USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Leominster > Leominster, Massachusetts, historical and picturesque > Part 9
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I. O. G. T. KENDALL LODGE NO. 7, instituted Oct. 13, 1883. Officers : C. T., J. C. Smith ; V. T., Kate Gates ; Sec., Mrs Augusta Holman ; Asst. Sec., Lunette E. Fife ; F. S., James Rainey ; T., E. N. Sanders ; Chap., Edgar Sutherland ; M., Melvin Day ; D. M., Nellie Whittaker ; G., Mrs. Henry
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Hale; S., Henry S. Hale; P. C. T., Wm. T. Lesloe.
CLUBS.
LEOMINSTER CLUB, organized in April, 1882. President, Geo. F. Morse ; Vice President, Dr. E. J. Cutter ; Secretary and Treasurer, Edmund Munsie. Rooms in Allen's Block.
LEOMINSTER RIFLE CLUB, organized August 29th, 1883. President, Chas. C. Foster ; Vice President, E. M. Rockwell ; Secretary and Treasurer, C. A. Joslin ; Captain, Geo. W. Fos- ter. Range, off Mill street.
LEOMINSTER GUN CLUB, organized, April 15th, 1886. President, I. F. Gorham ; Vice President, Waldo Wood; Treas. A. G. Powers ; Secretary, R. B. Andrews ; Directors, L. M. Harris, E. F. Blodgett, A. McDonald.
LOCKEY RIFLE CLUB, composed of the employes of the Lockey Piano Case Co., was organized April 10, 1886. Presi- dent, J. H. Lockey ; Vice Pres., W. H. Wood ; Secretary, H. R. Davis ; Treas., A. J. Rugg ; Capt. W. H. Wood. Range off Mill street. Members of these rifle and gun clubs have done some excellent shooting, Messrs. George F. Prevear, E. M. Rockwell and F. A. Whitney thus far taking the lead.
THE LEOMINSTER TOWN IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION. This town early manifested an interest in planting, as well as preserv- ing, shade trees, wherever they would beautify the place, and and was always ready to encourage the same public spirit in individuals.
About the year 1765, the land since used for the new ceme- tery, was hired by Joshua Smith, the first tanner in town, with the expressed understanding that he should plant a row of elms by the side of it ; a condition which he fulfilled, but the soil not being suited to their growth, very few of, them lived. The town also, in its corporate capacity, has caused trees to be set out in various locations. A few of the elms and other trees on
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the common, and in the vicinity of the three meeting houses and the Town House were of this number. The rest were planted by citizens. The avenue of elms on Main street were planted in the spring of 1763, and the maple trees around what is called "the neck," were placed there by Joel Crosby, Esq., who, for many years, took pains to set out ornamental trees, not only adjoining his own land, but along the line of the neighboring farms.
The first organized effort to secure public improvements, and to beautify the town, was made by the Leominster Town Improvement Association, which was organized February 2d, 1883. Its officers included an executive committee of fifteen, and sub-committees on trees, vines and climbing plants, Lec- tures and entertainments, membership, water-supply and drain- age, and an advisory committee.
Mr. Howard M. Lane was its first President, accepting the office to serve only until a complete organization was effected, and the Association placed on a working basis. As soon, therefore, as that point was reached, Mr. Lane resigned the position, and Mr. A. S. Paton was elected in his place. The Vice Presidents were : Dr. F. E. Nims, Hamilton Mayo, N. Harwood and F. C. Bowen ; Secretary, Miss Laura S. Merriam; Treasurer, Amos B. Merrill. Some of the objects of the Associ- ation were to encourage and superintend the planting and maintaining of shade trees in the public streets and squares and trimming and preserving trees already existing, to en- courage the planting of vines, climbing plants and flowering shrubs about the dwellings of citizens, and around the public buildings, to use its influence for the improvement of the water supply and drainage of the town, to consult with the owners or occupants of dilapidated buildings and unseemly plots of ground, and endeavor to secure an improvement in their general appearance. To improve and raise to a higher
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plane the mental and moral condition of the town, making nec- essary arrangements for lectures and other entertainments.
