USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Petersham > Sketches of Petersham natives and adopted citizens > Part 5
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M :. Sanderson came into possession many years ago, of a farm of about 400 acres in Barre, which was also well adapted to grazing; he has recently sold the woodland portion of the sante. He has never held any regular town office, though often solicited to do so, but he has been constantly connected with many public interests of the town, and has aided, pecuniarily and otherwise, almost all valuable enterprise therein.
He has contributed liberally to the support of the Powers Institute in Bernardston, and has been especially instrumental in obtaining for it good teachers. At one time in order to secure the services of Prof. L. F. Ward, one of the earliest, ablest, and best known of its teachers, he paid a bonus of $300 over and above what the trustees had been able to offer.
He has been closely identified with the Ist Unitarian Socie- ty, though not a member of the church, having been parish clerk and treasurer for 20 years or more, and has been one anxious to obtain and keep good sound preachers of the gospel. In addi. tion to this, he was one of the committee appointed to build the church edifice for the Baptist society, of which his mother and wife were members, and here, as well as elsewhere, he gave unostentatiously, but with a liberal hand, besides taking upon himself much pecuniary risk in building the same. The present
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Sanderson Hall, over Cushman library, in Bernardston, was built by him, fully as much in the interest of the town, as in his own, they having the privilege at any time to buy it at cost. In public enterprise and charitable interests, he has always been among the first to be called upon to contribute, and although exercising good judgment in giving, he has seldom failed to re- spond, in a substantial and liberal manner. He was President of Powers Institute from the decease of Gov. Cushman, the first one until 1877, a period of nearly 10 years, and has been a mnem - ber of the board of Trustees of that institution since its begin- ning; is also a trustee of the Cushman Library, and was ap- pointed one of the executors of the will of the late Henry W. Cushman. He is President of the Bernardston cemetery asso- ciation, and has held the same office in the Farmers' Club for many years.
He was Senator from Franklin County during the important period of 1861. He is honorary trustee and life member of the Franklin County Agricultural Society, and life member of the Worcester West Agricultural Society. He was formerly trustee in the Franklin Institute for Savings, but upon the organization of the Greenfield Savings Bank, he became President of the latter, which office he held for 13 years. He has also for 6 years been an active director of the Franklin County National Bank, and at the advanced age of 72 years, was elected President in 1886.
It can be said without exaggeration, that the interests with which he has been connected are almost numberless, and like the "tree whose branches are shaken by the storms of many winters," he has taken deep root in the confidence and affec- tions of the community. Seven children, of his nine, are now living."-History of the Connecticut Valley.
George Whitney
George Whitney, son of Simon, a descendent of John and Elinor Whitney, who came from London in 1635, a branch of whose family were Rev. Aaron Whitney, the first minister set- tled in this town, in 1738, and Eli Whitney, the inventor of the Cotton Gin and Whitney rifle. George was a bright, intelli- gent, cheerful and prepossessing man, well educated, a skillful
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blacksmith, and finished workman. He finally settled in Ver- mont, and became an active, earnest, and eloquent minister of the Methodist persuasion.
Lewis Whitney
Lewis Whitney, younger brother of the preceding, a well- known, prominent, useful and efficient citizen, a "gentleman of the old school." He was blacksmith and farmer, and success- ful and skillful in both callings. Though of quiet and unassum- ing manners, he had a keen sense and appreciation of the bright and sparkling side of life, and sung songs of the lighter kinds most effectively. He was stanch and loyal in the right, a pleas- ant companion, and possessed of sound judgment. He served in public office with the utmost trust and discretion for more than 40 years, and among the positions he filled were those of assessor, selectmen, representative to general court, justice of peace, and town clerk, the latter, for 26 consecutive years. The clock that presides so faithfully at the Town Hall is a gift from him.
It might be said that "he died in the harness," but not quite. He had his load, and like others of the human family, it con- tained its parcels of anxiety. On the morning of his fatal at- tack he tried to write, but his life-long manuscript, accurate and clear, with its graceful letters, had reached its last page, "his hand had forgot its cunning," his load was being removed; and then the harness-it was not torn roughly off, the metallic part was bright with constant usage, slowly, gently, one by one, the buckles were loosened. The leather had stiffened some with age, but softly, silently, tenderly and persistently, strap by strap, the connections parted, and the worn traveller was free- for pastures green in the promised land.
