USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Royalston > The history of the town of Royalston, Massachusetts > Part 33
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To whisper once more from mountain and lake, And mingling a sigh with the past gone by,
Will retire from its gloom, as love wakes from the tomb.
DULCENIA M. RUSSELL
Dulcenia M. Russell, one of Royalston's writers of verse and prose was born in Royalston Aug. 8, 1842, her maiden name being Mary D. Kendall. She was married in June 1862 to Albert F. Russell, and most of her life was spent in Claremont, N. H. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Russell: Harry H. Russell born Oct. 4, 1867 and Charles R. Russell born July 31, 1869. The former is treasurer of the Ashuelot Paper Co., of Hinsdale, N. H. Her life was devoted to her family. She died in Claremont, N. H., Jan. 8, 1897.
In 1895 a volume of one hundred and twenty pages of her poems was published, the title of the book being, "Echoes from the Shepherd's Bell." The preface to the book taken from her poem "Sunset" is as follows:
IN GOD'S OTHER SEA
Float and sail the white ships in purity, Sail and float across the sky,
Devoid of freight, so pure and high. When free from sin. As a disembodied soul, I would enter in The fleetest vessel and sail and sail O'er the world below in the crowded vale;
. When weary, guide the tiny ark Close to the shore's edge to disembark; Straight to the windows of Heaven on wings of love Like a weary, worn, beseeching dove, I would knock for admittance."
There are about thirty poems and prose articles in the book, the longest poem bears the same title as the book and others are "Echoes from the Palace," "Grandma's Giants," "Sunset,'' "To the G. A. R."
The opening lines of "Grandma's Giants" evidently refer to the home of her grandmother:
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"The cottage was low and old and gray The vines were tangled in such a way, Holding in embrace its form around From highest rafter to lowliest ground; As over the hill from its rugged steep At the vine-covered house I could hardly peep. The path was green, half grown with grass In its winding course, inviting to pass Strangers to rest 'neath the cooling shade Down by the gate in that forest glade. The boards of the fence and the gate were rough, The trees were crooked, knotty and tough.
The old well-sweep, with its rusty pail Above the waters that never fail, Hangs winter and summer just the same Greeting me first as hither I came. Marigold, hollyhock and crimson phlox, With vines and moss hid the little box; Evergreens, with flowers, just covered the way, This house of stone of grandma's -- gray; Green, yellow and sober brown, Mottled, mixed in hopeless tone, Nestled this cottage:"
The opening lines of the poem "Sunset" give a beautiful description :
"It is sunset; behind the western hills Slowly the sun is sinking out of sight, Lingering yet on fields and woods and rills, Ere he bids the world again good-night. In loving benediction rest its rays, in hue and shades Rivalling tints of the bow in the sky, Gleaming brightly, anon to fade, Slowly dissolving, at last to die. Away, away, in the open space Scattered and gone in the empty air, In silence to vanish and leave no trace Save a gleam of glory resting there.
Only twelve hours agone, at the rim
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Of the horizon in the light so dim,
Had the sun met anew this side of earth, Kissing the hilltops with morning's breath; Creeping through the forest of leafy green, Creeping and lighting with rosy sheen, Awaking the birds from their frightful sleep, Through'and through the wooded deep; Across the meadow the golden ball, Flaming and sparkling in silent fall, Tosses and flings in careless abandon,
Lighting a million blades at random."
PECK'S POEM ON UNIVERSALISM
"When it was written or by whom, seems now to be a problem somewhat difficult of solution; for we have made considerable exertions to ascertain the fact, besides writing to a number of gentlemen bearing the name of Peck, but have not been able to learn anything of our author, and it is to say the least a ques- tion whether "John Peck" is a veritable person or whether it is not an anonymous signature."
The above quotation is from the preface to the fourth edition of Peck's poem.
But "John Peck was a veritable person." We find in the early history of Royalston that John Peck moved from Rehobath and redeemed from the primeval forest the place formerly known as the Whitman Gates place. He was uncle to Benoni Peck, Esq., and grandfather to the late Gov. Peck of Vermont.
We have no means of knowing when Peck's Poem first appeared in print, but it passed through several editions, the third edition having been issued from the press in 1813. About the middle of the last century it was with some other pieces, reproduced by John P. Jewett & Co., Boston, and H. P. B. Jewett, Cleveland, Ohio. The poem was probably called out by the preaching of Rev. Hosea Ballou and Sebastian Streeter, men who are sometimes styled the fathers of Universalism in America. They both originated in Richmond N. H., an adjoining town and commenced their life work in that vicinity. When his large family had grown up, he removed with them to Vermont.
