History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 32

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 32

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Learning of an opening in the village harness-shop for a boy, his guardian advised him to enter as an apprentice, but this employment not heing entirely agreeable to his tastes, he sought the advice of his uncle, Harvey Dresser, and of Moses Plimpton, Esq., who was then the agent of the Columbian Mannfactor- ing Company, engaged in the manufacture of cotton sheetings. Mr. Plimpton recommended his hecoming a manufacturer, whereupon an engagement was en- tered into, the remuneration to be forty dollars per year and board. The price for board was one dollar and twenty-five cents per week and all lost time at the mill was deducted at the rate of forty dollars per annum, while there was no deduction for board. His initiatory apprenticeship was in the repair-shop of the company, in charge of an English mechanic, whose motto was "learn to do work well, after which do all you can."

After serving one year in the machine-shop, he was employed, in turn, in every department of the mill, learning to card, spin and weave. During these years of service, to strengthen his finances, he worked at night by moon and lamp-light, carrying in and packing wood, at eight cents per cord, and fold-

ing and packing cloth. Oftentimes the midnight hour would find him hard at work.

Feeling that he was yet deficient in the mathemat- ical education necessary for a thorough knowledge of the business which he had chosen, he attended school for three months during two winters, and devoted all his leisure time during his apprenticeship to the study of those problems which he had to solve and in the improvement of liis handwriting. When the " financial crisis " of 1837 came, the mill was stopped during a part of that year, and he worked at farming through the summer, and took a position late in the fall as overseer of the warp-spinning, when the mill resnmed operation. Being anxious to gain a more thorough knowledge of the weaving of cotton fabrics than the facilities of the small weaving-room at this mill afforded, the following spring he obtained a sit- uation in the weaving department in charge of Nel- son Drake, at the Fiskdale Mills.

" What wages do you expect?" asked Mr. Drake. " Give me whatever you think I am worth; I am not seeking wages, but a knowledge of the business in all its details," was the reply. So acceptahly did he perform his duties that his wages were constantly in- creased while he remained in this department. In the spring of 1840 he entered the company's count- ing-room to obtain a knowledge of mercantile, manu- facturing and double entry hook-keeping, under the instruction of Avery P. Taylor. His career as man- ager began in September, 1840, when he was en- gaged to take charge of a mill of four thousand spin- dles at Swift Creek, near Petersburg, Va., where he remained for two years. He then returned to his native town, in feeble health, and was seriously ill and incapacitated for business for some time.

In November, 1842, he assumed the management of the cotton-mill located at Westville (a village in the westerly part of the town), and at the same time kept the " factory store."

He was married to Mary C. Bartlett, of Petersburg, Va., in 1843, and in the spring of 1845 removed from Westville to take charge of the Dresser Mill, in the Centre village, succeeding Benjamin F. Kimhall as superintendent. It was then that he established a marked reputation, in this vicinity, as a manufac- turer. Up to this time Mr. Kimball had been the acknowledged authority on cotton manufacturing in this locality. The work at the Dresser Mill was running badly ; to use the language of a manufac- turer, it was " completely bunged up." The manager and directors had made many fruitless efforts to ascertain the cause of the trouble, and finally came to the conclusion that the fault was in the raw mate- rial. A change in the quality of the cotton was con- sequently made, but no improvement in the running of the work resulted. The product was diminishing, the quality of work was inferior, the operatives were dissatisfied, many of them had given notices to leave, and the owners were disheartened.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

The directors assembled one afternoon and sent for the young superintendent at Westville, requesting him to go over to the mill and, if possible, tell them what was the matter. He complied with their re- quest, so far as to visit the mill'; but when asked if he knew what the trouble was, replied that he would go there, take off his coat and go to work, and if, at the end of two days, he could not correct the difficulty he would not remain. The new superintendent dis- covered the cause of all the trouble very soon after he entered the mill, at once applied the needed rem- edy and very soon the equilibrium was restored.

