USA > Massachusetts > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Massachusetts > Part 42
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(III) Josiah Wilcox, son of Edward and Sarah (Manchester) Wilcox, born September 22, 1701, was a lifelong resident of Tiverton, and a man of influence in community affairs. He married Patience - -, and their chil- dren, natives of Tiverton, were: Edward, born October 29, 1719; Thomas, De- cember 19, 1720; Gideon, December 17, 1722; Benjamin, January 3, 1726; Daniel, January 6, 1727; Jeremiah, June 1, 1729; William, of whom further ; Sarah, September 8, 1734; and Barden, April 10, 1739.
(IV) William Wilcox, son of Josiah and Patience Wilcox, was born February 12, 1731, and resided in the family homestead at Tiverton, in the affairs of which town he took a keen interest, performing to the best of his ability the duties devolving upon him. His wife, Elizabeth Wilcox, bore him three children, whose births occurred in Tiverton, namely: Thomas, of whom
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further; Abner, born about 1760; Pardon, born January 12, 1764. William Wilcox, father of these children, died January 20, 1816.
(V) Thomas Wilcox, son of William and Elizabeth Wilcox, was born August 28, 1757, died May 26, 1843. He was an active participant in the Revo- lutionary War, and was perhaps the Thomas Wilcox who was a member of Captain Carr's company, Colonel Lippitt's regiment, in the fall of 1776, and in that same year served in Colonel Elliott's regiment. One Thomas Wilcox, of Tiverton, was stationed at different times during the war near Howland's Ferry, in Tiverton. He was an active factor in the expedition of 1777 to cap- ture General Prescott, and at his death it was thought that he was the last of that adventurous band of forty who under Colonel Barton captured the Brit- ish officer named and conveyed him safely to Warwick, Rhode Island, on July 9, 1777. Thomas Wilcox married Keziah Bennett, who bore him eleven chil- dren: I. Joseph, of whom further. 2. Philip. 3. David Bennett, who was a resident of New Bedford, married Hannah Smith. 4. Thomas, who was a resident of Fall River. 5. John. 6. Daniel, who was a resident of Tiverton, married Elizabeth Seabury. 7. Robert, resided in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. 8. Maria, died young. 9. Anne, married John Wilcox. 10. Mary, or Polly, married Eleazer Almy. II. Sarah, died unmarried.
(VI) Captain Joseph Wilcox, son of Thomas and Keziah (Bennett) Wilcox, was born December 18, 1782, in Tiverton, Rhode Island, died in New Bedford, Massachusetts, October 13, 1868. He was reared and educated in his native place, residing there until shortly after the year 1800, when he re- moved to New Bedford, his place of residence for the remainder of his days. He was a whaling master, from which occupation he derived a comfortable livelihood. In 1834 he erected the house in Middle street, New Bedford, which continued to be the residence of his son, Thomas Wilcox, during his life. He married (first) Rebecca Perkins, daughter of Henry Perkins, who actively participated in the Revolutionary War, enlisting from Boston, from which city he subsequently removed to, Dartmouth, Massachusetts. He mar- ried (second) Elizabeth Perkins, a sister of his first wife, and she lived to within five months of her one hundredth birthday, her death occurring No- vember 3, 1881. Children of Captain Joseph Wilcox, first two by first mar- riage, the remainder by second marriage: Joseph; Henry, died infancy; Henry Perkins, died in infancy; Thomas, of whom further; Rebecca, died aged about twenty-two years.
(VII) Thomas (2) Wilcox, son of Captain Joseph and Elizabeth (Per- kins) Wilcox, was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, July 10, 1822, died at his home in that city, February 8, 1913. His early education was obtained by attendance at the public and private schools of his native city, and his knowledge was supplemented by attendance at the Friends' Academy, in New Bedford. He began his active business career by accepting a clerkship in the store of J. B. Wood & Company, New Bedford, who were engaged in the whaling and ship chandlery business, and so continued until 1844, in which
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year he engaged in the whaling business, devoting his entire time and atten- tion to that pursuit for a period of sixteen years, until 1860, achieving a large degree of success by his industry and skill. Subsequent to the last year men- tioned he was occupied in various business enterprises, all of which yielded a lucrative means of livelihood. In addition to his every-day labor, which he performed in an efficient manner, he served on the board of directorates of the Mechanics' National Bank, at New Bedford, and of the Liberty Hall As- sociation, of which he was a member for many years. He was also a member of the board of investment of the New Bedford Five Cents Savings Bank, these connections testifying to his popularity and fitness for such office. He was a member of the common council of New Bedford for two years, one year president of that body, and for a similar period of time was a member of the board of aldermen, the duties of these various positions being performed by him in a highly commendatory manner. His death was a distinct loss to the community, depriving it of a man of energy, character and worth, whose prosperity came to him as the reward of earnest, persistent, resolute effort, guided by sound judgment and supplemented by keen discrimination.