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The opening verse of the little volume reads:
What if the author is no bard But writes a doggerel song; What if the muse her aid refuse While he doth creep along.
Some of the disconnected verses are as follows:
"Some think the just alone reach heaven,
But all who curse and swear, And lie and steal, get drunk and kill Find safe admittance there."
"King Pharaoh and his mighty host Had Godlike honors given;
A pleasant breeze brought them with ease By water unto Heaven."
"So all the filthy Sodomites When God bade Lot retire,
Went in a trice to Paradise On rapid wings of fire."
"And when the filthy Cananites To Joshua's host were given, The sun stood still so they might kill And send them off to Heaven."
WILLIAM M. LEATHE
Among the natives of Royalston who have engaged in the writing of verse which is of merit is William M. Leathe.
He was born in Royalston March 22, 1821, and was the third of a family of four sons and two daughters of Benjamin and Paulena (Chase) Leathe. His education was received in the schools of Royalston and at Andover. About 1844 he went to Fitchburg where he was for many years engaged in the palm leaf business and was later in company with Gardner Farrar and Henry Clark under the firm name of Clark, Farrar & Leathe in the manufacture of Shaker hoods. He was also for several
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years in the book and stationary trade at a store in the American house block in Fitchburg. He was one of the pioneer aboli- tionists of Fitchburg and was a member of the old Trinitarian church till after the destruction of Slavery, when it was disbanded, and he united with the Rollstone Congregational church of that city. He was also a strong advocate of the Temperance Reform.
He was actively engaged in business until 1874, after which time, he devoted a portion of his time to work of a philan- thropic nature, and was one of the most active members of the corporation of the Fitchburg Home for Old Ladies, being a member of the board of managers from its organization until his death. He was married Oct. 29, 1844, to Miss Sarah M. Davis of Templeton. They lived to celebrate their golden wedding Oct. 29, 1894, and 60th wedding anniversary in 1904.
Among his publications is a little book of poems dedicated to "The love of truth and righteousness." "Charity or the Golden Rule," occupies thirty-three eight-line stanzas in which the senti- ments of faith, hope and charity predominate. Then follows: "Who is My Neighbor," "What Will it Profit a Man," "Words of Admonition," "The Old Year" and others of a serious and re- flective nature. "My Father's and My Mother's Fireside" is a beautiful tribute to his early home, from which we quote the following verses:
"Oh never amid the gay circles of pride Shall I cease to think of my father's fireside, Where music, sweet converse, affection and play Filled up the glad hours at the close of each day.
We oft sought applause in that father's fond eyes How precious his precept, instructive and wise; One book he held forth as our light and our guide, And we searched for its truths by father's fireside.
As for me, I have seen this world's winding ways, Have sighed o'er its follies and smiled at its praise; Have sat at rich banquets in mansions and hall, Still my father's fireside was dearest of all.
CHAPTER XIV
BIOGRAPHICAL
COL. GEORGE WHITNEY
Among the roll of Royalston's most honored and success- ful business men, is the name of Col. George Whitney. He was born in Royalston, Sept. 21, 1817, a son of Amos and Sophia Whitney and was always a resident of his native town, contributing in many ways to make it a model and prosperous community. He was brought up on a farm, and started out early in life to earn his own living, being first a stage coach driver, and also of the big freight teams between Royalston and Boston. For years he was a conspicuous figure at the annual meetings of the old stage drivers of the period antedating the time of the railroad. After leaving the busi- ness of freighting merchandise to Boston, Col. Whitney gave his attention to the chair and lumber business at South Royalston, and on the building of the old Vermont & Massa- chusetts Railroad, and the establishment of a depot at South Royalston, he was given the position of depot agent, which he held for many years.
In 1858 soon after the death of Rufus Bullock, Mr. Whit- ney with Daniel Day of Royalston, bought the woolen mill at South Royalston, and for a few years they carried on the manufacture of cassimeres. After Mr. Day went out of the business, Col. Whitney had associated with him Rufus S. Frost of Boston and later James Phillips, Jr. of Fitchburg. For several years he carried on the business alone assisted by his son George E. Whitney, and also operated a mill in Enfield, N. H. of which his son George was the general man- ager.
