USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > The story of Worcester, Massachusetts (1910) > Part 4
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
The name, Worcester County Free In- stitute of Industrial Science, by which it was first known, was changed to the present one.
THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL
This school was authorized by an act of the Legislature in 1871, and was opened in 1874.
" The design of the school is strictly pro- fessional; that is, to prepare in the best pos- sible manner the pupils for the work of organizing, governing and teaching the public schools of the Commonwealth. To this end, there must be thorough knowl- edge: first, of the branches of learning re- quired to be taught in the schools; sec-
70
The Story of Worcester
ond, of the best methods of teaching these branches; and third, of right mental train- ing.
" Every opportunity is seized to give pu- pils the benefit of whatever tends to fit them for the work of teaching. The spirit of this endeavor pervades the whole school, influences the mode and character of most of the exercises, and so imparts a tone which determines whatever of distinct character the Normal School possessed."
CLARK UNIVERSITY
Clark University was founded by Jonas G. Clark, a native of Worcester County, who provided an endowment of $2,000,000.
It was the desire of the founder that the highest possible academic standards be here forever maintained; that special opportu- nities and inducements be offered to re- search work; that to this end the instructors be not overburdened with teaching and ex- aminations; that all available experience, both of the older countries and of our own, be freely utilized, and that the great oppor- tunity of a new foundation in this land and age be diligently explored and improved.
71
The Public Schools
He chose Worcester because its location is central among the best colleges of the East, and because he believed the culture of the city would ensure that enlightened public opinion, indispensable in maintain- ing these educational standards at their highest.
On April 3, 1888, G. Stanley Hall, then a professor at Johns Hopkins University, was invited to the presidency. The open- ing exercises were held October 2, 1889. General Charles Devens presided.
The work of the University appeals only to advanced men, who desire to specialize in one or more of the fundamental sciences. The work is post-graduate. It is a training- school for professors.
Clark University and the Catholic Uni- versity at Washington are the only Univer- sities in America devoted solely to graduate work.
CLARK COLLEGE
The Collegiate Department of Clark University was established in 1901 by the late Jonas G. Clark, in the belief that, by careful economy of his time, the average student could materially lessen the length'
72
The Story of Worcester
of his college course without affecting his real preparation for his life work.
In accordance, therefore, with the will of the founder, the college offers to young men a regular three years' course of instruction, leading in all departments to the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
GRANVILLE STANLEY HALL
G. Stanley Hall was born in Ashfield, Massachusetts, in 1846. He was graduated from Williams College in 1867. From col- lege he went to the Union Theological Sem- inary where he did a year's work. He spent two years in Germany in the study of philosophy, after which he returned to the Seminary and was graduated in 1871. He was never ordained.
In 1872 he was appointed professor of philosophy at Antioch College, Ohio, where he remained for four years. He resigned in 1876 to accept an instructorship at Har- vard University, but after a year he went to Europe, where he passed three years in scientific study.
On his return to America he received the appointment of lecturer on contemporary
73
The Public Schools
psychology at Harvard. In 1881 Dr. Hall was called to Johns Hopkins University and remained there until he received the appointment of president of Clark Uni- versity.
President Hall is in much demand as a public speaker. His fresh points of view; his fund of universal information and ex- perience; his conversational ease and un- reserve; his apt illustrations and quaint humor, render his utterances always inter- esting.
Dr. Hall has written an important book on " Adolescence " and contributed many articles to scientific journals.
CHAPTER VIII
WORCESTER OF 1830
A N examination of the map published by Clarendon Harris in 1829, shows only twenty-three streets and lanes. Main Street was then, as now, the princi- pal avenue of the town. The only street shown west of Main is Pleasant Street. To the east are Market (unnamed), School, Thomas, Central, Mechanic, Front and South or Park Street. Union Street is named Middle, and extends from Thomas
to Market Street. Leading from Front Street, Bigelow Place is given (unnamed) ; Church extends from Park to Mechanic; Tremont is called Quinsigamond Street, and Bridge is named Cross Street. Frank- lin is shown, as is Temple (unnamed).
The course of the Blackstone Canal and the large basin at Washington Square is carefully drawn on this map. This basin occupied the land covered by the new Union Station.
11
-
-
-
WORCESTER IN 1830
Blackstone Canal in the foreground. Christ Church, Temple Street, is shown, directly behind the group of houses in the foreground.
