History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 42

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 42

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Forty years ago a lad's school advantages in the

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

country were circumscribed, and the boy Samuel's were supplemented by only a brief academic course.

Possessing a talent for music, all the hours of recreation were spent at the key-board of the home instrument; while only a boy, the Sabbath found him presiding at the organ of the country church. Later, in his adopted town, he was identified with various church choirs, and officiated as organist in more than one of the leading churches.

His life was not an eventful one, and its history is briefly told.

Large knowledge of the outside world was gained in the War of the Rebellion, where he served as mu- sician until orders were issued from the War Depart- ment discharging all regimental bands from the United States service.

His honored father and grandfather served in pre- ceding struggles, the latter being an officer in the Revolutionary War. In the military and civil de- partments of the annals of his native town, from the date of incorporation, in 1694, the names of grand- father and great-grandfather appear conspicuously, and are suggestive.

While in the South Mr. Tyler formed the acquaint- ance of a comrade and brother-musician, and in 1864 the two formed a co-partnership in business under the firm-name of Tyler & White. Four years subse- quently he disposed of his interest in the business, and himself engaged in the musical instrument trade.

If we were to select any traits of character for which Mr. Tyler was especially remarkable, they would be his almost stern justice and fidelity to what he believed to be right. Ilis honesty made him not less exacting with himself than with others. His accounts were always correct, his dealings always inst.

In these days, when chicanery, malfeasance in of- fice, embezzlements, breaches of trust and fraud are so prevalent, it is pleasant to write of one who kept himself free from any kind of stain on his integrity.

He wrought continuously, ungrudgingly and un- selfishly for the public weal; and no fruits of his labors were so grateful to himself as those garnered in connection with public service.

He enjoyed always the esteem of the best elements of the community. The public is ever willing to place responsibility on competent, trusted and willing shoulders. During his residence in his adopted town he was one of Clinton's most active and honored cit- izens in every line of business enterprise, activity and public service. Though not a member of the Board of Trade, on its records may be found the following : "The Clinton Board of Trade hereby expresses its hearty appreciation of Mr. Tyler's unfaltering inter- est in our town, and his constant devotion to its wel- fare, as shown in liberal and successful efforts to en- large and improve the business facilities of Clin- ton."

He was elected to various positions, which he filled to the universal acceptance of his constituents and the public generally.

He was selectman for a period of four years, asses- sor ten years, and water commissioner two years, serving always with an enthusiastic appreciation of responsibility and opportunity.

While possessing a quick discernment, he was cau- tions in adopting new measures; weighed all matters in the balance of a clear judgment, and, after form- ing an opinion, was very decided, rarely finding any reason to alter it.

So far we have spoken of Mr. Tyler only in his business and public life; but, as is ever the case, that life is the most real and important of which the public sees but little and can know but little, -- the life each man lives in his family. In 1864 Mr. Tyler married Persis Eklora Bemis, of Paxton, Mass., with whom he passed more than twenty years of wedded life.

Their children were Samuel Willard and Harriet Frances.

Mr. Tyler died February 19, 1886, aged forty-seven. " He liveth long who liveth well."

JOSEPH B. PARKER.

Joseph B. Parker, son of Quincy Parker and Pa- tience Brooks, was born in Princeton, Mass., in 1805. His ancestors were of Puritan origin, and for several generations lived in Massachusetts. Aside from his home training, his early education was limited to the common district school of his town. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to Mr. Joel Ilowe, a black- smith of Princeton, with whom he remained six years, Completing his apprenticeship, he entered the machine-shop of Samuel Flagg, of Oakdale, a village in West Boylston. In this position he devel- oped at once an uncommon tact for his new employ- ment; for within a year he was appointed foreman of the shop, on account of which some of the senior workmen, refusing to work under so young a man, left the shop ; but his apparent ability as a mechanic held for him his position, and his manly demeanor won back his disaffected shop-mates and made them ever after his true and faithful friends.

This position he held for eight years, until the failure in business of his employer-1834. A year prior to this he had built himself a house and mar- ried, in October, 1833, Miss Mary A. Morgan. In July, 1835, he was chosen deacon of the Orthodox Congregational Church in West Boylston. His en- gagement with Mr. Flagg terminating, he commenced the machine business on his own account, occupying the shop formerly occupied by Mr. Flagg.