Col. Whitney was prominent in public life for many years. In 1856 he served his town on the Board of Selectmen, repre- sented the Second Representative District of Worcester County in the Legislature of 1859, and was also a Repre- sentative in 1893. He was a member of the State Senate in 1863 and '64, and of the Governor's Council from 1873 to
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1877 inclusive, and at his last election received the unusual honor of a unanimous election. We doubt whether the records will show any other public man in the Common- wealth as having a like record of unanimity at any election where 30,000 or more ballots have been cast. He was also at one time prominently mentioned as candidate for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. He served on the Commission to ascertain and establish the boundary line between Massachusetts and New Hampshire and served the State and community with ability in many other capac- ities. He was a director of the Millers River National Bank, Athol, for a period of about thirty years.
The high esteem in which he was held by his fellowtowns- men was well shown on the occasion of his 80th birthday, when the whole town turned out to do him honor, and gave him a grand reception in the town hall.
He married Eliza J. Simpson of Boston, April 14, 1842. Their children were Sophia Elizabeth, born May 2, 1844, who died when only two and a half months old, Mary Eliza- beth born Oct. 11, 1847 and George Ellis born Jan. 30, 1864. Mrs. Whitney died - - and he married, second, Mary Evelyn Carter, Aug. 21, 1890. She was born in Winchendon. June 17, 1849.
Colonel Whitney died Dec. 26, 1897.
WILLIAM FORDYCE BIGELOW
Wm. Fordyce Bigelow was born in Montpelier, Vt., Dec. 14, 1817, son of Joseph Bigelow. He weighed only three pounds at his birth, but he did not lack vitality when grown up, for he was a very energetic man almost to his last days. When he was seven years old his father had a shock and Fordyce left home and came to Royalston to live with one Peter Prescott. When only fourteen years old he walked from Royalston to his old home in Montpelier, Vt. with only twenty-five cents of money with him, and after a visit of two weeks walked the greater part of the way back to Royalston. At the Prescott home he was kept busy all the time; the schoolhouse was just across the road, and so valuable was his time that he even had to go home at recess time and work in the garden or at other employment.
WILLIAM F. BIGELOW
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His father gave him his time when eighteen years old. After leaving the Prescott home he went to South Royalston and worked in Harrington's brush wood shop, and then to South Howeville in Fitzwilliam where he turned pails until he bought the Heywood farm about 1846. He remodelled the buildings and had one of the largest and most convenient barns in Northern Worcester County. He married Susan Maria Taft March 25, 1847 and brought her to his new farm home. He brought this rundown farm into a highly cultivated condition, and became one of the most successful farmers in this section of the country. He engaged in the fattening of cattle, and used to raise all the corn for fattening his stock, and also large quantities of grain especially all the wheat for flour for the family. During the Civil War time he used to sell his seed wheat for four dollars per bushel. He believed in early rising, getting up at two o'clock in the morning, and going to Keene, N. H., twenty miles distant, with his grain for the grist mill, arriving there before the miller was up. In 1871 he sold his farm and came to Royalston Centre and bought the Holman place where he spent his days; he died April 25, 1900.
He married, second, Dulcena Davis Reed. The children of Wm. Fordyce and Susan (Taft) Bigelow were: Delia, born Jan. 1, 1848, who married John A. Lowe of Worcester; they had one son Allan Lowe, who is a draftsman in Worcester; Joseph H. Bigelow, born in Royalston, May 17, 1849, married Belle Todd of Springfield, Vt. He has been for many years foreman in the toy factory of Milton Bradley, Springfield. He has no children.
Lyman E. Bigelow, born June 18, 1851, married Malora R. Stone of Marlboro, N. H. June 22, 1878. He stayed on the farm until twenty years old, and attended the district schools, after which he served an apprenticeship to learn the tool maker's trade at Marlboro, N. H., and is now located in Orange, Mass., where he has been tool maker in the New Home Sewing Machine Co. for thirty-seven years. They have no children.
GEORGE FLETCHER MILLER
George Fletcher Miller was born in Westminster, Mass. April 19, 1804, the son of Asa and Bertha (Winship) Miller, and was the fourth of seven children. Early in life a musical
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talent created an inspiration for its perfection, and during the summer of 1829 he taught his first singing school. At that time he told a friend it was his ambition to have engraved upon hís tombstone "He taught little children to sing."
