History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 57

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 57

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Edward Sawyer, M.D., a physician of Bridgewater, Mass., was a native of Templeton, and received his early education in her schools. He graduated from the Harvard Medical School in 1865, and began the practice of medicine in the autumn of that same year. In addition to his general practice he has for more than twenty-two years been physician to the State In- stitution at Bridgewater. Besides his busy activity in professional work, he serves the community in va- rions positions of responsibility and usefulness.

Dr. Charles Whitcomb, for many years past a phy - sician of Barre, Mass., was a native of this town.

Very few women from this town have engaged in any other professional work than that of teaching. Miss Salome Merritt, however, has received a medical education, and is in the active practice of her profes- sion in the city of Boston.

HOSPITALS .- The Hospital Cottages for Children, organized and incorporated in 1882, are located at Baldwinville. They are arranged on the cottage plan, and are designed for the treatment of children affected with chronic diseases. Their country loca- tion makes it possible to have fresh air, sunlight, out- door exercise and wholesome food, as well as carefnl nursing and medical care. The idea of the institution originated with Dr. L. W. Baker. His father, Deacou Willard Baker, gave liberal aid by furnishing buildings, rent free, for some years, and in other ways. Mr. J. W. Coolidge has earnestly labored for the institution from its first inception, and has been very efficient in placing it upon a good financial basis. A lady board of visitors, including ladies of prominence liv- ing in different parts of the State, has from the first rendered very valuable assistance in support of the institution. This board has also erected a third build- ing with funds which it has gathered. The Legisla- ture of Massachusetts granted ten thousand dollars to the institution in 1887. The institution now has three buildings under its control, and has accommodations for abont fifty children.

Dr. Baker's Medical Home for the treatment of nervous diseases, including the alcohol and opium habits, and the nervous disorders of childhood, is lo- cated in Baldwinville. It was established in 1885.

PROMINENT MEN .- Towns and communities natur-

Gihnen Day

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TEMPLETON.

ally range themselves under the leadership of individ- uals who are possessed of an unusual degree of energy, persistence or intelligence. These they appoint to act for them on important occasions either at home or abroad. Such men in the last century were Mr. Thomas White, Captain John Richardson, Captain Joel Fletcher, Captain Ezekiel Knowlton, Colonel Silas Cutler and Captain Leonard Stone. Captain Fletcher was the delegate from this town to the con- vention which ratified the Constitution of the United States in 1787. Jonathan Baldwin was the first Rep- resentative from this town to the General Court in 1774. He is al-o believed to have been the first justice of the peace in this town. He was an enterprising citizen of that portion of the town now known as Baldwinville. His son, Captain Eden Baldwin, was a man of great vigor, enterprise and influence, engaging actively in various business enterprises. From him his native village takes its name.

As the next century advances new names come into prominence iu different sections of the town. Cap- tain Joseph Davis was for many years a very promi- nent citizen, living in Baldwinville. He came from Northboro' to this village in 1830 and opened a store. In 1832 he built the hotel. He bought Stephen Knowlton's farm on the east of the village and built a dam at the water privilege there. He was very active in various kinds of business. He labored earn- estly and effectively to secure the location of the Ver- mont and Massachusetts Railroad through this village. He was a very active, energetic, public-spirited citi- zen. He died November 5, 1868. His son, Thomas W. Davis, has been for several years city surveyor for the city of Boston.

Gilman Day, Esq., was a prominent citizen of Templeton during the greater part of a long life, which extended from April 1, 1802, to August 11, 1877. The neighboring town of Winchendon was his birth- place. For a large part of his life he was engaged more or less actively in the lumber business and some form of manufacturing. His saw-mill was on Trout Brook, southwesterly of Baldwinville, and is still known as the "Day" Mill. For a period of some three years, beginning with 1836, he was associated with Levi Pierce in conducting the hotel at Temple- ton Centre. He was also owner, in part, of the stage- line connecting Worcester and Keene, which line passed through this town. He was frequently called to fill places of trust and honor by the votes of his fellow-townsmen. He held'in successive years various town offices. He served for one term, in 1846, as Representative from this town to the General Court. He was also chosen as the delegate from this town to the convention which assembled in 1853 to revise the Constitution of the State. He held a commission as justice of the peace and trial justice from 1861 to the time of his death.

