History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 227

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 227

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In the sick-room he was cheerful, sympathetic and encouraging, his presence and personal influence contributing to the benefit of his patients as well as his prescriptions. There was to him a sacredness in his work which called into exercise all his best powers, and to those committed to his professional care he gave unwearied and conscientious attention.

But Dr. Sawyer commended himself to the confi- dence and esteem of the general public not only by his professional ability and success, but by his manly qualities, his courteous manners and consistent Christian life. He was a pleasant companion, a faithful friend, a public-spirited, honorable and hon- ored citizen. Well read in the current literature of the times, familiar with passing events, of broad sympathies and generous culture, and withal a ready, entertaj ming speaker, he was often called upon to address public gatherings on important occasions, which he was able to do with ease and eloquence and to the edification and delight of his hearers.

Dr. Sawyer was one of the founders of the Worces- ter North District Medical Society, and for two years its president. He was also a member of the Massa- chusetts Medical Society and of the American Medi- cal Congress. During the war he was appointed examining physician by Governor Andrew, a position which he filled with credit to himself and acceptably to all.

Politically he was a Democrat of the " old school," and as such received the nomination of his party as a candidate for important offices in both the State and National Legislatures. But he was not guilty of " offensive partisanship," and so commanded the respect of his political opponents and received a commission of justice of the peace at three different times from a Republican Governor.

As a member of the Masonic order he was held in

high regard by his brethren, and was honored with repeated tokens of their confidence and favor. He was a charter member of Hope Lodge, and for many years occupied in it the high and responsible position of Master. He received all the usual degrees of the order attainable in this country, aud was well versed in its ritual and mysteries. In recognition of his ability and worth as " a just and upright Mason," he was appointed Deputy Grand Master for the Masonic district in which he resided.

In religion Dr. Sawyer was an Orthodox Congrega- tionalist of the modern type, and a member of the First Church of Gardner; one who proved the sin- cerity and intelligence of his Christian profession by the purity and uprightness of his character and life. He served the God he believed in and adored by serving well his fellow-men.

As an indication of the high place which Dr. Saw- yer had gained in the esteem of those most intimately associated with him, the testimonials given below are respectfully submitted. The first is from the record of the action taken by his Masonic associates with regard to his death, and the second from remarks made by Dr. J. P. Lynde, of Athol, President of the Worcester North Medical Society, in view of the same event, which were adopted as expressing the senti- ments of the members, and ordered to be placed upon the records of their association, as a fitting tribute to his memory :

WHEREAS, The intimate relations so long held by the deceased with the members of Hope Lodge as their Master and otherwise reoder it proper and desirable that they should record their appreciation of his many virtnes and eminent services for the good of Masonry, whether as Master of Hope Lodge, or as District Deputy Grand Master, or io humbler positions, &c. ; therefore,

Resolved, That we extend to the family of the deceased our heartfelt sympathy in this their great affliction, and assure them that his memory will ever be treasured by ns as an incentive to noble and right endeavor. Resolved, That with profound sorrow and regret we monru the loss of our brother, consoled only by the trust and confidence that what is our loss is bis gain. JOHN D. EOGELL, Secretary.

As a physician he was prudent, intelligent, skillful and successful. In his intercourse with his patrons be was kind, courteous, urbane, self- denying, and was held by them in high esteem, and had to a great degree their confidence and love. . . . As a citizen and as a man among men, he was respected by his neighbors and all who shared his society. . . . He had reached the meridian of life and was rapidly growing in usefulness and jofluence. . . . We sball remember bis manly form, his dignified presence, his cheerful greetings, his work and worth among ns for twenty-five years past, and we will cherish bis memory with affectionate respect, and sympathize with his family io their bereavement. CHARLES H. RICE, Secretary.

CALVIN S. GREENWOOD.

Calvin S. Greenwood was born in Gardner, May 18, 1810, and died there August 25, 1873, having scarcely passed the summit of an active, useful, honorable life. He was the son of Alvin and Mary (Childs) Greenwood, and the grandson of Jonathan Greenwood, one of the early settlers of the town, whose great-grandfather was Thomas Greenwood, a resident of Newton, Mass., in 1667, and probably the first of the name in this country. He shared the

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

meagre educational advantages proffered him in his boyhood and youth, and early in life learned the trade which was then just beginning to present some signs of its future prominence in the community, aud of which he was destined to become, in after-years, an efficient promoter and a worthy representative. In 1837 he went into company with Mr. David Wright, and, the two having purchased the privilege now occupied by his sons with its appurtenances, and made the requisite changes and improvements, began the manufacture of chairs under the name of Green- wood & Wright-a firm long and favorably known in the vicinity and among business men. Mr. Greenwood was connected with the industry carried on at this stand, either as co-partner with others or as sole proprietor and manager, until his death, a period of thirty-six years, evincing more than usual native business capacity, which was improved by experience, and which crowned his efforts and endeavors with a well-earned and reputable success.

