USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Westborough > The history of Westborough, Massachusetts. Part I. The early history. By Heman Packard De Forest. Part II. The later history. By Edward Craig Bates > Part 32
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It was largely through his efforts while upon the board of road commissioners that Main and South Streets were straightened and widened. This improvement, now recognized as both wise and timely, necessitated the moving of Central and Eagle Blocks,
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which were then enlarged and remodelled. When, in 1873, Eagle Block was destroyed by fire, with characteristic energy he at once set to work to erect on the same site the much larger and finer block that is now known by his name.
He bought and laid out Chauncy Grove, which was opened as a pleasure-ground in the year 1876.
Dr. Henry was universally esteemed for his kindly spirit and thorough integrity. Reared under Calvinistic theology, he was led in early life, by his own thought and study, to embrace the liberal faith, and upon making Westborough his home, united with the Unitarian Church, of which he was ever a steadfast and liberal supporter. In his home life he was affectionate, tender, and sympathetic, patient under suffering and trial, bowing with trust- ing submission to the inevitable.
His first wife, to whom he was married in 1836, was Nancy Davis French, of Oakham, Mass. She died in 1853, leaving five children, all of whom, excepting the youngest, who died in infancy, are now living, - Mrs. George H. Raymond, of Oakdale Park, Mich .; Mrs. William R. Warner, of Fall River, Mass. ; Charles S. Henry, of this town ; and Mary C. Henry, teacher in Fall River. In 1854 he was married to Pamelia Gates, of Petersham, Mass., who died in 1872. He was again married, in 1875, to Mrs. Mary B. Conant, of Dedham, Mass.
After an illness of many months, he died, April 17, 1877, at the age of sixty-four years.
HORACE MAYNARD, the eminent statesman and lawyer, was born in Westborough August 30, 1814. He was a lineal descendant of two famous Puritans, - Sir John Maynard on his father's side, and the Rev. John Cotton on his mother's. As a boy he was studious and ambitious. In 1838, having worked his own way, he graduated at Amherst College with the highest honors. He removed to Knoxville, Tenn., where from 1839 to 1843 he was instructor in East Tennessee College. In the latter year he was chosen pro- fessor of mathematics and natural history. During this period he was studying law, and in 1844 was admitted to the bar. His practice soon became large and lucrative.
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Mr. Maynard's political career began in 1852, when he was a del- egate to the National Whig Convention at Baltimore. In the follow- ing year he was the Whig candidate for Congress, but was defeated. He carried his district, however, in 1857, and remained in Congress until 1863. All his speeches, votes, and efforts were in favor of preserving the Union. In the great discussion on the state of the country in 1860-61, Mr. Maynard took an active part. He occu- pied middle ground between the anti-slavery men of the North and the secessionists of the South. There was no reason, in his view, why the States should not remain half slave and half free. When war began he at once became an ardent supporter of the Union cause, and suffered both loss of property and exile from his State for his loyalty. At the close of the session of 1863, there being no provision for the election of Congressmen in Tennessee, Mr. Maynard accepted the position of Attorney-General under Andrew Johnson, the military governor of the State. When Mr. Johnson, on the assassination of Mr. Lincoln, succeeded to the Presidency, he offered Mr. Maynard several important positions ; but the latter preferred a seat in Congress, where he served from 1866 to 1875. In March of the latter year President Grant appointed him minis- ter to Turkey, and he proved, it is said, to be one of the most competent of American representatives abroad. He resigned in 1880, and in August entered President Hayes's cabinet as Post- master-General, serving until March, 1881. His death, resulting from heart-disease, occurred May 3, 1882.
Mr. Maynard was married, August 30, 1840, to Miss Laura Ann Washburn, daughter of the Rev. Azel Washburn, of Royalston, Vt. They had seven children, three of whom died in infancy. The eldest, Edward Maynard, after serving in the army throughout the war, died in July, 1868, while U. S. Consul at Turk's Islands. The remaining three, Washburn Maynard, Lieut .- Commander U. S. Navy, James Maynard, and Mrs. Ann Mary M. Kidder, reside in Washington, D. C.
