USA > Massachusetts > Massachusetts of today; a memorial of the state, historical and biographical, issued for the World's Columbian exposition at Chicago > Part 63
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498
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
W ILLIAM H. WONSON, 3D, comes from a well- known Gloucester family, being a descendant of John Wonson, an early settler at Sandy Bay, now Rockport, where he married a daughter of the first set- tler, Richard Tarr, in 1720, and had a house as early as 1726. John Wonson's youngest son, Samuel, removed to East Gloucester, at which place the family is now a large one, his descendants being among the most enter- prising, reliable and persevering fishing merchants of Gloucester, and are now numbered among her most re- spected citizens. William H. Wonson, 3d, was born in Gloucester, June 22, 1826, son of William H. and Susan (Par- sons) Wonson, who are both still living, being among the oldest citizens. Mr. Wonson is probably the only man in the city, of his age, who has both his parents now living. Mr. Wonson was edu- cated in the public schools of Glonces- ter. In his boyhood and early manhood he followed the fish- eries as a business for eighteen years, starting out at the tender age of ten years to earn a live- lihood, and help his father along, as a fisherman, rising to the command of a fine fishing schooner at the age of twenty-four years, and continuing as master for four years. About this time he retired from fishing, and with his father, his two brothers, Benjamin and Addison, established a new branch of the fishing business, the purchase, smoking and sale of smoked halibut, under the firm name of William H. Wonson & Son, which enterprise from the start has been very successful. Mr. Wonson has ever been an
active Republican, has frequently served as a member of the City Committee from Ward One, and always taken part in public affairs. When the city government was established in 1873 he was elected as an alderman from his native ward, and re-elected in 1874, serv- ing for the years 1874 and 1875, the first years of the city government, with credit to himself and benefit to his ward. He was chosen representative to the Massa- chusetts General Court in 1881, re-elected in 1882, and was a valued mem- ber, especially on matters connected with the fisheries. He served on the im- portant committee of harbor and public lands. He kept well in line in his political career, for in the year 1883 he was the choice of the people for mayor, and was re-elected to serve in 1884, making an honest and conservative executive. He is the only Gloucester mayor who has ever had the same Board of Aldermen elected and serve for the two consecutive years while he held the office. Mr. Wonson is president of the Gloucester Fisher- man's Institute, di- rector and member of the Executive Com- mittee of the Gloucester Board of Trade. He is a trustee of the Prospect Street Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he takes a lively interest. He spends his summers at Asbury Grove. He married, April 30, 1848, Judith W. Tarr, by whom he had four children, one son and three daughters. The son died in carly life ; the oldest daughter, Judith E., married Augustus Hubbard ; Ida married Osborn P. Linnekin, and Josephine married Sidney H. Savage, and all are settled in Gloucester.
WILLIAM H. WONSON, 3d.
499
GLOUCESTER.
F RANCIS PROCTER, eldest son of Francis Epes and Ann (Allen) Procter, was born in Gloucester, March 16, 1833. His mother was descended from Rev. John White, who, ordained April 21, 1703, served the First Parish fifty-eight years. On his father's side he is a descendant from Rev. Francis Higginson, the first minister at Salem, John Procter who was put to death in the witchcraft delusion of 1692, and Colonel William Prescott, of Bunker Hill fame. He was educated in the Gloucester pub- lic schools. His father died in 1846, when he was thir- teen years old, leav- ing him, with two younger brothers, the support of his mother, who shortly after lost her eye- sight. Borrowing of her one dollar he purchased thirty- three copies of the Flag of our Union and thus started a business now em- bracing printing, publishing, booksell- ing, stationery, wall- paper and a general newspaper trade. In 1854 he took his brother, George H. Procter, as a partner, starting the firm of Procter Brothers (his younger brother, Wil- liam A., having died in 1848). In July, 1853, "Procter's Able Sheet" was started and published monthly, and was later changed to the Gloucester Advertiser, a semi-monthly. In 1856 the Cape Ann Advertiser was first issued and is still published weekly. Their latest venture, the Gloucester Daily Times, came out June 16, 1888, and is now printed on a Cox duplex perfecting press. Mr. Procter has always been interested in public improvements notably, the laying out of Bellevue Heights for residen- tial lots. The firm is also interested in Wolf Hill and
FRANCIS PROCTER.
