Worcester County, Massachusetts - Biographical sketches (5 of 5 so headed), 1889 (part 4 of 5)

1 The writer has had occasion in more than one instance, while speaking of an enterprising and successful individual, to remark that his education was procured in the common district school. It is always interesting, while reading of a person, to have some information re garding his early educational opportunities. But something more is involved in the present case, namely, the value of those elementary institutions themselves. What New England would have become had not the early settlers taken anxious care in establishing and fostering a system for the universal instruction of her youth, it is useless to inquire. What she did do lias merited and received genuine and unstinted praise among the thoughtful and wise. Religion, undoubtedly, was uppermost in the thoughts of our ancestors, and they looked upon learning as her hund-maid, a fact which accounts for so much pains being taken to instruct in the dead languages as well as in the elements required for commou business transactions. The various grades of common schools known at the present day could not, of course, at first be established. The legislative enactment of 1647 commences: "It being one chief proiect of y< ould deludor, Satan, to keepe men from the knowledge of y Scripture, as .in former times, by keeping them in an unknown tongue, so in these latter .times, by persuading from y use of tongues, yt so at least y true sence and meaning of y« originall might be clouded by false glosses of saintseeming deceivers, y' learning may not be buried in y grave of our fathers in y« church and commonwealth, y Lord assisting our endeavors : It is therefore ordered y' every towneship in this jurisdiction after y Lord hath increased them to y number of 60 householders shall then forthwith appoint one within their towne to teach all such children as shall resort to him, to write and reade," &c. "And it is further ordered, y' where any towne shall increase to y» number of 100 families, or householders, they shall set up a grammar Bchoole.y master thereof being able to instruct youth so farr as they may be fitted for y university, provided y' if any towne neglect y performance hereof above one yeare, then every such towue shall pay £5 to y« next Bchoole till they shall perform this order." In ie.54 the court prohibited the teaching of schools by persons of " unsound doctrine." All this is sufficient to show how intimate our fathers considered the connection between religion and learning. But about " <m- Bouud doctrine," who, in this progressive age, would undertake to determine what that is! But whatever may be said for or against the common-school system, established so long ago, and continued on with modifications to lliis, our day, none can doubt its ineslimable value. Observation need not be extended beyond Worcester itself for countless examples of its beneficial effects.

was united in marriage with Miss Harriet N. R. Read, daughter of Russell Read, of Attleborough, Mass., and by her has had four children, two of whom are now living-Ellen S., wife of M. 0. Whittier, and Ghester E. B. Frank L. R., the eldest child, married Persis J. Putnam and died in 1871, leaving one son, Frank Loring. A fourth child, Annie R., died in

But the business relations of Mr. Goes form that part of his history in which this busy community would probably feel most interested, and, on the whole, would perhaps be the most appropriate in the present connection. As intimated, his first work was upon the farm of his father; then, bidding adieu to home, for some ten years, or from the age of fourteen, he worked at carpentering in Worcester and in Leicester. Then, in 18.36, in partnership with his brother. Aura G. Goes, he began the manufacture of woolen machinery, and built up a very satisfactory trade. Two years after, however, they lost their entire outfit of machinery and tools by fire, a calamity which, added to the general depression which still prevailed as a lingering effect of the commercially disastrous year 1837, they were compelled to give up their hopeful anticipations and retire from a busincfs exclusively their own. They went to Springfield, Mass., and began the manufacture of tools, hiring a portion of the Laurin Trask factory, and it was there that their inventive genius resulted in lasting benefit. While there they-for the brothers seem both to have been gifted with great mechanical ingenuity - invented that useful implement now everywhere known as the " screw-wrench," and for which they obtained a patent in 18-11. They had returned to Worcester in 1840, and now set up in that town the manufacture of wrenches, which presently became a very lucrative business. In addition to the manufacture of wrenches they .'-ubsequently established a large factory for the manufacture of hay-cutters and shear-blades. The brothers dissolved partnership in 1869. A. G. Goes died, as the result of an accident, in 1875, but his sons continued the separate business commenced by him until 1888. After the dissolution of the partnership Loring Goes built the extensive factory at Cots Square, and took into partnership his son-in-law, Melvin 0. Whittier, who continued with him until 1886. In 1888 the interests of Loring Goes and of the sons of his deceased brother in the wrench business were united, and incorporated under the name of the " Worcester Wrench Company." The Goes screw-wrenches were patented in 1841, 187.5 and 1876. They have a world-wide reputation, and the sale must be immense. The factory buildings are pleasantly located on the margin of the picturesque sheet of water known as "Cots' Pond," which furnishes a part of the needed power. The buildings are extensive, and it is one of the busiest places in ever-busy Worcester.

life has been so filled with private business operations on so large a scale could spare much time for the public service. Yet Mr. Goes has done well his part. For several years he served as a member of the Board of Aldermen and of the Common Council. He has been a Representative in the General Court for two terms, and his financial ability has been in requisition as a director in the City National Bank for more than thirty years, and he has honorably filled many other positions of trust and responsibility.

