History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 37

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 37

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).

Morgan, James A., 36th, G; 20 ; Ang. 14, '62 ; served at division head- quarters ; mustered out June 8, '65.

Morgan, Paul C., 2d N. H., E; 18 ; Sept. 2, '61; lost right arm at Bull Run Aug. 29, '62, and discharged Nov 10. '62; re-enlisted in V. R. C. July 14, '63; mnstered out Jan. 22, '64.

Moulton, Charles H., 21st, E ; 18 ; Aug. 23, '61.

Muir, George, 15th, C; 21 ; July 12, '61 ; served in 13th N. Y. Cavalry, B, April 13, '63 ; transferred to V. R. C.

Müller, Franz, 25th, G ; 27; Sept. 25, '61 ; killed at Arrowfield Church, May 9, '64.

Müller, Valentine, 25th, G; 40; Oct. 1, '61 ; discharged for disability May 31, '63.

Needham, James A., 34th, B ; 19; Aug. 1, '62; corporal ; wounded at Piedmont, Va, June 5, '64, and near Strasburg, Va, Oct. 13, '64 ; prisoner and escaped ; discharged for disability April 17, '65.

Nicholas, George S., 4th Cavalry, G ; 39; Jan. 27, 164 ; mustered out Nuv. 14, '65.

Ogden, Thomas, 53d, I; 40; Oct. 18, '62, to Sept. 2, '63.

Olcott, Hervey B., 15th, C; 29 ; Dec. 14, '61 ; wounded at Antietam and Gettysburg ; transferred to V. R. C. March 15, '64 ; mustared out Dec. 13, '61 ; died at Springfield Feb. 27, '65.

Olcott, Hiram W., 36th, G; 21; Aug. 3, '62; corporal ; sergeant ; wounded near Petersburg ; let lieut. July 7, '64; discharged for wounds Dec. 23, '64, as sergeant.

Orne, David J., 2d, D; 23; May 25, '61; mustered out May 28, '64. Orr, Robert, 53d, I ; 27 ; Oct. 18, '62; wounded at Port Hudson ; mna tered out Sept. 2, '63.

Orr, William, Jr., 53d, I; 25; Oct. 18, '62; sergeant; mustered out Sept. 2. '63.

Osgood, George F., 15th, C; 22; Aug. 12, '62 ; wounded and prisoner at Antietam Sept. 17, '62 ; killed at Gettysburg July 2, '63.

Osgood, Otis S., 15th, C; 22; July 12, '61; wounded in arm at Antietam Sept. 17, '62, and discharged therefor Jan. 10, '63.

O'Toole, Michael, 9th, C; 21 ; Juna 11, '61 ; mustered out June 21, '64. Owens, Patrick, 53d, I; 39; Oct. 18, '62 ; wounded at Port Hudson; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.

Palmer, Edward, 36th, G ; 19 ; Aug. 6, '62 ; mustered out June 28, '65. Palmer, George W., 2d H. Artillery, M; 19; Dec. 24, '63 ; mustered out June 21, '65.

Patrick, George Henry. (See Lancaster soldiers.)

Pease, Henry C., 26th, E; 18 ; Oct. 6, '61 ; transferred to 4th La. as 2d lieut. Sept. 28, '62.

Perry, George W., 36th, G ; 40; Aug. 10, '62 ; corporal ; died at War- renton, Va., Nov. 13, '62.

Pinder, Calvin, 21st, G; 33; Aug. 23, '61 ; re-enlisted Jan. 2, '64; transferred to 36th, K, Ang. 30, '64; to 56th, H, June 8, '65 ; mus- tered out July 12, '65; belonged to Ashburnham, but second term of service credited to Clinton.

Pratt, George, 34th, G ; 18; Jan. 4, '64; transferred to 24th, G, Juna 14, '65 ; mustered out Jan. 20, '66.

