History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 73

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 73

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In 1829 Calvin Cutter began the study of medi- cine, and took his medical degree from Dartmouth. Subsequently, at different periods, for proficiency in some particular department of medicine, he attended lectures in Bowdoin and Harvard Medical Colleges ; also took private lessons in surgery of Dr. George McClellan and the eminent surgeon, Dr. Valentine Mott.

Dr. Cutter inherited from his father quickness of

Calvin Cutter

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perception, acute investigation and a retentive mem- ory. These qualities of the intellect were effective aids in his profession ; he had but few peers in dis- criminating quickly and, at the same time, accurately diseases. In his practice he sought to know "the limit of his art." In surgery he was skillful. One of the many successful operations which he performed was the removal of a large tumor from over the carotid artery in the neck, where a mere film inter- posed between the life here and the life beyond.

From the year 1842 to 1856, inclusive, Dr. Cutter visited thirty States of the Union delivering profes- sional lectures upon anatomy, physiology and hygiene before schools, colleges and public audiences, illus- trating his subject with manikins and other apposite apparatus. The first school edition of "Cutter's Anatomy, Physiology and Hygiene," so universally known, was published in 1850, and in 1852 the re- vised stereotype edition appeared. It has had great success; six hundred thousand copies have been printed. Dr. Cutter regarded the introduction of physiology into schools and colleges as the great work of his life, and he spent a fortune in its accom- plishment.

Dr. Cutter was an original thinker and reformer. Before he left his mountain home he was an advo- cate of total abstinence, and a few years later he be- came a stanch abolitionist. His activity in favor- ing just and equal rights was unbounded. In the winter of 1886, also in the summer following, he went to Kansas, where the contest between freedom and slavery was met by other than moral arguments. In the June trip, Mrs. Cutter accompanied her hus- hand and shared the privations and unusual perils with him and the first Worcester Armed Company, which did effective service in protecting the Free State set- tlers from the Missourian ruffians and thus aiding the freedom of Kansas.

In 1861 a nephew of Mrs. Cutter, Capt. A. W. Powers, was the first young man to enlist from War- ren in the War of the Rebellion. In August follow- ing, Dr. Cutter was mustered into the Union Army as regimental surgeon of the Twenty-first Massachu- setts Infantry, afterward became brigade, division, and later acting director of the Ninth Army Corps. He had the "high regards of the superior officers, as Generals Burnside and Reno," aud possessed great influence over the " boys" whom they commanded. June, 1863, near Mt. Sterling, Ky., he suffered a severe sunstroke, which ultimately caused his death. He left the army after the battle at Spottsylvania, on account of inability for service, and lingered uncom- plainingly eight years within an inch of time.

But few men were better adapted to lead a forlorn hope in a crisis when right was overpowered by might that sought personal or party aggrandizement. No favor swayed, no fear awed, when his clear, strong intellect discerned the path of justice, of duty. No one had more contempt for chicanery or trickery

which leaves an indelible stain on the character. When the oppressed or honest poor man needed lift- ing up, kindliness of heart was not wanting. If a humane cause languished for want of funds, his purse was freely opened. Money with Dr. Cutter was a means to raise the people to a higher plane of thought and activities ; he preferred the profits arising from brain stock, that elevates, ennobles mankind, to the profits of bank stock, that pampers to arrogance and idleness.

CARRIE E., young, educated, patriotic, sailed with her father in the Burnside expedition to North Caro- lina as nurse. She was probably the first female that entered her country's service in the War of the Rebel- lion, and the first to fall (March, 1862) at her post of duty. She sleeps where the magnolia blooms, and overlianging vines bend down and kiss her Southern grave.

Dr. Cutter's surviving child, JOHN CLARENCE, graduated from the Agricultural College, Amherst, in 1872. Studied medicine at Dartmouth and grad- uated from Harvard Medical College in 1877. He gained the post of house surgeon in the City Hospital Boston, before receiving his diploma. In 1878 he went to Japan, as professor of physiology and com- parative anatomy in the College of Agriculture, at Sapporo, Yezo, and as consulting physician to the Imperial Colonial Department. Dr. Cutter's first con- tract with the Imperial Government was for two years, but he remained nine years in the Island Empire. In recognition of meritorious service in the college, and for professional services rendered in the depart- ment of the Hokkaido, the Emperor of Japan con- ferred on him (1887) the " Decoration of the Fourth Class of the Order of the Rising Sun" (Kunsho no Kunshito, Order of Meiji, IV. Class).

