USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Petersham > Sketches of Petersham natives and adopted citizens > Part 12
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The bell she gave in loving memory of her father, a chair in the parlor with tender love for her mother. It is her clock that speaks to us when we are working there and her piano whose sweetness gives voice to her life.
John Green Mudge
Adopted Citizen
Born in Winchester, N. H., March 26, 1823, the eldest child of John Green Mudge of Winchester, and Sarah Field Mudge. daughter of Walton Field, of Northfield, Mass. He was the seventh generation from Thomas Mudge, who came to this coun- try from England, some time prior to 1657. Many of the descend- ants of said Thomas have been conspicuous in Indian, Colonial, Revolutionary, Mexican, 1812 and the Civil war. ( Interesting as it would be to relate those events in detail, yet we shall be com- pclled to confine ourselves to the subject of our sketch for want of space ).
John Green Mudge, the older, was born in 1791. He died in 1833 ; his wife died four years before. They had one son, the subject of our sketch, and three daughters who died in infancy. After his father's death, he was taken by his uncle, Walter Field. a large farmer and prominent citizen of Northfield. He was sent to Deerfield Academy. About the time of leaving school he had trouble with his lungs and consumption was feared, of which his
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father, mother, a sister and other members of the family had died. He went to Charleston, S. C., where he found employment in a grocery store. His health improved and he returned to North- field and bought a farm, which he operated for a short time, then sold. December 7th, 1848 he married Eliza A. Wetherel, eldest daughter of Samson Wetherel of Petersham. After marriage they lived in Northfield awhile. Mr. Mudge had some thought of going West, but was persuaded by his father-in-law, Mr. Wether- el, to come to Petersham, which he did in 1849, and entered into business with him under the firm name of Wetherel & Mudge. They occupied the store on the east side of the common at the corner of Main and East Main streets, now occupied by Charles E. Osgood. Some years later they moved to a store on the west side of the common, just south of the Nichewoag Hotel, where they continued in busisness until the death of Mr. Wetherel in 1874, when he sold out.
In 1856-7-8 he represented the towns of Petersham, Phillips- ton and Dana in the Legislature as Repreentative and again in 1865, and as Senator of his district in 18: 7-8. He was a director of the Millers River National Bank 27 years, a trustee of the Athol Savings Bank from its incorporation in 1867 till his death on March 22, 1891, and its president for the last nine years, was town treasurer 22 years. Capt. Mudge's war record is one the town of his adoption has reason to be proud of and all of his descendants after him. It's impossible to go into detail in all that he did, in one short year, in 1862 and '63, many things of moment transpired in that time. When the Civil war broke out in 1861 it found him an earnest advocate of the Union carse. He was just the man to be appealed to by it. The blood of his ancestors told. By the summer of 1862 it had become evident that the struggle was to be a long and a hard one. In July President Lincoln issred a call for 300,000 men to serve nine months. He. with Mr. Pliny H. Babbit of Barre, hastily raised a company of 100 men, Petersham furnishing 44. Mr. Mudge was chosen cap- tain by the company, went into camp at Groton, Oct. 17, 1862; Nov. 29 left for New York. remained until Jan. 19, 1863, arrived in New Orleans. Jan. 30. Early in March went to Baton Rouge. from there to Port Hudson, attacked it June 14th : Capt. Mudge's company suffered the most. He went in with 33 men and all but
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three were killed, wounded or missing. Among the missing were Corporals Levi C. and Forrest A. Hicks, who were taken prison- ers, and they are living at this time, 1915, in Petersham. The Captain was wounded by a bullet taking off the lobe of his left ear, "a pretty close call." The battle of Port Hudson was the last battle in which the 53rd was engaged. The regiment arrived home, or what was left of it, Sept. 2, 1863. Col. Kimball of the 53rd said of him, "Capt. M'udge possessed qualities of character that tended to draw his men to him : he was magnetic, earnest, sincere and absolutely reliable in his intercourse with whom he was associated."