Page 74
75
Worcester of 1830
The Town Hall was built in 1825 and enlarged in 1841.
The Common presented a very different appearance in 1840 from that which it does to-day. The railroad crossed it, exactly where the driveway is, behind our City Hall. Two streets ran diagonally across the Common; one from Front to Park Street, with a guide-board at the Front- Street end, informing the traveller that it was the road to Millbury and Sutton; the other was from Park to Front Street, near the present site of the Soldiers' Monument. The two main paths to-day follow the lines of these roads.
The burial-ground was situated at the east end of the Common and was bounded by a low stone wall. On the southeast cor- ner stood a one-story wooden schoolhouse, with a cupola and bell. This was the South Boys' Primary School. Next to it was the town Pound. On the site of the Soldiers' Monument was a brick schoolhouse, which was built in 1840. Four rows of stalls were put up on the north side, near Front Street. These were used for the exhibition of cattle, swine and sheep.
-- --
CHAPTER IX
. BIOGRAPHIES: TIMOTHY BIGELOW, ISAIAH THOMAS, LEVI LINCOLN, JOHN DAVIS, ELI THAYER, GEORGE BANCROFT, CHARLES DEVENS, GEORGE F. HOAR, GOVERNORS OF MASSACHUSETTS
COLONEL TIMOTHY BIGELOW
T IMOTHY BIGELOW was born in Worcester August 12, 1739. At an early age he was apprenticed to a blacksmith and followed that trade up to the time of his death. He was an energetic and prosperous young man and ranked among the leaders of the young people.
Many of our most prominent citizens before the Revolution were Tories or Loy- alists. Bigelow belonged to the opposite party, the Whigs. He was elected a dele- gate to the Provincial Congress at its first and second sessions.
He led the "Minute-men " to Cam- bridge. Soon after this, Congress commis-
77
Biographies
sioned him as major, and as such he com- manded one division of Arnold's army in the expedition against Quebec. Here he was made a prisoner by the British. After his exchange he was promoted to lieuten- ant-colonel of the 15th Regiment, Massa- chusetts Troop of the Continental Line. He took part in the battle of Saratoga, and was at the surrender of Burgoyne.
After the war he was for a short time stationed at West Point. He was next given command of the National Arsenal at Springfield, Massachusetts.
Timothy Bigelow left the army a poor man and broken down in health. Times had changed. He was unable to support his family decently by his labors as a black- smith. His family consisted of a wife and six children. Unable to get the money due him for his services as a soldier, he fell into debt. On February 15, 1790, he was ar- rested for debt and thrown into jail. He was paroled and at the time of his death was practically a free man. He died March 31, 1790, at the age of fifty-one.
His grandson, Colonel Timothy Bigelow Lawrence of Boston, presented to the City
78
The Story of Worcester
of Worcester on April 19, 1861, the Bige- low monument on the Common.
There is a mountain in Maine named after Timothy Bigelow. This mountain is near the head of the Kennebec River. While with General Benedict Arnold's army, he ascended it for the purpose of exploration. Without doubt he was the first white man to climb it, and the peak received the name of "Bigelow Moun- tain."
ISAIAH THOMAS
The first Worcester printer, Isaiah Thomas, was born in Boston in 1749. At the age of seventeen he went to Nova Sco- tia, where he had charge of printing and editing "The Halifax Gazette." His re- bellious criticisms of the British Stamp Act necessitated his leaving the place. After trying his fortune in several places he re- turned to Boston at the age of twenty-one, and began publishing " The Massachusetts Spy." The first number was issued July 17, 1770.
His open utterances against the action of the British government brought him into
79
Biographies
conflict with the authorities. Finally the British soldiers openly threatened him. He was induced, in 1775, to pack up his press and type and send them privately to Worcester, a few days before the battle of Lexington. Colonel Bigelow, aided by two friends, undertook the difficult and danger- ous task of moving his goods. They chose a dark night and ferried the press and ma- terial to Charlestown, and thence trans- ported them to Worcester. The press was set up and worked, at first, in the basement of Timothy Bigelow's house.
Isaiah Thomas went to Lexington and joined the militia in opposing the King's troops on the 19th of April. On the twen- tieth, he came to Worcester and opened a printing-office. He reestablished "The Massachusetts Spy," the first number of which appeared here, May 3, 1775. In this issue was printed an account of the battle of Lexington, of which he was an eye-witness. This was the first printing done in any in- land city in New England.
