USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 39
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R. E. GURNEY commenced canning in 1882, put- ting up about 20,000 cans, and raising nearly all the material used.
BEET SUGAR .- The experiment of making sugar from beets was tried in Franklin for a year by a cor- poration formed in 1879, with a capital of one hun- dred and thirty-three thousand dollars. But the en- terprise was abandoned for lack of beets. It was thought that they could not be raised with profit to the farmer at prices which would also render it profit- able to the corporation.
Near the depot are STEAM PRINT-WORKS, owned by Charles L. Stewart and started by him in 1873.
On Dean Street is L. W. MILLIKEN, manufac- turer of loom-pickers, straps, and other manufactures of leather. On the same street is the manufactory of R. Sommers, for toilet and laundry soap, carried by teams in all the region round about.
On East Street A. Parker Smith manufactures a leather lacquer for carriages, for Boston trade.
A company has been formed for the manufacture of jewelry, with a capital of six thousand dollars. Henry R. Jenks is president, and a building is nearly completed on Dean Street. Work will commence early in 1884.
The Press .- The first newspaper published in town was The Franklin Register, a weekly. It was started October, 1872, by James M. Stewart, editor and proprietor. It was continued until the removal of Mr. Stewart in 1881. In 1878 The Franklin Sentinel began its weekly rounds. It was put on duty by R. E. Capron. Since January, 1883, The Sentinel has been published by Houston & Lincoln, with a lengthened circuit and more imposing dimen- sions. May its circuit be enlarged as its value increases.
Dedham and Blackstone, and was twenty-six miles long. The bridge just west of the Franklin station covers the summit of the road. Its elevation above the mean low-water level in Boston at this point is 296.35 feet. The Norfolk County Railroad has since become a link of the New York and New Eng- land Railroad, and has been gradually lengthened until, from Boston to Fishkill,-its proper western terminus,-it measures 2274 miles of main track, ex- clusive of its branches.
In 1877 the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Rail- road was completed, connecting Franklin and Prov- idence via Valley Falls, twenty miles. It is owned and controlled by both Massachusetts and Rhode Island parties, each on its side of the line. During the past summer (1883) the Milford and Franklin Railroad has been completed, and trains are now run- ning regularly and often over its ten miles of length, connecting, through Hopkinton and Ashland, with the Boston and Albany Railroad. Franklin is thus amply provided with railway connections.
Banks .- Franklin has two banks,-the FRANK- LIN NATIONAL, with a capital of two hundred thou- sand dollars ; President, James P. Ray, and Cashier, Moses Farnum ; and the BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SAV- INGS BANK, incorporated Feb. 21, 1871. President, Davis Thayer, Jr .; Cashier, Charles W. Stewart. Number of depositors since 1871, two thousand four hundred and six; and eleven hundred and seventy open accounts at the present time. Amount of net deposits, $295,574,38.
As will be seen, the industries of Franklin have increased rapidly.
Fire and Water .- For the protection of all the varied industries and their buildings, as well as the houses of the inhabitants of the town, there are as yet but two hand-engines. These, in case of fire, can throw water from cisterns or wells, if near and ample enough. But several recent destructive fires, which literally devoured the buildings they attacked, have proved that Franklin is without sufficient protection against this terrible foe.
Several movements have been made towards the building of protective water-works, and preliminary surveys were made by P. M. Blake, C.E., in 1876. But nothing was done by the town until the town- meeting in March, 1883. A committee of three- Joseph G. Ray, Asa A. Fletcher, and William E. Nason-were then chosen to ascertain the cost and all other information necessary for the introduction of a water supply. The immediate and only present result appears in an act of incorporation passed by
Railroads .- The Norfolk County Railroad was incorporated in 1847. In 1849 the road was com- pleted and running its trains. The line connected | the Legislature May 16, 1883, authorizing the forma-
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tion of the Franklin Water Company, to take water from Beaver Pond, and to issue bonds for seventy-five thousand dollars, payable in thirty years from the date of issue; the whole capital not to exceed sev- enty-five thousand dollars, in shares of one hundred dollars each. Associated with the committee in the act of incorporation were Rev. William M. Thayer, James M. Freeman, James P. Ray, George N. Wig- gin, Henry R. Jenks, and Homer V. Snow. As yet the company have attempted no visible measures, though their next report to the town may contain definite suggestions.
