History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 56

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 56

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).

The health of Dr. Wellington was somewhat im- paired in his later years, and Rev. Norwood Damon was settled as his colleague, February 21, 1844. He remained only until November 1, 1845. Rev. Edwin G. Adams was a man of marked ability, who possessed some unusual traits of character which rendered his life one of much usefulness to the community in which he lived. He was born in the town of Ashby, Mass., December 24, 1821, and died in Templeton, May 10, 1877, after an illness of several months' duration. In boyhood he worked in his father's store and attended the schools and academy of his native town. In early life he formed the resolution to become a minister, and worked diligently to that end, graduating from the Divinity School, at Cambridge, in 1846. The First Congregational Church in Templeton invited him to become the colleague of Rev. Charles Wellington, and he was ordained January 13, 1847. On the death of the latter, in 1861, he became sole pastor, in which relation he remained to the day of his death. In 1855 the honorary degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by Harvard College.

In December, 1855, he preached an historical dis- course, commemorative of the hundredth anniversary of the formation of the church. This was published with an appendix, forming a very valuable treasury of information concerning the earlier and later his- tory of the town. The twenty-fifth anniversary of his settlement was pleasantly observed in 1872.

He was married, November 14, 1848, to Sarah L. Priest, of Littleton, and when, during his ministry, the people spoke or thought of their minister, they always felt that in some way Mrs. Adams was in-

cluded in that designation. They labored together for the good of the society and the community, and the service of each rendered that of the other more effective. They were prudent advisers, wise counsel- ors, highly valued friends. Their presence in a household brought sunshine and dispelled darkness.

As a minister and pastor, Mr. Adams possessed the esteem and affection of the members of his own society to an unusual degree. He was not content with rendering merely the usual professional services of a minister ; every force was utilized, nothing was done at random, or without a settled purpose. The art of making social intercourse an elevating in- fluence was understood by him. The sewing society and the social gathering were to be means for the improvement of character. His was a deeply reli- gious nature; nothing less than a conscientious regard for duty, at all times, and in all positions, would satisfy him. He was glad always to find reasons for agreeing with other people and sects, rather than for disagreeing with them.

For twenty-two years he served on the School Committee, and rendered valuable service to the schools and the cause of education by his unwearied and painstaking labor, combined with prudence, good judgment and a wise foresight.

Mr. Adams had a natural aptitude for the mastery of legal and financial affairs, and came to have such a knowledge of their underlying principles and their application to practical affairs as to make his opinion and advice very valuable, even to those whose lives i were spent in the management of such affairs. Few lawyers conld excel him in unraveling a knotty legal question. To thread his way through these investi- gations was among his recreations.

A keen discernment, a well-balanced judgment, great prudence, far-reaching foresight, combined with the most perfect conscientiousness and integrity, made a combination of qualities which rendered his life a highly useful one.

His successor in the ministry was the Rev. Alfred C. Nickerson, whose pastorate was from 1878 to 1886. Rev. Nathaniel Seaver, Jr., was installed January 11, 1887, and is the pastor at the present time.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH .- The Baptist Church in this town was organized August 22, 1782, with twenty- one members, seventeen of whom-ten men and seven women-had withdrawn from the First Church for this purpose. These twenty-one persons met at a private dwelling, and, in the presence and by the ad- vice of the council which they had called, formed "The Baptist Church of Christ in Templeton." The council consisted of the pastor and six delegates from the church in Royalston and the pastor of the church in Harvard. This church has had seventeen settled pastors; and there have been several intervals in which there was a stated supply. Rev. John Sellon, the first pastor, was ordained Nov. 19, 1783, and re- mained a year and a half. Rev. Joel Butler became

Edwin G. Adams. Adams.

149

TEMPLETON.

pastor in 1787, and remained about four years. There was then a period of about ten years without any settled minister. Rev. Elisha Andrews became the pastor in 1800 and remained until 1813, when he was dismissed.

