USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medway > The history of Medway, Mass., 1713-1885 > Part 50
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THE RESIDENCE OF THE HON. LUTHER METCALF.
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attended to pay their last respects to this venerable man. The services were conducted by the pastor of the church, the Rev. R. K. Harlow, who was as- sisted by the Rev. E. O. Jameson, of East Medway, and the Rev. A. W. Ide, of West Medway. Mr. Harlow preached the sermon, and paid a high tribute to the deceased. The singing was of a special character, and the floral decorations profuse. The burial was in the family lot in Oakland Cemetery.
NATHANIEL WHITING METCALF, A. M.
NATHANIEL WHITING METCALF, son of the Hon. Luther and Lydia (Jenks) Metcalf, was born Aug. 24, 1819, in Medway. He graduated in 1846 from Brown University, Providence, R. I., and devoted his life to teaching in academies and high schools. He was thus employed in Pittsburgh, Penn., in New Marlboro and Medway, Mass. During the later years of his life he labored as a teacher among the freedmen. Mr. Metcalf died Oct. 16, 1871, in New Orleans, La.
MRS. CAROLINE CUTLER (PLIMPTON) METCALF.
CAROLINE CUTLER PLIMPTON was born July 21, 1809, in Medway. She married Sept. 25, 1835, Albert Metcalf, son of Dea. Jonathan and Mary (Pond) Metcalf. He was born Sept. 20, 1808, in Franklin, Mass. They resided in Auburn, N. Y., where he was the principal of a young ladies' school. Mr. Metcalf died Aug. 11, 1837, of consumption, at his father's house in Franklin, Mass.
Mrs. Metcalf became widely known as a teacher. In 1850 she was elected the Principal of the Wheaton Female Seminary in Norton, Mass., and con- tinued in that position for twenty-six years, until her resignation in 1876. During this long period she presided over that institution with distinguished ability, and was recognized as one of the finest educators of young ladies in New England.
The Rev. Jacob Ide, of Mansfield, Mass., in his historical address on the occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of Wheaton Seminary, in 1885, which was printed, pays a very fitting tribute to the character and eminent service of Mrs. Metcalf in connection with that institution. Mrs. Metcalf was, in- deed, one of the most distinguished daughters of Medway.
LANSING MILLIS, EsQ.
LANSING MILLIS, son of William and Sallie (Holt) Millis, was born Sept. 3, 1823, in Lansingburgh, N. Y. His school days ended at the age of fifteen years, and he soon after made a confession of faith in Christ, and united with the church. He commenced trade when eighteen years of age, and was at first unsuccessful, but afterwards able to retrieve his losses and pay his credi- tors every dollar with interest. For some years he followed farming and mer- cantile business until in 1855 he came to Boston and commenced his career as a railroad agent and manager. In this business he was successful and at the end of thirty years he had won great prominence among the railroad managers of New England and the West, and was recognized as a man of superior judgment and great fidelity to responsibility and trust. He held also
L Minis
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OAK
FARM
GROVE
E.MEDWAY
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an honored place in the respect of the religious circles of Boston for his Chris- tian labors and large benevolence. In 1880 he purchased a farm in East Medway, and commenced improvements. He soon after added another farm by purchase, to the first, put up new buildings, and repaired the old. He fitted up a fine summer residence, and with a large outlay made Oak Grove Farm famous in the region. Early in 1885 the easterly part of Medway was incor- porated a new town, and was named Millis, in honor of him who seemed by his social qualities, his interest in the place, and his Christian character, to win all hearts to himself. At the first meeting of the new town Mr. Millis was chosen the moderator, and subsequently elected chairman of the board of
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selectmen. But only a few weeks had passed when he was stricken with paralysis of the brain and died instantly April 6, 1885. The funeral services were largely attended, both at his residence and in Boston, where a large church filled at noonday in that city, principally of business men, showed how widely he was known and the universal respect in which he was held. His burial took place in his native town, Lansingburgh, N. Y. The death of Mr. Millis was a sad loss to the new town for which he had a great attach- ment, and to which his personal presence was a great inspiration. His fam- ily, since his death, continue to reside in the summer at Oak Grove Farm, and are carrying out his plans as far as known for the benefit of the town of Millis.
