USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Clinton > History of the origin of the town of Clinton, Massachusetts, 1653-1865 > Part 31
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Albert A. Jerauld was employed as a tailor. Mr. Jerauld was born at Warwick, Rhode Island, in 1816. The family of his father, Stephen Jerauld, soon after his birth moved to Northboro and here he passed his youth. He learned his trade in Boston, whence he came to Clinton. His shop was in the rear of Kendall's store. After the post-office was moved in 1853, he went into the north room. He was soon in business for himself. He carried a stock of ready made clothing and cut and made garments. He was for many years a member of the Unitarian Church choir. He built a
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double house on the east side of Chestnut Street in com- pany with Dr. D. B. Ingalls. After faithfully serving the community for over a quarter of a century as a tradesman and a citizen, he died October 17, 1878. Of his three sons, Fred G. Jerauld, who followed his father in business, is the only one who remains among us.
The post-office, which was established in 1846, was first kept in the north room of the Kendall Block. Before this time, the mail was brought from Lancaster and distributed by Lory F. Bancroft. Horatio N. Bigelow was the first post- master, but George H. Kendall had direct charge of the office and John F. Caldwell did most of the work. Those who came for mail outside of the special times for distribu- tion rang a bell which was answered by some one who was employed in the store. In the fifties, there were mails twice each day to and from Boston and twice to and from Worces- ter. J. T. Dame received his commission as a postmaster September 22, 1853, and he had his office in the new Library Building. Edwin Bynner said in the Courant of October 8th, in his usual style: "Our old post-office is closed and dreary; the glory has departed from it. As one stands within the deserted area, how strange the memories that throng upon us; how sad the vacancy. Where is the eager crowd-the expectant faces which were wont to light it up? * * Here was joy announced-sorrow born; life assured and death heralded. * Here from yonder insignificant boxes came news of dire or blest import, changing life's aspect, blasting its hopes, or basing upon sure foundation its too evanescent joys."
The lower floor of the south wing of the Kendall building was occupied by Gilbert Greene as a jeweller until 1846. Mary Ann Newman, a dressmaker, was here in 1847. Mrs. C. D. Davis, milliner and dressmaker, had rooms here in 1848. A long succession of grocers followed in the south part of the building. W. H. Chamberlain, who had moved here from G. P. Smith's building, sold out to Sawyer &
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BANCROFT BUILDING.
Brother. In 1852, Sawyer & Brother gave way to W. C. Car- ter and W. H. Harlow. Carter bought out Harlow in 1853, and in the following year he sold out to Fanning & Moore. They dissolved partnership in 1855. Simeon Bowman and son were in business here in 1856. Then George Bowman and A. M. Blair, then Blair alone. He sold out to W. N. Peirce in March, 1857. William N. Peirce and J. F. Howell were here in 1858. A. & N. Churchill were here in 1859.
The Bigelow Mechanics' Institute had its library and reading room in the southeast corner of the second floor from the time of its organization in 1847. Charles G. Stevens, attorney and insurance agent, had an office in the southwest corner. Isaac Baldwin was with him for a while, first as a student and then as an assistant in office work. In 1855, he went to Clinton, Iowa.
John B. Atkinson, Jr., "a famous Odd Fellow," had a tailor shop in the second story. He was followed by Charles H. Moore in the spring of 1847. A. C. Rice & Co. were here over the post-office in 1849. At one time, Dr. C. F. Horne, a dentist, had an office here. He removed to Watertown. Hiram Makepeace, a carpenter, "a wag of lofty stature," lived in a tenement here.
When Lory F. Bancroft dissolved partnership with George H. Kendall, he started in the grocery business for himself on the corner of Union and High Streets where Greeley's Block now stands. The old building of Poignand & Plant, which had been constructed at least twenty years before, and which we have noted as being used for a store-room, office and en- gine house, was moved from Water Street to this location. Some of this structure is now in William H. Nugent's Block on Union Street. This store, like most of those in carly times, was reached by a flight of steps. On summer even- ings, these steps were a gathering place for the male gossips of the town. Mr. Bancroft lived in an L which was built out toward the north. In the spring of 1846, Dr. G. W.
26
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Burdett, who had just completed his medical studies, took an office in the second story of this building. C. D. Cook, a dentist, also had an office here, where he practiced until 1848, when he went to Worcester. In the spring of 1847, Misses Whitney and Gould opened millinery and dressmak- ing rooms in the second story. E. H. Amsden, a daguer- rean, was also here during the same year. An office in the second story was occupied in 1849 by W. N. Snow, a dentist ' who had come to Clintonville about a year before. Frank E. Carr of Westminster first commenced business here as a "tonsorial artist" in the early fifties.
