Worcester County, Massachusetts - Biographical sketches (2 of 9 so headed), 1889

Biographical sketches

John and Elinor Whitney, the emigrant ancestors of a numerous family, sailed from England in the " Elizabeth and Ann," Roger Cooper, master, in April, 1635. At this date he was aged thirty-five, and his wife thirty years. He settled in Watertown, where he became a considerable landholder, and was admitted freeman March 3, 1635-6. He was a selectman eighteen successive years, and his name is conspicuous in the records of his time. He died June 1, 1673; his wife, Elinor, died May 11, 1659.

John, eldest son of John and Elinor Whitney, was born in England, 1624; admitted freeman, 1647. He married Ruth Reynolds, daughter of Robert Reynolds, of Boston, and resided in Watertown. He was a selectman several years, and a prominent citizen. He died October 12, 1692. leaving five sons and five daughters.

He married, March 12, 1673-4, Sarah Hagar, born September 3, 1751, daughter of William and Mary (Bemis) Hagar, of AVatertown. His homestead was included in Weston, where he died January 7, 1732-3 ; his widow died May 7, 1746.

William, third of the seven children of Nathaniel and Sarah (Hagar) Whitney, was born May 6, 1683, and resided in Weston. He married. May 17, 1706, Martha Peirce, born December 24, 1681, daughter of Joseph and Martha Peirce, of Watertown. He died January 24, 1720-1.

Samuel Whitney, son of William and Martha (Peirce) Whitney, was born in Weston May 28, 1719. He married, October 20, 1741, Abigail Fletcher, and was one of the early settlers of Westminster, and is a prominent character in the annals of that town. He died January 1, 1782. Capt. Silas Whitney, of Ashburnham, was a son of these parents.

Abner, son of Samuel and Abigail (Fletcher) Whitney, was born in W'estminster May IS, 1748. He married. May 14, 1770, Elizabeth Glazier, daughter of Jonas and Eunice (Newton) Glazier, of Shrewsbury, who died April 3,1778; he married (2d), April 22, 1779, her sister, Levina (Glazier) Ward, widow of Jonas Ward. He died in Westminster, 1811.

Joseph G., son of Abner and Lcviua Whitney, was born June 22, 1783, He married, 1805, Levina Dunn, and resided in Westminster and in Ashburnham, where he died July 31, 1868.

John, son of Joseph G. and Levina (Dunn) Whitney, was born in Westminster September 12, 1806. He was a pioneer manufacturer of chairs in Westminster and in Ashburnham. He was a man of ability and character, commanding the respect and confidence of his associates. He died May 4, 1873. His wife, whom he marrif d May 9, 1832, was Eliza Gushing, daughter of Stephen Gushing, Esq., a prominent citizen of Ashburnham. She died September 1, 1882.

Wilbur F. Whitkey

Wilbur Fisk Whitney, son of John and Eliza (Gushing) Whitney, and of the ninth generation in America, was born December 9, 1839, and from early manhood has been closely identified with the material intertsts of this town. From an indusrial standpoint the town of Ashburnham occupies a prominent position among the manufacturing towns of the State. Here the manufacture of chairs was an early, and through later years remains an important industry. While the Winchesters and their successors have been conducting an extensive business at the centre of the town, Mr. Whitney, in his chosen field at Siuth Ashburnham, from a humble beginning, has enlarged his facilities from year to year, and at present is at the head of a more extensive business than is owneil and conducted by any single individual in this line of manufacture. His monthly pay-roll, distributed among 250 employes, is

$9000, and the annual product of the manufacture includes 380,000 chairs, valued at wholesale at $350,000. Much of the labor-saving machinery is special, and is covered by patents. The chairs made by Mr. Whitney are the modern styles of cane-.seat and a great variety of rattan chairs. The designs and styles are original, and frequently change to meet the demands of the trade. la mechanical skill, in ability to personally supervise all the minute details of an extensive business, and in a prompt and clear comprehension of the growing demands of the trade, Mr. Whitney has advanced to a prominent position among the manufacturers of the present time. While his success in business has been founded on industry, perseverance and the fortuitous issue of well-matured plans, his honesty and ready appreciation of the rights of others have been important factors. He has continually maintained fraternal relations with his employes, and has had no experience with strikes nor contests with labor organizations. With the spirit of a good citizen, his success has been reflected in the growth and prosperity of the town, and he has ever manifested a lively interest in local and in municipal affairs. In this direction his eflort has been the fruit of principle anil the thoughtful act of method and wisdom rather than the sudden and fitful oflering of a generous impulse. For many years, with system and exactness, ten per cent, of his annual income has been given to religious and charitable objects, and, with a liberality of sentiment characteristic of the donor, no one sect or class has been the sole recipient.