He also had a second pastorate, extending over the period from 1827 to 1832, making eighteen years in all. Mr. Andrews is spoken of as a man of strong in- dividuality and commanding natural powers, as well as earnest religious zeal. The church enjoyed a time of comparative encouragement and strength. In the interval of Mr. Andrews' absence there seems to have been two pastors, whose terms of service, how- ever, filled only a portion of the period, -Rev. George Phippen and Rev. James Parsons. Next after the final dismission of Mr. Andrews in 1832, Rev. Win- throp Morse was installed as pastor, and remained about two years. Rev. Isaiah C. Carpenter was ordained as pastor in 1837, and resigned in 1843. Rev. John Woodbury became pastor in 1844, and resigned in 1848, making four years of service. Rev. Sandford Leach was pastor from 1848 to 1851, followed soon in the same year by Rev. A. V. Dimock, who remained until 1857, nearly seven years, and the longest pas- torate but one in the history of this church. Rev. John F. Ashley was ordained pastor in 1858, and re- mained about two years. Rev. A. H. Ball was pastor for six months, beginning in 1869. Rev. H. V. Dexter became pastor in 1871, and continued in that relation four years. Rev. Miles N. Reed became pastor in 1878, and Rev. N. B. Wilson in 1881. Rev. George Shepard is the present pastor.

The centennial anniversary of the formation of this church was celebrated at Baldwinville, August 22, 1882, with interesting and appropriate exercises. A sermon was preached by Rev. Heman Lincoln, D.D., of the Newton Theological Institution. Over five hundred people were in attendance, many coming from the neighboring towns and more distant places. Several former pastors of the church were present and took part in the exercises.

During the early years of the existence of this church the only place of meeting for religious services was at private houses. The dwelling-houses of Samuel Byam and Silas Cutler were most often used for this purpose, being larger or more centrally located. About 1796 there began to be a movement made to see about building a meeting-house, and one was finally erected and dedicated in the autumn of 1799, the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, of Boston, preaching the dedication sermon. This house was located at the "Baptist Common," thus giving a name to this neighborhood. It stood at the southerly end of the small cemetery now seen there. Near to the meeting- house, on the easterly side of the Common, was a tavern and a store. In 1840 the meeting-house was taken down, and removed to a site presented by Capt. Eden Baldwin, just out of the village of Baldwinville, on the road to Otter River. Here

the house was again erected, its length increased and a steeple added. It was re-dedicated February 3, 1841. But the location between the two villages did not prove to be a permanently convenient one, and so once more it was removed, and placed on its present location. This time it was removed without being taken to pieces. A new and graceful spire was built, and the whole interior and exterior was refinished. It was dedicated for a third time in Sep- tember, 1869. A chapel, containing a kitchen and conveniences for social meetings, was added in 1879- 80. A few years after the removal to the present location a clock was placed in the tower, by the voluntary contributions of the people of the village.

THE TRINITARIAN CHURCH .- The Trinitarian Congregational Church was organized April 11, 1832, having at first twenty-four members. Its first pastor was Rev. Lemuel P. Bates, who was installed Janu- ary 16, 1833, and dismissed April 19, 1837. Then came the long and highly useful pastorate of Rev. Lewis Sabin, D.D., who was installed September 21, 1837, and resigned September 24, 1872. Rev. Charles A. White was pastor from June, 1873, to June, 1876; Rev. C. M. Temple, November, 1876, to June, 1878; Rev. R. W. Haskins, December, 1878, to June, 1879 ; Rev. F. H. Kasson, October, 1879, to June, 1880; Rev. George Sterling, June, 1880, to June, 1881 ; Rev. Thomas O. Rice, December, 1881, to June, 1885; Rev. Roswell C. Foster, from 1885 to the present time.

Rev. Lewis Sabin, D.D., had a long pastorate over this church, and his other services are closely inter- woven with the history of the town. He graduated from Amherst College with the highest honors of his class, in 1831 ; was installed over this church in 1837 ; received the honorary degree of Doctor of Di- vinity in 1857; was elected one of the trustees of Amherst College in 1862, and resigned his ministry in 1872. He died June 8, 1873.

Dr. Sabin was not only a faithful minister, but also a public-spirited and highly-esteemed citizen, interested and earnest in all measures that were deemed conducive to the public welfare. He was active in the temperance cause and earnest in the anti- slavery movement. For thirty-two years he served the town as a member of the School Committee, a longer service than that rendered by any other per- son. Here he rendered an intelligent, painstaking and conscientious service, highly beneficial to the schools.

THE UNIVERSALISTS .- A Universalist Society was organized in 1842. Its first meetings were held in the old Town House, and afterwards the meetings were held in the present Town Hall. No meeting-house was ever erected. Services were held on alternate Sundays, or at other stated intervals. Rev. Gerard Bushnell was the only pastor of this society.

