History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 197

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 197

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In 1888 the local business carried on in Worcester was merged into a corporation, Mr. Wheelock desir- ing to he relieved of the local management, the better to enable a more extended development of the use- fulness of his inventions.

Several large steamers, having their engines con- structed on the Wheelock system-notably one of the Long Island Sound steamers, the "Connecticut," has engines of six thousand horse-power of the Wheelock system, while some of the largest manu- factories in the world are being operated by this system. Recently a two thousand horse-power engine was sent to India to operate a 100,000 spindle mill for an English house.

In politics, Mr. Wheelock acts with the Republican party. Although often urged to take an active part in public office, he has left that for others. Striving for his success in his chosen profession, he has not

been diverted by " pyrotechnics, " but, doing right for right's sake, with truth, sincerity and integrity, coupled with a firm reliance on a kind Providence for his religion, few people ever attain a more wide or enviable reputation.

STEPHEN SAWYER.

Stephen Sawyer, son of Alvin and Sarah (Newton) Sawyer, was born in Berlin, February 22, 1813. His childhood life was in a quiet family of a quiet coun- try town. He was the youngest of six brothers-all reared in industry and the common school. Two younger sisters settled in Worcester ; Mrs. Julius L. Clarke and Mrs. E. S. Brigham.

Stephen Sawyer was diligent in scholarship, and in early manhood took on him the responsibility of schoolmaster which he bore very creditably. Indus- tries of the farm and some mechanical labor gave him such support as satisfies many young men. He identified himself early in religious interests and the church of his fathers. In this he stood in company with a goodly number of other young men. Most of these cast in their lot with their fellow-townsmen. This outlook was not wide enough for the inherent business impulse of young Sawyer. The stir of mer- cantile life was more congenial to his inspirations, and more promising to his hopes. Against much sincere and earnest advice he chose to cast himself into " business life." That was the day when H. B. Claflin had inangurated a new order of business into the already vigorous blood of Worcester mer- chants. Sawyer's idcas of what a business life is, grew upon him. He found an opening in the live- liest house in Worcester County. Indeed, for life and energy, we might say, in the Commonwealth. Outsiders heard of it as "dosk." But its founda- tions were solid business principles. Worcester soon took knowledge of H. B. Claflin. The country did, finally. Mr. Sawyer obtained there a position which met his aspirations. When Mr. Claflin sought his wider field, Mr. Sawyer was retained as salesman in the succeeding firm, Hurdon, Hunt & Brown. The firm was soon reconstructed with Mr. Sawyer as partner, B. L. Hurdon & Company. In that firm Mr. Sawyer was well-known in all the heart of Worcester County. He stood on the same ground, as it were, from 1841 to 1856. At this date, through ill-health, he retired from active business; but in sympathy still with the life of the city.

After ten years respite and recuperation, his busi- ness trend led him into partnership with T. A. Clarke, and E. W. Ball, who bought the stock of crockery, china, glassware, paper-hangings, etc., of John Firth & Company, and rented the store they occupied in Flagg's Block. They soon out-grew their accommo. dations, and rented two large stores in Taylor's buildings. A few years more, and these premises were again too small, and with George Richardson included in the firm, and E. W. Bali retiring, they

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

rented the third store, their present place of business, 475, 480, 485 Main Street, Worcester.

Nogreater assurance of a high-minded and energetic business house can be given than constant increase of trade. Clarke, Sawyer & Co. occupy more tloor-room and transact a larger wholesale and retail trade than any other house of the kind in Massachusetts outside of Boston.

Increased public appreciation of Mr. Sawyer's in- tegrity and business talent is manifest in his heing chosen director in the Worcester Mechanics' National Bank, also in the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company, trustee in the Worcester Five-Cent Savings Bank and one of the aldermen of the city during the mayorship of Jillson, Pratt and Kelley, together with other important trusts. Starting in life without money or influential family friends, whatever success he has attained, is but one instance among many, showing the possibilities that are within the reach of every young man.

Mr. Sawyer's first marriage took from his native town one of the choicest young ladies of one of the best families, Lucy Fairbanks, daughter of Deacon Oliver Sawyer. Her very early death was a common grief. A second happy connection was formed in marriage, December 2, 1858, with Miss Mary W., daughter of Silas and Silence (Pierce) Bigelow, of Worcester. Mr. Sawyer has often very generously aided the church of his fathers.