In 1836 he was engaged by the First Congregational Church and Society of Royalston to guide "Songs of the Sanctuary," and consequently moved to this town about that time, and was employed by the parish to have charge of the singing until his death, with the exception of some five or six years when he taught vocal music in the Westfield Normal School from 1851 to 1858 and took charge of the singing in the Congregational Church of that town. He was Town Clerk of Royalston from 1847 to 1851 inclusive, was a member of the school committee, and also for many years clerk of the parish and church, and the records of both town and church are memorials of his fine penmanship.
He was a teacher of singing at the Massachusetts Agricultural College at Amherst soon after the college was opened, and was widely known as a teacher of singing schools in this whole section of the country having at the time of his death just commenced his 368th and 369th singing schools. He died in 1875 from the effects of an injury received from being thrown from an express wagon while descending New Salem hill. He married Malinda Edgell of Westminster. They had five children, Mary Edgell, Sarah Elizabeth, Susan Maria, Emily Bullock and George Edward.
HERMAN M. PARTRIDGE
Herman M. Partridge was born in Templeton, Jan. 22, 1832. His early life was spent in Templeton and Winchendon. He married Emily Bullock Miller, daughter of George F. and Melinda Miller, Nov. 24, 1859. He enlisted in the Civil War in Co. E. of the 53d Regiment Mass. Volunteers in the fall of 1862 and was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant, Oct. 17, 1862. He was prominent in musical circles throughout this part of the state, in his earlier years playing the organ, afterward as a teacher of music in different towns and a leader of choirs in Fitchburg, Athol and Winchendon, and for several years was the leader at the First Congregational Church of Royalston, holding that position at the time of his death.
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Most of his life after his return from the war was spent in Royalston. He was engaged in the insurance business, and at one time was engaged in the manufacture of crutches, and all kinds of kindergarten materials for schools, Indian clubs, dumb- bells, etc. He was a member of Mt. Rollstone Lodge of Odd Fellows of Fitchburg, the Grand Army Post of Fitchburg, the Royalston Grange, of which he was one of the charter members. He took great interest in the regimental association of the Fifty- Third Regiment, of which he was for many years the efficient secretary, making all the arrangements for the annual reunions.
He died Dec. 13, 1904
His son, Edward M. Partridge, born in Royalston Dec. 23, 1862 is a druggist in Millers Falls.
J. MILTON PARTRIDGE
J. Milton Partridge, son of Maynard and Mary (Upham) Partridge, was born in South Royalston, Aug. 26, 1833. He attended school in that village and went to Winchendon with his parents when young. He married Elvira J. Samson of Win- chendon Nov. 10, 1857. They soon after moved to Royalston which was henceforth their home. He was a respected citizen of the town and was engaged in the lumber business and farming. He united with the Congregational Church in 1861, and was elected deacon in January, 1893, which office he held until his resignation in 1903. His wife died April 3, 1901 and soon after her death he went to live with his adopted daughter Mrs. Stella V. Newton, which was his home as long as he lived. He died July 12, 1915.
STEPHEN H. HEYWOOD
S. H. Heywood was born in Royalston, Sept. 4, 1833. He lived at home on the farm with his father until twenty-one years of age, when he went to Winchendon to work for Murdock & Fairbanks in the wooden ware shop for about six years; then in company with S. N. & George Holman he bought out the Howeville property and manufactured wooden ware for ten years, when he sold out and went to Jackson, Mich., and shipped eggs for two years. He then went to Myrudale, Pa. from which place he shipped butter for three years, and then went to Troy,
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Pa., and started the first creamery in that section, which he run twenty years and then sold out, since which time he has spent much of his spare time in travelling. He never married, nor joined any secret organization.
CYRUS P. REED
Cyrus P. Reed, son of Capt. Cyrus B. and Seraph (Goddard) Reed, was born in Royalston, April 12, 1834, the oldest of four children. He was married April 2, 1858 to Miss Sarah Wheeler, daughter of Leonard Wheeler, who was the village blacksmith for many years. They had two children: Charles W., who is the proprietor of a livery stable in Orange and Lizzie M.
He was a teamster and carried on a small farm. Was promi- nent in town affairs and for many years was a familiar figure as one of the marshals at the fairs of the Worcester Northwest Agricultural Society. He was a charter member of Royalston Grange.
WILLIAM D. RIPLEY
William D. Ripley, who was for many years a familiar figure on Royalston Common, was a native of Norwich, Conn., the oldest son of Dr. Dwight Ripley, a successful physician. He married Emily Bullock, daughter of Hon. Rufus Bullock, and sister of Governor Bullock, and his home at the old Bullock mansion on Royalston Common was one of culture and refine- ment and approached the ideal of an old time country seat. He was a man of fine presence, courteous manner, and exemplary character. He died in 1880 at the age of eighty-one years.
