History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 203

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III > Part 203

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Mr. Gibbon has acted with the Republican party ever since its organization. February 12, 1835, Mr. Gibbon married Eunice Wilson, of Peterborough, N. II., and they had five children : Abbie A., born August 1, 1837; Elizabeth J., born July 7, 1839; Charlotte E., born September 1, 1844; Mary E., born October 20, 1848; John, born April 24, 1851. Of these children, Elizabeth J. and Charlotte E. are de- ceased.

Mr. Gibbon has lived a long and useful life in this community, and was respected and beloved by a large circle of friends. He died November 11th, 1890.

TIMOTIIY A. COOLIDGE.1

Timothy Augustus Coolidge, son of William and Ann (Leighton) Coolidge, was born in Natick, Mid- dlesex County, June 25, 1827.

The district school bestowed upon him an element- ary education, and beyond this he has depended entirely upon his perceptive faculties, studying from the world about him.

His father was a shoemaker in a small way, and as he was one of seven children, he was obliged very early in life to provide for his own support. Until he was twenty years old, he worked in the shop with his father, with the exception of three months, when, as a lad of thirteen years, he " pegged " for Henry Wilson-afterwards United States Senator and Vice- president. Ever since his twentieth year, Mr. Cool- idge has been a growing shoe manufacturer, at first doing most of the work himself, now giving employ- ment to hundreds of people.

1 From " One in One Thousand."

Winslow M Warren

John Sday

Nahum Witherbe

855

MARLBOROUGH.

From 1848 to '58 he manufactured shoes in Con- cord, and from 1858 to the present time, has conducted a manufactory iu Marlborough.

On the 17th day of October, 1848, he was married, in Concord, to Sarah B., daughter of Abel and Rebecca (Lewis) Davis, their only child being Melissa A. Cool- idge. In September, 1854, he married his second wife, Maria H., daughter of Thomas Davis.

In financial affairs he has gained a substantial reputation as self-reliant, cantious, firm and just. Politically he has followed the lead of his early employer, Henry Wilson. Socially he has been found enthusiastic in every department, and holds high Masonic orders (32°). He has also been actively identified with several philanthropic societies; is an active temperance man, and a valuable member of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Club and the Board of Trade. He is a trustee of the Marlborough Savings Bank and was a director in, and is also vice-president of the First National Bank of Marlborough. He is a justice of the peace, and has been a member of the Board of Selectmen, eight years ; chairman four years, and in 1880 and '81 was elected to represent the 32d Middlesex District in the Legislature.

WILLIAM N. DAVENPORT.

William Nathaniel Davenport, son of William J. and Louisa (Howard) Davenport, was born in Boyl- ston, Mass., Nov. 3, 1856. He attended the district school until he was eleven years of age; but about this time he was thrown upon his own resources for his support, and went to work in the Boylston Cotton- Mills, and remained there until he was thirteen years of age, when he went from there to Hudson, Mass., securing work in the shoe-factory of W. F. Trow- bridge, where he remained one year. He came to Marlborough January 1, 1872, and went to work in the shoe-factory of Clapp & Billings, remaining nine years. At this time he decided to commence the study of the law, and read law for one year in the office of James T. Joslin, of Hudson, and then entered the Law School at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was admitted to the bar of that State the same year. He then came back to Massachusetts and entered the law office of E. F. Johnson, Marlborough, remaining one year, and was admitted to the bar of Middlesex Connty, June 30, 1883. The first public offiee he held was clerk of the Police Court of Marlborough, which he resigned in June, 1884. This same year he was nominated on the Republican ticket for Repre- sentative to the General Court of Massachusetts, and was elected by a handsome plurality; and he was nominated and elected for the second term by a larger majority, although the district was very largely Denio- cratic. Young Davenport had represented his con- stituency so well in the House that he was elected to the State Senate in 1888-89, where he discharged his duties in a satisfactory and intelligent manner. Mr.

Davenport is a member of the Congregational Church, and a member of several of the secret benevolent so- cieties, being a member of the United Brethren Lodge of A. F. and A. M., the Order of Red Men, and has served for two years as Grand Commander of the A. I. of Il., and one year as Grand Leader of the llome Circle. Mr. Davenport married Lizzie M., daughter of Lyman P. and Eliza L. (Moore) Ken- dall, of Boylston, Mass.