In December, 1845, he became the superintendent of the Central Manufacturing Company, where he remained until 1857, having, in the mean time, be- came one of the stockholders. In response to a very urgent request from the agent of the Amoskeag Man- ufacturing Company, of Manchester, N. H., he ac- cepted the position as manager of the upper level, embracing three mills and dye-house. While in the employ of this corporation he brought about great improvements in the dyeing department and in all the mills under his supervision. The Central Manu- facturing Company having become financially em- barrassed, self-protection rendered it necessary that he should again return to Southbridge, in 1859, and attempt a settlement of their affairs. In this he was successful, and Manning Leonard and himself be- came joint owners of the property and thus carried on the business until the breaking out of the Civil War, when the machinery was stopped and remained idle until November, 1863. At this time Mr. Leon- ard withdrew from the concern, selling his interest to Dresser, who, with new associates, established the present incorporated concern, called the Central Mills Company, which, having been thoroughly remodeled and supplied with improved machinery, has been successfully operated for the last twenty-five years, with C. A. Dresser as treasurer and manager.

JOHN EDWARDS.

Mr. John Edwards was born in Southbridge, Mass., June 12, 1822, and died there July 2, 1872.

He came from good, native New England stock . on both sides, the son of Jacob Edwards and Hannah Marey Edwards, who was a sister of ex-Governor William L. Marcy, of New York.

He married Mary E. Irwin, eldest daughter of Ste- phen P. Irwin, by whom he had three children,-one son, John M., who died in infancy, and two daugh- ters, now living, Lizzie I. Edwards and Ida F., wife of Calvin D. Paige.

His early education was limited to the instruction afforded by the public schools of the town and a course of study at Wilbraham Academy, after which he was for a time employed in the store of William and Jacob Edwards, Jr., his brothers, who carried on the leading dry goods and grocery business of the town.

In 1844 he became a partner in the firm, which continued until 1852, when Jacob Edwards, Jr., sold out his interest to his brothers, William and John, who divided their interest, William taking the gro- cery department and John the dry goods department, doing business under the firm-name of "John Ed- wards & Co." until January, 1871, when, in conse- quence of failing health, he retired from active busi- ness.

In 1859, when his store was greatly injured by fire in an adjoining building, he was brought face to face with the question of rebuilding or of removing to a larger field, but upon mature consideration he deter- mined to stay and enlarge his business. He erected he large brick block on Main Street, using the two lower floors for his business and the third floor as the " Edwards Opera House,"-at this time this being the largest retail dry goods store in the county, and now considered one of the best appointed stores in this section.

The erection of this block was the commencement of the construction of the fine business brick blocks which give Southbridge its prominence and distinc- tion, and had not a little to do with attracting atten- tion to the business capacity and interests of the town, that led to the completion of the railroad.

His stock of goods was large, varied and expensive, and attracted the people from all the surrounding towns, his business being conducted with a system and attention to details unexcelled even at the pres- ent day in metropolitan centres of trade.

His success as a merchant established his reputa- tion as a man of unusual business capacity.

For twenty years he was a director in the South- bridge National Bank and a trustee of the South- bridge Savings Bank.

Although of a retiring disposition, he held several public offices and represented the town in the Massa- chusetts Legislature of 1855.

He was an influential member of the Baptist So- ciety, and when the church was destroyed by fire in 1863, it was largely through his labors that the pres- ent edifice was built, he contributing both time and money liberally towards its construction.

He took a deep interest in the welfare of the soci- ety, and at his decease left to the society, in trust for the benefit of the society and several Baptist institu- tions, a legacy known as the " Edwards legacy."

He first introduced gas into the town, putting in the gas works, first for his own use, and afterwards running them several years successfully for the pub- lie generally, until disposed of to the Mutual Gas- Light Company.

He purchased land on Main Street and improved it by opening and building Everett Street. In 1867 he built his new residence on the corner of Main and Everett Streets, which, with the fine grounds surround- ing it, continues to be one of the most spacious and beautiful places in the village.

John awards

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SOUTHBRIDGE.

In public matters he was liberal, public-spirited and enterprising in all things that tended to the growth and welfare of the town, and he was always found an active and influential adviser and worker in that direction.

