History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 89

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 89

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After the retirement of Mr. Usher, in 1864, Rev. Edwin Davis became pastor of both these societies and continued until April, 1872; Rev. W. W. Har- ward, three years; Rev. N. P. Smith, oue year. Rev. I. C. Knowlton, D.D., assumed his charge in October, 1875, fifteen years, and is still occupying the pulpits, with acceptance, in his seventy-first year.

In 1868 the West Acton Society built, furnished and paid for a very pretty and pleasant meeting- house, which it has used and greatly enjoyed ever since.

In 1861 the South Acton Society moved into Ex- change Hall, a large and handsome auditorium, where it worshiped for seventeen years.

In the spring of 1876 a church of more than thirty members was organized at West Acton. Present number of members, about sixty in all.

On February 21, 1878, a handsome and completely furnished church edifice was dedicated, with appro- priate services, at South Acton.

Each parish, at the date of this writing, though de- pleted by the removal of many of its young people to city centres, is enjoying a fair state of prosperity. Each meeting-house is pleasant and convenient, kept in good repair and occupied every Sunday.

THE BAPTISTS .- The Baptist Church is located at West Acton. It was organized July 10, 1846, with a membership of twenty-three persons. The present membership is over one hundred; the average con- gregations 200. The Sabbath-school has always been a flourishing adjunct of the church, now numbering one hundred and fifty. They have an attractive meeting-house, located centrally in the village, with all the modern contrivances to promote the interest and profit of the worshipers. They have a large and instructive library connected with the society, adapted to give general culture as well as religious instruction. The following is a list of the pastors and the length of their pastorates: Rev. Horace Richardson, seven years ; Rev. W. H. Watson, seven years; Rev. Jacob Tuck (2d), three years ; Rev. W. K. Davis, five years; Rev. J. C. Boomer, four years ; Rev. J. R. Haskins.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Rev. C. L. Rhoades came to the West Acton Bap- tist Church, as its pastor, from the Lexington Church. He was a man of great enthusiasm, and during his pastorate of four and one-half years his hands were filled with work. He resigned in January, 1888, to . go to the Fourth Street Church, of South Boston.

Rev. Frank A. Heath came direct from Hamilton Theological Seminary and was ordained June 7, 1888. He is now in the midst of his work, with able and liberal assistants in active co-operation, and with high hopes of a success in the future exceeding any record of the past. Their first meeting-house, dedi- cated July 19, 1847, was burned July 2, 1853; their -second meeting-house was dedicated September 19, 1854.

DANIEL WETHERBEE, EsQ. (East Acton) .- Few men have held a more prominent position in Central Middlesex. From his youth he was acknowledged as a leader. His early education commenced and was continued in the old tavern situated on the " Great Road" from Fitchburg to Boston, of which .he became proprietor in later years. Wetherbee's Tavern was known from the Canada line to our me- tropolis, and was a temporary Mecca of drovers and drivers of baggage-wagons for more than half a cen-' tury preceding the advent of railroads.

The small stream running through his ancestral domains he at once improved and enlarged, till Weth- erbee's Mills comprised one of the most important points in the illustrated map of the county. Of public life he had his full share. He was town clerk, assessor and selectman for many years, and five years a representative to the Legislature. He was largely instrumental in establishing the State Prison at Con- cord Junction. He became one of the originators of the Lowell and Framingham Railroad, and a perma- nent director. He married Clarissa Jones, daughter -of Abel Jones. He died July 6, 1883, aged sixty- eight years, leaving a widow and seven children.

THE AMERICAN POWDER - MILLS .- These mills, incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts, having their business office in Boston, are located in the corner of four towns-Acton, Sudbury, Maynard and Concord. They cover an area of 401.acres. The capital is $300,000. The annual production is in the range of $240,000.

These mills were started by Nathan. Pratt, in 1835, : and they were run by him till 1864; then the prop- erty was sold to the American Powder Company, and that company was formed by the union of Massachu- setts Powder · Mills, located at Barre, Mass., and in- corporated under the name of the American Powder Company, 1864.