JOHN S. FAY.1

John S. Fay, son of S. Chandler and Nancy (War- ren) Fay, was born in Berlin, Worcester County, January 15, 1840. He obtained his education in the public schools of Marlborough and at the Commercial College in Worcester. When twenty-one years old, at the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted as a private in Company F, Thirteenth Massachusetts In- fantry. He was with his regiment in all its marches and engagements till April 30, 1863, when in action near Fredericksburg, Va., he received a wound from a shell which necessitated the amputation of his right arm and right leg. While in the field hospital he was taken prisoner and confined in Libby Prison for one month. He did not succeed in reaching his home until October- the most mutilated and crip- pled of all who survived of the eight hundred and thirty-one who enlisted for the war from Marlbor- ough.

In 1865 Mr. Fay was appointed postmaster of Marl- borough by President Johnson, and by successive ap- pointments has held the position ever since. He has been an active Grand Army man and has held many offices in Post 43, which he aided to organize. He is also a prominent Odd Fellow and a member of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. He is also promi- nently identified with the Unitarian Society of Marl- borongh. Mr. Fay has always been interested in the welfare of his adopted city, and has won the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. November 20, 1869, Mr. Fay married Lizzie, daughter of James M. and Elizabeth (l'ratt) Ingalls, of Marlborough. Their only child is Frederic H. Fay.

NAJIUM WITHERBEE.2

Nahum Witherbce, son of Caleb Witherbec, was boru at Marlborough, Massachusetts, April 11, 1811. At an early age he learned the tailor's trade at Marl- borough, and after working at different places he commenced business in Andover, Massachusetts, with a Mr. Abbott as partner. Finding a change desira- ble, he went to Lynn and remained there for some years. Having an offer from Emerson Leland, of Boston, they formed a partnership in which he con- tinued till 1860, when he removed to Marlborough and started the clothing business there.

1 From "One lu One Thousand." 2 By Edward F. Johnson.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

He was soon elected a member of the House of Rep- resentatives, in which he served two terms, and also held the office of Town Treasurer and Tax Collector, and was one of the committee appointed to build a new town-hall. He was one of the trustees of the savings-bank and one of the investing committee.

In 1871 he was appointed a Trial Justice for Middlesex County at Marlborough, and by his care- ful study and his good judgment, he was regarded one of the most accurate in the County. He held that office till his death. He also did a great deal of conveyancing and probate business and acted as ad- ministrator, executor, trustee and guardian. His ser- vices were much sought and he had the full confi- dence of both the people of his town and of the courts.

He was often selected as referee and acted in similar positions and in a number of cases was appointed as Auditor by the Superior Court, a position usually filled by practicing lawyers.

He was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and one of the officers of that body. He was a Master-Mason and Chaplain of the Lodge for twenty years. No man in Marlborough has been missed more, as he was affable, and at the same time guided by his view of the right. While he was conservative, he was a man of broad views and unselfish and a steadfast friend. Many people are indebted to his assistance freely given, and his name is always spoken of with respect, and particularly by the many who were the recipients of his kindness.

April 30, 1835, he married Miss Mary Smith, of Chelmsford, who survives him. He died February 21, 1882. He left one son.

MOSES HOWE.

The first American ancestor of this name was John, who first settled in Watertown, and went from there to Sudbury. He was one of the petitioners, in 1657, for the grant which constituted Marlborough, and was the son of John, who came from Warwickshire, England, who was a descendant of John Howe, him- self the son of Hodinhull, and connected with the family of Sir Charles Howe, of Lancaster.

The first-mentioned John was admitted a freeman in 1640. He came to Marlborough about 1657, and built a cabin a little to the cast of the " Indian Plant- ing Field," where his descendants lived for many generations. This proximity to the "Indian Planta- tion " brought him in contact with the natives, but by his kindness he gained the confidence and good- will of his savage neighbors, who not only respected his rights, but in many cases made him the umpire in cases of difficulties among themselves. John opened the first public house in Marlborough prior to 1670. lIe died here in 1687.

Moses, the subject of this sketch, was in direct descent, by several generations, from John. His

father, Ephraim Howe, married Hannah Maynard, of Framingham, November, 1782. Moses was born October 6, 1783, and married Lucy Temple March 16, 1807. Their children were : Eveline, Ephraim, Lucy, Betsy and Eli H. Moses was a farmer, and owned a large farm on the north side of Lake Williams, now occupied by John W. Brigham. He was a man of retiring nature, never desiring any public office, but was a man of sterling integrity. He was born, lived and died iu the same house. He died October 4, 1863.

