History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 87

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 87

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LEOMINSTER GAS-LIGHT COMPANY .- The streets and public buildings have been lighted by gas since October, 1873, at which time the Leominster Gas- Light Company put its works in operation. The

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LEOMINSTER.

capital stock of the company is fifty thousand dollars, and since 1879 the works have been managed by Howard M. Lane, as lessee. The company furnishes oil gas of twenty-eight candle-power, and pays an annual dividend of five per cent. on the capital stock.

The Leominster Electric Light Company have nearly finished their plans and expect soon to furnish light and also to operate a street railway. Still, the company can hardly be said to have a history at the present writing.

Perhaps two other topics might find a word of mention at the close of this sketch. It seems fair to say that Leominster is justly distinguished for the number and character of her homes. It would not be hard to find towns with more costly hulldings and more spacious grounds; but it may be doubted if there are many within the limits of this Common- wealth where so large a proportion of the houses and grounds are kept with care. There is a thrift and neatness in all the surroundings which speaks of comfort, culture and peace for all who dwell beneath the roof. Leominster is a town with many comfort- able homes, hut very few, if any, mansions ; she cares most carefully for her poor, is disfigured hy very few unkept places and rejoices in a sober and industrious population.

In matters of temperance and good order, too, Leo- minster challenges comparison. By this it is not meant that, when the use of liquor was universal, Leominster was for prohibition. In the days when New England rum was considered necessary both to settle a minister and to raise a barn, no doubt this town took its share and paid for it. What is meant is, that in all stages of the temperance reform, since it has been a reform, Leominster has been at the fore- front; that to-day, by a very large majority, she is with the most advanced sentiment on this subject. Leominster is and long has been a decided and per- sistent temperance community. She believes in pro- hibiting the traffic. She has been, also, noted in all her history for the good order on her streets and in her public assemblies, for the intelligence and enter- prise of her people, for the faith and integrity of her public doings. Leominster is not ashamed of her industries or their management, of the opportunities for education, for social and religions culture which she offers ; she is not ashamed of the men who have represented her on the field or in the administra- tion of affairs.

We recall the old report : " The district is moun- tainous and poorly supplied with meadow," and add this : To the peace of the valley the hills round about add strength and beauty, and Leominster abides by her history.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

HAMILTON MAYO.

Among her citizens, there is not one whom the peo- ple of Leominster hold in higher esteem for integrity, good judgment, business and professional ability than Hamilton Mayo.

Mr. Mayo is the only son of William and Maria Mayo, of Westminster, Mass., where he was born February 26, 1851. From the schools of his native town he entered the Meriden Academy, Meriden, N. H., and graduated in 1869. The next four years were spent at Dartmouth College, from which insti- tution he graduated in 1873, and from the Albany Law School in 1874. He was immediately admitted to the bar and in February of the following year (1875) opened an office in Leominster.

Since that time Mr. Mayo has devoted his energies to the practice of his profession and to such financial duties as naturally come to a man in his position. As a lawyer, Mr. Mayo is careful, correct and painstak- ing ; a very safe counselor, one who gives advice with a sufficient reason back of his advice. His analysis of whatever comes to his hand is very clear and emi- nently satisfactory ; he would win a case rather by clearness of statement and justness of argument than by fervor of appeal. His mind and temper are distinctly judicial.

In 1883 Mr. Mayo was appointed trial justice, an office which he still holds and administers with judg- ment and discrimination.

Mr. Mayo is also a careful and successful financier, and holds, with credit to himself and profit to others, important trusts in this direction. He is president of the Leominster National Bank, a trustee and one of the hoard of investment of the Savings Bank and has in charge valuable estates.

In all the duties and the relations of a citizen, Mr. Mayo bears an honorable part ; he is willing to give both time and effort for the permanent and healthy growth of the town. He has taken active part in civil affairs, both in shaping the policy of the town and in matters of administration. He is now a mem- ber of the Water Board and for some years he served the town as one of the School Committee. After the death of Dr. C. C. Field, Mr. Mayo was elected chairman of the board. Although not an active director of work in the school-room, he gave the town most excellent and efficient service in this office, and his retirement from the board was a distinct and positive loss to the schools of Leominster.