WILLIAM CURTIS. For some thirty years before his death, in 1887, Dr. William Curtis was prominent in Westborough both as a physician and as a public-spirited citizen, He was the son of
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Jonathan and Lucy (Mason) Curtis, of Sturbridge, Mass., where he was born June 29, 1816. During his boyhood he resided in Sturbridge with his parents, and attended the public schools. He was afterwards a pupil at Monson Academy. Having selected the medical profession for his life-work, he studied with Dr. Myrick, of West Brookfield, and afterwards began practice in that town. At the age of twenty-five he was married to Charlotte M., daughter of Col. Nymphas Pratt, of Shrewsbury. Mrs. Curtis died in 1885. The doctor, with his wife, came to Westborough about 1854, and here he became well known as a successful physician and a liberal public-spirited citizen. He held many town offices. In religious belief the doctor was a Unitarian ; in politics, a man of indepen- dent views. As a man he was extremely genial and open-hearted. He was a member of many societies and interested in many direc- tions. His liberality will long be remembered by the recipients of his kindness, and the citizens of Westborough have cause for grati- tude for the gateways which he provided at Pine Grove and St. Luke's Cemetery, and for the legacy of $14,000, - the remainder of his estate, - which he left to trustees for the benefit of the public library.
BENJAMIN B. NOURSE was born in Berlin, Mass., March 31, 1816. His parents were Theophilus and Lois Nourse.
In 1825, soon after his father's death, Mr. Nourse came to Westborough, and lived for nearly five years in the family of the late Dea. Elmer Brigham. The next two years he lived in Marlborough. Then, having returned to Westborough, he was ap- prenticed to the late Jonas Longley to learn the carpenter's trade. Mr. Nourse followed this business until 1860. In that year he began on a small scale the manufacture of plant-trellises ; this business he carried on until a year ago.
Mr. Nourse has been prominent in town affairs, having served on the board of selectmen more years than any of his townsmen in this generation, and having filled many other town offices.
In politics he has been a Democrat since the dissolution of the old Whig party. For many years he was an acknowledged leader of the party in this town.
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In 1875 Governor Gaston appointed Mr. Nourse a special justice of the First District Court of Eastern Worcester.
In religion, Mr. Nourse is a Unitarian. He served as one of the building committee in the erection of the present church in 1849. Mr. Nourse was married in 1843 to Mary Elizabeth, daughter of the late Jonas and Susan Longley. Four children have been born to them, - Henry B., Frank L., Walter B., and Emma S. Nourse. Only the two latter are now living.
GEORGE B. BRIGHAM, who has been a leading boot and shoe manufacturer in Westborough during the past fifty years, was born in this town October 4, 1818. His father, George B. Brigham, was a native of Waterford, Me., whither a portion of the family had emigrated from Westborough. His mother was Nellie (Fay) Brigham.
Mr. Brigham remained with his parents until he was nine years old, when he went to live with Elijah Forbes on the farm near the reservoir, now owned by the town. At the age of sixteen he became a member of David Warren's family. Mr. Brigham took advantage of such educational advantages as were then afforded. He attended the public schools nine or ten weeks in the year, and at the age of eighteen attended the Worcester Manual Labor School.
His experience in the boot and shoe business began in 1837, when - a youth of nineteen - he began to superintend Thomas Stone's factory. Two years later he formed a partnership with Moses Newton, with whom he manufactured during the succeeding four years. In 1843 he entered the grocery and produce busi- ness in Boston, with Silas O. Brigham, of Boston, and Elijah Morse, of Westborough, but at the end of a year sold out to his partners. During the next five years Mr. Brigham resided in Sherborn and in Westborough, dividing the time between farming and trading. From 1849 to 1857 he superintended Daniel F. Newton's factory, and also, in company with John H. Pierce, car- ried on the wood and lumber business. In 1858 Mr. Brigham began to manufacture boots and shoes on his own account, and
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with his sons, John L. and Horace E. Brigham, still continues the business.
Mr. Brigham has been a member of the Baptist Church since he was seventeen years old. In politics he is a strong Republican. He has held various town offices, and in 1887 represented this district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Mr. Brigham has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was married April 10, 1844,was Caroline Jones Leland, of Sher- born, the daughter of John Leland and Sally (Bickford) Leland. She died February 14, 1858. On January 9, 1859, Mr. Brigham married his present wife, Mary Phipps Homer, the daughter of Michael Homer and Susan (Phipps) Homer, of Hopkinton. Mr. Brigham had six children by his first wife, - Ella Lucile, Ather- ton Fontenelle, Carrie Georgiana (Barr), John Leland, George Bickford, and Bertram Fay Brigham ; and five by his second wife, - Frank Fontenelle, Horace Eugene, Lillie Josephine, Marion Homer, and Ernest Phipps Brigham.
