USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Petersham > Sketches of Petersham natives and adopted citizens > Part 13
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Fannie Tower graduated from Mt. Holyoke College in 1912, worked as secretary of Ingleside Home for Wayward Girls in Boston and was married April 24. 1915, to Albert P. Everts of Roxbury. Arthur graduates from Dartmouth in 1916, and is going to study medicine. Sidney has worked in his father's store since graduating from High school. Lloyd graduates from High school in 1915 and plans to take a scientific training.
During the 25 years of Mr. Tower's residence in Pepperell he has held several town offices very acceptably : for eight years he was Registrar, and five and a half years he served on the School Board. For seven years he has been deacon of the Con- gregational church, of which all his family are members.
Rev. Francis E. Tower
Rev. Francis E. Tower, son of Oren and Lucy Foster Tower, born in Petershanı in 1836, attended the district school, New Salem Academy several terms, graduated from Amherst College in 1860 at the head of the class, receiving the appointment of valedictorian at the commencement exercises ; had charge of the classical department in an in corporated institute for young men located near Baltimore, Md., until the beginning of the
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Civil War broke out in 1861, which broke up the school ; was principal of the Boys' High School in Bangor, Me., from 1861 to 1864 ; studied at Newton Theological Seminary, 1864-67, and served as instructor in Hebrew two semesters in 1867-68 in same institution ; was pastor at Amherst 1868-72; also at Boston, (Ward 25) 1872-83 ; at Brattleboro, Vt., 1883-86 ; at Bristol, Conn., 1886 94; at Providence, R. I., 1894-1899; was Field Secretary of the New York Anti-Saloon League, 1899- 1900 ; was Superintendent of the Poughkeepsie District, (com- prising 12 Counties) of the New York Anti-Saloon League, 1901-1909 ; since 1909 has been Superintendent of the Law and Order Union of the State of New York, which society he organized and incorporated, and which has been very success- ful. Mr. Tower has been a very active man all his life; has . written many books, one in 1890 on the Social question, "What's the Trouble," which was said to be the best extant for begin- ners; also in 1892 published a Subscription book (of 534 pages) entitled "The Advancing Kingdom," on prophetic subjects; in 1894 published a pamphlet on the Silver Question, which was widely distributed. The first edition of 1000 copies was soon exhausted and another edition of 10,000 copies was printed; another in 1910 011 "The Reason of Suffering," had a wide cir- culation. He has written many poems, which would fill quite a sizeable volume. As superintendent of the Law and Order Union, "which he organized," has so changed the previous order of things (The saloons had complete control of the jurors) that Grand Juries can be depended upon to bring in indict- ments and jurors to convict, which was impossible before, even District Attorneys expressed no confidence that anything could be done. He has done what seemed impossible. Mr. Tower married Ada Shepherdson, daughter of Rev. John Shepherdson, for many years pastor of the Baptist Church in Petersham.
POEM BY REV. MR. TOWER, WRITTEN FOR THE 150THI ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN 1904
"What's hallowed ground ?" the poet asks, And answers as he may, In words of glowing eloquence, As is the poet's way.
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But Nature speaks in louder tones, Prosaic though they be, And cries, "The spot where life was young Is hallowed ground to me." And so from distant haunts of men, Where'er their dwellings be,
Thy sons and daughters, Petersham, With fond hearts turn to thee. They view thee with enchanted eye ; To their anointed gaze
A light falls on thee from a sky Unseen since childhood days.
To them (although it be not theirs A reason to assign) No suns so bright, no fields so green, No skies so blue, as thine !
No zephyrs soft as those that stir Thy woods as day declines ; No music like thy tinkling brooks Or like thy murmuring pines !
What pictures from the vanished years Through memory's chambers throng ! The swallow twittering from the eaves, The bluebird's early song ! The squirrel chattering in the elm, The hawk's shriek from the sky,
The lonely notes of whippoorwill, The quail's foreboding cry, The woodbird's weird but tuneful song Deep in the everglade,
Heard oftenest as the night drew on With ever deepening shade ; The wondrous sound by day or night Of wild fowl on the wing. Unresting in their Northern flight, The harbingers of spring ; The copse with wild fruits freighted rare On vine and bush and ground ; -- No fairer sight to childhood's eye
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Can through the earth be found !
