USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Ludlow > The history of Ludlow, Massachusetts > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
"Ludlow Manufacturing Associates : Cranmore N. Wallace, Charles W. Hubbard, Sidney Stevens. Managing Trustees."
CHARLES TOWNSEND HUBBARD
Charles Townsend Hubbard, to whose memory the Hubbard Memo- rial Library is a fitting monument, was born in 1817, the son of Henry and Mary Hubbard. On account of his father's heavy losses in the cotton mills at Great Falls, New Hampshire, he was obliged to leave school at a very early age and enter business. For some years he was settled in New Orleans as a cotton broker.
In 1845 be married Louisa, daughter of Benjamin Sewall of the firm of Sewall. Day & Company, shipowners and manufacturers of cordage. He was soon taken into the firm as a junior partner.
Being dissatisfied with the work and responsibility given him, with Mr. Sewall's assistance, in 1848 he bought a small water-power at East
Braintree, Mass., and began to manufacture flax. In 1852 this busi- ness was incorporated as the "Boston Flax Mills," and he was manager and treasurer of the mills until 1878 when they were abandoned, and the real estate disposed of. The machinery and good will of the firm were sold in 1868 to the company, which was reorganized under the name of the Endlow Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. Hubbard was chosen treasurer, an office which he held until his death in 1887. Practically the whole of Mr. Hubbard's business career was devoted to these two companies, although he was interested in two or three similar concerns. None of these, however, received much of his atten- tion and all were failures.
288
HISTORY OF LUDLOW
During all the period in which his interest was centered in Ludlow, Mr. Hubbard manifested deep regard for the development of the town and the betterment of its people. Whatever contributed to their com- fort, pleasure, and progress was of heartfelt interest to him. This was most clearly shown by his efforts in establishing the first social and reading room for the benefit of the employees in the mills. To per- petuate his memory and keen interest in the people, the Hubbard Memo- rial Library was presented by his family to the town of Ludlow in 1888. (See page 112.)
By his first wife, Louisa Sewall, he had four daughters, one of whom died in childhood. He married second, in 1855, Elizabeth Blair Wells of Hartford, Connecticut, and they had two children, a son and a daugh- ter. His early married life was spent in Boston and Newton. In 1855 he bought a farm in Weston where four of his children and three grandchildren are now (1911) living. He died very suddenly of heart disease January 18, 1887.
The following memorandum was inclosed in the call for a meeting of the stockhohlers of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company for Friday, January 28, 1887:
"Charles Townsend Hubbard, the founder and Treasurer of this Company and its predecessor, The Boston Flax Mills, died at his resi- dence at Weston, Mass., Tuesday, January 18, 1887, in the seventieth year of his age, loved, respected, and lamented by all who knew him."
The following resolutions were adopted :
" The stockhoklers of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company desire to place on record their appreciation of the character and services of their late Treasurer, Charles T. Hubbard.
" Therefore voted; that in his sudden death the Company feels that it has lost a most efficient and upright Treasurer whose serv- ices for nearly twenty years have given success and character to the Company."
CAPTAIN HENRY A. HUBBARD
Henry A. Hubbard was born at Ludlow, Mass .. August 25, 1836. His father was a citizen of official prominence in the town, and his mother a Brainardof Haddam, Conn., near of kin to the missionary, Rev. David Brainard. The early life of Captain Hubbard was passed upon a farm, in which time he not only studiously improved his opportunities at the public schools, but forced the hours when employed in manual labor to contribute to his store of knowledge. He fastened his book upon the plow and studied as he turned the soil, or left it at a convenient nook in
289
BIOGRAPHIES
the fence as he hoed the field, grasping some new advance upon each return By teaching during the winter he secured means to pursue his studies at Wilbraham Academy, from which he was graduated with high honors. He continued his studies a year at Amherst College, and afterwards for a time at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., but, deciding upon the legal profession, left the latter and entered the office of Beach & Bond, Springfield, Mass.
