History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 48

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, editor
Publication date: 1924
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Lewis Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 566

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 48

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Fraternally he is affiliated with Aurora Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Thomas Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Fitchburg; also Jerusalem Commandery, of Fitchburg; Mount Rollstone Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Nashua Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men. He is a well-known member of the local Young Men's Christian Association, and his clubs are the Oak Hill Country, the Masonic, and the Rotary, all of Fitchburg. Mr. Goodwin is a director of the Chil- dren's Home, of Fitchburg, and a director of the Wel- fare Association. He attends the Universalist church.

William Claflin Goodwin married, at Eau Claire, Michigan, November 11, 1896, Nellie R. Dillin, daughter of Frank and Hattie (Dudley) Dillin, and they have one son, Dana Dudley, who is now associated with his father in business. Dana Dudley Goodwin married Vera Willard, of Harvard, Massachusetts, a daughter of Wendall and Jennie Willard, their only child being a son, Dana Dudley, Jr., born July 5, 1923, at Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

BENNETT I. FIELDING, M. D .- In professional circles in Worcester County, Massachusetts, Dr. Field- ing is looked upon as one of the promising young men of the day, and with his training acquired in a leading institution of the East and an unusually comprehensive institutional experience, he is going forward to marked success. He is a son of Louis Fielding, who was born in Russia and came to the United States as a young man, entering the woolen goods business as a jobber and now being thus engaged. The mother, Leah Rose

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(Lewis) Fielding, was born at Hull, England. Both parents are now living in Worcester.

Bennett I. Fielding was born at Worcester, Massa- chusetts, January 25, 1899. His education was begun in the local public schools, and following his graduation from the Worcester High School he entered Tufts Med- ical College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1921, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. There- after, for sixteen and one-half months, Dr. Fielding was active as interne at Carney Hospital at Boston, then he returned to Worcester and established his office in this city at No. 5 Trumbull Square. He has made a very auspicious beginning and has gained a secure foot- ing in his chosen field of endeavor. A man of large energy and high ideals, his natural equipment for his work is of the best, and he is unquestionably one of the coming men of the profession. Dr. Fielding is a mem- ber of the American Medical Association, the Massa- chusetts Medical Society, and the Worcester South Dis- trict Medical Society, and acts as examiner for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. During the World War Dr. Fielding served in the United States Medical Reserve Corps, being then a student at Tufts College. He is interested in all civic, social, and wel- fare endeavors, and is affiliated with the Order of the Maccabees and the Young Men's Hebrew Association. He attends the Jewish synagogue.

Dr. Fielding married, on December 27, 1919, Harriet Lillian Newman, who was born at Lincoln, New Hamp- shire, and they have one son, Waldo Lewis, born July 25, 192I.

LESLIE B. PHILLIPS-In banking circles in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, Leslie B. Phillips is holding a position of responsibility, and his work is con- tributing to the progress of the Mechanics' Savings Bank, with which he has been connected for the past fifteen years. Mr. Phillips is a son of Alvin Phillips, who was born at South Montville, Maine, and is a prominent mining engineer, still actively engaged in his profession. The mother, Minerva V. (Pierce) Phillips, who was born at Leominster, Massachusetts, died in 1908.

Leslie B. Phillips was born at Auburn, Maine, Febru- ary 12, 1882. His education was begun in the public schools of Somerville, Massachusetts, and he later entered Tufts College, from which he was graduated in 1906, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Upon the completion of his education Mr. Phillips became identified with the American Steel and Wire Works, remaining for two years in that connection. Two years later he formed his present affiliation with the Wor- cester Mechanics' Savings Bank, beginning in a' subor- dinate capacity. He has been active in this institution continuously since, and now serves as chief clerk and accountant. Mr. Phillips commands the confidence and esteem of his associates, and is considered one of the substantial and influential men in the world of finance in Worcester. He is a member of the Independent Order of Old Fellows, and attends the People's Church.

Mr. Phillips married, on September 23, 1916, Miriam F. Fifield, who was born in Worcester, and they have one son, Richard F., born July 4. 1917. Mrs. Phillips is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College of the class of 1908, and holds the degree of Bachelor of Arts. She

taught school before her marriage, and was instructor in French in the North High School of Worcester.

