USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84
Barrie says: "God gave us memory that we may have roses in Deeember," and the roses of friendliness and cordiality that he scattered to brighten the paths of all who approached him are crystallized by memory into a monument that is, after all, the only measure of suceess.
I am not very apt to exaggerate much in my ideas of my friends-but I eould and have without any diffi- culty, pietured him as Governor of his State, or Sen- ator, or one of the big financial and industrial men. He had it in him, but those eareers or a combination of them could have added nothing to what we heard at the Gardner station, when a brakeman, or express- man, or whatever he was, said: "Mr. Wilder was my friend, he was the best liked man in Gardner, he was the real thing; lots of people in this town put up a bluff, but he never did. He was genuine and was everybody's friend." There are men we ean admire. many of them, there are men whom we can love, but there are few for whom we can blend love and admir- ation as we did for him. Tenderness without soft- ness, strength without harshness, freedom of thought without vulgarity, eourage without arroganee. keen understanding of people without sourness, high self- respect without eoneeit, artistic and intellectual ap- preciation without snobbishness; these are some of the reasons why we loved him and believed in him and expected big things of him, also why we did not think we could spare him, because the world does not permit us to know many sueh.
Solon Wilder married, June 12, 1907, Edith Leavens, born in Brooklyn, New York, November 15, 1883, daugh- ter of Thomas C. and Fanny (Birch) Leavens. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilder three children were born: Ruth, born February 28, 1910, in Gardner, there died March 31, IQII; Richard, born in Gardner, September II, 19II; and Robert Dinsmoor, born April 2, 1916. The family home in Gardner was at No. 34 Woodland Ave- nue, the summer home at Friendship, Maine. Mrs. Wilder survives her husband, a resident of Gardner.
ELMER G. FOSGATE, M. D .- (I) John Fosgate was born in 1636, and died in 1689. He was a soldier of King Philip's War in 1675, and lived at Charlestown, Massachusetts. His son, Robert, is of further mention.
(II.) Robert Fosgate, son of John Fosgate, was born in 1672 at Charlestown, Massachusetts. He made ap- plication for a soldier's grant of land at what is now Ashburnham, Massachusetts.
(III.) Robert Fosgate, son of Robert Fosgate, was born April 1, 1704. He married Sarah Howe, and settled at Gates Farm, Berlin, Massachusetts. He was a soldier of the Revolution and was with the expedition that marched against Crown Point, although then far past military age. Robert and Sarah (Howe) Fosgate were the parents of five sons and eight daughters, one of whom, Joel, is mentioned below.
(IV.) Joel Fosgate, sixth child of Robert and Sarah (Howe) Fosgate, was born in 1751, and died in 1824. He was also a soldier of the Revolution.
(V.) Robert Fosgate, son of Joel Fosgate, was born August 15, 1779. He married Hannah, daughter of William Sawyer, and resided at Winchester, New Hamp- shire. He died in 1844.
(VI.) Joel Fosgate, son of Robert and Hannah (Saw- yer) Fosgate, was born in 1814, and died in 1903. He was a farmer of Winchester, New Hampshire, which was the birthplace of both himself and his wife, Mal- vina A. Doolittle. They were the parents of Dr. Elmer G. Fosgate, of this review, who for the last quarter of a century has been a practicing physician of Ashburn- ham, Massachusetts.
(VII.) Elmer G. Fosgate, son of Joel and Malvina A. (Doolittle) Fosgate, was born at Winchester, New Hampshire, July 20. 1859. He was educated in the public schools of Winchester, passing thence to Dart- mouth Medical College, and there receiving the degree of Medical Doctor, class of 1888. During the years prior to obtaining his degree, Dr. Fosgate was for four years employed as a drug clerk, and during the same period taught school. After graduation he conducted a drug business for a few months, then began medical practice in Rindge, New Hampshire, there remaining seven years, until the fall of 1895, when he located in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, and has there been con- tinuously in the practice of his profession.
Dr. Fosgate is a Republican in politics, and for the past six years, 1917-1924, has been chairman of the Board of Selectmen, having also been a member of the board for the six years preceding 1917. For seventeen years he has been on the School Board, and was chair- man of the Republican Town Committee. In 1913 and 1914 he represented the Second Worcester District in the State Legislature. He is a member of the Massa-
109
BIOGRAPHICAL
chusetts State Medical Society, a member of the Grange, of which he is Past Master, and of the Worcester County Medical Society. He is a member of the standing com- mittee and a deacon of the Congregational church.