Pratt, Nelson L. A., 15th, H ; 21; Aug. 7, '61 ; discharged Oct. 24, '63. Pratt, Orin, 53d, I ; 18 ; Oct. 18, '62, to Sept. 2, '63; re-enlisted in 34th,

B, Dec. 11, '63 ; transferred to 24th, A, Juna 14, '€5 ; mustered out Jan. 20, '66.

Putnam, George T. D., 15th, C; 21 ; Dec. 14, '61 ; discharged for dis- ability Dec. 17, '62.

Putnam, Henry A., 15th, C; 24 ; July 12, '61 ; corporal ; prisouer at Ball's Bluff Oct. 21, '61 ; enlisted in Rickett's Battery, U. S. Light Artillery, Nav. 12, '62 ; mustered out July 12, '64.

Quinn, John, 21st, B; 22 ; Aug. 23, '61 ; wounded at Bull Run Aug. 30. '62 ; re-enlisted Jan. 2, '64; wounded June 3, '64, at Bethesda Church, and died June 9, '64.

Rauscher, George, 25th, G; 29 ; July 25, '62; wounded at Arrowfield Church May 9, '64 ; mustered nut Oct. 20, '64.

Reid, Thomas W., 53d, I; 19 ; Oct. 18, '62; wounded at Port Hudson May 27 and June 14, '63 ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63; died June, '65. Reidle, Albin, 25th, G ; 26; Oct. 3, '61 ; discharged for disability March 18,'63.

Reischer, Philip, 25th, G ; 35; Oct. 1, '61 ; sergeant ; wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., Juna 3, '64 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64.

Renner, Charles R., 21st, F ; 19; Aug. 19, '61; re-enlisted Jan. 2, '64 ; sergeant July 1, '64; wounded at Petersburg, Va., July 30, '64, and died Aug. 22, '64.

Roberts, Thomas, 53d, I; 28 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; killed at Port Hudson June 14, '63.

Robinson, Henry S., 36th, G ; 31 ; Aug. 22,'62 ; 2d lieut. ; Jan. 30, '63, 1st lieut. ; wounded in head at Blue Springs, Tenn., Oct. 10, '63 ; discharged for disability July 7, '64 ; served later in navy.

Ryder, Charles G., 15th, C; 28; Aug. 12, '62; corporal ; prisoner at Cold Harbor, Va. ; mustered out May 17, '65.

Sargent, Gaorgs E. 2d H. Artillery, M; 18; Dec. 24, '63; discharged for disability May 26, '65.

CLINTON.

Sargent, Henry B., 15th, O; 16 ; July 12, 'GI ; discharged for disability Feb. 11, '63 ; re-enlisted in 2d II. Artillery, M, Dec. 24, '63 ; mus- tered ont Sept. 3, '65.

Sargent, Renzo B., 2d Il. Artillery ; Aug. 17, '64; transferred to 17th, G, Jan. 1G, '65, as of Boston ; mustered out July 11, '65.

Sawyer, George E., 25th, A ; 23; May 7, '62; re-eulisted Feb. 25, '64 ; minstered out July 13, '65.

Sawyer, George E., 60th, F; 20; July 20, '64, to Nov. 30, '64.

Sawyer, Jonathan, 23d, H ; 42 ; Dec. 4, '61 ; wagoner ; discharged for disability May 9, '62; died at Clinton May 29, '62.

Schleiter, Darius, 3Ist, HI ; 33 ; Jao. 21, '62 ; re-eolisted Feh. 17, '64 ; nustered out in D Sept. 9, '65.

Schusser, Joseph, 25th, G ; 40; Sept. 16, '61 ; prisoner at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, '64 ; died at Richmond, Va., Aug. 16, '64.

Schwam, Ferdinand,. 25th, G : 35; Oct. 7, '61 ; wounded at Roanoke Island Feh. 8, '62 ; discharged for disability Jao. 16, '63.

Shaw, Jobn, 7th, A ; 39 ; June 15, 'GI ; discharged for disability July 20, '62; credited to Sowierset.

