, grandfather of Ebenezer B., resided in Braintree and witnessed the stirring scenes which transpired in the vicinity during the Revolutionary war. He

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Edward. W. Büthick

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Thomas V. Patten

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married Deborah White, and reared a family. One of his sons, Samuel Hayward, M. D., became a prominent physician in Boston and gave his name to Hayward place, a short but busy thoroughfare in the heart of the city.

Ebenezer W. Hayward, son of Caleb Hayward and father of Ebenezer B. Hayward, was born at Braintree, 1798. His early business training was ac- quired 111 Boston, where he became a dry goods merchant, but he took more kindly to finance and eventually relinquished mercantile pursuits in order to enter that field of usefulness. He was for a time connected officially with the old bank in Mendon, this county, from whence he went to Uxbridge as chief official of the local bank of discount, and a few years later he moved his family to that town. For nearly forty years, or until his death, which occurred in 1875, he administered the affairs of the Uxbridge bank in a most able and progressive manner, and he was noted for his superior business ability, un- sullied integrity and sound judgment in matters relative to finance. He was one of the most active members of the Unitarian Church, and evinced a profound interest in the moral welfare of the com- munity. Ebenebzer W. Hayward married Susan Burbeck, a member of a well known Boston family and a daughter of Thomas Burbeck. Her father was a Revolutionary officer, and her uncle, General Henry Burbeck, who also served under Washington in the Revolution for American independence, was one of the charter members and president of the Cin- cinnati Society at the time of his death, having been at one time commander of the garrison at New Lon- don, Connecticut. Four of the six children of Ebenczer and Susan H. Hayward are now living, namely: Lucinda, residing at Uxbridge; Ebenezer B .. see forward; Ellen M., married Rev. Charles B. Ferry, and is now residing in Newton, this state; and William E., whose sketch also appears in this work.

Ebenezer B. Hayward was born in Mendon, March 20, 1833. During his boyhood his parents moved to Uxbridge and his education was com- pleted in the public schools of Leicester and that town. Upon attaining his majority he went to New York city, where he spent five years as a clerk in a boot and shoe store. From 1859 to 1862 he was en- gaged in wholesale mercantile business at North Uxbridge in company with A. S. Sweet, and in the latter year hic established a general store in Ux- bridge, carrying on a large and profitable business there for about thirty-four years, until 1896, when his establishment was destroyed by fire. His ac- tivities, however, were not ended, as in the following year he engaged in the boot and shoe trade at Worces- ter, and he continued in business until 1902, when he retired. He is now residing in Uxbridge, enjoying the comforts and quietude of a modern country home. He is connected either as director or trustee with the Uxbridge Savings Bank. In politics he is a Republican, and contributes liberally toward the financial support of the party organization.

Mr. Hayward married Sarah Wheelock, of Ux- bridge, daughter of Charles Wheelock, and his sec- ond wife was before marriage Ellen M., daughter of Silas Wheelock, of this town. Both died having no children. On July 15, 1875, he married for his third wife Mary E. Brown, daughter of William H. Brown, of Milford, this county. Of this union there is one daughter, Susan B., who is now the wife of Harold V. Brown, and has one son, Dana. The family attend the Unitarian Church.

THOMAS OLIVER PATTEN, a prominent farmer of Sterling, who died at his home in that

town, June 2, 1903, was born in Westford, April 23, 1822, son of James Pollard and Hannah ( Hildreth) Patten. He was a worthy representative of a well known Sterling family, and the Patten farin, which is pleasantly located on Kendall Hill, is a familiar landmark. The Pattens have long been noted for their intelligence and culture. Some of them have acquired prominence as educators and a maternal uncle of the principal subject of this sketch, Abel Hildreth, was for many years principal of the Derby (New Hampshire) Academy. James Pollard Pat- ten was a prosperous farmer, and his zeal in the matter of giving his children the advantage of a good education was characteristic of the family.

Having studied preliminarily in the Sterling pub- lic schools, Thomas Oliver Patten attended for a time the academy in Derby, and completed his edu- cation at the Worcester Academy. Being thus well equipped for the activities of life, he engaged in farming at the homestead, and his natural ability, sharpened by his careful mental training, enabled him to conduct agricultural pursuits with a spirit of energy and progress which necessarily led to suc- cessful results. During his long and busy life he not only took measures to preserve the fertility of his land, but was also zealous regarding improve- ments in other directions, and these progressive ten- dencies were the incans of greatly enhancing the value of his property. Although not an aspirant for public office, he took an active interest in the wel- fare of the Republican party, with which he was affiliated from the time of its formation until his death. In his religious belief he was a Baptist, and was officially connected with that society, serving as its clerk for many years. He lived to become an octogenarian, and was highly respected as a worthy, upright man and a sincere Christian worker.

