USA > Massachusetts > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Massachusetts > Part 34
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John George Berry received his preparatory education in the public and high schools of Somerville, his native place. He entered Harvard College, but on account of poor health did not graduate. Later he attended Cornell Uni- versity, and Princeton University, and took an agricultural course at Amherst Academy. He then entered the employ of his father, Casper Berry, who was the head of the firm known as that of C. Berry & Company in Boston. In a short time Mr. Berry became a member of this firm, and proved of great and invaluable assistance to his father in building up a large and successful busi- ness. They met with success, and through their combined efforts the firm is to-day recognized as one of the leading wholesale concerns of its character in Boston. Mr. Berry never enjoyed robust health, but his physical ailments he kept to himself, and by sheer force of will power he was enabled to be at his post daily until forced to seek treatment in a private hospital. To a man of his aggressive temperament this was hard and difficult to bear, but he never complained, and all through his illness and incapacity displayed great fortitude and patience. His character was one to arouse both admiration and affection, so that the feelings with which his death was regarded were of the most spon- taneous and sincere kind. No one who had had any extensive associations with him but desired to be called his friend, nor were there many who so sought who remained unaccepted. A man of large heart, Mr. Berry found room for all sorts and manners of men in his affection, and nothing but a very decided fault in the character of the man debarred him from the familiar friendship of this good man. Above all he was not one to consider the external condi- tions, and a shabby coat was as likely to meet with welcome as that of wealth. Qualities of this kind never fail to make an appeal to men, who in essence are democratic, and it followed that he was a popular figure in his native place, and the city of his business activities.
Mr. Berry never participated in civic affairs, but was always keenly in- terested in the election of competent men to fill the city offices. He was in- deed a man of more than ordinary business ability and talent. He gave a large number of people employment and was always very liberal and generous to those in his employ. He knew his business thoroughly, and was never in- considerate of the rights of others. There are many men who are far too in-
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dividual to ever fit into any of the official positions in the gift of the commu- nity, and who are yet distinctly public characters by virtue of the general ac- quaintanceship and popularity which they enjoy. Such was Mr. Berry, who was known familiarly to his fellow townsmen. He deserved the popularity he enjoyed, the success that sprang from it, and he also deserved that highest of compliments which the people pay to an honorable man.
On December 18, 1902, John George Berry was united in marriage with Annie Elizabeth Doherty, of Boston, a daughter of William and Sarah Doher- ty, both of whom were natives of Donegal, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Doherty were the parents of two children, namely: Annie Elizabeth, now the widow of John George Berry, and John Doherty. Mrs. Berry was educated in the Charlestown parochial schools, and is a member of the Catholic church. Since the death of her husband, she has continued to reside in the Berry home in Somerville, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Berry became the parents of four children, as follows: Edmund, Vera, Evelyn, and Helen, all of whom were born in Somerville. Of Mr. Berry's home life not enough can be said to do him complete justice, as it was one of his greatest pleasures to pass the time in the home circle, surrounded by the family to whom he was so devoted, while the household was rendered by his presence a center of peace and domestic harmony.
Mr. Berry was but thirty-nine years of age when the grim tyrant Death claimed him. In the various relations of life, his conduct was uniformly in accordance with the highest standards, and his reputation for business and the essential personal virtues upon which must be founded all truly successful life was unsurpassed. In the intimate intercourse of family life, he proved him- self a man of the highest character by that most difficult test of uniform kind- ness and consideration. Mr. Berry's integrity of purpose, his goodness of heart, and his faithfulness of obligation, caused him to stand for what was best in life, thereby leaving an impression for good in the community in which he lived.
dalalter C. Horter
IN April, 1912, the world was startled by that great tragedy of the sea, the sinking of the immense steamship "Titanic" off the coast of Newfoundland, with a resultant loss of hundreds of lives. As time developed the facts of that night of horror a story of bravery in the face of death was revealed which forever glorifies the men of the "Titanic." Not needing or waiting the command "women and children first," they aided them into the life-boats, then stood back and after securing life-belts for themselves bravely awaited the inevitable. When at last the stricken ship took the final plunge and the icy waters claimed so many gallant spirits, no nobler soul took its flight over the frozen sea than Walter C. Porter, to whose memory this tribute of respect is offered.