Poetry was his delight, Milton's "Lycidas" his fa- vorite; and the hours after his daily toil were spent in close companionship with the choicest of American and Eng- lish poets.
While engrossed with legal tomes, he united with the Union Guard of Springfield, and soon became adept in military tactics. Upon the opening of hostilities in 1861 he rallied his Ludlow neigh- bors and friends and drilled them in the "School of Sol- diers," preparatory to the call he felt sure must come. When the raising of the Twenty- Seventh Regiment was autho- rized. Colonel Lee commis- CAPT. HENPY A HUBBARD sioned him to recruit for that organization, and the filling of the ranks of the Ludlow company so promptly was due mainly to his zeal and magnetism. He was mustered as captain, October 16, 1861, and continued with his command unti! their arrival with the Burnside Expedition at Hatteras Inlet, N. C. Here he contracted a serious and prolonged illness, from exposure. Ho remained upon the schooner " Recruit," and during the battle of Roanoke Island was on Croatan Sound just beyond the reach of the enemy's guns.
He heard our first cheer of victory, but died February 12, 1862, just after the return of the regiment to the vessel. Though prevented from participating in battle he died as really a martyr in his country's cause as though he had fallen amid the carnage of battle. His remains were buried with military honors at Ludlow, February 24, 1862, under the escort of his old comrades of the Union Guard. October 16, 1861,
200
HISTORY OF LUDLOW
two weeks previous to his departure for the seat of war, he married Amnie, daughter of Deacon Booth of Ludlow.
On the occasion of the death of Captain Hubbard the following lines were penned by Hon. G. M. Fisk of Palmer: -
Comes there a mournful message, On wings of lightning sped. Thrilling the ear with sadness, Whispering, "He is dead!"
Brief is the touching story, low at his country's call. Went he forth in his armor, To conquer or to fall.
Bravely his comrades leading -- On to the strife they go, Bearing the nation's standard To the soil of the for.
Over the trackless ocean, Rounding the stormy capes, Where the hurricane dashes The sea in mountain shapes.
Hearing the distant thunder, Seeing the murky smoke. Knows he the strife of battle Rages at Roanoke?
Turns on his fevered pillow; Starts with commanding word ; C'alls for his faithful comrades, Asks for his trusty sword.
"Onward all! to the struggle! Charge! the foe is near! Mount to his frowning ramparts! Plant our standard there!"
Wandering thus in fancy. lle leads his comrades on ; Crushing the foe before him, Until the field is won.
201
BIOGRAPHIES
Hushed is the din of battle Hushed is the cannon's roar; And sleeps the young commander Sleeps to awake no more.
Homeward they gently bear him Over the foamy track -- Anxiously hearts are waiting, Waiting the welcome back.
Sad, oh, sad, is the welcome That greets the soldier's bier; Voices are hushed in sorrow- . Rapidly falls the tear.
Solemn the muffled drum-beat, Slow is the measured tread ;
Bearing the youthful captain To his home with the dead.
Hark! 'tis the parting volley, Firing over his grave! - The last sad act is finished. And rests the young and brave.
"Come to the bridal chamber." Bind on the weeper's brow Laurel wreaths of the soblier, Twined with the willow's bough.
"Green be the turf above him:" Peaceful his dreamless sleep; Ever in fond remembrance His treasured mem'ry keep.
Ludlow, February 23, 1862.
JOHN JENNINGS
John Jennings, one of the earliest settlers of Ludlow, was widely known in his day as the lawyer of the town He lived at one time and had his office at the Ezekiel Fuller place, where Hiram Davenport now lives (1911). We hrst learn of him as surety for Wright and Paine in 1779, who were convicted of Sabbath breaking. He represented Ludlow
202
HISTORY OF LUDLOW
in the Legislature in 1787, and again in 1809. He attended the Constitu- tional Convention in 1788. He was among the malcontents in Shays's forces in 1787. He served as town clerk from 1789 to 1792, 1794 to 1796. 1798 to 1799, and was the first man to hold the double office of town clerk and treasurer, in 1796 Ile was an assessor for two years, and acted as moderator eighteen times. It became his duty to make out many a deed of the lands of this region, and sign many important documents. His usefulness extended along many years, and found fields for display in larger circles than those of home.