As a public speaker Mr. Mayo does not often come before the people, but when occasion does bring him out he is listened to with marked respect and attention. His speeches show a sharp analysis of the subject, a fu'll mastery of principles, and a clear statement of essential points-things which in themselves make for conviction.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

November 20, 1878, Mr. Mayo married Florence G. Curtis, of Portland, Maine, a most estimable lady, whose death within the past year ended a home life of much promise.

JOEL SMITH.

Mr. Joel Smith was born in Leominster, Aug. 23, 1812. He was a son of Joel and Abigail Smith, and was one of four brothers, of whom only the oldest is now living. At an early age he was left to the care of an uncle, Mr. James Divoll, whose residence was on Prospect Street, North Leominster.

Ou a farm located off this street, as it turns towards Shirley, Mr. Smith spent his boyhood up to the fourteenth year, and received his education in the public schools of the town. At the age of fourteen he went to Wilton, N. H., for the purpose of learning the carpenter's trade. His reason for giving up this plan may be stated in his own words : "My weight at that time was ninety pounds. After eleven months' service my weight was reduced to eighty pounds. Taking the advice of my uncle and elder brother, I returned to Leominster and served an apprenticeship with Jonas Colburn for the comb bus- iness." That this change was a wise one Mr. Smith's skill as a workman and success as a manufacturer of these goods is sufficient proof. When his trade was learned, after the manner of those times, Mr. Smith worked for some years as a journeyman comb-maker, and in 1834 went to Willington, Conn., remaining two years. Returning to Leominster in 1836, he began business for himself in company with Geo. W. Smith and John Nourse. The shop where they manufac- tured combs stood just south of the spot now occu- pied by the " Leominster House." Some years later Mr. Smith was in business with Abel Chase and Oliver Patch, in a building which stood on the site of what was afterwards the Union Comb Shop, now the Richardson Carriage Company's Works. When the building was enlarged and the Union Comb Company formed, Mr. Smith became president of the company, the other members being Oliver Patch, Stephen Tis- dale, John Bates and James Gallup. Mr. Smith was president of this company for five years, from 1867 to 1872.

The property was wholly destroyed by fire in 1872, and after the shop was rebuilt the company was changed and Mr. Smith withdrew. He soon started again for himself in a part of the Lockey Piano Shop, which then occupied the site of Valpey & Anthony's shoe factory. Here, in 1879, Mr. H. R. Smith, a son of Isaac Smith, was received into the business with his uncle.

The firm was known as Joel Smith & Company, and continued business until 1885, when Mr. H. R. Smith withdrew. During this time the firm met with a severe loss in the fire which wholly destroyed that part of the Lockey Piano Shops which stood sonth of the railroad. After the fire the business was again started in a shop connected with the factory of W. D.

Earl & Co. Here Mr. Joel Smith continued to manufacture horn goods after Mr. H. R. Smith left the firm, until he moved (within the present year) to more convenient quarters in a part of the comb shop of Mr. A. W. Williams, on Water Street.

Here he was doing business with Mr. John Bates at the time of his death, October, 1888.

The circumstances attending the death of Mr. Smith were as follows : As nsual, Mr. Smith had witnessed the annual parade of the Fire Department, in the work and good name of which he was greatly interested. He was, so far as is known, in his usual health. Late in the afternoon he had spent some time in conversation with Mr. Gardner Morse, as to matters of mutual interest and memory. As the early evening was cool, Mr. Smith said he would go to his home and warm himself before it was time for supper in the town hall. He was present at the sup- per, and took part in the speaking as usual. Previous to the supper he and Mr. F. A. Whitney had made this agreement : that Mr. Whitney should call upon Mr. Smith for a speech, and upon its delivery should pay a certain sum-to be named by Mr. Smith-to the Fire Department. This arrangement, so pleasantly conceived, had just been as happily conpleted, and at the conclusion of his speech, which had been a very apt and pleasant one, he turned to leave the hall and died almost instantly.