Meanwhile, E. B. Bigelow, then of West Boylston, and since so distinguished as an inventor, had con- ceived the idea of building a loom for weaving coun- terpanes. In his struggle to bring forth his inven-

Dos 93 Tankes

Levi Greene

CLINTON.

tion, he sought the aid of Deacon Parker. The coming together of these two men resulted in the formation of a company to complete the undertaking and put the loom in operation. The company con- sisted of E. B. Bigelow, Deacon Parker and Eli Hol- brook, all young men, and all about the same age.

This loom, however, was not a success. The com- pany wanting means to carry on the work further, the enterprise was, for a time, abandoned, though the company fully believed in the final success of the work. From this, the inventive genius of E. B. Bigelow was turned to his coach-lace loom, which at once came to better results.

This loom was built by Deacon Parker and put in operation in Shirley Village, and later was removed to Clinton. In 1840, Deacon Parker removed his business to Providence, R. I. The success of the Messrs. Bigelows being assured, they, with others, formed a company, purchased the water-power in Clinton, built a machine-shop and made extensive preparations for operating their new inventions. After the trial of other machinists to build their ma- chinery, the Bigelows again sought the aid of Deacon Parker. He was called from Providence to Clinton and put in charge of the new machine-shop built by the Clinton Company.

This new position brought more fully his mechan- ical ability to the test. Following the coach-lace loom came the reconstruction of the counterpane looms then running, but had not done satisfactory work. These were all rebuilt, resulting in the manu- facture of a much improved fabric. Following these were the gingham and the Brussels carpet looms, each of which was the first power loom of its kind ever in operation. All these were made under Deacon Parker's supervision. All were new ; there being no models to work from or workmen experienced io that line of machine building. Everything was wrought out step by step, without the suggestion or aid of others. In the coach-lace loom was found the germ of the Brussels carpet loom, which was brought to its present state of perfection only by the protracted study of years. To invent or make such a master- piece of machinery is honor enough for any man, and justly entitles him to lasting fame. It may seem in- vidious to institnte comparisons between men of emi- nent qualities in any profession. No one is greatest in everything. Each has his weak as well as his strong characteristics. The weak points of one man are exactly those in which another is strongest. This was especially true in case of E. B. Bigelow and Dea- con Parker. One was the counterpart of the other. The two ought and did work together. Neither could have accomplished alone what they achieved unitedly. E. B. Bigelow was an inventor of the highest order, but was not a practical mechanic. Construction was not his forte. But where he was weakest Deacon Par- ker was strongest. The idea of a machine being given him, he could make it, which oftener than

otherwise is the most difficult part to perform. In 1851, Deacon Parker was sent by the Messrs. Bigelows to England, to superintend the setting up of Brussels carpet looms. IIe remained there some six or eight months, when he returned to Clinton. Soon after his return he built a shop and commenced the machine business again on his own account. His business at once increased, his machine-shop was twice enlarged and under his management became an important business interest of Clinton.

His strong points as a man of business were his strength and clearoess of mind. These were seen in everything. United with his intense application this quality was invaluable to him as a machinist.

He was a man of superior judgment. This also appeared in all matters of every-day life. Ile was every man's counselor, though he never wore a title. In his business few meo were his equal as a judge of machinery. Young meo esteemed it a privilege to be taught the business of a machinist by him.

His ideal of a machine was perfection. Great care was taken to make every machine perfect. Nothing was allowed to leave his shop that was not so. This had much to do with his success in after-life.

His attention to all the details of his business was unremitting. He trusted nothing to others. And as it was continuonsly on the increase, it was almost a matter of necessity that he be more and more iodus- triously occupied with its cares and management. In the summer of 1859 he and his family spent a day at the seashore in York, Maine, which up to that time was the only holiday of the kind he had enjoyed.

Few men are identified with the almost model town of Clinton more than Dea. Parker. In the variety and extent of its manufactures, in its rapid growth and continued prosperity, he took a constant interest, and bore a conspicuous part. And could the town be photographed in its moral, as well as in its material aspects, it would appear that he was even more an important factor in it. A man of clear head, sound judgment, and a Christian character that always com- manded respect and confidence, he, with others, did most valuable pioneer service in laying the foundations of the moral and religious institutions of the town. He exerted a strong influence over young men, and by his counsel and example was most useful in aiding them to make a good start in life.

