History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 176

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 176

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people. Rooms for a kitchen and steam cooking apparatus are conveniently attached. The crockery service, consisting of twelve hundred pieces, was also a donation from Mr. Myrick, and upon each piece is appropriately inscribed the giver's name. In appre- ciation of these generous gifts, the grounds are called "The Nathaniel Myrick Park." The premiums paid at the fair held October 4 and 5, 1888, amounted to eight hundred and seventy dollars, and the mem- bership of that date was five hundred and sixty. The officers during the year 1888 were Chas. N. Prouty, president ; Thos. J. Comins, secretary ; I. L. Pronty, treasurer, and John G. Avery, delegate to State Board.

GAS WORKS .- In 1886 the Spencer Gas Company was chartered, with Luther Hill as president and Edwin Evans as general manager. From July 1, 1887, to July I, 1888, the works distributed eleven million feet of gas, used for heating, lighting and cooking purposes, and at the latter date had laid twelve miles of gas-pipe.

BANKS .- The Spencer Savings Bank was incorpor- ated in 1871, with Wm. Upham, president, and Erastus Jones, treasurer, and was kept at the office of E. Jones & Co. until January 1, 1876, when it was moved to the banking-rooms of the Spencer National Bank. January 4, 1877, Mr. Jones became president and W. L. Demond, treasurer. The latter resigned the office in June, and Asa T. Jones was chosen in his place, and October 1, 1886, C. T. Linley succeeded Mr. Jones. The deposits January 1, 1875, were $94,647; January 1, 1880, 8221,462, and January 1, 1888, $470,266.

The Spencer National Bank was chartered in 1875 with a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars, with Erastus Jones as president ; W. L. Demond, cashier and C. T. Linley, assistant cashier. Mr. Demond resigned July 1, 1882, on account of ill health, and Mr. Linley was appointed October 1, 1882, as his succes- sor. The office for the transaction of business was first opened in rooms in the I. Prouty & Co. boot factory, but January 1, 1876, was moved into their new quar- ters in " Bank Block."

NEWSPAPERS .- In 1872 The Spencer Sun, a weekly newspaper, was founded by Stillman B. Pratt, of Marl- boro', Mass., and the concern was known as the "Sun Publishing Company." January 1, 1873, Samuel G. Ames became editor and proprietor, and April 27, 1875, he sold the paper and business to James Pickup, who continued it until his decease, June 20, 1887. It was then purchased by H. M. Converse, the present proprietor and manager.

October 10, 1885, the Spencer Bulletin was established by A. H. Johnson, manager, and H. N. Carter, editor. On account of failing health Mr. Johnson sold out the business to Mr. Carter, and January 8, 1888, it was merged into the Spencer Sun, and the paper was known as the Sun-Bulletin. It was, however, soon changed to the original Spencer Sun heading.

BAKERIES .- David Girouard established in the fall

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f 1873 a bread bakery in Spencer, situated upon Elm Street, south of the railroad track. He has had several partners in this establishment from time to time, but, it present, the business is carried on by the D. Girou- rd Co. October 29, 1883, this concern started a tracker bakery at the corner of Chestnut and Maple Streets, and are now turning out about twenty-five barrels of crackers daily, which they sell principally o the New England trade. They also manufacture astry and small bread. This company was incorpo- ·ated at the above date, and is composed of D. Girou- ird, P. Berthiaume, D. Parent, A. Dufault, F. Collette and A. Girouard. In June, 1879, B. C. Dustin opened apon Wall Street a bakery for the manufacture of plain and fancy bread, cake and pastry. In 1886 he associated his son with him in the business, as B. C. Dustin & Son, and in 1888 they enlarged their estab- ishment and added the manufactory of confectionery to the works. Their trade is not confined to Spencer, but extends to the Brookfields and Leicester.

PUBLIC PARK .- The town owns a beautiful park of fourteen acres, situated upon the south shore of the " Whittemore Pond." The tract is well-shaded by a heavy growth of native pine trees, and the land slopes gradually to the water's edge. It is encircled with a broad, well-laid drive, and is a refreshing spot to while away a pleasant hour, in vehicle or on foot, in the heat of a summer's day, or after the labors of the day have closed. The trees, with their cooling shade, and the pond, across which can be had a charming sail, make this an attractive resort for private lunch parties or picnics.