THE METHODISTS. - The Methodist Episcopal Church of this town dates from 1843, although a

150

IIISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

"class " had been maintained for about three years previously, and included in the charge of the preachers at Hubbardston. In 1843 a church of twenty-four members was formed. A meeting-house was erected in 1844, in the southerly part of the vil- lage at Templeton Centre, on what is now a vacant lot near the " Hudson" honse. The ministers here were Rev. Willard Smith, 1843; Rev. Joseph T. Pettee, 1844; Rev. Simon Putnam, 1845, 1846; Rev. T. G. Brown, 1847. Rev. C. Perry supplied in 1849. Preaching in this meeting-house was discontinued in 1848, and the building was sold. The members of the society attended services at Hubbardston mostly from 1850 to 1859. A church edifice was erected in 1860 at East Templeton, in which the services of this soci- ety have since been constantly held, under the fol- lowing succession of ministers : Rev. C. H. Harding, 1860; Rev. N. H. Martin, 1861; Rev. H. Satchwell, 1862, 1863; Rev. C. F. Newell, 1864, 1865; Revs. A. F. Mowry and A. B. Waters, 1866; Rev. W. B. Blackmer, 1868; Rev. D. K. Banister, 1869, 1870; Rev. J. M. Avann, 1871, 1872; Rev. J. W. Fenn, 1873, 1874; Rev. R. W. Harlow, 1875, 1876; Rev. F. M. Miller, 1877, 1878; Rev. W. H. Marble, 1879, 1880, 1881; Rev. E. Higgins, 1882, 1883; Rev. L. White, 1884, 1885, 1886; Rev. D. Atkins, 1887, 1888.

ST. MARTIN'S .- Saint Martin's Church is of the Roman Catholic faith and has its place of worship at the village of Otter River. The church edifice was erected in 1853 and consecrated in 1854. The priest who officiates at this church also has charge of one or more parishes elsewhere.

THE MEMORIAL CHURCH .- The Goodell Memorial Church was organized at Baldwinville in 1874. Ser- vices were held in Union Hall for about nine years In 1882 the work of erecting a church edifice was entered upon. This was dedicated June 28, 1883. The ministers of this church have been Rev. L. Pay- son Broad, Rev. C. M. Temple, Rev. R. S. Haskins, Rev. J. F. Crumrin, Rev. M. A. Doherty and Rev. Roswell C. Foster.

MINISTERS .- The ministers of the churches in Templeton have none of them been natives of the town; but this town has furnished some ministers for other regions. Quite far in the southeast part of the town is the "Turner" farm, now owned by Mr. Lucien Gove. This was the birthplace and early home of Rev. Jonathan B. Turner, for years a pro- fesssor in the college at Jacksonville, Ill., and Rev. Asa Turner, both of whom were men of vigorous thought and earnest lives. The " Barrows " place is now the residence of Leonard M. Baker. This was the birthplace of Rev. William Barrows, of Reading,

Mass., and Rev. Lewis Barrows. Rev. Emmons Partridge and Rev. Lyman Maynard were natives of this town and relatives of persons still living here. And at least one life-long missionary, Mr. Goodell, of almost world-wide fame, received his first inspiration from these hills and vales.

Rev. William Goodell, D.D., was born in this town February 14, 1792 and died in Philadelphia February 18, 1867. His studies were pursued at Phillips Academy, Andover, Dartmouth College and Andover Theological Seminary. The greater part of his life was spent as a missionary in the Turkish Empire, and an interesting volume has been published giving an account of his labors. He was of feeble bodily constitution, yet he was full of cheerfulness and even mirthfulness, which even bis stern Puritan theology could not fully repress. He was an earnest man, thoroughly devoted to the performance of duty and entirely absorbed in his chosen work of being a faithful missionary.

CHAPTER XXIV.

TEMPLETON-(Continued.)

Lawyers-Physicians-Hospitals-Prominent Men.

TEMPLETON was manifestly a better field for the exercise of the lawyer's professiou in former times than in later years. In the earlier part of the cen- tury two lawyers had their offices near the Common, and seem to have found abundant employment. Hon. Lovell Walker was one of these lawyers. He seems to have enjoyed the public confidence in a very large degree. He was for two years Representa- tive to the General Court, and for some ycars Senator for Worcester County.

He was born in Brandon, Vt., and was a graduate of Dartmouth College. He died in 1839. His place of residence was the house now owned by Miss Twichell. His office was in a small building, re- cently standing near the "Brick store."