Though sufficiently conservative, he was a man of reform ; always headed in the right direction, always standing for the best things, no man ever doubting how he would talk, and what he would do, when the common good was at stake.

LEVI GREENE.

Prominent among the early pioneers of this town was the subject of this sketch, who was born in Ber- lin, Mass., October 12, 1801, the son of Aaron and Lydia (Goddard) Greene.

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

After serving his apprenticeship at carpentering, under the famous Jacob Stone, of Lancaster, Mass., he married Achsah, Jacob's daughter, November 5, 1829, settled in Lancaster and became a builder and lumber dealer on his own account, in which occupa- tion he was very successful, which, with judicions in- vestments in the then small village of Clinton, laid for him the foundations of his ample fortune.

The death of his first wife occurred October 21, 1843, and September 19, 1844, he married Lucy Har- ris, of Lunenburg, Mass., daughter of William and Betsy (Spaulding), who survived him.

The children of Mr. Greene were,-Charles F., born Angust 21, 1830, died March 29, 1871; Ellen M., born May 7, 1832, died August 2, 1863; Eliza A., born July 30, 1833, died January 9, 1856; Emery W., born Oc- tober 7, 1839, died Jnne 18, 1857; Lucy H., born July 18, 1846, died August 24, 1846; Charlotte E., born July 23, 1848, died September 18, 1848.

In 1848 he served the town of Lancaster as select- man, also in 1846-47 as assessor, in which latter ca- pacity he also served the town of Clinton in 1855-56, '58, '60-62, '65, most of the time as chairman of the board.

In Masonic circles Mr. Greene took an active in- terest, and Trinity Lodge and Clinton Royal Arch Chapter elected him to their highest offices.

The Congregational Church also found in him a faithful supporter, he being one of the original found- ers. Always discharging his duties with perfect lion- esty, he held the respect of his fellow-citizens, and his opinion was songht hy all classes, with full confidence in his judgment. In his family and personal friend- ships he was kind and affectionate, and few men were more conscientions than he and none felt more deeply the responsibility of citizenship and the duties de- volving upon him.

HON. ELISHA BRIMHALL.

Mr. Brimhall was born in Oakham, Mass., March 25, 1825, and died in Clinton, after a brief illness from pneumonia, April 9, 1887. Age, sixty-two years and fifteen days.

He was the only child of Jonas and Caroline (Nye), of Oakham, whose names for many generations were prominent in the history of that town. His first work was on his father's farm, but at the age of twenty he commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter, which, with fortunate cirenmstances, enabled him to lay the foundation of his successful fortune. Coming to Clin- ton at its first formation, he quickly became a successful business man, and among those early pioneers he was one of the most active and energetic, adding much to the growth and progress of the then small village.

In 1857 he erected the large block on High Street, known as Brimhall's Block, while the Courant Block, Oxford House, and the large tenement block, bearing his name, followed in quick snecession to become, not

only ornaments to the principal streets of the town, but enduring monuments to his zeal and business enterprise. Before his decease he completed an elegant mansion on Prescott Street, where he was per- mitted to reside but a brief period, ere he was called away. During the Rebellion he was on the Board of Selectmen, and to him the town was largely indebted for his valuable services during those trying times. As an example of his energetic and persistent nature, his special trip to Washington may be cited, where, through a personal interview with President Lincoln, he secured a credit to the town of seventy men, thereby saving a draft. From 1866 to 1871 he was the treasurer of the town, having been unanimously elected twice in the five years.

In 1873 he was again elected selectman, and in 1874 was chosen chairman of the Board of Assessors, but declined to serve.

In politics Mr. Brimhall was a life-long Republi- can, and also a firm believer in temperance princi- ples, carrying out his belief in every-day life.

In 1871 he was elected to the Legislature from the District then comprising Clinton, Northboro', Berlin, by 170 majority over Jonas E. Howe. In 1876 he was elected to the State Senate by 1048 majority, and re- elected the following year by 1920 majority.