Some mention should be made of Mr. Smith's work ontside of his own private business. He was a man who never thought that all his time and energy ought to be consumed for his own personal profit. So far as town matters go, Mr. Smith was a liberal and public-spirited citizen. Of this his whole history is ample proof. Nothing which would in his judg- ment aid the town was foreign to his thought or effort. Mr. Smith was one of the original corporate members of the Leominster Savings Bank, and a member of the board of trustees rom its first organi- zation in 1867 ; also a member of its investment com- mittee from 1873 until his death. He was appointed a director of the First National Bank of Leominster September 20, 1875, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his former partner, Oliver Patch, and was elected president in 1884. He was a director in the Leominster National Bank from its organization in July, 1884. During the more than thirteen years while he was director-with the exception of the time when he was a member of the Legislature-he was absent from the regular weekly meetings of the board only ten times. Mr. Smith often served and honored his town in places of public as well as pri- vate trust. It must suffice to mention in this con- nection his services in the Legislature in 1882-83. As a representative he did faithful and efficient serv- ice, honoring himself and the office which he held. Any mention of Mr. Smith would seem incomplete which did not make prominent his connection with the anti-slavery reform and the cause of temperance.

Fuel Brith

CL Jostin

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LEOMINSTER.

In those times, when it cost something to be an anti- slavery man, Mr. Smith was such a man. He was a member of the Leominster Anti-Slavery Society, formed in 1838. Later, he was associated with such men as Dr. Joel S. Bingham, Dea. Isaac Cowdrey, Isaac Smith, Jonas Colburn and Oliver Patch in the Leominster branch of "The Anti-Man-Hunting League."

At the home of Mr. Smith there was always a warm welcome for the fugitive slave. The story cannot now be fully told, but it should be said that in all the work of those hot and eventful years from 1840 to 1861 Mr. Smith bore earnest and honorable part.

Mr. Smith was also an earnest, consistent and per- sistent friend of temperance. He gave time, money and effort to the cause. Whatever he undertook he did with a will. His whole heart was in his work. Leominster has had few more honored citizens.

September 1, 1836, Mr. Smith married Miss Eliza Taylor, who survives him.

CHARLES LORING JOSLIN.

Among the early settlers of the town of Lancaster was Thomas Joslin, who, with his wife and five chil- dren, came from England in the year 1635. He came to Lancaster in 1653, after a residence in Hingham and Watertown, Mass., and died there in 1660. His son Nathaniel, who, with his father, signed the first covenant for a town government for Lancaster, lived there until 1676, when, in the fearful Indian massa- cre of that year, a large part of the inhabitants were killed or taken prisoners, and the rest were forced to abandon their homes. At this time he escaped to Marlborough, where he spent the rest of his life. He died in 1694.

His son, Peter Joslin, returned, as did many others, to the ancestral lands in Lancaster. In the renewed Indian attack of 1692 he was not as fortunate as his father had been ; in his absence in the field, his wife and three children, together with a woman living in the family, were killed. In a subsequent attack upon the town of Lancaster the Indians massacred his second wife, with her infant child. With this Peter Joslin, the connection of the family with Leominster begins. He was not until the very last of his life, however, a resident of Leominster, but he was one of the original proprietors of the " new grant." His name appears on the famous agreement which the town of Lancaster made with those who should purchase these lands of the Indians. This was in December, 1711, and at some time, probably not long after this, he acquired a considerable tract of land in North Leominster, which is still known as "Joslin Hill." He did not himself settle this land, but at least one of his sons, the issue of a fourth marriage, became a resident of this town. It is from this son, John Joslin, that the family of Mr. Charles L. Joslin descends. Members of this family have always taken

an active part in town and public affairs. John Jos- lin, Jr., a son of the first man of this name who settled in Leominster, was captain of the company which marched from this town to Bennington on the occa- sion of Burgoyne's invasion. A younger brother, Thomas Joslin, was killed in that battle. The first- named was a deacon of the town church for over forty years, town treasurer for a long period, and repre- sented the town at the General Court. In the strug- gles for liberty this family has always been well represented, as is seen above, and as appears from the record of Colonel George C. Joslin in the War of the Rebellion.

Passing one generation, we find that Major Elias Joslin, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a life-long resident of Leominster. He was born here November 10, 1795, and died July 11, 1874. He took an active part in the military affairs of the town, went to South Boston in the War of 1812 as a member of Cap- tain Tenney's company ; was promoted through the different grades to that of major. He married Elizabeth Stearns, who survived him ten years. The children now living are,-William, the eldest, who lives in Illinois; Charles L., in Leominster; John E., in Chesterfield, N. H. ; Mary E., who married N. G. Thorn, and lives in Haverhill, Mass .; James T., in Hudson, Mass .; Martha A., who married William B. Tisdale, and lives in Leominster ; Colonel George C., in Boston, and Ella L., who resides in Cambridge, Mass.