Shaw, John, Jr., 7th, A ; 18 ; June 15, '61.

Sibley, John, Navy ; 25 ; Aug. 19, '62, on steam sloop " Juniata ;" dis- charged Dec. 4, '63.

Smith, Augustus E., 5th, I, 18 ; Sept. 16, '62, to July 2, '63 ; re-ealisted in 2d H. Artillery, M, Dec. 24, '63; mustered out Sept. 3, '65.

Smith, Alfred, 15th, C; 27; Aug. 7, '62; wounded at Aotietam Sept. 17, '62 ; re enlisted Feb. 19. '64; transferred to 20th, E, July 27, '64 ; mustered out July 16, '05.

Smith, Francis E., 15th, C ; 18 ; July 12, '61 ; died at David's Island, N. Y., July 23, '62.

Smitb, George W., 2d H. Artillery, M ; 19 ; Dec. 24, 163 ; mustered out Sept 3, '65.

Smith, James, 36th, F ; 34 ; Aug. 7, '62 ; corporal ; wounded at Jack- son, Miss., July 1I, '63; mustered out Juoe 8, '65.

Smith, Joha, 15th, C ; 27 ; July 12, '61 ; prisouer at Ball's Bluff Oct. 21, '61; wounded at Gettysburg ; transferred to V. R. C. Jao. 14, '64 ; mustered out July 28, '64 ; re enlisted and died at Raiosford Island, Boston.

Speisser, Christiao, 20th, H ; 33 ; Aug. 24, '61 ; transferred to V. R. C. Ang. 19, '03 ; credited to Lawrence.

Speisser, Gottfried C., 20tb, C; 35; Sept. 4, '61 ; died oo steamer " Com- modore " Sept. 18, '62.

Speisser, Gottfried, 25tb, G ; 28 ; Sept. 25, '01 ; wounded at Petersburg, Va., June 18, '64 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64.

Spencer, Jonas H., 15th, F; 18; July 12, '61 ; discharged Nov. 20, '62 to enlist in U. S. A.

Stauss, Lewis, 53d, I ; 28 ; Oct. 18, '62.

Stearns, Amos E., 25th, A ; 28; Sept. 11, '61 ; missing siace May 16, '64; credited to Worcester.

Stearos, George F., 25th, A ; 22; Sept. 16, '61 ; wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, '64 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64.

Stewart, Luther E., 21st, G ; 19; Aug. 23, '61 ; wounded at Antietam. Sept. 17, '62; re-ealisted Jao. 2, '64 ; wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., June 2, '64, leg amputated aod discharged Oct. 16, '65.

Stone, Louis L., 60th, F ; 19; July 20, '64, to Nov. 30, '64.

Suss, Michael, 25th, G ; 28; Oct. 1, '61 ; killed at Petersburg, Ve., June 18, '64.

Thurman, Charles, 34th, D ; 20; July 3, '62; musician; mustered out June 16, '65.

Thurmao, Charles H., 53d, I ; 42 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; killed at Fort Brislaod, La., April 13, '63,

Toole, Austia, 22d, G ; 21 ; Sept. 12, '61 ; transferred to V. R. C Sept. 30, '63.

Towsley, Leonard M., 15th, C; 27 ; July 12, '61 ; wounded at Antietam Sept. 17, '62, Had died Sept. 27, '62.

Tracy, John, 2Ist, B ; 21 ; Aug. 23,'61 ; wounded dear Petersburg ; died at Nashville, Teno., Jan. 31, '65.

Turner, Horatio E., 34th. (See Lancaster.)

Vetter, George, 25th, G ; 20 ; Sept. 16, 'GI ; wounded at Rondoke Isleod Feb. 8, '82 ; died at New Beroe July 9, '62.

Vint, Josepb A., 53d, I; 18 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; drummer; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.

Vose, Josiah H., 53d, I; 32 ; Oct. 18, '62, 2d lieut. ; Ist lieut. Dec. 15, '82 ; wounded ut Port Hudson June 14, '63, and died at Springfield Lauding, La., June 17, '63.