BENJAMIN WARD UPHAM
Benjamin Ward Upham, seventh generation from John Upham of Weymouth, Mass., was born in Royalston, Oct. 29, 1809. At the age of ten years he was left an orphan by the death of his father from inhaling the gas of a charcoal pit he was burning. During his boyhood he worked on farms
BENJAMIN WARD UPIIAM
CALEB A. COOK
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BIOGRAPHICAL
in Royalston, with the exception of a few months spent in Boston.
April 21, 1839, he was married to Olive Bartlett and moved to the farm where he lived until his death April 1, 1893. To them were born three children of whom one, Elmer Benjamin Upham of Athol is still living.
In 1852, his first wife having died he married Phebe Kimball Tenney, by whom he had one child, Arthur Aquila Upham of Whitewater, Wisconsin. His second wife died in 1861, and in 1863 he married Lucy Norcross French who survived him nine years.
Benjamin Upham was a man of sterling character and strict integrity. He was proud to tell his boys that when he bought the farm, he was able to borrow money without placing a mortgage on the place. He had a "holy horror" of being in debt and would scarcely ever buy anything without paying for it on the spot. Although never very robust, he was an exceedingly industrious man, always on time with his work, retaining sufficient strength to do his chores until within three weeks of his death at the age of eighty-three.
CALEB A. COOK
Caleb A. Cook, son of David and Nelly (Garfield) Cook, was born in Royalston, April 10, 1821. His grandfather David Cook bought a place in West Royalston and in the first half of the last century kept tavern there; he drew the pension of an orderly sergeant, and died in 1844 at the age of ninety-one years.
Caleb's early life was spent on his father's farm in West Royalston. He learned the watchmaker's trade when a young man and did quite a business at his home repairing watches, clocks and jewelry. He went to Athol in 1864 and engaged in the grocery business with P. C. Tyler. He soon disposed of his interest in that business and went into the jewelry business with S. W. Bliss, and after a few years en- gaged in the jewelry and watchmaker's business for himself, in which he continued until his health failed and he sold out the business. While a resident of Royalston he was prominent in town affairs and was a member of the Board of Selectmen
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in 1858, '59 and '60. He was a candidate for Representative to the General Court, and was defeated by only a few votes. He was also a Justice of the Peace for several years. He married Susan Herrick of Royalston, May 8, 1842. They had three children: a son who died at four years of age, Stella who married Frank Hutchinson of Athol, and Sarah A. who married Charles H. Tyler, for many years a prominent grocer of Athol. Mrs. Cook died Aug. 11, 1881, and he married, second, Jane L. Case, March 30, 1882.
He died April 13, 1888.
REV. EBENEZER CUTLER
Rev. Ebenezer Cutler was born in Royalston, Aug. 21, 1822. He graduated from the University of Vermont in the class of 1845, having entered the college from Water- ford, Vt., and graduated from Andover Theological Seminary in 1848. He received the degree of A.M. from the former in 1849 and of D.D. from the Theological Seminary in 1866. Was ordained a Congregational clergyman in 1850. He preached in St. Albans, Vt., 1850 to 1855, when he received a call to become the pastor of Union Congregational Church in Worcester, Mass., where he was installed, Sept. 6, 1855. Dr. Cutler continued his ministry at that church with grow- ing reputation, until 1865, when he was elected President of the University of Vermont of which he had been one of the Trustees from 1853 to 1857. This called forth an urgent appeal from his people not to leave them, and he conse- quently declined the flattering offer. Shortly after, he received a tender of the Professorship of Ecclesiastical History in Hartford Theological Seminary, but this also he promptly put aside without waiting for it to take formal shape. .. In the autumn of 1874 he initiated the proceedings which resulted in the organization of the Worcester Congregational Club, of which he became the first president. The sub- sequent history of the club amply vindicated itself and hin. In the winter of 1877, a bronchial trouble compelled him to seek relief in other climates-first going to Florida and in the summer to Europe. He was absent from his pulpit until the following October, when he resumed preaching,
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BIOGRAPHICAL
although not fully recovered. Early in 1878, under stress of circumstances, he finally resigned his pulpit, retaining however, his office. The pastoral relation was not dissolved until the 11th of October, 1880, just before the installation of his successor. The council in dismissing him made mention of his "wide usefulness" and "profound scholarship," and gave him the name of "a Christian man without fear and without reproach."
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