ALEXANDER LE BARON MONROE, son of Dr. Stephen and Susanna (Le Baron) Monroe, was born May 3, 1807, in Sutton, Mass. He grad- uated in 1831, from the Yale Medical College, New Haven, Conn., and the following year established himself as a physician in East Medway. He re- moved in 1833 to the Village, where he practiced his profession successfully for several years. In 1840 he removed to Chicopee. Mass., where he remained until 1843, when he located in Granby, Mass., where he remained ten years. In September, 1852, he returned to the Village in response to an earnest in- vitation of the citizens, where he continued in practice till failing health com- pelled him, in 1877, to retire from professional life. He was absent for a short time in 1862, serving as a surgeon in the Peninsula Campaign under General McClellan in the War for the Union, having volunteered in response to a call for extra medical service in an emergency.
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Dr. Alex. LeB. Monroe was a well-read physician and greatly respected in his profession. He was also a man of devoted Christian character, and a valued helper in all departments of his Master's service. Dr. Monroe died Feb. 20, 1879, after a life of earnest usefulness. In a fitting memorial prepared by his pastor, the Rev. Mr. Harlow, which was published, interesting mention is made of the religious experience of Dr. Monroe which enabled him to minister to his patients spiritually as well as physically. The writer says : " There are many households that will never forget his tender offices, as in the chamber made solemn by the approach of death, he committed the departing spirit of the loved one to the mercy of God, and commended those soon to be bereaved to the consolations of Divine Grace."
REV. ABNER MORSE, A. M.
ABNER MORSE, son of Abner and Mille (Leland) Morse, was born Sept. 5, 1793, in Medway, now Holliston, Mass. He prepared for college, and graduated from Brown University in the class of 1816. He preached in various places but devoted himself somewhat to lectures and other literary work. He was a member of the New England Historic Genealogical So- ciety, of Boston, Mass. ; and The Morse Genealogy : or, The Genealogical Register of the Descendants of the Early Settlers of Sherborn, Holliston, and Medway, Mass., is an enduring monument of his industry and patience as a pioneer in genealogical research which will perpetuate his name for generations. This volume is accounted exceedingly valuable as a book of constant reference to those engaged in tracing genealogy.
The Rev. Mr. Morse married twice, and had by his second wife four children. One of these is the Hon. Elijah Adams Morse, of Canton, Mass. The Rev. Mr. Morse died May 16, 1865, in Sharon, Mass.
REV. JOHN MORSE.
JOHN MORSE, son of Dea. James and Hannah (Daniels) Morse, was born March 24, 1763, in East Medway. He became a Christian in early life and was very active in the revivals of 1785, holding meetings in Hollis- ton, Medway, and other towns. Having determined to enter the ministry, he prepared himself for college, and graduated in 1791 from Brown University, Providence, R. I. He studied theology with the Rev. Dr. Emmons and the Rev. David Sanford. Having completed his professional studies, he went to preach the Gospel in the then " far West," and was settled, in 1792, pastor of the Congregational Church in Green River, N. Y., where he remained twenty-three years, and removed in 1816 to Otego, N. Y. He was installed over the Presbyterian Church in Otego, and labored there some twelve years. The last sermon he preached was on the occasion of President Harrison's death, he being at the time seventy-eight years of age. He died Jan. 3, 1844, in Otego, having spent over fifty years in the ministry. His ministrations were blessed and attended with seasons of revival. He preached the distin- guished doctrines of Free Grace, which were his own comfort and support in his last illness and in death.