Walker, William, 15th, C; 28 ; July 12, '61; killed or drowned at Ball's Bluff Oct. 21, '61.

Wallace. David 0, 15th, C; 19; July 12, '61; corporal ; sergeant ; wounded and prisoner at Bull's Bluff Oct. 21, '61 ; prisoner at Peters-

burg; transferred to 20th, G, July 27, '64 ; died at Florence, S. C., Feb. 4, '65, a prisoner.

Ward, James H., 4th Cavalry, C; 45 ; Jan. 6, '64 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '65.

Waters, Hornce Il., Goth, F; 22; July 20 to Nov. 30, '64.

Waters, John A., 53d, I ; 37 ; Oct. 18, '62, to Sept. 2, '63.

Waters, William G., 15th ; 23; July 21, 'GI ; commissary sergenot ; let lieut. Oct. 27, '62; discharged for disability March 14, '63.

Weisser, Frederick, 25th, G; 34 ; Sept. 25, '61; corporal ; wounded at Port Walthall, Va., May 6, '64 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64.

Wellington, Levi, 4th Cavalry, F ; 27; Jan. 6, '64; clustered out Juoe 1, '65.

Welsh, Michael, 3d H. Artillery, F; 18; Sept. 16, '63 ; mustered out Sept. 18, '65.

Weaning, Frederick, 25th, G ; 45 ; Oct. 3, '61 ; wounded at Petersburg June 15, '64 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64.

Wheeler, Joha C., 22d, hand ; 28 ; Oct. 5, '61 ; mustered out Aug. 11, 162.

Wheelock, William R., 15th, C; 30 ; July 12, 'CI ; sergeant ; Ist lieut. Oct. 10, '62 ; capt. July 5, '63 ; mustered out July 29, '64.

White, Daniel A., 25th, band ; 25 ; Oct. 3, '61 ; mustered out Aug. 30, '62.

Whitney, Horace, Jr., 53d, K ; 20; Oct. 28, '62 ; discharged by order of court Dec., '62.

Wiesman, Bernard, 25th, G ; 29; July 8, '62 ; discharged for disability March 1, '63.

Wilder, Sanford B., 2d H. Artillery, M. (See Lancaster.)

Wiater, Christian 25th, G ; 35 ; Oct. I, 'GI ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64. Wood, Joha, 60th, F ; 20; July 20 to Nov. 30, '64.

Wright, Archibald D., 15th, C ; 18 ; July 12, '61 ; sergeant; wounded twice at Ball's Bluff Oct. 21, 161 ; wounded at Gettysburg; prisoner at Wilderness May 6, '64; mustered out May 25, '65.

Wright, Daniel, 36th, F ; 30 : Aug. 6, '62, corporal; sergeant Oct. 1,

'62 ; 2d lieut. Sept. 1, '63; Ist lieut. April 23, '64 ; wounded and prisoner at Wilderness ; mustered out June 8, '65.

Zeigler, Heinrich, 25th, G; 42; July 25, '62 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64. Zimmermao, John, 53d, I ; 37 ; Oct. 18, '64, to Sept. 2, '63.

In July, 1863, eighty-seven citizens of the town were drafted, of whom five served subsequently, five had previously served and the following paid com- mutation :

Atherton, Frederick A. Greeley, Heury C.

Bartlett, Joseph F. Hosmer, Samuel H.

Browa, Joho N. W. Hayes, Juuius D.

Butterick, William F. . Lowe, George W.

Cutting, George H. Loring, Fraok M.

Dawes, Alfred. Marshall, Herman A.

Fuller, Sidney F. Murphy, Cornelius.

Fuller, Ebea S. Weeks, George W.

Foster, Joha R. Wilder, George C.

The remainder were exempted for special reasons.

CHAPTER XI.

CLINTON-(Continued).