Dr. Fosgate married (first), January I, 1889, at Win- chester, New Hampshire, Julia T. Bliss, who died June 12, 1901. He married (second), December 25, 1902, at Ashburnham Massachusetts, Sadie M. Lane, daughter of David and Sophia (Morris) Lane. A daughter, Hazel E. Fosgate, was born in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, September 22, 1892, to Dr. Elmer H. and Julia T. (Bliss) Fosgate. She graduated from Mt. Holyoke College with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, and is now a teacher in the American International College.
VICTOR WELLINGTON COLLIER, in the world of finance in Worcester County, Massachusetts, is a foremost figure, and in his present position as president of the Milford National Bank he wields an influence for progress in every line of effort. His long experience and the ability which has carried him to his present noteworthy position equip men in a very practical way for his present responsibilities, and he is interested also in many forms of organized activity, taking a leading part in fraternal advance and giving constructive aid to every worthy movement. Mr. Collier comes of an old Massachusetts family, and is a son of William W. Collier, who was active in the United States Navy dur- ing the Civil War, and whose lifetime was principally spent in the calling of marine engineer. The mother, Carrie A. (Coffin) Collier, is also a native of Massa- chusetts.
Victor Wellington Collier was born at Chelsea, Massachusetts, September 18, 1877. His education was begun in the local schools and he is a graduate of Williams School of Chelsea, also of the Bellingham High School, of Chelsea. As a youth he entered the employ of the National Shawmut Bank, of Boston, and remained with that concern for many years, rising in the organization from a subordinate position to one of large responsibility. In the year 1920 Mr. Collier came to Milford to become associated with the Milford National Bank as president, and in this position has since been active. His previous experience was of the greatest use to him in coming to this institution, which forms a center of financial activity in the smaller community. In the civic, fraternal, and social advance of Milford, Mr. Collier has taken a leading part since his residence in this section, his home being in the nearby village of Hopedale. He is a Republican by political affiliation, but although always active in party affairs, he has never accepted official honors. During the Spanish-American War Mr. Collier served in the United States Navy and saw active service at Santiago and El Mariel. He is a member of the Milford Chamber of Commerce, of the United Spanish War Veterans, and the Military Order of Serpent. Fraternally Mr. Collier is affiliated with Converse Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Malden; Mount Lebanon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Milford; Milford Council, Royal and Select Masters ; Milford Commandery, Knights Templar; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine, of Boston. He is further affiliated with the Royal Arcanum, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Old Williams School Association. His clubs are the Boston City and the Cinosam, of Milford. He has for many years identified himself with religious advance, and holds membership in the Unitarian church.
Mr. Collier married, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Sep- tember 18, 1900, Florence Elizabeth Learned, daughter of George Grant and Elizabeth (Lent) Learned, and they have three children: William Wellington, born February 1, 1903; Elizabeth Learned, born July 25, 1904; and Hilma, born December 31, 19II.
GEORGE A. MARSHALL, as an efficient business man and a public-spirited citizen, is well known in Leo- minster, Massachusetts, where practically his entire life has been passed. He has a host of friends, and among his business associates he is most highly esteemed.
Born in Leominster, Massachusetts, April 5, 1873, son of Alvin Marshall, a piano case maker, and Mary (Morse) Marshall. Mr. Marshall is a descendant of "Mayflower" ancestry, and belongs to one of the oldest families, which has from the beginning of the history of this country, contributed valuable service to its descendants. He received his early and preparatory education in the grammar and high schools of Leomin- ster, and then prepared for a business career by taking a commercial course in Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York. When his business training was completed he entered the employ of the Whitney Paper Box Company, of Leominster, as bookkeeper, and was soon given charge of the folding box department, in addition to his duties as bookkeeper. For eight years he continued to efficiently discharge the duties of that position, and then, in 1903, when the Howe Comb Com- pany was incorporated, he was made secretary of the latter concern, Charles A. Howe being president and treasurer. Ten years later, in 1913, Mr. Howe retired and Mr. Marshall became president and treasurer, and Edward Earl, secretary. They made a specialty of cel- luloid novelties and horn hairpins, sending their prod- ucts to all parts of the country. During the World War he attended to the production and manufacturing of buttons, sending out thousands of gross of these articles but has not further expanded this feature.
