USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 2
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The military record of Captain Herbert F. Hartwell began some years ago, when he enlisted in the National Guard of the State of Maine. He was later identified with the National Guard of the State of Massachusetts for a period of eight years, was commissioned second lieutenant in 1913, and two years later was commissioned captain. On March 25, 1917, on the call of the Presi- dent of the United States, Captain Hartwell's regiment, the 2d Massachusetts Infantry, was sworn into the Federal service and became the 104th Infantry, 26th Di- vision, American Expeditionary Forces. They sailed for France on September 26 1917, and this was the first complete American division to reach French soil prepared for service in the field. Captain Hartwell was under this command until June 1, 1918, when he was trans- ferred to the Liaison Service American Expeditionary Forces, and was attached to the headquarters of the 20th French Army Corps. During his service in this connection he received two decorations from the French Government, the Croix de Guerre, citation by Marshal Pétain for the capture of a German bombing plane with officers and crew, and the Legion of Honor on citation of the commander of the 20th French Corps, also cita- tions from General Edwards, commanding the 26th Di- vision, his regimental commander, and the chief of the
Roy In. Thomas
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Liaison Service, American Expeditionary Forces. Cap- tain Hartwell was returned to the United States in June, 1919, and he received his honorable discharge from the service. He is a member of the Cercle Nationale des Armées de Terre et de Mer of Paris, France, a French army and navy club. Captain Hartwell is a member of the Y. D. Club, of Boston, and is deeply interested in the Boy Scout movement, acting as president of the Gardner Council of Boy Scouts. Fraternally he is identified with Hope Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Goddard Council, Princes of Jerusalem; and Worcester Lodge of Perfection, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. His clubs are The Gardner Boat and the Chair City, and he is a member of the association of the Levi Heywood Memorial Association. His church association is with Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, of which he is vestryman.
Captain Hartwell married, in 1906, Georgia M. Rodick, of West Roxbury, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of five children: Hope, a junior in Gardner High School (1923); H. Roger, a freshman in Gard- ner High School; Constance G .; Priscilla F .; and Pa- tience R .; the younger children all in the grammar schools of Gardner.
ROY M. THOMAS-The city of Leominster, Mas- sachusetts, is fortunate in its large number of busi- ness men who have by energy and ability worked their way up from the bottom to responsible and important business positions, either in the employ of large con- cerns or as owners and managers of a business of their own. Among the latter is Roy M. Thomas, who since 1916 has been the owner and manager of a prosperous plumbing and heating establishment in Leominster.
Roy M. Thomas was born in Worcester, Massachu- setts, December 25, 1892, his parents Farwell N. Thomas, a meat cutter of Worcester, and Jennie M. (Marshall) Thomas. He received his earliest education in Worces- ter, but in 1904, when he was twelve years of age, moved with his parents to Leominster, where his education was completed. He was deeply interested in mechanical and engineering lines, and even during his school days he utilized his spare time studying various branches of the engineering business. When his school training was completed he apprenticed himself to John B. Farnsworth, plumber and steam fitter, of Leominster, in whose em- ploy he remained from 1908 to 1914. During this period he was still using much of his spare time in study and experiment, and was steadily becoming more expert as a plumber and steam fitter. In 1914 he severed his con- nection with Mr. Farnsworth and became identified with the Thompson & Spear Company, of Boston, plumbers, by whom he was employed as an estimator. Two years later he returned to Leominster and purchased the in- terests of John B. Farnsworth, his first employer, and since that time has continued to successfully conduct a steadily growing business. In December, 1916, the business was incorporated under the name of the J. B. Farnsworth Company, Roy M. Thomas, president; Joseph B. Spear, treasurer, and Frank S. Farnsworth, director. Mr. Thomas has made for himself a repu- tation as a skillful and reliable plumber, and has built up one of the best known plumbing establishments in Leominster. The firm has filled many important plumb- ing and heating contracts, including the Nashua High
School, of Nashua, New Hampshire; F. A. Whitney Carriage Company, of Leominster; The Viscoloid Com- pany, of Leominster; Forbes Lithographing Company, of Boston; Plunkett Hospital, of Adams, Massachusetts ; Marine Barracks, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Noland School, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts; Bigelow- Hartford Carpet Company, of Thompsonville, Connect- icut; Young Women's Christian Association, of Bridge- port, Connecticut; Turner Center Creamery, of Provi- dence, Rhode Island; and the Rialto Theatre of Leomin- ster. In 1918 a Boston branch office of the business was opened at No. 44 Broomfield Street, and the work of the firm now extends all over New England and other points.