They did a very successful business, and went out of business in 1883, and were succeeded by the Amer- ican Powder. Mills. About sixty men are employed at the present time. They are doing a large and suc- cessful business.

The patriotic emergencies of Acton have always

had at hand a bountiful supply of the very choicest quality of powder, and at reasonable rates.

SOUTH ACTON .- Fifty years ago the principal business at South Acton was done at the Faulkner Saw and Grist-Mill.

The houses within a quarter of a mile of the depot were those of the tavern, for many years the residence of. Aaron Jones; the house of Abel Jones, his son, across the road opposite, on the hill, and that of Col. Faulkner.

Besides these there was a small school-house, a few barns, cooper-shops, stables and out-buildings. Now there are over a hundred pleasant residences, a num- ber of mills, stores and factories, a fine church, assembly hall, chapel, a commodious school-house, large store structures, railroad facilities for traffic aud travel, and a village noted for its comfort and neigh- borly and social culture.

Tuttle, Jones & Wetherbee .- On the rise of ground facing the Fitchburg Railway track stands the central structure of the vicinity-the hub of trade for years of this section of country. This firm is composed of these gentlemen, in the order of their connection with it: James Tuttle, Varnum Tuttle, sons of Francis Tuttle, Esq .; Elnathan Jones, a grandson of Aaron Jones, and J. K. W. Wetherbee, each marrying sisters of James and Varnum. No other than these have ever been in the partnership. The present name was adopted February 8, 1867, when Mr. Weth- erbee was admitted. Mr. Jones joined about 1852, and between these dates it was James Tuttle & Co. From 1843 to 1852 it was J. & V .. Tuttle. James Tuttle began trade on his own account in 1839. A. year or so here and three at Acton Centre, and he was ready to start with his brother at the South Vil- lage, which had just been reached by a railroad from Boston. Then the lower part of the building now occupied by jeweler Baldwin was constructed, a single story, with its basement, for the beginning of these operations. The house of Mr. James Tuttle is to the rear of this enlarged structure. These young men of twenty-five and twenty-one started with good pluck and with a will to succeed, but with little idea of the possibilities of their future. The railroad terminus was then at West Acton. All things seemed at the time to favor that village. Long after they started no little trade went past them to the prosper- ous concern of Burbeck & Tenney. That was then called Horse-power Village, and this nothing but Mill- corner, where merged a half-dozen roads irom Box- boro', Acton Centre, Westford, Sudbury and Stow. That was a stage, this only a saw and grist-mill centre.

In a few years they won the good start which is half the battle.

In those early days they did a business of $25,000 per year. This gradually grew until it reached a quarter of a million, with appliances to match the growth. In 1850 they moved to their new store ou

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the site of the present grocery. This building con- sisted of basement, a full story above and an attic floor. Shed, carriage-house and barn stretched from it back along the Concord pike.

James Tuttle has always been a shrewd and jolly helmsman, and when he set his craft on these waters he was bound to steer straight to the destined port. This store was burned January 20, 1866. Within a year the restored building was ready for a new launch, and it has floated safely on its way ever since.

The large dry-goods store on the hill was built in 1860. It is 70 by 38, and 60 feet high, with a central tower on front.

Exchange Hall, up three flights from the ground at front, has been devoted to public uses from the outset. The Universalists worshiped there until the new church was occupied in February, 1878. Every sort of gathering and entertainment has been held within its walls. Its dances, socials, concerts, lec- tures, campaign meetings, cancuses and conventions have made it well and widely known.

The prosperity of the firm rests upon its equity, Yankee sagacity and thrift. The gentlemen con- nected with it, many and various, stand high in the regard of their fellow-towasmen. The senior, Mr. James Tuttle, has been selectman, assessor, overseer of the poor, chairman of committee for building school-house, church and other public buildings. Mr. Jones has been prominent in town affairs. Mr. Varnum Tuttle has been a stanch pillar of the chapel·enterprise. Mr. Wetherbee has been for fif- teen years postmaster at Acton, town treasurer for years, which office he still holds ; selectman for many years, and trustee and executor of many private estates.