The town also chose a committee, Sept. 30, 1882, to take charge of the question of a new town-house. This subject is awaiting decisive action, not to be much longer delayed, as the present town-house is inadequate for use.
The Rebellion of 1861 .- The response evoked by the war for slavery is indicated by the following resolve, passed unanimously at a town-meeting, May 2, 1861 :
" Resolved, That it is the duty of all good citizens to dis- countenance and frown upon every individual among us, if any there be, who shall express sentiments disloyal to the govern- ment of the United States, or offer aid or sympathy to the plotters of treason and rebellion."
But the town expressed itself not in words alone. It at once raised, on its quota of twenty-three, thirty- four men, and three thousand dollars were promptly pledged as aid. On the call of August, 1862, for three hundred thousand more, forty-three were en- listed on its quota of thirty-four. The town responded with a like promptness and profusion to every subse- quent call for troops. Individual citizens were gen- erous in subscriptions to pay bounties and to aid the families of volunteers.
When the first detachment-the overquota of thirty-six, and called Company C, Forty-fifth Regi- ment of Massachusetts Volunteers, under 2d Lieut. Lewis R. Whitaker, a soldier for freedom in Kansas -was leaving for the field, a farewell meeting was held in the town hall, at which their lieutenant was surprised with a fine sword from his men, and they in turn received each a Bible. When a temperance pledge was proposed, all, save one or two, enthusiasti- cally attached their names. On the announcement that only twenty-three had been called for, one of the thirteen said they would all go, if they went afoot and alone.
It is known that two hundred and eighteen soldiers - were furnished by the town during the war. How many were natives cannot now be ascertained, as the town's list is confessedly imperfect. But the record |
of ninety-seven natives has been made, whose names, grade, and fate are as below :
Charles R. Adams, son of Peter, Co. A, 33d Regt .; killed near Winchester.
Henry P. Adams, son of Oren W., 3d Regt .; in Andersonville prison.
William M. E. Adams, son of Erastus, Co. I, 18th Regt. ; served through.
, Alvin B. Adams, son of Oren W., Co. G, 16th Regt .; not known.
William W. Adams, son of Oren W., Co. C, 45th Regt .; served through.
Andrew J. Alexander, son of William, Co. C, 45th Regt .; hon- orably discharged.
Lowell W. Adams, son of Oren W., Co. G, 45th Regt. ; wounded, served through.
William G. Adams, son of Gardner, Co. K, 44th Regt. ; wounded, served through.
Caleb W. Ballou, son of Caleb, Co. H, 40th Regt .; disabled and discharged.
Adin Ballou, son of Albert, 10th Regt., Me. ; not known.
Owen E. Ballou, son of Barton, Co. C, 4th Regt .; honorably discharged.
William A. Ballou, son of Albert, Co. C, 45th Regt. ; honorably discharged.
William H. Baldwin, son of Henry, Co. A, 35th Regt .; Ander- sonville, died.
Seth Blake, son of Seth, Co. I, ISth Regt .; in Andersonville. Charles H. Bemis, son of Henry, Co. C, 45th Regt. ; honorably discharged.
Thomas Coffield, son of John, Co. I, 18th Regt. ; honorably discharged.
Barton F. Cook, son of Milton, Co. H, 3d R. I. Artillery ; hon- orably discharged.
Joseph W. Cook, son of Winslow, R. I. Cavalry ; honorably discharged.
Daniel C. Corbin, son of Otis, Jr .; wounded, discharged. Anthony Conner, son of Isaac, Co. I, 18th Regt. ; honorably discharged.
George Clark, son of John, Co. I, 18th Regt. ; died in Ander- sonville.
James Clark, son of John, Co. B, 18th Regt. ; not known.
Nathan Clark, son of Alfred, Co. I, ISth Regt .; wounded and discharged.
Barton A. Colvin, son of Jasper, Co. C, 45th Regt. ; honorably discharged.
Charles A. Cole, Co. C, 45th Regt .; honorably discharged.
George W. J. Cole, Co. C, 45th Regt .; honorably discharged. Cornelius Dugan, Co. K, 33d Regt. ; honorably discharged.
Joseph Day, son of Hermon, Co. A, 35th Regt. ; sick and dis- charged.
Edward H. Freeman, son of James M., Co. C, 45th Regt .; hon- orably discharged.
George M. Farrington, son of Nathan, Co. A, 35th Regt .; wounded and discharged.