Mr. Patten married, December 24, 1872, Eliza M. Osborne, who survives him. She is a native of Troy, New Hampshire, and a daughter of Leonard Warren and Susan Maria (Foster) Osborne, of that town. Mrs. Patten is the mother of six children, all of whom are living: Emma O., born October 15, 1873; James Warren, November 30, 1875; Charles Winthrop, March 3, 3878; Edith Maria, April 8, 1881; Grace Foster, April 8, 1883; and Gertrude Hildreth, December 16, 1889. Emma O. is now Mrs. Charles H. Sibley, of Worcester. Charles Winth- rop and Edith, who are unmarried, reside at home. Grace Foster Patten, who has a superior talent for painting and is a graduate of the Normal Art School in Boston, is now a teacher of drawing in the Sterling public schools, and Concord, Massachusetts, public schools. Gertrude Hildreth Patten is a grad- uate of the Sterling high school, and is now (1906) attending the Worcester high school.

HENRY BATES, deceased, formerly a well- known resident of Mendon, who sacrificed his health to the cause of the Union during the civil war, was a son of Joseph Bates, a native and life long resi- dent of that town. Joseph Bates was reared to farm life, which he followed exclusively during his earlier years or until becoming a butcher, and he conducted a flourishing business in that line for many years. In local public affairs he participated quite actively, and was highly respected for his upright character. His wife was before marriage Maria Parker; she be- came the mother of four children.

Henry Bates, was born in Mendon, December 21, 1839. After concluding his attendance at the Men- don public schools, he went to Boston and obtained a clerkship in a carpet store, and he retained that position for a number of years. At the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted as a private in the Thir-

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teenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, with which he participated in several important en- gagements, including the battles of Bull Run and Antietam. He served the cause of the union with credit, distinguishing himself for bravery in the field, but through fatigue and exposure suffered in the army he contracted physical disabilities from which he never fully recovered, and although he survived the war many years his life was a constant struggle against the ravages of disease. After his return to civil life he entered the shoe business, but subse- quently engaged in the manufacture of spindles, and he continued in business as long as his health would permit. In spite of his manly struggle for ex- istence, his activity gradually diminished until he was obliged to succumb to the inevitable, and the well-fought battle was at length terminated in favor of the grim conqueror. Henry Bates died in Men- don, February 12, 1902. He was a loyal supporter of Republican principles and aided to the extent of his ability the work of the local party organiza- tion. He was for a number of years a comrade of Post No. 22, Grand Army of the Republic.

In 1866 Mr. Bates was joined in marriage with Miss Rachel A. Staples, daughter of Jason Staples, of Mendon. She belongs to one of the oldest and most prominent families in Mendon, being a lineal descendant of Abraham Staples, of Weymouth, who with others from that town and Braintree were the original incorporators of Mendon, May 15, 1667. Many of his descendants have acquired honorable distinction in the various walks of life, notably the Rev. C. A. Staples, for many years a prominent clergyman of Millwaukee, Wisconsin, who, on the occasion of the bicentennial celebration held in Mendon in May, 1867, delivered the historical address.

Jason Staples had three sons and two daughters, among whom were: Rev. N. A. Staples, of Brook- lyn, New York, who had a brilliant career. H. E. Staples served in the Sixth Wisconsin Regiment during the civil war, was famous in fighting guerril- las in Missouri. Caroline, was, the wife of Perry Wood, of Mendon, the mother of nine living chil- dren. Rachel A., widow of Henry Bates.

JOSEPH A. BALLARD, a representative farmer of Millbury, Worcester county, Massachu- setts, was born in St. Rosalie, Canada, December 8, 1871. a son of Joseph and Adele (Baudoin) Ballard.

Joseph A. Ballard received his education in the schools of his native place, and in 1890 removed with his father to Millbury. He learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for a time, and later turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he is now very successfully engaged, being the owner of a farm near Millbury. He is a Roman Catholic in religion. He married, April 20, 1896, Miss Mel- vina Grenon, who was born in Grafton, June 18, 1875, a daughter of Alec and Malvina (Crepu) Grenon. By this marriage the following named children were born: Joseph Leo Omer, August 27, 1897; Charles Philias, July 20, 1899; Marie Ro- sanne Lillie, September 12, 1900, died April, 1901; Marie Ida Exilda, May 20, 1903; Mary Rose Berna- dette, March, 1906.

CHARLES E. BARROWS, deceased, formerly a well-known resident of Mendon, belonged to the Barrows family of Milford, this county. His father was Elkanah Barrows, a native of Milford and an industrious farmer throughout the active period of his life. He married Olive Gaskill, and had a family of thirteen children.