Hollis Holman
Hollis Holman, first son of Oliver and Anna (Burbank, ) born in 1809. On the father's side of Welch descent, an ances- tor landing at Plymouth 1620. The mother from Gould, Morse and Burbank families. The mother took pride in her first born, because he resembled the latter family, and deduced from that fact that he would "never do a mean act." She may have been
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partial in her prophecy, but it proved to be true. He has a brother, Dea. John M., that from the same cause, or some other, she could have said the same of.
It was his grandfather Morse, (but long before he bore that title, ) who during one of Parsou Esterbrook's sermons, from his seat in the gallery, discovered a party below quietly taking a nap. Boy like, his pocket was filled with apples; if they could be used for a better purpose than eating, lie was ready to sacri - fice them, so he threw one and hit the man, who was making Sunday a day of rest, on the top of his head. The bump and the sudden start of the victim created a sensation and caused the minister to pause, when the volunteer church warden en- treated him to go on, assuring him that he "would take care of the sleepy devils." The story has been told many times be- fore, but here it is localized, and can be well authenticated. Mr. H. must now be separated from his grandfather and go on alone for a while. He left his native town at the age of 20, and found employment in woolen mills in Holden, Rutland and Millbury for three years. In 1833 he went to Rockland Co., N. Y., fol- lowing the same and school teaching for two years, thence to school at the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Mass. From there to the Teachers Seminary at Andover. In 1837 with a cousin, John E. Morse of Athol, he sailed for New Orleans in a packet ship, and was 29 days on the passage, 14 of which he was out of sight of land, and encountering the same gale off Cape Hatteras, in which the steam packet ship "Home" foundered. and 40 ladies met a watery grave, the ship he was in going stern foremost at times. Arriving at last, he taught school in Missis- sippi and Louisiana, until his return in 1841, when he married and went to New York City the following year. Here he com- menced in the flour and feed business, which under his manage- ment became extensive and profitable. He has retired from active trade with a handsome fortune, honestly won and main- tained with an open hand and a generous -pirit. When Co. F of the 53d were quartered in New York, and fed upon cheap and miserable food by contractors, he made frequent visits to the boys with a basket on his arm holding nearly a bushel and filled with appetizing goodies, the cooking of his wife's hands, and modestly distributed them as if it was a small affair. The
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presence of his stalwart figure, and the cheery and kindly face was a blessing without the contents of the basket. Three men- bers shared his delicious Thanksgiving dinner with him, his kind and gentle wife and pleasant daughter. The latter played the piano and the three guests joined in singing tunes appro- priate to the day. That was a Thanksgiving to be grateful for, a glimpse of happiness before the long march ahead. Only one is left of the three, but there's a bright mark set against that day.
George B. Williams
George B. Williams, son of Capt. Zuri Williams, a well and favorably known and substantial farmer at the south part of the town, was born in 1824, worked on the farm during his minori- ty, attended the district school and New Salem Academy for the rest of his education. Went to Worcester in 1845 as salesman in a retail clothing house. Three years later, left for Boston and entered the manufacturing house of John Gove & Co. In 1851 commenced retail business in Worcester, under the firm name of Macullar, Williams & Co. Began manufacturing and jobbing of clothing in Boston, 1852, same firm, but still running the retail store at the former city. Next the firm's name be- came changed to Macullar & Williams, and later to Macullar, Williams & Parker. During the crisis of 1857, the retail was connected with the manufacturing and wholesale business.