GEORGE BOSWORTH-The Bosworth family is a large and well known one. The first of the family to come to this country landed at Hull, in 1634. They were a mother and three sons, who settled in the eastern part of Massachusetts. The first to come to Petersham was Henry, who lived on the West Road, near the present Hitchcock farm. His son, George, lived still farther west, and his son, George, located at the four corners on the Dana Road.

George Bosworth, Jr., was a carriage maker in the days when carriages were made in small shops. In 1835, with his wife and three small children, he removed to the centre of Petersham and bought the MacCarty place, situated just south of the Common. The house was then about fifty years old and had been built by two brothers, William and Nathaniel MacCarty, who had a store just north of the house. Mr. Bosworth changed the carriage house into a shop where he made carriages and sleighs for many years. It was his custom, after the first snow fell, to start for New Hampshire and Vermont with a long line of sleighs which he had con- structed during the summer. He was known for his honesty and integrity, and was interested in temperance reform in an age when it was almost unknown. The following is an illustration of his strength of character. As a young man he smoked, but becoming convinced that it was an unwise habit, he threw away his pipe and never touched it again. Mrs. Bosworth was Lucinda Clapp, of Petersham. She was a woman of an unusually sweet and sunny disposition. Both she and Mr. Bos- worth were members of the Congregational church. Mr. Bosworth died at the age of eighty-five years. A few days before his death he was in his fields mowing with his scythe. After Mr. Bosworth's death his widow made her home with her children and died in Lakeville, Massachusetts, at the age of ninety.

Mr. and Mrs. Bosworth had six children, two of whom died in childhood. Their oldest daughter, Luthera, married W. O. Ware and lived in Burlington, Iowa, where she died at nearly ninety-one years of age. The oldest son, Charles Frederick, is still living at ninety-three years of age. During his active years he has been an inventor, and associated with the Wheeler and Wilson Sewing Machine Company, of Bridgeport, Connecticut. He invented one of the first sewing ma- chines, also a machine for sewing straw hats, and a leather sewing machine, which is still in use. He de- signed the Petersham Town Hall while still a young man. He has always been interested in art and music, and still plays on the violin and flute.

Four of his five children are still living. The oldest son, George F., is an architect in Boston. The second daughter of George Bosworth, Anna M., married Rev. Ebenezer Dawes, a Congregational clergyman, of Taun- ton, Massachusetts. He was a graduate of Brown Uni- versity and attended Andover Seminary. He was for many years on the editorial staff of the Bristol County "Republican," and represented his district in the Massa- chusetts Legislature. He had pastorates in Dighton and Lakeville, where he was much beloved. On the death of her husband Mrs. Dawes and her daughters returned to

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her former home in Petersham, where she died in 1911. Three daughters survive her, Elizabeth B., Anna S., and Sarah L., all of whom are graduates of Wheaton Seminary, and are much interested in church and social work, being members of the Daughters of the Revolu- tion and the Woman's Club. Anna S. married William S. MacNutt, who has been for the past thirteen years a Selectman and Overseer of the Poor in Petersham. They have four children: Arthur D., Edith S., Anna Elizabeth, and Leta B. Sarah L. married Charles H. Hawley, of Manchester, Vermont, and St. Petersburg, Florida. Francis J. Bosworth, the youngest son of George Bosworth, lived in Milford, Connecticut, where he died in 19II.

Three of his four children are still living, also six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

ROBERT LINCOLN CARTER-Beginning in 1898, Mr. Carter has served in a public capacity the city of Leominster, Massachusetts, and is to-day occu- pying a post of great importance to the citizens of this community. His father, Chauncey W. Carter, was a practicing lawyer until his death in 1903. The mother, Clara A. (Lincoln) Carter, died in 1905, both parents being natives of this city.

Robert L. Carter was born at Leominster, Massachu- sets, March 30, 1869, receiving his preliminary educa- tion here in the public schools, later attending Boston University. When he had completed his schooling he assumed the position of secretary and treasurer with the Leominster Cooperative Bank until 1903, when he was elected Town Clerk. In 1898, however, he had become Assistant Town Clerk and served in that capac- ity until receiving this full appointment. In 1916 he was elected City Treasurer, the responsible office still (1923) held by him.

