History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 69

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 69

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Ashburnham became a post-town in 1811, and from that date a post-office has been continuously main- tained at the central village. Since 1850 there has been a post-office at or near the depot for the accom- modation of South Ashburnham. The post-office at North Ashburnham was established iu 1854.

The First National Bank of Ashburnham was organized in 1873. Under conservative and ju- dicious management, it has been successful. The population of the town in 1885 was two thousand and fifty-eight; in 1855 the population was two thousand two hundred and eleven, and this number

has not been exceeded by any enumeration of the inhabitants. In May, 1887, the number of ratable polls was five hundred and fifty-five, the assessed value of real estate was eight hundred and eighteen thousand eight hundred and ninety-four dollars, and of personal estate one hundred and seventy-four thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight dollars. The rate of taxation was sixteen dollars per one thousand dollars.

PERSONAL NOTICES .- Many useful citizens who have been prominent in municipal affairs, and whose 1 lives refresh and enliven the annals of Ashburnbam, the greater number of natives of the town who have won an honorable measure of fame in other fields of labor and the descendants of many of the Ashburn- ham families distinguished in many callings will receive notice, and their good works will constitute a part of any present or future review of the town.

Samuel Wilder, Esq., was a resident of the town at the date of incorporation. Until his death his career was coeval with the town. A man of good judgment and of marked ability, he received a continnous measure of honor from his townsmen, to whose ser- vice a great part of his life was devoted. Mr. Wilder was a captain of the militia, a magistrate many years, a deacon of the church, and several years a member of the Legislature. He was town clerk twenty-two years, a selectman fifteen years, an assessor twenty years and frequently was chosen on important commit- tees. The current records during the years of his useful life assert the merited esteem of his associates and an appreciation of superior mental endowment. He was the son of Colonel Caleb Wilder, a prominent proprietor of Dorchester Canada. He was born in Lancaster, May 7, 1729, and died in this town, May 9, 1798. Among his children were Caleb Wilder, a noted school-teacher in this town ; Thomas Wilder, a respected citizen of Ware; Dr. Abel Wilder, a dis- tinguished physician of Blackstone. Hon. A. Car- ter Wilder, son of Dr. Abel Wilder and grandson of our Samuel Wilder, was a member of the Thirty- eighth Congress from Kansas, and subsequently mayor of the city of Rochester, N. Y. Hon. D. Webster Wilder, another son of Dr. Abel Wilder, is an accomplished journalist and many years State auditor of Kansas. Dr. Charles Woodward Wilder, an esteemed citizen and physician of Templeton and Leominster, was a son of Caleb Wilder, Jr., and a nephew of Samuel Wilder.

Colonel Joseph Jewett, son of Edward Jewett, was born in Stow, May 10, 1761. He was a soldier in the Revolution, and at the close of the war he removed to Ashburnham. Like many of the active men of his time, his energies were enlisted in a variety of pur- suits. Colonel Jewett was prominent in military af- fairs, was a merchant, a farmer, a dealer in cattle and lands, and succeeding Mr. Wilder, he was the squire or magistrate. He represented the town in the Leg- islature eight years, was a selectman fifteen years, an

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assessor fifteen years, and was ten times chosen to preside over the annual March meeting. He died May 3, 1846. His son, General Ivers Jewett, born in this town May 7, 1788, was a gentleman of ability, of attractive personal appearance, tall and commanding in presence and popular and esteemed by his associ- ates. At the age of thirty-four years he had been promoted step by step from the command of the Ash- burnham Light Infantry to the rank of general of the State Militia. Few men in a rural community have been equally honored or more widely known. In 1827 he removed to Fitchburg and was there interested in several business enterprises, some of which were not wholly fortunate for him and his business associates. Subsequently he removed to the South and died at Mobile, Ala., April 26, 1871. Rev. Merrick Augustus Jewett, another son of Colonel Joseph Jewett, was born in this town August 26, 1798, was a graduate of Dartmouth College, 1823, and subsequently an able Congregational minister at Terre Haute, Ind. He died April 3, 1874.

Jacob Willard, Esq., was a prominent citizen in this town many years. He was cotemporaneons with Deacon Wilder and Colonel Jewett and divided hon- ors with them. He was bold and aggressive, and his loyalty during the Revolution and the troubles attend- ing the open revolt of Daniel Shays was conspicuous. He was the first Representative to the State Legisla- ture under the Constitution, and four subsequent terms. He was frequently elected to town office and other positions of trust, and exercised at all times a com- manding influence. He was a son of Henry Willard, and was born in Harvard July 20, 1734, and removed to this town about 1768, where he died February 22, 1808. His daughter Emma, born December 18, 1777, married Rev. Thomas Skelton, and died November 3, 1881, aged nearly one hundred and four years.