In addition to his responsibilities as a manufacturer, Mr. Marshall is also a member of the board of directors of the Leominster National Bank. He is a member of the Leominster Chamber of Commerce, and has always taken an active interest in the public welfare of his native city. He is a Republican, politically, and frater- nally is associated with Leominster Lodge, No. 1327, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His clubs are: The Leominster, Monoosnock Country, and the Leominster Country. His religious affiliation is with the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Leominster.
On January 18, 1897, at Leominster, Massachusetts, Mr. Marshall married Marion M. Lawrence, daughter of S. Henry and Sarah (Moore) Lawrence, and they are the parents of two children: I. Lawrence, born January I, 1899, a graduate of Worcester Academy, and now (1923) associated with his father in business. During the World War he served with the United States Naval
.
IIO
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY
Reserve; he married Doris Caulfield. 2. Barbara, born March 26, 1905, a student in the Kathrine Gibbs School in Boston, taking a secretarial course.
HENRY CLAY GRATON, treasurer of the Graton & Knight Manufacturing Company and one of its founders, was born in Leicester, Massachusetts, July 10, 1830, son of William and Lucy L. (Adams) Graton. His given name was Riley, as shown by the vital records of the town of Leicester, but in early childhood it was changed to Henry Clay. His father was also a native of Leicester, born September 1, 1797. For many years he was engaged in the card clothing business in this city, and he died here in 1877. His mother was born April 8, 1798, and died in Worcester, September 6, 1867, a daughter of Daniel Emerson Adams. She was de- scended from Revolutionary and Colonial stock. The first settler, Henry Adams, was ancestor of President John Adams and President John Quincy Adams. He came from England and settled before 1639 in Mount Wollaston, part of Boston, later the town of Braintree, where he died in June, 1646; to his memory President John Adams erected a monument, commemorating the "piety, humility, simplicity, prudence, patience, temper- ance, frugality, industry, and perseverance of Henry Adams." It may be said here that these virtues describe with remarkable accuracy the characteristics of Henry Clay Graton, who doubtless inherited much from his Adams ancestry.
Ensign Henry Adams, son of the immigrant, settled in Medfield, and became a leading citizen of that town, an officer of the military company, Selectman, and Dep- uty to the General Court. He married Lydia Rockwood, daughter of Richard and Agnes (Bicknell) Rockwood. John Adams, of the next generation, married Deborah Partridge, and followed farming in Medway. His son, Eleazer, the next of the line, was one of the founders of West Medway, and was Selectman eight years. He was one of the pioneers of the Baptist faith, and was sent to the Boston jail in 1753 for refusing to pay his parish tax for the support of the Congregational church. John Adams, son of Eleazer Adams, came to Brook- field, and was a soldier in the Revolution. His son, James Adams, was father of Daniel Emerson Adams, and grandfather of Mr. Graton. Daniel Emerson Adams married Tamara Converse, daughter of Luke Converse. Mr. Graton is descended from many of the early settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and is old New England stock in every branch of maternal line.
Ruth L. Graton, sister of Henry Clay Graton, was born June 4, 1832, married Haskey Wight, and lived at Lawrence, Kansas; John R. Graton, a brother, born April 21, 1836, died at Falmouth; his widow afterwards lived in Lawrence, Kansas.
