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 97
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: ULV YJBLIC LIBRARY
Percival Blodgett
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ested. Mr. Blodgett represented his district in the lower branch of the state legislature from 1889 to 1892, during which time he was a conspicuous fig- ure on the Republican side of the house; was a state senator in 1895-96; and for thirty years has been a member of the Templeton Republican town committee. In addition to his labors in behalf of the local party organization, he served as town treas- urer for eighteen years; was chosen a selectman successively for the same number of years and for a greater part of that period was chairman of the board; was a member of the school board for more than twenty-one years, in which latter. capacity he rendered excellent service in behalf of public edu- cation. After a rest of six years from the cares of public business, he was called from his retirement to again become a candidate for the board of se- lectmen, and was elected without a single dissenting vote, which, considering the fact that such an oc- currence is without a parallel in the history of Templeton, is a most eloquent tribute to his personal integrity and honorable political record. In matters of a semi-public nature he is equally prominent, having been a trustee of the Public Library for thir- ty-two years, and as president of the Templeton Village Improvement Society is ex-officio manager of the Templeton Inn, a magnificent summer hotel owned and operated by that organization.
An illustrated pamphlet giving an unexaggerated description of the Templeton Inn states that it occu- pies a commanding location at an altitude of twelve hundred feet above the sea in the old hill-town of Templeton, which is situated in "the heart of the Massachusetts highlands," and the invigorating atmos- phere is therefore one of its chief attractions. Aside from its picturesque surroundings the hotel itself possesses inany attractive and some unique features, which serve to make it one of the finest interior summer resorts in New England. Its architecture and exterior surroundings are exceedingly pleasing. Its interior mural decorations were designed and executed by Ketler, whose work in the Metropoli- tan Opera House, New York, is so universally ad- mired, and its furnishings, color scheme and gen- eral ornamentation are both sumptuous and har- monizing. Its policy is dignified and exclusive, but its guests find ample opportunity for pleasant so- cial intercourse and attractive amusement. Mr. Blodgett assumed the management of the Inn as a part of his regular duties as president of the Im- provement Society, without previous experience in the hotel business, depending solely upon his busi- ness ability, good judgment and sound common sense, and through these essential elements alone he has attained success. He has a widely extended acquaintanceship, is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his church affiliations are with the -Congre- gationalists.
Mr. Blodgett married for his first wife Georgia A. Worrick, a member of an old and highly repu- table family of Orange. His present wife was be- fore marriage Isabelle Chamberlain, of Temple- ton. He has one daughter, Grace, who was born April 23, 1870, and is of his first union.
CHARLES N. WINSHIP, of Barre, Worces- ter county, Massachusetts, farmer, lumber dealer and milk producer, a soldier of the civil war and an active factor in Barre history for nearly thirty- five years, was born in the town of Needham, Massachusetts, February 5, 1843.
He was educated in public schools in Ports- mouth, New Hampshire, and in Princeton and Bos-
ton, Massachusetts. When he was nine years old his parents moved from Needham to Princeton, and his youth and young manhood were spent in the latter place. From there he enlisted early in the civil war, in Company K. Fifty-third Massa- chusetts Infantry, and joined the regiment in camp at Groton Junction. From that place he was de- tained to duty at Fort Wood, Bedloe's Island, in the vicinity of New York city, and remained there from December until April of the next year, when he was discharged. In February of the following year he re-enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Infantry and went to the front with his regiment and took part in the operations in Virginia in and about Rich- mond and Petersburg. He was in several hotly contested battles, numerous skirmishes and other minor affairs, and was present and engaged in front of Petersburg in the spring and summer of 1864. In July, 1865, at the close of the war, he was dis- charged and mustered out. Returning to his home in Princeton, Mr. Winship again took up farm work and teaming and lived in that town about seven years. In 1872 he came to Barre and pur- chased the farm on which he has now lived more than thirty-three years. He is .engaged in general farming, making a specialty of milk production, and in connection with these interests he deals ex- tensively in lumber. He is a careful, straightfor- ward business man and his endeavors have been rewarded with substantial success. He is a strong Republican, and for the past several years has been one of the board of assessors of Barre. He also has taken a prominent part in the affairs of the Grange. having been master of Pomona Grange and master and overseer of Barre Grange. He also is a member of Samuel F. Woods Post, No. 179, Grand Army of the Republic.