Mr. Thomas established printing-offices in various places and, besides, was book- seller, binder and manufacturer of paper.
80
The Story of Worcester
He established a paper mill in Quinsiga- mond Village, on the present site of the south works of the American Steel and Wire Company.
The American Antiquarian Society was founded by him in 1812, and he was its first president. To this society he gave a valuable library. The first building of the Society, which still stands on Summer Street, was built through his generosity in 1820.
The site of the County Court House was given by him. In 1806 he presented to the town the street which bears his name, and also the land where the schoolhouse now stands.
Soon after coming to Worcester, in 1775, he was appointed postmaster of the town by Benjamin Franklin, then postmaster- general.
He died in 1831 and was buried in the Mechanic-Street burial-ground. When this burying-ground was destroyed in 1878, his tomb was rebuilt in Rural Cemetery, and the remains of Mr. Thomas were put in their final resting-place with Masonic honors.
THE COMMON IN 1849
See page 75
81
Biographies
HON. LEVI LINCOLN (SENIOR)
The first Levi Lincoln was a member of Congress, acting secretary of state and attorney-general in Jefferson's Cabinet, lieutenant-governor, and, at the death of Governor Sullivan, governor of Massa- chusetts.
One writer says of him: -
" For a period of nearly forty years he was in active life and bore a leading part, amid vast and important changes in our community, such as none of the present generation can be called upon to witness. He was without question at the head of the Bar, from the close of the Revolution, till he left our courts."
His son, Levi Lincoln, was graduated from Harvard College in 1802. He was a member of both branches of the General Court, judge of the Supreme Court, col- lector of the Port of Boston, governor of Massachusetts for nine years, member of Congress for six years, and the first mayor of Worcester.
Another son, Enoch, was a member of Congress from Maine and was governor of that state for three successive terms.
82
The Story of Worcester
HON. JOHN DAVIS
For a quarter of a century the name of John Davis was intimately associated with the councils of his native state or with those of the nation. During that period, he bore a part in public affairs which will identify him with the history of his times and give him a position among the wise and patriotic statesmen of his period.
John Davis was born January 13, 1783, in Northborough, Worcester County. He prepared for college at Leicester Academy and was graduated from Yale in 1812.
Having selected law for his profession, he entered upon the study in the office of Hon. Francis Blake of Worcester. In 1825 he was elected to the National House of Representatives and served there for eight years. He became governor of Massachu- setts in 1834. The Legislature of the state elected him United States senator in 1835.
He returned to Massachusetts in 1841, to serve again as governor. Upon the death of Senator Isaac C. Bates, Davis was again elected United States senator and served until 1853, when, at the ripe age of seventy, he retired to private life.
83
Biographies
It will be seen that "Honest" John Davis, as he was called, served eight years as representative in Congress, three years as governor of Massachusetts, and fourteen years as United States senator; making twenty-five years spent in the public service.
HON. ELI THAYER
Eli Thayer was born in Mendon, Mass., June 11, 1819. He prepared for college in the "Worcester Manual Labor School," and was graduated from Brown University in 1845. His first occupation was that of teacher in the Worcester Academy and after a short time he became its principal. In 1849, he resigned this position in order to assume the management of his own school, The Oread.
He took an active interest in political life, and was a member of the school board in 1852, alderman in 1853, and representative in the State Legislature in 1853-1854.
It was in 1854, that he proposed the re- markable scheme which has made his name one of the important ones in the history of our country. He planned to colonize Kan- sas, which was opened for settlement as a
84
The Story of Worcester
territory in 1854, with enough anti-slavery supporters to make it a free state. Mr. Thayer organized the Emigrant Aid Com- pany and had it incorporated.
Charles Sumner said that he would rather have the credit that is due to Eli Thayer than be the hero of New Orleans. President William H. Taft, in his ad- dress at Topeka, May 30, 1904, said : -
" Eli Thayer travelled from town to town in the north, soliciting aid for his emi- gration society, and recruiting the ranks of the small bands of settlers already in Kan- sas, or on their way there. When it became necessary to have guns, Mr. Thayer ob- tained them in the East, and sent them to his fellows in Kansas. Mr. Charles Rob- inson superintended and guided the move- ment in Kansas itself. With their lives often at stake, nothing daunted or discour- aged the two patriots. They sacrificed everything but honor and honesty to the pursuit of the one purpose, that Kansas, when admitted, should be admitted as a free state.