Henry Clay Graton received his early schooling in his native town, in the public schools and Leicester Academy. At the age of fifteen he began his career as a shop hand, employed in preparing leather for card-setting ma- chines, and after completing his apprenticeship he worked in the card-clothing factory of Earle & Eames and Timothy K. Earle & Company, in Worcester, for eight years, being in charge of the business for four years. The business now conducted under the cor-
porate name of the Graton & Knight Manufacturing Company, was established by Mr. Graton and Joseph A. Knight in February, 1861, when they formed a part- nership and purchased the belt department of T. K. Earle & Company, doing business at first under the firm name of Graton & Knight. A short time afterward, the firm moved its business from the card clothing fac- tory on Grafton Street to two rooms, each 20x60 feet, in the Old Harding Block on Front Street. The firm started in a modest way on a small scale. For several years most of the labor was performed by the two part- ners, who worked early and late; they were their own salesmen, too, and they often went on foot from mill to mill to solicit business and dispose of their stock. But year by year the business grew, and from time to time additional space was added to the factory. In 1868 the firm built a small tannery on Bloomingdale Road in order to manufacture leather specially adapted for making belts. The resulting improvement in the goods of the firm led to the construction of an addition to the tannery in the following year. The business was in- corporated in 1872 under its present name, with a cap- ital of $100,000, Joseph A. Knight being president, Mr. Graton treasurer, and Walter M. Spaulding, vice-pres- ident and secretary. Mr. Knight continued active in the business to the time of his death. In 1875 the com- pany began to send out traveling salesmen, and in that year the capital stock was doubled to afford a larger plant and more working capital. A third building for tannery purposes was erected on Bloomingdale Road in 1880. In 1893 the capital stock was increased to $300,000, and a four-story building was erected on Bloomingdale Road, they then vacating the Harding Block, three-quarters of which was used by the belting business at that time. In the more than twenty-five years that have passed the plant has been repeatedly en- larged to provide greater facilities for the business, which has grown steadily and rapidly. The company is known throughout the world and stands at the head of its line of business. The Graton & Knight Manufactur- ing Company now has a paid-up capital of $2,000,000. Factories have been added at Cleveland and Detroit, where a complete stock of belting and sundries is car- ried. Each branch is equipped to install or repair belts of all kinds. The Cleveland factory is located at Nos. 1604-08 West Third Street; the Detroit factory at No. 266 Jefferson Avenue, East. The company also main- tains branch stores in fifteen large cities, viz .: Nos. 93-95 Forsyth Street, Atlanta, Georgia; No. 33 Lincoln Street, Boston; Nos. 32-34 South Jefferson Street, Chicago; No. 177 Bedford Street, Fall River; No. 712 Delaware Street, Kansas City, Missouri; No. 103 West Water Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; No. 310 Third Avenue, North, Minneapolis, Minnesota; No. 46 St. Alexander Street, Montreal, Canada; No. 72 Warren Street, New York City; No. 132 North Third Street, Philadelphia; No. 327 Water Street, Pittsburgh; No. 51 First Street, Portland, Oregon; No. 247 Mission Street, San Fran- cisco, California; No. 320 Occidental Avenue, Seattle, Washington; Nos. 701-II North Eighth Street, St. Louis, Missouri. Their selling agents in Texas, the Graton & Knight Manufacturing Company of Texas, has head- quarters at No. 309 North Austin Street, Dallas.
In 1867 Graton & Knight could tan only a few hun-
Eng by E. G Whthoms & Bro.NY
Lewis Historical Pub. Co.
H e gratin
III
BIOGRAPHICAL
dred skins in a year; at the present time more than 200,- 000 are tanned in a year. The company received medals for their exhibits at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904; at the Lewis & Clark Exhibition at Portland, Oregon, in 1905; at the Jamestown Tercentennial Ex- position, Virginia, in 1907; and at the Alaska-Yukon Exposition at Seattle, Washington, in 1909, each being the highest award granted to belt manufacturers at these expositions. In addition to belting, the company manufactures lace leather, belt cement, belt dressings, leather packings, strapping, automobile leather, shoe counters, innersoles, welting, and box toes, besides a great variety of other leather articles. The plant is conceded to be the largest and best equipped in the world for tanning and currying hides and manufactur- ing leather belts. The officers are: Walter M. Spauld- ing, president; Mr. Graton, treasurer ; George T. Dewey, vice-president; W. Virgil Spaulding, secretary and as- sistant treasurer; Frank H. Willard, assistant general manager, and Henry G. Gould, comptroller.
Mr. Graton has been treasurer of the company from the beginning, and few men in the country have had the satisfaction of seeing such an extensive business develop during their lifetime. The present plant contrasts viv- idly with the two rooms in which the business was started. The plant covers eight acres, and 1,300 hands are employed. In the office alone more than sixty are on the payroll. Seventy traveling salesmen sell an an- nual product of more than $10,000,000. The company has made great advance in caring for the health and comfort of its employees; a modern heating and ven- tilating system keeps the air fresh, free from odors, and at the proper temperature; in summer a refrigerating plant is used to keep the workrooms comfortably cool.
