Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. III, Part 92

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 92

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WILLARD NEWTON, of Athol, Massachusetts, one of the pioneer lumber dealers of Worcester county, was born at Phillipston, Massachusetts, Oc- tober 26, 1839, son of Gilman Dayton Newton, who was the son of Charles Newton, who was the son of Jeremiah Newton.

Gilman Dayton Newton was born in 1807, at Phillipston, Massachusetts, and always followed farm life. He died August 22, 1896. In politics he voted an independent ticket. He was of the Con- gregational Church faith. He was first married to Sophia Lyon, of Phillipston by whom was born these children : Luther, born at Phillipston, married Phoebe Turner and they have four children : Simcon. born at the same place, married (first) Susan Kendall, by whom he had four children, (second), Bell Turner; Silas and Sophia (twins), Silas died in 1884 and Sophia died at the age of six years; Willard. see forward; Sylvester, died aged three years; Elijah, born at Phillipston, married Emma Harwood, of Athol, and they are the parents of three daughters.

Willard Newton was educated at Phillipston 'and had one term at the schools of Athol. After leav-

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ing school, he worked at different places in Fitch- burg at palm leaf work, being employed at splitting palin leaves. When about twenty-two years of age he removed to Athol, where he engaged in the lum- ber trade, and after one year alone he became asso- ciated with a cousin, Charles O. Newton, and they erected a mill on Buckman brook, and con- tinued in the business together for a period of five years. He then became connected with O. A. Fay. in the lumber business, known as Fay & Newton. Mr. Newton still has an interest in this business. Ilis co-partnership with Mr. Fay has extended over a period of forty years. At the present time he is also operating a lumber business of his own at Athol, which he established thirty-five years ago. He owns about 7,000 acres of timber land and his personal interests are largely in excess of his partnership interests. About 1896 he erected one of the finest residences in that part of the state. A large portion of the lumber used in its construc- tion was seasoning ten years, hence the residence is first class in all particulars. In politics Mr. New- ton is a Democrat, believing in the true old time Democracy.

He married (first) Martha E. Newton, of Tem- pleton, born May 29, 1843, daughter of Elijah New- ton; they had one child, Nellie H., born July 27, 1863, in Templeton; she married George H. Byron. Als. Newton died January 29, 1888. For his sec- ond wife he married, June 18, 1890. Amelia O. (Stetson) Spear, born August 4, 1855, widow of William E. Spear. By this union were born to Mr. Newton: Olive Olga, born at Athol, October 23, 1891; Ruth Auty, born at Athol, July 27, 1893, died May 4, 1906; Dorothy Willard, born at Athol, Sep- tember 13, 1894; Sophie Selah, born at Athol, Jan- uary 12, 1898.

GORTON WHITMAN MAXON, of Blackstone, Worcester county, Massachusetts, is a native of Rhode Island and has lived in Blackstone a little more than half a century. Nearly all of his time until quite recent years has been given to mechan- ical pursuits. He comes of a good old Rhode Island family, and his father, originally a teacher, then a farmer and afterward a merchant, was a man of importance in the town in which he lived.

Sheffield Maxon, father of Gorton W. Maxon, was born in the town of Richmond, Rhode Island, February 16, 1797, and died June 15, 1861. Dur- ing his youth he was given a good elementary edu- cation and afterward taught school two terms, be- ginning when he was only seventeen years old. Later he carried on a farm for several years and then located in Woonsocket and opened a grocery store. While living in Richmond he filled several town offices, such as town clerk, overseer of the poor, and justice of the peace. He attended the Universalist Church. His wife was Martha Kenyon, of Richmond, who died June 6, 1830, at the age of thirty-eight years. They had ten children : Jemima. Louisa, Tabitha, Jonathan, Nelson K., Gorton W., Amos and Isaae (twins), Clarissa Maxon and William W. Of these children all are living except Isaac, Clarissa and William W.

Gorton Whitman Maxon, sixth child of Shef- field Maxon and Martha Kenyon, was born October 7. 1822, and was quite young when his father re- moved with his family to Woonsocket. He was sent to school and there gained a good education, but when old enough to work he found employment in a cotton mill. When he was twenty years old he learned the trade of machinist, which was his chief occupation in later years. After two years

at his trade in Woonsocket he went to Fall River, Massachusetts, and there was employed in the ma- chine shops of Hawes & Marvel for six months, then went to Taunton for a short time and after- ward returned to Woonsocket, where he lived dur- ing the next ten years.