Horatio Nelson Bigelow-Banks-Town-Hall-Bigelow Free Library-Sol- diers' Monument-Annals of Manufacturing Corporations -- The" Wash- out" of 1876-Franklin Forbes-Erastus B. Bigelow.

BY what has been said on previous pages it clearly appears that the more important industries of Clinton were founded upon, and made possible by, the inven- tive genius of one man. But the town, if not its manufacturing interests, owes at least as great a debt of grateful remembrance to the older as to the more widely famous younger of the Bigelow brothers; and

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Erastus B. Bigelow has feelingly recorded his great obligations to his elder brother for the vast amount of toil and care undertaken by him in building and carrying into operation successively great establish- ments based upon inventions before untried-for the ability and patience displayed by him in meeting exi- gencies constantly arising-and for perfecting numer- ous practical adaptations essential to successful man- ufacture. He frankly says: "For whatever success has attended the development of my inventions, I am indebted in no small degree to his fidelity, skill and perseverance."

In the building of the town the elder was the mas- ter-spirit, and his will, his judgment, his generosity ordered its foundations and influenced its early growth as no other man conld. The results of his solicitnde for the welfare of his townsmen continue to honor his name, and will long endure to proclaim his prescience and the wisdom of his benevolence.

In the prime of life and at the height of his useful- ness Horatio Nelson. Bigelow in 1864 was suddenly forced to yield to others the leadership he had so long held. Thoroughly conscientious and self-reliant, be had ever been unwilling to entrust to other agents any share of the duties which he felt to be his own ; he had never spared himself. Nature, long and heavily overtaxed, at last revolted and compelled a total with- drawal from labor and business cares. A voyage across the ocean failed to repair the broken mental power, and after three years of invalidism he fell quietly asleep on Wednesday, the 2d day of January, 1868. At the time of his funeral, manufactories, banks and all places of business throughout the town were closed in token of respect for a public benefactor.

Mr. Bigelow was born at West Boylston, Mass., on the 13th of September, 1812. His father, Ephraim, the son of Abel, was a wheelwright and a chairmaker by trade, who also cultivated a small farm. The family lived in a very modest way, as became their moderate circumstances. His mother, Polly (Brigham) Bigelow, was a woman of marked character, unaffected piety and native dignity, who brought up her two sons to fear God and love the truth. The father died in 1837 at the age of forty-six, but the mother lived eighteen years in widowhood, most of the time with her eldest son, honestly proud of the esteem and honor which her children won from their fellow-men.

The boyhood of H. N. Bigelow was one of toil, and his schooldays were few-two terms at the Bradford Academy closing his educational opportunities. He therefore owed little to books, but derived valuable lessons from intelligent study of men, and early per- sonal contest with adverse circumstances. In youth he worked upon the farm and in the neighboring mills, and at the age of twenty had so far mastered the ordinary details of cotton manufacture that in 1832, when his enterprising father started a small factory on the Nashua, he was installed as its over- seer. September 24, 1834, he was married to Miss

Emily Worcester, and about that time was employed as overseer in the Beaman mill. In 1836 he was called to Shirley to become general superintendent of a cotton-factory there. Thence, at the age of twenty- five, with scant capital and his moneyless bnt gifted brother as partner, he came to the idle water-power on South Meadow Brook to build a town. In all the positions he had held he had exhibited a restless dili- gence and confidence in himself, and had developed that exceptional administrative ability which proved invaluable in organizing the giant manufactories which he was called upon to construct and manage until success became assured.