On November 26; 1867. Mr. Winship married Adelaide E. Wilson, daughter of Putnam Wilson and Eliza Fitts, his wife. She was born in East Brewer (now Holden), Maine, March 7, 1841, and has borne her husband one child: Josephine M., born in Princeton, Massachusetts, August 5, 1868, married, February 11, 1890, George F. Pratt and has borne him five children. Ernest W., born Janu- ary II, 1891 ; George E., July 15, 1892, died in in- fancy; Helen Mary, June 1, 1894; Harold E., Octo- ber 24, 1896; Bertha Elizabeth, June 13, 1902.
FRANK H. PRENTISS, of Barre, Massachu- setts, proprietor of "Crown Hill Farm" in that town, was born in Cambridge (now Arlington), Massachusetts, April 14, 1852, son of Charles Bige- low Prentiss and Minerva Bickford, and a de- scendant of one of the oldest families of New England. Indeed, Mr. Prentiss is a member that noted organization known as the Pilgrim Fathers, and thereby his ancestry in America is proven.
Charles Bigelow Prentiss also was born in Cam- bridge in the early years of the last century, and died in 1901, at the age of eighty. He was a butcher by occupation. He married Minerva Bick- ford, widow of Harvey Bickford, and daughter of George Drew, of Danville, Vermont. Children of Charles Bigelow Prentiss and Minerva Bickford : Hannah, married (first) Henry Silver; married (second) Frank Bean; married (third) Wesley Prentiss: Josie, died young; Edward, married Mary Reed and lives in Lawton, Oklahoma; they have a family of fourteen children; Frank H., married Alice M. Godfrey and lives in Barre; Walter, car- penter by trade, lives in St. Louis, Missouri: Ada, married Bert Dodge and died leaving three children, -
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two of whom is in South Dakota and the other in Geneseo, New York; Nellie, now living in Penn- sylvania.
Frank H. Prentiss, fourth child and second son of the parents just mentioned, was two years old when the family left Cambridge and moved to Dan- ville, Vermont. He was educated in Danville and lived in that locality and in Concord, New Hamp- shire, until about ten years ago. He began his business career as a butcher and market keeper. and worked with his father in that line for several years. Later he began for himself in a grocery and meat business, and was in trade about twenty years. Having sold out he came to Barre and bought the Crown Hill Farm, where he has since lived. As has been mentioned Mr. and Mrs. Pren- tiss are Pilgrim Fathers, having become members of that society twelve years ago, while living in Concord. He attends the Unitarian Church and in politics is a Republican. On November 28, 1882, he married Alice M. Godfrey, widow of Valman Godfrey, and daughter of John S. and Mary Jane (Drake) Durgin. Mr. and Mrs. Prentiss have one son-Frank S., born in Concord, New Hampshire, May 13, 1884, and now living at home with his parents.
GEORGE WINTHROP BOURN, late president and now treasurer of the Bourn-Hadley Company, Templeton, is a son of Isaac Bourn, founder of that well-known manufacturing enterprise. Isaac Bourn, who was a son of Nathan Bourn, of Poton, Canada, was born in that town November 21, 1821. Coming to the states when a young man he set- tled in Templeton in 1845, and two years later en- gaged in the lumber business in company with Jonas Brown. That partnership was dissolved in 1849, and for the succeeding thirty years he was asso- ciated in business with John Brooks. In 1879 he established the manufacturing enterprise now known as the Bourn-Hadley Company, which will be again referred to, and he not only placed that concern upon a firm basis of operation, but as the senior partner he continued to direct its affairs with un- abated success until his retirement. For more than fifty years he was one of the most prominent busi- ness men in Templeton, and his services in behalf of the industrial development of that town cannot be too highly commended. Isaac Bourn was four times married and was the father of twelve chil- dren. His first wife was Mary Ann Brooks, of Templeton, who became the mother of five children, namely: Nettie, Sarah, Lizzie. George W. and John. His second wife, who was before marriage Dora Chaplain, bore him three children. Howard, Robert T. and Eudora. For his third wife he mar- ried Elsie Woodward, who left two children, Will- iam E. and Nathan Ernest. Of his union with Melissa Beard, his fourth wife, who was born in Canada, are: Edward I. and Clara. Lizzie. John and Howard died in childhood. Nettie is the wife of Lucien N. Hadley, who will be again men- tioned. Sarah married Marshall N. Howe, of Gard- ner, Massachusetts. George W. will be referred to at greater length later. Robert T. is officially connected with the Bourn-Hadley Company. Eu- dora married Shepard N. Bourn, of Templeton. William E. married Mabel .Turner, of Phillipston. this county. Nathan Ernest, who is also connected with the Bourn-Hadley Company, married Fanny Stimpson. a native of Maine. Edward I. and Clara are residing in Templeton. All of these children save Mrs. Sarah Howe now (1906) reside in Tem- pleton.
