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

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 710

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. IV > Part 92

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He then went to Holyoke. Massachusetts, where he bought an interest in the Goddard Machine Com- many. but after six months, he sold out to Mr. HI Sorkness. who was associated with him. and returned to Worcester, and went to work for Bemis

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Brothers, who were just beginning to build a new turret-lathe, which they abandoned after the first lot was finished, and went out of business. He then went to work for William F. Bancroft & Com- pany, and aided in developing a new pulley-lathe which they were just starting to build. (It was started by Orrin Wood of the old wood and light company ). One of the obstacles in the way of its success was the driving device for holding the pulley while it was being turned. Mr. Stockbridge designed a driver that proved entirely successful, and it has been in use ever since. It is a part of the machine that is still used in the original form after fourteen years of remodelling and im- proving. built by its present manufacturers.

In 1896, Mr. Stockbridge went to Ashland. Massa- chusetts, where he conducted a general machine shop on his own account. Later he returned to Wor- cester and worked for the Norton Emery Wheel Company, and then the Marcus Mason Co., on Union street. In 1899 he opened a shop at 54 Hermon street, and at first designed and built especial ma- chinery to order. He brought out a speed lathe with some new features, for which he found a ready market, but not thinking it worth while to get them patented. they have been appropriated by other manufacturers. It was here that he designed and started to build the Stockbridge two-piece crank shaper. The business soon required more spacious quarters. and in 1900 he removed to 116 Gold street, -and in 1901 to a large two-story building at No. 3 Maud street, near the corner of Park avenue and Chandler street, where they occupy the whole build- ing. The business was incorporated under the name of the "Stockbridge Machine Company" with Mr. Stockbridge as treasurer, Peter Wood, president. E. L. Stockbridge, vice-president. P. T. Stock- bridge. secretary. In 1903, Mr. Arthur W. Beamon came into the firm, and they took over Mr. Wood's interest, and made Mr. Beamon treasurer, and Mr. Stockbridge president, E. L. Stockbridge, vice-presi- dent, the same being the directors.

The Stockbridge two-piece crank-shaper. the in- vention of Mr. Stockbridge. is to meet in every respect the requirements of modern machine shop- practice, and it is built to withstand the extra stress and strain of high-duty cutting steel. The machines have proved entirely satisfactory and are in steady demand. The career of Mr. Stockbridge as an apprentice, as a mechanic in the various shops in which he has worked, and finally as manu- facturer of a valuable machine of his own inven- tion to fill need that he saw and determined to fill, is typical of the development of industry in Worcester, and. in fact, of America. The invention of such machines as those produced by Mr. Stock- bridge tends to reduce the cost of every machine made in the country, and to put the work of manu- facturing more within the reach of the people. Re- gardless of the profits that came to the inventor and manufacturer of such machines, the people ulti- mately are the beneficiaries of all inventions that have value.

Mr. Stockbridge is a member of Quinsigamond Lodge. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a mem- ber of the Worcester Metal Trades Association, and the National Machine Tool Builders' Associa- tion. He is a member of Pilgrim Church. He and his wife have been identified with the church since January 24. 1885. He has always been a Republican in politics.

Mr. Stockbridge married, July II. 1875, Ida

A. Merrill, daughter of Major Merrill, of Anburn, Maine, who was born there, January 10, 1858. Chil- dren of Radford and Ida A. (Merrill) Stockbridge are: 1. Ernest LeRoy, born at Auburn, Maine, Sep- tember 1, 1877, married Grace Halcott, of Wor- cester, and is vice-president of the Stockbridge Ma- chine Company. 2. Pearley Thurston, born at Au- burn, Maine, December 28. 1878, is with the Stock- bridge Machine Company. 3. Radford Merrill, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, May 23, 1880, died Au- gust 19, 1880. 4. Fred Merrill, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, August 24. 1881, with Stockbridge Machine Company, married Mabel Hosmer, of Wor- cester. Massachusetts. 5. George Lewis, born at Worcester, Massachusetts, September 18, 1886, now attending school. 6. Ralph Irving, born December 23, 1892. at Worcester, Massachusetts, died August 29, 1901, at Middletown, Massachusetts.