During the anxious first years at Clintonville, when the load of responsibility thrown upon him in the establishment of several novel manufactures seemed too exacting of time and onerous for any one man to bear, he found abundant leisure to be solicitons about the well-being of the neighborhood in which he had cast his lot, and the future economy and comeliness of the bustling town, which, with pro- phetic vision, he foresaw, must, before many years, people the hill-slopes around. His energy hastened the forming of the first church society, and the build- ing for its use of the little chapel in the grove near his residence. In his first manhood he had become a member of the Orthodox Congregational Church, and remained ever zealous in its behalf; but his sectar- ianism was free from bigotry, and he often gave effi- cient service and substantial aid to other religious organizations. He urged the erection of commodious school-houses, and a radical improvement of the local school system, liberally contributing land and money to a d in effecting the desired end, and when growing prosperity made it possible, he often persuaded his fellow-citizens, by his own munificent donations, to : more generous support of worthy public institutions and town improvements.

Like the majority of self-made men, so called, he had a vigorons individuality. He often acted upon impulse, and when confronted with nnexpected or what he deemed unreasonable opposition he met it with resolute self-assertion. But he was easily placa- ble and prompt to correct any injustice in his own act or speech. He was happy in his home and took great pleasure in its tasteful adornment, but he gave few hours to what men call recreation, and his chief enjoyment of life seemed to be in ceaseless mental and bodily activity. Despite the engrossing care in- cident to the agency of important corporations, he accepted various public trusts, the duties of which were never neglected. He was the first postmaster of the village, and represented the town at the Gen- eral Court during the first two years of its corporate existence. He was the first president of the Savings Bauk, vice-president of the First National Bank, and director in the Worcester and Nashua Railroad Com- pany, the City Bank and the Mechanics' Mutual In- surance Company of Worcester.

CLINTON.

Mrs, Bigelow has long outlived her husband, resid- ing in the home he built in Clinton. `Of four chil- dren born to lier, two died before his decease. Her sons, Henry H. and Charles B. Bigelow, inherit their father's administrative talent, and succeeded him in due time as managing agents of the Bigelow Carpet Company.

The First National Bank of Clinton was chartered in April, 1864, with a capital of two hundred thousand dollars. Hon. Charles G. Stevens was chosen presi- dent, and C. L. S. Hammond, cashier, both of whom have been continued in office to the present day. The bank was at first located in a brick building on Union Street, but in 1881 and 1882 built the costly brick and marble block on the corner of High and Church Streets. It remained the only general banking insti- tution in town until June 15, 1882, when the Lancas- ter National Bank transferred its office to rooms leased in Brimhall's Block, Hon. Henry C. Greeley being at the time president, and William H. McNeil cashier. In 1885 the latter secured control of a ma- jority of the stock, elected certain friends of his di- rectors, and placed himself in the presidency, proba- bly in order the better to conceal from the stock- holders irregularities in his methods of conducting the business of the bank. At the close of the year he fled to Canada, a defaulter, and the settlement of the bank's affairs was placed in the hand .of John W. Corcoran, Esq., as receiver. Its creditors have been paid seventy per cent. of their claims, but final settlement has been delayed awaiting the termination of certain lawsuits. The Clinton Co-operative Bank was incorporated in 1887. Daniel B. Ingalls is presi- dent, C. A. Woodruff, treasurer, and Walter R. Dame, solicitor.

For over seven years all town-meetings were held in the vestry of the Congregational Church. From November, 1858, the hall connected with the Clinton House was used by the town on public occasions. The erection of a special building for town use was a sub- ject often discussed, and from 1866 began to arouse warm debates in annual town-meetings. In 1869 a committee was appointed to investigate available sites and consider plans. A location upon High Street was by many considered very desirable, and the lots now covered by Greeley's and the bank blocks were much talked of. That now occupied by the High School building was also advocated by many ; but the more suitable ground upon Walnut and School Streets was fortunately chosen, purchased for four thousand dol- lars, and thereon the foundations of the present capa- cious and imposing town-hall were laid, in July, 1871.

