History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 154

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 154

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Patrick Henry Cooney was born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, December 20, 1845; was educated in New York Schools, Natick High School (graduating in 1866) and in the West Newton English and Clas- sical School (Allen Brothers, proprietors) ; studied law with Bacon & Sawin and John W. Bacon; was admitted to the Suffolk bar November 1, 1868. Es- tablished in Natick January 1, 1869. Has a Boston office at 23 Court Street. Was a member of the Natick School Committee from 1880 for three years. In 1884 was appointed assistant district attorney for the Northern District of Massachusetts-a State office- is now district attorney. Was nominated by the Re- publicans for Representative in 1881 and defeated by three votes. Is unmarried.

Harrison G. Sleeper was born in New Sharon, Maine, in 1837, and educated in Boston Public 36

Schools, including English High School. Studied law and was admitted to the bar at Lowell in 1862. Practiced law in Frederick, Maryland, from 1865 to 1876, and served on the Public School Board there for eight years. Was a lawyer in Portland, Maine, from 1876 to 1883, when he removed to Natick. Mr. Sleeper married Miss Sarah F. Prescott, of Deerfield, N. H. They have two sons, -Henry G. Sleeper, born July 9, 1865, and Arthur P. Sleeper, born Sept. 21, 1875. Mr. Sleeper's law-office is in Odd Fellows' Block, Natick.

William A. Knowlton was born in Nashville, Tenn., June 24, 1855, and was three months old when brought to Natick, where he has since resided. Was educated in Natick Public Schools, including the High School and Phillips Academy, Andover, from which he graduated. Then went to Amherst College and to Boston University Law School, from the latter of which he graduated in 1881, and was at once ad- mitted to the bar. Immediately Mr. Knowlton began to practice law in Natick and Boston, and is engaged in the same at the present time. In 1888 he was elected by the town as one of the trustees of Morse Institute. The maiden-name of his wife was Eliza- beth J. Burks, and they have one child, born Oct. 31, 1888, named Harold W. Knowlton.

Frank M. Forbush, counselor-at-law, Natick and Boston, was born at Natick, Sept. 20, 1858, was edu- cated in the public schools of Natick and the Eng- lish High School of Boston, and is secretary of his class ('75) of that school. Entered the Law School of Boston University in 1881, taking the studies of three years in one year. Was admitted to the bar of Middlesex County Sept. 13, 1882. Commenced prac- tice at once in Boston and Natick. Nov. 1, 1882, he married Miss Annie Louise Mead. They have one child, Walter Alfred Forbush, born Oct. 11, 1886. In 1886 Mr. Forbush organized in Natick "The Henry Wilson Co-operative Bank," of which he has been from the first the attorney. In " The Royal Arcannm " and "Home Circle" (fraternal benefit societies) he has held office. His Boston office is at No. 5 Tremont Street, Room 63.

Henry Coolidge Mulligan was born in Natick March 6, 1854, and educated at the Adams Academy at Quincy and Harvard University, graduating from the college and the Law School. Was admitted to the bar in Boston, Jan. 14, 1883. Has law offices in Boston and Natick. Has been a member of the Natick School Committee since 1884, and one of the Trustees of Morse Institute since 1885. Mr. Mulligan married, Dec. 22, 1886, Miss Minna Rawson, of Worcester, and has a son, Ralph Coolidge, born March 15, 1888,

James McManus, a lawyer in Natick, was born in Ireland August 20, 1847. Came to the United States when a child. Was educated in the public schools and at Harvard University, graduating in 1871. Ad- mitted to the bar iu 1873. Practiced in Natick. Is

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town clerk, and has been since 1886. Has served as trustee of Morse Institute, and is a member of the School Committee.

Messrs. G. L. Sleeper, C. B. Felch, G. D. Tower, I. W. Parker and L. H. Wakefield are also Natick lawyers.

PHYSICIANS .- Of the Indian doctors, male and fe- male, the name of Joshua Bran alone survives. Those whose names follow were among the earlier physi- cians in Natick : Isaac Morrill, came 1771; Asa Adams, 1782; Alexander Thayer, 1813; John An- gier, 1817 ; Stephen H. Spaulding, 1823; John Hoyt, 1840; Adino B. Hall, 1849; Ira Russell, 1853. Dr. Russell, who has recently died at his home in Win- chendon, was greatly respected by the present gene- ration,

Dr. George J. Townsend is the oldest of the Natick physicians. He resides at South Natick, but he has patients in all parts of the town. He was born in 1820, and graduated at Harvard University in 1842.1

Dr. William Richards has had much experience as a physician. Born in Hillsdale, N. Y., educated at Kinderhook Academy, University of Pennsylvania, Albany Medical College and in Long Island Hospital ; he practiced in Cummington fifteen years. He was then nine years in Brockton, and came to Natick in 1879. Has been selectman, overseer of the poor, as- sessor, and is now a member of the Natick Board of Health. Is a Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society. Mrs. Richards was Miss Martha A. Brown, of Berkshire County, Mass.