. J. W. Tuttle & Sons .- Mr. Joseph Warren Tuttle, brother to Francis Tuttle, Esq., was the senior mem- ber of this house, and lived in one of the finest man- sions at. South Acton. The business is a wholesale commission-merchant's for the sale of all kinds of country produce; office, No. 16 and 18 Clinton Street, Boston. An honorable and successful career of forty- five years has given the house a high standing in the great thoroughfares of trade. The business was founded in 1843 by J. W. Tuttle.

In 1848 Mr. George W. Tuttle was admitted to partnership, in 1874 Charles Jones, in 1875 Charles H. Tuttle, and 1883 Herbert A. Tuttle.

J. A. Bowen .- The shoddy enterprise at South Acton, now in charge of Mr. Bowen, is one of import- ance. The privilege and land were first obtained of Abel Jones for a woolen-mill during the war, by S. S. Richardson, by whom the first dam was erected. The amount of the shoddy and extract productions for a year is now estimated in the vicinity of $100,000 per year. The business has been profitable and em- ploys over thirty hands. Mr. Bowen, the proprietor, is a gentleman of quiet habits, of enfeebled health, yet an intelligent, reputable and liberal citizen of the vil-

lage, whose enterprise in the successful management of the interest, and whose generous contributions in the way of public improvement are appreciated by the community.

Charles Augustus Harrington .- He was born in Shrewsbury, Worcester County, Mass., December 22, 1814, where he lived the first thirty years. He mar- ried, May 31, 1866, Mary J. Faulkner, daughter of Colonel Winthrop E. Faulkner. He came from Wis- consin to Acton in 1867, and has resided in town most of the time since. Though interested in public affairs he has never sought or held official positions of responsibility except to act as assessor for Acton four years. He is an earnest Republican in politics and liberal in his support of enterprises for the benefit of the community. He has been largely instrumental in giving to South Acton its new impetus towards a prosperity exceeding all previous records. He built his own elegant mansion which overlooks towards the west, the Faulkner house and the water scenery of the "Big Brook," and the fine mansion recently built on the western and northern slopes of the vil- lage; the retreating low-lands of the New England settlement are also seen in the distance, with clusters of comely dwelling-houses.

The thirty daily incoming and departing trains which pass on the Fitchburg Railroad help the ef- fectiveness of this panorama of beauty as seen from the windows of Mr. Harrington's home. He has re- built and enlarged the Faulkner Mills, put in an ice- house, store-house, barn and an elevator for the flour and grain business at an expense of $17,000. He re- built the piano-stool factory which was burnt Novem- ber 9, 1886, putting in steam at an expense of $10,000. The estimated productions of this factory, run by Mr. Chadwick, annually are $75,000, which are shipped to all States east of the Mississippi and to Canada.

At the grain and flour-mills, now in charge of F. J. Hastings & Hezzleton, a very heavy business is now carried on. No place in this region has a more com- plete stock for feed, fertilizing, garden seeds, farming tools; flour comes in and goes out by the car-load. It is the heaviest grain business between Waltham and Fitchburg; estimated annual amount, $150,000.

THE ACTON LIGHT INFANTRY was organized in 1805 and then consisted of forty-one members, inclnd- ing officers. The following gentlemen previous to 1830 commanded this company: Paul Brooks, Simon Hosmer, Abijah Hayward, Silas Jones, James Jones, Aaron Hayward, Jonathan Hosmer, John Fletcher, John Handley, Jr., Simon Davis, Abel Furbush, George W. Tuttle and Thomas Brown.

The following is the list of town clerks : Thomas Wheeler, 1735-36 ; Simont Hunt 1737-43; Jonathan Hosmer, 1744-55; John Davis, Jr., 1756-57; Jona- than Hosmer, 1758-61; Francis Faulkner, 1762-96; Aaron Jones, 1797; John Edwards, 1798-99; David Barnard, 1800-07; John Robbins, 1808-17; Joseph Noyes, 1818; John Robbins, 1819-20; Joseph Noyes,

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

1821; Abraham Conant, 1822; Francis Tuttle, 1823- 27; Silas Jones, 1828; Stevens Hayward, 1829; Fran- cis Tuttle, 1830.