Walter C. Porter was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, May 13, 1865, son of Samuel Porter, a manufacturer of shoe lasts. After completing his education in the public school of the city, he entered the employ of his father and thoroughly learned the business. He continued with his father until 1891, developing particular strength as a salesman. His service was uninterrupted during those years save for vacation trips, one such being an extended cruise in South American waters in a sloop rigged pleasure yacht, a cruise not without its dangers, shipwreck being very near during a tropi- cal hurricane which caught the yacht in an exposed location.
In 1891 Mr. Porter determined to enter a different line of business, and resigning his position he opened a grocery store at Holden, Massachu- setts. But his early training soon asserted itself, and in 1897 he returned to his father as partner and sales manager. This connection existed until 1903, when in association with Walter E. Bigelow, a life long friend, he purchased his father's interest, the young man assuming full control of the sales department; Mr. Bigelow of the manufacturing department of the business. Both were exceedingly capable men, and under their able man- agement a period of expansion and prosperity began. Mr. Porter, as sales- man, possessed unusual strength in his ability to impress his customers with his absolute honesty of purpose and as time wore on he demonstrated that his promises meant performance, all barriers were broken down, customers multiplied and a customer always became a friend. Their lasts were in de- mand all over North America wherever shoes were made, and unsolicited a European demand set in which. was allowed to practically take care of itself for about three years.
Finally it reached such proportions that Mr. Porter determined to or-
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ganize the European market by a personal tour of England, Germany, France, Austria and other countries, become acquainted with the customers the firm had and establish new agencies. He sailed from Boston, February 20, 1912, and in succession visited the trade centers of Europe, created a fine impres- sion and had a very successful tour from a business standpoint. It was his first European trip, and while he thoroughly enjoyed his experience, his let- ters home were tinged with regret at absence from his home and native land, but were joyous at the prospect of a speedy return. The coal strike in England he feared would detain the sailing of the "Titanic" on which he had booked passage, but under date of March 31, 1912, he wrote that the White Star officials had assured him that the great steamer would assur- edly sail on her maiden ocean voyage, April 10, and added, "How I wish it was to-day I was to sail instead of April 10!"
Next came the tidings of the greatest sea disaster of modern times, and although his family and partner put forth every effort no tidings were ob- tained of his fate until the finding of his body by the cable steamer "Mac- key-Bennett," near the scene of the disaster, a life-belt sustaining him. He was brought to Halifax with the two hundred and fifty other heroes found by the steamer, thence to Boston and final resting place in Worcester.
Mr. Porter's business strength was in his ability as a salesman, his ab- solute integrity and faculty for inspiring confidence. He was one of the most popular men connected with the shoe trade and was equally esteemed socially. He was a member of the Worcester Board of Trade and the Wor- cester Traveling Men's Association, both organizations having his warmest support. He belonged to the Commonwealth Club, the Lakeside Boat Club, the Worcester Automobile Club, and was a lover of out-of-door sports and recreations. Although connected with these various clubs, Mr. Porter spent very little of his time outside of his home, being devoted to his family, their comfort and pleasure being his chief thought. Friendly, genial and gener- ous, he had a host of friends who sincerely mourned his untimely end, and warmly cherish his memory.
Mr. Porter married (first) Louise Phillips, daughter of Oscar Phillips, of the Heywood Boot & Shoe Company. Mrs. Porter died in 1905. Eight- een months later, Mr. Porter married (second) Mrs. Mabel N. Sanford, widow of Charles B. Sanford, who survives him, a resident of Worcester. By his first marriage Mr. Porter had two children: Helen I. and F. Stan- ley Porter. By her first marriage Mrs. Porter has a son, Lyndon Sanford, and a daughter, Nellie R. Sanford.
Albert Wood, M.D.
FROM 1865 until his death in 1912, Dr. Wood was an eminent physician and surgeon of Worcester, Massachusetts, and inti- mately connected with the great philanthropic institutions and hospitals of the city. He was professionally a giant, his four years of service as surgeon in the army and his wide experi- ence as a practitioner bringing him into close touch with every ailment to which humanity is subject. He came from early Colonial English family, his pioneer ancestor, William Wood, born in 1852, coming to Matlock, Massachusetts, in 1638 with his wife, son Michael and daughter Ruth. His will dated September 15, 1670, stating his age to be about eighty-eight years, was proved June 30, 1672.