SAMUEL M. GRIGGS. Few faces have been more familiar to the people of Westborough for the last thirty years than that of Mr. Griggs, and few lives have been as closely interwoven with the later history of the town. As the head of the firm of S. M. Griggs & Co., as the town-clerk, as one of the leaders of the Evan- gelical church and society, and at two different periods the repre- sentative of the district in the State Legislature, he moved, always quietly and unassumingly, in the sight of all the people, known and respected by all. He was born in Grafton, Vt., September 10, 1822. When he was only two years old his parents removed to Berlin, Mass., where his childhood was passed. He obtained his education there and at Leicester Academy, and at the age of six- teen came to Westborough as a clerk in the store of Fayerweather & Leach. Here he showed qualities which in a few years admitted him to the firm, where he remained until he set up business for himself, founding the house which still bears his name.
On July 6, 1855, he was elected town-clerk, and held the office thenceforward, in spite of all whirlings of the political machine, for thirty-one years. In this position he was not merely an efficient
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officer ; the town records during its whole history were mastered by him, and he acquired a rare familiarity with the past, with the precedents of town action, and with historic places and men. Always a reader and a student, he had an acquaintance with books and a general information which made him the peer of more liberally educated men, and an intelligent leader and guide. He was always closely connected with the welfare of the public library, not merely as trustee, but as a warm friend of its best interests. As a business man he was. unremitting in his attention and fidelity, and was always connected, in one way or another, with both the banks.
In local and district politics he was always a leader. His famil- iarity with the political history of the State and nation was excep- tional, and he had a keen insight into men and motives, with a shrewd sense in debated questions which made him a good guide. He was not an orator, and made no speeches ; but affairs moved more safely when his hand was on the helm. In 1862 and 1863 he was the town's representative in the State Legislature, and ten years later sat for the corresponding term in the senate. While there he was appointed State Treasurer of the Lyman Fund for the Reform School, - an office which he retained some years.
His connection with the Evangelical Church dates from 1841, when, a young man of nineteen, he brought to it a letter of transfer. From that time for more than forty-five years he was a stanch supporter of it. He was not a talker in the religious sphere any more than in civil affairs ; but he had a strong interest in the church and in the kingdom of God, and his presence and influence were always ready. He had a keen judgment of men, and clear convictions as to religious theories and methods. His common- sense, mingled with a ready tact, proved the solvent of many a difficulty. He furnished an element which every church needs, and which is not always estimated at its true value until it is missed.
He married in 1848 Henrietta A., daughter of Otis Brigham, who with his only daughter, the wife of Henry S. Knight, M. D., of Worcester, survives him. He died November 7, 1886. His death carried sadness to the whole community.
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CHRISTOPHER WHITNEY was a prominent business man in West. borough for nearly forty years before his death, which occurred March 2, 1889.
He was born June 16, 1827, at Halifax, Vt. His parents were Alpheus and Sarah (Stowe) Whitney. On coming to Westborough in 1851, Mr. Whitney first engaged in the bakery, flour, and grain business, which he continued for seventeen years. He afterwards was engaged in the lumber business at Natick for a year, and then began the same business in Westborough. He was successful in this, as in his other business projects, and built up a large and lucrative trade. His son-in-law, Frank V. Bartlett, and George L. Smith still continue the business under the firm-name of C. Whitney & Co.
In 1882 Mr. Whitney built the "Whitney House," which stands as a monument to both his enterprise and his public spirit.
Through his various undertakings Mr. Whitney amassed consid- erable property, - the result of honest, intelligent, and energetic business management. He was a generous, philanthropic man in a quiet, unassuming way, and many shared in his prosperity.
In 1851 Mr. Whitney was married to Abbie Morse Thomson, of Bellingham, Mass. They had three children, - Frank C., Abbie M., wife of Frank V. Bartlett, and Nellie E., wife of George H. Woodman.
WILLIAM R. GOULD, son of Rufus and Mary (Henry) Gould, was born in New Braintree, Mass., April 20, 1832, where he lived until he was about twelve years old. At that time his parents removed to Oakham, where Mr. Gould remained until 1854. In that year or a little later he, with several ambitious school friends, went to the gold mines of northern California. He accumulated considerable money, and removed to San Francisco.