George Winthrop Bourn was born in Temple- ton, May 23, 1859. After the completion of his edu- cation, which was acquired in the Templeton pub- lic schools, he entered the employ of his father, and from the latter received that careful training which proved of inestimable value in shaping his future business career. He has been connected with the Bourn-Hadley Company from the time of its inception, growing up with the business and familiarizing himself with the working of each department. His executive ability developed rapidly as did also his progressive tendencies, and when he was at length called upon to succeed the elder Bourn in the management of the concern, which had expanded into large proportions, he was amply equipped for that responsible position. In 1905 the business was incorporated with George W. Bourn, president, Lucien N. Hadley, treasurer, and Robert T. Bourn, vice-president and clerk. At the present time the Bourn-Hadley Company is one of the best known manufacturers of office furniture in New England. In addition to turning out bank- ing counters, cabinets and screens, filing cabinets, physicians furniture, etc., it gives its particular at- tention to the production of complete post office outfits and also to special pieces of furniture made to order. Its specialties includes the "1905 Economy," the "U. S. Model" and the "New Model U. S." Carrier Routing Desks, the "U. S." Col- lapsible Basket, a patent "Letter Tracing Attach- ment" and a patent "Special Delivery Drop Signal." Its plant, which is located at Templeton Centre, consists of two spacious factory buildings fully equipped with modern machinery and appliances, and it employs upwards of sixty skilled mechanics the year round.
Politically Mr. Bourn is a Republican. He is a member of the board of selectmen, having served in that capacity for six years, and in various other ways has rendered valuable services to the town. He is well advanced in the Masonic order, being affiliated with the Blue lodge in Gardner, chapter in Athol, and the commandery in Gardner. For many years he has been a leading member of the Unitarian Church, and in addition to serving as chairman of the parish committee takes an active interest in the charitable and benevolent work of that organization.
Mr. Bourn married Mary L. Sprague, daughter of G. L. Sprague, of Athol. They have had four children. namely: Theodore, born July 26. 1890; Helen, March 20, 1892; Mary Potter, April 6, 1894, died in early childhood: and George Winthrop, Jr., October 19, 1897. The delicate condition of their health prevents them from attending the pub- lic schools, and their education is in charge of a private tutor.
DANIEL D. COLE. Phinney Cole, of Ran- dolph, Vermont, was a native of that state, and was born about the year 1773. He died in Barre, Massachusetts, September 24, 1848. aged seventy- five years. He married Lydia Atwood, and they had children, one of whom was Daniel Cole, see forward.
Daniel Cole was born in Randolph and was only four years old when his parents moved from Ver- mont to Massachusetts and settled in the town of Barre. He was a farmer in Barre during his life after he came of sufficient age to work. On April 17, 1834. he married Louisa Robinson, born in Barre, September 17, 1806. daughter of Denison and Dorcas Robinson. Daniel Cole and Louisa Robinson had five children: Cyrus Phinney, born
UBLIC 1 LIBRA
George W. Bourn
PULLIC
LIBERTY
Jomar I Shedd
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WORCESTER COUNTY
in Barre, March 21, 1835, now deceased; Maria, born in Barre, now deceased; Daniel D., born in Barre, August 12, 1840, married Harriet Sampson and had four children; Henry Wetherby, born in Barre, June 24, 1842; Louisa Allen, born in Barre, May 20. 1845, now deceased.
Daniel D. Cole, third child and second son of Daniel and Louisa (Robinson) Cole, was born August 12, 1840, and has lived in that town all his life, except during his three years' service in, the civil war. He was educated in the public schools of Barre, and was just of age when the war broke out. At that time he had finished at school and was at work with his father on the farm. In Sep- tember, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, First Massachusetts Cavalry, for three years, and lay in camp at Hyde Park (Readville) with the regiment until December following, when the command was ordered to New York city, and after ten days was sent to active service in South Carolina, remain- ing in that state from January to August, 1862. It was then sent north to Aquia Creek and was soon attached to the Army of the Potomac. In one cavalry engagement Mr. Cole received a slight saber wound. He was mustered out of service in Octo- ber, 1864, and returned to his home in Barre much broken in healtlı. After a time he began work as a wheelwright, but soon turned his attention to farming. In 1867 he married, and in the following year purchased a farm situated four miles out of Barre. Since then he has owned and occupied sev- eral different farms, and has lived on his present place about six years.