The Rev. Mr. Morse married, Feb. 4, 1793, Clarissa Sanford, daughter of the Rev. David and Bathsheba (Ingersol) Sanford. She was born Nov. 20, 1763, in Medway.
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HON. ELIJAH ADAMS MORSE.
ELIJAH A. MORSE, son of the Rev. Abner and Hannah (Peck) Morse, was born May 25, 1841, in South Bend, Ind. He received his early edu- cation in the public schools of Boston, and under the instruction of the Hon. Charles Kimball, of Lowell, Mass. He very early betrayed a business turn of mind, and when a lad of fifteen years he manufactured stove polish on a small scale, and with his little stock in a carpet-bag he trudged from house to house to make sales of what he esteemed, and which has proved to be, a superior article. This polish was prepared according to a formula given to the lad by the eminent chemist, Dr. Charles Jackson, of Boston, who was a friend of young Morse's father. In 1860, Mr. Morse commenced to make this manufacture on a larger scale, but soon after the Rebellion broke out, and being of a patriotic spirit, he enlisted for three months in Company A, 4th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, and subsequently reënlisted in the same company, and was in active service for nine months. His term having expired, he settled, in 1864, in Canton, Mass., and rented a small room where he resumed the manufacture of stove polish, which has since become world renowned, grown into a colossal business, and made Mr. Morse, while a young man, the master of great wealth. Mr. Morse is an active Christian gentleman, a popular temperance lecturer, a man wide awake and of advanced ideas, prominent in the State, and everywhere greatly respected. In 1876 he served in the House of Representatives, and was elected Nov. 3, 1885, to the State Senate from the First Eighth Norfolk District, receiving a large number of votes in advance of the Republican ticket of that district, an index of the public esteem and honor in which Mr. Morse is held. His pleasing address, high Christian principles, popular abilities, devotion to human welfare, large wealth, and ready benevolence, render him a great power for good wherever his presence and influence are enjoyed.
ELIJAH MORSE, EsQ.
ELIJAH MORSE, son of Abner and Mille (Leland) Morse, was born Sept. IO, 1785, in Medway, Mass. He graduated in 1809 from Brown University, Providence, R. I., and studied law with Judge Thatcher, of Thomaston, Me., and with the Hon. Timothy Bigelow, of Boston, Mass. Having completed his legal studies he was admitted to the Suffolk Bar, and was associated with Judge Bigelow in the practice of his profession. He married Mary Jackson, daughter of Dr. Jackson, of Edinburgh, Scotland, whose father was one of the Aldermen of London, England. Mr. Morse represented ward seven, of Boston, in 1824-1825, in the Common Council. He was elected a Represen- tative to the General Court of Massachusetts but declined a reelection. Mr. Morse died Ang. 23, 1831, at the early age of forty-six years, in Boston, deeply lamented by a numerous circle of friends and acquaintances, and sin- cerely mourned by the profession which he so ably represented.
FRANCIS J. MORSE, M. D.
FRANCIS J. MORSE, son of Andrew and Margaretta (Metcalf) Morse, was born March 3, 1818, in East Medway, now Millis, Mass. His prepara-
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Elijah a. Morse
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tory course was in the public schools of Medway and in the Academy, Franklin, Mass. He graduated in 1844 from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York. Having completed his medical studies he removed west, and settled, in 1845, in Constantine, Mich., where he continued in prac- tice until 1878, when he returned east, and resided for a while in Woon- socket, R. I. Dr. Morse died in 1883.
VINCENT MOSES, A. M.