Mr. Bancroft made a specialty of medicines, which he advertised as compounded by Dr. G. W. Burdett. Joseph Bancroft was with his brother for some time as a clerk. In 1847, the firm of Bancroft & Carter was also engaged in the ice business. In 1848, Bancroft & Harlow ran a coach from the railroad station. Mr. Bancroft sold out his stock in the store to Harlow & Flagg in September, 1848. At this time, he took into his own hands all the livery and coach business. His stable was where Howards' now stands. He sold to Knight & Butterfield, May 5, 1849. Knight sold out to Butterfield, and Butterfield sold to G. F. and S. T. Howard in 1858. A farewell supper at the Clinton House was given Mr. Bancroft by his many friends. After staying for a time in the livery business in Hadley, he was engaged in jobbing in Worcester. Later, he became interested in a company which was formed in that city to raise the treasure which was supposed to be buried in the British frigate, Huzzah. This frigate was sunk at Hell Gate when bringing over gold to pay the British Army during the Revolution. Mr. B. worked for some years as the active manager of the com- pany. Although the treasure was not discovered, Mr. Ban- croft saved some money from his salary and bought a farm on the outskirts of Worcester, where he lived to a good old age.
Harlow & Flagg dissolved August 1, IS49. W. H. Har-
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low continued the business until October 19, 1850, when he sold to W. C. Carter and Josiah Alexander, Jr. Carter sold out his interest to Alexander in 1852. Josiah Alexander was born June 6, 1829, at Northfield, where he spent his boy- hood. He was afterwards a clerk in a variety store in Wor- cester. He taught school in Northboro before coming to Clinton. In February, 1858, Mr. Alexander moved his store to the new block which had been erected by Elisha Brimhall at the corner of High and Church Streets. He had the store in the southeast corner of the building. Here he re- mained until 1864, when he sold out to D. A. White and S. W. Tyler who had been associates in the Twenty-fifth Mas- sachusetts Band, and then he removed to Boston, and he has since been engaged in business there. Mr. Alexander, both in the length of his stay and in the amount of his business, was the principal grocer of Clinton during the first fifteen years of its existence as a town. He was also a public- spirited citizen and was one of the selectmen in 1855-6. He was especially interested in the fire companies and the local militia. Among Mr. Alexander's clerks were Samuel T. Miles, "a shrewd, genial character," and George W. Moore, "of some literary pretension," S. A. Lenfest, now in a Marlboro clothing store, and Josiah Bacon. Lucius Field, who has since been such an important factor in the later history of the town, was a nephew of Mr. Alexander. He came here to act as his clerk in 1857. He was born in Northfield, August 10, 1840. He worked for Mr. Alexander until his enlistment in the army in 1862 .* C. H. Chace & Co. followed Alexander in the Bancroft building. Wilder & Orr, and W. G. Wilder & Co. were later occupants. There was a barber's shop in the basement.
Lory F. Bancroft in 1845 built a one-story structure on the east side of High Street, just north of his store. Hiram Makepeace was the contractor. Sidney Harris furnished the capital. In a changed form, this building still stands on its
*See War Record.
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original site and is occupied by C. W. Field & Son. On its completion, it was immediately rented by C. W. Field, tailor, and Ballard & Messenger, printers and stationers. The for- mer located on the south side, the latter on the north side, with the printing room in the rear and the store in front .* Ballard & Messenger were followed in 1853 by Keith & Co., dry goods. Later, William Pierce, a milliner, was here. J. H. Raymore opened eating rooms under the printing office. Levi H. Carter followed him, then came Abijah Carter, a brother of Levi, who remained five years.
Charles W. Field was a native of Northfield and served his apprenticeship as a tailor in Athol. He was afterwards in business in Walpole, N. H. He came to this village June 16, 1846. He was at first a tailor and then sold ready-made clothing. He lived in the rear L of the store building. After half a century of successful business, he still remains at the old stand, now in partnership with his son, C. W. Field, Junior. The upper story of the tenement was at first used as a hall for temperance meetings. When the new Trinity Lodge of Free Masons organized in Clinton in 1858, it leased this hall and continued to occupy it until 1869.