This brief sketch of Mr. Edwards sufficiently indi- cates his rank in the social, business and political life of the town, and the confidence and respect lie enjoyed as a citizen among those who knew him best, but is, after all, deficient in conveying to any but those who knew the detail of his life-work his real worth to the community in which he lived, and the distinguished part he acted in contributing to the public thrift and progress here.

He was always looking ahead, and desired to keep matters moving, and was eager to put his own shoulder to the wheel of progress, whenever occasion required it.

In all the councils upon such affairs Mr. Edwards was a leader.

He was reserved and modest in manner, courteous and obliging, sagacious and prudent, helpful in worthy instances, and kind-hearted and sympathetic.

He had traveled in this country extensively, was always an intelligent observer, and therefore interest- ing as a companion. In these respects, for many years he filled a large and important place in his native town, and left behind him a memory that will endure, as one of its successful and worthy citizens.

There was nothing fortuitous in his career. He was the substantial architect of his own fortunes- most truly a self-made man-and will long be remem- bered as such.

Measuring his worth by what he was able to accom- plish in life, few citizens of Southbridge have merited so prominent a place on the scroll of fame.

HON. LINUS CHILD.

Hon. Linus Child, third child and third son of Rensselaer and Priscilla Corbin Child, born in Wood- stock, Ct., February 27, 1803, and married, October 27, 1827, Berenthia Mason.

Hon. Mr. Child passed his early years on his father's farm, with the usual attendance upon the public school. He began his preparation for college under the tuition of Rev. Samuel Backus, of East Woodstock, and completed his preparatory studies at Bacon Academy, in Colchester, Conn., in the autumn of 1820. The following winter he entered Yale Col- lege, New Haven, whence he graduated in 1824. Mr. Child did not reach the highest rank in college as a scholar, but for honest, actual mastery of the pre- scrihed course few were before him. After he gradu- ated lie became a member of the law school in New Haven, and studied in the office of S. P. Staples. He was also under Judge Daggett's instruction. Six months later he became a student in the office of Hon.

Ebenezer Stoddard in the West Parish of his native town, and after eighteen months' study there was ad- mitted to the bar of Connecticut. He spent a year in the office of Hon. George A. Tufts, of Dudley, Mass., when he was admitted to practice in the courts of Worcester County, Mass. He resided in Southbridge some eighteen years. During this period he was six times elected Senator from Worcester County to the State Legislature. In 1845 he removed to Lowell, and held the agency of one or two of the largest man- ufacturing corporations of that city. He possessed the unusual stature and frame of his father and grand- father, was cordial and genial in look and manner earnest in the promotion of all efforts for the public weal, and prominent in church and missionary in- terests, a member of the American Board of Foreign Missions.

In 1862 Mr. Child removed to Boston and resumed his profession, associating with him his son, Linus M. Child.

Hon. Mr. Child died in Hingham, Mass., after a short illness, August 26, 1870.

THE AMMIDOWN FAMILY.

This is, doubtless, a typical New England family, and, as such, the record is interesting as illustrating the origin and growth of that portion of the people of New England which has given to this part of the United States its peculiar character. It is also inter- esting from the fact that the peculiarities of New Eng- land character have been broadly impressed upon the whole nation, and, more than any other, have contrib- uted to make the people of this country a distinct and original race, endowed with high purposes and strong qualities, fitting them for leadership in human progress.

The earliest mention of the family in this country appears in the records of the town of Salem in the year 1637. It is of French origin, and belonged to that numerous class of early settlers in this country known as Huguenots, who fled from persecution in their native land to find freedom for their religious convictions.

It is believed that the name was originally Amadon ; but, by changes common in our early history, it may be found at this day in various forms, among which the more common are Ammidown, Amadon, Amidon and Ammidon.