In financial matters Mr. Brimhall's services were almost constantly employed. He was a director of the Lancaster National Bank, which failed through the defalcation of the president. With his sharp eye, Mr. Brimhall detected methods of business distaste- ful to a man of his habits, and rather than be identi- fied with anything which had the semblance of dis- honesty he withdrew from the institution entirely. At the time of the failure of the Lancaster Savings Bank his services were secured as one of the receivers, which position he held at the time of his death. The Congregational parish, of which he was an efficient member, is largely indebted to him for generous financial aid and hearty co-operation in all good works.

To enjoy an honorable position in the business world was Mr. Brimhall's great ambition, and that he attained it his fellow-citizens bear cordial testi- mony by holding his memory in grateful esteem. He acquired the high regard of his fellow-citizens by his exemplary methods of life, in his business or social relations, and he won the esteem of all by undeviat- ing rectitude. He belonged to that class of men whose motives are always honest, and who, in the pur- suit of wealth, never sacrifice their honesty for a single moment.

Mr. Brimhall married Mary A. Fletcher, of Spring- field, Vt., who survives him.

PERLEY P. COMEY, M.D.

Perley P. Comey, M.D. (Harvard), youngest son of Elbridge G. and Abigail (Pierce) Comey, was born in

& Aminhal 1

Perly . Comy M. D.

Lyman Leighton

CLINTON.

Holliston, Mass., January 14, 1852. His father was born in Hopkinton, Mass., was a farmer and returned to Hopkinton to reside when the subject of our sketch was eight years of age,-a man of sterling integrity and exemplary character. Perley P. Comey received his early education in the common and high schools of Hopkinton, being also kept busy upon his father's farm.

In 1868, his father having died, he was sent to the Oread High School, in Worcester, a classical school connected with the Oread Institute, afterward learn- ing the apothecary business in Worcester. Later he began the study of medicine with Dr. A. P. Richard- son, of Boston, and at the Harvard Medical College, at which institution he graduated in June, 1878, and in August of the same year he began practice in Clinton, Mass. He almost immediately began to have a very liberal patronage and soon had a very extensive prac- tice, not only in Clinton, but in all of the adjoining towns. Ever ready to sympathize with and advise the afflicted and suffering, he seemed to possess the qualifications which make a man popular in the med- ical profession. Few men bring to the study and practice of their profession more of those varied quali- fications which help to make up the true physician and surgeon. Always on the alert in everything relating to his profession, quick to see and prompt to act, make him a successful surgeon as well as physi- cian.

He married Marion L. Jones, danghter of John O. Jones, of Boston, and granddaughter of Col. Jas. Esta- brook, of Worcester, with whom she resided. They have three children, two daughters and one son- Effie M., Gertrude J. and Clifton J.

He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, a prominent Mason and Odd-Fellow, a mem- ber of the Improved Order of Red Men, Knights of Honor and United Order of Golden Cross.

LYMAN LEIGHTON.

Mr. Leighton was born in Upton, Mass. His father, Hazard Leighton, was strongly built, over six feet tall, and an athlete. The stories of his suppleness, physi- cal feats and strength are quoted to this day. His mind and judgment, thongh little schooled, were as vigorous and self-poised as his powers of body. He was highly skilled in agriculture. In 1839 he married Lydia Aldrich, of the same place. Lyman was one of six children born to them, and the eldest of three boys. He was early sent forth to earn something for the family, or at least his own bread. The first place open to him was as a boy on a farm, and in this humble way he began his battle with the world.

Mr. Leighton's school advantages were meagre. In them, however, he acquired elements of an education that have enabled him to use well such advantages as came to him in life. He importuned his parents to let him learn the trade of a carpenter, and with their