This park was the generous gift of Judge Luther Hill. Mr. Hill is a native of Spencer, and has been a public man in the town since he was twenty-five years of age. He was born November 22, 1825, and in 1845 he was appointed postmaster, which office he held eight years, was a deputy sheriff three years, and has been a justice of the peace and quorum, notary public and trial justice for many years. While hold- ing the latter office, he has tried more than six thou- sand criminal cases and, although not a lawyer by profession, has never spared money or pains to become well-posted in matters of law. He has held many town offices, was chairman of the Board of Select- men twelve years, and moderator of the town-meet- ings thirty years. He has been actively prominent in all public improvements, such as new streets, public buildings, railroad, sewers, water and gas works. He is president of the latter company. Mr. Hill is a man of strong likes and dislikes, of temperate habits and a Republican in politics.

Napoleon B. Smith was located here in 1852 and William T. Harlow in 1854. The latter practiced his profession until the breaking out of the late Rebel- lion, when he was appointed captain of a company of volunteers and he, with it, joined the 21st Mas-a- chusetts Regiment. Soon after his return from the war he was appointed assistant clerk of the Superior Court for the county, which office he still holds. Albert W. Curtis opened a law office in 1874 and is in practice here at the present time. There are also Lawyers Jerry R. Kane, D. J. Cowen and C. S. Dodge. In the early history of the town John Bisco, Esq., was a magistrate, and later on James Draper, Esq., and for more than a quarter of a century Luther Hill, Esq., has held that position.

MEN OF NOTE .- Spencer has produced but few men that have become distinguished, socially, politic- ally, or otherwise, outside our own State. The bent and training of her sons has been decidedly of a business nature, and in this school they have become business men that have given her, and themselves, an honorable and extended record. She has, however, sent out two men, whose genius as inventors has been recognized and appreciated far and wide. One made for himself a world-wide reputation.

William Howe, the inventor of the " truss wooden bridge," was born in Spencer, May 12, 1803, and the system designed and made practical by him was the safest and most reliable of any in use in his day. It was not confined to bridges alone, but was extensively used in the construction of roofs to large buildings, depots and other like structures. These wooden bridges and other structures had their day, serving their purpose admirably, and reflected great credit upon the genius which conceived them, but are now superseded by devices in iron, although the principle of the "truss " is still retained. Mr. Howe early be- came a resident of Springfield, where he died.

Elias Howe, Jr., nephew of William Howe, was born in Spencer, July 9, 1819, and his invention bas not only made him eminently great throughout the civilized world, but the principles embodied in the sewing-machine conceived by him, live, at the pres- ent time, without a rival.

His early years were passed upon the farm and in the mill, and later on in machine shops at Lowell and Boston. At twenty-five years of age he de- veloped his invention and in 1845 completed his first machine. For ten years he was involved in expen- sive law-suits, but he eventually substantiated his claims to the patents involved, and from this time was able to enjoy the rich fruits of his genius. Be- side the plaster bust of this inventor, the museum con- tains an oil painting of the old home of the " Howe family."

LAWYERS .- In 1813, Bradford Summer opened a law office in Spencer, but remained a few weeks only. Subsequently he became quite a prominent and successful lawyer in Boston. John Davis, after- MUSEUM .- Previous to 1874 certain individuals had private collections of natural curiosities, historical relics and sundry mementoes of the early history of wards Governor, was established here in 1815 for a short time. He was succeeded by William S. An- drews in 1816, and he by Daniel Knight in 1817. | the town. At a town-meeting in March of that year, 42

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they asked the town to accept these collections and hold them in trust for a public museum, which was done, and a board of trustees was appointed to have charge of them. They occupy an ante-room fitted up for the purpose in the basement of the Library Build- ing, and comprise a large collection of Indian relics and many souvenirs of the Revolution and late Rebel- lion, also a bust of Elias Howe, the inventor of sewing- machine.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES .- Excepting the years 1841, 1853 and 1874, the town has not been visited by any sweeping contagious or other diseases that have given the inhabitants real cause for alarm. In 1777, 1836 and 1849 small-pox prevailed to some extent, and re- sulted in one death in each of these years, In 1853 the same disease appeared in the central part of the village, cansing some anxiety on the part of the neighborhood and town authorities, There were several cases of varioloid, with one case of small-pox which resulted fatally. In 1874 this malady again re- appeared, and 'for a time promised to be of a very serious nature. The selectmen, however, took active measures to prevent its spreading, by isolating the cases that were past removal and establishing a " pest- house " for new ones, or exposures. This building was located two and one-half miles south of the Cen- tre, and was owned by Ira E. Lackey. These vigorous precautions were effectual, and the disease, with one exception, was confined to this hospital. The sub- jects were mostly from the French population, and the six deaths resulting were persons of this nation- ality. The town expended on account of this sick- ness the sum of $3722.21.