After six years and a half in California, Mr. Gould returned to Massachusetts for a visit.
In 1860 he came to Westborough, and during two or three years carried on the retail boot and shoe business in this town. He then bought out the dry-goods store of Mr. Penniman and formed a partnership with Henry Chamberlain, of Southborough.
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Later he was in the hardware business. During all these years he had been seeking an opportunity to go into manufacturing, which occurred in April, 1879, when he formed a partnership with George B. and John L. Brigham for the manufacture of boots and shoes, under the firm name of Brigham, Gould, & Co. In 1882 the partnership was dissolved, whereupon Mr. Gould, with Melvin H. Walker, formed the firm of Gould & Walker. Mr. Gould remained in the business until shortly before his death, which occurred March 25, 1890.
Mr. Gould held the town offices of selectman, overseer of the poor, and water-commissioner. For a number of years he was a director of the First National Bank and a trustee of the Savings Bank.
In 1866 Mr. Gould was married to Sarah, daughter of John A. Fayerweather.
EDWIN BAYARD HARVEY, son of Eben and Rozella (Winslow) Harvey, was born in Deerfield, Rockingham County, N. H., April 4, 1834.
He received his early education in the common schools. Sub- sequently he attended the Military Institute, Pembroke, N. H., and the New Hampshire Conference Seminary, Northfield, N. H. In 1857 he was graduated from the Wesleyan University, Middle- town, Conn. The year following he taught in Poultney Academy, Poultney, Vt., and in 1860 became principal of Macedon Acad- emy, Macedon, N. Y. This position he resigned after two years service in order to accept the professorship of natural science in Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham. In 1864 he entered the Harvard Medical School. He received his degree in 1866, and immediately began practice in Westborough. Here he has since resided.
In 1872 Dr. Harvey visited several of the principal universities in Europe in the study of his profession. He is widely known as a skilful practitioner, has a large consultation practice, and is recognized as the leading surgeon in this locality. For fifteen. years he has been councillor of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and has held the presidency and other offices in the Worcester District Medical Society.
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For nearly twenty years Dr. Harvey was a member of the School Committee in Westborough, and for two years was super- intendent of schools. He is president of the Board of Trustees of the public library, and a trustee of the Westborough Savings Bank.
In 1873 he was appointed trustee of the State Reform School, and was reappointed in 1876, serving six years. In 1884 and 1885 he represented this district in the Legislature. He served on the committee on Public Charitable Institutions, and during his second term was chairman. During his first year in the Legis- lature he introduced the free text-book bill, and it was largely through his efforts that the bill became law. In both State and local politics he has taken an active interest.
Dr. Harvey was married in Concord, N. H., in 1860, to Abby, daughter of Eldad and Sarah E. (Fellows) Tenney.
ARTHUR G. BISCOE. Among those who have served the town in a public capacity as well as honored it by the record of a useful and manly life, it is a pleasure to mention the name of Arthur G. Biscoe, whose early death deepened the affection felt for him by the community.
He was the son of the Rev. Thomas C. Biscoe, -for many years pastor of the Congregational Church at Grafton, and still living at Holliston, - and was born in Grafton on the 26th of May, 1842. He entered Amherst College at the age of sixteen, graduating in the class of 1862. The war was at that time in its second year, and the call of the nation sounded loudly in the hearts of its young men. Mr. Biscoe enlisted soon after graduation, and served nine months in Co. G., 51st Massachusetts Regiment. On his return he studied law in the office of William F. Slocum in Grafton, and in 1864 was admitted to the Bar of Worcester County. He began practice at once in Westborough, and here spent the remainder of his life. In 1867 he was married to Helen, daughter of Hon. A. M. Bigelow, of Grafton.
Mr. Biscoe very speedily identified himself with the town in all its best interests, and came to be one of the leaders of public opinion, trusted alike for his ability and his probity. He soon
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found himself wanted in positions of trust, and filled various town offices, as well as other posts of importance in business and banking. Remarkably quick in insight and action, he made one of the most efficient of moderators at town-meetings and other gather- ings. In 1871 he was chosen representative from the district, and from 1877 to 1879 was a member of the Republican State Central Committee.
