Worcester County, Massachusetts - Biographical sketches (2 of 5 so headed), 1889

Biographical sketches

Addison M. Sawyer, of Athol, is widely known as an inventor and as a prominent pioneer in many fields of study and investigation. He is a son of John and Lucy (Balcom) Sawyer, and was born in Templeton, August 14, 1827. The family, through many generations, has been distinguished for mechanical skill and for aptness in the use of tools and the application of machinery. The father of the subject of this sketch was a farmer and a mechanic, and while the sons attended the stated terms of the public schools of their native town, they were early familiar with labor, and were trained in habits of industry. An elder brother. Sylvanus Sawyer, whose inventions had laid the foundations of an important industry, in company with another brother, Joseph B. Sawyer, began the manufacture of cane at East Templeton, in 1851. The American Rattan Company was organized the following year, and the enterprise was removed to Fitchburg. From the beginning the subject of this sketch was employed by the company. He was familiar with the machinery in use, and early directed his attention to substantia! improvements. By the early process of working and [jreparing cane, the straw was successfully removed from the outer surface, but the pith, which has proved to be of equal value, was wasted. Many experiments were made to utilize the pith, but the problem was first solved by the invention of Mr. Sawyer. The tubular spurred cutter was patented in 1854, and by it the business was revolutionized. To the present time the invention has suffered no material amendment, and still continues to defy every and all innovations.

The man whose sturdy toil has removed a forest or has adorned a portion of the earth's surface has not lived in vain, yet often a comparative simple invention represents the possible labor of many life-times.

The tubular spurred cutter, for a third of a centuryi has performed the work of many men. It has utilized and giveu value to material formerly worthless, but which since has commanded many thousands of dollars, and in the use of this material important industries have been established.

From his boyhood Mr. Sawyer has been an expert with the gun and the rifie. In this familiarity with firearms is found an incentive and suggestions which led to several important inventions, among which was a combination shell, known in the late war as the "Sawyer Gun," also an improved combination fuse, and other ordnance materials upon which letterspatent were granted.

These inventions were successfully tested by officers of the government, and received a merited commendation. The most conspicuous of these was the patent on canister shot or, more generally speaking, on the case for holding canister-shot. This patent was tested by the government and proved of such value that the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars was awarded the inventor. The Sawyer Canister Shot has become a necessity in the ordnance stores of the government.

While some of these patents were pending, Mr. Sawyer patented a machine for grinding and moulding peat, and capable of making brick. While his attention has been directed to other studies, he has permitted this invention to remain unemployed. Yet in his opinion it is an invention of great promise and capacity. Another invention of equal merit was in a combination of rubber and emery, and the manner of constructing an emery wheel for grinding and polishing metals. This was patented, and the machines triumphed in the most exacting tests. Another patent secured by Mr. Sawyer was upon a screwpropeller, driven by direct steam, and consequently requiring no engine or machinery.

His more recent studies have been in the realm of science, and include important discoveries in electricity and in chemistry. He has invented a process, which has been patented, of refining and giving ripeness and the qualities of age to distilled spirits. This patent, with its immediate and pronounced results, ha.s attracted the attention of scientific men. Later experiments and discoveries of a kindred nature now occupy his active mind, and with unfailing courage and confidence he anticipates fortuitous results.

The career of Mr. Sawyer was prefaced by the invention of the tubular spurred cutter, which, from a mechanical standpoint, is a notable achievement in the abridgment of labor, yet of greater value in its instant command of a new material that supports one of the thriving industries of our country. A review of his successive achievements, however, leads to the conclusion that the bent of his mind and the burden of his study have not been mainly directed to ingenious mechanical contrivances, but rather to a broader field that unites discovery with invention. His later inventions have combined discoveries in science with an intimate knowledge of mechanics, and his more recent triumphs have been the result of intelligent study and investigation, rather than the accidental fortune of instant invention.

In person Mr. Sawyer is a man of fair proportions and of commanding presence. His features are refined and regular, and are lighted with a dark, clear eye of unusual brilliancy, which flashes with every transition of thought, and gives expression to an unfailing meiuiure of kindness and sympathy. In manner he is affable, courteous and kind, and in conversation he is fluent and intelligent. His opinions are accurately and clearly expressed, yet in a manner lioth deliberate and thoughtful. His sympathies are warm, his impulses are generous and his friendship is enduring. His habit of thought and study is unabated, and he still grapples new subjects with the entliusiasni of youth and the strength of disciplined faculties. His qualities are versatile, yet savored with the practical, and his resources are ever at his command.

Mr. Sawyer has resided in Athol since early manhood, and has enjoyed the confidence and respect of his townsmen. In his home-life he is happy and familiar with the comforts and conveniences controlled by ample means. A few years since he purchased a commanding site and ample grounds and erected a costly and commodious mansion. Living in quiet contentment, he is a hospitable host, and enjoys the society of his friends.

Mr. Sawyer was married, October 23, 1854, to Harriet Elizabeth Blackmer, a daughter of Hosea Blackmer, of Dana. She died July 23, 1876. He married (second) August 8, 1877, Mary E. Stevens, a daughter of Darwin H. and Harriet (Andrews) Stevens, of Guilford, Vt., and riiore recently of Davenport, Iowa.

Moses Hill

Moses Hill, son of Asa Hill and Anna (Ballard) Hill, was born in Athol, August 15, 1822. His parents were also natives of Athol. His father was born August 13, 1785, and his mother June 20, 1795. She was the daughter of Joshua and Anna (Raymond) Ballard. She died November 11, 1863. Asa Hill died June 11, 1876.

Moses Hill, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Worcester, Mass., June 15, 1741, and in 1766 married Lucy Garfield. His parents were John Hill and Mary (Haven) Hill.

Moses Hill, Sr., in 1766, bought two hundred and forty-five acres of wild land in the northerly part of Athol, now known as Chestnut Hill, the original deed of which is in the possession of Moses Hill. This deed is dated June 21, 1765. Moses Hill, Sr., died November 15, 1820, and his wife November 16, 1826. Her father lost his life in a raid of French and Indians in Hinsdale, N. H., in 1755. John Hill died June 25, 1789, and his wife September 9, 1794.