In 1778, 1792, 1795 and 1802 dysentery and scarlet fever prevailed, and several families were deeply af- flicted, in the loss of children, by their ravages. In the summer and fall of 1841 the former disease caused consternation in the immediate vicinity of the village, the fatality amounting to forty deaths, viz., thirty-two children and eight adults. A protracted drouth of four months was the attributed cause. October 1st a freezing storm of rain and snow set in, and from this time no new cases appeared, and the old ones were convalescent.

In 1860 the pleuro-pneumonia, so prevalent through- out New England, received the closest attention of the town authorities. The regulations of the General Court " to prevent the spread of the cattle disease " were strictly enforced by them. Some cattle were killed, and hay, grain and other food was destroyed by their order.

JOSIAH GREEN .- It has been said that " Josiah Green was the founder of the wholesale peg boot manufacturing interests in this country," but whether this be true or not, he certainly has a reasonable claim to being one of the foremost in this branch of the boot industry. He was born of humble parentage, in the town of Leicester, August 9, 1792. His early education was necessarily limited, as in the economy

of the family the children's time was an indispensable factor in their support, and they could not take advantage, even of the short allowance of the school- ing in those days. The greater part of his early life was occupied upon the farm, but in the fall of 1811 he and his elder brother undertook the mannfacture of sewed shoes as a business hazard. They began with a capital of five dollars and forty cents, in the house of John Hubbard, a near neighbor, and their mother raised and spun the flax and made the thread used in the manufacture of their work. The leather used for the goods was the splits and remnants of card leather, such as was used by the card manufacturers of Leicester. This was taken to the leather dresser, one Abel Chapman, of Leicester, oiled, blacked and finished ready for nse. Their product, during the winter, was a "one-horse load," or about two hundred and thirty pairs, and in early spring these were taken to Boston by Josiah, to be disposed of. This was a large amount of goods to be offered upon the market at one time, and only one party, an auctioneer, was found willing to undertake the sale of them. He purchased six pairs at two dollars and thirty cents per pair, with the privilege of the lot, if the venture should prove a success. It was satisfactory, and he took the balance. Receiving the money for them, Mr. Green purchased leather to make up another lot, and returned home. The second "load " was com- pleted and sold with satisfactory results. In 1814 they made a "two-horse load," designed for the Albany market, but these were sold to some army speculators before reaching Albany, at two dollars and twenty-seven cents per pair. Two years later the brothers found they had accumulated three thousand dollars, and the elder proposed that they retire from business and purchase, each, a farm. The partner- ship was dissolved, and Nathaniel removed to Maine and invested his money in land, but Josiah continued in the manufacture of boots. This year, 1816, he came to Spencer, and on the 4th of September, married Tamer, daughter of Robert Watson, of Lei- cester. He had just purchased the farm, which was later on owned and occupied by the late Samuel Adams, using one room in the dwelling-house as his shop. This was his first year for making pegged boots, and for a while all the pegs he used were made by himself, with the aid of a common shoe knife. The plan of disposing of his goods now was a novel one. It was to take them around the country in a one or two-horse wagon, to sell or return when called for, and on bis next trip collect for what had been sold, aud if the arrangement had been mutually satis- factory, they would assort up the sizes of those unsold and continue the relations. These "sale boots " were denounced in the strongest terms by the village and traveling shoemaker. October 13, 1820, his wife died, and October 2, 1821, he married Sybil, daughter of Deacon Reuben Underwood, of Spencer, and by this marriage they reared a family of eight children. In

Tarih: Green

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1831 he purchased the homestead upon which he resided until his death, December 28, 1876, and the room in the old mansion now used as a parlor was his work-shop until 1834. This year he built and occupied a small factory opposite his dwelling, on the Great Post Road. It was enlarged at two different times to accommodate an increasing business. His boots had a wide reputation and were extensively known as "Green's boots." He was alone in his husi- ness until 1852, when his son, Henry R., and son-iu- law, Emory Shumway, were admitted as partners. The latter left the concern in 1856, and was succeeded by Edward, Mr. Green's youngest son. He retired from the firm in 1865, and his interest was purchased by his hrother, Jonas U. Green. In 1866 Mr. Green, Sr., retired from the business, leaving his interest to Josiah, Jr., who remained in the firm until his death, in 1886. Jonas U. disposed of his interest in the con- cern in 1877. In 1887 Henry R. retired, and since then the business has been conducted by Charles H., son of Henry R., and Austin F. Southwick, son-in-law of Josiah, Jr. In 1874 a new factory, four stories high, was erected connecting with the old one to the west of it, and over the main entrance to the new building is the old sign, "Josiah Green's, Boot Manufactory. Established in 1812."

for the days in which he was in active business life, | this factory until Mr. Prouty retired from it, in 1876.) From 1880 until the present time the business has heen carried on by Bemis & Allen.

