USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Petersham > Sketches of Petersham natives and adopted citizens > Part 8
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Dr. Wm. Parkhurst
Dr. Wm. Parkhurst. Son of Daniel and Abigail ( Estabrook, ) born in Hubbardston, 1784. Assisted his father on the farm and in the shop, showed at an early age a fondness for books and study, became a teacher and continued his education at Leicester. At the age of 21 he commenced the study of medi- cine with Dr. Whiton of Winchester, and attended the lectures of Dr. Nathan Smith in Cambridge. Graduated at Hanover in 1808, commenced practice with his old teacher, Dr. Whiton, in Winchester, married Ruth Sylvester of that place in 1810, and removed to New Salem the next year, where he remained until 1815, when he went to Petersham, succeeding Dr. Joseph Flint. He was the first President of the Worcester West Agri- cultural Society, and of the Worcester North Medical Society,
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always an accomplished and popular chairman of public meet- ings, medical, agricultural or political. His first wife dying, lie married Hannah, daughter of Daniel Bigelow, Esq., by whom he had eight chil Iren, 4 of whom are living. He was a deacon of the First Parish Church 38 years, from whence he was buried in 1861, his funeral attended by a large concourse of people, the three local clergymen and a full delegation of physicians. He was a pleasant and prominent feature in this town for 46 years, was gentlemanly and cordial, and brought a cheering influence to the bedside of the sick.
Deacon David Sanderson
Deacon David Sanderson. Came from Weston, filled vari- ous town offices, such as sealer of weights, school committee, treasurer, moderator, assessor selectman for 10 years, and town clerk for 20 years. In the latter position the neatness and dis- tinctness of the penmanship was only equalled by Capt. Park Holland. Hewas on a committee to procure a preacher in 1775, on another to estimate past services of soldiers, to accept state constitution, and on the building committee for the meeting house 1786. He was chosen Deacon in 1750, and was an active reliable and useful citizen, before, during and after the war.
Sergt. Joseph W. Upton.
Sergt. Joseph W. Upton. Born in New Salem, 1818. Left home at the age of seven, but remained in his native town nine years, during which time he shared the benefits of a winter school two months each year, until it amounted to 12 months. At 16 he went to Barre and worked on a farmi, thence to Peters- ham, with two years more labor on a farm. This brought him to the age of 20, during which time half of his wages were paid to his father. He then attended the select school in Petersham one term, followed by one at New Salem Academy. Then he taught school several winters, working at stone cutting between the terms. At the age of 25 he married the youngest daughter of Eber Hapgood, Esq., and took charge of his farm for two years, whence he moved to Ledgeville, the site of the school house "unpleasantness" as referred to in the sketch of Mr. S. Howe, and where he still resides. In 1856 he married his
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second and present wife, who was a daughter of the late John Gates, and with whom he faced the cordial greeting of his neighbors at the ordeal of a silver wedding some years since. His principal employment has been that of stone mason. and Chimney Hill has honored his drafts for large quantities of granite. He was on the board of Selectmen for 22 years, and chairman most of the time. He was Sergt. in Co. F, 53d Regt. and it fell to him to distribute the rations, which he did with perfect impartiality. No wheedling or whining had the slight- est effect on him, he was so incorruptible in that trust, as he was in civil office at home. Of the five Sergeants he is the only one left. He is now postmaster, and always faithful to his trust, conscientious, careful, cheerful and reliable.
Sampson Wetherell.
Sampson Wetherell. Born in New Braintree, commenced his mercantile experience as a merchant in Barre, removed to this town and occupied the aforesaid McCarty store and a part of the house, entered into partnership with Constant Brown. Dissolved and moved to the south end of the common and car- ried on business by himself. Entered into partnership with the late B. F. Hamilton, and opened the large store at the corner of East St. The firm again changed to Wetherell & Mudge, the latter his son-in-law, well and favorably known even to the present age. One more move-"right oblique" to the other side of the common, near the Nichewaug, and the geographical part is rendered. Mr. Wetherell was a highly esteemed and re- spected citizen and merchant for 53 years, and the postmaster for more than 30 years, in which position he was always exact, faitliful and obliging. He was the first to introduce the manu- facture of palm leaf hats on an extensive scale, distributing the material in its raw and original state to the braiders, and send- ing off the product in the rough state it left the busy fingers only "rather more so." Meanwhile he was loading weekly four horse teams with large quantities of produce, such as pork, but- ter, cheese, eggs, dried apple, walnuts, chestnuts, etc., that are only known now by their absence. Those who were fortunate to be his clerks received a training that was prompt, correct and systematic, and the majority of them became successful and
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prosperous men of business. In the early part of his mercan- tile life his journeys to Boston for the purchase of goods were made on horseback. In his youthful days he was Cornet in a Cavalry company that mustered in Barre 60 years ago. He was a generous and kind-hearted neighbor, and tender, gentle and affectionate in his domestic relations. At the time of his death he was the oldest member of Mt. Zion Lodge of Freemasons, and the "drop curtain" fell gently, at the close of an active and useful life.