Mr. Wilcox married, December 12, 1866, Emily K. Wilcox, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Seabury) Wilcox, of Tiverton, Rhode Island, grand- daughter of Thomas and Keziah (Bennett) Wilcox, above-mentioned. She is still living at her home in New Bedford, active in mind and body, a lady of the old school, cultured and refined, having for nearly half a century lived a happy wedded life, greatly devoted to her husband and home.
Albert George Lewis
IN 1892 Albert George Lewis came to the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, from his native Wales. He had not been long in the city before it was noticed that there was a decided dif- ference between the young Welshman and other young men, and as the years rolled on he became a much discussed man and long before his tragic death his success in the business world was pointed out repeatedly as one of the marvels of twentieth century mercantile enterprise in the very heart of the great com- monwealth of Massachusetts. Personally Mr. Lewis always replied when asked to explain the secret of his success, "hard work did it," and perhaps that modest reply is nearer the real reason than is thought. But it was "hard work" intelligently directed toward a given goal, and to reach that goal he not only worked hard but made all other forces employ their efforts to aid him. The aid of system and organization was invoked, enthusiasm drove hand in hand with devotion to duty and every department felt the impulse of the mas- ter mind. It was as a clerk that Mr. Lewis first attracted the attention of business men after his coming to Worcester, a young man of twenty-five years, and once the eyes of the business world were focused upon him his advance was rapid; the clerk became a department manager, then general manager, and then at the head of his own business shone forth in the full radiance of his great ability. He owed nothing to a lucky turn of Fortune's wheel, noth- ing to influential friends, nothing to special governmental favor, but out in the broad world of competition he won every victory. He was a better clerk than others and thus won promotion; he was a better manager than others and thus advanced to proprietorship, and when in competition with leading mer- chants he ranked with the most prominent. He was a typical self-made man and a shining example in this land of opportunity, this land of men who have "risen from the ranks."
Albert G. Lewis was born in Cardiff, Wales, Great Britain, January 2, 1867, died in Worcester, Massachusetts, June 23, 1915. He was educated in his native land and there passed the first twenty-five years of his life, absorb- ing all that was best from his surroundings and fitting himself for the battle of life which was to be waged far from his native land. In 1892 he came to the United States, locating at once in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he re- ceived employment as a clerk in the store of which E. W. Hoxie was proprie- tor. There he quickly acquired the American methods of merchandising, and that knowledge added to a native cleverness and pleasing personality made him a favorite with customers and with the store management. He was singularly modest withal, but his light could not "be hid under a bushel," and in the course
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of time the management of the Mohican Store in Worcester became aware that the young man would be a valuable addition to their selling force. That store, one of the most important links in the chain of stores owned by Frank A. Munsey, was the scene of his activity for all the remaining years of his life save seven. He passed through all grades of promotion to the very high- est, and as manager of the Worcester store brought store service and efficiency to its highest point of development.
In 1908 Mr. Lewis retired from the service of others and opened a market at Lincoln Square, Worcester, and there saw the fruition of his hopes, this being the second largest market in Worcester. Seven successful, prosperous years were there passed, and as head of his own business the real strength and force of his ability were demonstrated. He acquired substantial fortune, and beyond his mercantile business had important interests, also owning a great deal of real estate. His death was most tragic and shocked the city with its suddenness. A few months previous he moved to his new residence at No. II Dustin street and to reach it quickly he frequently went through the deep cut through which the trains of the Boston & Albany Railroad ran. There he was overtaken by a train and met his death.
Mr. Lewis married (first) in Wales, when seventeen years of age, Morl- lia A. Evans, who died in Worcester, Massachusetts. He married (second) in Worcester, May 29, 1898, Elizabeth Annie Bragg. By his first marriage he had four children, all residing in Worcester. By his second marriage two children were born. His children are: J. Edgar, Mary G., Elizabeth B., Al- bert G., Jr., Helen G., Charles B. Mrs. Lewis survives her husband, residing in Worcester.