VINCENT MOSES, son of Hiram and Betsey (Campbell) Moses, was born July 1, 1844, in French Creek, N. Y. His parents were natives of Vermont. He fitted for college under Alanson Wedge, A. M., in Ripley and Mayville, N. Y., and graduated in 1866 from Amherst College, Masssachu- setts. He then entered the Theological Institute in Hartford, Conn., but in the spring of 1867 came to Medway as the principal of the high school which at that time was kept in turn in the three parts of the town. After filling this position for three years, he returned to the seminary and graduated in 1871. He received a license to preach but was never ordained. For some years he was a teacher, but in 1876 he returned to Medway and engaged in busi- ness in West Medway, where he resides. He was appointed April 12, 1880, postmaster, and still holds that office. Mr. Moses married Aug. 25, 1874, Evelyn Alice Hazeltine, who died Aug. 6, 1875, and he married June 5, 1883, Mrs. Lucasta Jane Thomas née Rogers, widow of Dr. John G. Thomas of Worcester, Mass. Mr. Moses traces his paternal descent through Iliram, Rufus, Elnathan, Benoni, John, John, to John Moses, immigrant, who came from England in 1630 and settled in Dorchester, Mass., and in 1636 removed to Windsor, Conn., where the family resided until 1777, when Elnathan Moses became one of the first settlers of West Rutland, Vt., and about 1800 Rufus Moses settled in Ticonderoga, N. Y.
REV. EZRA NEWTON.
EZRA NEWTON, son of Ezra Newton, was born Sept. 30, 1818, in Princeton, Mass. He was a student in the Academy, Monson, Mass., two years, and graduated in 1843 from Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H. He pursued his theological studies with the Rev. Sewall Harding in East Med- way. The Rev. Mr. Newton preached one year in Dighton, Mass., but de- clined a settlement. He was ordained and installed March 1, 1848, in Shutes- bury, Mass., but resigned in a few years, on account of ill health. Subse- quently he was for a season the agent of the New Hampshire Bible Society, and supplied the pulpit in Raymond, N. H. Being unable to preach he removed to Kingston, N. H.
REV. VARNUM NOYES.
VARNUM NOYES, son of Josiah and Mehitable (White) Noyes, was born July 1, 1804, in Acton, Mass. In 1821 he made a profession of his faith in Christ, and studied for the Christian ministry. He pursued his preparatory studies in the academies of Chesterfield, N. H., and Amherst, Mass., and in 1824 entered Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H. During his Sophomore year he was prostrated by illness and left college. After his recovery he en-
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gaged in teaching, and then studied theology with the Rev. Dr. Ide, of West Medway. He was ordained Aug. 23, 1831, as an evangelist in Medway, and went west. He commenced preaching Oct. 2, 1831, in Guilford, O., where he was installed Sept. 21, 1836. He resigned his pastorate May 8, 1849, and labored a season in Wayne, O., but was invited to return to Guilford, O., where he died in 1852. The Rev. Mr. Noyes married, June 17, 1833, Lois Walker, daughter of Comfort and Tamar (Clark) Walker, of Medway.
Clark Partridge
CLARK PARTRIDGE, son of Joel and Sarah (Clark) Partridge, was born April 1, 1809, in Medway. He was reared upon a farm and educated in the schools of his native town. He began business in the Village, in a store and as a dealer in cotton thread, and established in 1837 the first boot and shoe manufactory in the place. He was early an active member of the State Militia and was elected captain, by which title he has always been familiarly called. He filled, by election and appointment, various civil offices, was Justice of the Peace, was sixteen years postmaster of Medway, and served upon the board of selectmen many years, holding this position during the War for the Union, and proved very efficient in filling the quota of the town with enlisted men. In 1852 he was a Representative to the General Court, and in 1868
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he was a State Senator from the old Third Norfolk District. He made large investments in real estate in Chicago and vicinity, and in the second great fire was a loser. He had good financial ability, and was a director for many years of the Holliston National Bank, and a trustee of the Medway Savings Bank. He had been identified with various industrial and other interests in Medway ; was an original member of the Village church, also contributing to the erection of other places of worship in the town. He was besides an active member of the order of Odd Fellows. He possessed unusual energy, persistence, and force of character, and had great influence in political and other circles in which he moved, and was liberal to the poor. In the latter part of his active life Joseph W. Thompson, Esq., was a partner, who succeeded him in the boot manufacture, Captain Partridge retiring in 1872 with a competency. He was a very companionable man, and his society was much sought by the young men whom he was always willing to encour- age by his advice and counsel.