Deacon Ephraim Robbins and Asa Parlin, Esq., were of Carlisle when it was a district of Acton.

Captain Daniel Fletcher was chosen a delegate to the convention in Boston, 22d September, 1768; Francis Faulkner and Ephraim Hapgood to the Pro- vincial Congress in Concord, October, 1774; Josiah Hayward to Cambridge, February, 1775, and again in May ; Francis Faulkner to the convention in Cam- bridge, for forming the Constitution, September, 1779; Captain Joseph Robbins to the convention in Con- cord, to regulate the prices of articles of produce, etc., October, 1779; Simon Tuttle and Thomas Noyes to Concord 23d of May, 1786; and Asa Parlin to the convention in Boston in 1788, to ratify the Constitn- tion of the United States.

REPRESENTATIVES .- Nathan Brooks, 1836, 1837, 1838, 1840; Phineas Harrington, 1841-42; Ivory Keyes, 1843, 1846; Daniel Wetherbee, 1844, 1845, 1848, 1853, 1857 ; Rev. James T. Woodbury, 1850-51; Moses Hayward, 1852; Joseph Noyes, 1854; Aaron C. Handley, 1855, 1863; William D. Tuttle, 1856 ; John Fletcher, 1861; Luther Conant, 1866, 1886; George W. Gates, 1870; George C. Wright, 1873; Moses Taylor, 1881; Charles Wesley Parker, 1884; Aaron C. Handley, 1889; Daniel Fletcher, 1768; Josiah Hayward, 1774-75 ; Mark White, 1776; Simon Hunt, 1780 ; Francis Faulkner, 1782, 1785; Thomas Noyes, 1787, 1789; Ephraim Robbins, 1790; Jonas Brooks, 1791, 1802; Asa Parlin, 1803; Jonas Brooks, 1804; Samuel Jones, 1805-06 ; Jonas Brooks, 1807-11; Stevens Hayward, 1812; Joseph Noyes, 1813-18; Joseph Noyes, 1821; Francis Tuttle, 1823-27 ; Steven Hayward, 1828-29; Francis Tuttle, 1830-31.

Forty-four years during the ninety-five since incor- poration the town was not represented in the General Court.

SENATORS .- Stevens Hayward, 1844, 1845; Win- throp E. Faulkner, 1853, 1854; John Fletcher, 1870, 1871.

TOWN CLERKS .- Francis Tuttle, Esq., 1830-32, 1834, 1835 ; Silas Jones, 1832-33; J. W. Tuttle, 1836, 1838; Daniel Wetherbee, 1839-54; William D. Tut- tle, 1855.

GRADUATES OF COLLEGE .- Nathan Davis, son of Samuel Davis, born November 30, 1737 ; graduated at Harvard College 1759; ordained minister at Dracut 20th November, 1765; dismissed in 1785 ; removed to Boston and was appointed chaplain at Fort Indepen- dence, and a review officer; died March 4, 1803, aged 65.

John Swift, born November 18, 1741; graduated in 1762; settled as a physician in Acton ; died in 1775.

Asa Piper, son of Josiah Piper ; graduated in 1778, and was ordained at Wakefield, New Hampshire, 1785; was a retired pastor in that place after leaving his pastoral charge.

Solomon Adams, son of Lieutenant John Adams ; born March 18, 1761; graduated in 1788; ordained pastor at Middleton, October 23, 1793; died Septem- ber, 1813, aged 53.

Daniel Brooks, gradnated in 1794; settled as a trader in Westmoreland, where he held the office of justice of the peace ; died at Springfield, Vermont.