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John 2. Knibbs
A LIFE of usefulness terminated with the passing of John W. Knibbs, of Worcester, Massachusetts, a man of versa- tile tastes and talents, a successful business man, well known in club life, deeply interested in inventions and inventors, an enthusiastic horseman and horse lover. Next to horses, he loved flowers, and rarely was he seen without a boutonniere, and it was his invariable custom to send flowers to his sick friends. He often said that the time to give flowers to our friends was while they were living, and when he lay ill at the City Hospital his room was liter- ally filled with flowers sent by those whom he had thus remembered when they were ill. He was a man of strong convictions, with the courage to maintain them, but very companionable, and a rare story teller. He often celebrated his birthday at the Hotel Bellmar, which was his home for many years, and on these occasions he was a most engaging host.
John W. Knibbs was of English and Welsh ancestry, son of Charles Lewis Knibbs, a landscape gardener and expert vegetable farmer of Har- grave, Northamptonshire, England, where John W. Knibbs was born. Charles Lewis Knibbs married Betsey Wills, of Welsh descent, they the parents of John W. Knibbs, born December II, 1854, died at Brant Rock, Massachu- setts, his summer home, March 19, 1916. He early became a baker's appren- tice, and at the age of fourteen was receiving a man's wages and performing all the duties of an expert man baker. At the age of fifteen he had an appren- tice working under him, and was one of the best bakers in a bakery famous for its products. Illfortune overtook his father, and, rejecting an offer of an interest in the bakery wherein he had learned his trade, he came to the United States, that he could earn more in this country and soon be in a position to as- sist his parents out of their difficulties, and he did.
In 1871 he came, landing in Boston, but going through to Worcester at once, there entering the employ of General William S. Lincoln. He reached Worcester with but two dollars of his capital remaining, and during the two years he was with General Lincoln his pay was $300. He kept expenses down to the lowest possible point, and it was not very long before he was able to send to England for his parents, and on their arrival to establish them in a good home in Tatnuck. After leaving General Lincoln, he was employed for a time on Jonathan Chapin's farm in Holden, later going with Calvin Taft, a retired merchant. It was while with Mr. Taft that his love for horses devel- oped into a passion, and one which brought him fortune. In 1881, upon the death of Calvin Taft, Mr. Knibbs began business as a liveryman, erecting a brick barn at No. 6 Barton place, with capital he had saved from his earnings.
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After his marriage his father-in-law, Cornelius H. Hill, was associated with him as partner for one year, and after he retired, W. M. Johnson was ad- mitted, the firm taking the trade name of Johnson & Knibbs. In 1889 Mr. Johnson retired, and from that time forward Mr. Knibbs conducted the busi- ness alone. In later years he founded the Metropolitan Storage Company, serving as treasurer, and owning all but one-tenth of its capital stock. The advent of the automobile decreased his livery business greatly, but the barn was continued as a feed stable for horses used for commercial purposes by the various business houses. Mr. Knibbs loved his horses, and would instant- ly discharge any employee he found mistreating one of them. If a badly treated horse was seen on the street, he made it his business to see that the cruel owner or driver was properly punished. The light harness horse was his particular hobby, and he was an authority upon the horse generally, the trotter particu- larly. He was a director and treasurer of the Old Driving Park Club, and whenever a race was run off at their Greendale track it was a foregone conclu- sion that Mr. Knibbs would be either the starter or one of the judges. He was the owner of "Governor Benton," sire of "Benton," M. 2.10, and when in the height of his glory as a horseman that old half-mile Glendale track was the scene of some exceedingly lively events. For six years he held the con- tract for carrying the United States mails between the Worcester post office and the Union depot, and during the Spanish-American War he held a big race meet at Glendale, which netted a handsome sum for the Worcester boys who came back from the war disabled. For a number of years he was Wor- cester correspondent for the journals devoted to the interests of the horse and his owner, and it was said that he knew the pedigree of every horse that was worth knowing, repeating many of them from memory. He did not adopt the automobile in place of horses, but when it decreased his business he substitut- ed another, but kept up the old traditions by running the old barn as a feed stable.