Mr. Greenwood was an earnest, enterprising man, doing with his might what his hands found to do, and entering into whatever project secured his confidence and co-operation with unfaltering purpose and perse- vering zeal. He accomplished much in the way of advancing the material interests and industrial pros- perity of the village of South Gardner, not only by developing and extending the special enterprise with which his name was identified, but by encouraging undertakings outside of his own particular field of activity even to the extent of furnishing at times personal credit and financial support, when those undertakings were entered upon with an honest pur- pose and were calculated to enhance the common welfare. Indeed, whatever seemed to him conducive to the real prosperity and happiness of the com- munity, was sure to receive sympathy from him and such substantial aid as he could render it.

But he was not only public-spirited in the general sense indicated, he was in every way large-minded and large-hearted, of generous impulses and disin- terested aims, desirous of making the world better and happier by his being in it. He had something of an "enthusiasm for humanity " dwelling and burning in his breast, causing him to be actively interested in moral and social reforms, in philan- thropic movements, in charitable objects,- in every- thing that had in its keeping the permanent good of his fellow-men, which he deemed consonant with the honor and glory of God. He was a decided, out- spoken anti-slavery man in the early days of that cause, when to be such was to subject one oftentimes to obloquy, scorn and open denunciation-a brave soldier he was in the "irrepressible conflict " which was raging for twenty years or more before the strife at arms, summoning to service the horrid enginery of war, was inaugurated in the land; and which, while it no doubt hastened the crisis, also determined its final issue in the victory of Freedom and the Re-

public over their misguided and murderous foes. And when the outbreak came and treason struck at the nation's life in order that the slave-power might reign perpetual in the nation's councils, he, grasping the meaning of the fight and the mighty interests at stake, took an active and influential part in rousing the patriotic ardor of his fellow-citizens, and in secur- ing that action of the town which proved its loyalty in the time of the country's need, and contributed in due degree to the triumph of the right, wherein was included the proclamation of "liberty through ali the land to all the inhabitants thereof." Mr. Greenwood was, moreover, a strong and tireless friend of temperance, adopting, as of vital importance in advancing the interests of that cause, the principles of total abstinence demonstrating, the sincerity of his faith by his personal habits in his daily life. Other reforms received the smiles of his approving favor and every good word and work found in him an advocate and helper. To him came the blessing pronounced upon those that consider the poor, and he distributed his benefactions liberally, but quietly, among such according to his means.

He received undoubted assurances of the confidence and appreciative regard of his fellow-townsmen, in that he was repeatedly called to the service of the public in positions requiring sound judgment, im- partial justice, unimpeachable integrity and an un- selfish regard for the good of the community. He filled acceptably positions of grave responsibility iu the adminstration of town affairs and in the financial institutions of which he was an associate member. He also represented the town in the Massachusetts Legislature of 1869. He possessed qualities of mind and character, which, supplemented by a kind spirit, an enthusiastic manner and a pleasing address, gave him wide and salutary influence wherever he was known.

An ardent Republican in his political convictions and associations, he was truly democratic in feeling and according to the principles of the Declaration of Independence. Of reverent and devout spirit and of Christian principles and faith, he entered the fellow- ship of the Evangelical Congregational Church of Gardner, and was earnestly devoted to its interests and prosperity. But he was not dogmatic nor sec- tarian, but gave a broad interpretation to the teaching of the Gospel, and was happy to recognize and con- fess the presence and power of the Spirit of God wherever the fruits of that Spirit were found. He was unusually domestic in his habits and tastes, delighting in his home, affectionate and happy in all his relations with those near to him there, to whom he was most dear, and by whom he is held in tender and sacred remembrance. Moreover, he was one of the most genial, approachable and affable of men, al- ways courteous and kind, and withal of cheerful, sunny countenance, making him an agreeable com- panion as well as a choice friend. To him, as to few

LAmasse Bancroft.

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GARDNER.

beside might be appropriately applied the significant and highly honorable title of a Christian gentleman.

AMASA BANCROFT.