Along with his business activities Mr. Thomas has always been ready to do his part as a public-spirited cit- izen, and has always taken an interest in local public affairs. During the World War he was detailed for special government work, stationed at Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island, and later at Fort Trumbull, as one of the United States Coast Guard, at New London, Connecticut. At the latter place he had charge of the installations of the plumbing and heating apparatus of the entire camp. Mr. Thomas is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of Leominster Lodge, No. 86, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Leominster Lodge, No. 1237, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Co- lumbian Lodge, No. 100, Knights of Pythias; and Wachusetts Tribe, No. 41, Improved Order of Red Men. He is also a member of the Sons of Veterans, and of the United Commercial Travelers' Association, and his clubs are the Leominster and the Monoosnock Country Club. His religious affiliation is with the First Baptist Church of Leominster.
On May 26, 1915, at Lunenburg, Massachusetts, Roy M. Thomas married Elsie G. Fish, daughter of Wellman and Lyra (Heywood) Fish, her father a prominent farmer and dairyman of Lunenburg. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are the parents of three children: Ruth Lyra, born in West Medford, Massachusetts May 28, 1916; Roger Wellman, born in Leominster, October 27, 1917; and Rachel Barbara, born in Leominster, March 1, 1920.
ALVIN WARREN BANCROFT-The ancestor of this branch of the Bancroft family, Lieutenant Thomas Bancroft, was born in England in 1622, son of John and Jane Bancroft. He came to New England, bought land at now Lynnfield, and built a home near Beaver Dam. At the time of his second marriage in 1648, he is spoken of as "of Reading," where it is known that he owned land. He married (first) at Dedham, in 1647, Alice Bacon, daughter of Michael Bacon, of Dedham, and married (second), in 1648, Elizabeth Metcalfe, daughter of Michael and Sarah Metcalfe. Children : Thomas, of whom further; Elizabeth, John, Sarah, Raham, Sarah (2), Ebenezer, and Mary. Thomas Ban- croft died August 19, 1691.
(II.) Deacon Thomas Bancroft, son of Lieutenant Thomas and Elizabeth (Metcalfe) Bancroft, was born in 1649, and died November 9, 1691. He was an officer in King Philip's War, and a Selectman of Reading for several years. He lived in the Bancroft homestead in the western part of Reading, and his was the fourth house built in the West Parish. He married, in 1673,
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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY
Sarah Poole, daughter of Jonathan and Judith Poole. Children, all born in Reading, Massachusetts: Thomas (3), Jonathan, Sarah, Mehitable, Jonathan (2), Raham, of further mention; Judith, Samuel, died young; Sam- uel (2), and Elizabeth.
(III.) Deacon Raham Bancroft, son of Deacon Thomas and Sarah (Poole) Bancroft, was born in 1684 and died in 1758. Rev. Mr. Hobby, in recording his deatlı, said: "That good man, my friend, Deacon Ban- croft." He married (first), in 1706, Abigail Eaton, daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Mason) Eaton. She died in 1728, aged forty. They were the parents of David, of whom further. He married (second), in 1730, Ruth Kendall, who died in 1758, daughter of Samuel and Mary Kendall. Raham Bancroft's children were: Joshua, Abigail, James, died young; Ruth, Abigail (2), Judith, and James (2).
(IV.) David Bancroft, son of Deacon Raham and Abigail (Eaton) Bancroft, was born at Reading, Massa- chusetts, in 1718, and died at Auburn, Massachusetts, April 16, 1782. He married (first) Eunice, surname un- known, who died October 15, 1777, aged fifty-seven. He married (second) Abigail, surname unknown, who died January 4, 1779. He married (third) Ruth, surname unknown, who died August 2, 1809, aged ninety-four. Children : Eunice, David, Jonas, John, Ebenezer, Jon- athan, of further mention; Mary, Ruth, Hannah, Tim- othy, and Nathaniel.
(V.) Jonathan Bancroft, son of David and Eunice Bancroft, came from Auburn to Gardner, Massachusetts, and followed his trade of shoemaker in connection with farming. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and was at the surrender of Burgoyne in 1777. He married Sarah Case, and they were the parents of seven children : Jonathan, Smyrna, of further mention; Sarah, Mary, Betsey, Lucy, and Roxanna. Sarah (Case) Bancroft died February 17, 1816, and he married a second wife, Elizabeth, who died December 2, 1822. He died Sep- tember 25, 1826.