The first and most important work undertaken by the Asso- ciation was the improvement of the common. Several years prior to this Mr. George H. Norman contributed a receipted bill of $ 100.00 for his services to the town, with the provision that the sum should go towards providing a fountain whenever water should be put in. At the May town meeting, a commit- tee consisting of Hamilton Mayo, Esq., T. B. Grimes and E. G. Davis was ap- Nov. 6, 1883, rec- the Town im- mon and that the m en t Associa- mittee to car- The report of was accepted the $100, under- gift of Mr. Nor- ted toward the the contemplat- The Executive the Association Paton, Wm. B. G. Davis to at- also voting suit- tion for one Committee Tisdale to super- The committee
pointed, who, ommended that prove the com- Town Improve- tion be the com- ry out the work. this committee and adopted, and stood to be the man appropria- construction of ed fountain. Committee o f appointed A. S. Tisdale and E. tend to the work, able compensa- man's time. This chose Wm. B. intend the work. contracted with Copyrighted by the J. L. Mott Iron Works Co. 1881. M. H. Kittredge for the granite basin and the stone work, not including necessary excavations. The basin is of Fitch- burg granite 25 feet in diameter, curbing and solid foundations
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3 feet deep and filled inside with rubble, covered with cement. The cutting of the circular curbing was done by Frank M. Leavitt and Leonard Woods at no profit, and the thoroughness of the whole work is creditable to both contractor and workmen. The drinking fountain adjoining the stone basin was a gift to the town by S. M. Frost and cost $100.00, and was made by the J. L. Mott Iron Works, New York. The laying out of the grounds was after a plan prepared by a former townsman, Mr. H. C. Burdett, of Boston. The loam, of which 227 loads were used, was obtained in exchange for a double quantity of gravel and having been put in place during the previous autumn, an old fashioned bee was appointed for June 6 and 7, 1884, when the citizens responded and the loam was levelled and the foun- dation of the walks was constructed by volunteer labor, after which a collation was served in the town hall by ladies of the Association. While the work was in progress, Mr. J. C. Allen, then too ill to be out, noticed the army of workmen on the common, and with his life-long public spirit, delegated Mr. C. S. Perry to distribute soda tickets among them at his expense. This was one of Mr. Allen's last public acts. Prominent among the workers, on this occasion, was Rev. Wm. H. Savage, shovel in hand, showing his interest by example as well as precept. It may be mentioned, in this connection, that the formation of the Improvement Society was first proposed by Mr. Savage, that he declined acting as its president believing it should be purely a town Society, but that he lost no opportunity, as long as he remained in town, of encouraging a public spirit in others.
THE LEOMINSTER FARMERS AND MECHANICS' ASSOCIATION was organized in the Autumn of 1851. Its object was to pro- mote the interests of agriculture, and all industrial pursuits, and especially to benefit those engaged therein, by inciting to investigation, to reflection and to action, and by furnishing facilities for a fine interchange of opinions, thereby to call forth
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the results of individual observation and experience, and to elicit practical and scientific information.
The influence which this Association has since exerted over the industrial pursuits of the town, can hardly be estimated. The Association has met with many years of prosperity since its organization. The present year, 1888, it has a membership of 426, and has on deposit $3,200. Its annual exhibitions are attended with increasing interest from year to year. The present board of officers are : Pres., W. B. Tisdale ; Vice Pres., C. S. Buss and C. F. Boyden ; Sec., Chas. H. Rice; Treas., J. M. Bronson ; Executive Committee, E. M. Harrington, O. J. Putnam, E. V. Powers, H. C. Fuller, J. D. Cogswell ; Auditors, W. H. Fuller, G. M. Powers.
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CHAPTER VIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
MONG those who have lived in Leomin - ster in the past, there are few who may be said to have attained marked distinc- tion beyond the limits of their immediate neighborhood. In the early history of the town the clerical profession was well represented by John Rogers, the medical by Jacob Peabody, and the legal by Asa Johnson and Abijah Bigelow. It was not our purpose, in the foregoing pages, to give undue prominence to the subjects of these sketches, but to record briefly the doings of Leominster men of later years, who were active and useful in their day and generation.
ALVAH CROCKER was, perhaps, more widely known than any other native of Leominster. His father was a veteran in the Nichols & Kendall paper mill, where, at the age of eight . years, Alvah found employment. At sixteen he entered Groton Academy, remaining until the fifty dollars, he had saved from his earnings, was gone, and he was obliged to leave to obtain money. Not succeeding in this, he gave up all idea of getting
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a college education, but managed to obtain books and continued his studies after working hours.