He is a Free and Accepted Mason and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Leominster Club, Monoosnock Country Club, Chamber of Commerce, clerk of the Uni- tarian Society, and attends the Unitarian church.

Mr. Carter married, June 1, 1905, J. Louise Bartlett, a native of Sterling, Massachusetts.

DAVID GOLDTHWAIT COOLIDGE, M. D .- In medical circles in Northern Worcester County the name of Dr. David G. Coolidge commands the highest esteem, and as one of the able and successful physicians of the day, Dr. Coolidge is an important figure in Athol, Massachusetts. Highly trained along special lines, and with extensive experience both in these specialties and in general practice, Dr. Coolidge gives to the people of this community the skilled ministrations which are ordi- narily only obtainable in the great cities. He is a son of Loring Coolidge, who was born at Orange, Massa- chusetts, and died in his native place in December, 1869. He was a carpenter and molder, following both trades from time to time, but his early death removed from the community an estimable man and a progressive cit- izen. The mother, Eleanor (Curtis) Coolidge, was born at Erving, Massachusetts, and died in 1915.

David Goldthwait Coolidge was born at Orange, Massachusetts, February 26, 1865. Following the death of his father, when he was four years of age, the boy

seldom possessed a settled home, but attended school wherever he happened to be, for several years attend- ing school a few weeks, or broken weeks a year, or not at all, studying eagerly at every opportunity, for even when a child he cherished a settled ambition to become a physician. When the time came to enter high school the youth who had made his own living from the age of nine years, and at the age of eleven was tramping the country searching for work, returned to his native town of Orange in order to attend school there. By his own efforts he financed his own high school course and was graduated in the class of 1886. In the fall of the same year he borrowed money and went West, entering the University of Michigan. There, also, he secured work to finance his education, and was graduated in the class of 1889. Meanwhile, the electric era in mechanics had passed its dawn and was developing in great waves. The science of therapeutics was just awakening to the possibilities of electricity as a healing agent, and the institutions of Michigan were among the leaders in investigation and experiment. During his medical course Dr. Coolidge took a special course in electrical engineering, and in 1889 he was sent by the faculty of the University of Michigan to the Battle Creek Sani- tarium, with his expenses paid, for the purpose of study- ing baths and Swedish movements, and forming some theory as to the application of electricity as a remedial agent. During his senior year at the University of Michigan he was made assistant to the professor on nerve diseases, in whose hands the tentative work in electro-therapeutics lay, for there were then no doctors or medical professors who knew its use professionally. Dr. Coolidge later became assistant to Professor Herd- man, of the University of Michigan, in his private resi- dence in Ann Arbor, also in the absence of Professor Herdman he had charge of the clinic for nervous dis- eases. During his senior year also, Dr. Coolidge had charge of all machinery and equipment for work in electro-therapeutics, as a salaried assistant of the uni- versity, personally making practically all machinery and equipment used. He also took a post-graduate course at the Chicago College of Opthalmology and Ototology, special work on the eye and ear, further equipping him for his professional career.

Dr. Coolidge began the regular practice of medicine in Orange, Massachusetts, and continued uninterruptedly for about five or six years, and during that time was one of three to organize the Orange Board of Health, which he served as secretary for four years. Mean- while his alma mater sought his services repeatedly, de- siring him to return to the institution as assistant pro- fessor and demonstrator in nervous diseases and electro- therapeutics. He at length accepted this chair, and while at the university acted also as assistant to the surgeon-in-chief of the Ann Arbor Railroad. After two years' residence in Michigan his health compelled him to return to his native State and he again settled, and this time permanently, in Massachusetts. He has since practiced in Athol, giving to this community and the surrounding region the advantage of his splendid prep- aration and his great skill. He has been largely suc- cessful as a physician, and in every branch of community advance he has borne a constructive and worthy part. As a young man, during his stay in the West, he served

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David Glocoolidge

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for three years as a member of the Michigan Militia. He offered his services for the Spanish-American War, endeavoring to enlist, but was declined. During the World War he found larger opportunities to serve his native land as he had desired to do, and was attached to the Headquarters Department at Boston for a time, then was transferred to the 31st Battalion, United States Guards, and was stationed at Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont, until November, 1918, when he returned to Athol, and in March, 1919, received his honorable discharge from the service. Dr. Coolidge was for many years a mem- ber of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and fraternally he is identified with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the New Eng- land Order of Protection, also the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Poquaig Club of Athol, and his religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal Church. For recreation the doctor chooses motor tour- ing.