Meantime the trade of the firm had attained magnificent proportions, occupying the whole of an immense and splendid building, and their name a watch word for thorough work, su- perior material, and artistic fabrication. When the firm com- menced there were two methods of getting clothed, buying of the slop shops, or leaving an order at fashionable and expensive tailors. There was a wide gap between the two, and this firm filled it in a skillful, successful, and satisfactory manner, only they left the "slop" far behind and dealt out first-class work, at reasonable prices from piles of unlimited variety, and- style and quality unsurpassed. Styles are constantly changing, though improvement is not always the result, and what a wide differ- ence between the summer costume, popular in Georgia, a dic- key and a pair of spurs, and the long wadded ulster, the work-
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ing suit of tropical natives, and the fur suit of Santa Claus-the primitive suit of our first parents of fig leaves and the still used product of mulberry leaves with its long train. The first had at least simplicity in its favor. "Clothes make the man," is an old adage, and true in many cases. In this climate, those who manufacture and furnish them under satisfactory conditions, are public benefactors. But to continue : Mr. Wil- liams retired from the firm, and has since been an agricultural- ist at Maple Grove farm, in Walpole, N. H., where the same tact, talent and business capacity that made him a prosperous merchant and manufacturer, stays with him as a cultivator of the soil, the same gentlemanly bearing whole-souled cordiality, are still leading features. His specialties are dairying and pork raising, and his products are well known and popular table fa- vorites. Long may he reign!
Ellen Bigelow
Ellen Bigelow, first born of four daughters of Hon. Lewis Bigelow, born 1812. Remembered in her girlhood by friends still living-as prepossessing, intelligent, vivacious, graceful, finely formed and popular; in short, a recognized belle. She attended the district school and afterwards the female seminary at Northfield; her education was also carefully supervised by her father, hence she obtained a thorough scholarship in the branches of study requisite to prepare the pupil for the duties of practical life. At the age of 17 she taught school in the centre district and continued in that service several years and until the death of her mother, after which and the breaking up of the family and home, she spent several months in Worcester and thence to Bangor, Me., passing the fall and winter as the guest of a lady friend and school mate. In the spring of '36 she left Bangor for Peoria, Ill., to live with her father. Here she soon after married. The groom a young merchant, unexceptionable, wealthy and in good social standing of Bangor. As it subse. quently proved, he was not of her own choosing, but rather the selection of friends who urged the match for its pecuniary ad- vantages. Reluctantly consenting at last to the marriage cere- mony, she stood an unwilling bride, no orange flowers decked her hair, nor was she dressed in the traditional wedding gar-
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ment of white. The knot was scarcely tied before she repent- ed of what had been done and even repudiated the whole pro- ceeding as fraudulent.
Though persuaded by her friends to accompany her husband to his home in Bangor, they travelled nearly as strangers, oc- cupying separate apartments at the hotels. What a long ride in those days, what a "bridal tour"! he loving, "tender and true" still hoping against hope, she more disgusted at the con- senting part she took in a moment of weakness than with him. On reaching Bangor she went to the house of an old friend, he to his home, never to exchange another word, or to meet again. Efforts on the part of friends for a reconciliation failing, she left Bangor and returned to Peoria. Soon after this, on application to the courts she was decreed a divorce and the same year mar- ried Mr. Frisbee, a young man of excellent character, a lawyer by profession, who already had acquired fame at the bar, as an eloquent advocate and safe counsellor. This union proved a happy one, but of short duration. Mr. F. never robust, after a few short years, yielded to the inevitable and the young widow returned once more to the home of her father. Two years after she was again married this time to a Mı. Rankin, by birth a Kentuckian, by profession, a lawyer. Desirous of a wider field (before the days of railroad) they joined a party of friends, go- ing overland from St. Louis to California, travelled at a snail's pace and relieving the weakening and overladen teams by long stretches on foot; the sandy and alkali deserts, the dust, the crossing of rivers and creeks, the coarse fare and scarcity of water were severe trials for delicately nurtured women on a jour- ney of several months' duration. They found kind friends in San Francisco and her husband not succeeding well in business, she availed herself of opportunities to teach and then was given a position as clerk in the Branch mint of the United States. She attended her husband during his last sickness, faithfully to the end and surviving him but a year or two, closed a life full of ro- mance and incident.
For one starting in life with all that was bright and beauti- ful before her, she met many vicissitudes, her "lines" did not always "fall in pleasant places." She left a son and daughter, both by the last husband, the latter a teacher in California.
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"For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: 'It might have been.'"'