(VI.) Smyrna Bancroft, son of Jonathan and Sarah (Case) Bancroft, was born May 15, 1776, died May 5, 1818. He married Sarah Whitney, of Winchendon, Massachusetts, and they were the parents of six chil- dren: Harvey M., Smyrna Winslow, of further men- tion; Mary E., Sarah W., Amasa, and Viola.
(VII.) Smyrna Winslow Bancroft, son of Smyrna and Sarah (Whitney) Bancroft, was born December 13, 1804. He married Lucy Jackson, daughter of Elisha and Relief (Beard) Jackson, and they were the parents of seven children : Sarah W., Walter, Mary, Charles, of further mention; Elmira, Amasa, and Eugene.
(VIII.) Charles Bancroft, son of Smyrna Winslow and Lucy (Jackson) Bancroft, was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, May 5, 1836. He married Lydia Maria Parish, and they were the parents of Alvin Warren, of whom further.
(IX.) Alvin Warren Bancroft, son of Charles and Lydia Maria (Parish) Bancroft, was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, August 9, 1873, and there completed public school courses of study with graduation from high school. He then entered Harvard University, whence he was graduated Bachelor of Science, class of 1895. After leaving Harvard he entered the office em- ploy of the Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company.
He was advanced in position with the years and filled each place so efficiently that he rapidly rose in rank, becoming, in February, 1920, general manager of the Gardner plant. He fills an important place in the busi- ness life of the State and fills it most ably. He is also a director of the Gardner Savings Bank.
Mr. Bancroft is a member of Gardner Lodge, No. 1426, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Gardner Boat Club. The family are members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and for several years has been a member of the School Board. The family home is in Gardner.
Mr. Bancroft married, August 21, 1900, Emily Wash- burn, of Gardner, and they are the parents of two sons : Raymond Washburn, a graduate of Harvard Univer- sity, Bachelor of Arts, class of 1922, completing the course in three years; and Richard, now a freshman at Harvard.
CHARLES EDWARD THOMPSON, M. D .- A native of Massachusetts, Dr. Thompson is a son of Charles Edward and Ellen Louise (Simpson) Thomp- son, both natives of York, Maine. The father was en- gaged in mercantile pursuits in the city of Portland for many years, but his business was entirely swept away by the disastrous and historic Portland fire, and having advanced in years, he practically retired from activity following that event. He died in Middleton, Massachu- setts, in the year 1890. The mother still survives him, and is a resident of Malden, Massachusetts.
Dr. Charles Edward Thompson was born at Middle- ton, Massachusetts, on January 24, 1879. His educa- tion was begun in the local public schools, and he is a graduate of the Holden High School, of the class of 1898. Entering Harvard University Medical School after special preparation, he was graduated from that institution in the class of 1902, with the degree of Doc- tor of Medicine. Even during his student days, Dr. Thompson gave especial attention to mental diseases, and six months prior to his graduation he entered the Massachusetts State Infirmary as an interne and served in this capacity for a year and a half. He was then made a member of the staff of this institution and con- tinued in that capacity until coming to Gardner in Oc- tober, 1904. At that time he accepted the position of assistant superintendent of the Gardner State Colony, and continued in that capacity for two years and a half. In April, 1907, he was made superintendent and physician-in-chief of the Gardner State Colony, in which position he has since continued with the exception of two and a half years. It was in October, 1911, that he resigned from the colony to accept the appointment of executive officer of the State Board of Insanity, the offi- cers of this board being in the State House at Boston. Dr. Thompson ably filled the responsibilities of this position until February 1914, when he returned to the Gardner State Colony, and has since been in charge as before. The institution has nine hundred and twenty- five patients and two hundred officers. In all these activities Dr. Thompson has done much constructive work, looking toward the betterment of conditions, not only in the care of the mentally afflicted, but toward the possibility of prevention of serious mental disorders. He was instrumental in organizing the Massachusetts
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Society of Mental Hygiene, of which he has been sec- retary since its inception. The chief aim of this organi- zation is the study of causes as related to results in mental diseases and to secure better care for the men- tally afflicted, also the endeavor to awaken the people to the study and prevention of mental troubles, which are rapidly increasing. Dr. Thompson has given this subject the most extensive research, has written more or less regarding it, and is quoted as one of the foremost authorities of the day on the treatment of mental affec- tions. He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, the New England Society of Psychiatry, the Boston Society of Psychiatry and Neurology, and the Massachusetts Medical Society. Fraternally he is identified with Hope Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; Gardner Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Ivanhoe Com- mandery, Knights Templar; and the Massachusetts Con- sistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.