There are eight classes of this order. While in Japan, Dr. J. C. Cutter wrote two school Physiologies, one of which has been translated into Japanese. Since his return from the Orient, via India, Egypt and Europe, he has re-ca-t and supplemented topics to the "First Book" on anatomy, physiology and hygiene, prepared in 1854 by his father, Calvin Cut- ter. This " First Book" has had unprecendeted sale in the United States and Canada. It has been trans- lated and published in ten languages and in raised letters for the blind. Dr. John C. Cutter is now (1889) iu Europe pursuing special medical studies.

JOHN MOORE.

John Moore was born in Warren, Mass., October 27, 1802. He was the youngest of eight children of Isaac aud Hannah (Studley) Moore, who were married Mar. 18, 1782, and resided in Warren. His father was born April 18, 1752, and his mother July 6, 1759. Previous to her marriage she lived in Hanover, Plym- outh County, Mass. She was a descendant of the Studleys of Yorkshire and Kent Counties, England-

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well-known famil' + vonor de lineage, who could

trace the rative uy ki day generations, ith the pride of wealth . n comable name. As early as 1659 Jonath w & by and his wife Elizabeth, h: 1 en igrated for E pfand and were je ding in Boste 1, Muss An tur trarcb of the Studleys were living in Scituate, sad also in Hanover, some years later.

Isaac Modre (father of John) became the owner of many hundred ures of land in Warren and vicinity, some of which is in the same condition as when originally purchased by hun, more than a Hundred years ago. Ho must have been an enterprising citizen, fer he had nony occupations. He manu- factured scythes, carried on a saw-will, a shingle- mill, 1 grist-mill, and had a forge. Probably k met the needs of the times in other ways, judgi rm h's various callings; he had ' mary ir is a he fire," and credit .d with the reput. tio ! Jag alı of them at a red heat In the War el ation he became a "minute-inan,"' an à pension from the Government of ah 2 annum until his death.

When a lad of twelve Tony Joun More Was sent to Farming plats hoot, where he remained anti To was presumed to have been sut Tim to aster the re. quir ments for at early manhood he ope ed a g e

town on . i. Ha ,well, Me., a thriving

have in:

and ne I ar average success. In July,

1827, W I-twenty years of age, he made a jourr er az d n arried Miss Mary Ann Lom- bard, t Enah L mbard, ci that tow 1, who r ... Mo ko & Hallow 1

months afterwar i v

fort. ne to his lor in s. 1 fion his father hirving hou .. ut lis H:06. store and return to Warren, .ne tek is rge of the various enterprises owned and carrick on by him. His father was then seventy-five years of age and needed some relaxation from the labors of his numerous occupations. Although John Moore filt that by leaving Hallowell he would sacrifice his best interests, he could not resist the parental appeal; so he disposed of his business and returned to Warren, where i is presumed he assumed the char - of his fibers business affairs. Very soon after his return he built a store, and began his business carcer in Warren on a scale that attracted customers from all parts of Wor ester, Franklin and Hampden Conuties, anl even from Connecticut

In 182 , he was appointed town clerk o' Warren, which e held for three years. He was also the post- master foi a consil rable time. In 1838 he was chosen as Representative to the General Court. In all of these responsible positions he gav general

of the whole country became d. turbe l, and fallures and financial disa. te.s w re univers. I. John Moore did not escape. He had many lusse and discourage ments, but he never lost heart, and continued in bis iness until ab ut 1858, when he finally made a change.

He and his son Isaac vegan the mo infacture of the " Excelsior School Writing Ink, ' which was put up in an origina style of bott'o. The ink met with a good reception from the public, and their ink howsi- ness became one of the industries of the town. From a smalı beginning it has assumed considerable im- portince and the reputation of ""Toore's Ink" stand high in the mercantile community

Don the fifty years or more that he resided in Warren, ntified with the history and prosperity of the town ·s held in better es- timation, or more fully enjoyed the love and friend- ship of his flow-townsmes ITis Christianity was

ever pocit, he was 1 b ud charitable towards 11. He died March 21, He left to his widow and children a legacy of Lore value than any accu n- ulations of worldly wea ib-the honor that comes from having always been rn honest and upright man.