Dr. Samuel K. Harriman was born in Prospect, Maine, educated under private tutors till fitted for Yale College, took his undergraduate medical course at Bucksport and Winterport, Maine, then was a member of Pennsylvania University, and took degrees in medicine in Philadelphia and Jefferson Medical Col- leges. Later pursued special studies at the latter in- stitution 1881-83, after he had practiced three years in Philadelphia, and the same length of time in Natick. Dr. Harriman is at the present time unmar- ried, having buried all his family.

Dr. Edgar S. Dodge was born in Enfield, N. H., was educated in the public schools, at Union Academy, in Canaan, N. H., and at the Harvard and Dartmouth Medical Colleges, graduating at the latter in 1876. Was resident physician at the hospital on Rainsford Island, Boston Harbor, and then pursued medical studies in Europe. Settled in Natick 1879, and has had here a lucrative practice. In 1885 was on the Board of Health, and in 1887 and 1888 was on the Board of Selectmen. In 1880 Dr. Dodge married Miss Alice Louise Churchill, who was born in Abing- ton, Mass. They have two children-Florence Louise and Raymond Churchill.

A. Francis Story, M.D., was born in Essex, Mass., educated in Salem High School, Brown High School,

Newburyport, in the Boston University School of Medicine, St. Bartholomew Hospital, London, Eng- land, and the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Graduated from Boston University in 1882, and from Rotunda Hospital in 1883. Commenced practice in Natick October 1, 1883. Dr. Story's specialty is treating heart and lung diseases, and he has a large practice. Married Elizabeth Flora Howard, and they have no children.

Doctors Sylvester, Wright, Cook, Smith, Manual, Keating, Cochran and Weston are physicians in Natick, but have furnished no items of personal or professional history.

EXPRESS COMPANIES .- Howe & Co.'s Natick, Co- chituate und Boston Express was established about thirty-five years ago, and performs an important part in the business operations of Natick. The proprietors are G. W. Howe and J. B. Messinger. Their Boston offices are at 91 Kilby Street and 34 Court Square. The Natick office is in Fiske's Brick Block. They employ five or six teams for their Natick work, and about the same number in Boston. On an average this company sends to and brings from Boston a full car-load of goods each day in the week, except the Sabbath.

The Adams Express Company does a large and con- stantly increasing business in Natick. The local agent is H. G. Wight.

The American Express Company has an important office in this town, reaching all the communities at the North and Northwest, even to the Pacific Ocean. William H. Pond is the Natick agent.

Bailey's Express communicates with Boston daily from South Natick, taking the Boston and Albany Railroad at Wellesley. The proprietor is Almond Bailey, of Bailey's Hotel, South Natick. This ex- press company loads a car each day to and from Boston.

COAL, WOOD, ETC .- Robinson & Jones sell annually -Coal, 6190 tons; hay, 450 tons; straw, 75 tons ; fer- tilizers, 40 tons; wood, 600 cords.

Warren A. Bird is a dealer in coal and wood.

The Union Lumber Company deals largely in wood and coal.

NATICK FRATERNITIES .- These are social, educa- tional and benevolent, and most of them secure to the members aid in sickness and a fixed allowance to families at the death of members. The Natick Citizen enumerates forty-seven of these societies (without in- clnding those connected with the churches), with 4858 members, and concludes that they raise and ex- pend not far from $4000 per month.

On Church Street is the "People's Laundry." Proprietor, Daniel A. Mahoney. Also E. M. Reed's furniture store and W. B. Fletcher's drug store.

The old tavern of South Natick, built during the Revolutionary War by Deacon Eliakim Morrill, the " Uncle Fliakim " of " Old Town Folks," was burned in 1872, and under one of its corner-stones its owner,

1 See Bacon's ".History," page 137.

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Mr. Goen Bailey, found seventeen pieces of copper money bearing dates from 1696 to 1775. These are all French or English coins, bearing the names of Lonis the XV. of France, and of the first, second and third of the Georges of England. Mr. Ahnond Bailey, propri- etor of Bailey's Hotel, has these coins in charge and will show them.