It is hardly necessary to state that he was deeply interested in the public affairs of the county, State

and nation. He was earnestly in favor of the divi- sion of Worcester County and labored to promote it, in opposition to some of his prominent fellow-towns- men. He occupied a very prominent position among those who labored to retain the location of the Ver- mont and Massachusetts Railroad so as to pass through the northerly part of this town, instead of being di- verted to Winehendon, and his labors were successful. The greater part of his life was spent in Baldwinville, and here his widow and sons still live.

Thomas Fisher was a farmer living midway between Baldwinville and Otter River. He was frequently chosen to serve the public in matters where good judgment and integrity were required, and was a prominent citizen in the earlier part of the century. His son, Dea. Charles T. Fisher, lived upon the same farm on which his father had dwelt, and likewise possessed the public confidence.

Col. Leonard Stone lived in what is now the village of Otter River, on the farm which his father, Capt. Leonard Stone, had occupied before him, and on which his sons have since dwelt. He possessed the public confidence in a high degree, serving for several years on the School Committee and the Board of Select- men. He was also for several years the representa- tive to the General Court. He took an active part in the contest for the location of the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad. He was an influential citi- zen, trusted and honored.

Capt. Samuel Dadman was another enterprising and influential citizen, engaged in the woolen manufac- turing business at Otter River. He was four times chosen as representative to the General Court, and received other marks of the public confidence.

Col. Ephraim Stone lived at Templeton Centre, and was for many years connected with mercantile busi- ness there on the site of what has generally been known as the " Brick Store." He was a man of great energy of character and activity in affairs, and was frequently chosen to positions of trust and responsi- bility.

John W. Stiles was, in the early part of the century, a merchant whose place of business was on the east side of the " Common." He is said to have been a man of much vigor and mental ability, and he cer- tainly took a deep interest in public affairs. He it was who composed the memorial sent by this town to the President of the United States in opposition to the War of 1812.

Col. Artemas Lee was for many years a leading mind in the business and political affairs of north- ern Worcester County. He was born in the neigh- boring town of Barre, November 2, 1793. He came to Templeton in 1810, in his seventeenth year, and for some time served as clerk in the store of John W. Stiles, who was then a merchant of prominence in this region. After some years be formed a partnership with Lipha French, and opened a store in the southerly part of the hotel building. This partnership was dissolved

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

in a few years, and he continued the business alone. In 1829 he erected the dwelling-house and store situ- ated at the southerly side of the Common, and now owned by Mr. Percival Blodgett. Here the main part of his life was spent. He kept a country store with all its great variety of goods. In later times various persons were associated with him in his mercantile affairs at this place of business. Lee, Harding & Jones, Lee & Lincoln, Lee & Wood, Lee & Gambell were the styles of successive firms. He engaged also in mercantile business in Baldwinville, in Athol aud in Gardner, having partners in each of these places. He was au earnest, enterprising business man, and met with success in his business pursuits.

Colonel Lee was always deeply interested in public affairs, and entered upon them with earnest zeal and abounding energy. He opposed the division of the town when that project was entered upon. Again and again it fell to his lot to oppose the division of Wor- cester County. It did not need a large number of such opponents as he was to defeat a measure. When it was proposed to change the location of the Ver- mont & Massachusetts Railroad, so that it would not pass through this town, he vigorously opposed the change, and was one of a committee of five appointed by the town, who labored earnestly and successfully in opposition to the change of location. He was first elected to the Legislature in 1832, serving in the House of Representatives for four consecutive years. He was again elected as Representative from this town in 1847, and also in 1861. He also served for three or four years in the Massachusetts Senate as a member from Worcester County. Senators were then chosen by the counties.