WHEELOCK FAMILY OF UXBRIDGE. The Wheelock family in England has been prominent for several hundred years. In the early days there was a marriage between the Wheelocks and Lev- ersages, and the two families have been associated with the village of Wheelock from ancient times. In 1285, during the reign of Henry II, Hugh De Wheelock, through his knight, Richard De Maston. secured from Roger Manning all claim to the village of Wheelock. To this estate Thomas De Wheelock later became heir, and was made lord of Wheelock Manor. The Wheelock arms are described: Argent, chevron between three Catherine wheels, sable. Leversage arms : Argent, chevron between three ploughshares, sable. Crest, a leopard's head, face jessant, a fleur de lis.

(I) Ralph Wheelock, the immigrant ancestor of the Uxbridge family, was born in Shropshire, Eng- land, in 1600, and was educated at Clare Hall, Cam- bridge University, graduating 1626 and taking his Master's degree in 1631. He was a relative and perhaps brother of Abraham Wheelock, who was the professor of Arabic at Cambridge, and later the librarian. Ralph Wheelock was ordained in the Church of England, but became a Puritan soon after leaving college and joined the ranks of the Nonconformists. He doubtless suffered much from the persecutions directed against the Puritans. In 1637, with his wife and daughter Rebecca, he emi- grated to New England, living first at Watertown, and removing thence to Dedham, of which church and town he was one of the most valuable found- ers, learned, devont, unselfish and practical. He was one of the proprietors of Dedham, September 14, 1637, was admitted freeman there March 13, 1638-9, served as selectman 1651-55, and for sev- eral years was deputy to general court. He was the first teacher of a public school in Dedham. The school was opened first in 1655. He was appointed by the general court a commissioner to end small causes-the local magistrate, and was appointed "to join persons in marriage." He built a house in Dedham in 1652, but became one of the founders of Medfield, an adjoining town, in 1649, and removed there a few years later, continuing his career of use- fulness and prominence. His lot was at the corner of Alain and North street, on which he built his residence. He was on the committee to collect funds for Harvard College; and was one of the signers of the famous Dedham Covenant. He held many positions of public trust and honor. He taught school most of his active life, but never resumed preaching after he came to New England. He died

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in November, 1683. He made his will May 3, 1681 ; the inventory of his estate was dated January 31, 1683-4, and the will was finally proved May 1, 1684. He bequcathed to his eldest son Gershom and other sons, Benjamin, Eliezer and Samuel; sons-in-law Increase Ward and Joseph Warren; grandchild Re- becca Craft; refers to deceased wife, and names his brother, George Barber, one of the overseers of the will. Children of Ralph and Rebecca : I. Rebecca, married, Roxbury, June 7, 1654, Jolin Crafts. 2. Gerslion. 3. Eliezer. 4. Benjamin, mentioned be- low. 5. Samuel, born September 22, 1642. 6. Record, born December 15, 1643. 7. Experience, born 1648. 8. Mary, probably died young. 9. Peregrine, probably died young.

( I}) Benjamin Wheelock. of SO11 Ralph Wheelock (I), was born in Dedham, Massachu- setts, January 8, 1639-40. He was brought up from early childhood in Medfield. In 1685 he settled in the neighboring town of Mendon, where he passed the remainder of his days and died. He married, 1668, Elizabeth Bullen, of Medfield. Their chil- dren: I. Elizabeth, born 1671. 2. Mary, 1674. 3. Abiel, 1675. 4. Benjamin, Jr., mentioned below. 5. Obadiah, born 1685.