The subject of this notice, whose name appears above, was the son of Smyrua and Sarah (Whitney) Bancroft, and grandson of Jonathan and Sarah (Case) Bancroft, who were among the earliest settlers upon the territory now included within the boundaries of Gardner. He was a descendant of Lieut. Thomas Bancroft, who was born in England in 1622, and, coming to New England in his opening manhood, settled in Lynn for a short time, but before the year 1648 was permanently located at Reading, Mass., where he became the common ancestor of a large posterity bearing his own and other names, among whom are those who have attained distinction and high honor, not only in this but in foreign lands.

Amasa Bancroft was born March 16, 1812, on the place situated three-fourths of a mile northwest of the Common, first occupied and improved by his grandfather some years before the incorporation of the town. His boyhood and youth were spent in the manner that was usual with farmers' sons in this section of the country half a century or more ago. In the routine of his daily tasks, and under the responsibilities laid upon him, there were developed in him those habits of industry, prudence and general thriftiness, and that self-reliant spirit, so essential to a strong and reliable character, which, in after-years, served him so well in the various positions and rela- tions in life he was called upon to fill. Arriving at mature age, he did not go out to seek his fortune in larger communities, where there was greater promise of promotion and worldly success, but remained in his native town, content to enter upon whatever career of usefulness might open to him there. The business of chair-making was at that time just be- coming established in the community, and beginning to display some indications of what it was destined to be in the future, and he spent three years in learning the trade. This accomplished, he formed a partner- ship with Frederick Parker, and the two carried on the manufacture for a year in a small shop standing near the present residence of Mr. Henry Lawrence. They then associated with themselves Messrs. Jared Taylor and Joel Baker, forming a company which bore the name of Taylor, Bancroft & Co., and bought the so-called " Pail Factory " property. in the south part of the town, of Sawin & Damon, who had started the making of pails, buckets and kindred wooden-ware by machinery not long before, for the purpose of continuing the production of the same line of good«. This they did for four years, or till 1840, when Mr. Bancroft purchased his partners' interest, aud avent on from that time, as represented heretofore, till his death, which occurred January 25, 1888, when he is said to have been the oldest pail and tub manti- facturer in the United States.

Mr. Bancroft was a man in whom the town of Gardner might take a just and laudable pride. Born within its borders, trained in one of its homes, edu- cated in its schools and churches, aiding in the de- velopment of its industrial prosperity, and extending sympathy and support to whatever might promote its intellectual, social, moral and religious interests, lic merited, as he received, the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, and of all classes of the commun- ity. He was repeatedly called to fill places of respon- sibility and trust, and discharged the duties of those positions with conscientious fidelity, and to the satis- faction of all concerned. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen for five years; he was the first president of the First National Bank, an office which he held for seven years ; and he was trustee of the Savings Bank from its establishment in 1865 to the time of his death.

Endowed by nature with a good mental and moral constitution, Mr. Bancroft made it the foundation of an upright, useful, exemplary life. Among other native gifts, he was the possessor of an unusually musical voice, combined with a quick ear and deli- cate taste for the concord of sweet sounds. These capabilities, improved by such culture as he could command, made him a favorite iu musical circles wherever he was known. With pleasing address, and power of imparting whatever musical knowledge he had acquired, he was for many years an acceptable and efficient teacher of singing-schools in the neigh- borhood round about, and a respected leader of the choir of the church to which he belonged for forty years. His singing was with power and effect. His early pastor in characterizing it said, " He sang from his own heart into other hearts."

A man of cheerful disposition, humane feelings, tender sympathies and generous impulses, every good work found in Mr. Bancroft a helper, and every philanthropic cause a friend. He was considerate of the men in his employ, of the unfortunate and worthy poor, and his benefactions to such were many, but scrupulously kept from the public eye. He shrank from whatever might seem like notoriety or love of display, and many of his donations to objects he held most dear were not only unknown to the world, but to those nearest to him in life.

In his home he was genial, affectionate, kind and helpful, making life there sunny and glad by his presence. His immediate relatives were very dear to him, and upon them he lavished the wealth of his tender, manly heart. He dispensed a liberal hospi- tality, and his friends were always met at his door with a warm and earnest welcome.

Mr. Bancroft was a man of strong religious convic- tions and of deep religious feeling. A Congrega- tionalist of the Evangelical school, he was sincerely devoted to his church, and to the doctrines for which it stood. But with him religion was not simply a form of belief, but also a mode of life. He accepted

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

the Christian faith as the basis and inspiring source of a Christian character, and his daily walk and con- versation before God and men testified to the sincerity of his convictions, to the purity of his motives, and to the exalted quality of his purposes and aims. When he passed away the church lost a conscientious and faithful devotee, his native town a worthy son and citizen, and the world a high-minded, honorable man.