The first settler at Salem was Roger Ammidown. He removed to Weymouth before 1640. On the rec- ords of that town in 1640 appears the birth of a child, Sarah, daughter of Roger and Sarah Ammidown. We next find him in Boston, where another child, Lydia, was born on the 22d of February, 1643. This is the first birth recorded in the Boston records under the letter " A." From Boston he joined a company from Weymouth, and founded the ancient town of Reho- both, then in Plymouth Colony. Among his associ- ates was Rev. Samuel Newman. The deed of convey-

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

ance of the land is from Governor William Bradford, dated 1641. The first meeting of these founders was held at Weymouth, October, 1643, and it was agreed that they should move to their new home before April, 1644. The settlement was incorporated in 1645, and Roger Ammidown is named as one of the original proprietors. His lot was located on the border of the Palmer River, about six miles west of the present centre of the town. He passed the remainder of his days at this place, and was buried there on the 13th of November, 1673. This founder of the family had a son Roger, who married, in 1666, Joanna Harwood, at Rehoboth. The family continued at this place for many years; but, about the beginning of the next century, Philip, a son of Roger-the third generation -and born in 1669, moved to Mendon. He had mar- ried, for his second wife, Ethemore Warfield, and the records of Mendon show that he had there a large family, born between 1704 and 1717. At a later per- iod he removed to Oxford and became a proprietor in the English settlement of that town. He was also, with his wife, a member of the First Church of Ox- ford, when it was formed in March, 1721, under the charge of Rev. John Campbell, a remarkable man, whose descendants have held a conspicuous place in the annals of this country. Philip Ammidown died in Oxford March 15, 1747, aged seventy-eight. He had brought all his children with him to Oxford, where we find on the town records the dates of their marriages and of the births of their children. They have now grown too numerous to follow, and have become connected by marriage with many families, whose names are known in all parts of New England : the Cheneys, Davises, Chamberlains, Bullards, Cur- tises, Hastingses, Aldrichs, Sumners, Holdens, Talts, Sabins and many others.

Among the children of Philip, who died at Oxford in 1747, was Philip-the fourth generation-born in 1708 at Mendon. He married, at Oxford, Submit Bullard, and lived in the west part of that town, on the fertile hills at a later period (in 1754) set off and incorporated in the town of Charlton, and still later (in 1816) included in the corporate limits of the town of Southbridge. He had three children, from whom have descended those members of the family whose names have been most widely known since the begin- ning of the present century. These children-the fifth generation-were Caleb, born August, 1736; Joseph, born August, 1741, and Reuben, born Sep- tember, 1747. From the middle of the last century down to the present time the public records of Wor- cester County bear frequent evidence of the part these men and their descendants have taken in public and private affairs.

Caleb Ammidown was a remarkable man, and, as one of the contributors for founding Leicester Acad- emy, the late Governor Washburn refers to him as follows : " He was of a class of men which were once scattered through the country, whose independence

of thought and opinion gave character and consistency to public sentiment of the community at large."

The children of Caleb remained in the town where they were born. They were among its most influen- tial citizens. Their work may be found in the roads, bridges and important public edifices of their native town. Their tomb-stones, with the record of their birth and death, may he found in the town cemetery. But, although in the early part of this century the name was among the most conspicuous in this town, and now is among the most frequent in its cemetery, this family has been gradually dispersed, and at the present day is represented by comparatively few per- sons. These few, however, bear many of the traits which distinguished their progenitors. They are gen- erally useful citizens, ready to perform the duties of citizenship, and in both public and private life acting well their part.

The children of Joseph (brother of Caleb) nearly all moved away from the place of their birth, and lo- cated in the State of New York.

The children of Reuben (brother of Caleb) also, many of them, moved to other parts of the country.

Among the children of Caleb were three men, who made their mark locally. They were: John, born in 1759 ; Luther, born in 1761, and Calvin, born in 1768. These men were of the sixth generation. Luther was the most widely known, and, like his father, was a member of the State Legislature. He died in 1835.

Among the children of the seventh generation was the late Holmes Ammidown, born in Southbridge June 12, 1801. He died in St. Augustine, Florida, April 3, 1883. Holmes Ammidown was a member of the State Legislature in 1836. He afterwards became prominent as a merchant in Boston, and, by his pub- lic and private character, illustrated the traits which have marked the family career from its earliest known period. An account of his life, with a portrait, may be found in the Proceedings of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, for the year 1883.

Among the children of Calvin Ammidown was Eben D. Ammidown, of the seventh generation, prom- inent as a manufacturer and as a member of the State Senate. His mind, remarkably strong and fertile, was constantly engaged in projects for public im- provements.