THE PRESS-The Natick Bulletin .- The predeces- sors of this paper were as follows : In 1856 the Natick Obserrer, E. E. Fisher, proprietor, started with 300 subscribers. Then edited and published by George O. Willard, then by G. W. & D. B. Ryder. No paper during the Civil War, In 1865 came the Natick Times, under Washington Clapp, continued till 1869, when, under W. W. Hemenway the name was changed to Natick Bulletin. Later Hemenway & Mayhew published it. It was burned out in 1874. Tben Cook & Sons, of Milford, took it and conducted it till 1880, when Horace L. Welles became owner. In 1882 it passed into the hands of its present editor and propri- etor, Mr. George C. Fairbanks, since which period its subscription list has been greatly enlarged, in eight months from 600 to 1200, and a large job printing es- tablishment built up, printing at one time, besides the Bulletin, The Cochituate Enterprise, The Saxonville News and Sherborn Mirror. The form of the Bulle- tin was changed to a quarto in 1885. The aim of this paper is to promote and strengthen every good cause, as the business of Natick and vicinity, education, temperance, general morality and virtue. In politics the Bulletin is independent, with Republican procliv- ities. Mr. Horace Mann has contributed to it, from time to time, many valuable articles upon the early history of this town.

Natick Citizen .- In the autumn of 1878 a number of the leading men in Natick, not feeling satisfied with the newspaper purporting to be published in this town, but really owned and printed by parties in Mil- ford, called a meeting and decided that the interests of Natick demanded a new paper, which should represent more largely and vigorously the business and general welfare of the town. They also became responsible to the amount of $500, should such a paper fail to be a paying investment during its first year. With this guarantee Messrs. Ryder & Morse commenced the publication of the Natick Citizen in December, 1878. From the beginning the enterprise was a success, and at the end of the year no part of the $500 was called for. In June, 1882, the firm of Ryder & Morse was dissolved, Mr. Ryder removing to California and Mr. Elwin (. Morse becoming judge of the District Court. A stock company was then formed to continue the publication of the paper, with a capital of $5000, and Mr. Erwin H. Walcott as its editor. After three years' service family afflictions led Mr. Walcott to re- tire from this position, and the office was leased for a term of years by Mr. Charles D. Howard, who had en- joyed twenty years' experience in journalism as the publisher of the Peabody Press and the Salem Evening

Post. With Mr. Howard, his son, Mr. William T. Howard, is connected, and the Citizen is published by Messrs. Charles D. Howard & Son, the former of whom is editor. During the past four years this office has done a large book, job and newspaper business, at one time printing every week no less than five distinct news- papers. It occupies four rooms in the second story of Clark's Block and its employees number ten to twelve. Its equipment is excellent, and it bids fair to become the largest printing establishment between Boston and Worcester. The Natick Citizen may be called independent with Republican proclivities, and is a strong advocate of temperance, education, moral- ity and all that can advance the public welfare. It is issued every Wednesday.

Natick Weekly Review, proprietor and editor, Mr. Martin Hall. Independent with Democratic proclivities. First issue, January 1, 1887. Mr. Hall removed his office to Childs' Block, May 1, 1889. The paper, which has been printed at the office of the Natick Citizen, will be issued from the proprietor's new office in future in connection with a job printing business. Mr. Hall prints by steam on a Campbell oscillating press.

MEAT MARKETS .- The meat-markets of Natick and of many of the adjacent towns are supplied by The Natick Beef Company, who are receivers of Swift's Chicago Dressed Beef, etc., which comes in the re- frigerator cars of the company direct from Chicago. The refrigerator here takes in at once fifty tons of ice.

· BIOGRAPHICAL .- William Biglow (Bigelow) grad- uated from Harvard College, 1794. Was a teacher in Salem, and master of the Boston Public Latin School ; was a writer of books and pamphlets; was a poet of no mean abilities, and published brief but reliable histories of Sherborn and Natick, the latter in 1830. He died suddenly in Boston, January 12, 1844.

Calvin E. Stouc .- Born in Natick, April 26, 1802, graduate of Bowdoin College and Andover Theologi- cal Seminary, was a Professor of Ancient Languages in Dartmouth College, of Sacred Literature in Lane Sem- inary, Cincinnati, Ohio, and held the same place in Andover Theological Seminary. He traveled exten- sively in Europe, was a voluminous writer and transla- tor, a ripe scholar, and a man of note because of his own abilities and aquirements, but known all over the world as the husband of Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," "Old Town Folks," and other popular books.