In 1823, he entered the employ of Gen. Leonard Burbank in Fitchburg, after working three years in Franklin, N. H.
In 1826, he selected a spot of land in West Fitchburg, built, with borrowed capital, his first paper mill and started in business. The location was in a birch swamp and not easily accessible, as the river road was not then built. Desiring to get a road further up the Nashua River, and meeting with opposition from the land-holders, he bought the whole Nashua valley to the Westminster line, gave the land for the road, and by this investment laid the foundation of financial success. All the mills of Crocker, Burbank & Co., have since been located in this valley.
In every public enterprise Mr. Crocker exhibited the same rare sagacity and foresight shown in the management of his private affairs. In 1843, while in the Legislature, he advocated the railroad from Boston to Fitchburg, and in spite of opposi- tion and ridicule, the Fitchburg Railroad was built and Mr. Crocker was made its first president. Three years later he accomplished the building of the Vermont and Massachusetts R. R., and was its first president. In 1847-8 he delivered sev- eral hundred lectures in behalf of the Troy & Boston R. R., doing more than any other man in the State to insure the completion of the Tunnel, and was one of the Commissioners, when the work was put into the hands of the State.
Besides the railroad enterprises, to which so much of his public life was given, a greater work was undertaken in the controlling and utilizing the magnificent water power of the Connecticut River at Turner's Falls. This work, however, was left unfinished at his death. It was his ambition to make Turner's Falls not only rival Lowell, Holyoke and other large manufacturing cities, but to pass by and above them, and had
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he been spared he would, no doubt, have left Turner's Falls as a monument of his greatness.
In 1872 Mr. Crocker was chosen Representative to Congress from the Ninth District, was afterwards re-elected, and was a member at the time of his death, which took place December 30th, 1874. In his own city, Fitchburg, Mr. Crocker labored steadily and persistently to secure needed improvements, being largely instrumental in getting a water supply. During the war he was a staunch patriot, and a liberal donor of time and money to secure the triumph of the great and good cause. Gov. Andrew entrusted him with the honorable duty of caring for the wounded Massachusetts soldiers, and more than one patriot can testify that when funds were not available for the relief of his need, the money of Mr. Crocker was at once and judic- iously drawn upon, to convey the aid desired.
DAVID WILDER, died at his residence in North Leominster Friday, Sept. 21st, 1866, aged 88 years. No citizen of Leom- inster, probably, ever held more offices of trust given by the people. He represented the town eleven years in the Legisla- ture, was a Justice of the Quorum throughout the Common- wealth, as a State Senator, Commissioner of the Highway, member of the Governor's Council, and for five years was Treasurer of the Commonwealth. He was a member of the Unitarian church for 57 years, and an officer (deacon) for 34 years. He was also a prominent Mason, Wilder Lodge receiv- ing its name in his honor. Dec. 3, 1852, he finished writing The History of Leominster, which was his last public business.
DR. CHARLES WOODWARD WILDER was born in Ashburn- ham, Mass., December 30th, 1790. He was a member of the class of 1817, Dartmouth Medical School, and there he received his diploma as Doctor of medicine. He commenced the practice of his profession with Dr. Haskell of Leominster, and remained with him about three years, after which he
DR. CHARLES W. WILDER.
JAMES H. CARTER.
J. C. LANE.
OLIVER PATCH.