Joseph W. Newcomb, Esq., was engaged in the practice of law here for a brief period of time just after Mr. Walker. The office of Samuel Cutting, Esq., was in a small building not very long ago stand- ing on the corner where now is the residence of Mrs. Batchelder. He was a native of this town, a son of Jonathan Cutting, and a life-long resident here. Edward Kirkland was a lawyer here, removing after- wards to Louisville, Ky. Joseph Mason, Esq., now of Worcester, was an active, public-spirited lawyer of this town from 1837 to '47. He was town clerk for two years, served on the School Committee six years, and took a very active part in the affairs of the town and the religious society with which he was connected. He was afterwards for many years clerk of courts for the county of Worcester. In 1842 he was appointed one of the standing commissioners of bankruptcy for the Massachusetts District, and has keld the office of master in Chancery.

Giles H. Whitney, Esq., a native of Boston,. a graduate of Harvard University and its Law School, practiced law in Templeton Centre and Baldwinville from 1846 to '55. In the latter year he removed to

151

TEMPLETON.

Winchendon, where he died January 12, 1888. He had been a member of both branches of the State Legislature, and was esteemed as an upright lawyer and trusted citizen.

Stillman Cady, Esq., was engaged in the practice of law at Baldwinville from 1858 to the time of his death, in 1884. In the last years of Mr. Cady's life Charles D. Burrage, Esq., now of Gardner, was asso- ciated with him.

If it be true that Templeton has imported nearly all of her lawyers, it is equally true that she has ex- ported some of her own product for the benefit of other places. Leonard A. Jones, who has acquired a well-deserved reputation as the author of several valuable legal works, is a son of Templeton. He graduated from Harvard College in 1855, and the Harvard Law School in 1858, in which year he was admitted to the Suffolk bar, and has ever since been in the practice of law in the city of Boston. Mr. Jones is the author of the following legal works : "A Treatise on Mortgages of Real Property," two vol- umes ; " A Treatise on Mortgages of Personal Prop- erty," one volume ; " A Treatise on Pledges, includ- ing Collateral Securities," one volume; " A Treatise on Liens," two volumes; "Forms in Conveyancing," one volume; and "Index to Legal Periodical Litera- ture."

Josiah Howe, son of Dr. Jasiah Howe, was a lawyer in New York City. Thomas Greenwood, whove early home was in East Templeton, graduated at Yale College, and became a lawyer in New York City, where he still resides. Emory C. Sawyer, whose parents have their home in Baldwinville, gained a legal education, and is in the practice of law at Warren, Mass.

PHYSICIANS .- The members of the medical profes- sion are engaged in a work which brings them into close intimacy with the lives of the people in their homes. Fortunate, indeed, is the town and com- munity that enjoys the services of a well-educated, skillful, sympathizing physician. Such good fortune this town has experienced.

Benjamin Shattuck, the first physician of Temple- ton, was born in Littleton, Mass., November 11, 1742, and died of consumption in this town, January 14, 1794. He was a graduate of Harvard College of the class of 1765. He studied medicine with Dr. Oliver Prescott, of Groton, and settled in Templeton at the special invitation of the people of the town. He con- tinued in extensive practice about twenty-five years, and became one of the most eminent in his profes- sion. The community joined in a public funeral, the Rev. Mr. Sparhawk preaching a sermon in his eulogy. This sermon was printed, and copies of it may still be found.

Josiah Howe, M.D., was a physician of Templeton, who rose to eminence in his profession. He pursued his medical studies with Dr. Benjamin Shattuck, the first physician of this town, and on the death of the

latter succeeded to his practice here. Dr. Howe was born in Milton, Mass., March 19, 1771, and died in Templeton, January 24, 1843. In his later life he gave attention to business affairs. He was at one time connected with the woolen-factory at Otter River. Several dwelling-houses at Templeton Centre were built under his direction and ownership. Among them were the " Hudson " house, Mr. Winch's house and that owned now by Dr. Tobien. At this house he last dwelt.

Dr. Marshall practiced medicine for some years in this town, having his residence at the Baptist Com- mon.

Charles W. Wilder, M.D., was a native of Ashburn- ham, Mass. He graduated at the Medical Depart- ment of Dartmouth College in 1817. He practiced his profession for many years in this town. He was a skillful physician and an energetic and public- spirited citizen. About 1845 he removed to Fitch- burg, and earnestly promoted the building of the Fitchburg and Worcester Railroad, of which he be- came the first president. The last years of his life were spent in Leominster, where he died February 12, 1851.

Mason Spooner, M.D., engaged in medical practice in this town for a good many years in the first half of this century. He was regarded as a skillful physi- cian, and many persons are now living who remember his presence in their families. He died in 1853, in the eighty-second year of his age.