Alfred J. Fitzpatrick, son of John L., Co. H, 18th Regt .; hon- orably discharged.
John M. Fisher, son of Weston, Co. C, 38th Regt .; killed.
Walter M. Fisher, son of Walter H., Co. C, 45th Regt .; hon- orably discharged.
Marcus Gilmore, son of Marcus, Co. A, 35th Regt .; honorably discharged.
William S. Gilmore, son of Philander, Co. F, 10th Regt .; hon- orably discharged.
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Nathaniel S. Grow, son of Nathaniel, Co. C, 45th Regt .; hon- orably discharged.
Samuel E. Gay, son of Willard, Co. K, 31st Regt .; disabled.
Pliny A. Holbrook, son of Ellis, Co. C, 45th Regt .; honorably | Charles II. Scott, Co. A, 35th Regt. ; unknown.
discharged.
Joseph W. Holbrook, son of Eliphalet, Co. C, 45th Regt. ; hon- orably discharged.
Samuel C. Hunt, son of Rev. Samuel, Co. C, 45th Regt. ; hon- orably discharged.
Frank F. Hodges, son of Willard, Co. C, 45th Regt .; honorably discharged.
Norman Hastings, son of Nathaniel, Co. C, 45th Regt .; died on return.
Albert L. Jordan, son of Alfred, Co. I, 18th Regt .; wounded five times, discharged.
Henry A. Jordan, son of Alfred, Co. H, Ist Cavalry ; honorably discharged.
Edwin A. Jordan, son of Alfred, Co. H, 1st Cavalry ; honorably discharged.
Samuel II. Jordan, son of Alfred, Co. C, 45th Regt .; lost an arm, discharged.
George King, M.D., son of George, surgeon, 16th and 29th Regts. ; honorably discharged.
H. D. Kingsbury, son of Nathaniel D., Co. K, 1st Cavalry ; honorably discharged.
Emery T. Kingsbury, son of Fisher A., Co. C, 45th Regt .; honorably discharged.
George A. Kingsbury, son of Horatio, Co. B, 42d Regt. ; pris- oner and paroled.
Herbert L. Lincoln, son of Manly, Co. A, 35th Regt. ; wounded and died.
Granville Morse, son of Levi F., Co. I, 18th Regt. ; honorably discharged.
Lewis L. Miller, son of John W., Co. E, 12th Regt. ; wounded and died.
Eugene H. Marsh, son of Lewis H., 2d R. I. Cavalry ; honorably discharged.
Jeremiah Murphy, son of Thomas, Co. C, 45th Regt .; honor- ably discharged.
Charles M. Nason, son of George W., Co. A, 35th Regt. ; hon- orably discharged.
William E. Nason, son of George W., Co. A, 35th Regt. ; hon- orably discharged.
George W. Nason, son of George W., Co. 1, 5th Regt., and in Co. II, 23d Regt .; col. of Newbern fire department ; hon- orably discharged.
Albert D. Nason, son of George W., Co. C, 45th Regt .; honor- ably discharged.
Albert J. Newell, son of Arnold J., Co. I, 23d Regt. ; un- known.
Olney P. Newell, son of Hiram, Co. B, Ist Cavalry ; honorably discharged.
Duane Newell, son of Nelson C., Co. C, 45th Regt. ; disabled and discharged.
George L. Partridge, son of Seth, Co. B, 12d Regt. ; honorably discharged.
Whipple Peck, son of Whipple, Ist R. I. Regt. ; wounded and discharged.
Horace W. Pillsbury, son of Stephen, Co. I, 18th Regt. ; wounded and discharged.
Alfred J. Pierce, son of Israel, 3d R. I. Artillery ; honorably discharged.
Israel F. Pierce, son of Israel, R. I. Cavalry ; honorably dis- charged.
Henry M. Pickering, son of Samuel, Co. C, 45th Regt. ; honor- ably discharged.
James M. Ryan, son of James, Co. C, 45th Regt .; honorably discharged.
William Sullivan, Co. K, 33d Regt. ; unknown.
Smith O. Sayles, son of Oren W., R. I. Cavalry ; unknown.
Thomas W. Sayles, son of Oren W., R. I. Cavalry ; unknown.
Michael O. Sullivan, son of Jeremiah, Co. C, 45th Regt. ; hon- orably discharged.
George W. Thompson, son of Thaddeus, Co. I, 18th Regt .; honorably discharged.