In 1855 Mr. Maxon came to Blackstone, and for the next fifteen years worked in the cotton mill machine shop, repairing old and building new ma- chines, for he was a practical workman and' could do nearly anything in either repair or new work on mill machinery. After fifteen years in the shop he was placed in charge of the wheel and shafting department of the mills and held that position for the following twenty-one years. He then retired, for all these years of patient industry have been rewarded with a competeney, and now Mr. Maxon is able to live at ease and enjoy the fruits of a well spent life. His age is eighty-four years, and, still vigorous, he is numbered among the oldest men in Blackstone. In polities he is a Republican, and in religious preference a Congregationalist.

Mr. Maxon married Martha Burlingame. She was born in Gloucester, Rhode Island, October II, 1835, a daughter of Sanford Burlingame and Phebe Mowry, his wife. They have three children : I. George Washington Maxon, born in North Smithfield, Au- gust 3, 1862; married, in 1886, Ida E. Bailey, who was born in Woonsocket, September 2, 1857, a daughter of Job and Aseneth Green, of Exeter, Rhode Island. Their three children are: Amy Mowry Maxon, born in Blackstone, September 9, 1887; Ray Spencer Maxon, born in Blackstone, March 15, 1894, and Martha Aseneth Maxon, born in Blackstone, April, 1896. 2. Andrew Maxon, born in Blackstone, November 11, 1863; married Julia Wheelock, of Blackstone. 3. Esther Maxon, mar- ried Samuel W. Crane.

HIRAM W. LORING, of Shrewsbury, Massa- chusetts, is the eldest child and only son of John Stanfield and Johanna (Wing) Loring, grandson of Perez Loring, a native of Leeds, Maine, born June 20, 1779, died January 29, 1851, who was the father of the following children: Ira, Samuel, Selah, Sally C .. Mary, John, Nicholas, and great-grandson of Bezalecl Loring, born 1739, died 1822, who was the father of the following children: Pheobe, Asa, Lucy, John, Bezaleel, Jr., Nicholas, Richmond, Eliza- beth, Perez, Luey, Levi and Mary Loring.

John Stanfield Loring was born in Hebron, Maine, July 7, 1816, and died at his home in Bil- lerica, Massachusetts, February 28, 1870. He was educated in Hebron and Lewiston, Maine, and when he came to his majority entered business pursuits and made a success in life. At one time he carried on a grain and lumber business in Lewiston, and later on, while living in Billerica, was a farmer and dealer in coal and wood. For two or three years also he was in business in Boston. John S. Loring married Johanna Wing, born in Leeds, Maine, and bore her husband four children: Hiram W., born in Leeds, Maine, October 11, 1842, see forward; Lydia, born December 12, 1845, married Gardner White, of Bellerica, Massachusetts; Sarah, born September 13, 1851, now dead, married Frederick Hager ; Lucille K., born September 21. 1855.

Hiram W. Loring was born in Leeds, Maine, October 11, 1842. He was educated in the public schools of Lewiston and in Bates College in the same eity. After leaving college he returned home, taught school in Maine and with his father carried on a farm for a time, then removed to Billerica, Massachusetts, lived on a farm there about four

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years, then returned to Lewiston. Later on he lo- cated at Gorham, Maine, and was employed by the Essex Fertilizer Company of Gloucester, Massachu- setts, in the capacity of salesman. He came to Shrewsbury to live in 1881 and since then, althoughi his principal occupation has been that of traveling salesman, has engaged in various other business undertakings. For about fifteen years he was pro- prietor of the Highland House, now called Shrews- bury Inn, and still is its owner. He is an active business man and his efforts have been rewarded with success. For many years he has enjoyed the suffrage of his fellow townsmen and has held sev- eral important town offices. He has served three terms on the board of selectmen, been street com- missioner for about fifteen years, trustee of the pub- lic library, trustee of cemetery and has been on several important special committees. He was one of the few men of Shrewsbury who formed a Vil- lage Improvement Society, a private organization which devoted its efforts along lines of good to the community. This organization successfully carried out the project of lighting the town's streets. The people of Shrewsbury wanted railway connection with Worcester and here Mr. Loring was an im- portant factor. Arrangements were made and a bill sent to the legislature for a railroad across Lake Quinsigamond and Mr. Loring appeared before the legislative committee in advocacy of the bill. The right was given and soon after the Worcester Con- solidated leased the rights and built a line from Worcester to Shrewsbury.

In politics Mr. Loring has always been an active Republican, of the stanch Lincoln type, and has given valuable aid to his party, not only in his home town but throughout this district. He has been a member of the Republican town committee of Shrewsburg for several years, serving as chairman. Despite the fact that during the past few years the Republican candidates for representatives, who were residents of Shrewsbury, have been defeated has made no difference to Mr. Loring ; he remained firm and loyal to the party and Shrewsbury Republicans continued to give Republicans the usual large ma- jorities.