" There are no greater heroes in the his- tory of this country than Eli Thayer of
85
Biographies
Massachusetts and Charles Robinson of Kansas, who almost alone and single- handed entered upon the work of peopling a vast territory with free and brave men, so as forever to exclude human slavery from its limits."
Dr. Edward Everett Hale paid the following well-deserved tribute to his friend: -
" Hon. Eli Thayer, who founded The Oread Institute, was a remarkable person, to whom this country is more indebted than the country knows. At the moment when the Southern leaders chose to throw Kansas and Nebraska open to all immigrants, Mr. Thayer accepted the challenge. Before the Act of Congress was passed, he had an act passed by our Legislature to form an Emi- grant Aid Company. The consequence of that prompt action of his was that Kan- sas became almost immediately a free state."
Eli Thayer was elected to Congress in 1856, and served two terms. Through his statesman-like action, Oregon was admitted to the Union in 1859.
Under President Lincoln, he was ap-
86
The Story of Worcester
pointed a special and confidential agent of the Treasury Department.
In 1856 he organized a company for the purpose of settling some of the border states with anti-slavery settlers, and the town of Ceredo, Virginia, was founded. He advocated the military occupancy of Florida, settlements of Americans in Cen- tral America, and the abolition of the Mor- mon evil.
Besides his interests in educational and political matters, he took a deep interest in matters of invention, and often acted as ref- eree in such matters. He invented a hy- draulic elevator, a sectional safety steam- boiler, and an automatic boiler-cleaner.
Mr. Thayer laid out many of the streets in the neighborhood of The Oread, and as- sisted materially in developing the southern part of the city as a manufacturing district.
The Adriatic Mills on Southgate Street, and the shop near the South Worcester Depot known as the Junction Shop, for- merly occupied by the Knowles Loom Works, were built by him.
Mr. Thayer died in Worcester, April 15, 1899.
87
Biographies
GEORGE BANCROFT Diplomat and Historian
George Bancroft was born in Worcester, October 3, 1800, and died in Washington, D. C., January 17, 1891. He was the son of Rev. Aaron Bancroft, a Unitarian min- ister. Bancroft fitted for college at Phillips Exeter Academy, entered Harvard College at the age of thirteen, and graduated before he was seventeen.
President Van Buren appointed him col- lector of the Port at Boston, 1834-1841. In 1845 he was made secretary of the navy under President Polk, and planned and established the Naval Academy at Annap- olis, Maryland. He was minister to Eng- land in 1846-1849 and to Berlin, 1867 to 1874.
George Bancroft was the author of many historical works, but the one that made him famous was his "History of the United States." The first volume of this history was published in 1834 but it was fifty years later that the work was finished.
There is in Rural Cemetery, where his body rests, a beautiful monument upon which is the following inscription : -
88
The Story of Worcester
" Historian of America, he made it the high purpose of a life which nearly spanned a century to show her advancement of man, and from the rare resources of his 00 his learning and his labor, to ennoble the story of her birth."
MAJOR - GENERAL CHARLES DEVENS
Charles Devens was born in Charles- town, Mass., April 4, 1820, and died Jan- uary 7, 1891. His great-grandfather, Rich- ard Devens, was a member of the Commit- tee of Safety and Commissary General of Massachusetts during the Revolutionary War. General Devens was graduated from Harvard College in 1840, and was admit- ted to the bar in 1844.
Worcester became his home in 1854, and he entered partnership with George F. Hoar and J. Henry Hill.
When news of the firing on Fort Sumter reached Worcester, Charles Devens aban- doned his law practice, telegraphed the offer of his services to the Governor, and was appointed major of the 3rd Battalion Rifles. In July, 1861, he was made colonel of the 15th Regiment, and in his first battle
89
Biographies
at Ball's Bluff was slightly wounded. In 1862 he was made brigadier-general and was wounded at the battle near Chickahom- iny Bridge.
General Devens served under General Franklin, General Newton, and General Hancock. In May, 1863, he was severely wounded at Chancellorsville, but returned and served under General Grant.
At the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, he was disabled by rheumatism, and, being unable to sit upon his horse, was car- ried on a stretcher up and down the line. General Devens was given the command of the Third Division of the 24th Corps, and led the first Federal troops into the city of Richmond. He was the first military governor of Richmond.