GEORGE S. COLBURN.

The student of local history who has carefully followed the pages of these volumes has not failed to be impressed with the record of mechanical devices produced and perfected by the men of Worcester County. To their inventive genius is due the thanks of all our citizens, for they primarily, have produced the whirling wheels of the mill and factory to sing of comfortable homes and good table for the operatives there employed.

The manufacture of chairs, which forms by far the largest part of our industry, has materially changed during the past quarter of a century, and prominent among the names of the men who have by their brain invented and developed machinery for this particular branch of our industry is that of George S. Colburn, the subject of this sketeb, who was born in Leomin- ster, May 5, 1820. His father, Simeon Colburn, died when the boy was but three months old, leaving his widow in straitened circumstances, and as soon as the boy was sufficiently large to "do chores " he was sent to live with an uncle in Cambridge, where he remained working for his board two years. Then he went to live with Deacon Joseph Dickenson in Swansea, N. H., with whom he remained until his seventeenth year, working early and Jate on the rocky farm nine months in the year, attending the district school the other three, and acquiring the branches then taught therein.

A taste for mechanics developed itself early in Mr. Colburn's life, and in boy hood he was wont to arrange and adjust small mechanical devices. At the age of seventeen he apprenticed himself with Mr. James Clark, of Royalston. to learn the shoe-maker's trade, remaining four years, receiving his board and $2.00 for his labor, out of which he had to clothe himself. At the age of twenty-four he went to work in a furniture shop. Here he was impressed with the lack of machinery for the treament of cane, and began to study and experiment upon machinery for doing this work. He was so successful that he gave his whole attention to the manufacture of this class of machinery and to the manipulation of cane.

In 1857 he went to Wakefield to assist Mr. Cyrus Wakefield in the development of the "Wakefield Rattan Co.," one of the most important industries of that whole section. Here he remained until, his

health breaking down, he was obliged to go out of doors and so purchased a small farm. After about a year he recovered, and in 1875 came to Gardner to assist Messrs. Heywood & Co. in the development of that part of their extensive plant relating to the treatment of cane. He remained with them several years, and having acquired a competency, he retired from active business, and with his wife, who was Miss Frances R. Sawyer, of Royalston, and whom he married in 1843, he occupies a charming home in the west village, conscious of having performed life's allotted tasks uncomplainingly and faithfully.

S. W. A. STEVENS.

Simeon W. A. Stevens, the oldest merchant in Gardner and the postmaster in the South Village for thirty-five years, was the son of Abel and Sally (Spaulding) Stevens of Westford, Mass., where he was born July 27, 1818, and where he lived until he was about eleven years of age. At that time, his father having died, he came to Gardner and worked as office and errand boy for his brother, Abel Stevens, who was then running the South Gardner Hotel. At the expi- ration of two years . he returned to Westford, his mother still residing there, remaining nearly the same length of time employed in helping one of the towns- people about his farm and in supplementing his pre- vious district school education by a few terms' tuition at the widely-known Westford Academy. He then, being fifteen years old, came again to Gardner, went into the chair-shop, learned the trade of making chairs and worked as a journeyman till he was twenty- one. His health having become somewhat impaired by continuous in-door employment, he left the shop and engaged in driving team for Mr. Stepben Taylor, by whom he had previously been employed at his trade. He continued in this service two years, going then to Leominster and running a team on his own account from that place to Boston. This continued till the opening of the Fitchburg Railroad four years later put an end to that method of transportation. Returning once more to Gardner, he carried on the same business for several years, having David Kendall for a partner a portion of the time, and serving the general public even after the railroad was built through the place, by carting goods to and from the depots at both ends of the line.