Thomas Noyes, son of Thomas Noyes, born Febru- ary 5, 1769; graduated in 1795; ordained pastor of Second Church in Needham, July 10, 1799; dis- missed in 1833, after a faithful discharge of his official duties thirty-four years. To his clerical brethren he set an example of diligence, punctuality and perseverance. As a preacher he was respectable, grave and sincere, practical rather than doctrinal. He brought beaten oil into the sanctuary. He was a de- scendant of the Puritans and a consistent Congrega- tionalist.

Luther Wright, born April 19, 1770; graduated in 1796; ordained pastor of the First Parish in Med- way, June 13, 1798 ; dismissed September, 1815 ; in- stalled at Barrington, Rhode Island, January 29, 1817 ; dismissed July 5, 1821 ; he resided at Holliston afterwards.

Moses Adams, son of Rev. Moses Adams; born November 28, 1777 ; gradnated in 1797 ; settled as a physician in Ellsworth, Maine, and was sheriff of the county of Lincoln.

William Emerson Faulkner, son of Franc's Faulk- ner, Esq. ; born October 23, 1776; graduated 1797 ; read law with his brother-in-law, the Hon? Jabez Upham, of Brookfield, with whom he formed a part- nership in business ; he died October 1, 1804, aged 28, and left a most worthy character.

Josiah Adams, son of the Rev. Moses Adams ; born November 3, 1781 ; graduated in 1801; read law with Thomas Heald, Esq. ; was admitted to the bar, June, 1807, and settled in Framingham. He delivered the Centennial address in 1835.

Luther Faulkner, son of Francis Fanlkner ; born May 7, 1779 ; graduated in 1802; was a merchant in Boston.

Jonathan Edwards Scott, a native of Nova Scotia ; a resident in Acton before he entered college; grad- uated in 1802 ; commanded a vessel at sea.

Joseph Adams, sou of Rev. Moses Adams; born September 25, 1783; graduated in 1803; settled as an attorney in West Cambridge ; died June 10, 1814.

John Ruggles Cutting, son of William Cutting; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1802; ordained at Waldoborough, Maine, Angust, 1807; dismissed March, 1812, and was afterwards a teacher of youth.

Henry Durant graduated at Yale College, 1828; was a tutor in Yale; all these, excepting the two first and the last, were prepared for college under Rev. Mr. Adams.

Rev. James Fletcher .-. He was born in Acton, Septem- ber 5, 1823, and was the son of Deacon John and Clarissa Jones Fletcher. He fitted for college at

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Leicester Academy, Massachusetts, and New Ipswich Academy, New Hampshire. He graduated at Dart- mouth College in 1843, at Andover Theological Sem- inary in 1846, and was a resident licentiate a year ; pastor of the Maple Street Congregational Church, Danvers, fifteen years ; principal of the Holten High School, Danvers, five years ; of Lawrence Academy, Groton, six years; of Burr and Burton Seminary, Manchester, Vt., three years. He has taught forty- nine terms in all; been committeeman eighteen years and superintendent of schools six years. He married in Andover, Mass., October 10, 1849, Lydia Middleton, daughter of Rev. Henry Woodward, mis- sionary to Ceylon, granddaughter of Prof. Bezaleel Woodward, of Dartmouth College, and adopted daughter of Hon. Samuel Fletcher, late of Concord, New Hampshire.

George G. Parker .- He was born in Acton, June 19, 1826. He was the oldest son of Asa Parker and Ann Margaret (McCaristone) Parker. He fitted for college at Lawrence Academy, Groton, and Appleton Acad- emy, New Ipswich, N. H. He taught school in Ac- ton and elsewhere. He graduated from Union College, New York, in 1852; studied law at the Albany Law School, New York, and was admitted to the bar of that State.

In 1856 he settled in Milford, Mass., and was ad- mitted to the Worcester Co. bar, where he has since practiced. For many years he has been chairman of the Board of School Committee of Milford, senior warden of the Trinity Episcopal Church, Milford. In politics he was a Republican, but joined the Gree- ley party in 1872, was a member of the Cincinnati Convention of that year, and represented the Demo- cratic party in the Legislature in 1876. December 26, 1854, he married the eldest daughter of Rev. James T. Woodbury, Augusta. Their child, Marga- ret Augusta, died at Milford in 1861.