And e'en the man whose travelled eye Has glanced o'er many lands, Whose feet have trod the mountain-tops Or crossed the desert sands, But stands at length upon these heights And views the prospect round From where the central hamlet stands To yon horizon's bound, And sees thy meads, thy clustered hills, Thy vales and woods between, To where Wachuset lifts his head Above his pastures green ; To where Monadnock rears his bulk Up toward the Northern star ; To where New Salem's distant spires Gleam in the west afar ; To where bold Hoosac towers aloft Full sixty miles away And marshals all his vassal peaks In one sublime array ; Where sun-lit clouds in circling groups On misty slopes are driven,
And tier on tier the ranges rise Like giant steps to heaven.
Who views this scene when morning dews Flash rainbows in the sun,
Or when the western mountains blaze Before the day is done ;
Who views it clothed in summer's sheen. A glory dazzling sight, Or wrapt in winter's spotless robe, A glory scarce less bright ;
Can never say, with soul unstained, That Beauty dwells not here As surely as on Alpine height Or Scotia's storied mere ! In Nature's temple he who bends With reverence sincere
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Seeks vainly a more sacred shrine Than that awaits him here ; For Nature here with lavish hand Has all her arts combined To fire the fancy, thrill the soul, And captivate the mind.
But other scenes from memory's store Arise upon my view, Which stir the inmost, deepest thoughit As not e'en these can do. I see no stately mansions rise To line the lengthening street Whose costly pavements, night and day, Are beat by hurrying feet ; I see no mammoth marts of trade ; I hear no engines roar Amid the din of crowded shops Whence streams of wealth outpour ; I see no lordly palaces, No tall cathedral spires,
No gay-decked throng on pleasure bent With all that heart desires ; As memory's magic hand unrolls The scroll of bygone years A sight of deeper meaning far To my tranced eye appears.
I see the source, the primal source, Whence all those splendors come ; I see the Nation's final hope, I see the COUNTRY HOME.
A Home indeed ! Not a mere lodge To pass the night away, While the heart's interest wanders far In other scenes to stray ; But Home, the center of the soul, An anchor and a stay, A source of strength that shall not fail To life's remotest day.
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What though the stern demands of toil Fill full the fleeting hours, And tasks by stubborn nature set Tax all the vital powers ? Those powers expand and stronger grow "The strenuous life" to try ; No toil so good for brawn and brain As neath the open sky. Swift speeds the blood through healthy veins ; And with their minds aglow, The toilers, seeking honest gains, In virtue also grow. And thus the hand that held the plow And drew the furrow straight Prevails to carve a fortune out When come to man's estate.
And so thy children, Petersham, Have made thy merit known
In circles wide, both near and far, As passing years have flown. With courage high they have gone forth In all the walks of life. And in the world's broad battlefield Proved victors in the strife.
The marts of commerce and of trade Have claimed full many a son, And large successes oft have told Of service ably done. In arts mechanic some have thrived, With skillful hand and brain ; And some aspiring have not failed Th' inventor's meed to gain. The teacher's high vocation some Have plied, and plied it well, And blessings rich have spread abroad, Far more than words can tell. The bar and public halls of state Have fitly claimed a share, Nor lacked the praise of duty done,
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And reputation fair. And some by lofty purpose moved The sacred desk have filled, And with the oracles of Heaven The listening people thrilled ; Premising it were joy supreme To do the works of love And leave all questions of award To be adjudged above. And some by patriot ardor fired To save the nation's life Exchanged the quiet joys of home For scenes of bloody strife. On distant fields, neath Southern skies, Where issues vast were tried, 'Mid rifle-shot and cannon's roar They nobly fought and died.
Here halts our verse ; nor tongue nor pen Nor thought can farther go ! What is the object, what the end Of all things here below ? What save that men upright and true, Such as were first designed,
Should rise in manhood's glorious strength And live to bless mankind ? Such have been here ; as freshening streams From fountains in the hill
Flow down till verdure, growth, and bloom The vales and meadows fill ; So from thy dwellings, Petersham, These streams of life have flowed To which, with others like them, all Our nation boasts is owed. In all the wealth, prosperity, And greatness which combine To raise our land all lands above, A generous share is thine. Long be it so ! and never may
.
ELISHA WEBB
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Thy children love thee less ! And may the Author of all good Thy hills and valleys bless !