Daniel Parlln
Born in Barre, Mass .. 1831, son of Eri, born in 1797, and Mary H. Clark, born in 1803, Parlin. Moved to Petersham with his parents when four years old, brought up on a farm, attended the public and high schools of Petersham. At 21 worked car- pentering until 1858; went to Illinois, but returned same year ; worked in chair shop in East Templeton until 1861. ( was mar- ried in 1859 to Kate M. Miles of Hubbardston) ; went to work for Allen & Wheelock Arms Co. 1861, remained five years, 1866 went to peddling tin and gathering barter continuing until 1889, then sold out; was elected director in Worcester Cooperative Bank in 188 : helped form the Home Cooperative Bank in 1882, was vice president and on security committee until his death in January, 1915. In 1886, he, with others, formed the Equity Cooperative Bank and was president and director at the time of his death ; also was on security committee until 1913; was direc- tor in the Worcester Collateral Loan Co. 19 years; was State treasurer of O. U. A. M. six years ; was considered an authority on real estate valves, was called in court as an expert on values ; was always interested in prohibition and gave largely to its cause : owned considerable real estate, which was in charge of lus son-in-law. Henry A. Mower, while he devoted his time to banking for the last 25 years. Had one child only, a daughter.
Lewis D. Robinson
Was the son of Daniel and Rhoda Goddard Robinson, was born in Hardwick, Mass., in 1842. His family moved to Petersham
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when he was quite young ; was educated in the public schools of the town, worked on a farm and helped his father, who was a stone mason. In Sept. 1862 he enlisted in Co. F. 53d Reg., M. 1. M .. under Capt. J. G. Mudge. He was under Generals But- ler and Banks in Louisiana and was discharged in Sept. 1863 at expiration of his service. Soon after went to Springfield and served as guard at the U. S. Armory for a year or more. Then with his brother. Franklin D. Robinson, engaged in the picture framing and art business, which continued for 25 years under the firm name of Robinson Bros. In 1903 the picture framing and art business being no longer profitable, was abandoned. Mr. Robinson and his son. Lewis D., Jr., made a start as florists in the same place. He had been very successful in his ventures. He was elected to the Common Council in 1894 on the Republi- can ticket and the next year was nominated for Alderman, being defeated by the fusion candidate though he ran ahead of his own ticket. The following year he was again elected to the Common Council and in 1908 was a member of the Board of Aldermen. He was sent to the Legislature in 1899 and 1900. Mr. Robinson was a charter member of Amity lodge of Odd Fellows, being one of the 14 who founded the society, and was a member of E. K. Wilcox Grand Army post.
He was a member of Trinity Methodist church and for five years was a steward. He was one of the founders of the Amateur Horticultural Society and for years was its treasurer. He was also one of the directors of the Hampden County Horticultural Society. In 1865 he married Miss Martha Barker of Dalton. He died in 1907, was survived by a widow, one son. Lewis D., and a daughter, Mrs. Albert Rothery.
Henry R. Stowell
Henry R. Stowell, one of Athol's ablest and most successful business men, died very suddenly in Sept. 1914, at his home on School street from heart disease, caused by an acute attack of indigestion.
Henry Rufus Stowell was born in Petersham June 19, 1832, the oldest of three children of Rufus and Anna ( Allen ) Stowell. The brother, Austin, died about two years ago in Tully, and the sister died at 18 years of age.
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Henry R. Stowell lived on the farm till he was 16, then worked on a farm in North Amherst, later in Deerfield. Then he became foreman in a mattress factory in Greenfield. Being a man of intich mechanical ability. he invented machinery for mattress making and this took him West to Indiana and Illinois, where he engaged in erecting machinery for a cotton factory. After a while he returned East, and opened a grocery store in Greenfield About this time he married a niece of Joseph Pierce, the wooden ware manufacturer of Tully, and he removed to that place to enter the business, which became known as Pierce & Stowell. The business prospered, but in the financial crash of 1857 it suffered heavily. It got upon its feet again, after stren- uotis effort, only to have the factory swept away by fire. Recov- ering from this blow, after characteristic energy, Mr. Stowell finally prt the business on a sound and permanent basis.
In 1882, Mr. Stowell removed his residence to Athol, buying the beautiful property on School street owned by Fred Allen. This estate he made continuous improvements on at large expense, and it became one of the most attractive residential properties in town.
A memorable occurrence in Mr. Stowell's eventful life was the burglary of his residence on Thanksgiving night, 1889, and the robbery from the safe of papers, notes, bonds and securities valued at about $50,000. The most of this property was recovered after a long course of clever detective work which Mr. Stowell himself engineered. Two of the robbers were caught and served several years in state prison.