Willoughby Park, pleasant summer resorts. Mr. Procter was a delegate to the first Free-Soil Convention at Wor- cester ; served as auditor of the town accounts in 1861 ; attended the Liberal Republican Convention of 1872 ; was a member of the Conference Committee that nominated Charles Sumner for governor ; was alderman from Ward Four in 1876, and has always been an active Republi- can. He joined the Masonic Fraternity in early man- hood, was secretary of Tyrian Lodge for two years, chairman of the Parish Committee of the Independent Christian Society (the oldest Univer- salist Church in America), from 1883 to 1889 ; is secretary and treasurer of the Wolf Hill Land Company, and presi- dent of the Wil- loughby Park Land Association. He is also director of the Gloucester Board of Trade, chairman of the Committee on Manufactures, direc- tor of the Gloucester Cooperative Bank, and a member of the Board of Park Com- missioners. Mr. Procter married in Marlboro', Mass., March 15, 1856, Mary Melissa, daughter of Solomon and Mary H. (Per- kins) Rice, of that town. His children are Frank Rice, George Perkins (deceased), William Allen and Mary M. Procter. He helped organize the Massachusetts Press Association in 1869, served as secretary two years, vice-president five years, president three years, is fourth vice-president Amer- ican Associated Dailies, and has been delegate to many conventions of the National Editorial Association, and member of its Executive Committee. Mr. Procter has travelled extensively, spending two winters in Bermuda.
ITTSFIELD
PITTSFIELD is the first city of Berkshire County. It is situated almost in the centre of a geographical amphi- theatre, the Taconics, Washington Mountain, Perry's Peak and Potter Mountain rising about it like sentinels. Visitors are speedily impressed with its wide streets, stately trees and substantial buildings. There are six lakes within Pittsfield's borders and numberless scenic panoramas which would alone make the place celebrated. Pittsfield became a city in 1891, feeling that, with eighteen thousand inhabitants, letter-carrier service, well-organized police and fire departments, fire-alarm telegraph, fine water supply, electric lights, telephone facilities, first-class sidewalks, street railway, etc., the place had attained municipal importance. By this change, however, Pittsfield has lost none of its air of refinement and its loveliness as a summer resort.
Since 1868 Pittsfield has been the county seat, thus gaining a fine marble court house and soon after a correspondingly substantial jail. Admirable railroad facilities have contributed much toward its development, Boston and New York being within five hours' ride by way of the Boston & Albany and Housatonic branch of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. Pittsfield has always nurtured its educational, industrial, social and religious interests. Its aristocracy has never been of the purse-proud, arrogant type, but rather of the earnest, patriotic sort, possessed of the same spirit that led "Fighting Parson" Allen to drop his sermon to participate in the battle of Bennington. Linked with the history of the town are the names of Plunkett, Barker, Pomeroy, Allen, Francis, Parker, Colt, Dunham, Childs and Russell. The town has always had something of a literary tone, deepened perhaps by Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes's summer residence, Herman Melville's home at "Arrowhead," and the late Poet Longfellow's frequent visits. Its pulpits have almost invariably been filled with pastors of strong personality, such as Rev. Dr. John Todd, Rev. Dr. Heman Humphrey, Rev. Dr. William C. Richards and Rev. Dr. William Wilberforce Newton.
Several libraries were founded as early as 1796. The Athenaeum, Pittsfield's present library building, stands a monument to the late Thomas Allen, one of her self-made sons, who never lost his love for his native place, although most of his life was passed in the West, he being the chief promoter of the Pacific Railroad and presi- dent of the first company that began its construction. The Athenaeum also contains an art gallery and museum and rooms of the Berkshire Historical and Scientific Society.
The Business Men's Association was organized in 1881 with over a hundred members, and has convenient rooms of its own. Pittsfield's increasing manufacturing establishments are to a great extent hidden away in the extremities of the city, so that the principal streets retain all their old picturesqueness, so agreeable to the hun- dreds of visitors who annually flock from the great cities to its summer hotels and many private residences. The place has interesting residences. There is, for instance, the Thomas Plunkett house, once the home of Thomas Gold, who, tradition has it, sat in an upper chamber and saw his own funeral, as the procession passed to the cemetery. It was necessary, if the old story is to be believed, that, owing to some financial transactions, he should be dead. After the obsequies he made his escape to distant lands. It was in this house that Longfellow's famous poem, ""The Old Clock on the Stairs," was written, and the clock remains in the same hallway to this day.
Twenty-six common schools serve to show the wide diffusion of educational advantages. At a period just before the town became a city the real estate valuation was placed at $7,101,525, with personal estate sufficient to bring the grand total to $9,893,959. Pittsfield's banking facilities are excellent, the loan and discount business of three institutions reaching over $2,000,000 in a recent year. Its industries are widely diversified, although the manufacture of woollens, yarns, braids, shoes and shoe and iron specialties predominate. The city has several noteworthy insurance companies and four newspapers. Pittsfield, with its uncommon advantages and encircled by such interesting places as Lenox and Stockbridge, is an ideal home.