THE MILLER BROTHERS
These four men whose portraits embellish this volume, Sylvester. Joseph, Daniel, and John, representative and worthy citizens of Ludlow. were the sons of Joseph and Mary (Wilder) Miller. Born in the latter part of the eighteenth century, their period of life extended well into the latter part of the nineteenth. Sylvester was 97, Joseph 90, Daniel Si. and John 88 years of age at death. All but Daniel attended the Centen- nial celebration in 1874, Sylvester being the oldest man present. Their attachment for each other was strongly marked. It is an interesting and remarkable fact that none of them used tobacco or spirituous liquors in any form. It is remembered of them that they were "such gentlemenly men."
Sylvester was of a very quiet nature, and took little part in public affairs. He retained unusual vigor to the end. Within two weeks of his death. he walked two and a half miles, a customary form of exercise. Joseph went to 1'tica and Syracuse, living there a useful, but unevent- ful, life.
Daniel made his home in South Hadley, and was there during the establishment of Mount Holyoke Seminary. He was prominent in the early settlement of Holyoke He was chosen a "minuteman" for the War of 1812
Colonel John Miller, the youngest of the quartet, filled all the town offices from first to last, and was also a "minuteman" with his brother. He was colonel of the 10th Regiment several years before the Civil War and was justly proud of his military carcer. All his commissions from sergeant in 1816 to colonel, during a period of twenty-four years' service. are in possession of one of his sons (1911).
For years Colonel Miller was an active member in the Methodist Church. Through his efforts the first Methodist preaching was begun and the Methodist Church established in Ludlow village.
.
DANIE I
SYLVESTER
JOHN
JOSEPH
THE MILLER BROTHERS
295
BIOGRAPHIES
DR. AARON JOHN MILLER
Aaron John Miller was well known in all the earlier history of the town as the family physician. He is said to have been one of the original Boston "tea-party," and went as surgeon to the Revolution. He was a member of the State Legislature. The following quotation from the Palmer Journal illustrates the man: "The first physician in Ludlow was Dr. Aaron John Miller. He was a very tidy sort of man, distinguished for wearing the highest-priced black broadcloth he could find, and always eating molasses instead of butter on his bread, drinking clear tea and a very little old New England, never any water. He was a rapid talker, made his fever powders of camphor gum and loaf sugar, and was never known to hurt his patients with his medicines. He usually walked on his visits to patients, always accompanied by his little yellow dog. He was intolerant of others' opinions, and emphasized his own with frequent thrusts of his cane."
The following acrostic, written by him, was found among the papers of his son, the late Gordon B. Miller :-
Great chief. Columbia venerates thy name, Europe with awe proclaims thy deathless fame: On Asia's plains, where priests adore the sun, Rajahs and nabobs own great Washington; Grim Afric's sons, who war eternal wage. Earth's savage nations all revere our sage.
Where Philadelphia graces yonder plains. Adorned with laurel our loved hero reigns; Serene he guides the helm of every State: His skill in war and politics complete. Illustrious statesman! thou in virtue's cause Now deign'st to sit. the guardian of our laws; Graved with the lovely olive branch of peace. Thy praise, O Washington, shall never cease! On thee this western world have turned their eyes. Ne'er to revert them till thou mount the skies.
From a poem of his entitled "Summer Evening Song of Connecticut River" are culled the following stanzas:
Flow on, loved Connecticut, majestic and slow. And mingle the waters with ocean below ; The god of the sea with his brine-dripping bride Exulting beholds thee still swelling his tide.