He was always interested in inventions and inventors, and it was often his money which the hopeful inventor was using and losing. But all were not failures, and one which succeeded was a fiber leather, a combination of rub- ber and leather for waterproof shoe soles. That invention he controlled, and it became a source of profit. The invention of Edward D. Houston, known as Onion Salt, was also one of his profitable investments, he being treasurer of the company which was later absorbed by the National Onion Salt Company. At the time of his death he was president of the American Carbide Company, capital $1,000,000-a company formed to revolutionize the carbide industry in the United States, under the J. H. Reed patents and processes, by greatly in- creasing output and reducing manufacturing costs one-half. The company in December, 1913, bought the plant of the Whilingham Lime Company, Incorpo- rated, at Sherman, Vermont, lime rock used in making carbide there being found in abundance and of the best quality. Another successful invention he
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promoted was a loom for weaving a seamless rug wider than other rugs made in the United States.
A Republican all his voting years, but beyond being at one time a candi- date for nomination for State Senator, he took no active part in political af- fairs. When a young man he became a member of Old South Church, and for many years was a member of the Worcester Continentals and accompanied them on their many trips, including that taken to join in the parade attend- ing the inauguration of President Taft, March 4, 1909. In January, 1916, he was appointed quartermaster with the rank of captain on the staff of Lieuten- ant-Colonel Frank Loving Coes. He was also a member of Worcester Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and highly regarded by his many friends of the order.
Mr. Knibbs married Etta E. Hill, who survives him, an invalid who passes the greater portion of each year at Brant Rock, the summer home of Mr. and Mrs. Knibbs. It was to Brant Rock that Mr. Knibbs was taken from the hospital in a vain attempt to restore his lost health. For many years the Bellmar, No. 667 Main street, Worcester, had been the city home, Mr. Knibbs spending part of his time in the city. Mr. and Mrs. Knibbs were the parents of two sons and a daughter: I. John W. (2) Knibbs, a graduate of Dart- mouth College, of athletic fame; a general western selling agent for the Otis Elevator Company with headquarters at Portland, Oregon. 2. Charles H. Knibbs. 3. Lila, married John S. Gerety, and is her mother's devoted friend and companion at the Brant Rock home. Charles H. Knibbs and John S. Ger- ety are in charge of the business of the Metropolitan Storage Company and other interests of the Knibbs estate.
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Joseph Comin Chase
F ROM a noted American family, Mr. Chase inherited a tendency to excel in anything he undertook, and thus gained the es- teem and respect of a very wide circle of acquaintances. He was known throughout the United States, not only as a col- lector of curios, but also as an expert chessplayer. His an- cestry has been traced to a remote period in England. For many years the earliest known ancestor of the American fam- ily was Aquila Chase, who was among the founders of Hampton, New Hamp- shire, and he was said to be from Cornwall, England, by several antiquarians whose authority was tradition. A long search has established beyond a rea- sonable doubt that he was from Chesham, in Buckinghamshire, some thirty miles northwest of London. The family is said to have been of Norman ori- gin, and it has been suggested that the name was formerly LaChasse. In the old English records it is spelled Chaace and Chaase, and in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries it was modified to the present form most in use- Chase.
Thomas Chase, the first of the family of whom we have definite infor- mation, had a son, John Chase, who had a son, Matthew Chase, of the parish of Hundrich, in Chesham, who married Elizabeth Bould, daughter of Rich- ard Bould. Their son, Richard Chase, married Mary Roberts, of Welsden, in Middlesex. Their son, Richard (2) Chase, baptized August 3, 1542, mar- ried, April 16, 1564, Joan Bishop. Their fourth son, Aquila Chase, was bap- tized August 14, 1580. The unique name of Aquila is found nowhere in Eng- land, before or since, coupled with the name of Chase, which makes it reason- ably certain that this Aquila was the ancestor of the American family.
His son, Aquila (2) Chase, born 1618, settled, about 1646, in Newbury, Massachusetts, in that part which is now Newburyport. He was formerly in Hampton (now part of New Hampshire), where he and his brother Thomas, together with fifty-five others, received grants of land in June, 1640. He married Ann Wheeler, who was a daughter of John Wheeler, who came from Salisbury, England, in September, 1646. After his death, December 27, 1670, she married (second) Daniel Mussiloway.
Ensign Moses Chase, youngest child of Aquila (2) and Ann (Wheeler) Chase, was born December 24, 1663, in Newbury. He married, November 10, 1684, Ann Follonsbee, and settled in West Newbury, on the main road, about one hundred rods above what is now Bridge street. A large majority of the Chases in the United States are said to be his descendants. He died September 6, 1743.
His eldest son, Daniel Chase, born September 20, 1685, in Newbury,
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now West Newbury, moved to Littleton, Massachusetts, in 1725, thence to Sutton, same State. He married, January 6, 1706, Sarah, daughter of George March, of Groton, Massachusetts. Subsequently he moved to Sutton, where he died in April, 1768.