Jonathan W. D. Osgood, M.D., was the son of Jonathan Osgood, the first minister of Gardner. His studies were pursued at New Salem Academy, Wil- liams College and Dartmouth College, from which he graduated in 1823, and from the Medical School of the same institution in 1826. He spent several months in attending lectures and in hospital practice in Phil- adelphia. He began the practice of medicine in Templeton in 1827, and continued here until 1858, when he removed to Greenfield. Here he lived until his death, which occurred May 15, 1885. His re- mains were brought to Templeton for burial. He was a good citizen, a skilled physician, affable and gentlemanly in his manners. Many persons still have pleasant recollections of him as their family physician. His place of residence in Templeton was in the house now owned by Mr. J. O. Winch.

E. E. Spencer, M.D., a native of North Kingston, R. I., received his diploma from the Eclectic Medi- cal College of Cincinnati in 1860. He had also re- ceived the degree of M.D. from the Worcester Medi- cal College in 1858. He was engaged in the prac- tice of medicine in Templeton from 1861 to 1872, when he removed to Cambridge. He was active in promoting the formation of the Massachusetts Eclec- tic Medical Society, of which he has been treasurer and president.

J. B. Gould, M.D., was a native of Hillsboro', N. H. He was a student of medicine in the Medical

152

IIISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Department of Harvard University, and in the Medical College at Woodstock, Vt., of which he was a graduate in 1850. He has practiced medicine in Royalston, in Templeton, from 1862 to 1874, and since the latter date in West Somerville, Mass.

Joseplı C. Batchelder, M.D., was a native of Tops- field, Mass. His medical education was received at Dartmouth College and at the Harvard Medical School. He practiced medicine in Lynn, Topsfield, Cambridge, and in Templeton from 1857 to the time of his death, in 1885. Dr. Batchelder was an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, as well as a very skillful physician and surgeon. He was the Representative from his native town in the Legislature of Massa- chusetts in 1846. He took an active interest in pro- moting the construction of the Hoosac Tunnel. In the Civil War he was assistant surgeon of the Twenty- fifth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers.

The physicians thus far named had their residences in the village lying around the Common. At the present time there are two physicians whose place of residence is at this village :- Dr. A. S. Tobien has been in practice here since 1874-and Dr. S. E. Green- wood since 1878,

George Jewett, M.D., was a native of Rindge, N. H. His medical education was received at Woodstock, Vt., and at the Berkshire Medical College, where he graduated in 1846. He began the practice of medi- cine at Baldwinville in 1847, removed to Gardner in 1852, and thence to Fitchburg.

Lucius W. Baker, M.D., received his degree from the University of the City of New York in 1880, and immediately began the practice of medicine in his native village. Dr. Baker was the projector of the Hospital Cottages for Children, and for five years the superintendent and physician, retiring in 1887 to devote his time more fully to the care of his Medical Home for Nervous Invalids, at Baldwinville.

A list of the names of physicians who have en- gaged in the practice of medicine at Baldwinville is subjoined. The first physician residing in the village seems to have been Dr. Barrett, who began practice in 1847; Dr. Jewett, in 1854; Dr. Jonathan A. White, 1854-63 ; Dr. John W. Bement, 1868-74 ; Dr. William F. Sonthard, 1873-78 ; Dr. J. S. Fogg and Dr. G. L. Perry remained a short time ; Dr. L. W. Baker, 1880; Dr. E. N. Mullins has been in active medical prac- tice since 1883.

Some persons who were natives of this town have engaged in medical practice in other places. The names of a few such now follow :

Dr. George C. Shattuck, son of Dr. Benjamin Shat- tuck, was born in Templeton, July 17, 1783, and died at his residence in Boston, March 18, 1854. He was eminent for his professional skill and for his munifi- cent public and private charities. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1803, and from the Medical Department in 1806, receiving also a medical degree from Harvard College in 1807. He was possessed of

much wealth and became noted for his public bene- factions, giving liberally to Dartmonth College, Har- vard College and various public institutions. From him the town of Templeton received the liberal gift of five shares in the library of the Boston Athen- ænm. Dr. Shattuck was a very popular and skill- ful physician of the city of Boston. His son, of the same name, was for many years a professor in the Harvard Medical School.

James Lloyd Wellington, M.D., son of Rev. Charles Wellington, graduated from Harvard College in 1838, and from the Harvard Medical School in 1842, since which time he has been a physician in active practice in the town of Swansea, Mass.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 56

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