Ransom Tift, son of James, Co. I, 18th Regt. ; honorably dis- charged.
William H. Thomas, son of Sandrus, Co. I, 18th Regt. ; un- known.
Abram W. Wales, son of Amos A., Co. I, 18th Regt. ; honorably discharged.
Shepard G. Wiggin, son of Joseph, Co. A, 35th Regt. ; died.
Silas H. Wilson, son of Enoch, Co. A, 35th Regt. ; prisoner, paroled, disabled.
Otis Winn, son of Peter, Co. A, 35th Regt .; died.
Henry J. Ward, son of Reuben, Co. C, 45th Regt. ; honorably discharged.
Owen W. Wales, son of Otis, Jr., Co. C, 45th Regt. ; discharged. Lewis F. Williams, son of William, 12th Heavy Artillery ; un- known.
John B. Whiting, son of Sydney, Co. C, 45th Regt. ; honorably discharged.
Daniel W. Whiting, son of Willard C., Co. K, 23d Regt .; hon- orably discharged.
Lewis R. Whitaker, son of Richard, Co. C, 45th Regt .; 2d lieut. ; honorably discharged.
George F. Woodward, son of Austin, Co. C, 45th Regt .; hon- orably discharged.
Lewis E. Wales, son of Otis, Jr., Co. B, 42d Regt .; died in New Orleans.
John D. Wales, son of Otis, Jr., Co. B, 42d Regt .; honorably discharged.
George H. Scott, son of George W., Co. I, 18th Regt. ; un- known.
Alonzo F. Eddy, son of Asahel, Co. I, 18th Regt. ; honorably discharged.
George L. Rixford, 4th Cavalry ; honorably discharged.
James F. Snow, son of John W., Co. C, 56th Regt .; unknown. George B. Russell, son of Thomas, 12th Heavy Artillery ; un- known.
William G. White, son of Adam H., - Battery ; unknown. Dana Follen, son of James; honorably discharged.
These were natives or residents of the town.
Many natives resident elsewhere enlisted in other places. Among them some are known to have attained honorable rank and distinction. Edmund Dean, son of Luther, became adjutant-general of Kansas ; Charles II. Thayer, son of Nathaniel, was promoted to a cap- taincy, confined in Libby prison, and exchanged.
It is an honorable record that only one of all the native soldiery deserted. No public monument, how- ever, has yet been erected to the memory of the Union soldiers of Franklin. But it has a G. A. R. Post, and a public commemoration upon Decoration Day.
Public officers, from the incorporation of the precinct to the present time .- Among the citizens
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FRANKLIN.
whom Franklin has honored are the following elected to its chief offices, both as a precinct and as a town :
PRECINCT CLERKS.
Daniel Thurston (first clerk), Michael Metcalf, 1757. 1738. Hezekiah Fisher, 1758, 1769,
Ezra Pond, 1739, 1742.
1773.
Simon Slocum, 1740, 1741, | 1743, 1748, 1752.
Timothy Pond, 1759, 1762. Jonathan Whiting, 1763, 176S.
John Fisher, 1744, 1747.
Ebenezer Metcalf, 1774-77.
TOWN CLERKS.
Asa Pond, 1778, 1780, 1782, 1785.
Capt. David Baker, 1824-36. Wilkes Gay, Jr., 1837-39.
Hezekiah Fisher, 1781.
Davis Thayer, Jr., 1840-45.
Nathan Daniels, Jr., 1786 1791, 1804.
Theron C. Hills, 1846-62.
Alpheus A. Russegue, 1863- 75, 1879, 1882.
Amos Hawes, 1792, 1803.
Asa Harding, IS05, 1815.
Lewis Harding, 1816, 1823.
George W. Wiggin, 1876-78, 1882, 1883.
PRECINCT TREASURERS.
Eleazer Metcalf, 1738.
Nathaniel Fairbank, 1739.
David Jones, 1740, 1741.
Thomas Bacon, 1742, 1753.
Robert Blake, 1743-52, 1758, 1768.
Baruch Pond, 1754-57, 1761, 1764. Daniel Thurston, 1759-60, 1765, 1767, 1769, 1771.
TOWN TREASURERS.
Asa Whiting, 1778-87, 1792, Joel Daniels, 1833-35, 1842- 1793.
Seth Lawrence, 1788-91.
53. Wilkes Gay, Jr., 1836-39.
Joseph Whiting, Jr., 1794-96.
George W. Morse, 1840-41.
