Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. III, Part 98

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 98

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In 1886 Mr. Rich married Susan Hancock, daugh- ter of John Hancock and Elizabeth Benchley, his wife. Susan Hancock was born in California, March 13, 1861, and at the time of her marriage lived with her parents in Barre. Of this marriage two children have been born : Arnold Franklin, born in Barre, June 4, 1889; Pauline Hancock, born in Barre, September 18, 1891.

CLARENCE BRADFORD BLANCHARD was born in Uxbridge; August 25, 1869. From the pub- lic schools of his native town he went to the Worces- ter Acdaemy, where he pursued a special course, preparing for the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he was graduated in 1893. After the comple- tion of his education he became associated with his father and brothers in operating extensive granite quarries in Uxbridge, and he has ever since been closely identified with that business. Possessing the advantages of superior technical training and fully endowed with the spirit of energy and progress necessary for the successful development of an im- portant industrial enterprise, his labors have not been confined wholly to the interests of the quarry, as he has decoted his efforts to other fields of use- fulness in which the general public is interested, notably the drilling of large holes in granite by means of iron pipe and chilled iron shot. In poli- tics he is a Republican.

In 1895 Mr. Blanchard was joined in marriage with Miss Emma P. Ballard, daughter of Marshall S. Ballard, of Worcester. Of this union there are two sons, namely: Philip A. and Roger M. After some years of travel in the west for his wife's health, she died of pulmonary troubles. In 1906 he married Miss Emma E. Nicholas, of Worcester. The family attend the Baptist Church.

HENRY JASPER WRIGHT. The Wrights of Templeton are one of the oldest as well as most prominent families in that town. They are of early New England origin and descended from revolu- tionary patriots. Their ancestor, Major or Land- lord Wright, from 1717 to 1779 conducted the tavern in Templeton, and during the struggle for national

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Henry & Mright

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independence served with distinction as an officer in the Continental army. Another member of this family was landlord of the old Wright Tavern in Concord, which was made famous as the head- quarters of Major Pitcairn, commander of the British regulars at the battle of Lexington. Henry J. Wright's grandfather was Phineas Wright, of Templeton, who married Betsey Whitcomb. His father was Edwin Wright, whose birth took place at Templeton on Independence Day in 1814, and who married Mrs. Rebecca Sprague, nee Watson. Edwin and Rebecca Wright were the parents of five children, namely: Edwin Willard, who died in a military hospital while serving in a Massachusetts regiment during the civil war; Margaret, who be- came the wife of E. Maynard and resided in Illi- nois; Laura Maria, wife of E. Dutton, of Chelms- ford, this state; Elizabeth, who married George Griffin, of Westford, Massachusetts; and Henry Jasper, a brief outline of whose career is given in the succeeding paragraphs.

Henry Jasper Wright was born in Templeton, November 2, 1855. Having pursued the usual course of instruction provided in the local public schools, he began the activities of life as a farm assistant, but soon abandoned that occupation and learned the trade of a blacksmith and wagon builder. When opportunity permitted he established himself in busi- ness at East Templeton, for a time, dealing exten- sively in all kinds of light and heavy wagons, and now handles coal, wood, lime, cement, hay and grain, and carries on a restaurant. In addition to the above he transacts a prosperous teaming busi- ness. All of these ventures have proved financially successful, and he has invested his surplus capital advantageously in real estate, owning several mod- ern apartment houses which he built at East Tem- pleton. Mr. Wright has served with ability as a selectman for six years, was formerly one of the fire engineers, superintendent of streets and overseer of the poor. In politics he is a Republican. His fraternal affiliations are confined to the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows in Gardner. He attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Wright's first wife was before marriage Julia Adams, who died leaving one daughter, Flossy, born June, 1885. He subsequently married Lizzie S. Loyd, of Winchendon.

HERBERT H. DUDLEY, town treasurer of Northbridge, is a son of the late Paul W. Dudley, of that town, and belongs to a branch of the Dudley family of Massachusetts, all of whom are descended from the founders who came over with Governor Winthrop.