. OSEPII F. HITCHCOCK.

Joseph F. Hitchcock, son of Daniel and Mary the Kennebec. He seems to (Marsh) Hachen was born in Warren July 27, usiness with excellent judgment, | 1815. Tl. . irs of the name are believed to have emigrated to this coan ry from England about the year 1695, landing in Boston, and locating shortly afterwards in New Haven, Conn., from whence their descendan .s spread northward Into Massachusetts and C'sewhere His father, Daniel Hitchcock, born in Palæer 1 07, came to Warren when a boy and + tering the store of Tosepl Field, Esq., a prominent laen, 18 a clerk, became a merchant.

Ie serveu his town in various capaci ies, including the offices of town clerk, member of the Board of School Committee, justice of the peace, etc.

The subject of this sketeh laid the foundation of his e lucation in the common schools of his native Ow the one in his district being unusually good, owing to the efforts and interest of his father and others hving in that part of the town. Afterward he had the benefit of the training of Leicester and Westfield Academies for short period's of time. The delicate s ate of his health prevented him from obtaining a collegiate clucation -- a fact which he regrett «dl as the law was what he would have chosen for a profy. on. Le. ving school, he went to work for his father, and aThough trade was not to his taste, he continued in it for many years.

Appointed justice of the peace, trial justice, and t. kindred offices, he honored them all by a conscien- tinus discharge of all the duties appertaining thereto. satisfaction. It will be reme becel that in 1837, and , The accurate and minute accounts returned to Pro- two or three years after, the entire business interests

| bate Court bear sufficient testimony to his faithful-

for F. Hircheich

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WARREN.

ness. He settled estates of both rich aud poor, and for the latter class he was glad to have been helpful without pay. He wrote wills, drew up deeds and other papers with a thoroughness and exactness that were especially noteworthy, inasmuch as his training as a lawyer was outside the schools. His practical sagacity in canvassing every necessary point made his work in these directions superior to that of many with better theoretical education, and his services were constantly in demand as a legal adviser. No matter how much people differed with him, when in trouble they were always found coming to him for help and advice, depending upon his rare judgment, which overlooked no contingencies. Whenever pos- sible he aided in the settlement of difficulties without resort to the courts.

Politically he was a Whig, but was among the first to aid in the formation of the Rebublican party, of which he was a conspicuous and enthusiastic supporter and leader.

Appointed postmaster under Abraham Lincoln's administration in 1861, he continued to hold the office, which meanwhile became a Presidential appointment in 1872, under U. S. Grant, until the day of his death, in 1880. He had also previously held the office from 1841 to 1845, as a Whig, under Harrison. In 1857 he represented the First Worcester District in the State Senate, and in 1865 and 1866 was a member of the Executive Council.

Always interested in the growth and prosperity of his own town, he furthered every project of public improvement-such as the establishment of Quaboag Seminary ; the securing and laying out of the pretty park which is still the ornament of the village; the opening of the Western Railroad ; the establishment of the Warren Public Library, etc. He was clerk and treasurer of the (Trinitarian) Congregational Church and Society for years, and when their church building was burned, he devoted time and work, as well as money, to secure the present handsome and attractive edifice. He was the prime mover in secur- ing courses of lectures, which it was only practicable to have in a small town during the winter by previons sale of a large number of season tickets, and with his usual energy he was accustomed to ride about town and call at every house, obtaining a subscription list sufficient to afford the people an opportunity of hear- ing a number of first-class lectures at a moderate price. No one who was unfamiliar with the multi- farions matters of minor importance with which he filled up the chinks of his busy career could form an idea of his extraordinary and varied capacity for practical work. Among these was acting as agent for two or three insurance companies, one of which was the old Worcester Mntnal, and for Thompson & Co.'s express and its successor, the American Express Co.

A temperance man early in life, he gave up the sale of liquors when it was the fa-hion to sell them in all country stores. A generous contributor to religions

and educational purposes, he could readily interest others in the same objects, and consequently under- took the task, not always a pleasant one, of carrying a subscription paper. Being universally recognized as the one best fitted to win financial support from others, it was expected that a project would succeed if he took hold of it, and it always did.