Jared Weed, Esq.
Jared Weed, Esq., was the son of Elnathan and Lydia (Bouton) Weed, and was born in North Stamford, Conn., April 5th, 1783. Fitted for college in North Salem, N. Y., under the instruction of a Scotch tutor known as "old Johnny McNess" certain quaint Scotch words and phrases, derived from his teacher, continued to illustrate and give zest to his language all his life. He graduated at Harvard University 1807, taught a High school in Lancaster, Mass., and studied law with Hon. Wm. Stedman of that place, and also with Judge Nathaniel Paine of Worcester. Admitted to the bar in Worcester, and in 1813 established himself in Petersham in the practice of law, where he remained to the close of his life. He was admitted an attorney of the Supreme Judicial Court in 1816, and councillor of the same court in 1818. He was married in 1821 to Eliza Prentiss of Petersham, daughter of Nathan and Lydia Prentiss, by whom he had three daughters, and here may be noticed a remarkable coincidence in the first names of his and her parents. He was 2d or 3d cousin to Thurlow Weed, the New York statesman and editor. He was Captain and Colonel in the mil- itia, was a member of the state senate, chairman of the County commissions several years, and town clerk for 30 years. He died Aug. 5th, 1857, aged 74. If one word would describe his prac- tice and profession, it would be COUNSELLOR, for often, by his kind and sensible advice, he would lead to the settlement of a dispute, without appealing to the law, and this much to his pecuniary detriment. With tastes delicate and refined, tender hearted as a woman, keen to detect mcaness and deception, and ready to wield a sharp-edged irony and sarcasm against
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them ; generous to a fault to the deserving, a ready helper, a loving husband and father, a kind neighbor and reliable friend, he had an honest and sturdy uprightness that cannot be exag- gerated.
Rev. Luther Wilson
Rev. Luther Wilson. Born in New Braintree in 1783, son of Joseph and Sarah (Mathews). Grew up on the farm of his father and grandfather, Robert. Mingled some teaching of winter schools with his farming. His grandfather, who was a religious man, offered to send him to college if he would study for the ministry, but he declined the offer, saying if he secured an education he should be a lawyer. When at the age of 18, his grandfather died, leaving him the means of partly defraying the cost of a college education. He soon after left home for Leicester Academy, and made preparations for Yale College, which he entered in 1804. Circumstances led him to ask a dismission, which he obtained, before the end of his first year. He joined the class of 1807 in Williams College, and at the close of his Junior year he was invited to become the English Preceptor in Leicester Academy. While teaching there he also studied Divinity with Rev. Zephaniah Swift Moore of Leicester, and was licensed to preach. After a few months' preaching he was appointed Principal of Leicester Academy, a position he filled creditably for three and one-half years ; the large number of pupils fitting for college under his tuition giv- ing him a good reputation as a thorough teacher in the colleges to which they were sent. In 1813 he was invited to settle in the ministry in Brooklyn, Conn., as a colleague pastor with Rev. Josiah Whitney, D. D. Later, his theological opinions underwent an important change, and he became a Unitarian. 'The majority of the congregation accepted his views, and for a great many years the First Congregational Church in Brooklyn was the only Unitarian church in Connecticut. Dr. Whitney, alarmed at the defection of his colleague, though very aged and infirm, resumed preaching for a time, and the consociation of Windham County assumed jurisdiction in the matter of charges of heresy against the younger minister, a jurisdiction denied by him and by the society from whose ministry it sought to
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depose him. He afterwards published a pamphlet, reviewing the proceedings of the consociation in the case. He however resigned his charge in 1817 that he might not be an obstacle to the reunion of the two sections of the society, divided now in belief, which he hoped was possible if he were out of the ques- tion. The union could not be, and the one church became two. He now began to study law, but some of the Unitarian ministers in Massachusetts had become interested in the Brook- lyn trial and minister, and he was invited by Dr. Channing to come to Boston. He spent a week with him at his house and was persuaded not to give up his profession.