On the 1st of January, 1850, Mr. Lewis H. Brad- ford, who had for some years been engaged in the mis- cellaneous merchandise traffic in South Gardner, being about to remove to Fitchburg, formed a partnership with Mr. Stevens and William Hogan, to whom he committed the care of the store previously occupied by him. A few years later, Stevens and Hogan bought Mr. Bradford's interest and went on in their own behalf. When the South Gardner Manufacturing Company was formed, they merged their special busi- ness in the general undertaking, which aimed to ab-

Suo & Colbin

Smastevens

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GARDNER.

sorb and control nearly all the industrial activities in that part of the town. While the new experiment was going on and proving its incapacity, Mr. Stevens turned his attention for a while to the manufacture of chairs at the stand now occupied hy Wright & Read. But not succeeding to his satisfaction, and the joint stock enterprise failing to meet the expectations of its friends and coming to an end, he, in the readjustment of affairs, took the store and its contents, and associat- ing with himself Mr. George Greenwood, went on as before under the name of S. W. A. Stevens & Co. Ten years after, in 1868, Mr. Stevens by purchase be- came sole proprietor of the establishment. In 1876 he received as partner his son Ambrose, and the two have been in company since, the firm-name being S. W. A. Stevens & Son. They do the same kind of miscellaneous business that has always been transacted where they are located, after the manner of an old- fashioned country store.

According to the above review it appears that at the opening of the present year (1889), Mr. Stevens bas been in trade at the same stand for a period of thirty-nine years, with the exception of the brief in- terval alluded to (and even then he was indirectly connected with it), and has fairly earned the title of the veteran merchant of Gardner. By close attention to his business interests and careful management, combined with his gentlemanly manners and evident disposition to accommodate and please, he has gained for himself a widely-extended patronage, and achieved what may be regarded as an honorable success in life and a good standing among his business associates, and elsewhere. In addition to the personal qualities mentioned, he is characterized by a sense of justice, and a purpose to deal fairly and honorably with all men, that are calculated to inspire and secure that confidence and respectful esteem in the community where he has lived for nearly sixty years, which he seems fortunate enough to share to a very high degree. The fact that he has held the office of postmaster for more than a generation, having been first appointed to the position under the administration of Franklin Pierce in 1854, through all the vicissitudes of political life, and especially through six successive terms of the supremacy of his political opponents, he being an outspoken and well-known Democrat, and without any special effort on the part of himself or his friends, is an enviable testimonial to his kindness, courtesy and readiness to oblige, as well as to the honest, equitable and impartial manner in which he has discharged the duties of the station he has been called upon to fill. His ability, fidelity and trustworthiness in other di- rections have been recognized by his fellow-citizens and publicly acknowledged, in that they have chosen him selectman at different times, and assessor, and appointed him on committees to which important public interests have been referred. He was one of the first directors of the National Bank in Gardner, and has been a trustee of the Savings Bank from the

beginning. 1Ie is a member, and has been for some years the treasurer, of the Baptist Society, to the ac- tivities connected with which he has long been a cheerful and liberal contributor. He is also president of the Green Bower Cemetery Association.

The career of such a man as Mr. Stevens is full of lessoos of wisdom and practical utility for all classes and conditions of people, and especially for those who, having come to, or are approaching mature years, are soon to enter upon the more active duties and labors of life. It indicates to every aspiring, right-minded youth the direction in which true suc- cess lies, and the general conditions upon which a good standing in the world, the esteem of those whose esteem is worth having, usefulness, honor and happi- ness may be gained. It presents an example which furnishes instruction and encouragement for such and is commended to them as worthy of study and emula- tion.

JOHN EDGELL.

William Edgell, first of Woburn and afterward of Lexington, a tinman by trade, who married Elizabeth Norman, of Marblehead, about the year 1720 and died before 1734, leaving four sons, was, so far as is known, the common ancestor of the family in New England. The name was probably Edgehill at the outset, as it so appears in some of the earlier records, and, if so, was very likely derived from Edgehill in the mother country, a locality whence the emigrant may have come to these shores, and in which his ancestors may have for a long time resided. The youngest of the sons referred to, also called William, was an early settler in Westminster, where he purchased lands in 1750, on which he soon after located, becoming a prominent man and an influential citizen in local and public affairs. Among the children of this second William was a third William, who married Thankful Puffer, of which union John Edgell, the subject of this notice, was born October 15, 1804.

The first years of John Edgell's life were spent upon the farm of his father, but before arriving at his majority he learned the trade of shoemaking, which he followed for a time, going from house to house with his kit of tools, after the fashion of those days, and stopping where his services were required long enough to supply the existing family needs in that particular -a practice familiarly termed " whipping the cat." He subsequently learned to make chairs, and was en- gaged in that business for many years under different auspices in his own and neighboring towns. An im- portant change occurred in his life when, in 1836, he removed from Westminster to Gardner, just in season to take advantage of the tide, then beginning to rise, which was to bear the little town of a thousand peo- ple on to prosperous fortunes and an undreamed-of success. He resumed there his former calling, pursu- ing it for some years by himself in a shop attached to

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

his dwelling-house, and attending personally to the transporting and selling of his own goods, and after- ward for a time, with the late Charles W. Bush and others for partners, in the oldest of the buildings now composing the large establishment of Philander Derby & Co., some other kinds of work being connected with that of manufacturing chairs.