Mr. Green was emphatically a self-made man, and, possessed more than ordinary ability. As an old school man he was among the foremost in his line of trade, and noted for vigor, indomitable perseverance and an iron will. His careful and judicious manage- ment enabled him to pass through the several notable seasons of depression and disastrous failures in the business community, commencing with 1837, pre- pared at any time to meet all his liabilities with one hundred cents on every dollar of his indebtedness. For more than a half-century he was closely identified with the business interests, growth and prosperity of Spencer, and it was a source of gratification, in his declining years, to feel that he had been instrumental in bringing about such a grand result. "Learning the trade" in those days meant a thorough knowledge of the business in all its details, and many of his workmen left his employ to engage in the business on their own account. According to the laws of trade, some were a success and some a failure, and of the former class the most successful of his apprentices were Charles E. Denny and Asa T. Jones.

BOOTS AND SHOES .- The business upon which the town has relied for its growth and support is the manufacture of boots and shoes, although of late years the business of the wire manufactories and also the manufacture of woolen and satinet goods have contributed largely towards the success of the town. Prior to 1872 the manufacture of leather goods was distinctively boots, but since that date shoes have been added, until at the present time they occupy a prominent position in this traffic. Charles Watson

was the first to commence in this business. He began in 1809, but his enterprise was not a success finan- cially, and was therefore temporarily abandoned. Josiah Green and his brother were the next to venture in it, and for a full history of the rise and progress of their undertaking, see biography of Josiah Green. In 1820 Isaac Prouty began making hoots as a custom boot-maker, and the further history of the firm of Isaac Prouty & Co. will be found under the life sketches of Isaac Prouty and Charles N., his son. From 1835 to 1842 several new firms started out in the business, but the " hard times" of 1837 and other causes, later, proved disastrous to them. In 1838 Charles E. Denny started the business in a small building which stood west of and adjoining the prem- ises of Horace A. Grout.

Mr. Denny afterwards built a hoot-shop on the lot now known as the "Guilford place," corner of Main and Linden Streets. In 1850 this building was moved to the present Cherry Street, between Maple and Linden Streets, and converted into a dwelling. He then huilt what is now a part of the David Prouty factory, and this year he formed a partner- ship with John G. Prouty, as Charles E. Denny & Co. In 1852 David Prouty was admitted to the firm, the style remaining the same. (See biography of David Prouty for the continuation of the business in

In 1844 the firm of L. & O. Warren occupied the basement of the Universalist Church, corner of Main and Wall Streets, on the site of the factory of E. E. Kent & Co., for the manufacture of hoots. Three years later they disposed of this business to Jeremiah Grout, J. L. Bush and G. F. Grout, who continued it in the same place until 1850. This firm then pur- chased the carpenter-shop owned and occupied by Temple & Livermore, for joiners' work, and also by William Bush, Jr., for carriage-making and repair- ing. This shop stood upon the site of the present boot factory of Bacon, Kent & Co. After eularging the same, they moved their works into it.

In 1865 the Messrs. Grout retired from the busi- ness and Mr. Bush continued alone for two years, when H. A. Grout became a partner, under the firm- name of Bush & Grout. December 21, 1875, this building was destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt and occupied by them until 1880, when they disposed of the property to Prouty & Bacon, and this factory has been occupied by the firm of Bacon, Kent & Co. to the present time.

In 1850 Charles Watson, Jr., Dexter and Lorenzo Bemis began the manufacture of boots in the base- ment vacated by Grout, Bush & Co., and while there they erected a boot-shop upon the site of the " Drury factory," which, at that date, was the largest building used for this purpose in the town. During 1857 this firm dissolved, and in 1858 Charles & George Wat-

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son commenced the business again in the same fac- tory, and continued it until 1864, when they dis- solved partnership. Charles Watson remained alone until 1866, at which time he retired on account of failing health.