Charles Loring Joslin was born in Leominster Jan- uary 12, 1823, and received his education in the pub- lic schools. At the age of sixteen he was appren- ticed, as most other boys were, to learn comb-making. He served with Thomas G. & Joseph G. Merriam, who had their place of business where the town farm buildings now are. He remained with this firm until the death of Thomas G. Merriam, when he began business for himself, his partner being the late Dana Graham. They bonght the business of Luther Long- ley, and located in a small building just beyond the present blacksmith-shop of Charles Welcome, on Central Street. Here these two young men started an active and increasing business. In two years the business demanded more room and something better than horse-power. To supply both, a tract of land containing thirty-five acres, at the right of Central Street, was purchased, and the dam built, which flows the Union Comb Company's Pond, so called. On this land Mr. Joslin built a comb factory in 1846-47 ; and also began housekeeping in the only house which then stood on the land named above.

This business was continued for two years, when Mr. Joslin sold his interest to Mr. Graham, and built another factory on Union Street, where he made combs in company with his brother-in-law, Mr. E. G. Adams. The building where they began work was sold to Pollard & Butterick and in 1857 removed to a lot near the old hotel and was used for a clothing-

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house until it was destroyed by fire. The firm then occupied a part of the first Lockey Piano Shop. But soon after this Mr. Adams sold his interest to Mr. Joslin, and on account of failing health retired from business. In the spring of 1871 Mr. Joslin built the main part of the A. W. Williams comb shop upon land which he had purchased of Putnam & Phelps. Here the firm of Joslin, Palmer & Williams carried on the comb and jewelry business for five years, when Mr. Palmer sold bis interest to the other partners. They continued until 1883, when Mr. Joslin disposed of his interest to Mr. Williams. Mr. Joslin has not, since then, been engaged in manufacturing.

In public matters Mr. Joslin has always taken an active interest, and has served the town most accept- ably in many places of honor and trust. He has fre- quently been elected moderator of the annual and other town-meetings ; was for several years a member of the Board of Selectmen, and in 1859 represented the town in the State Legislature. In all these places Mr. Joslin has earned the unqualified approval of his fellow-citizens.

Mr. Joslin has also been closely connected with the financial matters of the town. He was a director of the First National Bank of Leominster from its organ- ization in 1864 until its charter expired twenty years later, and holds the same office in the Leominster National Bank. He is, at the present writing, vice- president of the Leominster Savings Bank, and has been connected with that institution for many years. In all these relations Mr. Joslin would be regarded a safe and wise counselor.

In October, 1846, Mr. Joslin married Mi-s Martha J. Adams, of Townsend. They have four children- Martha D., who married John T. Brown, of New York; Clara A., who married J. W. Wetherbee, of Leominster ; Mary E., and Charles A., since June, 1884, the town clerk and treasurer of Leominster, who married Alice A., daughter of George F. Morse.

It thus appears not only that Mr. Joslin's family has been an honorable part of the history of Leo- minster from the very first, but that he has himself contributed directly and potentially to the growth and prosperity of the town. For more than forty years he was an important part of her industrial life, conducting his business with skill, honesty and suc- cess. In public position and private life he has acted as a man and a citizen of Leominster ought. He is respected by his fellow-citizens and has reason to re. spect himself. No one would think of mentioning the men who have and do conserve the best interests of Leominster and not include his name among the number.

Mr. Joslin occupies one of Leominster's most de- lightful homes, where he and his good wife are enjoy- ing a well-earned rest from the more pressing cares of life.

MANSON DANA HAWS.

Among the able and successinl business men of Leominster, Manson Dana Haws holds an honorable place. Born here Angust 28, 1817, educated, for the most part, in the public schools of the town, spend- ing his entire business life here, Mr. Haws is a thor- ough Leominster man in sympathy and desire. His father, Major Amos Haws, was only two years old when the family moved to Leominster, and so even he may well be called a native of this town. Hon . esty, prompt and energetic business habits seem to be a part of the family inheritance. Major Haws was a marked man in these respects, and the same is true of the present generation. They are of the sturdy New England stock, possessing marked individuality of character and holding honesty as a cardinal virtue.