(HI) Benjamin Wheelock, Jr., fourth child of Benjamin Wheelock (2), was born in Medfield, Massachusetts, in 1678, and died in Mendon, where he was a farmer during his active life. He mar- ried December 9, 1700, Huldah Thayer; their chil- dren: I. Mary, born January, 1702. 2. Benjamin, April. 1704. 3. Daniel, December, 1707. 4. Huldalı, August, 1710. 5. Jonathan, July, 1713. 6. Paul, January, 1715. 7. Silas, mentioned below. 8. David, born January, 1720.

(IV) Silas Wheelock, seventh child of Benja- min Wheelock, Jr., (3), was born in Mendon, March 1718, and died there. He married, May 20, 1740, Hannah Albee; their children: 1. Simeon, men- tioned below. 2. Seth, born March 21, 1743. 3 Caleb, May 7, 1745. 4. Ebenezer, January 27, 1747. 5. Hannah, November 28, 1749. 6. Perle, August 6, 1752. 7. Calvin, March 5, 1754. 8. Luther, March 9, 1756. 9. Eunice, May 8, 1758. IO. Rhoda, April 20, 1761.

(V) Lieutenant Simeon Wheelock, son of Silas Wheelock, (4), was born in Mendon, March 29. 1741. He was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and also in the French war of 1760, when he served at Crown Point as orderly of Colonel Christopher Harris, of the Rhode Island regiment. He settled in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, an adjacent town to Mendon, in 1763. He was on the Uxbridge com- mittee of safety and correspondence in 1774. Wiren the Uxbridge minute men marched in response to the Lexington Alarm, April 19, 1775, he was first lieutenant of Captain Joseph Chapin's company, and remained in active service afterward. He was a blacksmith by trade. He bought a homestead lot of John Harwood in 1768, situated a little north of the First Congregational Church. His blacksmith shop is said to have been opposite his house and about where the academy stands. He was town clerk of Uxbridge 1773-77. He joined the government forees in suppressing Shays' Rebellion, and died at Springfield, September, 1786, in consequence of in- juries received from a fall in descending Arsenal Hill, leaving a wife and eight children in somewhat straightened circumstances. Shortly before his death he had sold his house in the village and re- moved to a larger place some three miles away. Ile married, November 28, 1763, Deborah Thayer.

of Mendon, a descendant of Ferdinando Thayer, one of the pioneers. Their children: 1. Eunice, born February 13, 1765. 2. Royal, July 16, 1766. 3- Silas, March 26, 1769. 4. Hannah, October 16, 1771. 5. Rachel, June 10, 1774. 6. Polly, March 11, 1779- 7. Nancy, November 19, 1781. 8. Jerry, mentioned below.

(VI) Jerry Wheelock, youngest child of Lieu- tenant Simeon Wheelock (5), was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, September 19, 1784. He was an in- fant when his father died, and he owed everything to his mother, a well educated and capable woman, who brought up her fatherless family and educated them herself to a large extent. Jerry learned the trade of "set workman," a trade made obsolete by machinery, and later became a wood turner and inade spools and bobbins for John Slater's mill. He manufactured chairs for several years.

In 1810 Daniel Day built the first woolen mill in the vicinity of Uxbridge, and the machinery was installed in 1811. Jerry became a member of the firm of Daniel Day & Company. Day was his father-in-law. After a few years he withdrew from the company and went to work for Arthur Dryden, Jr., of Holden, a well known manufacturer of wool- carding machines. He was a natural mechanic, and. preferred making and managing machinery to man- ufacturing textiles. Mr. Wheelock was charged with the task of setting up Dryden's machinery in the mills of his customers. He was at Falmouth, Massachusetts, in 1814, during the bombardment by the British ship-of-war "Nimrod." In that year the stock company (afterward incorporated) known as as the Rivulet Manufacturing Company, was organ- ized at Uxbridge, and Mr. Wheelock was a share- holder and mechanical manager and mill superin- tendent for four years. He then began to build woolen machinery on his own account and continued with success until 1834, and his product became well known throughout New York and New England. He invented many devices and im- provements in mill machinery, and established the highest reputation for excellent workmanship and reliable machines. He was depended upon by many mills to do their repairing on the machinery. In 1834 he gave up manufacturing ma- chinery and went into partnership with his sons to manufacture woolen goods. He retired from busi- ness in 1846, and after a long illness died at Ux- bridge, October 10, 1861. He was honored by lis. fellow-citizens with various town offices, and was faithful in his public trusts. He was always a lead- ing and influential citizen, interested in the devel- opment and welfare of Uxbridge. He married, Jan- uary 24, 18II, Suky, daughter of Daniel and Sylvia ( Wheelock ) Day, of Uxbridge. Their children, all born in Uxbridge, were: I. Charles A., born Feb- ruary 27, 1812. 2. Sylvia A., February 3, 1815. 3. Silas Mandeville, mentioned below, born November II, 1817. 4. Maria I., born July 7, 1821. died young. 5. Maria I., born March 8, 1824. 6. Abbie E. R., September 22, 1832.