HENRY SALEM PRATT.

The portrait accompanying this sketch presents the familiar features of an unassuming, respected and prosperous citizen of Worcester.

Henry S. Pratt, the senior member of The Ware- Pratt Co., is a successful business man whose claim to this title does not rest wholly upon the magnitude of the firm's business, or the amount of his private fortune.

His success, and a modest competence, have been fairly earned by the gradual processes of steady and intelligent application to business, courage and en- terprise in his methods, simple tastes and habits, and a keen sense of the value of a sound reputation for honesty and fair dealing. To summarize the stages of his business career, and to give the picture in out- line, we have, a country-bred boy at the age of twelve years at work bottoming boots with his father, in the summer, and attending the village school in winter until his seventeenth year. At seventeen, beginning life in Worcester, working for his board for several months in a retail shoe-store; later, employed in a dry-goods house for two years, and then finding his level and life-work as a salesman in the clothing trade. Ten years later a partner in the firm, and for the past twenty years the head and controlling spirit of one of the largest firms of manufacturing and re- tail clothiers in central Massachusetts. To lend a

touch of commercial romance to the picture, we add, that he counts among other substantial rewards, the ownership of the Hillcroft farm, a valuable suburban property, on which he has lately built a fine private residence, and the Chadwick building, one of the handsome, modern business blocks on Main street, which he built a few years ago on the same site where he resolutely began life in Worcester as a boy, working for his board in the retail shoe-store.

The record of the present firm of The Ware-Pratt Company begins with A. P. Ware & Co., one of the pioneers in the ready-made clothing trade of the city, with whom Henry S. Pratt begun as salesman in 1855.

In January, 1866, a branch firm, under the name of Ware & Pratt was formed, the management of which was entrusted to the junior partner, Mr. Pratt. At the end of three years the two firms, A. P. Ware & Co. and Ware & Pratt were consolidated under the name of Ware, Pratt & Co., Mr. Pratt assuming the burden of the active management of the then struggling enterprise. The new firm at once moved the business from the Paine block to the First Na- tional Bank building, incurring a heavy rental for the times, and began that year, 1869, the manufacture of clothing in connection with the retail trade.

In 1871 Mr. A. P. Ware retired from business and a new firm was formed under the same name, consist- ing of Henry S. Pratt, Edward T. Wardwell, and William W. Johnson, by whom the business was suc- cessfully continued for seven years, when Mr. John- son's interest was bought by Mr. Pratt and Mr. Ward- well.

On the death of Mr. Wardwell, in 1880, Mr. John- son returned to the firm, taking charge of the custom department, Mr. Pratt continuing to be the general manager of the large and steadily growing business.

January 1, 1888, a stock company was formed, and the business incorporated under the name of The Ware-Pratt Company, with William W. Johnson as president, Henry S. Pratt treasurer, and Charles E. Black as secretary, a part of the capital stock also being apportioned among the faithful salesmen and attaches of the house.

The firm manufactures the greater part of the ready-made clothing sold over its own counters, fur- nishing employment to a large force of workmen the year round.

At the age of fifty-three Mr. Pratt is still the active manager of the business and the undisputed possessor of a good name, which stands for business integrity, modest worth and an upright life wherever he is known among men. He has been, for several years, a director in the Citizens' National Bank.

Henry S. Pratt was born in Brookfield, Mass., No- vember 18, 1836, but was reared from infancy in Charlton, his father's native place, to which town the family returned the year of Henry's birth.

Salem Pratt, his father, married Sally Hobbs,

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WORCESTER.

the daughter of a well to do farmer of Sturbridge, Mass., by whom he had two sons and two daughters, Henry S. being the eldest.

Captain Joseph Pratt, the father of Salem, was an officer in the War of 1812, and his father was a full- blood Indian of Maine, whose copper-colored skin and long black hair were distinctly remembered by the third generation.

In politics Mr. Pratt's sympathies have always been strongly Republican, but political ambition was an element entirely foreigu to his nature, and his busi- ness cares have left him no time to cultivate this dis- quieting guest of a mind serene.