The design adopted by the town was that of Alex. ander R. Esty, a Boston architect. The edifice is of brick, relieved by a free use of Nova Scotia stone in pilasters, beltings and other constructive and orna- mental details. On the first floor are various rooms for town officers and Bigelow Hall, sixty feet wide by eighty

feet in length. The public library-room is located at the rear of the hall, in a one-storied semi-circular apse of twenty-five feet radius, which has an entrance and vestibule of its own. The upper floor is occupied mainly by Clinton Hall, ninety-five feet by eighty, in which, including the gallery across thesouth end, about eigliteen hundred persons can be seated. A large stage and retiring-rooms attached occupy the space at the rear of the hall. The interior finish of the whole building is of ash, and all the appointments for heat- ing, lighting, etc., are of the best for their purposes.

The building was dedicated with appropriate cere- monies December 4, 1872, when addresses were given by Colonel T. W. Higginson and Hon. Charles G. Steveus. Franklin Forbes, as chairman of the build- ing committee, made a brief speech in delivering the keys to the committee chosen by the town to have ex- clusive control and management of the building for three years, and George M. Morse, M.D., in response, gave a condensed history of the town from the time of Prescott's settlement on its soil. The building of this important structure added one hundred and ten thousand dollars to the town's indebtedness, bringing the total to one hundred and forty-six thousand. A funding scheme was adopted in October, 1871, which provided for the issuing of bonds to the amount of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, payable in twenty years from January 1, 1873, bearing six per cent. interest ; six thousand five hundred dollars of the principal to be paid annually. These bonds were mostly sold at par. They were exempt from town taxation, and were issued in denominations of one hundred and five hundred dollars.

The Bigelow Free Public Library was opened De- cember 6, 1873, Andrew E. Ford being the first libra- rian. It began its life of nsefulness with four thon- sand four hundred and eight books upon its shelves, which had been donated by the Bigelow Library As- sociation. This nuclens has grown in fourteen years to fourteen thousand one hundred and eighty-seven volumes, showing an average annual addition of about seven hundred volumes. The association's bequest was made conditional upon the yearly expenditure by the town of at least five hundred dollars for the pur- chase of books. The annual appropriation, from fif- teen hundred dollars in 1874, has increased to twenty- three hundred in 1888, besides the amount received from the dog tax and sale of catalogues, usually about six hundred dollars additional. The circulation from eleven thousand eight hundred and forty-two in 1874, has grown to thirty five thousand seven hundred and twenty-two in 1886-87. The management of the library is vested in six trustees, whose term of service is three years, two being elected annually. Miss Charlotte L. Greene is librarian, succeeding her sister, Miss Fannie M. Greene, in 1886. A catalogue was printed in 1887.

An appropriate monument to the memory of the fifty-eight Clinton men who died in the Union service during the Civil War was erected in the summer of

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

1875, the dedicatory services taking place August 28th. It stands in the sonthwest corner of the town-hall enclosure, and consists of an architectural base of Con- cord granite eleven feet in height, surmounted by a bronze figure of an infantry volunteer standing at rest, copying a design by M. J. Powers. The exer- cises of its dedication were a procession with music, the formal transfer of the memorial to the town by Franklin Forbes for the committee of construction, and patriotic addresses by Hon. Charles G. Stevens, John T. Dame, Esq., and the Reverends V. M. Sim- mons and W. S. Barton. The cost of the monument was about four thousand dollars, of which sum eight hundred and forty dollars was collected by the women of Clinton in various ways for such a memorial, and the remainder was paid from the town treasury.

During the closing year of the Civil War there began for the Lancaster Mills, as for most manufac- turers, a period of great prosperity, during which ex- tensive improvements and additions of buildings and machinery were made year by year. In 1867 the dam was entirely rebuilt, with an extreme length of one hundred and seventy feet, securing a fall of twenty- seven feet. At the same time the old breast-wheels were replaced by two turbines of three hundred and fifty horse-power each. In April, 1875, a branch of the Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg, now a division of the Old Colony Railway was built to the mills, giving transportation facilities much needed. In 1877 Frank- lin Forbes, for twenty-eight years manager, died, and George W. Weeks, then superintendent, upon whom very many of Mr. Forbes' original duties had before this devolved, was appointed manufacturing agent.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 37

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