Charles H. Morgan

Charles Hill Morgan, an eminent mechanical engineer, has, for more than a quarter of a century, been prominent in the industry of wire-rod rolling and drawing in America. For the greater part of this time he was general superintendent of the Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Company, thus having been identified with the development of probably the largest wire manufacturing establishment in the world.

The Morgan family in the United States are descended from the three brothers, James, John and Miles, natives of Wales, who in 1636 came to Boston.

James settled in Connecticut, John in Virginia, and Miles joined the party that, under the lead of William Pynchon, settled Springfield. The descendants of the three brothers are numerous, and have a proud history in the various fields of commerce, mining, manufacturing, warfare, politics and law.

Charles Hill Morgan is a direct descendant in the eighth generation of Miles Morgan. He was born January 8, 1831, at Rochester, N. Y. His father, Hiram Morgan, was a mechanic in wood-working. His mother - Clarissa Lucina Rich, daughter of Dr. Noah Rich, of Penfield, N. Y. - was a woman of superior ability and force of character. Hiram Morgan moved to Michigan, and, finding the climate unfavoralle, returned to Massachusetts and settled in Clinton. The advantages his son Charles h.ad were such as the common schools fifty years ago afl'orded. His best schooling was at Lancaster Academy, under the charge of Isaac Woods.

When fifteen he began to learn his trade in the machine-shop of his uncle, J. B. Parker, builder of machinery for Bigelow Bros., the founders of manufacturing in Clinton. Mr. Morgan became interested in mechanical drawing, and requested John C. Hoadley, the civil engineer of the Clinton Mills, to give him lessons in mechanical drawing. Mr. Hoadley, though a busy man, engaged in large enterprises, kindly received and granted the request. Those thirteen lessons did more than any one thing for Mr. Morgan. Mr. E. B. Bigelow, knowing of these lessons, encouraged Mr. Morgan and loaned him mechanical books from his private library. In 1852, when twenty-one, Mr. Morgan was put in charge of the Clinton Mills dye-house. He devoted himself to the study of chemistry with great zeal, and filled his new position with entire success, and gained valuable experience in the management of subordinates.

The same year he was married to Harriet T. Plympton, of Shrewsbury. Their children were C. Henry and Hiram Plympton. The latter died in infancy.

For a time Mr. Morgan was draughtsman for the Lawrence Machine Company. Later, from 1865 to 1860, he was mechanical draughtsman for the distinguished inventor and manufacturer, Erastus B. Bigelow. In association with him and Charles H. Waters, the agent of the Clinton Wire-(^loth Mills, Mr. Morgan gained an invaluable experience and may be said to have been trained in a hive of invention.

Mr. Morgan introduced a system of designing and constructing cam curves for looms. This system proved of great value and was later the subject of a valuable paper read before the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and subsequently published by Mr. Morgan in pamphlet form.

In 1860 Mr. Morgan joined his brother, Francis Henry Morgan, in Philadelphia, and was for two years engaged in the manufacture of paper-bags. Mrs. Morgan died in 1862, and in 1863 Mr. Morgan was married to Miss Rebecca Beagary, of Philadelphia. Their children are: Harriet, Charlotte, Paul and Ralph.

In 1864 Hon. Ichabod Washburn was in need of a superintendent for his works for the manufacture of wire at Worcester, Mass. His friends at Clinton, engaged in the manufacture of machinery and wirecloth, warmly recommended Mr. Morgan. Mr. Washburn accordingly engaged Mr. Morgan as superintendent of manufacturing for the firm of Washburn & Moen. Four years later, when a joint-stock company was organized and incorporated under the name of the Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Company, Mr. Morgan was general superintendent. He made seven difierent trips to Europe for the purpose of visiting the mills of England, Belgium, Germany, France and Sweden. From these visits, from publications devoted to wire manufacturing, and from patents issued both in Europe and America, he kept himself informed of all changes made or improvements adopted. The fruit of this devotion was seen in the increased excellence, variety and amount of the company's manufactures. He was for eleven years one of the directors of the company.

An advance step in the wire business was the improvement of the continuous rolling-mill, designed and constructed in Manchester, England, in accordance with the designs of Mr. George Bedson and under his supervision. This continuous rolling constituted a great advance on the ordinary rolling previously practiced. After starting the Bedson Mill in 1869, it became evident that its production was limited by the imperfections of the ordinary hand-reel.

Mr. Morgan's first important improvement was a power-reel operated by the engine driving the mill ; the second one, the invention and construction of a continuous train of rolls, having only horizontal axes. The first continuous rolling-mill had alternately horizontal and vertical axes. Experience has shown that this mill, consisting of a series of horizontal rolls with intermediate twisting or turning guides between the rolls, giving the metal one-quarter of a turn in its passage from one pair of rolls to the next, was far superior to a mill with alternate horizontal and vertical rolls. Nine years after the construction of the Bedson Mill, another mill, from new designs furnished by Mr. Morgan, was built on the Belgian and continuous plans. This mill, the result of Mr. Morgan's ."studies, was known as the Combination Mill. The next improvement suggested by Mr. Morgan related to automatic reels, with a vertically moving platform. These reels were completed and a successful test made Maich 10, 1886, and patent applied for later in the same year. They are now in use at the company's works.