Paul W. Dudley, who was born in Amsterdam, New York, April 3, 1817, went to Uxbridge, this county, with his parents in early boyhood, and was educated in the public school of that town, and in schools in New York and Providence. When a young man he entered the service of the Whitins as manager of their general store at Whitinsville, and he continued in that capacity for many years. Was later in business for himself, continuing until his death. which occurred in 1872. He served upon the original board of directors of Whitinsville National Bank and was the first cashier of that institution. In politics he was a Republican from the formation of that party, and for five consecutive years held the chairmanship of the school board. He was a deacon of the Congregational Church and superin- tendent of the Sunday school for a period of fifteen years, was also interested actively in movements of a moral or semi-religious nature, having served for

some time as president of the Worcester Temper- ance Union. On October 19, 1842, Paul W. Dudley married Sarah A. Tobey, daughter of Marchant Tobey, of Uxbridge. Of this union there were six children, namely : Henry M., see forward; Fred- erick, born 1850, died 1853; Arthur, born 1853, died 1854; Herbert H., see forward; Sarah J., born 1859; and Walter Whitin, born 1864, was educated in the Whitinsville public schools and afterward at Grey- lock Institute, South Williamstown, Massachusetts, of which he is a graduate. Several years later he took a two years' course at the Philadelphia Textile school and became a designer. He married Mary Laithe. Mrs. Sarah A. Dudley survived her husband nearly thirty years and died in 1901.

Henry M. Dudley; born 1846, received his edu- cation first in the Whitinsville public schools, later taking a full course and being graduated from Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Massachusetts, and from Sheffield Scientific School, New Haven, 1868. He learned the drug business and opened the first store of this kind in Whitinsville. This he owned for several years, later carrying on the same business in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. While there he was made a member of the State Board of Phar- macy, holding this office until his death, 1896, ten years. For a year or two he was president of the Pharmaceutical Association, declining further nom- ination because of pressure of business. He had a wide reputation for his skill in making chemical tests. He married Hattie L. Reed, who bore him four children: Edith, married E. P. Cole and has one son, Edward Cole; Paul, deceased; Lena, wife of E. N. Taft; Carl.

Herbert H. Dudley was born in Whitinsville, March 9, 1855. He attended the public schools of Whitinsville, and upon the completion of his studies turned his attention to mercantile pursuits. For many years he has conducted a general store in Whitinsville with success, and is one of the sub- stantial merchants of that locality. Politically he acts with the Republican party and is now serving with marked ability as town treasurer. He is a director of the Whitinsville National Bank, and 2 trustee of the Savings Bank. He is particularly in- terested in musical culture and holds the position of secretary of the Whitinsville Musical Associa- tion. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic Order. He attends the Congregational Church. For sixteen years he served on the school board. Mr. Dudley is unmarried.

THOMAS WINDLE, of West Millbury, a vet- eran of the civil war, was born at Bernley, England, March 6, 1845, son of the late John and Grace (Wakely) Windle, also natives of Bernley, England, who were the parents of six other children, all of whom are now deceased, namely: Grace, James, Blake, Nathaniel, Jane, and Mattie. John Windle (father) was a weaver by trade, and emigrated to this country from his native land in 1847. After the death of his first wife he married Eliza Sargent, who proved a kind mother to her step-children.

In 1847, when but two years of age, Thomas Windle was brought to this country by his father, who settled in Clinton, Massachusetts, and later at West Boylston, same state, where Thomas attended the common schools. In 1862 he enlisted in Com- pany K, Twenty-fifth Regiment, Massachusetts Vol- unteers, they being stationed at Newport News, Vir- ginia, and in North Carolina. He re-enlisted in 1864 at Newport News, joined General Sherman, and remained under his command until he was mustered out in North Carolina at the close of the war.

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At Newbern, North Carolina, in the vicinity of the Dismal Swamp, he contracted malaria and pneumo- nia, but recovered from both attacks through the kindly ministrations of the surgeon. Subsequently he took part in a number of skirmishes, and in ten hard-fought battles including Goldsboro and Kins- ton, North Carolina, and was with the eighteen corps under Butler in front of Petersburg. Although he was never wounded, he was at one time knocked down by the air current caused by a cannon-ball which passed near him.