By the spring of 1846, Gilbert Greene, whom we have noted as being in the south store of Kendall's Block, put up a two-storied wooden building on the estate now owned by his heirs on High Street. It was on the corner of the estate where H. A. Burdett's drug store is now. The lower floor was occupied by Mr. Greene as a jeweller's shop until he built his brick block. This building, which in later years was used as a drug store, f was destroyed when the north part of the present Greene Block was completed in 1888. Mr. Greene also built an L adjoining his store on the south. Here, he lived several years. This, was afterwards moved back from the street, as a cottage. It is now destroyed.
*See pages concerning Courant. fSee pages 397-8.
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GILBERT GREENE.
His first brick block was not completed until June, 1858. He then moved his jewelry store into it. J. J. Boynton took the upper story for ambrotype rooms, and the Peveys and J. T. Dame had offices here.
Gilbert Greene was born in Stoneham in 1814. He learned his trade and worked in Holden. He went to Lancaster about 1839, and had a small jewelry store in the building now opposite the Orthodox Church; this building then stood in the same square the Orthodox Church now occupies. He was afterwards for a while in the brick store. Dissatisfied with the business prospects in Lancaster, he moved to Man- chester, N. H. When Clintonville began to develop in 1845, he came hither. While in Lancaster, he had been the leader of the choir in the Orthodox Church and was always deeply interested in music. "It was a rare treat to hear him tell of 'old times.'" "He possessed the compound ability of cleaning a watch in good shape and telling a good story at the same time." We shall find him prominently connected with the organization and development of the Congrega- tionalist Society in Clinton. He was a selectman of the town for several years. He was a vice-president of the Savings Bank and a director of the First National Bank. In January, 1860, Walter W. Pierce, who had been his clerk, became his partner, but he died in June of the following year. Mr. Greene continued business until his death, June 26, 1875.
Among the first of the old settlers to take advantage of the new impetus given to business, was Deacon John Bur- dett. In 1845, he erected a building on High Street where Dexter's Rink now stands. This building was removed to East Street by T. D. Dexter, who occupies it as a dwelling- house. The store was rented by Mr. Burdett's nephews, Augustus P. and Jerome S. Burdett, who sold dry goods and clothing. The partnership was dissolved July 16, 1847. J. S. Burdet entered into partnership with his father-in-law, Hor- ace Faulkner, in charge of the Clinton House. A. P. Burdett
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kept on with the business. Horatio S. Burdett was his clerk. Albert T. Burdett looked after the tailoring department. Jerome S. was the son of James Burdett. The other three were sons of Phineas Burdett. Both James and Phineas were brothers of Nathan and lived in Leominster. Ir August, 1847, H. K. Dunbar, a tailor, took rooms in the sec- ond story. Dr. G. W. Symonds also had an office here for many years. A. P. Burdett stayed in this store until Septem- ber, 1849. L. D. Lyon, a dealer in boots and shoes, took his old stand. Deacon John Burdett built another house north of the first on the adjoining lot. This is still standing in its original location. The lower story was used for tenements, but there was a hall in the second story which was known as Concert Hall. This was used by the Second Adventists for religious meetings.
When A. P. Burdett left his old store building, he went into a new one which he had just finished on the west corner of High and Union Streets. This building, with some addi- tions which have since been made, is still standing. It was at this time the finest store building that Clintonville had seen. Jonas E. Howe was the contractor. Mr. Burdett and his brothers continued business there until the summer of 1852. He then moved to Mississippi and afterwards to Mem- phis, Tennessee. He made a fortune in cotton planting, but he afterwards lost it and became a commission merchant in New York and Boston. A. T. Burdett worked as a tailor in Boston. H. S. Burdett became a partner in the firm of Whitten & Burdett in the same city, with which he is still con- nected. Dr. G. W. Burdett* and Dr. Jeremiah Fiske* bought the building in 1852.
Of Orlando A. Smith, A. P. Burdett's successor, W. E. Parkhurst says: "As a bachelor village merchant, Mr. Smith did full justice to his calling. Never have we known a more genial dealer or one who had more thoroughly learned that
* See further account by aid of index.
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A. P. BURDETT'S BUILDING.
profitable mercantile trick of taking an absorbing interest in the health and personal welfare of his customers and all of his or her immediate and remote relations. In variety of assortment, his store resembled an overcrowded museum; from pianos and silks to yarns and buttons, nothing was omitted. Mr. Smith was a natural musician and for a time was the leader and organist of the Baptist choir, playing on a small melodeon, but as a seller of dry goods he ably illus- trated the secular version of the doctrine, known as 'perse- verance of the saints.' Mr. Smith's confidential clerk was Horace W. Robinson, a polite Shylock, with a squeaking voice, pitched in the third story of his bronchial tubes, but a genial, happy soul. It was the general understanding that between Horace and 'O. A.' a customer stood a very small chance of getting out of the store without making a pur- chase." Among the other clerks were W. Atwood McCurdy and William H. Putnam; also B. F. Warner, who built the house on Water Street now occupied by Mrs. J. T. Dame. O. A. Smith sold to H. C. Greeley in 1861, and went into business in Worcester. He subsequently went to Newton.