Dr. Coolidge married (first), in 1891, at Ann Arbor, Michigan, Sophie Durheim, who died in that city in 1893. He married (second), at Townsend, Massachu- setts, on August 28, 1895, M. Eunice Manning, daughter of Boardman and Martha (Foster) Manning, her father a native of Townsend, and her mother of Petersham, Massachusetts. They have two children: David B., born April 29, 1903, now conducting a general repair shop in Athol; and Anita, born March 8, 1907, now a student in Athol High School. The family home, which the doctor purchased and improved, is at No. 268 School Street, the center of a delightful social circle.

JOHN W. WATSON-Active as an executive in the business world of Worcester, Massachusetts, Mr. Wat- son holds a prominent position in the community. He is also widely known in fraternal circles and as a participant in many lines of civic and benevolent advance. A native of this city, Mr. Watson is a member of a very old family of Massachusetts, of English and Scotch origin, noted in every generation for the men of this name who have taken places of honor and distinction in the commercial, professional and industrial activities of their times. Luke M. Watson, Mr. Watson's father, was born in Princeton, Massachusetts, July 17, 1853, but has for very many years been a resident of the city of Worcester, and is still actively engaged here as an expert machinist. The mother, Susan M. (Butterick) Watson, was born in Portland, Maine, and died in July, 1920.

John W. Watson was born in Worcester, Massachu- setts, August 11, 1879. He gained a broadly practical foundation for his career in the public schools of the city, and on the completion of his education secured a position in a bicycle store. Here he acquired a valuable fund of practical experience, and in the year 1898 he became associated with the present organization, the Coats Clipper Manufacturing Company, and he has con- tinuously since been identified with the progress of the concern in one way or another. Beginning in a sub- ordinate capacity, he has worked up through the various grades of responsibility until now for some years past he has been president and treasurer of the company. This concern was founded more than thirty-five years ago, and is the leading manufacturer of clippers in the

United States. Mr. Watson, as head of this interest, keeps in touch with commercial and industrial advance, and fraternally is widely prominent. He is a member of Isaiah Thomas Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; a charter member of Clement Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; a member of the Encampment, the Rebekahs, and the Ridgely Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is Past Grand; a member of the board of directors of the Odd Fellows' Charitable Association; and the Orientals. His religious affilia- tion is with the Baptist church.

John W. Watson married, on October 17, 1905, Annie E. Jones, who was born in the city of Worcester.

EDWARD J. CROSS holds noteworthy place among the business men of Worcester County, Massachusetts, as president of the E. J. Cross Company, with which he has been identified for many years.

Edward Josiah Cross was born in Worcester, Janu- ary 25, 1866, and was taken by his parents to West Warren when he was a year old, attending the public schools of that town. After he came of age he returned to Worcester, learned the trade of carpenter, and worked as an apprentice and journeyman in this city for seven years. Since 1894 he has been in business as a builder. In 1910 he incorporated the business under its present name, the E. J. Cross Company, of which he is president and treasurer. The offices of the company are at No. 82 Foster Street. Mr. Cross has erected many of the finest residences in the county, and the most important public buildings. He was the contractor for the entire plant of the Norton Company, the Spencer Wire Company, the Wyman-Gordon Company, mills of the Woven Cartridge Belt Company, and the residence of Austin P. Christy, Lyman F. Gordon (now owned by I .. J. Knowles), Harry W. Goddard, and Frank O. Woodland (now owned by John Jeppson). He is a director of the Mechanics' National Bank, the Mer- chants. and Farmers Insurance Company of Worcester, and the Federal Mutual Liability Insurance Com- pany of Boston. Mr. Cross is a member of Quin- sigamond Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; the Commonwealth Club, Worcester Rotary Club, Tatas- sit Canoe Club, Economic Club, Worcester Country Club, Automobile Club, Chamber of Commerce, Wor- cester County Mechanics' Association, Worcester County Fish and Game Association, Worcester Builders' Ex- change, Massachusetts Master Builders' Club, and is president of the Worcester County Employers' Asso- ciation.