Mr. Loring is well equipped for the office of representative to the general court, to which he was elected November 6, 1906, to represent the Eighth Worcester district. His life has been an active one and he has been able to observe from the standpoint of an educator, an employer of labor and a laborer. His experience in agricultural lines has equipped him with a thorough knowledge of the wants of the farmer and his battle for existence as a toiler has developed a strong, earnest and mutual sympathy for the men who labor for a weekly stipend. He be- lieves in and adheres to the principle that such legis- lation should be enacted as will accomplish the greatest good for the greatest number.

Mr. Loring is an enthusiastic Granger and for four years has been Master of the Grange in Shrews- bury. He has been identified with the Grand Army of the Republic since 1869 and has been a familiar and popular figure at many gatherings of the old Boys in Blue. In August, 1862, Mr. Loring enlisted in Company I, Sixteenth Maine Volunteers, and went to the front to fight for the preservation of the Union. Later he re-enlisted in Company 11. Twenty-ninth Maine Veteran Volunteers, and served until 1866.

In 1868 Mr. Loring married Arabella L. Churchill, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, born in Eastport, Maine, August 27, 1842, daughter of Samuel Churchill and Eliza Willett, his wife. Of this mar-

riage four children were born: 1. John Samuel, bortr in Salem, New Hampshire, February 23, 1870, died in Orlando, Florida, January 17, 1893. He was :1 graduate of Amherst College and a young man of inuch promise. He was a member of the Command- ery of Worcester, Montacute Lodge, in which he at- tained the Sixteenth degree, Knights Templar. Ile married Elizabeth B. Schofield, of Somerville, by whom he had two children: Robert E. and Edgar Churchill Loring. 2. Harry Lawrence, born 11 Lewiston, Maine, November 19, 1871, now lives in New Mexico. Ile attended the public schools at Shrewsbury, then Becker's Business College, from which he graduated. He was employed by Arnold & Maine, grocers, as salesman; went to Mexico 1905-06; was employed as carrier in 1904 for the government; was the first carrier of Rural Free De- livery. He married Minnie Gardner, of Worcester, and has three children: Lawrence G., born March II, 1899, died August 9, 1900, at the age of eighteen months; Mildred Estelle, born July 14, 1901; and Harriet Wing, born December 5, 1904. 3. Thomas Talbot, born in Lewiston, Maine, November 3, 1873, and in 1881 removed with his parents to Shrewsbury, where he was educated in the public schools. Later he went to Boston and for the next several years was clerk with various business houses in that city. While there he acquired a thorough understanding of business methods and management, then came to Worcester and purchased his brother's interest in a fancy grocery in that city. He is now proprietor of a successful and constantly increasing mercantile establishment, and enjoys a wide ac- quaintance in social and fraternal circles. He is a Red Man, Knight of Pythias and a member of the Continentals. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious preference a Protestant Episcopalian. He married, June 7, 1899, Grace W. Stone, of Worces- ter, born in North Sudbury. July 21, 1874, daughter of James P. Stone and Ellen Davis, his wife, of Shrewsbury. 4. Lonis T. Churchill, born Methuen, November 14, 1877; attended public schools; Wilbraham Academy. then entered the em- ploy of the state as engineer. Was assistant en- gineer, building the tunnel under the Charles river, tunnel to East Boston, etc. He is now a con- struction engineer; employed by state highway com- mission. He married Bessie Sims, of Canaan, Vermont, horn March 2, 1882. They have two children : Harold Churchill, born January 10, 1903: Dorothy Blake, born June 7, 1906.

HENRY RUFUS STOWELL, a well known. and highly respected citizen of Athol, Massachu . setts, whose career notwithstanding it has been somewhat of a checkered one, has developed a rugged character which does honor to the com- munity in which he has lived so many years- Worcester county.

He was born June 19, 1832, and was the eldest of the three children reared by his parents, Rufus and Anna ( Allen) Stowell. Rufus, the father of the subject, was a native of Petersham, Massachu- setts, and died October 12. 1843, aged forty-seven years. Ile was educated at his native town and followed farming all his life. Politically he was an old line Whig. In religion he was of the Uni- tarian faith. He married Anna Allen, of Barre, Massachusetts, and they were the parents of four children: Henry Rufus. see forward: Mary, died aged eighteen years; Austin, a resident of Athol; George, died when less than three years of age.