Elisha Webb Adopted Citizen
Was born in Hardwick in 1831, son of Jonathan and Mary ( Paige) Webb. He lived in his native town until he was seventeen years old, when his parents removed to New Braintree, and he later went to Templeton. He attended New Salem Academy for a time and taught school in Barre, Dana and North Brookfield. In October 1859, was married in Templeton to Miss Eliza Stone of Barre. Two children were born of this union, neither of whom are living. One, William E., grew to manhood and is pleasantly remembered by our townspeople. In the fall of 1863 Mr. Webb and family moved to Petersham and became an active citizen. He was chosen Assessor in 1866 and '70, Selectman in 1876-77 and 79, School Committee in 1879, but declined the elec- tion of Selectman in 1880. In 1884 was elected Representative to General Court from the district which included Petersham. In 1890 he was Master of Petersham Grange and for some years taught a class of 16 in the Unitarian Sunday school. One of these scholars says of him, "To me the most interesting thing about Mr. Webb was his habit in Sunday school and elsewhere to present arguments on the oppisite side, thus bringing out all the ideas on the subject."
While in Petersham he was engaged in the lumber business and the manufacture of powder kegs. His beautiful bay Percheron horses and big blue rack wagon with which he delivered his kegs to the depot are well remembered.
In March 1895, the house in Nichewoag was burned and the feelings of some of the townspeople were expressed in a poem written by Miss Della Hicks.
FOND MEMORIES
Those walls lie now in ashes, The ruins of a home, A cruel fire there entered, And claimed it for his own.
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But though he won the victory, Though none could thwart his will, He could not take the memories, They linger round it still.
As we gaze upon the ruins Of the walls now laid so low, What scenes rise up before us. And cause our tears to flow.
No more those rooms will echo Young voices raised in song ; No more those halls will welcome The gay and happy throng.
There we gathered in the evening, Sang the old songe o'er and o'er,
Played the game we knew from childhood. Laughed till we could laugh no more.
Guessed the riddles, paid the forfeit, Round and round we'd "spin the plate."
There we sang the farewell chorus, When the hour was getting late.
Yes, we'll cherish all these pleasures Mid life's disastrous hours, And in the garden of our hearts, Will bloom fair memory's flowers.
During the same year, 1895, Mr. Webb and family moved to West Brookfield, where he spent the remainder of his life on a large farm. He died March 21, 1914, at the age of 82 years, and is ssurvived by a widow and four children, Louis M., John H., Sarah A. and Arthur Webb, president of the Alahambra Rub- ber Co., Milford, Mass.
Augustus Wheeler
Born in Petersham in 1842, the son of David and Augusta E. Wheeler. Brought up on a farm, educated in the town schools. In the summer of 1863 he worked on a farm for Samuel .1.
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Chamberlain, who was an extensive farmer for those days, and were both at work in the hay field when John G. Mudge, after- wards "Captain", called on them and said he was going to raise a company of nine months men, which was Co. F of the 53d M. V. M. They both then and there enlisted in his company and remained until the expiration of their services and were mustered ort in 1863, at which time he was quite broken in health and con- tinued for some time, resulting from chills and fever and a wound in his left arm received during the charge on Port Hudson, La., June 14, 1863. In the spring of 1864 secured a position as clerk in the Barre postoffice, Barre, Mass., which he held until 1866, when he entered the employ of the First National Bank of Barre as clerk where he remained until 1874, leaving there to accept the position of cashier of the Milford National Bank of Milford, Mass., which office he held until November 1909, when he was elected president and holds that honorable position at the present time. His banking experience covers nearly 50 years. He is also a trustee of the Milford Savings Bank and on the board of investment.
Charles K. Wilder
Compiler of Mr. J. B. Howes and Other Sketches.
Son of Lysander and Anna ( Farrar) Wilder, was born in Petersham, Aug. 6, 1841, on the farm which was a part of the territory set off to Capt. John Wilder of Lancaster, one of the oroginal proprietors of "Nichewoag," situated in the extreme easterly part of the town on Narrow Lane road, said road divid- ing the farm. Mr. Wilder is the fifth generation from said John. He never resided in Petersham, but deeded some of his estate to his son, John. Mr. Wilder can trace his ancestry back twelve generations to Nicholas Wilder of England. Thomas of the fifth generation, born in 1618, settled in Charlestown, Mass., in 1640. His son John settled in Lancaster, Mass. He was the father of Capt. John. The subject of this sketch removed with his parents when he was six years old to the north part of the town, where he resided until 1912, when he removed to Athol, Mass.