He was always deeply interested in the affairs of this town ; the numerous shade-trees upon the Com- mon bear testimony to one form of this interest. He was interested iu the militia of the State, realizing that emergencies might arise when their trained ser- vices might be essential to the public welfare. He ac- quired his title of colonel from having been com- mander of the local regiment of militia. Two of his sons lost their lives in the late Civil War. Colonel Lee was a man of uncommon intellectual vigor and force of character. His life was one of ceaseless activity in business and public affairs. He died in 1870.

If he could communicate his ideas to us, he would not consider this notice complete without some rec- ognition of her who for many years was his efficient counselor and helper. Mrs. Lee, whose married life began June 10, 1830, still lives in the city of Boston, furnishing a home to grandchildren whose father's life was given for his country.

John Boynton, Esq., spent his active business life in Templeton. Here he accumulated the fortune which enabled him to give ten thousand dollars for the benefit of the schools of his native town, Mason, N. H., and one hundred thousand dollars for found- ing the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He came

to this town in 1825, and began the manufacture of tinware, employing peddlers who traveled about the country and sold it or exchanged it for paper stock. The business increased in volume, and proved to be profitable. In 1830 the late David Whitcomb, Esq., of Worcester, came to live in this town, and became a partner with Mr. Boynton in the tin business. He here laid the foundations of a fortune which has enabled him in later years to bestow gifts to religious and charitable purposes to the amount of a full million of dollars. Mr. Whitcomb gave the money which con- stitutes our Library Fund, requesting that the library should be called the " Boynton Library." Mr. Boyn- ton was the first president of the Miller's River Bank at Athol. He was always thoroughly devoted to his business affairs, and gave le-s thought to other mat- ters. He died in 1867. Mr. Whitcomb removed to Worcester in 1854, and was engaged in business there until his death, in 1887.

John Bigelow held the office of town clerk for twelve consecutive years, beginning with 1823. He lived in the "Gilbert" house, and kept clocks, watches, and jewelry in a store which formerly stood on the site of Mr. Blodgett's store. His son, Joshua R. Bigelow, gained wealth in mercantile business in Boston, and pleasantly remembered his native town by the gift of the public clock which is in the tower of the Unitarian Church. Dexter Gilbert was a prominent citizen, who was postmaster for eight years, and held the office of town clerk for twelve years, consecutively, beginning with 1842. Rev. Gerard Bushnell was much trusted in the management of public affairs, having served for sixteen years as a member of the School Committee, for twenty-two years, beginning with 1854, as town clerk, and was, for one year, a representative to the General Court.

T. T. Greenwood was actively engaged in manufac- turing enterprises in East Templeton for more than forty years. In 1841 he began the manufacture of chair-seat frames. In 1849 he erected the present furniture-shop, and, taking Mr. F. L. Sargeant as a partner, they entered upon the manufacture of tubs, pails, churns and other wooden-ware. In 1860 they began the manufacture of pine and chestnut furniture. Mr. Sargeant retired in 1863, and, from that time until his death, Mr. Greenwood carried on the busi- ness alone, making additions to his factory and sup- plementing water-power with steam-power as his busi- ness increased. Mr. Greenwood was a pioneer in the utilization of the pith of the rattan. This pith was then regarded as waste merely, and burned in bonfires. He bought it of the American Rattan Company, of Fitchburg, and made it into baskets. It has since been turned to a great variety of uses.

In 1883, iu company with one of his soos, he established a store at West Gardner, for the sale of furniture at retail. Two of his sons continue the business at this store, and two others carry on the manufacturing operations at East Templeton.

J.J. Greenwood

R. A. Derley

Percival Blodgett

Isaac Bourne

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TEMPLETON.

In addition to his business enterprises, Mr. Green- wood was a public-spirited citizen, ever on the alert for improvements in the condition of his native village and town. He liberally assisted in the estab- lishment of a village library, in 1854, and of a public hall, in 1872. With others, he labored earnestly and effectively for the establishment of the village post- office, in 1866. He was foremost in urging the construction of the new road to West Gardner, and caused the preliminary surveys to be made chiefly at his own expense. With others he joined in an effort to secure the location of the Ware River Railroad through East Templeton.