With the experience of years Mr. Whitney has joined the fruit of an attentive study of the social and political problems of the times. His conclusions are intelligently formed, and his judgment of men and of measures is free from partiality and prejudice. In debate he is apt and logical, and if he is decided in his opinions, he is tolerant in judging of the faith and charitable in weighing the conduct of others. His political opinions have been pronounced but conservative. He has not been closely allied with any party, but his political faith has embraced the purposes of good government, and has been unrestrained by the school of politics. In his daily life he has seldom wounded or disappointed his friends, and he has cultivated no enmities. His sympathies, quick and steadfast, lead him to the presence of the wronged and the suffering, and guided by principle, his ministrations to his fellow-nien are ever kind and substantial. In business and in social affairs he has challenged the respect and good opinion of all who know him. His merit has won, and his future will enjoy, the friendship and confidence of his associates. In the personal supervision of an important industry, Mr. Whitney has found full employment, yet he has been an efficient member of the School Committee many years, and has labored in this worlc with unfailing interest. Ho is a director of the Ashburnham National Bank and of the Nashua Reservoir Company. In 1875 he represented this district in the Legislature. In 1878 he was nominated for Congress by the Greenback party and by a convention of Independents. In the canvass he received seven thousand votes. He was renominated in 1882 and 1884. In 1876 and 1877 he was nominated for State treasurer, and in several instances his candidacy was endorsed by the Prohibitionists.

Mr. Whitney is still in the prime of life, and this brief sketch is but the beginning of a completed chapter. Men of his temperament and character summon energy and wisdom with advancing years.

In his domestic relations Mr. Whitney has been fortunate and happy. He was united in marriage, July 17, 1866, to Miss Emeline S. Jewell, daughter of Dexter and Sarah (Mower) Jewell, of Kindge, N. H. Their eldest child, and only son, a lad of great promise and universally beloved, died at the age of fifteen years. Four bright and sunny daughters, from five to fifteen years of age, bring light and gladness to a happy fireside.

Dr. Nathaniel Jewett

Dr. Nathaniel Jewett, the subject of this sketch, was born in Boston, March 10, 1841, and was educated in the public schools of that city. He afterwards pursued a course of professional studies under private tutors.

He graduated with honors from the Boston Dental School in 18G9, and from the New York Eclectic College in 1871, having attended also, lectures in Harvard Medical College, and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.

He has been president of the Worcester North Eclectic Medical Society, and for many years secretary and treasurer ; also president and counselor of the Ma:isachusetts Eclectic Medical Society, and a member of the National Medical Association.

Through his mother's active interest and sympathy in charitable organizations and reforms during the early years of his life in Boston, his naturally sympathetic and generous qualities were early enlisted in efforts to aid the unfortunate.

Dr. Jewett came to Ashburnhara and commenced the practice of medicine in 1871. Of the eighteen physicians who have practiced here, none have been more constantly or successfully employed. Many serious eases have been under his treatment calling for surgical skill and patient care. With much mechanical ability, and quick to feel for all who suffer, he has been very successful and ingenious in devising mechanical appliances and aids, and inventing means for the comfort and convenience of his patients.

welcome in the sick-room, where so much depends on gentleness and encouraging words. Many a family have looked to him as a support in the hour of sorrow, and found him ever ready to aid when the last rites of affection are needed fur the dead.

Dr. Jewett is social in his nature, ardent, generous and loyal in his friendships, and keenly sensitive to disloyalty or broken faith in those he has trusted. In his tastes he is very artistic, and music is one of his greatest pleasures. IJondof books and study, he has accumulated a large library of medical, scientific and other works.

With a large share of the trials, discouragements and constant requisitions upon a physician's life, he has always been faithful in filial duties. To his mother, who was long an invalid, he gave the best of his care and life, freely relinquishing all that would prevent him from ministering to her needs, and faithfully attending her until her death here, in 1887.

The doctor has long been connected with Masonic orders, active and enthusiastic in interest for all that concerned the fraternity. He has held various positions, and is one of the Past Commanders of Jerusalem Commandery, Fitchburg; also a member of the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and is a thirty -second degree Mason. He has also held offices in various other secret orders.