Capt. Lyman A. White
Capt. Lyman A. White, son of Col. Josiah, grandson of Capt. Alpheus, on the mother's side. Wilder-of the first set - tlers and Revolutionary stock. Born 1830, childhood education at the district school where Tory hands locked the house against the famous "Master Mann" who was at first a Whig, and where hands belonging to the person of Sylvanus Howe broke open the door for the admission of teacher and scholars, one of which was his daughter Sarah, who had ridden to school, as usual, on the pillow behind him.
Having thus marked the statement follows that the lad White continued his education at New Salem, Deerfield and Wilbraham, after which and at the age of 16, lie was teacher of the High School in Athol which continued for some time. Then he entered Brown University, third year, and was called home by the sickness of his father. Next he became one of the pion- eer settlers in Clifton, Ill., helped organize the board of town officers, became Town Clerk and farmer until the Rebellion, when he enlisted as private in Bridge's Battery, Light Artil- lery, was promoted to Captain of the same, served under Gen- erals McPherson and Scofield, and through the whole of the war and credited with courage, coolness and discretion. He was married in Chicago and engaged in the express business there until the great fire. He was a favorite landlord of the Purple House for seven years, and then conducted the coal and wood business until the strike, when he moved out of the city to Woodlawn, but without change of occupation. He is a courteous and cordial gentlemen, a large-hearted, upright and reliable, blessed with an accomplished and intelligent helpmate and two promising sons.
Frank G. White
Frank G. White. Brother to the foregoing, born 1832, with the same educational advantages. Taught district schools in Athol and Gardner. Went west in 1853, a teacher, for one term at Novi, Michigan. In the spring went to Lake Superior,
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to Keweenaw Point in Ontonogon Co., where he worked one year on salary; afterward in company with Mr. Anthony under the firm name of Anthony & White, took a contract to do what is called the surface work for the Minnesota Copper Mining Co., in which they furnished everything needed, in lumber, wood, teams, provisions, &c. First contract for three years at $75,000 per year, which was accomplished very successfully, then renewed it for the the same length of time, but at the end of two years, were burned out, losing everything, but complet- ed the engagement. He remained here and continued on con- tract work for the Company until 1882, when he moved to Por- tage Lake, continuing the mining until '85, when he went to Leadville, Col., and engaged in silver mining, where he still remains. He has energy, enterprise and perseverance, largely developed, and is a striking illustration of the go-ahead princi- ple after being sure he is right, as laid down by Crockett. He also shares the good qualities that characterize his brother as above. Much was expected of him when the stock he came of was considered, and no disappointment has followed.
Thomas D. Brooks
Thomas D. Brooks, son of Capt. Joel, born in 1811, another graduate of the "Old Bell school house." Worked on his father's farm until 24. Married Miss Mary L. Sawtelle of Tem- pleton in 1836. Bought the farm south of the town, formerly owned by Edward Doane, a splendid specimen of a sailor and upright man from the Cape. Mr. Brooks after a year's experi- ence on the farm, moved up town and commenced. the mant- facture of boots and shoes with the before mentioned Gardner Farrar on East street. In 1841 he removed to Wendell, follow- ing the same business, with the addition of keeping a store with his brother Otis. During his stay in Wendell, the war of the Rebellion broke out and he took an active part in helping off the soldiers-by words of encouragement, liberal gifts of money and assistance rendered their families. He was past the age for enlistment, but he gave vigorous and substantial aid to those who went to the front. He did the patriot's duty better at home than he could have done in the field. In 1850 he was appoint- ed Justice of Peace for Franklin Co., and still holds the office.
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He held the offices of selectman, overseer of the poor, town clerk and assessor in Wendell, and was one of the trustees of New Salem Academy. He moved to Athol in 1874, where has since resided. He was at one time appointed Trial Justice of Wor- cester Co., and experienced his golden wedding last winter, which brought together large crowds of friends who did more than congratulate by leaving solid and golden testimon- ials of their appreciation. "He is a sterling man," cheerful, generous, courteous and pleasant with a strong liking for the bright side of things.
Seth Hapgood, Esq.