Silas Willard, Esq., son of Deacon John Willard, and a nephew of Jacob Willard, Esq., was born in this town October 8, 1768, where he died June 14, 1855. He was a selectman and an assessor twenty years; delegate to the Constitutional Convention, 1820; a magistrate twenty-eight years and promi- nently associated with the affairs of his time.

Rev. Elijah Willard, a brother of Silas Willard, Esq., was born in this town April 19, 1782, was a Methodist clergyman and died at Saugus September 5,1852.

John Adams was born in Cambridge (now Arling- ton), January 22, 1745. He was a son of Captain Thomas Adams, who removed to this town late in life. The son, John Adams, settled in the east part of the town, 1766. He was a soldier in the Rev- olution and subsequently was considerably employed in municipal affairs. He was an intelligent, active man and was held in high esteem by his townsmen. He died with faculties unimpaired February 26, 1849, aged one hundred and four years, one month and four days. His descendants are numerous in this

town and elsewhere, and are an industrious, active race. Amos Adams, a son of Jonas R. Adams, and a grandson of John Adams, was a successful lawyer in Chicago, III., and subsequently was a judge in Cali- fornia. Samuel G. Adams, the popular and able superintendent of police of the city of Boston ; Ivers W. Adams, formerly a successful merchant of Boston and now general manager of the American Net and Twine Company ; and Melvin O. Adams, a successful lawyer of Boston and several years assistant district attorney for the district of Suffolk, through different lines of descent are great-grandsons of John Adams, the centenarian.

Dr. Abraham Lowe, son of Jonathan Lowe, was born in Ipswich (now Essex), February 11, 1755. In his infancy the family removed to Lunenburg. He read for his profession under the tuition of Dr. Abra- ham Haskell, of Lunenburg, and came to this town, 1786. He was a skillful physician and a useful and honored citizen. He died October 23, 1824. Dr. Abraham Thompson Lowe, son of Dr. Abraham Lowe, was born in this town August 15, 1796; grad- uated at Dartmouth Medical College, and after a few years of professional labor in this town he removed to Boston, 1825, where he was engaged in the whole- sale drug trade many years. He was prominently connected with several railroad corporations and monetary institutions. He was the author of several school-books of good repute. He died July 4, 1888.

William J., George and Edward W. Cutler, of the firm of Cutler Brothers, wholesale druggists of Bos- ton ; Abraham L. Cutler, of the firm of A. L. Cutler & Co., paints and oils, Boston; and Charles H. Cutler, of Chicago, Ill., are sons of Dr. William H. Cutler, an esteemed physician and citizen of this town, and maternal grandsons of Dr. Abraham Lowe.

John Conn, son of a Scotch-Irish immigrant, was born in Harvard, 1740, and removed in early life to this town. He was a lieutenant in the Revolution and was a prominent citizen of the town. His son, John, and grandson, John Conn, Jr., were men of character and ability in this town. 'Susannah, a daughter of John Conn, Sr., married David Wallace. They are the grandparents of Hon. Rodney Wallace, of Fitchburg.

Deacon Jacob Harris, a native of Ipswich and a former resident of Harvard, removed to Ashburnbam, 1767. He was a selectman, and for fifteen years an assessor, a deacon of the church and a conservative, useful citizen. He died September 26, 1826. His son, Rev. Samuel Harris, was a Congregational min- ister and labored in Alstead, New Boston and Wind- ham, N. H., where he died September 5, 1848.

Jacob Constantine, a son of German immigrants, born 1752, was a good citizen and a Revolutionary soldier. He died March 8, 1814. Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Fuller, of Vermont, is a great-grandson.

Capt. David Cushing and his brother, George R. Cushing, Esq., were natives of Hingham, were prom-

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inent factors in the business and municipal affairs of this town. The former died May 3, 1827, and the latter February 2, 1851. Joseph Cushing, son of Capt. David, established the Farmers' Cabinet of Amherst, N. H., and with him Hon. Isaac Hill learned the art of printing. In 1809 he removed to Baltimore, Md. He was a member of the city government many years and member of the Legislature. Joseph Cushing, a prominent business man of Fitchburg, is a grandson of Capt. David Cushing.