Mr. Stowell continued his furniture business at Tully, later in company with Frank C. Worrick, as Stowell & Worrick. They made chiefly tables which had a wide market, even as far off as Australia. A few years ago Mr. Stowell sold his interests in the business to his partner, who still operates it.
In 1862, Mr. Sowell, with his foreman and four other em- ployes in the shop, enlisted in the Civil war in Co. F. 52d regi- ment, to fill the quota of his village, and thus prevented a draft upon the town. The factory was closed. Only four of these six mien lived to return home. Mr. Stowell was a very useful man in the army, and served for a time as secretary to Gen. N. P. Banks. On his return from the war he reopened his factory at Tully.
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Mr. Stowell was married three times. His first wife was Lucina Houghton, who died in less than a year after the mar- riage. Later he married Ellen A. Davis, daughter of Jarvis Davis of Royalston. By her he had three daughters, Carrie, who be- came the wife of Wm. H. Jewell, a prominent attorney in Florida, now deceased ; Bertha, and Della. His third wife was Miss Clara S. Hill of Athol, whom he married about 14 years ago. She with the three daughters survive. He also leaves a grandson, Carleton S. Gaynor, son of Mrs. Bertha Gaynor, of whom he was exceed- ingly fond.
After coming to Athol Mr. Stowell became very active in local business and social life. He was vice president and a trustee of the Athol savings bank and member of the board of invest- ment. director of the Millers River bank, president and chief owner of the Millers River Manufacturing company. makers of blankets, until its dissolution a few years ago. He was an active spirit in other business interests, and his sound and experienced judgment was highly valued by his business associates.
Personally, Mr. Stowell was a most genial, kind-hearted and companionable man, a great favorite in social circles, a splendid entertainer, capital story teller and a man of unbounded hospital- ity. He greatly enjoyed outdoor life and sport. He went on fishing trips to Maine almost every year, and enjoyed cottage life at his retreats in Northfield Farms and Sportsman's Pond with the relish of an ardent and healthful nature. His home life was exceedingly happy and he delighted in surrounding himself with his friends. A charter member of the Poquaig Club, he was a con- stant visitor there and took great pleasure in cards. He was fond of travel and has been all over this country. He was one of the oldest members of the Orange lodge of Masons. He belonged to the 2d Unitarian church, a member of the executive committee. and was one of the largest contributors to the church. In politics he was a strong Democrat, but very liberal in his judgments of all parties. He might easily have won high political honors had he cared for such a career. He was a great reader of newspapers, magazines and good literature generally, and he was remarkably well informed on matters touching every phase of current life.
Considering him in all his relations, in his manifold activi- ties and experiences, it will be admitted that Henry R. Stowell
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was a very uncommon man, and with his death a strong force passes out of local life, to be more sincerely missed for years to come.
Almond Smith
Born in Petersham in 1845, son of Sprague and Jane Harris Smith, the tenth of a family of eleven children. He received his education in Petersham and Athol. His father died when he was nine and his mother when he was twelve years old. The home was then broken up and he went to Athol and found work in the L. W. Hapgood match shop for a time, receiving 25 cents a week for the first two weeks and paying $2.00 a week for his board, "he having a little money by him." Then for the first year he received his board and the sum of $4.00, one dollar each for holidays and cattle show .. He later worked for B. C. Skinner, a practical builder, Edwin Ellis, sash and blind maker, and Lyman Kendall, who owned the leading grist mill in this vicinity, also a large saw and planing mill. While with him he helped get out the finish for the present Methodist church in Athol. He also had experience at lumbering in the forests which were owned and operated by Mr. Kendall. At the age of nineteen he entered the shoe factory of C. M. Lee, where he worked for nine years.
At the death of L. W. Hapgood in 1874 he went into part- nership with his son, H. L. Hapgood, in the match business under the firm name of Hapgood & Smith. In 1894 the business was sold to the Diamond Match Co., and has been continued by them up to the present time. Aug. 1. 1915. Mr. Smith remained in the company and the business has so rapidly increased that for the last eighteen years he has had to devote most of his time to buying supplies of timber and lumber. The past season he has operated sixteen saw-mills and at other times as many as twenty. During this period of forty-one years Mr. Smith has been con- stantly with the business and his personal activities seem now to be, as ever, in good form.