He obtained his education in the public and high schools of the town and at the West Brattleboro. Vt., Academy. Farming
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wasn't of his choice, but owing to a combination of circumstances was forced to make the best of the situation. His father died when he was 15 years old. After the settlement of his estate there was nothing left, he having been out of health for quite a while and went West to Wisconsin and Illinois to recover it and died there. At the age of 20 the son began to take an interest in farming. The first thing he did was to set out an orchard. Then in 1867, needing more pasturage, he bought 80 acres, part pasturage, mowing and growing timber, bought stock for it; in- creased the productiveness of the land; improved the stock to such an extent that it was much in demand in nearby towns. The buildings being old, erected in the early settlement of the town, were replaced with new ones from time to time. Many acres of rocks were dug and blasted and fitted the land for the mowing machine. He was the first farmer in town to install a windmill to pump water for stock, also a silo and cream separator. He early in the 60's identified himself with agricultural societies. Leing a member of three and a trustee of one several years ; wrote occasionally for papers on argicultural and other topics : is much interested in historical lore : was interested in and a member of the Congregational church from his youth and held all the offices in the church and society ; was librarian and Sunday school super- intendent many years, also a deacon 15 years; was clerk of the society longer than any four combined previously ; is a trustee of funds : was the only male member for a number of years, but was able to see it brought out from dark and discouraging days to brighter and more prosperous ones. He had as an associate Mr. Charles W. Gates, who was a member of the parish, who stuck by through thick and thin. Mr. Wilder was interested in civic improvement ; he transplanted many shade trees not only for himself in the highway and about his residence, but assisted his neighbors. In 1878 a Village Improvement Society was formed with a constitution, the object of which was set forth as follows: "We, the citizens of Petersham, for the purpose of improving the good order and social condition of the town, adorn- ing and beautifying the place of our home, promoting the public convenience and health and elevating the standard of taste, do adopt the following constitution : Art 1, Name, the name of this association shall be the Petersham Improvement Society. Art. 2.
CHARLES K. WILDER
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Methods : the methods of securing the objects of the society shall be by the transplanting of trees and the promotion of the growth of grass on the public grounds of the town, the establishment of sidewalks and improvement of the highways, encouraging the establishment of a public library, attention to general cleanliness with special reference to the public health, and by occasional meetings for the discussion of these objects and methods." There were six other articles but these two suffice to show the objects of the society. The officers were, Rev. Lyman Clark, pastor of the Unitarian church, president ; Mrs. Maria N. Ayres, C. K. Wilder, vice presidents ; Mrs. S. A. Gibbs, Mrs. Elizabeth G. Fobes, Mrs. C. F. Williams, Mrs. Svel C. Goddard and John B. Leamy, directors ; Benjamin W. Spooner, treasurer ; Franklin J. Holman, secretary. Library committee, Rev. Lyman Clark, C. K. Wilder, B. W. Spooner, Sarah L. Blanchard, Mrs. Eliza A. Mudge and J. Benjamin Howe.
Thus was set in movement a project which culminated in the present public library, sidewalks and shade trees on or about the common. The first seed sown for a library was the collecting of the district school library of District No. 2, "the Old Bell," by Mr. Wilder. The town immediately took measures looking to a public library. He set out the two elms in front of the Congre- gational church in 1880, one is a flourishing tree, the other might have been if the lightning hadn't been too familiar with it. In 1881 he was elected on the Board of Selectmen.
In 1869 he married Mary S. Mann, daughter of William and Abigail ( Cook) Mann. Four children were born to them, George Kirk in 1871, William Sumner in 1876, Charles Frederick in 1878. and Francis Everett in 1884. Charles F. died in 1880. George K. lives at the old homestead ; in 1905 he married Ade- laide M. Hodson of North Yarmouth, Me. ; they have three chil- dren. Charlotte S., born in 1906, George Everett in 1909, Gertrude L. in 1910. William S. lives in Middleboro, Mass., manager of a Cloverdale Creamery Store, one of a chain of 65 stores; was married in 1908 to Alice Elizabeth Pittsley of West Bridgewater. Francis E. is salesman for Miss Helen Holmes of Kingston, Mass., an extensive agriculturalist and florist ; married in 1910. Gladys Evelyn Merry of Kingston. Mass. Of the seven families
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of Wilders of 49 members in Petersham in 1790, there is only one family of five members now.