Judge John W. Bacon .- Born in Natick, 1818, gradnating at Harvard University in 1843; was long a conspicuous figure in this community. as a teacher, lawyer and especially as judge of the Superior Court. At different times he held some of the most important town offices, and was one of the citizens who did a most important work in establishing the Morse Institute, of the trustees of which he was a prominent member for fifteen years. Judge Bacon died very suddenly while holding court at Tauntou,

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

March 21, 1888. The members of the bar in Natick presented, through their chairman, Hon. C. Q. Tir- rell, to the town, in town-meeting assembled, a series of resolutions, setting forth the character and noble work of Mr. Bacon as an estimable citizen, able lawyer and just and enlightened judge, which the town ordered to be placed in full upon their records.

Henry Wilson .- A native of Farmington, N. H., came to Natick, December, 1833. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and was soon a manufacturer of boots and shoes, employing more than 100 men. He continued this business about eleven and a half years, but during all this period was laying up a store of practical knowledge. In I840 he was a politician en- gaged in the Presidential campaign ; in 1841 a Rep- resentative in the General Court; in 1844 a State Senator; in 1855 a Senator in Congress; in 1861 a colonel in the United States service, and the Vice- President of the United States upon the second elec- tion of General U. S. Grant to the Presidency. Mr. Wilson was deeply interested in the moral and relig- ious prosperity of Natick, as well as in crushing the slave power that had long ruled our country. He died suddenly at Washington, November 22, 1875. President Grant at once announced his death to the country, setting forth his high character and eminent services, and giving the usual directions to the several departments of government for honoring his memory. His funeral took place in Natick (where his remains rest), December 1, 1875, in the presence of a great assembly.

John O. Wilson-Senior partner in the firm of J. O. Wilson & Co., has long taken a prominent part in the industrial, educational, moral and religious as well as financial affairs of Natick. Mr. Wilson is a native of Hopkinton, came to Natick in 1839, learned the trade of a shoemaker and followed it twelve years. Then he commenced as a manufacturer and is now at the head of the largest boot and shoe factory in Natick, employing 400 persons and selling goods amounting to $1,250,000 annually. For thirty-eight years he has been one of the deacons of the Congrega- tional Church, is the only one of the original trustees of Morse Institute now in office, and is president of the board; is the president of the Natick Savings Bank and of the Natick Electric Company, and one of the directors of the Natick Gas Company.

Daniel Wight-Born in Natick, has been an oc- togenarian since September 18, 1888. Early a teacher, he fitted for college in Phillips Academy, and grad- nated from Harvard University in 1837, and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1840; was ordained pastor in Scituate, Mass., September 28, 1842, where he remained for sixteen years. Later he was pastor at Boylston three years, missionary to the Seneca Indians, N. Y., one year, pastor of Second Church, Ashburnham, 1863-71, after which he returned to his native town, where he now resides, engaged in liter- ary and other helpful work of various kinds. Was

librarian of Morse Institute, 1875-83. Mr. Wight is the author of the impressive picture, " Progress of Bunyan's Pilgrim from the City of Destruction to the Heavenly City." . The London Morning Adrer- tiser speaks of this as "a remarkable work of art," and gives an outline of the entire composition, em- bracing at least one hundred subjects. The picture has been admired by thousands on both sides of the Atlantic. There were 6000 copies and 800 proofs printed, after which Mr. Wight presented the plates (considerably worn) to " the Congregational Publica- tion Society," with 100 of the proofs. The plates were afterwards sold (with the full consent of Mr. Wight) for the sum of $450, to be removed to one of the Western States.

Harrison Harwood .- Was born in North Brook- field Oct. 18, 1814, and was the son of George W. and Annie Biscoe Harwood, of Spencer, Mass. His grandfather was a major in the Revolutionary War. . The pecuniary circumstances of the family prevent- ed young Harwood from obtaining a collegiate edu- cation, but in Westminster Academy, which deserv- edly held a high rank among the institutions of learn- ing in Worcester County, he made great proficency in his studies.

At the age of nineteen he was a popular and suc- cessful teacher, and three years later was engaged in business in Adrian, Michigan. At the age of twenty- five he returned to New England, and after having lived for a short time in Oakham, and for a longer period in Fitchburg, he finally settled in Winchen- dou and soon became one of her most enterprising citizens. In that place he built a fine Town Hall, a ·large business block, his own pleasant home and a number of other private residences, besides origina- ting and establishing the business of manufacturing rattan baskets. Later, he re-engaged in business in Adrian, but in 1858 settled permanently in Natick.