Charles E. Barrows was born in Milford, April 3, 1842, and went to reside in Mendon when quite young. After leaving school he engaged in team- ing, which was thenceforward his principal occupa- tion in life, and he was widely and favorably known in that locality. In politics he supported the Repub- lican party, but he neither sought for nor held pub- lic office. His religious affiliations were with the Unitarians. Mr. Barrows died in Mendon, 1881, leaving a widow, who was before marriage Miss Eva Cook, daughter of Olney Cook, of Mendon. He is also survived by four children, namely : Frank, Minnie, Frederick S. and Herbert. Frank married Nellie Munger and has a family of six children. Minnie is the wife of Frederick Wilcox and has one child. Frederick S. married Caroline Ring and they have one child. Herbert is unmarried and re- sides with his mother. Mrs. Barrows enjoys the esteem and good will of the entire neighborhood wherein she dwells, and not the least of her num- erous womanly attributes is a desire to aid those less fortunate than herself.

WILFRED GASKILL, prosperous general merchant of Hopedale, is a son of Nahum Gaskill, and a grandson of Nahum Gaskill, of Mendon. Nahum Gaskill, Sr., was a son of Samuel Gaskill; the latter was a son of Ebenezer, and Ebenezer was a son of Samuel Gaskill, who came to Mendon as a pioneer in 1746. Samuel Gaskill, the Mendon set- tler, was a descendant in the fourth generation of Edward Gaskill, who was descended from Edmund Gaskill, who immigrated from England about the year 1637, settling in Salem, Massachusetts, and further information relative to the history of this family will be found in a sketch of Lewis B. Gaskill which appears upon another page in this work.

Nahum Gaskill, Sr., grandfather of Wilfred Gas- kill, was an extensive farmer in Mendon, and in connection with agriculture he carried on a flourish- ing business in the flour and grain trade. He died in 1863 at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, who was before marriage Sarah Southwick, was a native of Mendon. She became the mother of twelve children, namely: John S., Samuel, Han- nah, Olive, Micajah C., Mary T., Almira F., Gilbert, Nahum, Richard G., Lewis B., and Albert W.

Nahum Gaskill, Jr., father of Wilfred Gaskill, was born in Mendon, April 18, 1825. Like the ina- jority of the Mendon residents he adopted agricul- ture as an occupation, and owned a good farm located in the immediate vicinity of the dividing line between Mendon and that part of Milford which was afterward incorporated as the town of Hopedale. His death occurred in 1895. He married Fannie Eliza Wheelock.

Wilfred Gaskill was born in Hopedale, Decem- ber 31, 1857. After the conclusion of his studies, which were pursued in the Hopedale public schools, he assisted his father in carrying on the homestead farm for some time, but subsequently abandoned agriculture for the making of spindles. In 1887 he engaged in mercantile business as a clerk in the general store of Hamlet B. Fiske, and continued in that capacity until the death of the proprietor in 1904, when, in company with Mr. J. S. Cox, he purchased the business. This business, which was established many years ago, is devoted to general merchandise and Messrs. Gaskill and Cox have al- ready demonstrated their progressive tendencies by the introduction of numerous improvements. In politics Mr. Gaskill supports the Democratic party and for some time held the office of constable. He is a member of the Unitarian Church.

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In 1889 he married Miss Eleanor Bennett, daugh- ter of William H. Bennett, of Hopedale; they have one son, Lewis E. Gaskill.

NOAH WADSWORTH, a prominent mer- chant of Northboro, Worcester county, Massachu- setts, and for many years director in the North- boro Bank, is descended from a family that was founded in Massachusetts many years ago by Chris- topher Wadsworth:

John Wadsworth, father of Noah Wadsworth, was born in Westboro, Massachusetts, in 1813, where he received a part of his education, the re- mainder being obtained at a boarding school. He was engaged in the manufacture of shoes and also conducted a grocery store in Westboro until 1856. At that time he removed to Northboro and there bought a small general store, and in partnership with others conducted business under the firm names successively of Wadsworth & Graves and Wadsworth & Montague. Later he was joined in business by his son Noah. In politics Mr. Wads- worth was an active Democrat. He was a regular attendant at the orthodox church. Mr. Wadsworth married Elizabeth Bowen and they had children, as follows : Sarah, deceased; John, deceased ; Noah, see forward ; Mary, deceased.