Mr. Pratt married, December 24, 1857, Melora Fletcher, of Worcester, and the Chadwick building derives its name from the maternal side of her family.

Both are adherents of the Unitarian faith, and share generously and helpfully in good works for humanity's sake. They have no children.

COLONEL FRED. W. WELLINGTON.

Colonel Fred. Williams Wellingtou, the youngest son of the late Timothy W. Wellington, of Worces- ter, and the great-grandson of Captain Timothy Wellington, of Lexington and Revolutionary fame, is the only representative of this once large family now living in this city.

Timothy W. Wellington, his father, removed, with his family, from Shirley, Mass., to Worcester in 1855, and was an honored aud exemplary citizen here until his death, on the 26th of August, 1884.

The record of T. W. Wellington's earnest, helpful and kindly life is still fresh in the memories of many of his fellow-townsmen who shared with him in the growth and prosperity of the city for nearly thirty years of his active citizenship.

As a fitting tribute to his memory, in these pages, we quote the following extract from an extended notice published in the Gazette on the day of his death :

[From the Worcester Evening Gazette, August 26, 1884.]

Timothy W. Wellington was an energetic, public-spirited man dur- ing his active life, and was engaged in almost every enterprise de- signed to develop Worcester or add to its credit. He served at various times as alderman and in the House of Representatives of the General Court, being while there a member of the Railroad Comoiittee, and one of its most useful members. He was for years a director in the First National Bank and the First National Fire Insurance Company, and a trustee of the People's Savings Bank. In all his business and public relations he was prompt and faithful, and his integrity was above re- proach. He was proud of his good name, and of the good opinion of men, which he enjoyed in a larger degree than falls to the share of most business men. He was intensely pat.iotic, and the fact that he was Lexington bora was always a source of great pride to him. At the cen- tequial of the battle of Lexington he manifested great interest and re- printed, at his own expense, an edition of Hon. Edward Everett's ora- tion at the dedicatiou of the monument to tha Revolutionary heroes there. He was intensely stirred at the outbreak of the war, and ex- erted himself to the utmost, not only to aid in the raising and forward- ing of troops, but in caring for them io the field and for their families at boma. His ample means were always held ready to aid soldiers, and he scattered money for them with a generous hand. All through the

war ha was working for the soldiers aod he made numerous trips to the front to care for Worcester soldiers, and on every occasion he was lavishı in his expenditure for their welfare. Two of his sons lont thair lives as soldiers,-one in Andersonville l'rison, -and another died from the effects of army life after his return home ; another also saw service in the navy. llis devotion to the soldiera continued after peace was declared, and Post 10, G. A. R., has many reasons to honor and bless his memory. He was among the first to enlist in the State Guard, the home-guard of the war, and was always eager to follow the flag and show his devotion to it. For several months he maintained, at bis owo expense, a private hospital for the care of soldiers on Mason street in this city.

Mr. Wellington was for many years very prominent in the Masonic fraternity. Ila took bis Blne Lodge degrees in Morning Star Lodge, in this city, in 1857; was a charter member of Montacute Lodge, 1858, and of Athelstau Lodge, 1865. Ile was also a member of Wor- cester Royal Arch Chapter, of Worcester County Commandery of Kuights Templar, of the Lodge of Perfection of the Scottish Rite, a charter member of Lawrence Chapter Rose Croix, and of Goddard Council, Princes of Jerusalem, and a member of Boston Consistory, 32º. He was an honorary member of his lodge, chapter and temple at the time of his death. For many years he was Treasurer of the directors of the Masouic Fraternity here, and was one of the three who presented the great chandelier in the Templar rooms in the Ma- sonic Hall. Mr. Wellington was a zealous and public-spirited citizen, a generous friend, a kind neighbor and a man whose charity found numberless channels for its bestowment of which the public never knew. His hand and his heart were always open, and his memory will be cherished by very many who have had reasons to bless and honor him. His death will leave au impression on miany hearts not easily effaced.

Col. Fred. W. Wellington, the son, whose portrait is given in this volume, was born in Shirley, Mass., May 31, 1851, and is the proprietor of the large wholesale and retail coal business, built up under his own management during the last twelve years, and known as the firm of Fred. W. Wellington & Co.

Brought to Worcester when a child of four years, he began his education in the public schools of the city, and with the exception of two years spent in the schools of Germany and France and one year's absence in California, his life bas been spent here.