EPHRAIM HOWE.

The line of ancestry has been given in the preced- ing sketch of his father, Moses. Ephraim was born in Marlborough, June 10, 1810, and received his education at the district school. When a young lad he went to work for Ira Temple, on a farm in the eastern part of the town, and remained there until twenty-two years of age, when he went to Boston and entered the employ of Rufus Felton, a native of Marlborough. Ilere he remained until the spring of 1841, when he went to New York City, and entered into mercantile pursuits, in which he has been success- ful. He retains his interest in his old home, making frequent visits to it and noting the growth and prosperity of the thriving town, now grown to a city.

An evidence of the fact that a love of early home associations has not been lost amidst his active busi- Less life and long residence in the metropolis, is this record of the family and the engravings accompany it placed in this history through his instrumentality. He also has made a large contribution for the purpose of keeping in good order the resting-places of his immediate ancestors, a tender tribute to their memory and his affection.

STEPHEN MORSE.1

Stephen Morse was born at Marlborough, Mass., January 16, 1797. At the age of fourteen he went to Sudbury to learn a trade. At the age of twenty-one he went to Boston in the employ of Mr. Gaffield, then the leading boot and shoe dealer of Boston. There he became acquainted with the substantial men of those days and through their influence gained a posi- tion iu the Suffolk Bank, where he remained till 1835. A part of the time while in its employ, he traveled over the New England States collecting specie for the hills of the State banks taken by the Suffolk bank and, during this time, was under a heavy re- sponsibility, as the amount of money in his care was very large and the means of transportation were then by teams and coaches not by steam as now.

When he resigned he was presented with a hand- some sum of money by the directors and received from them a vote of thanks for both his fidelity and ability while in their employ.

1 By Edward F. Johnson.

1 أ

Stephen Morse

Lovi Sigilon.

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MARLBOROUGH.

He removed to Marlborough in 1835, and was soon employed by the town as its agent in a lawsuit which was very important and which involved the taking of a large number of depositions and which, after a long contest, resulted in favor of the town. He was also employed in many other town cases and held many offices in the town where his good judgment and industry were of great advantage.

He, after he returned to Marlborough, settled a great many estates and, although not a lawyer, gave much advice that would have been to the credit of a member of the bar. He was a prominent member of the Union Society and was always public-spirited and willing.

His honesty was never questioned and while he was decided in his opinions, he was always open to conviction if he was shown the right.

He owned, at the time of his death, a beautiful farm in East Marlborough which has been in the Morse family for 200 years, and where he had lived many years and which his family now occupy.

He married Elizabeth Thompson, of Sudbury, July 5, 1824. She died October 30thi, 1862 ; he married Martha A. Moore, also of Sudbury, who survives him. He left three children, Stephen Morse, Jr., Emily T. Morse and Mary H. Morse.

LEVI BIGELOW.

Levi Bigelow, son of Gershom and Mary (Ilowe) Bigelow, was born in Marlborongh October 28, 1790. He married July 23, 1809, Nancy Ames, daughter of Deacon Moses and Lydia (Brigham) Ames, born in Marlborough March 1, 1792. At the age of nineteen he commenced teaching school in the town of Holden, Mass., and he followed that occupation winters for about thirty years, the greater portion of the time in his own district. The remaining months of the year he devoted to farming. He was for some years, in company with his brother Lambert, interested in a country store in the west part of Marlborough, but withdrew from the firm after a few years. In addi- tion to his farming he did much in surveying, making out deeds, settling estates, was a justice of the peace for thirty years, and he was always active in the canse of education and for several years was one of the School Committee. He represented the town in the General Court in 1831, '32, '34, '39, and was one of the assessors for seventeen years. In all of these po- sitions he was known for his sterling integrity, firm- ness of mind and steadfast opposition to any thing that savored of compromise or a vacillating disposi- tion. As a teacher he was very successful, a thorough disciplinarian and always had the welfare of his pupils at heart, many of whom, who became prominent busi- ness men, have said that they owed much of their suc- cess in life to the wise counsel that they received at his hands during their school-days. Firmness, persever- ance and honesty were ever prominent traits in his

character. His wife died suddenly Jannary 22, 1850, and he died April 3, 1859.

