USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Spencer > Historical sketches relating to Spencer, Mass., Volume IV > Part 7
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
ful, resourceful manager of its complex affairs would no more be in control.
This stroke, unexpected and severe, brought a
Crisis
in the history of the firm. The deceased members thereof had bought and sold. They and they only, had the essential knowledge of the market. They alone had the development and strength that comes by buying stock and selling products in the crowded mart. The younger members of the house had carried other burdens and when thus suddenly called to leader- ship had little preparation for the urgent needs of the situation. But they were of the same vigorous stock and swiftly rose to the demands and presently carried the business to yet larg r . proportions. The younger brother, Jason W .. was admitted and the firm continued to be Isaac Prouty & Company.
The shop was again enlarged and again until its generous dimensions are 600 feet length by 42 in width, five stories, with basement. Two large brick storehouses for stock and products have been erected in addition, and yet another brick building in which lasts, wooden boxes and cartons are made. The "Big Shop" is divided into fire-proof sections. Other safeguards against fire have been provided. incandescent lighting has been introduced ; a 350 horse power engine sup- plies motor-force and four 100 horse power boilers furnish steam for the engine and heat for the factory.
In 1872 the product reached 20,000 cases valued at $500,- 000. In 1886 the output was valued at $2,075,000. In 1903 at $2,500,000.
Incorporation.
In 1894 the Isaac Prouty Company was incorporated, thus providing for the perpetuity of the firm and for the industry which one man of the common people without adventitious aids founded and of which he saw generous and continued development in his own lifetime, and at its close passed it to . his sons who had already inherited and manifested much of the vigor and force native to himself.
From this review of the industry originated and carried forward by Mr. Prouty it is time to turn to more direct oh- servation and study of his personal
Characteristics.
Physically Captain Isaac Prouty was of kindly propor- tions. His frame was well-knit and vigorous. A man hardy and fitted for the sturdy battle of life. His face is recalled
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CAPTAIN ISAAC PROUTY.
as heavy, sober, if not severe. Certainly it could put on severity. Yet all this was simply indicative of brooding and abiding thoughfulness and constant application to assumed tasks. He gave to work the generous forces with which nature had endowed him. At North Spencer he was one of the four or five men who never stopped to play. Not that he was without the element of play or that he failed to be playful. His children had a native delight in play, had ample time for play allowed them, though early set to work of some sort. There were no more royal playfellows at North Spencer than the children of Captain Prouty. He himself loved to teil stories while all the time steadily pushing some business then in hand. His sense and command of that elusive and bene- ficent quality Americans call humor and which they love, giving it large place, was real, albeit the manifestation thereof was often somewhat grim. One sample may be given.
A young builder, who was wont to receive loans from Captain Prouty for use in his enterprises, having one day negotiated a loan, on taking the money ventured the opinion that in fairness the lender should bear the burden of putting on record the mortgage tendered as security. The argument was suddenly closed by a sharp call for the immediate return of the money. Of course the matter ended there. The loan remained with the borrower, but the inward feast of humor was largely with the lender, who was really much less grim than his words.
Mr. Prouty had large capacity for work. Like many others he may have had to learn the love of labor-that es- sential of success. But as remembered by those yet in their cradles when he had won the sinews of manhood he was a tirs- less toiler. Early and late he was busy with affairs. In the earlier days at his shop he was cutter, he gave out work to stitchers, siders and bottomers, looked over their work when returned, went to market with goods behind his faithful gray horse and returned with loads of stock for more products. He was an ambitious man, ambitious for himself and for his family, as his children, some of them, came to know when love kindled its holy fires in their souls. Though dressed as simply as those who toiled in his shops for wages, though his home was plain like theirs and his table no more sumptuous, it is hardly too much to say that no more imperial nature sunned itself under Spencer skies than this pla'n man who could be seen daily, if seen at all. in the common dress of working men.