Mr. Cross married, in Worcester, February 25, 1891, Mary O. Upton born in St. John, New Brunswick. They have two children: Ralph Upton, of whom further; and Frank Edward.

Ralph U. Cross was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, August 16, 1892. His education was begun in the local public schools, and following his graduation from high school he took a preparatory course at the Worcester Academy ; after which he entered Tufts College and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1916 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Immediately following his graduation Mr. Cross became associated with his. father in business, and in building and general construction work in Worcester County, and throughout

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adjoining counties and States he is well known through his activities in this connection. His career has thus far been interrupted only by his military service. In June, 1917, he enlisted in Headquarters Company of the Northeastern Division, at Boston. He was later trans- ferred to Washington, District of Columbia, where he served in the construction department of the United States, and was commissioned second lieutenant, later receiving his promotion to first lieutenant. With this rank he received his honorable discharge from the ser- vice in January, 1919. Mr. Cross is prominent in fra- ternal circles, holding the thirty-second degree in the Masonic order, being a member of all the Scottish Rite bodies, also a member of the York Rite bodies up to and including the chapter. He is a member of the Wor- cester Chamber of Commerce, the Engineers' Club of Boston, the University, Automobile, Rotary, and Coun- try clubs of Worcester, and the American Legion. He also retains his membership in the Delta Upsilon fra- ternity of Tufts College. His religious affiliation is with the Unitarian church.

Mr. Cross married, in 1922, Mary B. Barnard, of Worcester.

C. WILLIS BENNETT-The production of shoes forms an appreciable part of the industrial life of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and in this field of endeavor C. Willis Bennett holds a prominent place. With long practical experience in the production departments of this industry, Mr. Bennett has been at the head of his own interest for some eighteen years. He is a member of a family founded in Fitchburg many years ago by his grandparents, Abraham and Eunice (Gibson) Ben- nett, who became well known in the business and social life of the city. The trend of the family's activities always followed practical lines, and Charles Bennett, their son, and Mr. Bennett's father, was a carpenter by occupation. He married Mary E. Locke, also a member of an old New England family.

C. Willis Bennett was born in Fitchburg, Massachu- setts, and laid a sensible foundation for his future in the public and high schools of his native place. Early in life he entered the shoe industry, and making good use of his time and energies, rose from a subordinate position to that of superintendent in the employ of E. M. Dickinson & Company, shoe manufacturers of Fitch- burg. Remaining with the same concern for a full quarter of a century, Mr. Bennett filled various posi- tions in their plant, and his experience stood him in good stead when he came to strike out for himself. In the year 1905 Mr. Bennett founded his own interest, begin- ning the manufacture of women's, misses', and children's shoes in a small plant on North Street. He now employs one hundred and twenty-five hands, and with thoroughly modern equipment, manufactures 1,500 pairs of shoes per day. Mr. Bennett has won his own success, going forward fearlessly, whether discouragements or good fortune attended him. He has formed various other business affiliations, is a director of the Fitchburg Bank & Trust Company, and a trustee of the Worcester North Savings Institute, and on the board of investment of same. Politically he supports the Republican party, and is prominent fraternally, being a member of C. W. Moore Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is Past

Master ; Jerusalem Commandery, Knights Templar, of which he is Past Commander; and the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, his affiliation being with Aleppo Temple of Boston. His clubs are: The Masonic, the Fay, of which he is vice-president; and the Oak Hill Country.

Mr. Bennett married, on December 6, 1888, Elmira H. Goodrich, daughter of Edward A. and Jane (Far- well) Goodrich, also both members of old Fitchburg families.

FRANCIS N. LUCE-Filling large responsibilities in the industrial life of West Boylston, Massachusetts, Francis N. Luce serves as chemist at the plant of the Norton Company of Worcester, his work having to do with research and production problems. Mr. Luce is well known in West Boylston, and is taking a construc- tive and eminently practical part in the industrial pro- gress of his day. He is a son of William D. and Celia (Wynne) Luce, his father active in the shoe business for many years, but now retired.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 48

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, editor Publication date: 1924 Publisher: New York, Chicago, Lewis Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 566

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, editor
Publication date: 1924
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Lewis Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 566