At the age of twenty-five he married Sarah L. Hapgood, daughter of Lyman W. and Eliza J. Hapgood. Together they planned and had brilt a beautiful, substantial home, and in the way of music and otherwise contributed much pleasure and enter- tainment to the social life of the town and vicinity. The two were
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born on the same day, Mr. Smith being four hours older. In the year 1912 Mrs. Smith passed away and now the homestead is. occupied by his only daughter, Arline H. Bond and her hus! and. Frank E., and their children, Dorothy and Maurice.
His political ambitions have been limited partly because of activity in business which has required much of his mental and physical energies. He was many years in the fire department. commencing in 1861. He is now finishing a term of fifteen years on the school board, and has served on many committees when only a little time might be required. He is a consistent Repub- lican and has served on the town committee for the last twenty- five years. He had the pleasure of being a delegate to the Nation- al Convention which nominated Mckinley and Roosevelt and had the honor of being a Presidential Elector for Taft and Fair- banks in 1908. While he appreciates the meeting of some great and good men politically and has been associated at times with men of great business ability, his sentiment is for the honest, earnest, active. loyal citizen.
Francis Zuri Stone
Born in New York, N. Y., in 1869, son of Francis and Saralt Gates Stone. Francis Stone was a native of Petersham. re- moved to Petersham with his parents in 1883, educated in the public schools of the town, was of a literary turn of mind in his boyhood ; before he was of age wrote short stories of fiction for magazines. Poetry was a favorite pastime : he wrote a poem for the 150th anniversary celebration of Petersham in 1904 which was favorably commented upon by people and the press at the time. He has been engaged in magazine work, reporter and editorial work for years. Soon after he was 21 went to Califor- nia, where he engaged in newspaper work, later returned to Boston, had a position on the Boston Post for some time, has written many serial stories of fiction. Is at the present time in California engaged in literary work.
Rufus Torry Shumway
Son of Deacon Zemira F. and Rhoda W. Shumway of Starsville, Dana ( formerly a part of Petersham) : was born in
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1846. His father was a blacksmith and had a small farm. About 1856 his father moved to a place about a mile north of the centre of Petersham. His mother died about that time and he was Found out: attended school winters and worked on a farm the rest of the year. In 1860 entered a store as clerk where he re- mained five years. In 1865 or '66 went to Taylorsville, Ill., tak- ing the interest of his brother, who had died, in a store, and dis- posing of it, returned to Athol. Taking an interest in a shoddy mill in Fryeville, which proved a bad venture, losing all, bor- rowed $5 and went to Worcester, obtained a position in the office of the Bay State mills. They failed and he lost a year's earnings. After several such ups and downs and being burned out, he moved to Orange and engaged in real estate and building busi- ness. The tide turned in his favor, building upwards of 50 houses. In 1892 entered the lumber business with O. A. Fay of Athol, which continued until 1902. Then the firm of Shumway & Stockwell was formed and continued two years, since which time he has been alone. In 1899 he was elected assessor but de- clined to run again as it interfered with his business. In 1900 was elected on the board of selectmen and served eight years, being chairman the last five years ; was overseer of the poor also. In 1912 was appointed receiver of the Grout Automobile Co., running that until 1914, when it was closed out. At the present he is building a large garage and repair shop. Mr. Shumway's career shows how optimism and plek will win.
He was married in 1870 to Georgie E. Goodrich. She died in 1907. Has four children, all settled in homes of their own.
The garage and repair shop is the largest and best equipped in this section of the state, being thoroughly fireproof.
Joseph C. Smith
Was born in Petersham in 1869, the son of Joseph C. and Ella F. Smith : received his education in the public schools of P'etersham and Hinman's Business College of Worcester: was elected assessor in 1896, served eight years in succession, was engaged in the lumber business the while. In 1904 he went to Chico, Cal., and engaged in the hay and grain business and Lought and operated a ranch. Sold out to advantage and went to Portland. Oregon, and bought large tracts of timber land ; sold
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and went to Beand, Oregon, bought another ranch which was covered with sage brush, cleared it off and irrigated it and sold it : went to Nahalen, Oregon, where he is operating another ranch. Has served as mayor of the place two years. Energy and excellent judgment go hand in hand in making a success. This brings him down to date.