Hanan Metcalf, 1797-99. Theron C. Hills, 1854-60.
Lieut. Phineas Ware, 1800-4.
Adams Daniels, 1861, 1662.
Timothy Metcalf, 1805-16.
Alpheus A. Russegue, 1863-74.
Simeon Partridge, 1817-19. Col. Caleb Thurston. 1820-32.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT. Ensign Jos. Hawes, 1778, 1881. Ward Adams, 1840.
Dr. Joseph Metcalf, 1779-80. Peter Adams, 1782-83. Samuel Lethbridge, 1784-85. Hon. Jabez Fisher, 1786, 1798- 99.
Capt. Thomas Bacon, 1787-SS. Lieut. Hezekiah Fisher, 1789- 97.
Col. John Boyd, 1800-4. Pelatiah Fisher, 1805-6. Capt. Joseph Bacon, 1807-14. Lieut. Phineas Ware, 1811-17. Lewis Fisher, 1815-16, 1818- 21, 1823, 1826.
Dr. Nath'l Miller, 1827, 1833. Col. Caleb Thurston, 1829-30. Willis Fisher, 1831.
Maj. Davis Thayer, 1832, 1834, 1840.
Ensign Seth Dean, 1834. Joel Daniels, 1837.
Col. Nathan Cleveland, 1838- 39.
Albert E. Daniels, 1841. Col. Saul B. Scott, 1843-44.
Dr. Shadrack Atwood, 1847. Col. Paul B. Clark, 1848. George W. Nason, 1850. William Metcalf, 1851.
Capt. Hartford Leonard, 1852. Seneca Hills, 1855. Mason F. Southworth, 1856. Theron C. Hills, 1857. Stephen W. Richardson, 1858. James M. Freeman, 1860. James P. Ray, 1861, 1877. Rev. Wm. M. Thayer, 1863. Francis B. Ray. 1865. Alpheus A. Russegue, 1867. Henry E. Pond, IS68. Rev. Richard Eddy, 1870. Joseph A. Woodward, 1871. John H. Fisher, 1873-74. Davis Thayer, 1876. Henry R. Jenks, 1880. Sabin Hubbard, 1883.
Centennials .- The first century of Franklin is a precinct was completed Dec. 23, 1837 (old style). The event was commemorated by a historical sermon preached Feb. 25, 1838, by the then pastor, Rer. Elam Smalley, and afterwards printed. The close of the town's first century, March 2, 1878, was antici- pated, in a town-meeting of March, 1873, by the choice of a committee " to prepare a plan for an ap- propriate celebration of the anniversary, to secure statistics, and to do whatever they may deem neces- sary in the matter, and report at a future town-meet- ing." The committee were Stephen W. Richardson, William M. Thayer, Waldo Daniels, William Rock- wood, and Adin D. Sargent. They reported the plan of a public celebration, and an address by Rev. Mortimer Blake, D.D., a son of Franklin, then in Taunton. The plan was adopted, and in 1877 five hundred dollars were appropriated for expenses, in- cluding the publication of a town history. March, 1878, the committee was enlarged by the addition of A. St. John Chambre, Henry M. Green, James P. Ray, Paul B. Clark, and Edward A. Rand, as a com- mittee of arrangements. As March is usually unfit for a public celebration, June 12th was selected, and the day proved most favorable for the occasion.
The chief features of the celebration were a pro- cession, including the public schools, and a repre- sentation of the industries of the town ; a historical address, with other services, in the Congregational Church ; a dinner under a large pavilion on the Com- mon with twelve hundred guests, where history and prophecy, wisdom and wit, from the Governor of the State to the town official, abounded until the wester- ing sun suggested an adjournment until 1978. More than ten thousand people came together from far and near.
A museum of local antiquities, collected by the in- dustry of a committee of ladies in the vestry of the Congregational Church, was visited during the day by more than a thousand people, and elicited unani- mous surprise at the valuable relics they had gathered. A vocal concert in the evening was fully attended, and closed the centennial day.
The history of Franklin, afterwards published, con- tains the historical address, enlarged by addenda ; biographical sketches ; genealogies in brief; speeches at the dinner ; with portraits, views of buildings, etc. It is an octavo of over three hundred pages, prepared by the author of the address, and published by the committee of the town. Very few copies remain in ! the hands of W. Rockwood of the committee.
James M. Freeman, 1875-83.
-
Jabez Fisher, 1753, 1756.