Stephen Cushing, remotely related to the preced- ing family, removed to Ashburnham, 1830. He was a man of exalted character, and in many capacities faithfully served his townsmen. Rev. Stephen Cush- ing, his son, born March 13, 1813, has been a success- ful preacher and officer of the Methodist Conference.

Col. Enoch Whitmore, son of Isaac Whitmore, was born in this town September 8, 1796. He was a farmer and manufacturer. He was a man of clear con- victions and decided opinions, a radical, but not a fanatic. In politics he was an Abolitionist, and for many years his well-known opinions were a bar to political preferment, and yet, while in a minority, his worth and recognized ability secured a frequent elec- tion to office. Living until his views were endorsed and accepted by a large majority of his townsmen, he died September 13. 1860.

Jerome W. Foster, son of Joel Foster, and a de- scendant in the fourth generation of Jeremiah Foster, an early settler in this town, was born September 15, 1810. He was a civil engineer, a justice of the peace, and often employed in the conduct of town affairs. He was town clerk eighteen years, and in all his faithful service to the town he was aided by good judgment and ability.

Capt. Silas Whitney, son of Samuel Whitney, was born in Westminster October 20, 1752. He removed to this town, 1778, and became the most extensive land-holder in the town. He was an active citizen and influential in town affairs. He died November 14, 1798. His descendants are numerous. Ohio Whit- ney, son of Capt. Silas Whitney, born March 22, 1789, was a man of ability and great force of character. Af- fable in manner, upright in character and honorable in all his relations with his townsmen, he commanded the respect and esteem of all. He died March 3, 1870. Hon. Ohio Whitney, son of Ohio Whitney, born June 9, 1813, was much employed in municipal and State affairs. He was a selectman and an assessor many years and a moderator of the annual March meeting eighteen years. He was a trustee of several monetary institutions and a director of the First National Bank of Ashburnham. In 1856 he represented this district in the Legislature, and the following year he was a member of the State Senate. He died February 6, 1879. Francis A. Whitney, Esq., a brother of Hon. Ohio Whitney, born in this town August 2, 1823, died April 28th, 1887. He was a successful school-teacher, many years a member of the School Committee, -elect-

man and assessor. He was a public-spirited, useful citizen. Milton Whitney, E-q., son of Capt. Silas Whitney, Jr., and a grandson of Capt. Silas Whitney, was born in this town October 9, 1823. He was an eminent lawyer and several years a connty attorney of Baltimore, Md. He was a brilliant advocate, and won many lanrels in his profession. He died Septem- ber 3, 1875. Rev. William Whitney, son of William Whitney and grandson of Capt. Silas Whitney, was born in this town July 22, 1829. He resides at Gran- ville, Ohio, and for many years was financial agent of Dennison University and treasurer of the Baptist Educational Society. Rev. Quincy Whitney, of Cam- bridge, is a son of Samuel Whitney and a grandson of Capt. Silas Whitney.

Hon. Isaac Hill, a distinguished journalist, Gov- ernor of New Hampshire, Comptroller of the Treas- ury and United States Senator, was a well-remembered youth of this town, being nine years of age when the family removed hither. His younger brothers, George W. and Horatio Hill, were born in this town.

Hon. Phinehas Randall was born in Ashburnham, June 5, 1787, and resided here until he began his col- legiate study. He was a lawyer, and for several years a presiding judge of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, N. Y. Hon. Alexander W. Randall, Gov- ernor of Wisconsin, member of President Grant's cabinet and Minister to Rome, and Hon. Edwin M. Randall, chief justice of Florida, are sons of Hon. Phin has Randall.

General Harrison C. Hobart, an eminent lawyer of Wisconsin, was born in this town January 31, 1815. He won a brilliant record in the War of the Rebel- lion, and has exercised a commanding influence in civil and political affairs.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOHN AND ELINOR WHITNEY.

John and Elinor Whitney, the emigrant ancestors of a numerous family, sailed from England in the " Elizabeth and Ann," Roger Cooper, master, in April, 1635. At this date he was aged thirty-five, and his wife thirty years. He settled in Watertown, wl.ere he became a considerable landholder, and was admitted freeman March 3, 1635-6. He was a select- man eighteen successive years, and his name is con- spicnous in the records of his time. He died June 1, 1673; his wife, Elinor, died May 11, 1659.

John, eldest son of John and Elinor Whitney, was born in England, 1624; admitted freeman, 1647. He married Ruth Reynolds, danghter of Robert Reynolds, of Boston, and resided in Watertown. He was a selectman several years, and a prominent citizen. He died October 12, 1692, leaving five sons and five daughters.