William M. Parker, M.D .- He was born in Acton, June 15, 1828, son of Asa Parker and Ann Margaret (McCaristone) Parker. He acquired a thorough aca- demical education, and entered the Berkshire Medical Institution at Pittsfield, and graduated in 1853. He practiced in Shutesbury about five years. He there served as a member of the School Committee. From 1856 to 1860 he was surgeon of the Tenth Regiment of Massachusetts militia. In 1858 he removed to Milford, and there followed his profession till his death, March 1, 1883. He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and of the Massachu- setts Medico-Legal Society, and at the time of his decease was State Medical Examiner in Worcester County. He was married June 25, 1872, to Miss Emma T. Day, whose death preceded his own by about six months. He left his only child, Lillian Blanche, to Mr. and Mrs. George G. Parker, by whom she was adopted. The Milford historian, Mr. Ballou, speaks of his social standing as being in accord with the doctor's eminence as a physician and citizen.

Hon. Henry L. Parker .- He was born in Acton. He was the son of Asa Parker and Ann Margaret (McCaristone) Parker. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1856. He was admitted to the bar of Worcester County in 1859, and commenced the prac- tice of law at Hopkinton, Mass., and was trial justice for about three years ; removed to Worcester in 1865, where he has been in practice since.

In 1886 and 1887 he was representative to the Gen- eral Court from Worcester. In 1886 he was a mem- ber of Committee on Probate and on Drainage. In 1887 he was chairman of Committee on Probate. In 1889 and 1890 he was Senator from the First Wor- cester Senatorial District. In 1889 he was member of Judiciary Committee and chairman of Public Ser- vice. In 1890 he was appointed chairman of the fol- lowing Committees : Judiciary, Rules, Election Laws and Special Elections. In Worcester was six years a member of the School Board. For the past two years he has been president of the Worcester County Horticultural Society and senior warden of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, also member of the Board of Associated Charities.

Rev. Ephraim Hapgood, son of John and Clara Hapgood, graduated at Brown University in 1874, pursued theological studies at Newton Theological Seminary ; was settled in Seward City, Nebraska.

Rev. Josiah WV. Brown graduated at Dartmonth and Andover Theological Seminary.

Edward F. Sherman .- Born at Southeast Acton, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1843, and prac- ticed law in Lowell. The mills at Southeast Acton called the Sherman Mills.

Luther Jones, M.D .- He was the son of Silas Jones, and graduated at Dartmonth College in 1841.

Eben H. Davis .- He was born in Acton, 1840. He was the son of Eben Davis. He graduated at Kim- ball Union Academy in 1857, and at Dartmouth Col- lege in 1861. He took a course at the Harvard Law School, and then entered upon his life-work, that of teaching. He was principal of the Belmont High School, and was then elected, in 1869, superintendent of the schools in Nashua, N. H., where he remained a year and a half, when he resigned and became the superintendent of the schools in Woburn, which position he held for thirteen years, and has been superintendent of the schools in Chelsea six years. He has made a specialty of primary methods in teach- ing, has written for educational magazines, both iu the South and in the Northeast, has lectured in several States at Institutes, and is now editing a series of readers, in behalf of the Lippincott Publishers.

Julian A. Mead, M.D .- He was born in Acton ; the son of Oliver W. Mead. He was fitted for college at Exeter, N. H; graduated at Harvard College and Harvard Medical School : studied over two years in the medical schools and colleges of Europe, and is now in active practice in Watertown, Mass.

George Herman Tuttle, son of George Tuttle; pre-

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

pared for college at Concord High School; gradu- ated at Harvard, 1887; has been one year at the Med- ical University of Pennsylvania ; one year at Harvard Medical School.

Frederick Brooks Noyes, son of T. Frederick Noyes, has graduated from Audover Theological Seminary, and nearly completed his course at Harvard Univer- sity.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 89

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