In 1837 he married Mary, daughter of Oliver and Betsy Bliss, of Warren, who died in 1848. They had two children, a son who died at the age of seven years and a daughter who died in infancy. He married, in 1850, Mary, daughter of Dr. Daniel and Elizabeth Emerson Green, of Auburn, Mass. Their only child, Daniel Green Hitchcock, lives in Warren at the present time.

A complication of physical ailments culminated in enlargement of the heart, and on December 20, 1880, he died at the age of sixty-five. A plain stone marks his grave in the village cemetery. In person Mr. Hitchcock was full five feet ten inches in height and of a manly form. His marked characteristic, which struck all those who came in contact with him, was a strongly individualized nature, never, however, degenerating into eccentricity, but leaving the im- pression of a steady will, combined in a remarkable manner with a rare judgment and love of exact dis- crimination-the whole tempered by a genial and affectionate nature. His word was his bond and stood unquestioned, and his name was a synonym for the strictest honesty and business integrity.

A fine crayon portrait hangs upon the walls of the Public Library and a memorial granite drinking fountain, erected by his widow, stands upon the park which he laid out.

WILLIAM BARKER RAMSDELL.

William Barker Ramsdell was born in Warren, June, 1825. He is descended in the fifth generation from Joseph Ramsdell. Their remote ancestry is believed to be Scandinavian. Joseph (1st) was in Plymouth, Mass., in 1643. Joseph (3d) married Elizabeth Barker. Homer (the family name of his grandmother), the son of Joseph (3d), was born November, 1780; married Betsey Stockbridge Octo- ber, 1816. She was the daughter of David and Ruth (Bailey) Stockbridge. At that time Mr. Stock- bridge was the largest landholder in Hanover, Mass.

William Barker, son of Homer and Betsey S. Rams- dell, married Mary A. Makepeace, daughter of Augustus and Nancy M. (Gleason) Makepeace, of West Brookfield, October, 1859.

In 1800 the brothers, Joseph and Homer Ramsdell, came to reside in Warren (then Western), on a large farm, consisting of between two and three hundred acres, bought of Nathaniel Reed. They were yeomen of the early New England type. Their improved acres attested to their sound judgment and untiring industry. Both brothers left a handsome competency. A characteristic of Mr. Homer Ramsdell was his

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

sterling integrity. Mrs. Betsey S. Ramsdell's elo- quence of manner revealed the high English culture of her ancestry. She inherited the ready wit and the social qualities of her father; an added accom- plishment was a voice of rare sweetness and of great compass. It was soul-inspiring to hear her sing the church psalmody of by-gone years.

The brothers Ramsdell located their buildings on " historic " Reed Street, which commands a view of hill, valley and stream, also the distant mountains in their haze of blue. If locality, home surroundings have a marked influence on childhood and youth, then, emphatically, William Barker must have in- stilled into his mind loyal manhood, combined with a taste for the beautiful in perception, which was ex- emplified in his farm buildings and appointments, and is now seen in the several structures in the village where he resides. Mr. Ramsdell's indefati- gable perseverance, industry and determined energy of purpose has nerved him to encounter and over- come obstacles that would have dismayed most men.

The commodious brick block, with an architectural effect both pleasing and substantial, at the corner of Main and River Streets, is a fitting memorial to his eldest son, Homer Augustus, who passed to his spirit home soon after he attained his majority, before he had fully entered the business arena of life. Homer's ability and commendable traits of character, aided hy his father's experience in the manufacture of boots and shoes, with ample means, gave rich promise of laudable usefulness, not only in business, but in society and in church. He is missed and mourned beyond the home circle.

Willie Barker, the youngest loved, the sunbeam of the family and a child of promise, was brought home one winter's morning drowned.

A daughter is at home, a solace to her heart- stricken parents ; another daughter is a student in Smith College.

William B. Ramsdell, in the early organization of the Warren Savings Bank, was vice-president. He has held varions offices in the gift of his townsmen. The number of somewhat ornate buildings he has erected is a public benefaction to his native town.

CHAPTER CLIV.

LEOMINSTER.

BY J. D. MILLER. EARLY HISTORY.

WHILE the early history of Leominster is closely connected in many ways with that of Sterling and Lancaster, it must not be confounded with either. Presumably it is a pleasant thing for a town to have an early history, which is also an ancient history ; but many towns are forced, from the nature of the case, to

omit the also. In this number is Leominster. She was incorporated too late for much colonial history of any kind, and by far too late for any effective Indian history.