Upon his return to civil life, Mr. Windle re- turned to Millbury, Massachusetts, and later was appointed overseer of a woolen sorter mill at Cherry Valley, Worcester county, where he had previously learned wool sorting with David Dawson. He re- mained at Cherry Valley in that capacity for three years, after which he went to Woodville, Rhode Island. as superintendent in a woolen mill, remain- ing about four years. He then removed to Baltic, Connecticut, and commenced to manufacture under the firm name of Hoyle & Windle, continuing about two years. He then came to West Millbury and en- gaged in the wool business for some eighteen months. He then went to Millville and resumed manufacturing, continuing the same for about eighteen months. In the meantime he purchased the tannery at West Millbury owned by Salem Griggs and converted it into a wool scouring and dyeing factory, which he has conducted with a large degree of success up to the present time. It is known as the Millbury Scouring Company, Thomas Windle & Son proprietors. Aside from at- tending to these interests, he speculates to some ex- tent in wool and spends a portion of his time in Boston. Ile owned a third interest in the Wheeler Cotton Mill, which he purchased in 1895 or 1896 in company with Messrs. S. E. Hull and A. S. Winters ; this property was subsequently sold. He is a Master Mason, and a charter member of General Thomas Post, No. 121, Grand Army of the Republic, in the workings of which he takes an active interest. He is a stanch Republican in politics, but has steadily refused to allow his name to be used as a candidate for public preferment.

Mr. Windle married, September 2, 1866, Hannah M. Buckley, daughter of Charles and Sarah Buckley, of Cherry Valley, Massachusetts, natives of Eng- land. Their children are: William W., born No- vember 2, 1870, operates a large mill at Bramans- ville, Worcester county; he was formerly in the bicycle business, and achieved a phenomenal record as a bicycle rider. Arthur D., born October 3, 1878, engaged in business with his father, resides at home. Gertrude T., born January 29, 1887, married August, 1895, Henry H. Thomson.

PATRICK PROUT, one of the leading business men of Webster, Worcester county, Massachusetts, and a man who has long been identified with the town of Webster in an official station, is a native of Ireland, born in Caran, Queens county, March 17, 1864, a son of Peter and Mary (Farrell) Prout. Peter Prout was born in Caran, June 23, 1797, and in September, 1864, in company with his family, located in Grafton, Massachusetts. He was twice married : October 16, 1828, to Margaret Connelly, by whom he had two children; James, born March 28, 1830, and Daniel, born October 12, 1832. His first wife died December 8, 1857, and the following year he married Mary Farrell, in Caran, Ireland. She was born in 1837. By this marriage the follow- ing named children were born: Catherine, De- cember 10, 1859, married T. F. Ryan, and resides

in Webster; Elizabeth, born March 8, 1862, died July 29, 1889; Patrick, of whom later; Mary, born June 9, 1867, married Nicholas Hanly, and resides in Webster. Peter Prout, the father of these chil- dren, died July 20, 1885, his death occurring in Webster.

Patrick Prout was less than a year old when he removed with his parents to this country. He ob- tained his education in the common and grammar schools of Grafton, Massachusetts, and at an early age entered upon an independent career, securing his first regular employment in the shops at Grafton. He took up his residence in Webster in 1881, and for the next three and a half years was engaged as clerk in the grocery store in Webster and North Oxford, and the succeeding eight years were spent in the grocery establishment of Nicholas Gilles. In 1894 Mr. Prout established himself in the insurance business in Webster, and has attained to eminent success in this line. He is a thorough business man, wide awake and alert, and is an excellent example of the heights to which a man can attain by the application of those success bringing qualities, in- dustry, unflagging energy and determined per-

severance.

In his political relations Mr. Prout accords allegiance to the Democratic party, and evinces un- wavering interest in the success and prosperity of that organization. He is a member and treasurer of the Democratic town committee. During the years 1895-96-97 he served as a member of the board of register and in 1898 was elected tax collector, which office he still holds. He was appointed Feb- ruary 20, 1901, justice of the peace, to serve for a term of seven years. In all of these offices he has discharged his duties most creditably and accepta- bly, and is held in the highest regard by his fel- low townsmen. Fraternally he is a member of Court Friendship, Foresters of America, and for two and a half years following the organization of same served as the treasurer. He is a member also of Webster Council, Knights of Columbus, Chau- bunagungamaug Tribe, I. O. R. M., and Ancient Order of Hibernians. In religious faith he affili- ates with the St. Louis Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. Prout married, April 15, 1896, Alice Con- dren, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Stafford) Condren, who was born March 12, 1868. Of this marriage two children were born, namely: Joseph Condren, August 2, 1897, and Mary Agnes, June 24, 1900.