501
PITTSFIELD.
JABEZ L. PECK, mayor of Pittsfield and once before D the chief executive of his native city, was born
Dec. 7, 1826. He descended from pioneer New England stock, his father Jabez and his uncle Elijah Peck being the founders of what is now known as the Peck Lower Mill, he succeeding them in the manufac- ture of cotton yarn. His mother was Clarissa Peck. Young Peck gained a good education in the public schools and early entered the manufacturing business, which was to prove his life-work, grasp- ing its details readily, for he inherited a liking for the impor- tant industrial niche destiny had marked out for him. In 1864, in company with Joseph K. Kil- burn, he built the Peck Upper Mill, for the manufacture of flannels. Four years later he bought out his partner and in 1888 constructed the large weave sheds of the Peck Manu- facturing Company. He is at the head of this prosperous con- cern, which gives employment to two hundred and fifty hands, and from the first, through poor and prosperous times, has conducted it with rare business skill, energy and forethought. His life as a business man, public officer, citizen and pioneer is thoroughly interwoven with the history of the old town which he has served five years as water commissioner, ten as chief engineer of the fire department, having always been a member of Company No. I, and one year a selectman. He is president of and a director in the stanch old Berkshire Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which was organized in 1835, a director and member of the Finance Committee of the
JABEZ L. PECK.
Berkshire Life Insurance Company, a director in the Agricultural National Bank, a trustee and member of the Finance Committee of the Berkshire Savings Bank, and a trustee in the Pittsfield Cemetery Corporation, be- side being prominent in the affairs of the First Church parish. Mr. Peck was elected to the Board of Alder- man from Ward Three in 1890 and was chosen presi- dent, in which position he did efficient work. So heartily did his work commend itself to members of his party that he was unanimously nomi- nated for the mayor- alty a year later, and although the city is naturally Democratic, was elected after an exceedingly exciting and interesting cam- paign. His admin- istration was char- acterized by a firm and wise control of municipal affairs, and an economical man - agement of the city's finances. At the close of his admin- istration there was a general demand for his renomination, which was so strong as to overcome his personal preferences, and he reluctantly consented to again be a candidate. He was re-elected by a largely increased majority, at a time when the city stood peculiarly in need of a firm and level-headed execu- tive, the result giving satisfaction to men of all parties. Mayor Peck was married in 1853 to Miss Elizabeth D. Dowse, and has two children, Thomas D., who is asso- ciated with him in business, and Miss Mary Clarissa Peck. He resides on East Street, one of the loveliest and most aristocratic avenues of the city. Mayor Peck has the reputation of being one of the ablest financiers in Berkshire County.
502
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
C OLONEL WALTER CUTTING was born in only twenty-one years old. Two years after returning Westchester County, New York, April 19, 1841, being the son of the late Robert L. Cutting and the late Juliana Cutting, of New York City. He spent his boy- hood days in and about the metropolis. Entering Columbia College, he was graduated from that institu- tion in the class of 1862. The war had fairly begun as he closed his studies, and he was not long in determin- ing which way duty led. He was mustered into service as ensign of Com- pany G, Thirtieth Regiment, New York
Volunteers, Jan. 10, 1862. He was speedily detailed on staff duty as aide-de- camp to Brigadier- General (afterwards Major - General) C. C. Augur. Three months after enlisting he was promoted to the first lieutenancy of Company G. The next year he was made captain and additional aide-de- camp, being mus- tered out of service in July, 1866, when he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel, for " gallant and mer- itorious services." In December, 1863, Lientenant - Colon e l Cutting was made major and senior aide-de-camp of the Twenty-second Army Corps. Although closely confined to his varied busi- ness enterprises, he has never lost interest in military affairs, being a member of the Grand Army and of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Mr. Cutting is now colonel and senior aide-de- camp to Governor William E. Russell of Massachusetts, in which State he has resided since May, 1868. Thus, at the age of twenty-five, Mr. Cutter found himself a lieutenant-colonel, having been graduated when he was
WALTER CUTTING.