The children were Lydia, Leander, Mary Cordelia, Electa, Levi, Jr., Lambert, Edwin M., Horace Holly, Julian, William, Ann Theresa, Arthur J. and Ada Genevieve.

HORACE H. BIGELOW.

Horace H. Bigelow was born in Marlborough June 2, 1827, and was the son of Levi and Nancy (Ames) Bigelow. Like most New England boys, his education was received in the public schools, which he attended until the age of fifteen, when he began the business of shoemaking. The spirit of the boy was not much different from that dis- played in the man, and early in his business career his natural mechanical and inventive endowments began to develop, and finally won for him a high place among bis business associates.

Naturally his inventive genins developed in the direction of the boot and shoe manufacture, and he became the inventor of the heel-pressing and nailing machines, from the sale of which he has won a large fortune. Shoe mannfacturing was the early dream of the young inventor, and he soon found his way into active work in this important industry. His business energies were not confined to Massachusetts alone, but were felt with beneficial results wherever im- proved machinery was used in the varions depart- ments of this business.

Mr. Bigelow achieved considerable notoriety through his plan of organizing prison labor for the manufac- ture of boots and shoes under contracts.

In 1870 he withdrew from active, personal care of manufacturing interests, and engaged in other equally absorbing cares with the energy that had hitherto characterized his actions. Securing control of the Worcester and Shrewsbury Railroad and a large por- tion of the real estate on Lake Quinsigamond, he began at once the development of both, and has al- ready accomplished much in the improvement of the grounds at the Lake, thus making it one of the very attractive sections of our State.

As President of the railroad he provided steel rails, new and better engines and cars, built a pretty station at the lake, with car-houses, and other improvements, for the accomplishment of which he has expended thousand of dollars, resulting in positive good to the city of Worcester. At the lake he has built up the charming village of " Lake View," and by a system of easy payments has made it possible for any young man to own a house there. While busy with those important enterprises, he has also been instrumental in establishing other industries. The Bullard Rifle Company, of Springfield, Mass., is indebted to him for its establishment. The Electric Power Company was promoted by him. The list might be extended greatly in the simple enumeration of the various in- terests that claim his care and attention. As a busi-

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

ness man, he has the record of achieving whatever he has undertaken, and of never giving up until his purpose is accomplished. Mr. Bigelow will ever be credited with being helpful to his fellow-men.

The right of free speech is a sacred one to him, and to maintain it in the person of one who was unjustly oppressed, he did not hesitate to spend thousands of dollars. Generous to a vanquished opponent, revenge never enters into his battles against wrong.

Joining with Hon. Edward L. Davis, of Worcester, they have given to the City of Worcester one hundred and ten acres of land for a Lake Park. He consum- mated the largest real-estate purchase ever made within the city of Worcester proper.

The tract of land (formerly used for railroad pur- poses) lying between Mechanic and Foster Streets, covering 115,000 square feet, he bought, and is holding for the purpose of erecting thereon the finest building devoted to business purposes in New England. With the purchase of this land there came into his hands the large building known as the skating-rink, in which band concerts and various other attractions were offered from time to time ; he was thus able to furnish pleasant amusements to thousands. His only pur- pose in allowing the rink to be run was to give the people amusement at a low cost.

Mr. Bigelow is a man of liberal and generous views, a friend of all worthy enterprises, a defender of the poor, and a clear-headed man of affairs. He mar- ried, first, Jan. 22, 1852, Lncy Ann, daughter of Thomas and Patty Howe. She died September 25, 1857. He married, second, June 1, 1859, Adelaide E. Buck, of Portland, Conn. His children are Adelaide Frances, born December 24, 1860, married George A. Stevens, of Worcester, June 23, 1886 ; Irving E., born November 11, 1862, married Lillian A. Drennan, November 17, 1887 ; Frank H. born February 8, 1875.

GEORGE N. CATE.