Henry M. Stowell
Was born in Petersham in 1868, son of James H. and Lucy A. (Patch) Stowell. He obtained his education in the public schools of the town and Worcester Academy. At the age of 21 he left Petersham and entered the employ of Gould & Co. at Walpole, Mass, who owned and operated a chain of retail grain stores. He afterwards became part owner of a store of this kind in Walpole, carrying on a successful business for a few years, when he disposed of his interests and entered the firm of C. X. & George Eddy, Inc., of Boston, where he has since remained. This firm is one of the largest of the kind in the Eastern States, doing a large business in export grains and both a local and export business in hay. Mr. Stowell's connection with this firm has brought him in touch with most of the large dealers in the East and West and probably few men can boast of a larger ac- quaintance.
He still resides in Walpole, where he is also largely interest- ed in real estate. He has been active in public life, having served his town as water commissioner eight years and selectman for six years, being chairman of the board the past four years. In 1891 he married Annie R. Pierce of Walpole and has two sons, Ray- mond M., born in 1894, and James A., in 1896.
Mr. Stowell's paternal ancestor was John Stowell, Jr., who settled in Petersham about 1750. He descended from Samuel Stowell, who came to this country in 1635 and settled in Hing- ham, Mass., coming from Stratford-on-Avon. England, Shakes- peare's home. Mr. Stowell is the fifth generation from said John ; he had 11 children ; his son, Ashael, had 10; his son, Dan- iel, had four : James H., father of Henry M. and three daughters who died upon arriving at womanhood. On his mother's side he descended from Col. Ephraim Stearns of Revolutionary fame : his son Joel married Lucy Carter, had two children, son and daugh-
HENRY M. STOWELL
-
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ter. George settled in Baltimore, Md .. and is a subject of one of Mr. Howe's sketches. The daughter. Dolly, married Henry Patch of Northampton, Mass., and lived in Lowell, Mass, where he died. They had one daughter. Lucy Ann, mother of the sub- ject of this sketch.
Horatio Nelson Tower
Horatio Nelson Tower, son of Oren and Lucy Foster Tower. was born in Petersham in 1850. Received his education from the public schools of Petersham and New Salem Academy. He helped his father on the farm until 1869, when he went to Athol into the employ of J. S. Parmenter & Son, dry goods and clothing. The first year he received $50 and his board. Remained there three years. In 1872 he gave up his position for a better one in Natick with John Cleland & Co., dry goods and furniture. He remained until the big Natick fire in the winter of 1873. Mr. Tower returned to Petersham and found employment with John Carter in his country store, standing near the old Nichewaug. In about a year he bought out Mr. Carter and went into business with Chas. A. Fobes. soon moving across the common into the store now owned by Mr. Osgood. At this time Mr. Tower was appointed postmaster and the postoffice was moved into the store. He kept this office until Cleveland was elected President, when he turned it over to J. W. Upton.
About the year 1880 Tower & Fobes sold out to Chas. F. Paige, and in June. Mr. Tower took a trip to Dakota with his nephew. Richard Tower of Lexington. They went out with the idea of locating in North Dakota, but not finding the country satisfactory. they returned in six weeks. Mr. Tower went to Petersham and worked for C. F. Paige at the old stand until Mr. Paige sold out. when Mr. Tower went to Natick and worked for the Clclands again. In about six months he returned to Peters- ham once more. and with C. F. Paige bought the old store back. He stayed in business there until the fall of 1886 when he sold his interest to Mr. Paige.
On December 25. 1886. he married Gertrude Spooner. daughter of B. W. and Fanny Grout Spooner of Petersham. Their wedding trip was to Pasadena. Cal., where they spent the winter. returning to Petersham the following June. The first of
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November they returned to California, Mr. Tower's mother and sister, Harriet, going with them. Mr. Tower expected to settle in California and went into the paints, oils and glass business with Mr. Samuel Chaplin. The depression in business in Califor- nia in 1890 caused Chaplin & Tower to give up their business. and in March, 1890, Mr. and Mrs. Tower returned to Massa- chusetts.
On April 19, Horace I. Whipple and H. N. Tower opened a store in East Pepperell, containing dry goods, boots and shoes and carpets. For twenty-four years Whipple & Tower carried on a successful business. In July, 1914, Mr. Whipple sold his share of the business to Clarence A. Cook of Lancaster, and Tower & Cook are doing business today at the same stand.
In the winter of 1897 Mr. Tower built a large house on a hill, now called Tower Hill, overlooking the Nashua river. Be- sides the daughter born in California, three sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tower, Arthur Augustus, April 17, 1892 ; Sid- ney Spooner, October 30, 1895 : Lloyd Lincoln, July 18, 1898.
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