He began his business life at the age of seventeen years as book-keeper in the First National Bank of Worcester, from June, 1868, to October, 1869, when he entered his father's coal-office, taking charge of T. W. Wellington & Co.'s Southbridge Street coal- yards. In November, 1871, he went to California, but returned the following June to enter the reorga- nized firm of T. W. Wellington & Co.

He withdrew from this firm in 1874 and became as- sociated with J. S. Rogers & Co., in the retail coal trade for a year, and in 1875 he formed a partnership with J. S. Rogers and A. A. Goodell, under the same name, for the purpose of conducting a strictly whole- sale trade in coal.

In 1876 this firm was changed to A. A. Goodell & Co., J. S. Rogers retiring, and in 1878 Col. Welling- ton withdrew from this partnership and bought the new Hammond Street yard, and began the wholesale and retail coal business on his own account. The following year the two firms were merged in one, under the name of Fred. W. Wellington & Co., Col. Wellington being the sole owner of the present large and growing business, with extensive yards on Hammond Street.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Colonel Wellington has been an active member of the State militia since March 27, 1882, when he was commissioned second lieutenant of Battery B, Mass. Light Artillery, Unattached. January 22, 1883, he was promoted to be first lieutenant, and to the cap- taincy and command of the battery September 29, 1884, and under his efficient leadership the corps maintained high rank in the State service. In Janu- ary, 1887, he was promoted to be assistant inspector- general on the staff of the commander-in-chief, Gov- ernor Oliver Ames, with rank of colonel, which posi- tion he still holds.

The military instinct is a family inheritance, dat- ing back to Captain Timothy and Benjamin Welling- ton, both of whom were members of Captain Parker's company at the battle of Lexington, Benjamin being the first prisoner of the Revolution, having been cap- tured by the Kings's troops early on that eventful morning, but later rejoined the company. Captain Timothy Wellington, the direct ancestor of this branch of the Wellington family, was a descendant of Roger Wellington, one of the proprietors of Wa- tertown in 1609, who later removed to Boston.

Four brothers of Col. Fred. W. were in active ser- vice on the Union side during the Civil War, two of whom gave their lives for the cause. The same patriotic ardor which inspired them, and made him the drummer-boy of the State Guards, First Com- pany, from 1861 to 1865, would donbtless have led him to distinction, or a soldier's grave, on the bat- tle-fields of the Rebellion had he been born a few years earlier.

Col. Wellington has also been somewhat active in politics, and took a prominent part in the memorable Tenth Congressional District contest between two factions of the Republican party in 1887. He was a member of the executive committee of the Republi- can State Committee for two years (1887-88) ; chair- man of the Fourth Republican Senatorial Committee for the same years ; and secretary of the Tenth Re- publican Congressional District Committee from September, 1886, to September, 1888.

In the Masonic order he is a member of the thirty- second degree Massachusetts Consistory, Scottish Rite, and Worcester County Commandery, Knights Templar.

Fred. Williams Wellington married, September 4, 1883, Lydia A., widow of General Ar.hur A. Goodell, formerly colonel of the Thirty-sixth Massachusetts Volunteers.

SUMNER PRATT.

The family of Mr. Pratt was of English descent. His father, Elias Pratt, Jr., was a farmer in Oxford, Worcester County. His grandfather, Elias Pratt, com- manded a company of militia during the Revolution, remaining in service till the close of the war. His mother was Sally Conant, a daughter of Dr. Ezra Conant, of Oxford, and a lineal descendant of Roger

Conant, often spoken of as the first Colonial Governor of Massachusetts.

Sumner Pratt, the subject of this sketch, was born in Oxford on the 30th of September, 1809. His edu -. cation was obtained in the common schools of that day, where, it will be borne in mind, the discipline was of a severely practical kind, little of the specula- tive or ideal then being countenanced.

When he was about eight years old the family re- moved to Sutton, in which place, upon coming of age, he commenced his prosperous business career. In 1844 he removed to Worcester, where he established the business of equipping cotton and woolen-mills with machinery and supplies, in which he was emi- nently successful.

. Worcester was long years in attaining the position it now occupies. And the extended business life of Mr. Pratt enabled him to follow the city's development from a secondary town to its present commanding position-a development in which he acted a no inconsiderable part.