(VII) Hon. Silas Mandeville Wheelock, third child of Jerry Wheelock (6), was born at Uxbridge, Massachusetts, November 1I, 1817. His opportuni- ties for obtaining an education were limited. He attended the district school which was kept for about ten weeks in winter and ten in summer. He supplemented this schooling with a few terms in a private school taught by young college graduates, among whom were E. Porter Dyer, afterward the minister at Shrewsbury, and C. C. Jewett, after-

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ward librarian of the Boston Public Library and the Smithsonian Institution. During his boyhood and youth there was more work than school for boys. At the age of nine years he began to work in the woolen mill "piecing rolls for the billy," almost the only work that a child of that age could do, receiv- ing as wages the sum of fourteen cents a day with board. From that time he was almost constantly engaged in some form of work connected with wool- en manufacture. He worked in all the departments of the woolen mill and learned the business thor- oughly in the old-fashioned way. He was superin- tendent of some of the departments, became a man- ager and mill agent, and at one time managed the wool department in commission houses in New York and Boston. In 1846, when his father retired, he formed a partnership with Charles A. Wheelock, his brother, under the firm name of C. A. & S. M. Wheelock, to manufacture satinets, plaid linseys and tweeds. In 1855, after enlarging the mill and in- stalling a steam engine for auxiliary power, they de- voted their attention exclusively to the manufac- ture of fancy cassimeres. This business proved uni- formly successful, and has been carried on to the present time by the firm and its successors. In 1870 Mr. Wheelock bought the Harris Woolen Company plant at Putnam, Connecticut, a few miles from Ux- bridge. It consisted of the factory, twelve sets of woolen machinery, one-quarter of the power of the Quinebaug river at that point, with dwelling houses and other real estate. Ile formed the Putnam Woolen Company to operate the plant and became the treasurer and manager. The capital stock was increased in 1880, and a second factory with new machinery and more water power was added to the plant. This concern was also highly successful. Owing to other business Mr. Wheelock turned over the management of this company in 1887 to his associates. In 1883 he had bought the Central Mill plant in Uxbridge, consisting of mill, machinery and the power of the entire Blackstone river at that point, and he formed the Calumet Woolen Company to operate it. After repairing the mill and making changes and additions this company be- gan under the management of Mr. Wheelock the manufacture of fancy cassimeres. In 1886 this com- pany increased its capital stock, purchased the Ux- bridge Woolen Factory, which is now called the Hecla Alill, and operated it as part of their plant until the spring of 1905. During this time Mr. Wheelock was also manager of the Wacantuck Mills, as the plant of C. A. & S. M. Wheelock was called, until 1891.