After preaching in Petersham a few Sundays he received a call to settle as minister of the First Parish in this town, and was installed June 23d, 1819. He was dismissed at his own request in 1834, regarding his health as no longer equal to the demands made upon it, in the large parish under his care. He continued to preach in Unitarian pulpits for a considerable pe- riod in Brookfield, Brooklyn, Ct., Westford and Montague. He visited Houlton, Me., on missionary service and spent a winter there, three or four years after leaving the church in this town. The latter part of his life he spent in Petersham, and died at the house of his daughter, Mrs. Brooks, Nov. 20, 1864.
His visits to his people were frequent and welcome. He was a great favorite with the children, knew and remembered the names of all the lambs in his large flock, had a strong and ac- tive interest in schools, and if a pupil was bright and promising, that interest, started at the district school, was kept up far into the scenes of busy life and to far away homes. He was an ear- nest and ardent disciple of temperance, and his labors in that field bore much fruit. He was a steady worker, shunned no duty, conscientious, always a cheering visitor at the sick bed, and a sympathizing and consoling friend in sorrow and bereave- ment. He was ready and able for a theological tilt, in fact enjoyed it, but he bore 110 malice, harbored no bitterness, and the sun shone cheerily out after storm clouds of a heated dis- cussion. He was a good farmer and a successful dairyman. Kept a large herd of cows, and could read the qualities of a new and strange one like an open book. He was fond of singing and ready to encourage new beginners in the art. There are a
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few of his old flock left who pleasantly remember with what sacred unction he would add his sonorous baritone voice to the singing of the last hymn. He was a well built, tall and hand- some man, and the beau-ideal of a minister and gentleman of 50 years ago.
Lieutenant Cyrus Wadsworth
Lieut. Cyrus Wadsworth. Born in Northboro, 1785, came to this town about 1816, succeeded Ruel Farrar, of the firm of Howe & Farrar, and with Jonas Howe, as Howe & Wadsworth, continued a successful business in general merchandise and farmers' produce, on the west side of the common and on the premises lately bought by Mr. Simes of Boston. He won the respect and esteem of his partner, with whom he made his home, and with all that dealt with him, for his cheerful up- rightness, his obliging and kindly manners, and his gentle- manly deportment. Though unmarried, he was fond of children, and made himself a favorite with them. He was too tender-hearted to dun a delinquent customer, and left it to his partners, but in all other particulars he was a practical and ac- complished merchant. Eventually Mr Howe retired from the firm and his brother, Col. Welcome, joined him, and under the firm name of C. and W. Wadsworth the business continued until the time of his death, in 1827, leaving an unblemished reputation and a handson.e competency. In his will he left a sum to be expended in the building of a town clock, to be place 1 upon the church of the First Parish, and to be the prop- erty of that time-honored institution. The work was entrusted to Mr. George Fitts, then of Barre, but afterwards of Bangor. and resulted in a marvel of workmanship, time-keeping quali- ties and durability. It was changed from the old church to the newer one, it has suffered from incompetent and barbarous lands that have at times had charge of it, but its own hands have been undefiled, and it has been faithful to its trust. If it has sometimes required encouragen.ent from a skilled workman, it has managed to knock off the hours of time and human life on the "Paul Revere Bell" faithfully and with no uncertain sound, It has been and is a graceful, a thoughtful, a sacred reminder of the good man who bestowed it.