He sought large things for self and for his householdl and strongly held that money had uplift for those who could command it, that business and estate made vantage and as-
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
sured social position, recognition and power. Yet with these strong ideals and ambitions he never put aside the plain habits of the common people among whom his life began. His dress never passed the severe limits known in the beginning of the struggle for advancement. He wore the same garments when in Worcester on business errands as about the shops, and was as unconscious in the one place as in the other.
Sometimes this plainness of dress led to striking condi- tions. In the street at Worcester with a wagon load of boots by a collision he was thrown to the ground and picked up by bystanders disabled and apparently without sense of his in- jury. As he seemed a poor, working man it was proposed to take him to the police station for public care. Just then Captain Prouty slowly pushed his hand within his soiled and well-worn vest and drew forth a rotund pocket book and soon made someone understand his desire for immediate medical attention and his ability to pay for the same.
The ambitious purposes of the man did not push him away from the simplicity of common life. He loved a garden and kept an acquaintance with work in a garden to the close of life. Early in spring he was wont himself to spade up his plot of ground, going over it again and again for very pleasure in the foraging of a flock of chickens that followed ever for worms and insects. He enjoyed the battle with weeds and marked with eager delight the growth of stalk and vine, blos- som and fruit. His garden toil was ever in the fragrant morn- ings and before breakfast, and at Spencer just as at North Spencer. Doubtless he found, as do others still, an added rest at his table because of such morning exercise and by the fruit thereof in dewy greens, edible roots and luscious berries.
It should be said that while this man pushed thus vigorous- ly for himself and his household, while he loved independence and purposed to make it sure for self and home, he was ap- parently pleased that other men about him should be de- pendent on his thought and ability. Perhaps there was a sub- conscious force of heredity that influenced him, a breath of the older life of his people, of the days when one well-born man was landlord and master and all others henchmen and depend- ents.
Eagerness for personal advancement may have, at times, blinded him to the interest of the many, and in some measure to his own. For the employer rises as his employes are lifted in the scale of prosperity and being. Real estate anywhere appreciates with the general advance of individual holders. Man is social. We are "members one of another."
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CAPTAIN ISAAC PROUTY.
The fact that sometimes Captain Prouty's workmen at North Spencer in the earlier days were compelled to wait for work because either "uppers" or "bottom stock" was not fitted, added to the matter already noted that this employer was by no means averse to having others about him as de- pendents on his will and power, hardly proves him to have been forgetful of their interest. His burdens were many. He fol-
lowed no well-beaten familiar path. He was a pioneer. With his own hands he toiled variously every day. Was his own bookkeeper, bought and sold in the market himself, did his own carting, thinking out the plans essential to his com- plex task as he drove the dusty highways and as he stood at the cutter's bench in the shop or visited his grazing herd in the pastures. The factory was not ruled by system as the factories of today. Naturally confusion sometimes had place and manifold delay, by which all interests suffered. Remedies were slowly evolved and little by little improved service came.
Undoubtedly this pioneer in the great boot and shoe in- dustry of Spencer and New England had in his virile nature not a little selfishness. This has been stoutly affirmed by some. Well, selfishness has been a mainspring of much helpful move- ment in this world.
Whatever may be said of boot and shoe manufacturers as being unmindful of their employes and moved with greed for self-enrichment, they will bear comparison with railway kings, with the coal and steel barons and other mag- nates of the world of production and distribution.
Whatever abatement should be made for Captain Prouty's dominating purpose to push by his fellows in the race for wealth, for any lack of clear and kindly recognition of the needs and rights of his workmen, for such close and constant pursuit of personal interests as left little time or strength for the more public activities and duties of American citizenship, for deferred and infrequent study of Christian obligations and possibilities of development for himself and the household given him to lead in the ways of righteousness and upward to Heaven itself, in view of all faults and failings whatsoever, it may fairly, yes, stoutly, be affirmed that here was a man. A man, virile, astute, ambitious. A man with powers for large things. A man who lifted self and household higher in estate and pos- sibility of public service.