George Watson purchased the building erected by Howland & Merritt in 1836 for a clothing manufac- tory and afterwards used as a store, and made suita- ble additions and changes for a boot factory. He formed a partnership with J. Edward Bacon, and they began the manufacture of boots here in 1865 as George Watson & Co. Mr. Watson died in 1866, and Mr. Bacon continued the business until 1867, when he, in company with I. Rich Kent, of Calais, Vt., purchased the property, and carried on the business under the firm-name of Kent & Bacon until the de- cease of Mr. Kent, in 1875.

In 1871, '72 and '73 this firm, in connection with H. G. Lamb, of Charlton, Mass., manufactured women's, misses' and children's shoes in a small build- iug, next door (east) to this factory. In 1876 Mr. Bacon entered the firm of Bush & Gront, under the firm-name of J. E. Bacon & Co., and remained with them one year. In 1878 he returned to his old fac- tory, and took as a partner Van R. Kent, the style of the firm being J. E. Bacon, and they continued in business until 1881. This factory remained unoccu- pied until 1885, when A. B. Bacon and Emory F. Sibley formed a co-partnership and began the manu- facture of boots ju it. December 6, 1886, this build- ing and contents were destroyed by fire, and was a total loss. (For the rise and progress of the business of Asa T. Jones and E. Jones & Co., see biography of Erastus Jones.)

In 1850 a building was erected upon, or near the site of B. C. Dustin & Son's bakery, Wall Street, by Cheney Hatch, of Leicester, for a boot manufactory, and was used for this purpose by William L. Powers and George D. Hatch, under the firm-name of Pow- ers & Hatch. After three years of unsuccessful labor, they retired from the business. In 1857 George H. Livermore and D. A. Drury formed a partnership, known as Livermore & Drury, and commenced the same business in this building.

In 1860 they purchased the Universalist Church property, fitting it up into a boot factory, and moved their works into it. They remained here, however, but one year, closing up their business in 1861. Manufacturing was carried on one year, in the Powers & Hatch building, by Prouty, Bigelow & Co.

In 1867 D. A. Drury and Frank E. Dunton entered into partnership under the style of D. A. Drury & Co., and started the boot business in the factory of the late Charles Watson, and this firm continued to manufacture here until the building was destroyed by fire, in 1874. Mr. Drury erected a new building, and for six years following his partners were Christo- pher Prince, Theodore Green and Walter Eldredge. He enlarged the factory and works twice during this

time, and for the last two years of his manufacturing he was alone in the business. The building was un- occupied until 1886, when, during the labor troubles of that year, a co-operative boot and shoe company was organized and used it as their manufactory for four months, after which they moved to smaller quar- ters on Cherry Street, between Mechanics and Maple Streets. In August, 1888, at a meeting of the stock- holders it was voted to close up the business and "dispose of it to the best advantage." This year the " Drury building" was purchased by Bacon & Sibley, and this firm are carrying on the boot business in it at the present time.

In 1867 Dexter Bullard, John Boyden and Isaac Prouty & Co. became partners in the business, under the firm-name of Bullard & Boyden, and they occu- pied the factory built by the latter parties in 1856. In I869 J. W. Temple purchased the interest of Isaac Prouty & Co., and the style of the firm was changed to Bullard, Boyden & Co. In 1876 Mr. Boyden re- tired and the concern became Bullard & Temple. In 1883 Mr. Temple retired from the business and a new firm was formed by Mr. Bullard, F. G. Mullet and F. A. Rice, under the firm-name of D. Bullard & Co., and this concern continues the same at the present time.

In 1863 the boot firm of Shumway, Temple & Co., of Warren, Mass., moved their works to Spencer, and into the Livermore & Drury factory, which had been purchased by Mr. Shumway. This concern manufac- tured here for two years, when Mr. Temple left the firm. It was continued by E. Shumway & Son near- ly two years longer, when the business was closed up, and in 1868 the property was sold to Edward E. Kent. Mr. Kent formed a business connection with David Prouty & Co., nnder the style of Proutys & Kent, and they carried on the manufacturing of boots from 1868 to 1874, at which time the Proutys' interest ceased and was purchased by Charles N. Myrick, and the firm-name changed to E. E. Kent & Co. Mr. Myrick remained a partner two years, when he retired on account of ill health, since which time Mr. Kent has been sole owner and proprietor. There are, then, eight boot and shoe manufacturing estab- lishments in the town at the present time.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 176

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1576

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576