DANIEL BENJAMIN PUTNAM. The Put- nams of Templeton, in common with all of that name in Worcester county, are the descendants of John and Priscilla (Gould) Putnam, of Aston Ab- botts, Buckinghamshire, England, who arrived in New England in 1634, settling in Salem Village, which was afterwards incorporated as the town of Danvers. They brought with them their three sons, Thomas, Nathaniel, and John. Captain Benjamin Putnam, son of Nathaniel, was born in Salem Vil- lage, December 24, 1664. He acquired his military title in the colonial militia, and his dauntless cour- age and other soldierly qualifications were inherited by his descendants, among whom were the re- doubtable General Israel Putnam, and the latter's cousin. General Rufus Putnam, of revolutionary war fame. Captain Benjamin Putnam penetrated the wilderness of Worcester county, and cleared a farm in what subsequently became the town of Sutton, where he died in 1715. He married Elizabeth Put- nam, daughter of Thomas Putnam, probably a dis- tant relative. His numerous descendants are scattered

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Daniel B. Putnam

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throughout Worcester county, and several of them are subscribers to this work.

Daniel B. Putnam, of Templeton, is a son of Samuel, grandson of George, and great-grandson of Deacon Daniel Putnam, ot Fitchburg, this county. The Fitchburg branch of the family were among the original settlers of that place, going there when it was a part of Lunenburg and known as Turkey Hill. Their estate, which was located in the im- mediate vicinity of the Union Depot, is now occu- pied by several extensive industrial enterprises. Deacon Daniel Putnam was one of the most promi- nent residents of Fitchburg in his day, representing that town in the Massachusetts legislature for twelve years, and participating conspicuously in the affairs of the Congregational Church.

Samuel Putnam was a native of Fitchburg and when a young man went to reside in Townsend, Massachusetts, for the purpose of recovering his health. He subsequently removed to Templeton. He married Susan Brown, daughter of Benjamin Brown, Esq., of Templeton. Their first born died in early childhood. Their other children are : George S., who married Martha Black, and died at the age of twenty-nine years; Porter L., who died at the age of twenty-seven years, unmarried; Daniel B., who will be referred to at length presently; and Sarah B., who is unmarried and resides with her brother in Templeton.

Daniel B. Putnam was born in Townsend, Jan- uary 7, 1843, and went with his parents to Temple- ton when three years old. After concluding his at- tendance at the New Salem Academy he divided his time between farming and hat finishing, hat making being at that time one of the most import- ant industries in that section of the state, and for more than ten years he gave his special attention to pressing hats. For many years, however, he has been engaged in general and dairy farming, making a special feature of hot-house gardening, raising vegetables. principal.y cucumbers, under glass for the mid-winter city markets, in which particular branch of agriculture he was one of the pioneers in Temple- ton, and his efforts in that direction have been re- warded with excellent financial results. Politically he supports the Republican party. For many years he lias acted as recorder of the local lodge Ancient Order of United Workmen. His religious affilia- tions are with the Baptists and he is a deacon of that church.

On May 31, 1874, Mr. Putnam was joined in marriage with Miss Ella Woods, daughter of Mor- gan Woods, of Southboro, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam have two sons, John, see forward, and Frank, born September 3, 1880, a graduate of the Templeton high school, Cushing Academy and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and is a mechanical engineer of recognized ability. At the present time he holds the responsible position of superintendent and expert mechanic of an extensive cutlery manu- factory at Turner's Falls, Massachusetts, and in ad- dition to bringing the products of that concern to a high state of perfection, he has introduced scien- tific improvements which have minimized the cost of production.

John Putnam, son of Daniel B. Putnam, was born in Templeton, April 28, 1875. He was educated in the common and high schools of Templeton, Cusli- ing Academy and Dartmouth College. While a student at Dartmouth he distinguished himself in athletics, especially as a member of the college base ball nine, and after graduating he was offered an opportunity to play with the National League, but his home duties prevented his acceptance. Adopt-

ing the business of his father, that of hot-house gardening, he has ever since followed it with suc- cess, being at the present time proprietor of an ex- tensive establishment devoted chiefly to the raising of fancy cucumbers, which during the winter sea- son brings high prices in the city markets, and his greenhouse facilities are among the best in this section of the county. His political affiliations are with the Republican party. He is a leading spirit in the local grange, Patrons of Husbandry, of which he is a charter member, and is now serving as its overseer. He is also a member of the Im- proved Order of Red Men. In his religious belief he is a Baptist.