In his home youth dreamed of strength, of beauty, of worthy deeds, and in that home such dreams came true. Here, indeed, was one of the common people, one of Spencer's own sons, but only a 'prentice boy, who lived plainly, toiled steadily, did some real thinking, wrestled courageously with hindrance and difficulty, ceasing not till past the threescore years of
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
strength and then by evil force of disease bringing death. A man who laid foundations for an industry affording oppor- tunity to many and an outlook for future industrial benefi- cence.
It has already appeared that the full force of this mau was given to his chosen business. Yet sometime in the early years of manhood service in the militia of the State was rend- ered and rank as captain was attained. The service ceased with the changed usages of the commonwealth, but the title stayed with the man till the end and abides with his memory.
He was long a member of the parish, connected with the Congregational church of Spencer. From an early date he
The owned two pews in its meeting house. In the crowded days of his North Spencer life he was not often at church. Sabbath, however, always was a day of quiet. The busy shop was a place of peace. His second wife was a member of the church, a devout woman loving to send a carriage-load church- ward Sunday morning and going herself when home cares and strength permitted. The older children often attended the Baptist church at Jocktown.
Captain Prouty appears to have been thoughtful for the welfare of the church to which he so long held the relation of a parishioner. Thoughtfulness must have deepened and become more involved with his own religious needs at the time of gen- eral awakening in Spencer, when several of his children were interested and some of them united with the church.
In his late years he expressed, again and again, his desire for the remodelling of the church edifice, purposing to assign' $5,000 in aid of such movement. After his sudden removal his heirs tendered that amount to the Congregational church, ask- ing that it be recognized as a memorial of him. ' He also re- membered the Methodist Episcopal church. The use of its driveway for his first factory at the center was not forgotten. Just a little before his departure he asked his children to pre- sent that church a bell. In due time this request was made good. The service of the bell has been enjoyed for years and perhaps the bell thus given may continue to call men to the worship of God and the sanctity of the Sabbath through the centuries.
In his closing hours he said: "I might have had more money to leave my children, but as it is I think I leave enough for their good." Doubtless he then came to clearer vision of real values. The hour was a pathetic one. He knew his life- force was ebbing. His day of toil and struggle was ending. The strong son who had been as another right hand for twenty
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CAPTAIN ISAAC PROUTY.
years, lay in like helplessness near by. Death was at hand. Thus the end came.
Another view of the man may be. His children by their character and deeds indicate his qualities. Of the living it is not the time to write. But of the group that came by the first marriage of Captain Prouty something may now be written- for they are not here.
John G., the eldest, was one of the young men of promise in Spencer. At the beginning of joint business effort with his father at North Spencer, the late Charles E. Denny offered him a partnership, which was accepted. Later he was in like re- lation with Hon. David Prouty of noble memory. All too early his years were numbered and finished. If long life had been assured, a leading place in the town would have easily been his.
Lewis W., as boy and man exhibited an affluent nature. Whatever he had-and he was never without something to divide-he wished to share it with some schoolmate or friend. None of his schoolmates forgot his generous love of play, his ready vigor in study, his sturdy courage. With that he met discipline and punishment when eagerness in play had carried him to some breaking of a rule or some disorderliness. Re- peated blows of a sixteen inch birchen ruler smartly laid on the open palm brought no tears, no lowering of his boyish, yet manly crest. It was not strange that his boy-mates admired him and prized his friendship. To be his seat-mate was a prize indeed. Neither was it strange that the girls blushed as they met him and knew a quickening pulse as they looked on him. Not strange that one of them carried through all her days a glowing love for him that because of adverse circum- stances could never have adequate expression, yet by its beauty, its holy fire, knew her own being enriched and blessed for aye.
In business the affluence of the boy-nature swelled to the fulness of manhood. The friendships ripened to those of maturity. When he was about to enter Leicester academy, he sought to take one of his boyish mates as a companion in study. Lions seeming to bar the way, Lewis turned from his schoolmate to the parent and urged his suit there. It was in vain, albeit the pleader won fresh favor. That boy was by several years his junior. His parents were poor. Though failing of continued companionship with his senior in study and in academic halls, the remembrance that he was desired and sought for such fellowship has been abiding pleasure.