Until his sixteenth year the subject of this sketch remained at home. Then, as his father had sold his boot and shoe business, he went to Fitchburg to perfect himself in that trade, spending a year with Manassa & John Sawyer. At the end of that time he went to Worcester, and served the rest of his ap- prenticeship with James Whitcomb, remaining until 1838. At the close of this term of service Mr. Haws was offered a position of superintendent of the shoe department in the Worcester Insane Asylum, but declined the offer, and spent a year working at bis trade in Sterling and Randolph.

In May, 1839, at the request of Bartimus Tenney, who had purchased the business of Major Haws, Manson Dana returned to Leominster to begin the manufacture of boots and shoes at the old stand. For engaging in this special business he does not seem wholly responsible, as there had been, so it would seem, for a long time in the Haws family a certain natural bent in this direction-father, grand- father and great-grandfather had lived by the awl and won honor from the last.

Manson D. Haws began the manufacture of hoots and shoes June 9, 1839, and continued without in- terruption until November 1, 1885. At first the business included the making of both boots and shoes for men and women, but after a time the first part of the work was dropped, and the manufactur- ing largely confined to ladies' shoes, although some men's shoes were made so long as Mr. Haws contin- ued to manufacture. As things are regarded to-day, this business was never large. At first three to ten hands were employed ; and during the last half of the time eighteen to twenty-five; the value of the goods produced was about fifty thousand dollars a year. The shop where Mr. Haws began business stood nearly opposite his present residence. As the busi- ness increased a new building was erected, in 1850, on the site of the present factory. This shop has been twice enlarged, once to give more room for the business itself, and once to give room for steam- power, as well as to increase still further the facilities for manufacturing.

M. D. Haws

George the Morse

LEOMINSTER.

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Mr. Haws conducted his business with great skill and energy, making his own sales and purchases and giving personal direction to the work. He earned and deserved success. During the forty-six years that the manufacturing was in his hands there was no enforced idleness. The help were never out of work, except when they demanded a vacation, and for a brief time while the shop was enlarged. Few men who employ others can say as much. In these times, when men are eager for large profits and for wealth, even if it comes by uncertain ways, it is well to re- member that there is success in the lawful and com- paratively limited lines of trade.

In 1885 he rented his factory to Mr. O. H. Smith, and retired from manufacturing with the esteem of his fellow-citizens and the confidence of all with whom he had had business relations.

As a business man, Mr. Haws is prompt, exact and methodical. He believes in giving present and per- sonal attention to whatever he wishes well done. He not only expects that the use of honest means will bring success, but he is careful and painstaking in his methods of doing business. Thus, when the government overhauled the internal revenue returns, after the war, Mr. Haws was one of the few men whose books were found correct-a fact in which he may take just pride.

Mr. Haws has also filled worthily many places of public and private trust. In 1862 he represented the town at the "General Court." For six years he was one of the selectmen of the town, and for three years chairman of the board. In 1876 he was ap- pointed justice of the peace. He was for many years often called to preside at the " Annual Towu-Meet- ing " and at other times and places. His service in all these ways has been most acceptable to his fellow- townsmen and honorable to himself. When the time came to furnish the town with a better water supply, Mr. Haws was the first to act, by causing an article to be inserted in the town warrant; and he was a member of the committee to select a suitable place for obtaining the water, and to go to the Legis- lature for a charter which would enable the town to take water.

Mr. Haws has, for many years, been prominent in financial affairs. At one time he was a director of the First National Bank of Leominster. He was, also, for some years, a trustee and one of the " board of investment " of the Leominster Savings Bank. In 1875 he was elected a director of the Rollstone National Bank of Fitchburg, which position he still holds. He is also a trustee of the Worcester. North Savings Institution of Fitchburg, having been elected in 1879. In all these positions Mr. Haws has given faithful and honorable service. He has been, and is often, called to settle estates and to hold estates in trust. In more than one instance, when acting as executor, he has, by the request of the testator, been excused from giving surety upon his personal bond

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 87

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