In 1867 Mr. Cole married Harriet Sampson, of North Brookfield, born January 15, 1843, daughter of Joel and Rachel (Ayers) Sampson. Four chil- dren have been born of this marriage: Edward Daniel, born in Barre, January 23, 1868, married Florence J. Harwood, born in Somerville, Massa- chusetts. March 23, 1874, daughter of John and Margaret Walley Harwood, of Somerville, Massa- chusetts, and has two children-Margaret Louisa, born September 5, 1900, and John Edward, born July 2, 1905. Ella, born in Barre, married Everette H. White, son of T. Hanson White, of Barre; he is a mechancal engineer in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Har- riet Isabelle, born in Barre, now in college. Bertha Roxalana, born in Barre, now at school in Bridge- port, Connecticut.
THE WALKER FAMILY of the 'line here con- sidered dates its history in Massachusetts from the year 1818. In that year Matthew Walker, an Eng- lishman by birth, and a farmer by principal occupa- tion in business life, came to America and located at Watertown in this state, whence he removed with his family to various localities in an endeavor to satisfy himself with a desirable permanent abiding place. Finally in 1842 he located at Barre, whence he removed in 1845 to Ware. He married Mary Wrigley, also of English birth and ancestry, and by her had six children: Mary Ann, Samuel W., James, Elizabeth, Matthew and Eliza Walker.
Matthew Walker, fifth child and third son of Matthew and Mary (Wrigley) Walker, was born in the town of Stowe, Massachusetts, August 24, 1835, and was educated in the Ware public and high schools, Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Massachusetts, and Amherst College, graduating from the latter institution with the class of 1857. After leaving college he taught school one year in Warren, and afterward for two years was clerk in a drug store in Ware. He lived in Barre from 1842 to 1845, then returned to Ware, and in 1862
removed again to Barre, where he was connected with Edward Denny, manufacturer, with whom he remained with two brief interuptions until 1871. For the next eighteen years he was in charge and bookkeeper of a department of Heald & Son's foun- dry and machine shop at that place. In 1877 Mr. Walker was elected chairman of the board of as- sessors. In 1890 he was appointed by Governor Russell one of the trial justices of Worcester county. He is now (1906) and has been for seventeen years secretary of Worcester County West Agricultural Society. He is a director of the Barre Library As- sociation. Besides his judicial duties he is a con- veyancer, prepares legal papers which require especial care and manages and settles estates. He served Barre as one of the school board. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious preference a Unitarian. Judge Walker was the author of the history of Barre which is contained in the history of Worcester county, published in 1889, and is and has been for some years Barre correspondent for various newspapers.
In December, 1871, Mr. Walker married (first) Elizabeth Louisa Heald, daughter of Stephen and Mary (Newton) Heald. She was born in Barre, May 6, 1832, and died in that town March 11, 1889. She bore her husband one daughter, Helen Louisa Walker, born in Barre, in August, 1873, and died in infancy. He married (second) Addie F. Dudley, widow of Frederick Dudley, of Gardner, and daugh- ter of Benjamin and Chloe (Underwood) Gates, of Barre.
JONAS TIMOTHY SHEDD, one of the most able farmers of New Braintree, went there from Oakham in 1892. He belongs to an old Massachu- setts family of early colonial origin and the name was formerly spelled Shede. The immigrant an- cestor, Solomon Sliede, is said to have come from Ireland and he had a son, Zachariah Shedd, who was the father of Israel Proctor Shedd, a prosper- ous farmer of Oakham. The latter's wife was be- fore marriage Mary Hoar. Israel P. and Mary Shedd had a family of six children, three of whom -Jonas Timothy, Charles Henry and Harriet Loena, are residing in New Braintree.
Jonas Timothy Shedd was born in Oakham, October 8, 1856. His studies in the public schools were supplemented by a course at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and after completing his edu- cation he engaged in agricultural pursuits at the homestead. In 1892 he purchased the property in New Braintree known as the old Captain Todd place, renamed by its present owner, Maple Farm, which contains two hundred and forty-two acres of excellent pasture and tillage land, and jointly with his brother, Charles Henry Shedd, is exten- sively engaged in stock-raising and the dairy in- dustry. Maple Farm is not only one of the largest agricultural estates in New Braintree, but is also one of the most fully equipped in regard to ma- chinery, improvements, etc., and the Shedd Broth- ers are among the most able and successful farm- ers in their section of the state. Charles Henry Shedd, who was born in 1849, is unmarried, as is also Harriet L. Shedd, who was born in 1848 and resides with her brothers at Maple Farm.