THE RESIDENCE OF THE HON. CLARK PARTRIDGE.
This residence was erected in 1869 at an expense of $15,000, including the site and furnishing, and was the finest private dwelling in the town. In the early morning of June 10, 1885, it took fire and was seriously damaged, while Captain Partridge and his wife had a narrow escape with their lives. A few months after the house was again ready for occupancy. Captain Par- tridge died Nov. 17, 1885. His death was much lamented as he had been a leading citizen in the town. His burial took place on the Friday following his decease, in Oakland Cemetery.
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REV. LYMAM PARTRIDGE.
LYMAN PARTRIDGE, son of Elihu and Maria (Paine) Partridge, was born Ang. 23, 1836, in West Medway. He prepared for college in Peirce's Academy, Middleboro, Mass., and graduated, in 1863, from Brown Univer- sity, Providence, R. I. In 1866 he graduated from Newton Theological Institute. He was ordained to the ministry and installed in 1866 pastor of the Baptist Church, in Wales, Mass. In 1869 he resigned, and labored for two years in Wakefield, R. I. The Rev. Mr. Partridge was installed in 1872, pastor of the Baptist Church, in Sharon, Mass., where he remained ten years, and resigned in 1882. He supplied various churches, living at the time in West Medway, until he was installed, in 1883, pastor of the Baptist Church in Westminster, Mass. Several sermons and public addresses by the Rev. Mr. Partridge have been published.
REV. JOHN PIERCE, D. D.
JOHN PIERCE was born July 14, 1773, in Dorchester, Mass. He gradu- ated in 1793 from Harvard College. Mr. Pierce was for a season after grad- uation an instructor in Leicester Academy, and afterward a tutor in Harvard College. He studied theology with the Rev. Dr. Tappan. He was or- dained and installed March 15, 1797, in Boston, afterward Brookline, Mass. The Rev. Mr. Pierce married Abigail Lovell, daughter of Capt. Joseph and Jemima (Adams) Lovell, of Medway. Mrs. Abigail Pierce died July 2, 1800. The Rev. Dr. Pierce was descended of very humble parentage, but as by his own exertion and industry he won his way through college and into the Gospel ministry, so by his fidelity and power of character he maintained himself for half a century sole pastor of the church over which he was settled, meanwhile doing a large amount of literary work. He was a member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, and of the Massachusetts Historical So- ciety. He was for several years president of the Massachusetts Bible Society. In March, 1847, he published a half century discourse of Brookline, Mass. He died Aug. 24, 1849, greatly respected and deeply mourned by his people and the literary and ecclesiastical bodies to which he belonged. Vid. Cyclo- pædia, Mc Clintock and Strong.
ALONZO PLATTS PHILLIPS.
ALONZO PLATTS PHILLIPS, son of Nathan and Lydia (Pingree) Phillips, was born May 2, 1804 in Rowley, Mass. His great ancestor, James Phillips, was born about 1700 in England. In early life he came to America and settled in Ipswich, Mass. His wife was Molly Lord of that town. Mr. Phillips was for many years a shoe manufacturer in Peabody, Mass., and the proprietor of a wholesale and retail boot and shoe store in Council Bluffs, Ia. He was a member of the Legislature in 1856, and became a resident of Medway Village in 1871, where he became a prominent citizen by reason of his intelligence and active interest in all public matters of the town and church. At the age of eighty-one Mr. Phillips was vigorous in mind and took a lively interest in current events. His death occurred March 6, 1886.
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REV. DANIEL POND.