Their youngest child, Moses (2) Chase, was born March 16, 1727, in Newbury, and removed to Sutton with his parents when five years old. About 1765 he joined the pioneers in settling Cornish, New Hampshire, where he died October 18, 1799. He married, April 15, 1752, Hannah Brown, of Sut- ton, born November 15, 1735, daughter of Jonas and Hannah Brown, and died January 16, 1812.
Their third son, Rev. Amos Chase, born May 19, 1760, in Sutton, grad- uated at Dartmouth College and entered the ministry. For many years he was pastor at Litchfield, Connecticut, where all his large family of children are re- corded. He died January 25, 1850, in Centreville, Crawford county, Penn- sylvania, in his ninetieth year. He married (first) November 30, 1788, Re- becca Hart, of Griswold, Connecticut; (second) June 27, 1792, Joanna Lam- mon, of Norwich, Connecticut, who died August 19, 1848.
Edward Chase, youngest child of the Rev. Amos and Joanna (Lammon) Chase, was born about 1805-08, in Litchfield, and lived some time in Nashua, New Hampshire, whence he removed to Holyoke, Massachusetts, in 1849. He engaged in the lumber business, in which his son in time became a partner, the style of the firm being E. Chase & Sons. He died in Holyoke at the age of sixty years. His wife was Maria Adams. One son and four daughters of their remarkable family survive, namely: Charles P. Chase, president of the Springfield Board of Trade, Springfield, Massachusetts; Mrs. W. H. Brooks, of Holyoke; Mrs. Sarah Platt Decker and Mrs. P. S. Kingsland, of Denver, Colorado; Mrs. Arthur A. Shaw, of Somerville, Massachusetts. A brother of Mr. Chase, Henry A. Chase, was postmaster at Holyoke, as was also a nephew, Charles A. Chase.
Joseph Edwin Chase, son of Edward and Maria ( Adams) Chase, was born March 22, 1839, in Nashua, New Hampshire, and died April 20, 19II, in Holyoke. After the death of his father, he opened a fruit and novelty store on Dwight street, Holyoke, where the Postal Telegraph office now stands. There he kept a large line of novelties and curios, and was interested in vari- ous collections. His wonderful aggregation of butterflies, which he had spent many years to collect, was sold to Mt. Holyoke College for one thousand dol- lars. It was said to be the finest collection ever seen. He also had noteworthy collections of stamps, minerals and coins. After some years he sold out his store and engaged in the real estate business, until his retirement two years preceding his death. Mr. Chase was a remarkable character, with a well stored mind, and informed on a wide range of subjects. His chief diversion was in playing chess, in which he gained wide distinction. He conducted many games by mail, with players in different parts of the United States, and was often a winner.
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Mr. Chase married, March 22, 1874, Alma Coffin, born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, daughter of David and Harriett (Burbank) Coffin. Chil- dren: I. Jessie, died aged eight years. 2. Alma, married (first) Herbert Rowe, one daughter, Herma Rowe; married (second) Harry Kimball. 3. Willis, died aged four years. 4. Josie, married Cooledge Porterfield, and they have a daughter, Priscilla. 5. Joseph Theodore, a graduate of Dart- mouth, was president of his class and a noted athlete; he is an expert civil en- gineer, and has attained high rank in his profession; has participated in some large developments in his native land; is manager of the Roanoke Rapids Power Company of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina; married Cora Lee Welch, and they have two children: Josie Alma and Chester Everett.
Casper Ranger
C ASPER RANGER, founder of two of the principal industries of Holyoke-the Casper Ranger Lumber Company and the Casper Ranger Construction Company, was born in the city of Mulhausen, Alsace-Lorraine, now a part of the German Empire, in 1850. His rearing was essentially American, for he was but six years old when he came with his parents to this country, their youngest child. He was educated in the Holyoke and South Hadley Falls public schools, and after completing his studies, chose the trade of carpenter for his active business career. He be- gan as an apprentice with Allen Higgenbottom, but later came under the mas- terly instruction of Watson Ely, a successful Holyoke builder of that day. Mr. Ranger not only became an expert workman, but a capable manager of men, and was made foreman by Mr. Ely, which position he held for several years, and during that period superintended the execution of several of the most important of Mr. Ely's contracts, among these being the erection of the City Hall and Opera House in Holyoke.
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