For over sixty years Mr. Wheelock was connected with woolen mill companies and always proved him- self a wise and resourceful manager. Every debt which he contracted was paid in full when due, a remarkable record considering the fluctuations in the woolen business in the past half century and the financial panics that have caught most manufactur- ers unprepared or unable to ineet their obligations. Though conservative, he never lacked courage in undertaking new enterprises or meeting emergencies. As an employer he always held the good will and respect of his men, and while democratic and kindly in manner always maintained a high degree of discipline. Mr. Wheelock rarely evinced great in- terest in politics, but served three years faithfully on the board of selectmen. lle was originally a Whig, but a Republican after that party was or- ganized. He voted for William Henry Harrison and for Henry Clay in his early days. In 1888 and

1889 he represented the Second Worcester senatorial district in the legislature, being elected by a very flattering vote. He was a member both years of the committees on manufacturing and on parishes and societies. He also received the honor of attending the Republican national convention at Philadelphia in 1900 as delegate from his congressional district. He was director of the Blackstone National Bank from 1858 until his death, forty-three years. He was a member of the society of the First Congre- gational Church, and was a generous supporter ot its activities. Since 1852 he was a member of Ux- bridge Lodge, I. O. O. F., and served in all the offices.

He married, May 5, 1841, Irene Taft, born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, September 19, 1816. They celebrated their golden wedding and he lived ten years afterward. He died at his home in Wheelock- ville, in Uxbridge, October 18, 1901, in his eighty- fourth year, and is buried in Prospect Hill ceme- tery. Irene (Taft) Wheelock was the daughter of Luke Taft, descended from Robert Taft, the immi- grant, through the following line. Luke 5); James (4) ; Moses (3); Captain Joseph, Sr. (2) ; Robert (1). (See Taft families). Mrs. Wheelock was a woman of strong character, earnest religious faith and attractive personality. She died at Ux- bridge January 26, 1900. Their children were: I. Ellen Maria, born September 2, 1842; married, June 6, 1866, Eben B. Haywood, of Uxbridge; she died in 1871. 2. Eugene Augustus, mentioned below. 3. Alice Augusta, born January 22, 1849; married, Oc- tober 21, 1874, Henry R. Smith, of Leominster, Massachusetts, manufacturer of piano cases ; she died in September, 1891. 4. Arthur, mentioned below. 5. Henry, born January 14, 1857, graduate of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, superintendent of the Putnam Woolen Company for about a year ; married, November 3, 1880, Jennie G. Taft, of Ux- bridge, where she now resides; he died there No- vember 13, 1881.

(VIII) Eugene Augustus Wheelock, son of Hon. Silas Mandeville Wheelock (7), was born in Ux- bridge, February 15, 1846, and received his education in the public and high schools of his native town, and at Williston Academy, Easthampton, Massachu- setts. When not in school he spent his time in his father's mills, and there laid the foundation of success in intimate knowledge of every detail of the business. At the age of seventeen he went to work in the Uxbridge mill. At the age of twenty-one he was placed in charge of the mill of S. M. Wheelock & Company, at Wilsonville, Connecticut, where a hundred men and women were employed at that time, and remained there for three years. In June, 1870, Mr. Wheelock was sent to Putnam, Connecti- cut, as superintendent and agent of the Putnam Woolen Company's No. 1, Mill, recently purchased of the Harris Company. This new company en- larged its business in 1880 by purchasing the mill in Putnam. then owned by C. F. Mason & Company, and Mr. Wheelock became the manager also of that inill. In 1886, when his father resigned, he was elected treasurer of the Putnam Woolen Company, and has since been both treasurer and manager. The business of the company has flourished under his charge. The mills contain nineteen sets of ma- chinery, employing three hundred and fifty hands, manufacturing woolen cassimeres, overcoatings and suitings. The company owns what is deemed the best water power on the stream.