Long before this, however, he had been running a weekly coach to Worcester, going on Tuesdays and returning on Wednesdays, for the accommodation of travelers, the distribution of Worcester papers to pa- trons along the route and the transaction of a general carrying and express business in the interest of the public. This was but incidental and subsidiary to his regular vocation. As more rapid means of transit and more frequent intercourse between the towns through which he passed were established, his patron- age declined and his coach line was eventually given up. But his experience in this direction opened the way to the more satisfactory employment of his later years. His miscellaneous business at the county-seat brought him into contact with gentlemen representing some of the more important interests located there, with which he afterwards became permanently identi- fied. This was especially the case with reference to the matters of fire insurance, of settling estates and of conveyancing, to each and all of which he has de- voted himself as a means of livelihood and of profit for the last thirty or more years. He was the first regular underwriter in Gardner, and for a long time was without a competitor. No one probably in the vicinity did as much conveyancing for a generation as he, and no one in that northwest part of Worcester County has probably taken so many cases to the Pro- bate Court and carried them through satisfactorily as he has done. In actual knowledge upon all these im- portant matters, and in ability to transact business re- lating to them, he has rarely been equaled, perhaps never excelled. In all these matters, too, and espe- cially in the settlement of estates,-a department in which he has had much to do with people in the hum- bler walks of life,-there has been such confidence in his knowledge, ability, impartial judgment, conscien- tious regard for what is just and right, and disposition to make reasonable charges for services rendered, as that the humblest and those least skilled in business of any sort would entrust their monetary affairs, some- times their all, to him, as to a tried and devoted friend, assured that their interests would be guarded and promoted with scrupulous watchfulness and care.

Aside from the duties devolving upon him in the lines of activity indicated, Mr. Edgell has been called upon by his fellow-citizens to fill almost every office at their disposal. To his efforts and influence the founding of both the National and Savings Banks in Gardner was largely due. Of the former he has been one of the directors from the beginning, as he has been one of the trustees of the latter, and its president for three years after the decease of Francis Richard-

son, Esq. He has always been on the investment committeee of the Savings Bank, a position to which he brought qualities fitting him pre-eminently for the efficient discharge of the responsible duties it required. No man for a generation has been better acquainted with landed property and every kind of real estate in Gardner and vicinity than he, and the judgment of no one in regard to such property has been more earn- estly sought for or more implicitly trusted.

Mr. Edgell is a man of decided opinions upon ques- tions of both private virtue and of public policy, and is open and frank in the expression of them. But his recognized kindness of heart, sincerity of purpose and high character generally have prevented personal alienation or distrust on that account. Naturally modest and retiring, he yet shirks no duty when laid upon him and evades no responsibility when once as- sumed or made known. He has much of the spirit of a reformer, and has given aid and encouragement to the great moral movements of the age. He called himself an Abolitionist when the name was a re- proach ; he has been for long years in precept and practice a friend and promoter of the temperance cause, and other needful and important changes in personal and social life he has advocated and main - tained. Originally a Whig in politics, his sympathy with the anti-slavery cause inclined him, after a while, to withdraw from the support of that party and to look for the rising of a political movement which should stand boldly against the usurpations of the slave power, inscribing upon its banner "Liberty " as well as "Independence." He was consequently ready with his sympathy and support for the Free-Soil party in 1848, and even more so for the advent or formation of the Republican party in 1856, to the principles, interests and fortunes of which he has ever been warmly and conscientiously attached. Elected to the Lower House of the Legislature of Massachusetts in 1850 and 1851 by the suffrages of his neighbors and friends, he counts it an honor to have belonged to that company of the faithful who, after a hotly-con- tested struggle extending through twenty-six succes- sive ballotings, at length succeeded in sending that noble son of the good old Commonwealth, Charles Sumner, for the first time to the Senate of the United States, where for more than twenty years he rendered valiant service for his country and for liberty.

Though not of late years connected with any great industry' or popular organization which would give him influence in the community, yet few men have exerted greater power for good than he or done more for the prosperity and enduring welfare of the town of his adoption. Withdrawn somewhat from active business and from open participation in public affairs by reason of his advanced age, he nevertheless still retains in a marked degree the full possession and use of his intellectual and moral faculties, and his coun- sel and guidance are still much sought for and heeded in the practical concerns of life.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 227

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