from the war he engaged in the manufacture of paper at Dalton, Mass., with the late Major-General William F. Bartlett, of the United States Volunteers, the firm being known as Bartlett & Cutting. The concern was dissolved in September, 1875, after having gained a wide-spread reputation for the quality of its products. During his whole life Mr. Cutting has been a fancier of fine horses and cattle, and for several years past has devoted especial at- tention to the breed- ing of fast steppers and Guernsey cattle, until the Cutting farm has become justly celebrated throughout the East- ern States. Colonel Cutting has many other interests, how- ever, his stock inter- ests being simply the outgrowth of a gen- tleman's stable. Al- though he spends some of his time in New York, Colonel Cutting has a deep and abiding interest in l'ittsfield affairs, and has played his part in the develop- ment of the bustling Berkshire city, being identified with its most solid institu- tions. His residence and grounds are among the finest in that picturesque municipality. In his earlier years he was interested in the George Y. Learned Engine Company No. 2, which is the " crack " fire organization of Pittsfield. Colonel Cutting stands high in Masonry, having reached the thirty-third degree, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He was once the Democratic candidate for the lieutenant-governorship of Massachusetts. He wedded Miss M. C. Pomeroy, daughter of Robert Pomeroy, of Pittsfield, Sept. 30, 1869.
503
PITTSFIELD.
O LIVER WELLS ROBBINS is a genuine son of Berkshire. He was born in Pittsfield, Aug. 20, 1812, and has always lived there, his parents being Elijah and Thankful Wells Robbins. Young Robbins, after completing the course of the public schools, engaged in farming, which occupation had consumed much of his previous attention, for he was brought up in the stern school of workers, which has produced so many successful men. It may be truly said of him that he has never known an idle day in all his long life. In 1856 he started in the re- tail shoe business, which he continued for ten years, until, his health failing, he was forced to retire. Four years later, having recovered his bodily vigor, he en- gaged in shoe man- ufacturing with Charles W. Kellogg, the firm being known as Robbins & Kel- logg, and being still in existence. Mr. Robbins was elected to the Massachusetts House of Represen- tatives in 1880, and was a member of the State Senate ten years later. In 1892 he served the Dem-
OLIVER W. ROBBINS.
ocrats as candidate for mayor of Pitts- field. He has always taken a deep inter- est in public affairs, and has rarely been known to miss a town meeting or caucus, no matter how small its prom- ised import, and has sometimes been styled "the watch-dog of the treasury," because of his economical views. Still, his prudence is anything but of the mis- erly type, and his candor and fairness have always been so marked as to win him friends among his political opponents. A prominent newspaper, independent in its politics, once summed up Mr. Robbins's characteris-
tics in these words : "He is a good financier, a safe counsellor and a man of sand." He is familiar with all the plodding hardships of life, which has proved a valu- able experience, not only to himself but to his constitu- ents. Beginning the shoe manufacturing business in a modest way, he has seen it increase until the yearly cash transactions of the concern have exceeded five hundred thousand dollars. The firm of Robbins & Kellogg is doubtless the largest industry of its kind in Western Massachu- setts, occupying two five-story brick buildings, equipped with the most im- proved machinery for the manufacture of shoes. The com- pany has an estab- lished reputation on men's and boys' fine and medium calf goods. Mr. Rob- bins has been inti- mately identified with Pittsfield's real estate interests and the development of the shire town and city. He is a direc- tor in the stanch old Berkshire Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany and connected with other influen- tial institutions. Mr. Robbins wedded Miss Ann Maria Merrill, Sept. 26, 1837, and they have had two sons and two daughters, all of whom are dead except the oldest daughter. Though somewhat advanced in years, Mr. Robbins retains a large share of his health and mental vigor, and while he has resigned the conduct of some of his business interests to younger men, that he may the more enjoy a well-earned competency, he is as active as ever. Whatever life has afforded him has been found in Berkshire, and Pittsfield has no more loyal son or ardent admirer.