184
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JAMES P. AND JOSEPH G. RAY.
There is an inspiration to others in the history of self-made men; so we gather these fragments from the lives of these brothers, and place them as honored records among the names of those worthy to occupy a place in the " History of Norfolk County." Energy is the corner-stone to their characters, the secret of their successful lives,-well-directed, steady, per- sistent energy. Joseph Ray, the father of these brothers, was born in West Wrentham, Mass., July 24, 1791. He learned the stone-mason's trade, and followed that some years, building mills, mostly in the Blackstone Valley, whither he moved in 1813, making his residence South Mendon, now East Blackstone. In 1814 he married Lydia, daughter of James Paine, an iron-worker, then of Smithfield, R. I., but afterwards a resident of Mendon. Mr. Ray entered into partnership with Mr. Paine in 1821, the firm-name being " Paine & Ray." They engaged in the manufacture of cotton and woolen machinery. Mr. Ray had become thoroughly familiar with their mechanism, and applied himself not only to their construction but improvement. The first geared speeders were invented and constructed in his shop. The firm had two manufactories, one at South Mendon, with one hundred and fifty hands, the other at Slatersville, R. I., with one hundred men. In 1826 Mr. Ray purchased a cotton-mill of nine looms at Hillsboro'. N. H., which number he increased to ninety. He conducted this successfully until 1839,
tered a cotton-factory and remained one year stripping cards. The next year (1837), in the midst of the greatest financial panic this country has ever known, a boy of seventeen, his entire wealth consisting of seven dollars, he started business on his own account by hiring two carding-machines and power to run them, and buying two hundred pounds of cotton waste with which to make cotton batting. This was the humble beginning of a most remarkable and suc- cessful business career. He ran his machine several months, then hiring a horse and wagon, peddled out his goods. Encouraged by his success, early the next season he purchased six carding-machines which he placed in a room in City Mills, Franklin, and con- tinued the manufacture of batting until 1838, when he purchased a small " mule" and made cotton wick- ing during the winter. Notwithstanding his industry and care, by the depression of prices he found himself five hundred dollars in debt the next spring.
Hiring the new mill of Joseph Whiting, of Union- ville, he moved thither in May, 1839, his father's family (now dependent on him) also moving there. Managing his affairs with sagacity and untiring energy unusual in so young a man, and making cot- ton batting, wicking, and cotton twine, by 1844 he had accumulated two thousand dollars. He was again at this time embarrassed by the failure of George Blackburn, of Boston, his commission mer- chant. Receiving an extension of time, he paid the last of the notes due in 1847. From this his career has been one of prosperity. In 1844 his brother, Frank B., three years his junior, who had been em- ployed by him from youth, became his partner, with firm-name of J. P. & F. B. Ray. They purchased when his intimate business relations with Abraham | the celebrated " Makepeace Mill," and here and in the and Isaac Wilkinson, large cotton manufacturers of | Rhode Island, involved him in their failure, and he was compelled to suspend payment. Receiving an exten- sion on his notes for five years, he struggled faithfully during that period to restore his wrecked fortunes, died in 18-47.
mill at Unionville manufactured batting, twine, wick- ing, and bagging until 1851, when Joseph G. was admitted partner, the firm becoming " Ray Brothers."
Mr. Ray married, May 31, 1843, Susan K., daughter of Capt. Alfred Knapp, of Franklin. Their Republican in politics ; as such has been representa-
but failed and retired from business in 1844. He | children are Edgar K. and James F. Mr. Ray is
JAMES P. RAY, eldest son of Joseph and Lydia | tive from Franklin one term, and State senator two (Paine) Ray, was born in South Mendon, Mass., in | years. He is a leading member of the Universalist 1820. Ile received the educational advantages of Church and one of its trustees. Far-seeing, bold, the common and high schools of Bellingham and Ux- energetic, and persistent, he has deserved and at- tained success far beyond the hopes and ambitions of his early manhood. He has neither courted popu- larity nor feared censure. He gives generously where his judgment approves, and refuses sometimes bluntly when persistently urged to support what he does not commend. bridge, and the Manual Labor School at Worcester, with such attention as to qualify him as a teacher at the age of fifteen, when he took charge of the dis- trict school at Northbridge, Mass., for one term. He then became a clerk in a store at Upton, Mass., but in 1836 his father, who had been living in North- bridge, removed to South Mendon, where James en-
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