Worcester County, Massachusetts - Biographical sketches (4 of 9 so headed), 1889

Biographical sketches

Rev. William Addisou Houghton, son of Caleb and Susannah (Sawyer) Houghton, of the seventh generation, from John Houghton, born in England, and who died in Lancester 16S4, was born in Berlin, June 2, 1812, on homestead never in hands of any but the Houghtons (save one mere change). His parents died in his early childhood. At twenty-two years he began preparations for college ; graduated at Yale, 1840; also at Yale Divinity School, 1843; was settled the same year over the Congregational Church of Northboro', with which he had uniied in 1813; resigned in 1851 ; resident in Berlin 1852 ; installed over the Congregational Church in Berlin, October 25, 1853; resigned, October 25, 1878, after a pastorate of twenty-five years. His wife, Mary Grace, was daughter of Solomon and Sarah (Stow) Howe, of Berlin. Their only daughter, Lucinda Howe, married, on the silver wedding day of her parents at their home, Edward Howe Hartshorn, son of Dr. Edward and Lucy E. (Howe) Hartshorn, May 28, 1869. Wife Lucinda, died of pneumonia, December 26, 1876, at twenty-six years. She left nvo children. The husband married, second. Miss Louisa Southgate, daughter of Rufus S. and Louisa (Blood) Hastings.

Mrs. Houghton died, October 16, 1882. Son-in-law, Hartshorn, died, January 8, 1887, at forty-four years. He left five children ; three by second marriage. All have been born and nurtured up to date in the same ministerial homestead which was established by Rev.

Berlin

Dr. Puffer, 1788, and occupied by him nearly half a century, and by his widow, second wife, another quarter century. Kemodeled, 1866. The church, 1887, by motion of the pastor, Rev. C. H. Washburn, conferred upon Mr. Houghton the relation of pastor emeritus.

Chandler Carter

Chandler Carter is of the Lancaster line, originating in Rev. Thomas Carter, born in England about 1610 ; pastor in Woburn, 1642; was graduate of Cambridge, England. His son, Samuel, was graduate of Cambridge, Mass., 1660. Located in Lancaster, he became pastor in Groton, and died there in 1697. His son, Samuel 2d, had Samuel 3d, who was father to Stanton, who settled in Berlin. Stanton's son, Daniel, was father to Chandler, who was the tenth and youngest child, born October 7, 1808. His mother was Dolly Jones, of one of the most numerous and influential families of the town. Those were days of economy and hard work.

Our townsman has known both of these, in his father's home and in his own. He married a lady of good family and of good estate, whose father, a Berlin young man, Abraham Babcock, made a success of life in Boston.

But the enjoyable union was sundered by death, after the birth of a daughter, who also died in early womanhood. After years of loneliness in his home Mr. Carter made another fitting and enjoyable connection in marriage with Miss Leah H. Lincoln, of Pembroke, Me., January 16. 1864.

As domestic joys were quenched in sorrows, the lone husband and father has taken more and more into his sympathies his native associates and townsmen. The manifestation of it has been duly reciprocated in many kindly expressions before his great generosity was apprehended.

In 1880 Mr. Carter contributed one thousand dollars for the building of the Unitarian Church. A niece of his had appropriated, in her will, a like sum to the same end.

Our town was heavily burdened by war debt and railroad investment. Mr. Carter had opposed the latter urgently. But the town's error did not abate his good will. He sprung upon us a joyful surprise in the gift to the town of twenty thousand dollars. Nor this alone ; he gave twenty thousand also to the Unitarian Society of Berlin. Nor this alone; he gave

Of course the town responded by votes and resolutions too extended for full quotations. A public reception was given Mr. Carter at the town hall, J. D. Tyler of the selectmen presiding. Neighboring towns joined in the occasion by representative citizens.

E. F. Johnson, E<q., attorney for Mr. Carter, came forward with the twenty thousand dollar check, which he presented, with impressive fitness, to the town, through the selectmen, F. A. Woodward, chairman. Rev. W. A. Houghton, native townsman and schoolmate of Mr. Carter, as also his near neighbor for thirty years, responded for the town. The long acquaintance of the donor and respondent gave opportunity for the pleasantries of life as well as for sober reflection. James T. Joslin, Esq., of Hudson, had been delegated to present to the town a 'ife-size oil painting of Mr. Carter, which he had previously donated. It had been hung over the platform draped in white, and, in Mr. Joslin's closing words, it was unveiled. More than a heartfelt reception was given by the crowded assembly. Its companion likeness is that of Artemas Barnes, Esq., which, alone, had silently presided over many Berlin assemblies.

Hon. William Bassett responded for the town in appropriate acknowledgment and practical suggestions. Others responded briefly. Lyman Morse, of the selectmen, Geo. A. potting, Esq., of Hudson (formerly resident in Berlin), Wilbur F. Brigham, of Hudson, C. F. Morse, of the Marlboro^ Times, S. T. Rice, of Northboro' and Mr. Pope, of the Boston Globe.

The occasion was one to be long remembered in Berlin. Perhaps its moral effect will more than equal the financial relief. Our spirits grew anew as our tax bills came round so encouragingly reduced.

Among the resolutions passed, " in town-meeting assembled," was this: "That the best token of our regard which we can ever hereafter manifest for Mr. Carter's memory, is so to conduct the business of the town as to be clear of debt, the burden of which is now lightened by his generosity.''