In mature years the paths of these sometime schoolmates divulged more and more. Across the space, after years with- out contact even by mail, a letter came in prompt response to
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
one written by the junior, a letter enclosing a check from Lewis W. Prouty for twice the amount asked for sacred use in the church of God. Such memories are precious.
Lewis' wealth of nature made him a man of resource, as experience ripened him, for the high tasks of a captain of in- dustry and manager of the complex business he had helped to develop on the foundations laid by his father.
For the major part of his life he appears to have had slight interest in the things of religion. But in the well re- membered awakening under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Cruick- shanks his interest became positive. He did not unite with the church as did his brother. George. Possibly he would have But in other ways done so, later, if life had been prolonged.
he evinced a new quality of service and character. His voice was not heard in Christian testimony in public, vet by afford- ing free carriage to gospel meetings at the schoolhouse where once he was busy at study and play. and to other points as freely-by generous use of money and by a reverent bearing he showed somewhat of a new life. Then, suddenly, all earthly activity ceased. The book of his life with its freshen- ing interest was closed.
George P. Prouty, the third son. was an active and valued member of the firm for a long term. He was a force for econ- omy and commercial honor. As noted above. he was a mem- ber of the Congregational church. In business activity, Chris- tian fellowship and in manifold home comfort he reached riper age than either of his full brothers, or the one sister of whom also a brief record must here be made.
Ellen S. Prouty as child, maid and woman was ever greatly beloved. She won such recognition by high qualities. Of her Jean Ingelow's fine line may be written: "Sweeter woman ne'er drew breath." It is not exaggeration to write that in youth she was loved by every North Spencer boy. She awoke ideals that rose above herself. Many of the boys were content with the ideals thus awakened within. To these she became a type of the true woman. The woman man honors and loves as mother, sister, wife, daughter and friend- woman that lifts earth skyward.
Some, however, had wilder dreams-held her sacredly and passionately as sweetheart and dared to think of a future of which she should be the blissful center. These daring dreams passed and disappointment and pain came when a claimant from without the immediate environment won her love and led her to the altar.
This, however, occurred at Spencer after her father's re- moval from North Spencer. The man who thus welcomed to
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CAPTAIN ISAAC PROUTY.
his heart and hearth this richly endowed woman, was Hezekiah P. Starr, a brother-in-law of Hon. Erastus Jones. He was later a successful boot manufacturer in town.
Alas, the years allotted this charming woman were few. The brevity of her life makes it seem incomplete. She should have had the full, strong years of matrimony and motherhood, and then the glory of ripened age. A fair grandmother, white-haired and reverent of face, is one of the noblest visions allowed to mortal men.
In this case such grace was not given. In early wedded life the end came. But the soberness by early death could not dim the light this life had already given those whom it had touched. All youthful life at North Spencer had been il- lumined by the light glowing in the fair face of this daughter of Captain Prouty's home. Boys and girls were made the bet- ter by her common, widely-bestowed kindliness, her sweet friendship, and the very grace of her being. Her memory, too, is luminous.
That so much vigor, so much affluence of nature, so much loveliness, was manifested by his children is unmistakable evi- dence that Captain Isaac Prouty, however his family may have been strengthened and enriched by the wives given him as helpmates, was a man of genuine nobility and worth.
As such a man, as one who showed force of being by push- ing from nothing to open recognition in the realm of large af- fairs, and from poverty to wealth, it will be well to keep his memory green. Other lads, and men, too, need the inspiration such a life brings. Inspiration to thought, to effort, prudence and the persistent toil ever essential to man's advancement. Inspiration to the sober faith that it is better to make one's own way upward than to be simply an inheritor of wealth and position. Better to win strength and goodness than great riches.
BIOGRAPHY OF JOSIAH GREEN THE ORIGINAL SALE BOOT MANUFACTURER.
BY HIS SON IN LAW, JOSEPH W. TEMPLE.
The subject of this sketch was a descendant of the Thomas Greene who was born about 1606 and came to this country from Leicestershire, England, probably in the ship Paull in 1635. The name was spelled, in the early records, with the final "e", but a great majority of the descendants have dropped this vowel. The line of descent, to the sixth generation, is as follows, viz. : Thomas 1, Henry 2, Joseph 3, Jabez 4, Jabez, Jr., 5, Josiah 6.