Seth Hapgood, Esq. Born in 1805, son of Hutchins Hap- good, Esq., who was active in resisting the lawless schemes of Daniel Shay and his faction ; and was at one time captured by them and held as a prisoner until the advance of General Lin- coln's forces, combined with his own address and boldness, ef- fected his release. He was a member of the Legislature for eight years and of the Constitutional Convention of 1820. The descent of the family traces back to Shadrach Hapgood, who, on May, 16, 1656, embarked at Gravesend for New England, and was killed by the Indians at Quaboag in 1675. The ma- ternal grandfather was Hon. Jonathan Grout, who commanded a regiment at the siege of Boston, and was a member of the Provincial Congress that met in Cambridge in 1775, and of the first Federal Congress of 1789. There are still preserved in the family the original letters addressed to Col. G. by John and Samuel Adams, by Hancock, Fisher Ames and other leading statesmen of the day.
Mr. Hapgood was strongly attached to the community amid which he lived, and no project for advancing its interests, or for maintaining its honorable name, failed to receive his hearty co-operation ; nor any prospect of pecuniary advantage induce him to remove from amid the hills that with their ruggedness were endeared to him by a thousand associations, and from among the neighbors with whom he had spent the morning of his youth and the vigor of his manhood.
His fellow citizens were not unappreciative of his strong and wise interest in the welfare of his native town. There was no
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expression of their respect and trust which they did not gladly extend to him. Singularly free from any longing for official rank, he was rep atedly called by his townsmen to fill every office of honor and responsibility within their gift. For five years he represented them in the State Legislature and was chosen by an almost unanimous vote, a delegate to the Consti- tutional Convention of 1853.
In politics Mr. Hapgood was a Democrat, but after the con- vention of 1853, he withdrew from active participation in public or political affairs. On the breaking out of the present re- bellion he gave his sympathy and hearty support tothe war for the Union. He engaged warmly and actively in the labor of raising volunteers, and earnestly desired that his native town should be foremost in discharging its obligations of patriotism and loyalty. He was liberal not only in giving substantial en- couragement to volunteers, but also in caring for the interests of the families of soldiers, and peculiarly of any families who by the casualties of war were reduced to widowhood or orphanage.
His sagacity and skill in financial affairs, and the trust felt in his integrity, led to his selection as President of the Millers River Bank at Athol ; and the sound condition and unshaken credit of that institution attest the fidelity and capacity with which he presided over its interests.
But it was not in any public position that he accomplished his greatest usefulness and attained his most enviable honor. His acquaintance with business, his safe judgment, and above all the absolute confidence reposed in his inviolate rectiude, combined with his unvaried kindness of heart, to render him the friend and counsellor of the entire community. It is quite impossible to give an idea of the multifariousness of the labors and cares thus imposed upon him and cheerfully borne. If a widow was in danger of losing, through ignorance or inexperi- ence, hier little heritage, if any person unnsed to business found himself embarassed by unwonted cares, if any one was threat- ened with litigation, if an orphan needed a wise advisor, if trouble had arisen threatening the harmony of a family, in a word, if anyone was friendless and in perplexity, the invariable and spontaneous resort was to Mr. Hapgood, and probably none ever had occasion to repent seeking and following his councils.
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While these labors were peculiarly put forth for his own towns- men, yet many persons from the towns of the vicinity, found it a privilege to make him the confidant of their troubles and to avail themselves of his kind offices. The amount of time, and care, and anxiety which he thus, without fee or reward, lavish- ed upon all who needed his aid cannot be computed; nor could the unwearied patience with which he endured every appeal, however tedious and sometimes harassing, fail to excite wonder and admiration-From a Memorial.
Calm, quiet, gentlemanly and friendly, he is affectionately remembered by his old neighbors. Never pushing himself forward, but always responding promptly and kindly to an appeal. During his experience in the Legislature, he was thoroughly conversant with all that was transpiring, and would introduce a friend to prominent members and give the charac- teristies of the leading men and their different methods of wielding their power and influence in that body. His running descriptions were interesting and accurate in the extreme to his fortunate listener. He was orderly and systematic through his useful life, a life that ended suddenly, but calmly and faithfully: he had "set his house in order."
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