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moved to Templeton, Mass., where he was engaged in an ex- tensive practice for eleven years. Leaving Templeton in 1832, he went to Fitchburg, and for some time was engaged in the practice of his profession in that place in company with Dr. Snow. From Fitchburg he returned to Leominster and made this place his home for the rest of his life. He practiced his profession with remarkable success, not only in this town but in all the adjoining villages. He was also deeply interested in all the important events of his time. He was full of progress- ive ideas and believed in improvements. He was public spirited, and took an active part in the affairs of the town and county. For many years he was a member of the school committee and during the years 1836, '37, '45, '47 and '48 represented the town in the State Legislature. During his life he held many other offices of public trust and distinction. He was for some
time President of the Worcester District Medical Society, before which, in 1843, he delivered a very able disertation on Pulmonary Consumption. When the old Fitchburg Bank was first organized he was one of its charter members, and held the office of Director during his life. He was one of the prime movers in organizing the Fitchburg and Worcester R. R. Com- pany, now a part of the Old Colony system, and it is chiefly owing to his energy and perseverance that the road was com- pleted and the enterprise made a success. He was elected the first president of the road, and after resigning that office be- came one of the directors of the company, which office he held up to the time of his death. He was also a member of the Bunker Hill Monument Committee, and took an active part in all public matters up to the last year of his life. The final dis- position of his property by will showed, in a marked degree, his blended benevolence and thoughtfulness that distinguished him through life, by his liberal bequest of twenty thousand dollars to the Massachusetts General Hospital, for the support
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of free beds in that institution. He was a prominent member of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Society, and took an active part in all church matters. His most striking character- istics were his untiring activity and industry. He endeavored to use every moment for some good, and by this means climbed the ladder of life, commencing with the bottom round and end- ing with the top one of success. His death occurred Febru- ary 12th, 185 1.
JAMES H. CARTER was born in Lancaster in the year 1794, and removed to Leominster, where he was for many years one of the most influential and active business men. He first began the manufacture of combs in the small house now stand- ing on the corner of West and Cotton streets, using the old fashioned horse-power in the business. He was afterwards associated with Isaac Cowdrey and Oliver Patch under the firm name of Carter, Cowdrey & Patch, the particulars of which are given in Mr. Cowdrey's sketch.
Mr. Carter served the town as chairman of the board of Selectmen and also on the board of Assessors. He was spec- ially interested in the Fitchburg and Worcester R. R., and held the office of a director before it was consolidated with the Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg R. R. Mr. Carter was one of three original incorporators of the Leominster Savings Bank, John H. Lockey and Leonard Burrage being the other two, and was elected a trustee and served in that capacity as long as he lived. He was also a director in the First National Bank from the date of its incorporation until the time of his death, March 13, 1871.
J. C. LANE was born in Epping, N. H., June 15, 1815, and came to Leominster in 1845. He established the first piano shop and manufactured the first piano-forte cases ever made in this town. He first occupied a small building which stood near where Valpey & Anthony's shoe factory now stands and
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CHARLES H. MERRIAM.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
afterwards, in 1847, he built the shop now owned by the W. S. Reed Toy Co., and carried on business there for several years. During all the years of his residence in Leominster Mr. Lane was an active and efficient member of the M. E. Church and a prominent and respected citizen.
OLIVER PATCH was born in Fitzwilliam, N. H., August 9th, 1805, and died in Wilmington, Vt., June 28th, 1875. When a young man Mr. Patch removed to Leominster and engaged in the livery and jobbing business. He afterwards started in what was then a new business in Leominster, the buying and selling of coal. He was also a member of the firm of Carter, Cowdrey, & Patch, as stated in sketch of Isaac Cowdrey, and was for a time interested in the Union Comb Co. Upon the organization of the First National Bank Mr. Patch was made a director, which office he held as long as he lived. Some time previous to his death Mr. Patch gave up active business, retir- ing to his farm which he carried on as long as he was able to labor.
CHARLES H. MERRIAM was born March 1, 1822, in the town of Westport, County of Essex, in the State of New York. He was one of seven children of Josephus and Betsey Merri- am. His father died when he was six years of age, and the family, consisting of the mother, four boys and three girls, re- moved to this State, and located in Fitchburg, where in early life he worked in the cotton mill, after which he lived on a farm for a brief time. He then learned the harness trade and became a master workman. In 1847, he began the study of law with his brother in Connecticut. He was afterwards a stu- dent at Middlebury, Vt. In 1851, he returned to Massachu- setts, and in 1852 was admitted to the practice of the law in the Courts of this Commonwealth, and the same year opened an office in Leominster. He was appointed Trial Justice, which office he held until his death. In 1860, he was elected
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a delegate to the National Republican Convention, which Convention nominated Abraham Lincoln, for the Presi- dency. In the early stages of the Rebellion he was active. He enlisted in the 53d Regiment as Colonel but sickness com- pelled him to return home. For many years he was counsel for the town in all legal matters, was many times elected to the office of Selectman, and as a member of the School board giv- ing to the town for many years valuable service in both these offices. He held almost every important office in town, within the gift of the people; was active in introducing the water works into town and had been chairman of the water board from the beginning. The present High School Building was erected under his supervision and when the town hall was re- modelled, and the library, reading room and selectmen's room were devised, it was done largely under his direction. In 1869,- 70,-71, he represented his district in the State Legislature. While a member of the House, he was twice placed on the Judiciary Committee of that body, and there his ability as a lawyer and legislator became apparent. He was assigned to the difficult task of drafting general laws touching the sale of Spirituous Liquors, Statues improving the Probate System and others of larger importance. He was regarded as one of the ablest legislators of those years. In 1878-9 he represented his district in the Senate, where he found his place on the Law Committee of that body, and fully maintained his reputation as a skilfull and wise legislator.