Here he erected a factory for the manufacture of base-balls, which soon became the foremost of its kind in the country. His three sons were admitted as partners in this enterprise, and the firm " Har- wood & Sons " built up a large and lucrative business that continues to give employment to many of the people of Natick.

Ten years after he came to this place Mr. Harwood erected his elegant residence on Walnut Hill, and to his taste and liberality in making improvements is due, in no small degree, the great beauty of that part of the town. His good judgment and large business ex- perience fitted him for faithful and etlicient service as one of the selectmen of Natick in 1871, '72 and '73. In the first of these years he was chosen one of the county commissioners of Middlesex County by a large majority, receiving for this office 910 of the 919 votes cast in Natick. Re-elected in 1874, 1877 and 1880, he had, at the time of his death, entered upon the twelfth year of his service in this capacity, and for about seven years had been the chairman of the board.

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Mr. Harwood was also one of the projectors of the Natick National Bank and, for a number of years, one of its directors.

In an enterprising and growing towu like Natick the calls upon the public spirit and liberality of its leading citizens will always be numerous, and these were met most cheerfully by Mr. Harwood.

But while his industry, ability, gentlemanly bear- ing and rare judgment eminently fitted him to he a useful and trusted public servant, the same and other qualities of mind and heart made him especially re- spected and beloved in the domestic circle. His home was his delight. His wife was Miss Adeline Green- wood, of Winchendon. As a husband and a father Mr. Harwood seemed to live largely to promote the comfort and welfare of his family, but for this reason he never overlooked the claims of his neighbors and acquaintances upon his hospitality, and this he dis- pensed generously. He delighted in the culture of fruit and the adornment of his grounds and those connected with the elegant residences of his sous, all of which are in close proximity.

For two years Mr. Harwood was feeble and, at times, a great but uncomplaining sufferer. He died Aug. 27, 1882, leaving a widow, three sons and one daughter.

Though for a considerable part of his business life a servant of the public, and as such unsparing in bis efforts to faithfully and promptly discharge all the duties of the offices to which he was elected, Mr. Harwood was, more than most husbands and fathers, a domestic man. and for this reason his death, at the age of sixty-eight years, was a heavy blow to his fam- ily. His married life had covered forty-two years, and his home, as we have seen, was his delight. He was a confiding and loving husband and a trusted father.

To distinguish, in his case, between inherited char- acteristics and those acquired by a long and diversified business experience, might be difficult, but it is not too much to say that his parents were persons of strong practical common sense and their son was like them. He encountered at times great difficulties and experienced great disappointments in his business career, but these seemed only to make him more per- severing and to bring out new and more effective re- sources for the work before him. Whatever seemed to him the right and best thing to do, he generally found the means of accomplishing.

Mrs. Harwood (formerly Miss Adeline Greenwood), is the daughter of Henry and Sally Woodbury Green- wood, of Winchendon.

They were married May 21, 1840. Her father was a farmer. She and her daughter have for their home the beautiful dwelling-house, with pleasant surround- ings, that was erected by the deceased husband and father.

The three sons have families as follows :

Henry G. married, December 24, 1865, Miss Isa-

bella Simonds Bryant, of Templeton, Massachusetts. They have one son, born Jannary 22, 1870, Augustus Bryant Harwood. Harrison married, May, 1868, Miss Sarah Jane Winch, of Natick. Their children are Robert W. and Blanche G. Frank W. married, Oc- tober 3, 1876, Miss Jennie M. Wheaton, who was born in Boston, but resided at Wellesley Hills. Their children are Albert W., born July 25, 1880, and Lelia W., born August 30, 1884.

It should be added that the business inaugurated in Natick by Mr. Harwood (now, June, 1890, con- trolled entirely by Mr. Harrison Harwood) has given to the family, if not great wealth as this phrase is now generally understood, at least a competence, while the factory has furnished profitable employ- ment to very many in the town of limited means. A very large part of the hard work involved in the manufacture of hase-balls can be conveniently done at the homes of the employés, and as leisure can be secured from domestic employments.

The covering of the regulation base-ball (and this is a very important item in its manufacture) must be sewed on by hand. As the best leather only will suf- fice for this covering, this firm built, some years since, in Natick, a tannery for the production of the best material for ball-covers.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 154

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034