Nathaniel, son of John and Ruth (Reynolds) Whitney, was born in Watertown, February 1, 1646-7.

Facturanie Derwelt. m.2

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He married, March 12, 1673-4, Sarah Hagar, born September 3, 1751, daughter of William and Mary (Bemis) Hagar, of Watertown. His homestead was . included in Weston, where he died January 7, 1732-3; his widow died May 7, 1746.

William, third of the seven children of Nathaniel and Sarah (Hagar) Whitney, was born May 6, 1683, aud resided in Weston. He married, May 17, 1706, Martha Peirce, born December 24, 1681, daughter of Joseph and Martha Peirce, of Watertown. He died January 24, 1720-1.

Samnel Whitney, son of William and Martha (Peirce) Whitney, was born in Weston May 23, 1719. He married, October 20, 1741, Abigail Fletcher, and was one of the early settlers of Westminster, and is a prominent character in the annals of that town. He died January 1, 1782. Capt. Silas Whitney, of Asb- burnham, was a son of these parents.

Abner, son of Samuel and Abigail (Fletcher) Whit- ney, was born in Westminster May 18, 1748. He married, May 14, 1770, Elizabeth Glazier, daughter of Jonas and Eunice (Newton) Glazier, of Shrewsbury, who died April 3, 1778; he married (2d), April 22, 1779, her sister, Levina (Glazier) Ward, widow of Jonas Ward. He died in Westminster, 1811.

Joseph G., son of Abner and Levina Whitney, was born June 22, 1783. He married, 1805, Levina Dunn, and resided in Westminster and in Ashburnham, where he died July 31, 1868.

John, son of Joseph G. and Levina (Dunn) Whitney, was born in Westminster September 12, 1806. He was a pioneer manufacturer of chairs in Westminster and in Ashburnham. He was a man of ability and character, commanding the respect and confidence of his associates. He died May 4, 1873. His wife, whom he married May 9, 1832, was Eliza Cushing, daughter of Stephen Cushing, Esq., a prominent citizen of Ashburnham. She died September 1, 1882.

WILBUR F. WHITNEY.

Wilbur Fisk Whitney, son of John and Eliza (Cushing) Whitney, and of the ninth generation in America, was born December 9, 1839, and from early manhood has been closely identified with the material interests of this town. From an industrial standpoint the town of Ashburnham occupies a prominent position among the manufacturing towns of the State. Here the manufacture of chairs was an early, and through later years remains an impor- tant industry. While the Winchesters and their successors have been conducting an extensive busi- ness at the centre of the town, Mr. Whitney, in his chosen field at South Ashburnham, from a humble beginning, has enlarged his facilities from year to year, and at present is at the head of a more exten- sive business than is owned and conducted by any single individual in this line of mannfacture. His monthly pay-roll, distributed among 250 employés, is

$9000, and the annual product of the manufacture includes 380,000 chairs, valned at wholesale at $350,000. Much of the labor-saving machinery is special, and is covered by patents. The chairs made by Mr. Whitney are the modern styles of cane-seat and a great variety of rattan chairs. The designs and styles are original, and frequently change to meet the demands of the trade. In mechanical skill, in ability to personally supervise all the minute details of an extensive business, and in a prompt and clear comprehension of the growing demands of the trade, Mr. Whitney has advanced to a prominent position among the manufacturers of the present time. While his success in business has been founded on industry, perseverance and the fortui- tous issue of well-matured plans, his honesty and ready appreciation of the rights of others have been important factors. He has continually maintained fraternal relations with his employés, and has had no experience with strikes nor contests with labor or- ganizations. With the spirit of a good citizen, his success has been reflected in the growth and pros- perity of the town, and he has ever manifested a lively interest in local and in municipal affairs. In this direction his effort has been the fruit of principle and the thoughtful act of method and wisdom rather than the sudden and fittul offering of a gen- erous impulse. For many years, with system and exactness, ten per cent. of his annual income has been given to religious and charitable objects, and, with a liberality of sentiment characteristic of the donor, no one sect or class has been the sole recip- ient.