Henry Rufus received a common school educa- tion at Petersham, and at the age of sixteen was

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Harry R. Stowill

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employed in the general store of Charles C. Bassett, of Philipstown, remaining six months, and then went to a farm to work for nearly one year. Feeling the need of more schooling, he returned home and at- tended school again for a time. He was next at work on a farm near Deerfield at fourteen dollars per month. He then had employment in a mattress factory in Greenfield, where he prepared the husks from which the mattresses were made. He remained at that about three years, after which he went to Lafayette, Indiana, with George Rogers, of Peter- sham, who built a factory there, and Mr. Stowell put up the machinery and was employed for some time when the factory was sold. He then formed a partnership with a Mr. Orr, and they purchased what had been a cotton factory at Quincy, Illinois, and also engaged in the manufacture of mattresses again. Mr. Stowell built the machinery for this plant. After one year, on acount of the malaria in that district. he was compelled to return to New England for his health. He then embarked in the grocery business for himself at Greenfield, Massa- chusetts. After one year he sold this store and was employed at Tully and Orange, where he worked in a furniture factory. For two years he worked there fourteen hours a day at one dollar per day. He then became the foreman of the shop and still later bought an interest in the concern. As time went on he became the sole proprietor of this business.

He had become worth fully five thousand dollars when all was swept away by the financial crash of 1857. However, he went manfully about the task of retrieving his lost fortune and made money rap- idly. On his fiftieth birthday he moved into his new residence, midway between Athol and Athol Center, and it appeared to him that life was to run in a more even channel than before, but alas for fond hopes, for soon burglars visited his home on Thanksgiving night, 1889, and his huge safe was broken open and his valuable notes and papers taken. After a long search, aided by a bright detective, he finally captured two of the gang and they were sent to state's prison for ten years. A good share of his bonds and valuables was recovered. It was in 1860 that he was engaged in the furniture busi- ness with the firm of Peirce & Stowell, whose sole work was the manufacture of tables. Mr. Stowell's good citizenship has been manifest in numerous efforts by money contribution and otherwise in ad- vancing the interests of Athol by the establishment of various manufacturing plants.

In 1862, when the business was in a flourishing condition, he enlisted as private in Company F, Fifty-second Massachusetts Volunteers, with seven of his employes. A draft was to be ordered, unless there were eight men who would volunteer, and this was the way which Mr. Stowell took of showing his patriotism at the expense of his thriving busi- ness. The shop had its doors closed and the men's work-jackets hung on the dingy walls. and in their stead, they donned the loyal blue of the Union army and some never returned to put on their working garb again. Mr. Stowell had promised his men he would carry a musket with them, and this he did through the entire term of enlistment. Though he might have been promoted he would not listen to it. He was detailed as General Banks' private secre- tary a few weeks and could have retained it to the end but chose to keep good his word and re- main with his shop-mates and comrades. When his time was out he, with the surviving comrades, returned to Tully, Massachusetts, and opened the factory again. In 1865 fire destroyed the plant with his lumber sheds upon which there was no insur-

ance. This left him hundreds of dollars in debt. He at once bargained for room in another factory and thus resumed his business, which he has con- tinued to the present time. His partner is now Frank C. Worrick. In 1883 he removed to Athol and purchased a fine residence site on School street, which has since been his home. He has become permanently identified with the social and business elements of the town. He is one of the directors of the Millers River National Bank, and vice-presi- dent of the Athol Savings Bank, of which he has been one of the committee of investment for twenty years, For a long period he was one of the directors of the Athol National Bank.

In church life he has ever been active as a mem- ber and officer in the Unitarian Church. He has been identified with Free Masonry for forty-seven years. He belongs to the lodge at Orange and to the Eastern Star at Athol. In his political views he is a Democrat of no uncertain type.

In passing it should be made a record that Mr. Stowell was one of the soldiers who went to the front from pure patriotism. He went by boat to Ship Island. and thence up the Mississippi river, under General N. P. Banks, and attacked Baton Rouge. The command was then sent to Port Hud- son, but were driven from that locality. He laid in hospital three weeks at Baton Rouge, and was sent home from Port Hudson.

As to Mr. Stowell's domestic relations it may be stated that he was married September 12, 1854, to Lucinda F. Houghton, born at Petersham, Massa- chusetts, June 1I, 1834, the daughter of Samuel Houghton. Mrs. Stowell died September 29, 1855, in child birth. For his second wife he married, July 26, 1856, Ellen A. Davis, born at Royalston, Massachusetts, November 3, 1831, the daughter of Jarvis Davis and wife. By this union were born these children. I. Carrie L., born in Orange, Massa- chusetts, November 10, 1858, became the wife of Rev. W. 1.I. Jewell. 2. Bertha L., March 28, 1868, at Orange. married, 1892, Eugene C. Gaynor, of Canada ; they have one child, Carlton, born March 27, 1895, at Athol, Massachusetts. 3. Della E., Sep- tember 30, 1873, at Orange, Massachusetts, lives at Athol. Mr. Stowell's second wife died March 23, 1879, at Athol. January 8, 1901, he married Clara S. 11ill, born at Athol, January 23, 1844, daughter of John C. Hill.