Noah Wadsworth, second son and third and only surviving child of John and Elizabeth (Bowen) Wadsworth, was born in Westboro, Worcester county, Massachusetts, November 27, 1847. He was educated in the schools of his native town, and was still quite young when his parents migrated to Northboro. Upon completing his education he entered the general store of his father and learned the affairs of the business in a thorough and prac- tical manner. In 1863 he purchased the interest of Mr. Montague, one of the partners, and became a member of the firm. In 1885 his father retired and Noah became the sole proprietor of the busi- ness, which has increased greatly in every direc- tion under his able management. It occupies two floors of a block one hundred and twenty-five feet long, and two large storehouses, and employs a number of clerks. A large stock of goods is car- ried. Mr. Wadsworth is a trustee of the Gale fund and the Gassett fund, and has for many years been a director of the Northboro National Bank. He was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland, February 27, 1886, and held this office for four years. He has also served for three years as select- man on the Northboro board of selectmen, and has taken an active part in the affairs of the town. He is a member of the order of Knights Templars; of Hudson Lodge. Free and Accepted Masons; of Houghton Chapter. Royal Arch Masons, of Marl- boro; and of Trinity Commandery, of Hudson. He is a member of the Unitarian Church and is a Democrat.

Mr. Wadsworth married (first) Arvella W. L. Page, born in Boston, September 21, 1851, daughter of Daniel and M. B. Page. Mrs. Wadsworth died January 23, 1883, leaving one child, William Lorenzo. Mr. Wadsworth married (second) Myra A. Barney, of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, daughter of Albert Barney, and they had one child, Ralph Emerson.

CHESTER EUGENE HILDRETH, a farmer of Worcester county, Massachusetts, and overseer of the poor for Northboro town, was born in that town, December 30, 1858, son of Moses and born September 2, 1806, daughter of Edward and father was born in Townsend, Massachusetts, De-

cember 27, 1828, died at Northboro, Massachusetts, June 25, 1893. He was the son of Zachariah and Hannah (Sawtelle) Hildreth, the former of Town- send and the latter of Brooklyn, New Hampshire. After obtaining an education, Moses Hildreth learned the trade of a combmaker at Leominster, Massachusetts, where he served three years as an apprentice. He then went to work in the factory of Mylo & Bush at Northboro, and later was ad- mitted to the firm, when it was operated under the name of Bush & Hildreth, which was changed to Hildreth & Co., then to Hildreth, Gates & Co., then to Mylo, Hildreth & Co. He remained with the firm until his death. He married Lurenia Amanda Whitcomb, of Boston, born August 28, 1833, dangh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Asa Whitconib, of Stow, Massachusetts. Mrs. Whitcomb's maiden name was Sophia Fairbanks, and she was of Harvard, Massa- chusetts. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hildreth were: Chester E., see forward; Clara Lorena, born August 24, 1860, married Byron Wing, of Prescott, and they have eight living children and two deceased; Arthur Levi. born March 10, 1865, died September 16, 1865; Clarence Mortimer, born May I, 1870, died March 7, 1872.

Chester Eugene Hildreth obtained a common school education and then entered the firm with his father and remained until 1880, when he married and settled on a farm, which he has conducted ever since. He is a Republican in his political views. He is now overseer of the poor for his town and is connected with the Grange. He is an attendant of the Unitarian Church, and is a man of character and influence in the community. Mr. Hildreth married Fannie Howe, born January 26, 1862, daughter of Alonzo B. and Lucy Ann Green, the former of Northiboro and the latter of Boylston, Massachusetts. Their children are: Howard Alonzo, born February 14. 1882; Melvin Chester, Decem- ber 20, 1892; Leona D., June 18, 1905,

EDMUND WINCHESTER NORCROSS, of Northboro, Worcester county, Massachusetts, one of the farmers of that goodly section, was born in Northboro, May 16, 1837, son of Stephen Win- chester Norcross, born August 1, 1811, and grand- son of Moses and Mary ( Winchester) Norcross.

Stephen W. Norcross was educated in his na- tive place and when quite young went to Water- town, Massachusetts, where he worked for Joshua Coolege as a gardener. Later in life he settled at Northboro, on a small farm, to which from time to time he added many acres. In connection with general farming. he also sold milk for many years. Politically he was a Republican and served as· one of the selectmen of his town. He was a deacon in the Baptist Church. He was appointed by Governor Levi Lincoln, August 14, 1833, adjutant of the Second Regiment of Infantry, in the Second Brigade, Sixth Division of the militia of the com- monwealth, with the rank of lieutenant. He mar- ried Mary Ann Fisher, of Sudbury, Massachusetts, horn September 2, 1806, daughter of Edward and Mary Fisher. By this union were born three chil- dren: Edmund Winchester and Edward Moses (twins), born May 16, 1837; the latter died May 18, 1905: Mary Anna, born March 6, 1845, mar- ried E. W. Wood, deceased.

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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 88

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