Mr. Wilder's first Presidential vote was cast for Lincoln at his second election and he has voted for every Republican candi- date for President since, and has voted at every State election since he was 21 but one, then he missed it by just five minutes.
Among the Pilgrims that came over in the Mayflower in 1620 was one Roger Wilder. Among the 100 persons that landed in Plymouth one-half died the first winter from cold and hard- ship, and he was one of them. He had no family .- Taken from Plymouth records.
It is quite possible he was a descendant of the above Nicholas.
George Ayres
Born in Petersham in 1833, son of Isaac and Charlotte Ayres, educated in the public schools of Petersham, brought up on a farm, taught school winters, was a farmer of note, did a good deal of lumbering on his large farm; was a member of the Board of Selectmen and Overseer of the Poor and moderator of town meet- ings for quite a number of years. Represented his district in the Legislature in 1889 and '90, was a leader in the Baptist church and choir. In politics a Republican and chairman of the Repub- lican town committee for several years. He was a very social man, kind, accommodating, a strong prohibitionist and honest. He met with a singular and painful accident that incapacitated him from his usual activities ever after and entirely for some time. As he was alighting from his carriage in the Unitarian horse sheds one evening, he put his hand up against a post to alight easily, his overcoat sleeve caught on a spike which, when he stepped to the ground, held him suspended. Being a heavy man, he wrenched his arm and shoulder exceedingly. He was unable to extricate himself. His shouts brought to his rescue Doctor L. C. Martin, who happened to be passing. He released him and took him to his houses, where he remained in bed a week before he could be taken home.
Thanksgiving day 1860, he married Maria N. Spooner, daughter of Oren and Naomi (Clark ) Spooner of Barre, Mass
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They had no children of their own ; adopted a boy and girl. Be- fore her marriage Mrs. Ayres was a school teacher and after marriage was on the school committee board many years.
THE PART THE TOWN TOOK IN THE CIVIL WAR
The following is the part the Town of Petersham took in the Civil War of 18: 1 to 65. Many incidents connected therewith will necessarily have to be very brief at this late day, 50 years after the close of the most stupendous civil war on record. It would be interesting to be able to record the principal events in the lives of those soldiers that took part in it. Some are included in the preceding sketches, others have been just as honorable in their chosen vocations though perhaps not so conspicuous.
The town of Petersham has been noted as one of the foremost in patriotism and loyalty to her country ever since its settlement, and manifested the same spirit in this struggle to save the union of these United States
Action of the town at various town meetings were as fol- lows: At a special town meeting held May 6th, 1861, under Art. 9, To see what sum of money the town will appropriate, if any, for the equipment of a military company of soldiers, and to aid the families or members thereof, or act anything in relation to the same. Voted in the affirmative as follows: Resolved, that the town treasurer be authorized to borrow a sum of money not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000) to be expended in whole or in part under the direction of the Selectmen, for the purpose of providing uniforms for a military company and sup- porting the families of those volunteers who may be called into service of the State, or United States, and that the Selectmen be authorized to pay one dollar per day to volunteers after they are cnrolled. organized and accepted by the State for their services in drilling, etc
At the annual town meeting held March 3d, 1862, under Art. 26, in was voted that all poll taxes of volunteer soldiers be abated for the preceeding year. At an adjourned meeting held April 7th. 1862. under Art. 4. it was voted to grant and raise the stim of $500 for State volunteers the year ensuing. At a special
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town meeting held July 19, 1862, under Art. 2, To take into con- sideration the call of the Governor of the Commonwealth for more volunteers for the war, the necessity and propriety of author- izing the Selectmen to offer a bounty of fifty, seventy-five or a hundred dollars, or any other sum that may be decided upon, to cach volunteer who shall enlist for the purpose of filling the quota required of, or belongs to the town of Petersham. On motion of J. G. Mudge it was voted that the Selectmen be in- structed and authorized to offer and pay the sum of $100, one hundred dollars, in addition to the United States bounty, and State aid, to each volunteer who shall be mustered into the United States service for the purpose of filling the quota required of the town of Petersham in reference to the call of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as per general order No. 26. Also on motion of J. G. Mudge, voted that the Selectmen be a committee to procure enlistments under the call of the Governor of the Commonwealth, and that they be authorized to expend a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars as contingent expenses in discharge of the duties of said committee. The motion was carried by a rising vote of 97 in the affirmative, none in the neg- ative.
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