Jabez Green, Jr., was born in Stoneham, Mass., June 13, 1743, and married Lucy Kent, daughter of Ebenezar Kent of Leicester, Mass., Aug. 9, 1764. By this marriage there were six children. She died about 1784. In 1786 he married Hannah Willis, of Hardwick, and there were nine children by this marriage. Josiah Green, the fourth of the latter family, was born in Leicester, Aug. 9, 1792.
His early education was necessarily limited, as in the economy of the family the children's time was an indispensable factor in their support, and they could not take advantage, even of the short allowance of the schooling, in those days.
The greater part of his early life was occupied upon the farm, but in the fall of 1811 he, and his elder brother Nathaniel, undertook the manufacture of sewed shoes, as a business hazard. They began with a capital of five dollars and forty cents, in the house of John Hubbard, a near neighbor, and their mother raised and spun the flax, and made the thread used in the manufacture of their work. The leather used for their goods was the split remnants of card leather, such as was used by the card manufacturers of Leicester. This was taken to the leather dresser, one Abel Chapman of Leicester, onled,
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JOSIAH GREEN.
blacked and finished, ready for use. Their product, during the winter, was a "one-horse" load, or about 230 pairs, and in early spring they were taken to Boston, by Josiah, to be dis- posed of. This was a large amount of goods to be offered upon the market at one time, and only one party, an auctioneer, was found willing to undertake the sale of them. He pur- chased six pairs at two dollars and thirty cents per pair, with the privilege of the lot, if the venture should prove a success. It was satisfactory and he took the balance. Receiving the money for them, Mr. Green purchased leather to make up an-
JOSIAH GREEN.
other lot, and returned home. The second load was completed and sold with satisfactory results.
In 1814 they made a "two horse" load, designed for the Albany market, but these were sold to some army speculators before reaching Albany, at two dollars and twenty-seven cents per pair. Two years later, the brothers found they had ac- cumulated three thousand dollars, and the elder proposed that they retire from business and purchase, each, a farm. The partnership was dissolved and Nathaniel moved to Maine and bought him a farm, but Josiah continued in the manufacture of boots.
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
In 1816 he came to Spencer and September 4th he married Tamer, daughter of Robert Watson of Leicester. He had just purchased the farm, which later on was owned and occupied by the late Samuel Adams, using one room in the dwelling as his shop. This was his first year for making pegged boots and for a while all the pegs he used were made by himself, with the aid of a common shoe knife.
The plan of disposing of this new product was a novel one. It was to take them around the country, in a one or two- horse wagon, to sell, or return, when called for and on his next trip collect for what had been sold and if the arrangement proved mutually satisfactory, they would assort up the sizes and continue the relations. These "sale boots" were de- nounced in the strongest terms, by the village and traveling shoemaker.
Oct. 13, 1820 his wife died and one year later he married Sybil, daughter of Dea. Reuben Underwood of Spencer and by their marriage they reared a family of eight children. In 1831 he purchased the homestead upon which he resided until his decease, Dec. 28, 1876, and the room in the old mansion, (now used as parlor), was his work shop until 1834. This year he built and occupied a small factory opposite his dwelling, on the Great Post road. His boots had a wide reputation and were extensively known as "Green's Boots."
He was alone in his business until 1852, when his son Henry R. and son-in-law Emory Shumway, were admitted as partners. The latter left the concern in '56 and was succeeded by Edward, youngest son of Mr. Green. He retired from the firm in '65 and his interest was purchased by his brother Jonas U. - In '66 Mr. Green, Sr., retired from the business, leaving his interest to his oldest son, Josiah, Jr., who remained in the firm until his decease in 1886. Jonas U. retired from the firm in '77 and Henry R. in '87. The business was continued for a few years, and was conducted by Charles H., son of Henry R., and A. F. Southwick, son-in-law of Josiah, Jr.
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