Dr. Thompson married, in May, 1907, Enza Leone MacGill of Malden, Massachusetts.
ARTHUR NELSON BALL, M. D .- As assistant superintendent of the Gardner State Colony, Dr. Ball is bearing a noteworthy part in the care and treatment of mental diseases in this State, and his success is counting for the advance of the institutions and the wel- fare of its patients. Dr. Ball is a native of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and is a son of William and Mary (Pierce) Ball. His father was born in Oswego, New York, and was a farmer and lumberman by occu- pation, becoming a prominent figure in this industry in Windsor, Massachusets, where he operated a saw mill for a number of years, his death occurring while in that business. The mother, who was born at Peru, Massachusetts, still survives him, and is now a resi- dent of Cummington.
Dr. Ball was born in Peru, Berkshire County, Massa- chusetts, March 7, 1884. His early education was ac- quired in the public schools of Windsor, and he later attended Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, New Hampshire, from which he was graduated in the class of 1906. His choice of a profession early made, he en- tered the medical school of the University of Pennsyl- vania', at Philadelphia, and was graduated from that in- stitution in the class of 1911, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. One year's interneship followed at the General Hospital of Paterson, New Jersey, and there- after he became assistant physician at the Northampton State Hospital, at Northampton, Massachusetts. His work at that institution was interrupted by his enlist- ment in the Medical Corps of the United States Army on January 15, 1918. He was commissioned first lieuten- ant and was later promoted to the rank of captain, serving for five months at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and at Camp Hancock, Georgia, for eight months; there- after at Fort Logan (Colorado) Army Post, for three months, and finally at Camp Grant, Illinois, where he remained until June 30, 1919, when he received his hon- orable discharge from the service. Immediately after his discharge Dr. Ball returned to the Northampton State Hospital as senior assistant physician of that institution, and remained until November 2, 1921, when he became assistant superintendent of the Gardner State Colony, in which capacity he now serves. During his entire ex-
perience, including that in the military camps at vari- ous points, he has made a special study of neuro- psychiatry treatment, and is rapidly gaining a position of prominence in the treatment and prevention of mental diseases. Dr. Ball is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, of the New England Psy- chiatric Society, and the American Medical Association, and the Worcester North Medical Society. Fraternally he is identified with the Free and Accepted Masons, but otherwise has few interests which do not closely align with his work.
Dr. Ball married, on August 12, 1918, Mae Turner, of Cummington, Massachusetts.
HARRISON GREENWOOD-As a successful man, as an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, as well as in fraternal circles, Harrison Greenwood of the insurance concern which operates under the name Green- wood Brothers, is well known and highly esteemed in Gardner, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Alson J. Greenwood, father of Harrison Greenwood, was born in Hubbardston, Massachusetts, September 27, 1829, and after receiving a good practical education in the public schools of his native district, engaged in farming, which occupation he followed throughout his active life. In spite of his out-of-door life, however, he was not a man of rugged health, and when, at the beginning of the Civil War, he tried to enlist for ser- vice he got no further than Greenfield, Massachusetts, where he was rejected because he could not pass the physical tests. He married Martha G. Moulton, daugh- ter of Sewell and Polly (Hunting) Moulton, and they were the parents of four sons: Dr. Sewell E., of Templeton, Massachusetts, now deceased : Arthur D., of Hubbardston, Massachusetts, now deceased; Silas A., of Winchendon, Massachusetts; and Harrison, of fur- ther mention.
Harrison Greenwood was born in Hubbardston, Massachusetts, August 31, 1863, and received his educa- tion in the public schools of Hubbardston. Upon the completion of his high school course he entered the em- ploy of S. Bent & Company, Inc., serving in the capac- ity of shipping clerk, and this connection he maintained for a period of ten years. At the end of that time he accepted a position in the office of S. K. Pierce & Son Company, with whom he remained for a period of three years. He then, in 1895, engaged in the insurance busi- ness in association with his brother. Since that time, under the firm name of Greenwood Brothers, insurance, the two brothers have built up a large and successful insurance business. They deal in all kinds of insurance, and have made for themselves an enviable reputation as straightforward and honest business men, as well as being experts in their line. Mr. Greenwood is well known in fraternal circles in Gardner. He is a member of Hope Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Gard- ner, and is Past Master of same; and of Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 46, Knights Templar; he is also a member of Gardner Lodge, No. 1426, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and of the Improved Order of Red Men. He has always taken an active interest in the public welfare of the city of Gardner, and has rendered efficient service as a member of the Gardner Chamber of Commerce, and in addition to his respon-
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sibilities and activities in the insurance business, he is also treasurer of the Gardner Cooperative Bank.