HISTORY OF LUDLOW
The sun has gone down and the star of the west Is spreading delighted his beams on thy breast, While meck Luna, adorned with aspect serene, To grace with her graces the beautiful scene.
I was born near the marge in the year forty-nine, And love thee, still love thee and call thee divine; Not Granges, nor Avon, nor Egypt's famed Vile, Could ever so sweetly my cares all beguile.
His "Epitaph on Little Bute " a favorite dog of his, is of a different character :-
Hard was the fate of little Bute; With hungry wolves he did dispute: Amid the strife of battle din Received a grip beneath the chin.
Adieu, my brother of the dust! These savage whelps are doubly cursed; With horrid shriek and doleful yell I hear them howling now in Hell.1
HON. CHARLES L. MILLER
The following is quoted from an obituary notice:
Charles 1. Miller, who dropped dead in the Capitol at Washington, on the 3d of January, 18-, was born in Boston in 1808, but moved to Ludlow when about four years of age. His father was Ithamar Miller, a native of Ludlow and brother of Dea. Joseph Miller of that town, and lived on the farm where Daniel Brewer now lives. Removing from Lud- low when Charles was fifteen years of age, the family settled in the State of New York, but subsequently moved to Constantine. St. Joseph County, Mich., where he became a merchant, town clerk, postmaster, and was afterwards elected clerk of the Senate. In 1844 he removed to Colon, and carried on successfully the business of general merchandise. He was elected representative to the legislature in 1853 and 1854, and in 1856 was elected judge of probate and served four years. In 1860, by invita- tion of Senator Chandler, he took the place of clerk of the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, and during every session since he has been at his post, drawing the text of all the important bills of that committee. With impaired health he returned to Washington at the
JA solitary and gloomy swamp, thus named, where the wolves used to gather and howl.
Ry Miller
200)
BIOGRAPHIES
beginning of the session, and was at his duties daily. In fifteen minutes after entering the Capitol, on the morning of the 3d, he was found lifeless.
Senator Chandler says of him: "He was one of the purest and truest men I have ever met in my life. He was universally beloved, and the removal of such a man as Judge Miller seems to be a public calamity."
REV. SIMEON MILLER
Simeon Miller was a son of Daniel and Parmela (Jones) Miller, and was born in Ludlow, March 20, 1815. Hle prepared for college at Hopkins Academy in Hadley: and graduated from Amherst College in 1840. Hle took the full course in Andover Theological Seminary (1841 1844), and was licensed to preach by the Andover Association, meeting with Prof. Ralph Emerson at Andover, April 13, 1844. He was acting pastor of Ireland Parish in West Springfield (now Holyoke), from 1844 to 1846, where he was ordained, May 7, 1846, and remained until 1870. He was installed pastor in South Deerfiekl, April 13, 1870, and continued there until 1872. He preached at Ludlow Mills, 1872-1873, at Andover, Conn., 1876 1882, and at Agawam in 1883, besides supplying other churches for shorter periods.
Mr. Miller was a member of the Holyoke school committee during his pastorate of twenty-five years there, for much of the time chairman of the board, and superintendent of schools from 1865 to 1866.
Mr. Miller married first, Charlotte Amelia Ewing, September 11, 1849; second, Lucretia White Lamb, Jan. 3, 1860. He had two daughters and four sons.
Rev. William B. Hammond (Chiss of 1843, Andover) of Andover. N. Y., wrote of Mr. Miller: "More than fifty years ago I was a classmate of Simeon Miller at Amherst College, and recall him as a model Chris- tian man, who lived his religion every day, everywhere."