Michael Wood, son of William Wood, had a house and lot in Concord, and was interested in the Concord Iron Works. Later he settled on a farm, where he died May 13, 1674. His wife Mary bore him eight children, one of whom was a son, Abraham.
Abraham Wood, son of Michael and Mary Wood, born at Concord, died at Sudbury, Massachusetts, September 12, 1746. He held the offices of town clerk and selectman in Concord, and there spent most of his life. After the removal of his son Abraham (2) to Sudbury, he moved with his wife Sarah to that town and spent his last years in the home of his son. Mrs. Sarah Wood died February 24, 1748.
Abraham (2) Wood, son of Abraham (I) and Sarah Wood, was born in Concord, April 16, 1684, died in Sudbury, Massachusetts, July II, 1742. His wife Hannah died November 7, 1746.
Captain Samuel Wood, son of Abraham (2) and Hannah Wood, was born in Sudbury, March 17, 1710, died in Westboro, Massachusetts, March 18, 1760. He settled in 1750 in Westboro in that part afterward Northboro, and there with his sons engaged in the manufacturing of shell jewelry. Later they became clothiers and fullers, and for half a century the firm was widely known. All of Captain Samuel Wood's sons except one, and all of his sons- in-law, served in the Revolutionary army. His second wife, Keziah Moore, daughter of John Moore, whom he married November 29, 1739, was the mother of all his children.
Captain Abraham (3) Wood, son of Captain Samuel Wood and his sec- ond wife, Keziah (Moore) Wood, was born in Westboro, Massachusetts, July 30, 1752, died August 6, 1804. He was a clerk of the company of min- utemen of which his brother Samuel was captain and marched with the com- pany to Cambridge, but later returned home and operated the fulling mill. For many years he was captain of the local military company and a man of MASS .- 3-21
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considerable local importance. He was a good musician, chorister of the church and publisher of a small collection of church music. His composi- tion, "Funeral Elegy," on the death of General Washington, was republished at the death of President William Henry Harrison in 1840. He married, April 1, 1773, Lydia Johnson, who the night before the march of the minute- men to Cambridge sat up all night melting her pewter plate into bullets with the aid of a soapstone mold yet preserved in the family. She died April 3, 1843, in her eighty-ninth year.
Samuel (2) Wood, son of Captain Abraham (3) and Lydia (Johnson) Wood, was born in Northboro, Massachusetts, February 22, 1799, died 1879, aged eighty years. He married, April 16, 1826, Elizabeth Bowman, daugh- ter of Joseph and Anna ( Valentine) Bowman; she died in Northboro, May 18, 1868.
Dr. Albert Wood, third child of Samuel (2) and Elizabeth ( Bowman) Wood, was born in Northboro, Massachusetts, February 19, 1833, died at Worcester, Massachusetts, September 26, 1912. He was educated in the pub- lic schools, the classical school of West Newton, the State Normal School of Bridgewater, and Dartmouth College, a graduate of the latter institution, Bachelor of Science, class of 1856. From 1856 until 1859 he taught in the public schools of the county and at Cape Cod, entering Harvard Medical School and pursuing courses there until graduated Doctor of Medicine, class of 1862.
After a term of hospital service as interne, he enlisted and went to the front as surgeon, serving from July 7, 1862, until July 7, 1863, as assistant surgeon of the Twenty-ninth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and from 1863 until November 30, 1864, as surgeon of the First Regiment, Massachusetts Cavalry. In November, 1864, he became active surgeon in the regular United States army, serving in the hospitals at City Point until hon- orably discharged, May 17, 1865. He saw hard service, was with his regi- ment in many hard battles and often operated under difficult as well as dan- gerous conditions. In 1865, after the war, Dr. Wood began practice in Wor- cester, and continued until within a few years of his death. He was city physician for five years and surgeon in the City Hospital for ten years. For more than twenty-five years he was a trustee of the City Hospital and con- tinued in that office until his death. In this hospital he took a great interest and to him is due in large measure the development and great usefulness of that institution. From 1874 to 1910 Dr. Wood was treasurer of the Wor- cester State Hospital, and from 1877 to 1910 treasurer of the Worcester State Asylum, and was one of the most useful and efficient officers of these great institutions. In 1874 he was appointed superintendent of the Wash- burn Free Dispensary and served efficiently for a number of years in this office. For many years he was trustee of the Memorial Hospital, Worces- ter, taking deep interest in this institution, being vice-president and trus- tee until his death. For six years he was a director of the Worcester Free
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Library. He was a member of the Massachusetts State Board of Health, Lunacy and Charity one year. He became medical director of the State Mu- tual Life Assurance Company, January 15, 1889, and served until his death. He was a director of the State Mutual from January 3, 1883, until his death. For more than forty years he was on the United States Pension Board of Examiners in this district through both Republican and Democratic administrations. He was a member of the Worcester Medical Society; the Worcester County Medical Society; the Massachusetts State Medical Society, of which he was for several years a councilor; the American Medical As- sociation, and the American Association of Medical Directors of Life In- surance Companies. He was for many years surgeon of George H. Ward Post, No. 10, Grand Army of the Republic, and member of the Massachu- setts Commandery, Military Order of the Loyal Legion. In politics he was a Republican; in religion a Unitarian, was treasurer of the church for a number of years. He was a member of the Worcester Club until his death.