Harrison Greenwood married, on July 15, 1885, Alice M. Priest, of Delaware, daughter of Abraham and Mary A. (Wilder) Priest. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood are the parents of two children: I. Howard P., who was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, December 4, 1887, and died in November, 1918, during the "flu" epidemic. He married Jessie G. Stevens, and they became the parents of two children: Willard P., who was born October 16, 1912; and Barbara, who was born November 5, 1916. 2. Grace G., who was born in Gardner, November 13, 1888; she married, May 2, 1923, Lester H. Carter.
WILLIAM DAGGETT EARL-When William Daggett Earl came to Leominster in 1870 he was a man of forty with a wide business experience gained in many fields. He signalized his coming by organizing the firm of W. D. Earl & Company, manufacturers of horn combs and buttons, a company which he suc- cessfully developed and managed more than forty years before surrendering control to his successor, his son, William Bruce Earl, who had been associated with him in business for sixteen years. When William Dag- gett Earl retired from the business he founded and had managed for forty-one years, he had reached the age of eighty-one. The old veteran survived his retirement five years, and then at the age of eighty-six passed quietly and peacefully away, honored and beloved by all who knew him, and few there were in his community who did not. He was the son of William Henry and Maria (Daggett) Earl, and is believed to have been a descendant of Ralph Earl, who settled in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1634, and died in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1678. He was a man of importance in the colony, and at his death left sons, Ralph and William. Since then Ralph and William have been persistent names in the family, finally descending upon William Henry Earl, who conferred it upon his son, William Daggett Earl and he upon his son, William Bruce Earl (q. v.)
On the Daggett side he was a descendant of Thomas and Hannah (Mayhew) Daggett, of Martha's Vineyard, who were also the ancestors of John and David Dag- gett, of Attleboro, the latter a graduate of Yale in 1783; a member of the Connecticut Legislature, 1791-1814; speaker of the House in 1794; State Senator, 1797-1804; United States Senator, 1813-1819; Judge of the Connec- ticut Supreme Court, 1826-1832; Chief Justice, 1832- 1834, when he reached the age limit and retired, dying in New Haven, Connecticut, April 12, 1851, at the age of eighty-seven.
William Daggett Earl was born in Attleboro, Massa- chusetts (in that part afterward incorporated as North Attleboro), August 5, 1830, and died at his home in Lowell, Massachusetts, June 13, 1916. He obtained his early education in the public schools of his district and at North Attleboro Academy, being there a classmate of Oliver Ames, afterward Governor of Massachusetts. In 1848 he entered Norwich University, at Norwich, Ver- mont, and there remained one year, leaving the univer- sity at the age of nineteen to enter business life. He began his business connection with manufacturing, as an employee of Whitney & Davenport, going from that
company to H. M. Richards, both being engaged in the manufacture of jewelry in North Attleboro. In 1857 he formed a partnership with his brother, Thomas A. Earl, and John Ferguson, they forming the firm Earl, Ferguson & Company, manufacturing jewelers, of North Attleboro, William D. Earl retiring from the firm in the fall of 1858. In the fall of that year he was elected to represent Attleboro in the Massachusetts Legisla- ture, and at the close of the session of 1859 Mr. Earl entered the employ of H. F. Barrows, a large manufac- turer of jewelry, located in North Attleboro.
In 1862 Mr. Earl was again elected Representative from Attleboro. At the expiration of his term he be- came an inspector in the United States Armory at Springfield, continuing in that position two and a half years. He then removed his residence to Boston, there finding a position with his old employer, H. M. Rich- ards, who had removed his business to Boston. He re- mained with Mr. Richards for three years, then formed a partnership with M. W. Carr, under the firm name M. W. Carr & Company, and for two years they engaged in manufacturing jewelry in Boston. In 1869 Mr. Earl retired from the firm and removed to Leominster, Massachusetts, where he began business with his brother, Thomas A. Earl, as partner, they operating as William D. Earl & Company, manufacturers of horn combs and kindred articles made from horn. Horn manufacture is a favorite Leominster activity, but no firm prospered more abundantly than William D. Earl & Company. Thomas A. Earl retired from the firm in 1899, William D. Earì continuing alone until his retirement in 1911.
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