Rev. J. L. R. Trask. D. D., of Springfield (Class of 1867. Andover), who knew him well, both at Holyoke and Springfield, wrote: "Mr. Miller was an acute and vigorous sermonizer. A clear voice and dignified bearing added to the authority with which he spoke. The fineness of his feeling was evident in the tenderness and warmth of his pulpit manners. The appointments of his nature prevented him from being a stern preacher. But the face and form of his Lord were in all his utterances. What he was in the sanctuary, he was on the street, and in his home. If he had an enemy, it was never known. He had more tact than many ministers, and a quiet, sly humor served him well in difficult places He was the soul of kindness. After he ceased to preach, he was a model parishioner. Appreciative, slow to criticise, his heart open to all good. ready to co-operate, he set a good example to all the congregation. He was loving and friendly to the last. Happy as were his years of pastoral
300
HISTORY OF LUDLOW
service, he made no complaint when old age put its injunction upon him. He passed through grave domestic trials as one whose support was elsewhere, and this lowly faith was his unto the end. He used to say that his old teacher, Professor Stuart, admonished the students to preach once a year on Humility. Mr. Miller lived the doctrine his professor wanted him to preach, and because he was so sincerely humble, he was exalted amongst his parishioners and friends. And we believe he is exalted still."
WILBUR F. MILLER
When Wilbur Fisk Miller reached his seventieth birthday March 20, 1910, he had been singing in public for 60 years, and was still leading the choir of the Methodist Church in Ludlow, a record rivaled by very few people. He is the youngest of a family of 11 children, the son of Colonel John and Lucinda (Barton) Miller, and was born March 20, 1840. He is a farmer by occupation and lives in North street on the farm inherited from his father, from which he has soll lots for 125 houses in the village.
Mr. Miller is a musician of unusual ability, possessing a tenor of great power, range, and purity. He is one of the best-known singers in Western Massachusetts. He has never taken a lesson in music; he taught himself to sing, using a tuning fork to place the key. For a number of years after he began to sing, and even after he had charge of church singing, he could not read a note, though he mastered this art later by himself.
Mr. Miller began singing alto in the Ludlow Union Church when ten years of age, and when only eighteen was leader of the choir in Indian Orchard before he could read notes. This church was about to adopt modern hymn books in which were both the words and music. Fearing his deficiency in reading would be discovered, he refused to take the position if the new books were used. Two books were necessary by the old method, one containing words, the other music, and few possessed but one, the former. He led the singing in old Trinity Church, Spring- field, for seven years, was at Grace Church two years, director in several others, including Highland Baptist, Springfield, one in Chicopee, and in Palmer. Since 1905, he has led the choir in the Methodist Church in Ludlow.
His singing has always been in great demand, and he has participated in many public performances. Among those recalled are the laying of the corner stone of the post office, Grace Church dedication, Grand Army fair, celebration at the re-election of President Lincoln, and numerous Masonic functions. He has sung in all parts of this country as well as in Europe, but he never made a profession of it; he has had many offers from opera companies and others to sing on the stage. Mr. Miller recalls many interesting reminiscences of his singing career.
WILBUR F. MILLER
DEACON ELISHA TAYLOR PARSONS
305
BIOGRAPHIES
On March 20, 1862, he was married to Miss Julia Maria Runnels, daughter of John and Almira (Butterfield) Runnels. They had one daughter and one son. Mr. Miller is a veteran of the Civil War, having been a member of the 16th Mass. Regiment, and is a member of E. K. Wilcox Post, a 32d degree Mason, a Knight Templar, a Shriner, belonging to Melha Temple, and a member of the Springfield Veteran Firemen's Association.
ELISHA TAYLOR PARSONS
Elisha Taylor Parsons was born in Enfield, Conn., April 1, 1805; the eldest son of Elisha and Lovisa (Gleason) Parsons. He was educated in the public schools of Hartford and vicinity, and afterwards became a dis- trict school teacher in the country towns. He taught in Ludlow in what is known as District No. 3, which extended from Ludlow City to the Chicopee River. In this school there were sixty pupils of various grades, many of his own age and older, all crowded into this little box of a schoolhouse. While thus engaged in Ludlow, he met Hannah D. Charles, who, in 1829, became his wife. He settled in the western part of the town, on the Lewis Barber farm, and identified himself heartily with the interests of the community. He filled many offices of trust and impor- tance, and was captain of a local militia which flourished in the 30's, and for many years he served as moderator at town meeting, and twice represented his town in the state legislature (1855-1857).