PETER GAMACHE, one of the most enter- prising and successful farmers of Shrewsbury, Worcester county, Massachusetts, has lived in that town about thirty years, and before moving there he lived in Northboro something like fifteen years, except during the time he was in service in the war.of the rebellion. He is not only a successful farmer, but he has been a hard working farmer since he left the army, and his work while in the service was about as severe as any man ever per- formed.

Mr. Gamache comes of an old Canadian family, and was born at Mount Johnson, Canada East, December 5, 1838. His father was Peter Gamache, who also was born at Mount Johnson, and died about twelve years ago, at the age of eighty years. His wife was Mary Lecomte, also of Mount Johnson.

When a boy Peter Gamache attended school in his home town in Canada. and when about fifteen years old he went to Rochester, New York, and suc- ceeded in getting a little more schooling in that city ; but the greater part of his time was given to farm work. After living a short time in Monroe county, New York, he came to Northboro in Worcester

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county, Massachusetts, and continued his former occupation, attending school during the winter term and working as farmer until he entered the Union service. He joined the Baptist Church, July. 1861. In 1862 he enlisted as private in the Thirty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry for three years, and he was in service just one month less than that period. He took part in thirteen regularly con- tested battles, besides numerous skirmishes and minor engagements with the enemy, and he did not escape without wounds. The principal battles in which he fought were Hall Town, Piedmont, Fisher's Hill. Balls Bluff and Winchester. At Fisher's Hill he was wounded in the jaw and lost seven upper teeth. He was sent to the General Hospital at York. Pennsylvania, and was kept there seven months before being assigned to the invalid corps and detailed to guard duty at Laurel. Mary- land. Later on he was ordered to Washington, D. C., and remained there until the end of the war and final muster out. Returning from the service Mr. Gamache lived about ten years in Northboro, where he carried on a farm, then removed to Shrewsbury and purchased the farm on which he has since lived. In connection with general farm- ing he has a large milk ronte in Worcester, and being both an industrious and practical farmer has accumulated a comfortable fortune. More than that, he enjoys the respect of his townsmen, for he is a straight square-dealing business man.

On January 9. 1868, Peter Gamache married Oreanna R. Bemis, daughter of Elijah Bemis and Julia Anne Newton his wife. She was born in Northboro, July 3, 1846. Their children: Lillie An- gusta, born in Northboro, September 16, 1869, mar- ried, July 3. 1897, Professor M. McGaw; Professor and Mrs. McGaw live in Beaver, Pennsylvania. Fred Lincoln, born May 20, 1871, married Jennie W. Holt, of Newport. Rhode Island, by whom he has three children: George Egerton, Fred Lincoln, Jr .. and James Mayhew Gamache. Mary Helen, born October 2. 1872. attended public and high school, the Cushing Academy, Ashburnham; mar- ried. August 29, 1905, Harry A. Harlow, of Shrews- bury. Jennie Louisa, born December 29, 1873, lives at home with her parents. Graduated from public and high schools. also Becker's Business College, Worcester. Florence Mabel, born January 17, 1875, married, July 15. 1903, Harmon S. Cross. Mrs .. Cross is a teacher in Tilton Academy. Tilton. New Hampshire. Graduated from public and high schools, Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, Wesleyan Uni- versity, Middletown, Connecticut, taught school five years. West Springfield High, teaching English and French.

JAMES L. DEAN. Deacon James Dean was born in Oakham, Massachusetts, June 25. 1778, died August 28, 1868. His wife was Ezubah Sargent. Their son, James Dean, was born in Oakham, April IO, 1801. died November 20. 1879. He married Keziah Stearns Hyde, who died January 14. 1879. Their children were: James L., born in Worcester, Massachusetts, March 22. 1835, see forward; Theo- dore L., born in Malden, Massachusetts; Benjamin A., now of Hyde Park. Vermont ; Henry E. ; Charles O .: Rosetta A., deceased; Jefferson A., born in Shrewsbury. September 18, 1849, was educated in public and high schools and later became a suc- cessful farmer. that being Mis principal occupation in life. He is a strong Republican. was selectman four years, and now is a trustee of the Howe Library Fund. In 1872 he married Anna M. Far- rell, born in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, De-

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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 92

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