George Neal Cate, son of Moses and Abigail (Brews- ter) Cate, was born December 11, 1824, at Wolfbor- ough, N. H. His father died when George was but four years of age. The facilities offered for an early education were very slight, but at the age of eighteen Mr. Cate had fitted himself to teach and secured a position in Rochester, N. H., which he held for two years. At the close of the term in 1843, he went to Boston, seeking a fortune, and secured employment at Ashland, (then Unionville), to learn the trade of a builder. For five years after completing his service he remained in Ashland, carrying on the lumber bus- iness and house carpentering. At this period his health was so seriously affected that for three years he was obliged to abandon all labors, but in 1856 had so far recovered as to begin in Marlborough upon a limited scale the lumber and contracting business in which he is still engaged. Mr. Cate about this time began the building and sale of dwellings on easy

terms, making it possible for the man with small means to thereby secure a home for himself and fam- ily.

Mr. Cate was a delegate to the first Free Soil con- vention in Worcester in 1848, has been a director in the People's National Bank of Marlborough and is now a director in the First National Bank and trustee of the Marlboro' Savings Bank. He has been a mem- ber of the United Brethren Lodge of F. & A. M. for thirty years.

Mr. Cate was instrumental in the advancement and building up of the lodge as much or more than any other one person, contributing his time and means to that end, which was gratifying to the members of the lodge. He is a charter member of the Houghton R. A. Chapter of Marlborough, and other societies.

August 25, 1857, Mr. Cate married Charlotte A., daughter of Mark and Sophia (Brigham) Fay, of Marlborough, who died in 1860, and their only child, a son, died the following year. In August, 1869, Mr. Cate married Adelle E. Glidden, of Lowell.

MARK FAY.

Mark Fay, son of Josiah and Ilepsabeth (Collins) Fay, was born in Southborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts, January 29, 1793, and came to Marl- borough about 1800. His opportunities for an edu- cation were limited to the common schools of that time. He learned the trade of a cabinet-maker and worked at his trade near what is known now as Wil- liams Pond. He kept a country store such as was to be found in country towns in that period. In 1850 it was through his influence that the Marlborough Branch of the Fitchburg Railroad was built, and he contributed very largely of his time and means to carry on and complete this enterprise.

In 1860 the Marlborough Savings Bank was estab- lished through his efforts and he was its first treas- urer.

In 1863 he secured the charter for the First National Bank of Marlborough, and was its first president and held that office until his death, which occurred June 29, 1876. Mr. Fay married Sophia Brigham in 1817, and they had three sons and four daughters.

HON. SAMUEL N. ALDRICII. 1

Hon. Samuel Nelson Aldrich, son of Sylvanus Bucklin and Lucy Jane (Stoddard) Aldrich, was born in Upton, Worcester County, February 3, 1838. His education was acquired at the Worcester, Massachu- setts, and Stonington, Connecticut, Academies, and at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. Sub- sequently he taught school in Upton, Holliston and Worcester, Massachusetts. He commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. Isaac Davis and E. B. Stoddard, at Worcester, and finished at the Harvard

1 From " One in One Thousand."

George N. Gate

859

WILMINGTON.

Law School. In 1863 Mr. Aldrich was admitted to the bar and commenced practice at Marlborough. Since 1874 he has kept an oflice in Boston, though re- taining his residence at Marlborough, living in Box- ton during the winter. In the public affairs of Marl- borough Mr. Aldrich has been prominent, was for nine years a member of the School Committee, also for four years on the Board of Selectmen, officiating as chairman of both. He has been a director of the People's National Bank at Marlborough, president of the Marlborough Board of Trade, president of the Framingham & Lowell Railroad, (now a portion of the Old Colony system), and president of the Central Massachusetts Railroad.

In 1879 Mr. Aldrich was elected to the State Senate, where he served as chairman of the committee on bills in the third reading, and on the committee on constitutional amendments. In 1880 he was again a member of the State Senate. In 1883 he was a mem- ber of the House and served on the judiciary committee.

In 1880 he was the Democratic candidate for Con- gress from the Seventh Massachusetts District.

In March, 1887, Mr. Aldrich was appointed by President Cleveland the assistant treasurer of the United States at Boston, which position he resigned in November, 1890, to accept the presidency of State National Bank.

Besides this, he is a member of the Suffolk Bar, is in the practice of his profession, and is still president of the Central Massachusetts Railroad.

Mr. Aldrich married in 1865, at Upton, Mary J., daughter of J. T. and Eliza A. (Colburn) Macfarland. They have a son, Harry M. Aldrich.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 203

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278