Mr. Wheelock is a Republican in politics, and

PUBLIC

ALBERT W. GAASKILL

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has for a number of years served on the town com- mittee. 11 1888 and 1889 he was on the Connecti- cut state central committee of his party. He has for more than twelve years served on the Board of Education, and was one of the building committee for the high school in 1874. He is a trustee of the Putnam Town Library, and a trustee of the Putnam Cemetery Association. He is a member of Uxbridge Lodge, I. O. O. F., Quinebaug Lodge, No. . 106, F. and A. M., of which he was worshipful mas- ter four years; Putnam Royal Arch Chapter No. Uxbridge Lodge I. O. O. F .; Quinebaug Lodge, No. 41 ; Columbian Commandery, K. T., of Norwich, Connecticut ; Aleppo Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Boston; and he was a member of the Knights of Pythias of Putnam until they disbanded. He is a director of the First National Bank of Putnam. He married, June 17, 1868, Sarah Smith Taft, daughter of Zadock and Mary (Mowry) (Brown) Taft, of Uxbridge. She also was a descendant of the inimi- grant Robert Taft, her line being: Zadock A. (5); Zadock (4); Aaron (3); Captain Joseph (2) ; Rob- ert (I). Mrs. Wheelock died in Putnam, December 20, 1901. The children of Eugene A. and Sarah S. Wheelock, all born in Putnam, were:

I. Silas Mandeville, born March 10, 1871; grad- uate of the Putnam high school; attended Cushing Academy, Ashburnham; was made superintendent of the company's mills at Putnam October 1, 1901; married, October 18, 1899, Ruth E. Shaw, daughter of George E. and Ellen S. Shaw, of Putnam, and they have three children: Sylvia, born November 26, 1900; Elizabeth, born October 27, 1902; Sarah Taft, born August 31, 1905.

2. Ellen Maria, born March 20, 1873; graduate of Putnam high school, 1890; attended Bishop Hop- kins Seminary at Burlington, Vermont, and Burn- ham School, Northampton, Massachusetts; is a char- ter member of Elizabeth Porter Putnam Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

3. Mary Taft, born August 8, 1875; attended Putnam high school; is a charter member of Eliza- beth Porter Putnam Chapter, D. A. R., and has been the librarian.

4. Irene Taft, born April 7, 1881; graduate of Putnam high school, 1899; attended Smith College two years; married G. H. Gilpatric, of Putnam, Oc- tober 19, 1905.

5. Henry Arnold, born August 27, 1883; grad- uate of Putnam high school, 1900; graduated Phil- lips' Academy, Exeter, class 1902; graduated Shef- field Scientific School, Yale University, class 1905. Mr. Wheelock married, November 18, 1903, Caroline L. Harper, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

(VIII) Arthur Wheelock, fourth child of Hon. Silas Mandeville Wheelock (7), was born March 26, 1851. He was educated in the public and high schools of his native town and at Wilbraham Acad- emy. At the age of seventeen he entered the office of C. A. & S. M. Wheelock at Uxbridge as book- keeper, and assisted in buying and selling. Ile con- tinued in that position until 1883, when upon the incorporation of the Calumet Woolen Company and the purchase of the Central Mill property he was made director of the corporation and superintend- ent of the mill. Since the purchase of the Uxbridge Woolen Mill in 1886, he has been the agent of the company in its management, as well as in that of the other mill owned by the company. He is one of the leading manufacturers of that section. When Silas M. Wheelock resigned the office of treasurer

in 1900, hie succeeded to the office of treasurer and manager of the Calumet Woolen Company until its dissolution in 1906. In 1905 he formed the Stan- ley Woolen Company and became its treasurer and manager. He is a director of the Blackstone Na- tional Bank of Uxbridge; was one of the pro- moters and first president of the Uxbridge and Northbridge Electric Company; is a permanent trustee of the Public Library; he was for three years selectman of the town and member of the school committee. He is a trustee and vice-president of the Uxbridge Savings Bank, and trustee of Pros- pect Hill Cemetery corporation. He is an active and influential citizen, interested in the development of the town, and largely responsible for the im- proved water supply there. He is a Republican and has for a number of years been a director in the Home Market Club. He belongs to Uxbridge Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is a past noble grand. For some thirty-five years he has been an active member of the Unitarian church.

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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. IV, Part 92

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed Publication date: 1907 Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 710

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 710