504
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
E DWARD STILLMAN FRANCIS was born in Pitts- field, Dec. 20, 1835, of one of the oldest and most influential families in town, his parents being James and Sarah C. Francis. He received his educa- tion in public and private schools of the place, one of his boyhood associates being Marshall Field, now the millionnaire clothier of Chicago. At a very early age young Francis became a clerk in the Pittsfield bank, just after its establishment. He remained with this bank three years, constantly advancing in position under Junius D. Adams, a 1 most competent and successful cashier. Before attaining his 1 majority Mr. Francis accepted the post of cashier of the Shel- burne Falls Bank, at Shelburne Falls, Mass., where he re- mained until Decem- ber, 1863, when he was recalled to the Pittsfield National Bank to become its cashier, the place 0 being made vacant by the resignation of Mr. Adams. The bank by this time had assumed an ex- ceedingly important position, its officers being men of un- common ability, and many of them vet- erans in the com- mercial and financial life of Berkshire. Under Mr. Francis's twenty-nine years' administration the bank has met with a continu- ance of the uninterrupted success that had marked its carlier operations, the volume of business having steadily increased, every dividend and demand being promptly met, while never has the suspicion of a cloud rested upon the institution. Its capital stock is five hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Francis has devoted his entire energies to the bank management, and enjoys the full
confidence of the community in which he moves. He is a man of scrupulous integrity, of literary culture and refined tastes. His experience and ability have called him into many positions of public trust. He was one of the incorporators of the Berkshire Atheneum, hav- ing as colleagues in that beneficent enterprise such men as Hon. Thomas Allen, Rev. Dr. John Todd, Senator Henry L. Dawes and General W. F. Bartlett, and has served the institution as treasurer many years, beside acting as auditor and a member of the Library Committee. Mr. Francis was ap- pointed chairman of the Funding Com- mittee of the Town Debt, and was for years the sole trus- tee of a very large property. Mr. Francis is passion- ately fond of music, and has become ac- complished in that art. While his talents in this direction are chiefly exercised in securing relaxation from his manifold responsibilities, they have not infrequently been turned toward the benefit of the public. Mr. Francis's handsome residence on Jubilee Hill, so called because of the famous Berkshire jubilee held upon it, occupies one of the finest locations in town, there being an unobstructed view for many miles in all directions. Turning north through Onota Street, there is a lovely drive, Greylock Mountain being directly in front. Mr. Francis wedded Miss Eleanor Tucker. Of this union there are two children living, Dr. E. N. Francis, now residing in Texas, and Miss Nellie A. Francis, who makes her home with her father. Both are fond of music, like their father, Miss Francis being an accomplished pianist.
EDWARD S. FRANCIS.
505
PITTSFIELD.
JOHN CHAPMAN WEST was born at Washington,
Mass., March 9, 1811, the second child, in the family of six sons and one daughter, of Abel West, Jr., and Mathilda Thompson West. His grandfather, Abel West, came from Tolland, Ct., having borne his share of trials in Revolutionary times. When Governor Trum- bull called his fellow-citizens together to drive invaders from the colonies, the Wests were a sturdy race of farmers, coming from England to Plymouth, and settling in Duxbury in 1636, although a few fol- lowed the sea. Abel West, Jr., moved from Washington to Pitts- field in 1816, and then his son John at- tended school, and later a private acad- emy. On the West's farm was a brick yard, and John, soon becoming an adept, followed that trade in summer, learning shoemaking to fill up the winter months. In 1836 he opened a shoe store in Pitts- field, in company with I. and E. Peck. Three years later he, with Doria Tracy, took the old Bissell store, on the public square, and began a general business. A few years later he bought out his part- ner, also the build- ing and site, on which he erected West's Block, in 1850. In 1844 his brother Gilbert joined him, and they are still associated as John C. West & Brother. In 1836 Mr. West wedded Clarissa J. Root, who died six years later. They had one son, Charles E. West, who is living in Pittsfield. Mr. West was married in 1844 to Maria L. Goodrich. Their living children are : John K., of Detroit ; Dr. Frank E., professor in the Long Island Medical College, Brooklyn, and Frederick T., of Chicago. Mr. West was a man of
JOHN C. WEST.
uncommon physical strength, and as captain of the Berkshire Greys, a militia company, gained special prominence on training days. He was the first foreman of the earliest hand-engine company, -the Housatonic, -and was afterwards chief engineer. Mr. West assisted in the formation of the Pittsfield National Bank, and was long a director, rarely being absent from the meet- ings of the board. He is a director in the Berkshire County Savings Bank and the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, serving as president of the lat- ter nine years. As director of the Pitts- field Cemetery Cor- poration, his advice has been especially helpful in developing a most beautiful bur- ial ground, while the First Congregational Church has counted him among its most valued supporters. For half a century he sang in its choir. Mr. West has always been an enthusiastic Dem- ocrat, serving two terms in the Legisla- ture. Many Pitts- field streets were laid out and over a hun- dred buildings erected by John C. West & Brother. Mr. West was chosen selectman in 1853 and again in 1856, being thereafter re- elected nineteen suc- cessive times, always acting as chairman. He was active in securing the removal of the county buildings to Pitts- field, and in obtaining desirable sites for them. During the war he rendered great service in forwarding com- panies, and later in erecting a fitting monument to its fallen heroes. Judge Barker paid a fitting tribute to Mr. West in his address at the city inaugural, in 1891, recognizing the many and valuable services he has rendered to his fellow-citizens of Pittsfield.
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