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Colonel Josiah White
Col. Josiah White. Son of Capt. Alpheus and Lydia (Taft) White. The oldest of 10 children, five sons and five daughters, born 1804, came to Petersham with the family in 1814 from Ux- bridge, Worcester Co., settled on the large farm first north of the "Bell schoolhouse." Early introduced to active life by his stirring and energetic father in the blacksmith's shop and on the farm. His education commenced at the said schoolhouse, and the finishing touches were received at New Salem Acade- my in two terms. In 1828 he left the homestead and married Miss Adelphia Wilder of Revolutionary stock, and a popular schoolteacher, and made her home in the east part of the town, his home. The farm had lost much of its former fertility, but he bought an immense quantity of leached ashes that had been years in accumulating at a potash manufactory in the near neighborhood, spread it upon the hungry land and it literally "blossomed like the rose," and became one of the most pro- ductive farms in town. Spacious barns were required and added, and it became a model home. This was not all due to the ashes, for his judgment, enterprise, skillful and timely man- agement in driving the work, instead of being driven by it, re- sulted in success. During all the regeneration, he had estab- lished the blacksmith's shop and divided his labor between it and the farm. He was a dashing ard accomplished military officer, a fearless horseman, and a prouduent feature at the muster in Barre 50 years ago. He has done more for the in- troduction of improved cattle than any man in town. He has brought up and cared for two families besides his own, labored at the forge 56 years, was superintendent of the First Parish Sunday school 25 years, and is a deacon of that church. He represented the town at the General Court in 1861, besides fill- ing various town offices, and being without a superior as chairman of a public meeting. These are some of the reasons why his neighbors and townsmen gathered about him at his golden wedding nine years ago to show their love and respect, why the venerable Dea. Willard was present, and with other members of the company made short and pithy speeches, full of kind endorsements of his public spirit, generosity and useful- ness, and why they endorsed their words by presenting the
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couple with a gold-headed cane, a golden ladle, and $90 in gold.
"On that occasion there was a gentlewoman with a pleasant and cheery face, who stood beside him hand in hand, and at his side has walked and worked and helped, and 'instant in season and out of season,' faithful, true and interesting for 50 years. The same promptness, skill and energy that marked the shop and farm were repeated in the house. The excellence of her dairy products, the table delicadies, and the order of the house- hold are proverbial. They stood there man and wife, in the fullest sense of the words, cheerful, hopeful, and strong in each other."
ADDITIONS TO MR. HOWE'S SKETCHES
Continuous Sketch of C. F. Bosworth (Page 26 of Mr. Howe's Sketches)
The invention referred to by Mr. Howe was patented by C. F. Bosworth and was very successful in transforming hand do- mestic work into machine work run by power, leading to the installing of steam power in all the hat factories of this and other countries.
The invention was made and partly developed in Petersham. He made his first experiments on models constructed in his father's carriage shop on Main street.
At the age of 24 years he went to Boston in search of more practical knowledge of sewing machines. He there was en- gaged in inventing and manufacturing family machines for several years, in the meantime developing machines for making hats
He succeeded so well that he took a machine to a large fac- tory in Connecticut to test it in real work. The hat factory was in Milford. He satisfied the managers that his plan was feasible and better than hand work. This was in January, 1863. Mr. N. A. Baldwin, who was at the head of the concern, took a great interest in the development of the idea, which was very novel. He furnished the means and opportunity for putting it into practical use. The result was that it changed the business entirely, and enabled the shops to fill their orders in half the time, also improving the quality of goods. A stock company was formed to build the machines for the trade in this country, also in England and France.
This was only one of many practical inventions by Mr. Bos- worth. He has taken out numerous patents and has made this line his life business.
Since 1880 a machine of his invention and patented by him has been the standard machine for sewing harness and other leather, using a hook stitch and hard wax. No other machine
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has surpassed it for the purpose, and the dividends are large on the stock of the company and the business increases.
Mr. Bosworth always strove to reach the limit of excellence in whatever he undertook so that no one would need to endeav- or to surpass him and he was fortunate in this.
A Continuous Sketch of Genery Stevens, of the Firm of Genery Stevens (& Son (Page 0 5of Mr. Howe's Sketches)
He is doing business at the same place as at the time of Mr. Howe's sketches in 1887, dealing in the same kinds of produce. He has since installed a chemical cold storage plant capable of storing 50 carloads of various kinds of produce at a cost of $40,000. His sales amount to over $1,000,000 ($22,000 0w1) per year, which indicates he has been eminently successful. He has positively declined to accept any political office in the city. In 1868 he married Ada S. Blakely of Barre, daughter of Edwin D. Blakely, had three children, one living, William Blakely, associated with his father, the firm being Genery Stevens & Son. He has been active all these years in church work, held about every office from Sunday School teacher to Board of Trustees.