Without entering into the details of Mr. Pratt's business life, let it simply be said that his career was marked by industry, integrity and sound judgment- qualifications that never fail of suitable recompense in the world of trade. He was ever prompt in fulfilling engagements, even those deemed of trivial import, and methodical in all his ways. To an eminent de- gree he enjoyed the reputation of being a reliable man, and that means a great deal.

But aside from his business relations, Mr. Pratt was held in high esteem for his graces of character ; for his high sense of the duty of man to man, and his constant endeavor to exemplify the same in his own conduct ; for the uniform courtesy towards all classes that marks the true gentleman ; and above all, for his truly Christian principles.

Sumner Pratt was not much in what is called public life, for he was of a somewhat retiring disposition. He was a member of the Common Council some three or four years, and served as alderman two years ; was a trustee of the Worcester County Institution for Savings, and vice-president of the People's Savings Bank ; a director of the Worcester Safe Deposit and Trust Company, and at one period president of the Board of Trade.

In politics he was an adherent of the present Re- publican party, in which he became enrolled from the old Whig party. But though his principles were well defined, he avoided their enforcement in any offensive way; and not aspiring to official position, was usually content that his vote alone should quietly proclaim his affiliation.

Sumner Pratt was twice married. His first wife, whom he married May 19, 1836, was Serena, daughter of Caleb Chase, of Sutton. By her he had two chil- dren, Frederick Sumner and Emma Amanda, both now living. His second wife, whom he married Au- I gust 5, 1850, was Abby Curtis, daughter of Ebenezer

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WORCESTER.

Read, of Worcester. By her he had one child, Ed- ward Read, who died in 1880.

At the time of his decease, January 6, 1887, Mr. Pratt was a few months above seventy-seven years of age, and his unexpected death sent a thrill through the community seldom witnessed. In the words of the litany of the church he loved, he had long been accustomed to pray that from sudden death he might be delivered; and his prayer was answered; for death is never sudden to one who, like him, is always pre- pared. Yet, in another sense, his death was sudden, almost instantaneous, the fatal attack being paralysis of the heart.

Mr. Pratt was a man of deep religious feeling and an exemplary member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He long and faithfully served as warden and vestryman in All Saints' Church, and liberally contributed to the maintenance of the form of wor- ship in which he delighted. And it was from that consecrated edifice that his remains were borne to their last resting-place. The attendance at the fun- eral services-which were, of course, after the appoint- ed order of the church-was large and embraced many of the most prominent citizens, as well as a large concourse of relatives and sympathizing friends. The Rev. Dr. William R. Huntington contributed for publication a brief and touching eulogy, a portion of which may appropriately conclude this sketch : " Sum- ner Pratt was a representative man of whom the city of Worcester had reason to be proud. Integrity was written in the lineaments of his face, and his name, wherever known, carried a great weight of confidence. He had, also, the prestige which comes of an attractive manner. There was more cordiality in the grasp of his hand than could have been easily put into a sentence. The business which he chose, or, to speak more accurately, which he called into existence,- for the very idea of it is believed to have originated with him,- was one that demanded unflagging per- sonal supervision, and the demand was fully met. In- dustry he carried almost to excess. For the greater number of his active days he probably worked twice as many hours as our labor reformers think ought to be accounted lawtil, and yet he throve under it, both in body and mind. His immense correspondence, which he conducted for the most part unaided, proved a sort of education in itself; and he acquired a readiness of expression and clearness of style that would have done credit to a trained scholar. Perhaps his finest trait was his genuine humbleness of heart. There was not a shred of vanity about him, but, on the con- trary, a singular capacity of reverence. This dispo- sition, rare enough under any circumstances, is pecu- liarly infrequent in the case of 'self-made men.' As a rule they are spoilt in the making. But Sumner Pratt, though self-made, was as far as possible from being self-conceited. He habitually esteemed others better than himself, often doing so in cases where the impartial observer was of a different mind. Both

as citizen and as churchman, he has left behind him that best heritage, a blameless reputation. Young men who are gazing doubtfully at their lives, and wondering what they are likely to make of them, will do well to look and see what Sumner Pratt made of his."

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 197

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1464

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464