The Ammidown family is now scattered throughout the United States. Although never a numerous family, it has made its mark in every generation, never reaching the highest distinctions, but always conspicuous for the qualities which make good citizens.

In former times they were generally farmers; in later years they have engaged successfully in various pursuits- farming, manufacturing, mereantile and professional.

Several of the family have already been specially named as holding prominent positions in life. Among others of note may he mentioned Philip, of Mendon,

Hohes hometown

1021

ATHOL.

of the sixth generation, and his son Otis, who became distinguished as a merchant, both in Europe and America, and died in Philadelphia in 1858, aged eighty-seven. A daughter of Philip, of Mendon (Sylvia), was the wife of Jonathan Russel, who was one of the Commissioners signing the Treaty with Great Britain in 1814. A grandson of Philip, of Men- don (the seventh generation), was graduated at Har- vard College in 1830. Another, of the Southbridge branch of the family, Edward Holmes (of the eighth generation), was graduated at Harvard College in 1853. Another, Albert (of the ninth generation), also of the Southbridge branch, was graduated at Harvard College in 1868.

The death of another member of this family, Mr. Hollis Amidon, has this week (January 22, 1889) been annonneed in the papers at Washington, D. C. It is not known to the writer to what branch of the family he belonged, but the language of the obituary notice of him indicates that the family traits found marked expression in his career. It says : " He died at the advanced age of eighty-two. He represented the Department of Agriculture in the Centennial Exhibition. He was a man of rare intellect, and contributed many articles to the press. He was much liked by all who knew him."

CHAPTER CXXXIL.

ATHOL.

BY REV. JOHN F. NORTON, A.M.

Location-Boundaries-Face of the Conutry-Productions-Ponds and Streams-Wild Animals, etc.

ATHOL (Pleasant Land) lies in the northwest part of Worcester County, bordering on Franklin County. As originally surveyed, in October and November, 1732, the township was six miles square. It is bounded on the north by Royalston and Orange, on the east by Phillipston and Petershanı, on the south by Petersham and New Salem, on the west by New Salem and Orange. The southwest corner probably remains unchanged; but the southeast corner, as at first surveyed, was south of the meeting-house now standing in Phillipston ; the northeast corner was northeast of South Royalston meeting-house; and the northwest corner was a few rods south of North Orange meeting house. By the territorial changes which have been made since the opening of the town- ship for settlement, portions of Athol were annexed to Royalston, February 26, 1799, and March 7, 1803; a part was set off to form Gerry (now Phillipston) in 1786 ; the northwest corner was taken to form Orange. A part of Gerry was restored to Athol, February 26, 1806 ; a part of Orange, February 7, 1816 ; and parts of New Salem were annexed February 5, 1830, and

March 16, 1837. (See "History of Athol," by George W. Horr, LL.D., "History of Worcester County," 1879). The original boundary lines appear to have been straight, or nearly so, but at present they are far from being straight, as a glance at any modern map of Athol will show.

The surface of the land is very irregular, atfording fine scenery. Edward Everett set it down as one of the most picturesque of the Massachusetts towns. The hills are high, and through them, in a general course from east to west, Miller's River finds a wind- ing channel. From all the heights there is a full view of Monadnock, giving the best outline of that mountain. A little south from Monadnock lie Wachu- sett and Watatie, while the nearer hills, Mt. Grace, Tully, Lion's Head and others, help to form a land- scape of unusual beauty. The outlook from Athol Centre is especially fine, with the above-named hills as a background for the bend in Miller's River, as it comes in from the northeast. A little off from Pleas- ant Street, about a mile from the Centre, is a spot where, across the tops of a near grove, one can look down into a sunken valley, with ranges of hills beyond, and enjoy an almost endless variety of light and shade. "The Gulf" is in the northeast part of the town, reached by a true mountain road, but the wild scenery amply compensates the visitor. The modern custom of dispensing with door-yard fences in the establishment of new village homes, and the removal of those erected many years ago, has added surprisingly to the original beauties of the place. This custom cannot be too highly commended.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 32

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