He was interested in schools and public education. It was no uncommon thing for him to visit the schools. When the High School was established, in 1856, we find him among those who were earliest, laboring to secure such a result, and he ever main- tained a lively interest in its welfare.

The village of East Templeton was the scene of his life's labors. Here he was born, March 25, 1817, and here, on July 10, 1885, he died.

Charles A. Perley was born in Gardner, September 15, 1826, and died February 2, 1887. His life was mainly spent in the chair manufacturing business in the village of Baldwinville. After spending four years in the sontherly part of Winchendon, he came to this town in 1856 and engaged in the manufacture of chairs, as a member of the firm of Sawyer, Thompson & Perley, afterwards Thompson, Perley & Waite. This firm mannfactured a variety of cane- seat chairs and in later times large quantities of the child's folding chair, an ingenious contrivance for the comfort of children.

Mr. Perley was always active in promoting the business prosperity of the village in which he lived. He was the prime mover in the formation of the Baldwinville Mill Company, which erected a new shop on the site now occupied by Smitb, Day & Co. He had been for some years the president of the Templeton Savings Bank. He took an active part in the formation of the Memorial Church and the erec- tion of its church edifice. In 1885 he was the Repre- sentative from this district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

wbich he became president, and the Central National Bank. His latest business enterprise was the estab- lishment of the International Trust Company, of which he became president.

He served one term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and three terms in the State Senate, the last term after removing to Dorchester. He served at one time on the staff of Governor Banks as one of his aids. He was an active, enterprising and public-spirited citizen. He had accumulated wealth in his business and was liberal in contributing to religious and philanthropic enterprises.

Percival Blodgett spent his early years in North Orange, Mass., where he was born in 1841. He received his education in the public schools of his native town and at Andover Academy. He came to Templeton as a teacher in the public schools in 1861, and taught for several terms. He began his mercan- tile career in 1865, as a member of the firm of Dudley & Blodgett, whose place of business was at the "Brick store." From 1870 to the present time he has been in business alone, at the stand formerly owned and occupied by Colonel Lee. He became the owner of this establishment in 1877 and carries on here a prosperous business in the sale of various kinds of merchandise usually kept at a country store. Mr. Blodgett has for several years been one of the selectmen, has held the office of town treasurer for twelve years, and has been a member of the school committee for twenty years. He is chosen a repre- sentative to the Legislature of Massachusetts for the year 1889, from the Second Worcester County District.

Isaac Bourn is a native of Potton, Canada, having been born there November 24, 1821. He came to Templeton in 1845, working for wages for the first two years. He was engaged in the lumber business from 1847 to 1849, in company with Jonas Brown, and from the latter date until 1879 in company with John Brooks. He is at present senior partner in the firm of Bourn, Hadley & Company. They manufac- ture large quantities of pine, chestnut and ash fur- niture at their shop, near the Ware River Railroad station, and are also dealers in all kinds of lumber. Mr. Bonrn is still actively engaged in the business in which he has manifested so much energy and enter- prise.

Colonel Henry Smith was born in Shrewsbury, Vermont, in 1826 and died in Boston in 1881. He Some persons who were natives of Templeton have become conspicnous for their business capacity or philanthropic efforts in other fields. One such was George Partridge, who engaged in business in Saint Louis, Mo., was prosperous in his affairs and gave large sums for the benefit of Washington University in that city. Thomas White is extensively engaged in the manufacture and sale of the " White " sewing- machine, in Cleveland, Ohio. He began the business on a small scale in this town. The White family was one of the old and worthy families of this town and Phillipston. Moses W. Richardson leads an active married Abby Boynton Whitcomb, daughter of David Whitcomb, Esq., of Worcester. In 1849 he engaged in the manufacture of tin-ware in Templeton, in company with Mr. Whitcomb and continued the business in the later time in company with his brother, until 1865. Their traveling agents were accustomed to sell their tin-ware in various parts of New England. He was also interested in the same business with partners in Springfield, Lowell, Albany and New Haven. In 1865 he removed to Boston and engaged in the banking business, being instrumental in the establishment of the Home Savings Bank, of business life in the city of Boston, in which he has

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

been prosperous. His early life was spent here. He learned his first lessons of business affairs as clerk in the store of Colonel Lee. His name represents two families of prominence in this town. His grand- father, Moses Wright, was for ten years the town clerk, and three years a Representative to the Gen- eral Court. The Richardson family has ever been prominent in numbers and influence.