In his profession he won the confidence of his associates by the keenness of his penetration and the unflinching honesty and integrity of his conduct of cases. He was intensely active in professional work, as in everything he undertook; but he never sought to gain an end against his best convictions, and always strove to persuade clients to a private settlement rather than a public trial, where it was possible.
A sincere and manly Christian, Mr. Biscoe was always actively associated with the Evangelical Church and society. He was not afraid of his own convictions, and sometimes rendered high service by their utterance ; while his modesty and courtesy saved him from the appearance of partisanship. To those who knew. him intimately, there was a charm in his playful humor, his quick flashes of wit, and his quiet but strong affection, which made his companionship a delight. There was withal an unflinching loyalty to truth and a soldierly firmness which made it impossible to trifle with his deeper feelings. The iron qualities beneath the surface of his gentler aspect came out in full development in the long struggle with disease which at last overtook him, and in the heroic un- selfishness of his last days. He died at Lynn, whither he had gone for the benefit of the sea air, on the 28th of August, 1879, at the early age of thirty-seven, leaving his wife and two sons. The whole community mourned for him. The Grand Army Post No. 80, Department of Massachusetts, organized here June 18, 1881, was named after him. He was only beginning a career of great usefulness in town and county and State ; but he had lived long enough to exercise great and healthy influence on the town life in the present generation.
Ak Saft
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HENRY K. TAFT was vice-president of the H. O. Bernard Man- ufacturing Company, and general manager of the manufacturing part of the business. He was born in Upton Nov. 18, 1842, and died of pneumonia at his home in Westborough May 29, 1887.
At an early age Mr. Taft began work in the straw-shop at Upton, and afterwards followed the same occupation in Boston. He came to Westborough in 1867, and took charge of the blocking-room of George N. Smalley's factory. A year later he was transferred to the stock-room ; and when the firm of H. O. Bernard & Co. - the National Straw Works - was established, he retained the same position. In 1875 he became a member of the firm. When the H. O. Bernard Manufacturing Company was incorporated, in 1885, Mr. Taft became vice-president and general manager of the fac- tory. He died two years later. Mr. Taft was a man of unusual executive ability, and from long experience possessed an intimate knowledge of the business in which he was engaged. In the man- agement of the factory and of the employees, numbering at times nearly a thousand, he showed rare tact and judgment.
Mr. Taft was married in 1869 to Annie E. Clarke, of Walpole, who, with one son, George H. Taft, survives him.
WILLIAM TROWBRIDGE FORBES, born in Westborough May 24, 1850, is the son of Ephraim Trowbridge and Catharine (White) Forbes. His grandfather, Jonathan Forbes, was the fourth Jona- than in descent from Dea. Jonathan Forbes, who built a saw-mill at the outlet of the town reservoir, and was annexed with others from Sutton in 1728. He attended the public schools until sixteen years old, and completed his preparation for college at the classical school of the Allens at West Newton and at the private school of Rev. James Tufts, of Monson. He graduated from Amherst Col- lege in 1871, where he took the first prize in mathematics in his sophomore year, a prize scholarship in German in his junior year, was one of the editors of the " Amherst Student," a member of the senior crew in the regatta of 1870, and class historian.
In 1871 he was appointed instructor in mathematics at Robert College, Constantinople, where he remained three years. With the president of the college, Rev. George Washburn, D.D., he
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made a geological survey of the country in that vicinity, collecting about two thousand fossils, of which many were new varieties, and some were exhibited at the Vienna Exposition. On returning to this country in 1874 he studied law with the firm of Bacon, Hopkins, & Bacon, of Worcester, and was appointed standing justice of the First District Court of Eastern Worcester in 1875, - a position which he filled for about three years.
He resigned in 1879, and practised law in Westborough until appointed judge of the courts of Probate and Insolvency for this county, which position he now holds.
In 1881 and 1882 he was a member of the Legislature, serving on the committees on the liquor law, on probate and insolvency, and for the consideration of constitutional amendments. He rep- resented the second Worcester senatorial district in 1886 and 1887, was chairman of the committees on education and on elec- tion laws, and a member of the committee on the judiciary. In 1888 he introduced and secured the passage of Acts abolishing taxation for parish purposes, and one providing for the incorpora- tion of churches. He has served on the school committee six years, was selectman four years, and has held other town offices. He wrote a sketch of Westborough for the History of Worcester County, published in 1889. In 1884 he married Harriette Merri- field, daughter of William T. Merrifield, of Worcester. They have four children.
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