It can be truly said of him, that whatever position he was called upon to occupy by the citizens, he entered upon the duties of the office with a conscientious determination to dis- charge them to the best of his ability. He died at his resi- dence on Main street, Sunday morning, Oct. 7th, 1883.
WILLIAM A. NICHOLS was a son of Israel and Esther Nich- ols, born March 27th, 1805, and died April 30th, 1858. In per-
LEVI GOSS.
WM. A. NICHOLS. FROM AN OLD PORTRAIT.
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JOSEPH COZZENS.
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son and character he was like his father and grandfather, firm and faithful in the discharge of all trusts committed to his care. In addition to these qualities of mind and character, Mr. Nich- ols brought with him to Leominster a thorough knowledge of business methods. He was a competent book-keeper and made a complete revolution in the system of keeping the town books. He was for some ten years Treasurer of the Town, was a Com- missioner under the bankrupt laws for his district in 1842, and held a Justice of the Peace Commission for many years. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of "The Fitch- burg Bank," where his ability and experience made him a valuable member.
Those who were intimate with Mr. Nichols, and knew him during these years, remember him as a man of sterling integ- rity, honest and faithful in all things. He was looked up to by the town's people and was considered worthy to be held up as a pattern for young men to emulate. Few men have exerted a more salutary influence in the community, or whose departure caused such universal regret.
LEVI GOSS was born in Lancaster, Mass., in the year 1813. He received a good common school education, and, at an early age, entered the employ of Eli B. Sampson at Boylston, where he continued as his clerk for a number of years, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the Dry Goods and Grocery business. He was afterwards associated, as partner, with O. B. Sawyer in the same line of business in West Boylston. In 1864 he moved to Leominster and bought out the business of J. Q. A. Pierce. This business he continued with his son-in-law, D. I. Harthan, in the brick block owned by him, on the corner of Mechanic street. In 1872 the firm dissolved, Mr. Goss retiring from act- ive business.
In the promotion of the work and interests of the Farmers
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and Mechanics' Association of Leominster, Mr. Goss bore an active part, for nine years holding the office of Treasurer and Collector.
He was chairman of the board of Selectmen both in West Boylston and Leominster, and he was deeply and actively inter- ested in the building of the fine carriage-road to the summit of Wachusett mountain, and in the improvement of that popular resort.
He was a director in the First National Bank from 1872 un- til the expiration of its charter and the formation of the new bank. He was also one of the trustees of the Leominster Savings Bank for several years, continuing in that office until the time of his death, Dec. 23d, 1884. For many years of his life, Mr. Goss was called upon to settle estates and to serve as trustee and guardian for minors and others, and in all these positions manifested rare ability with perfect integrity. Those who knew him well honored, respected, and loved him. He was a friend and counsellor to many who needed advice, and a man from whom every one received it kindly. It has been said by one who knew him well : " His salutation and cordial hand shake strengthened one's faith in humanity, and made the day seem brighter."
JOSEPH COZZENS came to Leominster from Holliston about the year 1845 and with his brother Leonard, engaged in the Lumber and Grain business at the Haws' mill -- now Harwood's -and, after his brother's death, continued alone until about 1860, when he sold the mill and bought the Carter farm, where he lived the rest of his days. He was elected a director in the First National Bank in 1868, holding that office until Jan. Ist, 1885, when he declined re-election. He was a trustee, also, of the Savings Bank from its organization, and for thirteen years a member of its board of investment. For several years he
WILLIAM M. HOWLAND.
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