A. A. Burditt had a drug store in the north room of the first floor during the first three years. Then came Horace W. Robinson's millinery store. In 1857, Sarah M. Stuart took the business. Alonzo P. Boynton next sold boots and shoes. Then followed a series of millinery stores, among them, those of B. R. Smith and Mrs. J. R. Deming.
Miss Ellen Skillenger of Poland, Maine, had millinery rooms at first in the south room, second story. . She stayed a short time, and was followed by Dr. Jeremiah Fiske as a den- tist. The north front office was rented in succession by the Bigelow Mechanics' Institute; A. T. Burdett, tailor; H. K. Dunbar, tailor; J. B. Haskins; Miss H. B. Roe, milliner; D. H. Bemis, attorney at law. The latter entered it in 1864, and remained many years. The rear rooms were occupied by various parties, including C. F. Horne, dentist, Horace H. Waters, and Harrison Leland. The third story was let as a
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hall to various religious organizations, and there all sorts of entertainments were given, and it was for a time a place of meeting for political caucuses and temperance organizations.
C. D. Davis was the first grocer in the basement. A. O.War- ner and A. E. Smith were grocers there in 1850. A. E. Smith and G. E. Harrington continued business here in 1851. In 1852, Smith sold out to Harrington. In January, 1855, it was changed to a Union Store in charge of J. F. Maynard. The members of the Union weighed and measured their own goods and charged them on the books. The Union was not a success, and, in 1862, J. F. Maynard bought out the store. Maynard sold to William H. Haskell before the war closed. Mr. Maynard was born in Marlboro in 1820. He lived in Shrewsbury and in Boylston. He came to Clinton in 1850. His home was on South Main Street. Here, he had a gro- cery store for some years. After selling out to Wm. H. Haskell, he did business for twenty years in Boston. He died January 9, 1888. As chairman of the board of select- men during the Civil War, he did most efficient service. We shall find him one of the leading members of the Methodist Society and for fifteen years the superintendent of the Sun- day School. Frank Howard, a tailor, and James Greenwood, as clothier, were in the west room of the basement. H. T. Goodale, a native of Marlboro, born in 1824, opened a shoe store here in the basement in 1852. In 1864, he sold out to G. W. Laythe. At a later time, he manufactured boots and shoes both in Fitchburg and Clinton. He died in 1886.
George P. Smith built a block on the west side of High Street where Doggett's Block now stands, in 1847. When Doggett's Block was built, this was moved back from the street to make way for the finer structure. Mr. Smith was born in Wilton, N. H. He lived in Nashua before coming to Clintonville. His first advertisement in the Courant ap- pears October 23, 1847. He sold dry goods, West India goods and crockery. Mr. Smith lived in a tenement in the
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G. P. SMITH'S BUILDING.
upper story of the store building until he built, in the winter of 1854-5, the house on the east side of Chestnut Street now occupied by Mrs. Gilbert Greene. He was a successful merchant and an influential citizen, prominently connected with the most important interests of the community. He was one of the organizers of the Baptist Church. He sold out his business to Burton S. Walker, his junior partner, in 1871. He had already moved to Bricksburg, N. J., some years before. There, he died April 6, 1874, at the age of fifty-eight. Among the clerks employed in the store were: Joseph Holt; Orlando A. Smith, a brother, who afterwards had a store of his own which we have already mentioned; N. Chandler Sawyer, who went into the banking business in Brattleboro, Vt .; and W. H. Chamberlain, who bought out the grocery department. William H. Putnam who went to Boston, and John H. Ring, also worked for him.