Dr. Wood married (first) July 7, 1868, Emma Allen, born September 13, 1833, at Pomfret, Connecticut, died at Worcester, February 26, 1892. He married (second) July 13, 1893, Jennie Isabel Cleveland, born September II, 1861, daughter of Edwin Clarence and Anna Rebecca (Goddard) Cleve- land, of Worcester. Mrs. Wood was educated in the public and high schools of Worcester and at the Roswell Parish School. She is a communicant of All Saints' Protestant Episcopal Church, in which she has been an active worker, a member of various committees, and was a member of the board of visitors of the Old Ladies' Home for several years. She is a member of the Worcester Woman's Club. Children of Dr. Albert and Emma ( Allen) Wood : Albert Bowman Wood, born June 28, 1869, died December 9, 1900; Emily Chandler Wood, who is also a member and a director of the Associated Char- ities and the employmen societies on the visiting committee.
Theodore Cornelius Bates
T HE spirit which inspired the useful life of Theodore Cornelius Bates and guided him through the varied responsibilities of his career through the hours "off duty" is found in what may be called his "motto," a verse from Sir Walter Scott, which beautiful sentiment, appropriately framed, hung above his desk in the library at his home:
When the hour o' trouble comes, That comes to mind and body ; When the hour o' death comes, That comes to high and low ; It is na what we hae dune for oursels, But what we hae dune for others,
We'll think on maist pleasantly. -Sir Walter Scott.
Into a life of sixty-nine years, Mr. Bates compressed what would have been the worthy achievement of a much longer term of life. Prior to his re- tirement from business he was proprietor and head of one of the largest businesses of its kind in the United States and had other important interests. He devoted years of his life to the improvement of health conditions and wa- ter supply in New England, was a power in politics, reared monuments to his skill as a construction engineer, created a model farm at the old homestead in North Brookfield, widely toured the Old World, patronized art and litera- ture, lived an ideal home life, and in all things attained the "full stature of a man," an American of the best type, a son of Massachusetts, honored and be- loved.
Mr. Bates traced his English descent from Sir Gerard Bate, of York- shire, who was Lord Mayor of London in 1248, the family a prominent one in church and State. Descendants of Sir Gerard Bate removed to Lydd, in Kent, and in the old church there in the center aisle is the tomb of Sir Thomas Bates, jurist of the town in 1485. Surrounding his are the tombs of others of the family surmounted by brass figures, among the finest in England, and on one tomb is carried the arms of the Bates family: Sable a fess between three dexter hands couped argent. Motto: Manu et corde.
The American ancestor was Clement Bates, of Lydd, Kent, England, born in 1595, son of James Bates, died in 1614; son of John Bates, died at Lydd, Kent, 1580; son of Andrew Bates, died at Lydd, 1533; son of John Bates, died 1522; son of Thomas Bates, of Lydd, parish of All Hallows, Kent, who died there in 1485. At the age of forty Clement Bates with his
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wife and five children sailed, April 6, 1835, on the ship "Elizabeth," for New England. He settled at Hingham, Massachusetts, in September, 1635, at about the same time Rev. Peter Hobart's company arrived. He had a homestead of five acres on Town street, near River street, and the old house built thereon was lately standing, owned by descendants of Clement Bates. His wife Anna died in Hingham, October 1, 1669, aged seventy-four years; he died September 17, 1671, aged seventy-six. By will he left land to his sons, Joseph, Benjamin and Clement. Descendants of Clement Bates and his brothers served in Colonial wars and in the Revolution; the Boston Free Pub- lic Library and Reading Room, the first in America, was founded by a Bates with a gift of $50,000. A great room in the building is called "Bates Hall," and the name Bates is inlaid in bronze in the floor in the entrance hall. A Bates founded Bates College, and everywhere monuments attest the worthy lives of members of this ancient New England family.