For about seventy years he was connected with the First Congrega- tional Church and for a large part of the time served as deacon. He was a man of sterling worth and was a type of the men whom New England produced during his generation.
He spent his last days in Washington, D. C., where he died March 12, 1895, nearly ninety years of age. He had endeared himself to a wide circle of friends in the National Capitol and was regarded as a wonderful man in many ways. He retained his mental vigor to the last and was deeply interested in all the great questions of the day.
His wife was born at Ballston Springs, N. Y., in 1807. She was the daughter of Danforth and Independence (Booth) Charles. She died in 1874, the worthy helpmate of a worthy man.
CHARLES DEXTER ROOD.
Charles Dexter Rood, the only child of J. Dexter and Clarissa (Walker) Rood, was born in Ludlow. His grandfather, Asahel Rood, removed to the town from Connecticut. When Charles D. Rood was eleven years old, his father was appointed station agent at Indian Orchard, and while the family lived there, the son attended the public schools at Dimmock Corner. Later he became a pupil in the famous " Winding Wave school,"
IHISTORY OF LUDLOW
and finally a student at Williston Seminary. For a short period after leaving school, he was assistant paymaster and clerk at the Indian Orchard Mills. Then he engaged with Warren & Spadone, jewelers in New York City, at a salary of $500 per year. Within a year, one of the firm's traveling salesmen having given up his position, Mr. Rood was selected to finish his route and travel temporarily. After a three months' trip he returned and accepted an offer of a two years' engagement, his salary for the second year to be $2,500, more than double the amount ever before paid by the firm. At the expiration of this term, he became a partner in the firm, for five years. Within that time he was made an equal investor and partner under the firm name of Spadone, Rood & Co., manufacturers of fine jewelry and importers of watches and diamonds. They had the only United States agency for some of the most celebrated foreign watches, besides dealing extensively in those of American make. They used half the product of the noted Howard Watch Company, and altogether did a business of half a million dollars per annum. In 1876. Mr. Rood sold his interest in the manufacturing jewelry business, and early in 1877 was one of the organizers of the Hampden Watch Company which purchased the plant of the old New York Watch Company, and was appointed treasurer and manager, besides being a director. In 1884 he was made president in addition to his other offices. In 1888 the company removed to Canton, Ohio, building one of the finest plants in the country. The main building had a seating capacity of 2300 people. After selling his interests, except stock, in the Hampden Watch Company in 1890, he purchased a controlling interest in the Aurora Watch Company, located at Aurora, Illinois, where he operated for two years and then moved the tools, machinery, and materials to Lancaster, Pa., uniting with the Lancaster Watch Company. The two plants were finally merged under the name of the Hamilton Watch Company, the name retained in 1911 and 1912. The Hampden, the Aurora, and the Lancaster Watch companies each and all experienced very similar fortune. In turn changes were made to rehabilitate and make a success. but each proved a failure. Under Mr. Rood's management, the Hampden Company received orders for many times its product, and the stock increased from nothing to $400 or $500 per share. After the union of the Aurora and Lancaster companies the success was phenomenal; some years as many as thirteen 5 per cent cash dividends were paid besides a stock dividend of $500,000 and an increase of the assets nearly as much more. After the death of the superintendent, Mr. Rood gave his atten- tion for several years to the details of the business, during which time the Hamilton Watch became the popular railroad watch of America. Having become interested in the telegraphone, Mr. Rood sold his interest in the Hamilton Watch Company and in 1911 was made president and manager of the American Telegraphone Company, capitalized for five million dollars, with factory and offices at Springfield, Mass. This
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.