H. C. Greeley, Mr. Smith's brother-in-law, was his most notable clerk, and became a partner February 21. 1855. Henry C. Greeley was born October 15, 1830, in Hudson, N. H. Heattended an academy in Nashua, where he was under the instruction or the famous David Crosby. He completed preparation for college in the academy at Hancock, where he studied for three years. He expected to enter Brown University, but the attraction of business proved too strong, so he became a clerk for Mr. Smith in 1849. We have already noted the stores which he opened in Kendall's Block and Burdett's Block. He married Jane Osgood, a daughter of Samuel Osgood. In 1861, he bought an estate on Walnut Street of Mrs. Mehitable Freeman. His early success was the result of that commercial ability which was in future years to make him the recognized leader among the mer- chants of Clinton. From 1860 to 1870, he was town clerk. He was a selectman in 1870-71. He was on the school commit- tee from 1867-78. He served in the senate in 1870-71, and on Governor Robinson's council in 1885 and 1886. Mrs. C. D. Davis had milliner's rooms here in Smith's Block in 1850.
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She was followed by Miss A. S. Merriam in 1854. The offices above were occupied in early times by Dr. A. W. Dillingham, Dr. C. A. Brooks, J. T. Dame, Esq., and D. H. Bemis, Esq.
A. L. Burbank opened a jewelry store in the south room of Clinton House Hall building in 1850, but he soon sold out. O. A. Smith was here in 1851, with musical instruments and dry goods. In 1852, Smith moved to A. P. Burdett's Block and Eliphas Ballard took the room. Here, he had a book- store, while his printing business was done in the room below. H. J. Chapman sold ready-made clothing in this building in 1850. The clothing store was occupied in a later time by Daniel Haverty, who was followed by Levi H. Carter, March 3, 1855. He was followed by John R. Foster and W. H. Ashley in January, 1857. John R. Foster was born in Moretown, Vt., November 7, 1834. He began to work in a store at the age of twelve. He was for some time a clerk in Waterbury, Vt. In September, 1856, he went into partner- ship with W. H. Ashley, in the clothing business, in Clinton. Their store was in the A. H. Pierce Block on Church Street; thence they moved to the Clinton House Hall Block. Ash- ley remained in Clinton but a few months, then Mr. Foster took the business alone and carried it on until 1870, when he started the clothing stores in Danielsonville, Ct., Willimantic, Ct., and other places, which have proved so profitable to him, and have enabled him to add so much to the beauty of the town through his private residence and public benefactions.
John H. Ring was the son of Benjamin Ring, the furniture dealer, who went into business in Clintonville in December, 1849. During his youth and young manhood, John H. Ring was interested in literary matters. In 1853, he published our first Clinton book. It was entitled: " New England Rhymes. Sacred and Passionate." It was a small volume of poems and other papers. He was a prominent member of the Clin- ton Rhetorical Society. For some years, he served as a clerk in the store of G. P. Smith. In April, 1859, he went
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WINTER'S BUILDING.
into partnership with J. R. Foster and opened a dry goods store in No. 2, Clinton House Block. Mr. Foster moved his clothing business meanwhile into the room now used as a to- bacco store. In September, Ring bought out Foster's share and continued the business alone until October, 1861. He then removed to Ware, and from thence, after a short time, to Worcester, where he kept a fancy goods store until his death at the age of thirty-eight, in March, 1873.
Lorenzo D. Lyon, who was a native of Halifax, and had previously been engaged in business in Lowell and at the John Burdett building, opened a shoe store here in the room now occupied by Heagney's drug store, upon the completion of the building. He carried on the business for more than twenty years, and then removed to North Attleboro, where he died in 1888. L. Coburn, a negro barber, was in this building until 1855, when he left town.
C. A. Merriam and Company carried on the shoe business in a small structure which they built in 1845 on the spot where Bourne's store now stands. Merriam having died about the beginning of 1848, the business was carried on by the surviving partner, M. D. Hawes, until 1849, when it was sold out to Tyler & Bartlett. Mr. Hawes went to Leomin- ster. During the previous year, Benjamin Tyler had been in the same business on Church Street. In August, 1851, Dea- con Waldo Winter and his brother, Aaron E., carried on the boot and shoe trade here. Then, Aaron E. Winter was alone in 1852. The business soon came into the hands of Dexter S. K. Winter, who also manufactured some in the room above. He sold out in 1855, to his father. For nearly half a century, Deacon Waldo Winter, or members of his family, have had control of the business. Richard Bourne, his son- in-law, is the present proprietor. Deacon Winter was born in West Boylston, 1802. He had had a variety store in West Berlin, in the long block above the railroad bridge, and had lived in Northboro, and had had a store with his brother,
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Aaron E., in the "brick" building in West Boylston, and a second one at Beaman's Mills. He was postmaster at West Boylston, and deacon in the Congregational Church before he came to Clinton. He had kept boarding-houses in Pond Court and at No. I Green Street before he bought the shoe store. He died February 28, 1887.
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