RECENT SKETCHES
The Amsden Family
As early as 1820 we hear of David Amsden living in Peters- ham, near what was called the old Monson Turnpike on North Dana road. After his death in 1864 the homestead was occupied by his son Orin, who was born in the old home and then lived there with his wife and three children, George, Frank and Daisy. Mrs. Orin Amsden died and the farm was sold and the family moved away. The house and barn were afterwards burned.
In 1907 George Amsden bought the old home place owned by his father and grandfather years before, and built a little camp there for his family to occupy in the summer.
George Amsden was born in 1859 and attended the district school in Petersham and the Highland Institute. In 1878 he married Cora E. Thompson of Farmington, Ohio. They have one daughter, Laura D. They live in Winchester, Mass., and come summers to little camp on Amsden farm.
Frank Amsden, born in 1864, attended Petersham schools. He married Hattie G. Harris of Hubbardston. They have one daughter, Florence G., and one son, Raymond H., and live in Winchester. In 1910 Frank Amsden bought at "Hodges Four Corners" in western part of Petersham, an old place called the Peckham place or Totman house, which his family occupy in summer.
George and Frank Amsden have been interested since 1884 in the store service business. They are now connected with the Lamson Co., the largest manufacturers and distributors of cash and parcel carrying devices in the world, George now being manager for New England district office. Frank is with the construction department, having charge of installing important plants.
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Daisy Amsden was born in Petersham in 1870 and went to school there, afterwards graduating at Woodstock Academy in Woodstock, Conn., and at Child's Business College in Spring- field. Daisy Amsden married David E. Chism in 1893. They have four children, Laura V., Edith Mabel, Ellery A. and David O. They live in Springfield and spend their summers at the little camp ou Amsden place.
Abiather Blanchard
Abiather Blanchard was born in Petersham in 1848, the son of Joab and Lucinda Osmet Blanchard, received his education in the public schools and the Highland Institute of Petersham, teaching school winters until he entered Amherst College in 1871 and graduated in the class of 1875, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Twenty years later he received the degree of Master of Arts, was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa of the college. After leaving college he taught Latin and Greek at Fulton. N. Y., also in the high schools at Shelburne Falls and Barre, Mass. For 25 years he was a resident of South Norwalk, Conn. He was admitted to the bar in 1893 but never pursued the practice of law.
Since 1881 he was a manufacturer as a member of the firm of Dennis & Blanchard. He was the author of many historical sketches, for many years a member of the school board of Nor- walk and chairman of the directors of the public library. He was one of the most valved citizens of Norwalk and was the guiding hand in many of its developments. He was honorable as a busi- ness man and beloved as an employer of labor. At the time of his death the papers paid glowing tributes of his worth. He delivered an address at the 150th anniversary celebration of Petersham in 1904, which was listened to with marked attention. In religious convictions he was a Unitarian, but at Norwalk he attended the Congregational church and entered into its work and support as enthusiastically as though it was his own church.
Oscar T. Brooks
Oscar T. Brooks, a prominent Athol business man, was born in Petersham, June 6, 1839. He received his early ed-
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ucation in Wendell, the Winchester, N. H. High School and New Salem Academy. In 1859 Mr. Brooks engaged in mer- cantile business in Wendell and was postmaster there several years. In the fall of 1862 he went to Athol where, with the late J. M. King, he bought out the general country store bus- iness of P. C. Tyler. In the fall of 1864, in company with J. M. King and Franklin Haskell, he engaged in business in another store and in 1869 in company with J. F. Packard began business in the store he now occu pies, a prosperous grocery business. Mr. Brooks was in company with Charles M. Sears several years and on the latter's death continued the business and is now associated with his son, Ralph O. Brooks.
He has served Athol as selectman, assessor, overseer of the poor ; is a trustee of the Athol Savings Bank, director in the Athol Co-operative Bank, and active in the Merchants' Associ- ation. He is a trustee of New Salem Academy. Mr. Brooks has served Athol as representative in the General Court. He is prominent in the Second Advent Church and in the YMCA.
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