DANIEL POND, son of John and Rachel (Fisher) Pond, was born May 13, 1724, in Franklin, Mass. He graduated in 1745 from Harvard College, and was ordained to the Gospel ministry, and settled, Dec. 10, 1755, in Tem- pleton, Mass., which was then Narragansett Township, No. 6. The Rev. Mr. Pond resigned his pastorate August, 1759, and removed to Medway, where he resided for many years and fitted boys for college. He became a member of the Second Church of Christ in 1763, but subsequently being much opposed to the Hopkinsian theology of the pastor, the Rev. David Sanford, in 1778, with Dea. Samuel Fisher and four others, he united with the First Church of Christ, in the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Bucknam. This caused a rupture in the fellowship of the two churches which was not healed for thirty years. His wife, Mrs. Lois (Metcalf) Pond, died March 17, 1787, in Medway. They had a daughter Miranda, who married Abner Merrifield, of Newfane, Vt. The Rev. Mr. Pond sold his estate and re- moved from Medway. Nothing further is known of his history save the tra- dition that he died in Otter Creek, Penn.
PHILIP CHESTER PORTER, M. D.
PHILIP CHESTER PORTER, son of Philip K. and Sarah (Carver) Porter, was born April 17, 1833, in Berkley, Mass. His father died when he was four years of age, and he went to live with his grandfather. He worked on the farm in the summer, and went to school in the winter. In 1850 his grandfather died, and he was encouraged by his pastor, the Rev. L. R. East- man, to prepare for college, which he did, and graduated in 1855 from Am- herst College, Massachusetts. For some ten years he engaged in teaching, and meanwhile studied medicine, and graduated in 1866 from the Pittsfield Medical College, Massachusetts. He practiced medicine for a few years in Lynn, Mass., but resumed teaching in 1873. Dr. Porter was elected princi- pal of the High School in East Medway, in 1875, where he taught two years. until ill health compelled him to resign. After regaining his health he again resumed teaching and is now Master of the High School in Sutton, Mass. Dr. Porter married, May 26, 1869, Marion J. Wood, of Jordan, N. Y. Their only child was born Feb. 8, 1873, and died the same day.
ABIJAH RICHARDSON, M. D.
ABIJAH RICHARDSON, son of Asa and Abigail (Barber) Richardson, was born Ang. 30, 1752, in East Medway, now Millis, Mass. He studied medi- cine and commenced practice in his native town. The Revolutionary War was inaugurated and Dr. Richardson offered his service and was appointed Surgeon on the staff of General Washington. He served some four years, and after the war settled on the place formerly owned by Ebenezer Daniell who was the grandfather of his wife, Mrs. Mercy Richardson. Dr. Richardson erected a fine residence of brick which is still standing, and occupied by Mrs. Lorana (Beals) Richardson, the widow of his youngest son. Dr. Richard- son is described as a man of fine personal address, commanding figure, and with his military and medical reputation he at once became a prominent personage in the town. He was a member of the Society of Cincinnati, and
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also of the Masonic Fraternity. He was a charter member of the Mont- gomery Lodge of Free Masons, formerly of Medway, but afterward removed to Milford, Mass. Dr. Richardson was called to fill many positions of public trust in the town. He was for many years on the school committee. He was prominent in starting the manufacturing interests. His death occurred May 10, 1822. The funeral service of Dr. Richardson was largely attended, the audience-room of the church being filled to overflowing. There were present large delegations of the medical profession, the military and Masonic associations, and the citizens of the town were present en masse in respect to his distinguished memory. Dr. Ebenezer Alden, in his address before the Norfolk County Medical Society, said of Dr. Richardson : " Few physicians pass their professional career more honored and beloved." He was a scien- tist, making botany a special study, and in many departments of science and literature, he was an earnest student. He was possessed of a very retentive memory and a good public speaker. He delivered a eulogy on Washington on the occasion of his death, which was published. Dr. Richardson was scrupulously exact in all transactions, benevolent and courteous ; he was an honor to his profession, to the town and to his country.
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