The first settlers of a town, with rugged hills completely covered with forests, must have been per- sons of vigor and steadfastness of purpose. Among the early inhabitants of this town there were men of more than ordinary ability and strength of character. They were also men of sterling integrity. They directed the currents of thought and action into good channels. The influence of such men extends be- yond the limit of their own lifetimes, frequently exerting a powerful influence on their successors. There has been in this town a permanence and sta- bility in its affairs which has greatly inured to the public benefit. Many things have worked together in the past to make the influence prevailing in a New England town a very favorable environment for the development and improvement of a human being. May it be long before these towns shall have lost the essential features which have been characteristic of the best of them !

CHAPTER XXV.

UXBRIDGE.

BY GEORGE W. HOBBS.

THIS town is beautifully located in the " Black- stone Valley," about twenty miles south from the city of Worcester.

On the west the gently-sloping hills are covered with the fine dwellings of its prosperous citizens, overlooking a diversified scenery of meadows, rivers, ponds and busy workshops. On the east the plains stretch out to the lofty Mendon hills, whose westerly slopes form the water-shed for the " West River," which furnishes the water-power for the " Wacan- tuck " and " Elmdale" Mills; while gently mean- dering through the valley, the "Blackstone" and " Mumford" Rivers beautify the plain and furnish the power for the numerous other mills which add to the business and prosperity of this lively and enter- prising town.

Its natural beauty, fine roads, excellent hotel, se- cluded drives and cool retreats make it a desired haven of rest for the numerous " summer boarders " who, in increasing numbers, annually make their pil- grimage hither. From the pleasant drive on " Lawler "" hill, just west of Main Street, away in the dim dis- tance,-thirty miles as the crow flies,-the blue peak

of old Wachusett can easily be seen on a fair day, and the view, once seen, is long remembered. From the opposite side of the town, on the hill near the residence of Mr. T. W. Giles, a bit of scenery is un- folded which has no equal even on the canvas of a Turner. As far as the eye can reach, the beautiful valley of the Blackstone is spread out in allits en- chanting loveliness. Here and there, above the ahun- dant foliage, rises the spire of some distant church ; the hillsides dotted with neat houses, green fields, teeming orchards, lowing herds ; handsome villas, cool groves, glimmering lakes; rivers looking like threads of silver, lofty hill-tops crowned with peren- nial pine, rich meadows fragrant with new-mown hay and golden-hued flowers; farms, villages, factories, tall chimneys, and all the concomitants of a thriving valley meet the eye and fill the mind with a never- tiring pleasure. The native to the manor born, as well as the stranger within its gates, pause upon this favored spot and involuntarily exclaim "How beau- tiful !"

A gentleman from Providence, while riding up this hill with the writer, exclaimed : "Stop! In all my travels at home or abroad, I never saw a finer scene than this. I would like to build a house right on this lot before us and have that view always before me." For an hour we lingered, and with a deep sigh, he took his leave with regret, saying: "I did not suppose there was so fine a view this side the White Mountains, and I don't believe your townspeople ap- preciate it as they ought."

The facility with which this town can be reached by the numerous trains upon that model railway, the " Providence and Worcester," causes such an influx of seekers after rest and ozone, that the hotel and boarding-houses are taxed to their utmost during the vacation season, and those who come one season are pretty sure to engage rooms for the next.

There are several mineral springs near the centre of the town, and the water furnished by the Uxbridge Water Company proves, upon analysis, to be ahout absolutely pure, being nearly equal to that of the famous Poland Springs, and pronounced by local physicians to be nearly as effectual in the cure of kidney and urinary troubles, At no distant day these springs will be appreciated, and a sanitarium will invite the health-seekers to come and be cured. Uxbridge ranks among the older towns of the county, having been incorporated three years before the county itself.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 57

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