Through his mother, Sarah (Fletcher) Bates, a line of descent is traced from Theodore C. Bates to Baron Fletcher, whose descendant, Robert Flet- cher, of Yorkshire, England, came to New England in 1630, settled at Con- cord, Massachusetts, becoming wealthy and influential, and was one of the founders of Chelmsford, Massachusets. His will, dated February 4, 1672, states he was then "aged about four score." He died at Concord, April 3, 1677, aged eighty-five. A great-great-grandson of the founder, Robert Flet- cher, was Major Daniel Fletcher, born October 18, 1718, a major in the Eng- lish Colonial army, engaged in the French and Indian wars, also a member of the General Court representing the town of Acton. His son, Jonathan Fletcher, was a "minute man," fighting at Lexington in Captain David Wheeler's company, and later for bravery was successively promoted lieu- tenant and captain, serving until independence was gained. Captain Jona- than Fletcher married Lucretia Emerson, of the same family as the eminent Ralph Waldo Emerson. Elijah Bates, a lineal descendant of Clement Bates, married Sarah Fletcher, a lineal descendant of Robert Fletcher, and their seventh child was Theodore Cornelius Bates, to whose memory this review of an honored, upright life is dedicated.
Theodore Cornelius Bates was born at North Brookfield, Massachusetts, June 4, 1843, and died at Worcester, Massachusetts, March II, 1912. His father, who was very partial to his ambitious son, encouraged him to perse- vere in the efforts to obtain an education and gave him such assistance as he could. After exhausting the advantages of the Brookfield public schools, he entered Pinkerton Academy at Derry, New Hampshire, there winning high scholarship honors. For three successive years he won the first prize for scholarship, deportment and attendance, this casting such a spirit of discour- agement over the pupils that the faculty asked him not to compete for the prize again. While still a student he taught school and was so highly regarded as an educator that he was appointed principal of the North Brook-
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field High School, and later held the same position in the West Brookfield High School.
But his ambition was for a business career, and he was a very young man when he established in business in Boston, there conducting a crockery store successfully for several years. He passed through various business ex- periences; finally, at the age of thirty-three, in 1876, he became proprietor of the Worcester Corset Company. In the upbuilding of that enterprise his ge- nius for business organization and his executive ability were fully demon- strated, and under his management its expansion and growth were continu- ous. He was a very successful manufacturer, and when he retired from business the company was one of the largest manufacturers of corsets in the world. He was active in organizing the manufacturers of the same line of goods into a national association, was elected its first president, and until his retirement from business continued the executive head of the Corset Man- ufacturers' Association of the United States.
With his special business firmly established, he acceded to some of the re- quests which came to him asking his cooperation in other New England en- terprises, becoming a director and president of several important corpora- tions. He took a leading part in organizing the Worcester Electric Light Company, also in promoting the building of the North Brookfield railroad which linked that town with the Boston & Albany system. He was presi- dent of that branch for several years, and in 1880 became a director of the Boston & Albany railroad, representing the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts which was a large shareholder in the company. He served the peo- ple well as their representative on the board and continued a director until through his recommendation the State sold its stock, investing the proceeds in a permanent State school fund. He was for years a trustee of the Peo- ple's Savings Bank of Worcester, and interested financially in electric rail- ways in different parts of the United States. He was president of the Ter- minal Bridge Company of Kansas City, Missouri, the last important indus- trial work he did being in connection with the erection of the great bridge which spans the Missouri at Kansas City. As president of the company he thoroughly and skillfully conducted the work of reclaiming the land along the river, driving thousands of spiles to prevent destruction of the banks. Government engineers highly commended his plan, and when later the floods came that part of the Missouri river bank, protected by Mr. Bates, was the only part of the levee which withstood the river's mad onrush. In that work he was associated with two of his closest friends, Gustavus Swift and Og- den Armour. In his later years Mr. Bates traveled extensively abroad, and was the first American to closely inspect and pass upon the value of the storage battery system of electric railways in use by the city of Budapest.
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