consent entered the employ of Thomas J. and Nahum B. Hall, a then active co-partnership of contractors in Upton. The old-fashioned days of apprenticeship were on the wane, and the firm allowed him to work with them and under their instruction for what he could earn. He was a mere boy, but being permit- ted to enter the ranks as a fellow-workman aroused his manliness and called out his best traits. With these men, who were skillful workmen and led their men as well as planned and directed them, he had a fine opportunity, not only to train his hands in the use of tools, but to study their ways as successful builders. They did not suppress but enconraged every laudable effort, so that he found full play for his am- bition and energy, and while he learned the details of the art of his choice he also gained an insight into those ways that laid the foundation for his future suc- cessful business career. He applied himself diligently and faithfully to his chosen profession until the break- ing out of the Civil War. He enlisted at the age of eighteen years in that fine regiment which was the pride of Worcester County,-the Twenty-fifth Massa- chusetts Volunteers,- and in September, 1861, went to Annapolis, Maryland, where he entered at once upon the train and drill of a soldier. He was here stricken down by an attack of the measles and was sent to the hospital, and though receiving the best possible care, came from it with a weakened voice and wasted frame, and the experienced surgeons felt he would not be able to go through the hardships of an active cam- paign. He did not shirk his duty, however, but went with his regiment to North Carolina. After two bat- tles he was so reduced in strength that a court of surgeons recommended his discharge for disability, which he received in July, 1862. He returned home at once, and in his native air and with good nursing he so far recovered as to be accepted by the examining surgeon, and again became an enlisted man. He joined a company of heavy artillery in September, 1863, and served until the close of the war with credit to himself and to his company.

He returned to his native town to take up again the pursuits of peace. His trade had not been com- pleted, and its work was now found to be very dull, and he was compelled to accept any chance offered him. In these new fields of labor he enlarged his knowledge and gained valuable information that was afterwards turned to good account in the management of his affairs as a contractor. It was about this time that he made the acquaintance of Miss Carrie Clark, a young lady who resided in Upton with her mother, and they were married in November, 1866. She was of patriotic stock. Her ancestor, Edward Clark, was a soldier in the Colonial army, and was present at the surrender of the fortress of Louisburg to the English in 1758.

After his marriage, finding he was unable to com. mand a sufficient income to satisfy his household re- quirements, Mr. Leighton removed to Clinton, Mass.

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Here he obtained employment as a foreman at his old trade, and eventually went into business for himself as a contractor and builder. Mr. Leighton's business grew rapidly ; he has added to it a lumber-yard, which is also doing a large and increasing business. Many fine buildings erected by him through the town stand as monuments to his skill and enterprise.

Mr. Leighton is an enterprising citizen, and all matters pertaining to the advancement and welfare of his adopted town find in him an earnest advocate. He is a Republican in politics, and takes an active inter- est in the affairs of the party. Mr. Leighton has a family of five children.

CHAPTER XIV.

SOUTHIBOROUGH.

BY DEXTER NEWTON.

Location and Incorporation-Soil and Surface-Waters-Productions- Agriculture-Manufactures and Mechanical Industries.

THIS town is situated in the extreme easterly part of Worcester County, about twenty-eight miles from the State-House and about sixteen miles from the court-house in the city of Worcester. The town- house is located at a bearing of about seven degrees sonth of due west from the State-House. Southbor- ough is skirted on three sides by Middlesex County. It has Marlborough on the north, Framingham and Ashland on the east, Ashland and Hopkinton on the south and Westborough and Northborough on the west. A large portion of this town formerly belonged to Marlborough. Before its incorporation it was called "Stoney Brook," probably so-called from a stream of water which still bears that name. The part which lies north of said brook was called "Cow Commons," from the fact that it was used by the inhabitants for a common pasture. The cattle were marked and their whereabouts was reported to the owners by the friendly Indians, from time to time. The town of Southborough was incorporated July 6 (old style), or July 17 (new style), 1727, in response to the following remarkable petition, to-wit :

To the Honorable William Dummer, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor and Ciumander-in-Chief, the Honorable Conneil and House of Representa- tives at their session in May, 1727 :

The petition of os, the subscribers inhabitants of the Southerly part of the town of Marlborough, Humbly sheweth That, wherens Devine Providence, which appoints the bounds and habitations of all men, hatlı soordered our lots, or at least most of us, that we are at such a dis- Iance from the Place of Public Worship, that ourselves, Init especially our aged and infirm, together with our women and little ones, caunot comfortably endure the necessary travel that. they are forced unto for the attaining an opportunity at the place of Public Worship, and like- wise others, whose lots, although, uot at present so difficult as the other aforesaid, yet considering that it is but a point of christian duty and charity to compassionate the circumstances of euch, and having also ob-

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 42

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