Mr. Shedd is actively connected with the .Con- gregational Church, being a member of the parish committee and a teacher in the Sunday school of which he has for some time been superintendent. He is a total abstainer from alcoholic beverages, and a stanch supporter of the political faction known as the Prohibition party. A man of keen intelligence
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and firm convictions, his high standard of morality is based upon lofty ideals emanating from those en- during principles of righteousness, truth and justice, which constitute the safeguard of humanity, and these ideals he is striving to the extent of human endeavor to realize. His enthusiastic admiration for agriculture and the independent life of a farmer is emphasized upon every appropriate occasion, and he sometimes affixes in stencil to documents he is called upon to sign, the following epigram by George Washington: "Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man."
In 1892 Jonas Timothy Shedd was joined in marriage with Mary Viola Pendleton, daughter of Samuel Pendleton, of Cherokee county, Iowa. Their children are: Ralph, aged twelve years; Florence Mary, aged eleven years; Leslie, aged ten years; Marshall Proctor, aged eight years; Gordon Charles, aged six years; and Faith Elizabeth, aged one year.
FREDERICK ABNER HITCHCOCK, a busi- ness man and grocer of Hardwick, selectman of the town, was born in Ware, Massachusetts, May 26, 1857, and is a son of the late Charles F. Hitch- cock, who for many years previous to his death was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Hardwick. His wife was Hannah Mcclintock. He moved from Ware to Hardwick in 1863, and until a short time before his death (1901) was a merchant at Gil- bertville. The late Charles F. Hitchcock was a son of Abner and Susan (Gardner) Hitchcock, both na- tives of Brimfield, Massachusetts. The old home- stead where the former was born more than one hundred years ago is still standing.
Frederick A. Hitchcock was six years old when his parents located in Hardwick. His primary edu- cation was obtained in the public schools of Hard- wick, and completed in Brimfield Academy in Hampden county. When about sixteen years old he began working regularly in his father's store, and afterward was there in one capacity and another, much of the time having charge of the business, until 1901, when he became proprietor of the estab- lishment. Mr. Hitchcock served as postmaster at Gilbertville from 1873 to 1886. He also operates quite a large farming property in the vicinity, principally for dairy purposes, his milk being sent to the Boston market. In March, 1905, he was elected selectman for a term of three years. In politics he is a Re- publican. Mr. Hitchcock has been for many years one of the board of deacons of the Gilbertville Con- gregational Church.
Mr. Hitchcock married Clara M. Packard, daughter of Otis and Melita (Ross) Packard. She was born in West Brookfield, November 24, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock have four children : Charles F., born in Hardwick, August 30, 1884, a graduate of Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Massachu- setts, and student at Dartmouth, scientific course Ralph P., born in Hardwick, August 24, 1888, died February 6, 1891. Harold M., born in Hardwick, August 19, 1890. Ruth H., born in Hardwick, Au- gust 24, 1894.
FRANK ALLEN RICH, of Barre, Worcester county, Massachusetts, a banker of many years' experience, cashier of the First National Bank of Barre, and treasurer of Barre Savings Bank from the time of its organization until July, 1903, is a native of East Boston, Massachusetts, born Octo- ber 10, 1854, son of Richard Rich and Mary A. Stimpson, his wife, and grandson of Thatcher Rich,
of whom a more full genealogical record may be found in the work "Truro," compiled and published by a member of the Rich family.
Mr. Rich acquired his earlier literary education in the public schools of Boston and was graduated from Boston English high school with the class of 1872. He began his business career in the capacity of clerk in the National Bank of the Common- wealth, Boston, and advanced through various po- sitions to that of receiving teller, which he held as long as he was connected with that institution. In October, 1879, he was elected cashier of the First National Bank of Barre, and during his incumbency of that position until July, 1903, he also was treas- urer of Barre Savings Bank. Since 1889 Mr. Rich has been treasurer of Barre Library Association, an active member of its important committees and chairman of its lecture and finance committees. For the last fifteen years he has served as town audi- tor, having been annually elected to that office throughout that period. He was elected treasurer of the town in 1906. Since its organization about ten years ago, he has been treasurer of Barre Water Company. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Barre, active in all religious work and especially active and earnest as a worker in the cause of temperance. He has twice been the candi- date of the Prohibition party for the office of rep- resentative to the general court.
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