The connection of Leominster with Sterling and Lancaster can be stated both clearly and briefly. Lancaster was incorporated May 18, 1653 (O. S.). At the time, and for more than twenty years after, the Indians in all this section were peaceable and even helpful. Matters moved quietly in the new town and the feeling of security and the prosperity of the community stimulated settlement, so that a large part of the town was occupied before 1675, the year which marks the beginning of what is known as King Philip's War. In this war Lancaster suffered severely. Many of the inhabitants were killed, and all but two of the houses were destroyed. In conse- quence of these Indian attacks the town was wholly without inhabitants from the early part of 1676 to about 1680, or for more than three years. This is her first chapter of Indian history, and the only one which affects Leominster. But for these Indian outrages and the resulting depopulation, it may be doubted if Leominster would ever have been made a part of Lancaster. There is evidence to show that a grant of tlie then unoccupied lands on the west and north of Lancaster, in the form of a promise or an intimation, was part of the inducement held out to the early set- tlers of Lancaster who had escaped, and their chil- dren, as well as to others, to influence the question of re-settling the old town. This "new grant," when obtained in the manner to be described, constituted what is now Leominster and Sterling. It had not, up to this time, nor did it for the next thirty years, make part of any town or, so far as can be learned, of any grant.

Those who re-settled Lancaster petitioned the "Great and General Court " for this " new grant " of land before February 5, 1711. The exact date is wanting. But that the opportunity to acquire and the right to hold these new lands was part of the in- ducement of settling appears in this, that the land when purchased of the Indians was bought by indi- viduals and not by the town of Lancaster, and that the town itself, before the "grant " was made, voted that if it should be made, the title should rest with those who joined in the purchase.

Two things were done to secure this " new grant:" First, it was purchased of the Indians as of its lawinl owners. The Hon. David Wilder declares, "That it must be a source of satisfaction to the owners of real estate, to know that they have acquired it honorably, paid for it honestly, and obtained a good and suffi- cient title to it." This satisfaction the first owners of Leominster surely had. It is a source of equal satis- faction to every lover of this beautiful town, to re- member that its comely hills and fertile acres were not stolen from some poor Indian tribe, but honorably and fairly bought and paid for as it became men.

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LEOMINSTER.

The deed of purchase should appear here as a voucher for these statements. It was first taken from the Worcester Magazine of 1826, but is now a part of sev- eral printed documents :

INDIAN DEED OF THE NEW GRANT.

" Know all men by these presents, That I, George Tahanto, Indian Sagamore, for and in consideration of what money, namely, twelve pounds, was formerly paid to Sholan, my uncle, sometime Sagamore, of Nashuah, for the purchase of said township, and also forty-six shillings formerly paid by Ensigne, John Moore and John Houghton, of said Nashnah, to James Wiser, alias Quenepenett, now deceased, but espe- cially, for and in consideration of eighteen pounds, paid part, and the rest secured to be paid, by John llonghton and Nathaniel Wilder, their heirs, executors and assigns forever, a certain tract of land on the west side of the westward line of Nashuah township, adjoining to said line, and butts southerly for the most part on Nashuah River, bearing west- erly towards Wachusett Hills and rons northerly as far as Nashush township, and which lands and meadows, be it more or less, to be to the said Insigne, John Moore, John Houghton and Nathaniel Wilder, their heirs and assigns, to have and to hold forever, and I, the said George Tahanto, do hereby promise and engage to procure an order from the honored General Court for their allowance and confirmation of the sale of said lands as aforesaid, and also that i will show and mark out the bounds of said land in convenient time, not exceeding four months, and also to make such deeds and conveyances as may be necessary for the confirmation of the premises, and that also I, the said George Talianto, do by these presents, fully notity and confirm, all and every, the said township of Nashuah, alias Lancaster, to the Inhabitants and proprie- tors thereof, according as it was formerly granted to them, or their an- cestors, by my uncle Sholan, and laid out to them by Ensign Thomas Noyes and confirmed by the Hon. General Court. For the performance of all the above said, I, George Tahanto, have set my hand and seal this twenty-sixth day of June, in the thirteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, William the Third, over England, &c., King. Anno Domino, 170I.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 73

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