With the experience of years Mr. Whitney has joined the fruit of an attentive study of the social and political problems of the times. His conclusions are intelligently formed, and his judgment of men and of measures is free from partiality and preju- dice. In debate he is apt and logical, and if he is decided in his opinions, he is tolerant in judging of the faith and charitable in weighing the conduct of others. His political opinions have been pronounced but conservative. He has not been closely allied with any party, but his political faith has embraced the purposes of good government, and has been un- restrained by the school of politics. In his daily life he has seldom wounded or disappointed his friends, and he has cultivated no enmities. His sympathies, quick and steadfast, lead him to the presence of the wronged and the suffering, and guid- ed by principle, his ministrations to his fellow-men are ever kind and substantial. In business and in social affairs he has challenged the respect and good opinion of all who know him. His merit has won, and his future will enjoy, the friendship and confi- dence of his associates. In the personal supervision of an important industry, Mr. Whitney has found full employment, yet he has been an efficient mem- ber of the School Committee many years, and has

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labored in this work with unfailing interest. He is a director of the Ashburnham National Bank and of the Nashua Reservoir Company. In 1875 he repre- sented this district in the Legislature. In 1878 he was nominated for Congress by the Greenback party and by a convention of Independents. In the can- vass he received seven thousand votes. He was renominated in 1882 and 1884. In 1876 and 1877 he was nominated for State treasurer, and in several instances his candidacy was endorsed by the Prohi- bitionists.

Mr. Whitney is still in the prime of life, and this brief sketch is but the beginning of a completed chapter. Men of his temperament and character summon energy and wisdom with, advancing years.

In his domestic relations Mr. Whitney has been fortunate and happy. He was united in marriage, July 17, 1866, to Miss Emeline S. Jewell, daughter of Dexter and Sarah (Mower) Jewell, of Rindge, N. H. Their eldest child, and only son, a lad of great promise and universally beloved, died at the age of fifteen years. Four bright and sunny daugh- ters, from five to fifteen years of age, bring light and gladness to a happy fireside.

DR. NATHANIEL JEWETT.

Dr. Nathaniel Jewett, the subject of this sketch, was born in Boston, March 10, 1841, and was edu- cated in the public schools of that city. He afterwards pursued a course of professional studies under pri- vate tutors.

He graduated with honors from the Boston Dental School in 1869, and from the New York Eclectic Col- lege in 1871, having attended also, lectures in Har- vard Medical College, and at the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, New York.

He has been president of the Worcester North Eclectic Medical Society, and for many years secre- tary and treasurer ; also president and counselor of the Massachusetts Eclectic Medical Society, and a member of the National Medical Association.

Through his mother's active interest and sympathy in charitable organizations and reforms during the early years of his life in Boston, his naturally sym- pathetic and generous qualities were early enlisted in efforts to aid the unfortunate.

Dr. Jewett came to Ashburnham and commenced the practice of medicine in 1871. Of the eighteen physicians who have practiced here, none have been more constantly or successfully employed. Many serious cases have been under his treatment calling for surgical skill and patient care. With much me- chanical ability, and quick to feel for all who suffer, he has been very successful and ingenious in devising mechanical appliances and aids, and inventing means for the comfort and convenience of his patients.

He also possesses the qualities of a good nurse, and with much magnetic power, his presence is always

welcome in the sick-room, where so much depends on gentleness and encouraging words. Many a family have looked to him as a support in the hour of sor- row, and found him ever ready to aid when the last rites of affection are needed for the dead.

Dr. Jewett is social in his nature, ardent, generous and loyal in his friendships, and keenly sensitive to disloyalty or broken faith in those he has trusted. In his tastes he is very artistic, and music is one of his greatest pleasures. Fond of books and study, he has accumulated a large library of medical, scientific and other works.

When contributions or personal efforts are called for in aid of town, church or social movements, he is always generous in response.

With a large share of the trials, discouragements and constant requisitions upon a physician's life, he has always been faithful in filial duties. To his mother, who was long an invalid, he gave.the best of his care and life, freely relinquishing all that would prevent him from ministering to her needs, and faith- fully attending her until her death here, in 1887.

The doctor haslong been connected with Masonic orders, active and enthusiastic in interest for all that . concerned the fraternity. He has held various posi- tions, and is one of the Past Commanders of Jeru- salem Commandery, Fitchburg; also a member of the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and is a thirty-second degree Mason. He has also held offices in various other secret orders.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

FITCHBURG.

BY ATHERTON P. MASON, A.B. (HARV.), M.D. (HARV.).

[Latitude, 42° 35' N. ; longitude, 71º 47' IV. ; direction and distance from Boston, W. N. W., 47 miles ; altitude of top step of City Hall above sea level, 470 feet.]

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 69

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