In 1866 General Devens returned to Worcester and resumed the practice of law. Governor Alexander H. Bullock appointed him judge of the Superior Court of Mas- sachusetts. Governor Washburn, six years later, promoted him to the bench of the Supreme Judicial Court. President Hayes appointed him attorney-general. At the close of Hayes's administration he returned
90
The Story of Worcester
to Massachusetts. He was reappointed judge of the Supreme Court by Governor John D. Long.
After a brief illness, he died in 1891, and was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery.
HON. GEORGE FRISBIE HOAR
George Frisbie Hoar was born in Con- cord, Massachusetts, August 29, 1826, and died in Worcester, September 30, 1904.
Mr. Hoar was of an historic family. His great-grandfather was an officer in the Rev- olutionary War; his maternal grandfather, Roger Sherman, a signer of the Declaration of Independence ; his own father, a member of Congress from Massachusetts and an able lawyer and statesman.
He was graduated from Harvard College in 1846, and began to practise law in Worcester. In 1852 he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and in 1857 to the State Senate. He served in the National House of Representatives from 1869 to 1877, and in the United States Senate from 1877 to the time of his death.
Mr. Hoar was manager in behalf of the House of Representatives in the Belknap
91
Biographies
Impeachment Trial, and a member of the Electoral Commission which decided the Hayes-Tilden Contest. His service as United States Congressman covered a pe- riod of 35 years. He was known as "The Old Man Eloquent."
" The lesson which I have learned in life, which has been impressed upon me daily and more deeply as I grow old, is the lesson of Good Will and Good Hope. I believe that today is better than yesterday, and that tomorrow will be better than today. I believe that, in spite of many errors and wrongs and even crimes, my countrymen of all classes desire what is good, and not what is evil.
" If my life is worth anything it has been because I have insisted, to the best of my ability, that these three things - love of God, love of country, and manhood, are the essential and fundamental things, and that race, color and creed are unessential and accidental."
GOVERNORS OF MASSACHUSETTS
Worcester has furnished five governors to Massachusetts: Levi Lincoln, who be-
92
The Story of Worcester
came governor in 1808 upon the death of Governor Sullivan; his son, Levi Lincoln, who served for nine years from 1825 to 1834; John Davis, known by his contem- poraries as " Honest John Davis," in 1834 and 1841 to 1843; Emory Washburn, the last Whig governor of the Commonwealth, in 1854; and Alexander H. Bullock, who was Speaker of the House of Representa- tives during the Civil War and the succes- sor (1866-1869) of Governor John A. Andrew.
CHAPTER X MONUMENTS
THE BIGELOW MONUMENT
T HIS monument was erected in 1861, to the memory of Colonel Timothy Bigelow, by his great-grandson, Colonel Timothy Bigelow Lawrence of Boston. The design is Gothic and the ma- terial is white Italian marble. The follow- ing inscriptions are on the monument.
On the front face in raised letters : -
TIMOTHY BIGELOW On the right face : -
Born Aug. 12, 1739. Died March 31, 1790. On the south side : - In Memory of The Colonel of the 15th Mass. Reg't. Of the Continental Army In the War of Independence This Monument Is erected by His Great Grandson Timothy Bigelow Lawrence Anno Domini 1861.
94
The Story of Worcester
On the east side : -
Quebec
Monmouth
Saratoga
Verplanck's Point
Valley Forge
Yorktown
THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT
In 1866 Mayor James B. Blake suggested to the city government, that a movement be started, to erect a monument to the memory of the dead soldiers. A committee was ap- pointed and $11,240.20 was collected. In 1871 this sum had grown to $15,000. The city voted to appropriate $35,000, making a total of $50,000, which was the cost of the monument.
Randolph Rogers of Rome was the sculp-, tor.
The monument was dedicated July 15, 1874. Its height is 65 feet. Upon the but- tresses from each corner stand figures in bronze, representing the infantry, cavalry, artillery and navy branches. There are bronze profiles of President Lincoln and Governor Andrew. In bas-relief is de- picted "The Dying Soldier." A bronze tablet bears this inscription : -
" Erected by the People of Worcester to
i
95
Monuments
the Memory of her Sons who died for the Unity of the Republic. A. D. 1861-1865."
Between the bronze statues are four tab- lets, upon which are inscribed the names of 398 heroes, whose memory is perpetuated. A Corinthian cap upon a Roman column supports a semi-globe upon which stands the Goddess of Victory. At each of the four corners of the base are four inverted bronze cannons, which were captured from the Confederate troops.
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.