As the founder of one of its greatest industries, Mr. Graton is entitled to one of the foremost places of honor in the history of the city. After more than sixty years of active and strenuous business he is still the same able, clear-sighted, kindly man of earlier years, beloved by his subordinates and respected in the business circles of the city. For more than thirty years he lived at No. 37 Providence Street; his present home is at No. 690 Pleasant Street, opposite Newton Hill.
In religion Mr. Graton is a Methodist, joining the Coral Street Methodist Church early in life, now a mem- ber of the Church of the Covenant, of which he was a member of the building committee. He has been a liberal benefactor of many other churches of various denominations, of the Boys' Club, the Young Men's Christian Association, and many other. charitable and religious organizations of the city. No man of means is more unostentatious, however, in his giving and none more anxious to have his wealth devoted to useful pur- poses. In politics Mr. Graton has been a lifelong Re- publican, though he has studiously avoided public office.
Mr. Graton married, June 7, 1863, Lucretia M. Gould, born July 30, 1838, and died in this city, December 10, 1910, a daughter of Charles M. and Rebecca (Har- ris) Gould. Their only child, Minnie Etta, died at the age of four years. Mrs. Graton was prominent in the work of the church, in the Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union, the Worcester Reform Club, and in various other charitable and social service organizations.
She was a modest, kindly, pious woman of many endear- ing qualities, caring nothing for modern society, adher- ing closely to the standards of life and faith of her Puritan ancestry.
Mrs. Graton spent her girlhood days in Massachu- setts, with the exception of the first three years, which were spent at Swan Lake, Maine, her birthplace. Wor- cester was her home from 1845 to the time of her death. We quote from an eulogy, written by Rev. Robert J. Floody, and published in a book with a collection of her poems, entitled "Heavenly Jewels":
To none could the term minister be more fittingly applied. She believed in the gospel of the Good Sa- maritan and felt the force of the command, "Go and do thou likewise." Besides doing her duty to the charities and philanthropies of the city, she expended her energies and means in many other directions. She kindly lent her assistance to many students at various universities, colleges, academies, schools, who were struggling to educate themselves and complete their courses. The conductors, motormen and railroad men became recipients of her graces, and warmly responded. The workingman who had struggled with misfortune found in Mrs. Graton a ministering angel who lifted his burden and made his heart rejoice. The poor servant girl without a friend found a friend in this hand-maiden of the Lord. The inmates of the Home Farm were cheered by her personal presence and personal gifts. Those incarcerated within prison walls were favored by her attentions and personal services.
Her activities in a very special way extended into the temperance field. She was one of the early cru- saders, being a devoted worker and a leading factor; also was she an earnest laborer in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and always lent her prayers, influence and personal work in the no- license campaign. The great Peace Movement enlisted her special interest and she attended some of its great conferences at Lake Mohonk. Social settlement, Gar- den City Work and all other agencies for human bet- terment found a ready helper in this remarkable wo- man. The little children soon recognized the charm of her personality and clung to her. She could be a little child, play games with them, tell stories and enter completely into their life. A little card or gift at Christmas revealed to the children she had not for- gotten them. Wherever she could bestow a kindness, show a favor, lend a helping hand, she never failed to do it.
The following stanza of one of her poems well il- lustrates her life:
"There is a God, there is a way, Where we may find true rest, It is in the sweet life of love, And doing just our best."
Her religious life is not less remarkable in its activ- ity and richness than her practical life. She had a deeply devotional nature that did not stop with the outward and superficial. No one desired more ear- nestly to conscientiously get at the source of truth. Never would she enter upon any duty without con- sulting the Father. She virtually talked with the Lord. Her Bible was her constant companion. Her faith was strong and optimistic. Her poems reveal how much her mind dwelt on the spiritual. She ad- hered to the Methodist form of belief and was a loyal member of Coral Street Church, Worcester, for thirty- six years.
Her good sense was as remarkable as her devotion. She had charity for all those who differed with her on religious things. Her creed was sprinkled with a great deal of good sense. It is very seldom that there is found in one individual, deep devotion, good sense and practical work combined in such a degree as in Mrs. Graton. Her life was without the show and zeal of high official positions, but it was rather a dynamic influence that moulded for God and righteousness. Her life more accords with the Master, who went about doing good-"About his Father's business." We will have to search long before we will find one who tried so conscientiously to be "about her Father's business."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.