Mr. Putnam married Grace E. Ware, daughter of Walter B. Ware, of West Rutland, this county. They have had two children-Grace Marion, born October 10, 1903; and Walter Theodore, born in February, 1905, died in February, 1905. Mrs. John Putnam died June 1, 1906. Mr. John Putnam and child now reside with Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Putnam.

WILLIAM GILBERT, a retired business man of Auburn, Worcester county, Massachusetts, was born in Lancashire county, England, May 11, 1846, son of William and Eliza (Hillman) Gilbert. Will- iam Gilbert ( father) was born and died in Eng- land. After completing his education lie engaged in the manufacture of rope and twine, which occu- pation he followed throughout his entire life. Will- iam and Eliza (Hillman) Gilbert had the following children : Emma, James, and William, Jr.

William Gilbert, Jr., third child and second son of William and Eliza ( Hillman) Gilbert, received his education in his native place, and immediately after leaving the school-room learned the trade of a car- penter, which he followed with considerable suc- cess for seven years. In 1871 he emigrated to this country, locating in Boston, Massachusetts, where he secured employment, remaining there for three years. Then, owing to poor health, he decided to engage in agricultural pursuits, and going to Barre followed farming for twenty-six years, doing a lit- tle carpenter work now and then besides. In 1898 he removed to his present home in Auburn, Worcester county, Massachusetts. He purchased a fine farm on which he settled, and for the past few years has lived a retired life. In political affairs Mr. Gil- bert is a strong advocate of the principles of the Re- publican party, and although he has never sought or held public office, he has always evinced a lively interest in the affairs of his party, and done what he could to advance its interests. He is a member of the Grange and was at one time master of the Subordinate Grange. He and his family are mem- bers of the Methodist Church.

In 1864 Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Goss, a native of Devonshire county, England. By this marriage the following children have been born: Edward T., married Miss Gilmore, deceased; had one child, Emma, married Edward Gilmore; Rosa, the wife of Ashton Cunningham ; Eliza, married William Light, and they have three children ; Solon, married Melinda Wheelock; Sid- ney, married Addie Boardman, and they have one child; George, married Florence King, and they had one child, deceased ; Albert, married Dora Guy and they have one child; Eugene, married Carrie White; James and Edith, both unmarried, and three that died in infancy.

CHARLES A. HOWE, a well-known business man of Auburn, Worcester county, Massachusetts,

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was there born March 6, 1854, the son of Alvin and Diantha (Merriman) Howe, both deceased. Alvin Howe was born in Canada, and was there educated in the common schools. He removed to Auburn, Worcester county, Massachusetts, and engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. He was a Repub- lican in politics, and a leading and influential mem- ber of the community. Alvin and Diantha ( Merri- man) Howe were the parents of Anna, Lucretia and Luther (twins) and Charles A.

Charles A. Howe obtained a common school ed- ucation, and later attended Worcester Academy. Upon leaving the school-room, he went into the teaming business and later engaged in coal, wood and real estate dealing, in which he now conducts a large and profitable business, in conjunction with his farm and real estate business.

Politically Mr. Howe is a strong Republican, and is interested in all local affairs. In religious faith he and his family attend the Congregational church.

Mr. Howe married, January 1, 1879, Anna E. Eddy, a daughter of Emory and Mary (Lawrence) Eddy, of Oxford, Worcester county .. Two children were born to them, as follows: Arthur, in 1880, and Robert C., in 1883, both are farmers. Mrs. Howe has been postinistress of Auburn for twenty-two years.

LOREY DWIGHT DAY. The Day family of Templeton was founded in that town by Daniel Day, Lorey D. Day's grandfather, who went there from Winchendon. Gilman Day, son of Daniel and the father of Lorey D. Day, married Bathsheba Hos- mer. daughter of Asa Hosmer and a representative of one of Templeton's oldest families. Gilman and Bathsheba were the parents of six children, namely : George Edward, Lucy, Charles. Mary, Henry and Lorey D. George Edward, who was formerly in the lumber business, is now employed by the firm of Smith, Day & Company, which will be again re- ferred to. Lucy is the widow of the late Hiram Ball. of Oakworth. Oklahoma Territory. Charles represented his company in establishing a branch place at Detroit. Michigan, in 1898. and in 1905 the branch of the business was removed to an Indi- anapolis. Indiana, plant which had been established by the company at that point in 1890. He has been three times married; first to Maria Willard, second to Mary Revan, and his third wife was be- fore marriage Mary Haloran. Mary and Henry died in childhood.

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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 98

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