Since severing his connection with the Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Company in 1887, Mr. Morgan has been consulting mechanical engineer of the American Wire Company, of Cleveland, and lias there introduced new and valuable inventions. In 1889 he completed and put into successful operation at Dollar Bay, Michigan, a large copper mill, for the owners of the Tamarack Mine, one of the mines producing the famous " lake copper," so highly prized for electrical purposes.

In 1868 Mr. Morgan designed, and Milton P. Higgins made drawings for, the first direct hydraulic elevator introduced into New England. This lift was built for a new form of annealing furnace in the Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Company's works. Mr. Higgins made valuable improvements in these hydraulic elevators, and they have ever been a most important part of the work done by the Washburn Machine Shop.

Mr. Morgan's great force of character has not been wholly confined to the above-mentioned pursuits. He has been engaged in religious, corporate and educational enterprises in the city of Worcester. He has been an earnest Christian worker in the Sabbathschool, Young Men's Christian Association and the church. He was one of the founders and deacons of Plymouth Church. For years he has been a director of the First National Bank, and president of the Morgan Spring Company.

It has been granted Mr. Morgan not only to bear a leading part in the wire industries of America, but, in his capacity as trustee of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, to render aserviceof signal importance. It is probable that of these two services the last was the most indispensable. Economic interests would have called for some man to develop the wire industry, but rarely would another be found under whose

In March, 1886, the Hon. Ichabod Washburn made his gift to establish the machine-shop and working mechanical department of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. That shop was to be unique in its plan. It was, to all intents and purposes, to be a business establishment and not a school. The coming of the students into the shop for instruction was to be an important feature, but a feature added to an establishment complete in itself without the students. One of the trustees of the Institute, who has served as a trustee from its founding, says:

" I regard the service of Mr. Charles H. Morgan as one of the most important benefactions ever conferred upon the people of Worcester. When Deacon Washburn endowed the machine-shop connected with the Worcester County Free Institute of Industrial Science, now known as the ' Polytechnic Institute,' everybody who took an interest in that school felt the gravest anxiety as to the result. Deacon Washburn was getting to be an old man, and his health was feeble. So far as the trustees were informed, there had been no instance in this country, and very few in the world, where an institution of education had conducted profitably a manufacturing establishment, unless the work were of the simplest and cheapest character. To undertake the management of a machine-shop, requiring a high degree of skill, and to make costly and complicated machinery, such as engine-lathes, was a most hazardous experiment.

Deacon Washburn recommended to the trustees to elect Mr. Morgan as one of their associates, with the expectation that he would give the shop the benefit of his great mechanical genius and large experience.

Deacon Washburn died before the establishment was fully under way. Mr. Morgan's sagacity, his constant oversight, his inventive genius and his great business capacity have been constantly at the service of the school. The machine-shop has been entirely successful, and is now recognized everywhere as a most important and valuable part of the institution. Its plan has been copied far and near. I will not say that no other person could have been found under whose guidance that shop would have been successful, thereby contributing the largest part of the success of the school itself, but I have never known or heard of a person who would have done it, and certainly what has been done there is largely his work."

Mr. Morgan's election as trustee took place February 27, 1866. The walls of the Washburn Machine- Shop were about half finished when Mr. Washburn was stricken down with his last sickness. To Mr. Morgan he gave the charge of finishing the shop and equipping it with machinery ready for use. He also commissioned him to select a superintendent of the shop, Mr. Morgan chose Milton P. Higgins, a graduate of the Chandler Scientific School at Hanover, N. H. Mr. Washburn seat Mr. Higgius' name to the trustees, who elected him superintendent. From the outset Mr. Morgan and Superintendent Higgins have insisted upon having every equipment of the best quality and the best tools only used for work of the highest standard. Much of what has been accomplished in this real business shop for the practice and instruction of mechanical engineers is the outcome of Mr. Morgan's co-operation, supervision and support. No fame is more sure than that of a benefactor of a well-rounded institution of learning, certain to live and repeat its beneficent influence age after age. Mr. Morgan's title to the grateful remembrance of the students trained in the Washburn Machine-Shop will strengthen as the years go by.

Samuel E. Hbywood

The portrait in this volume which bears the signature of "Samuel E. Heywood " presents the wellknown features of a strong, earnest man, whose native force of character has made him one of the recognized factors in the industrial growth and substantial progress of this community, from the Worcester of a generation ago to the Worcester of to-day. Of stalwart physique, and a natural dignity of presence, he unites with a quiet but resolute bearing, a kindliness of manner born of quick sympathies and a generous nature. A man of strong convictions and unflinching moral courage, he has been largely honored with the confidence of his fellow-citizens, and has filled such ofiices of public trust as have come tohim, without the sacrifice of his sturdy self-respect and characteristic devotion to his own principles of life and conduct. One of the old-time Free Soilers, his first vote was cast for James G. Birney, and it naturally follows that he has been a life-long Republican. He was a member of the Common Council in 1859, and of the Board of Aldermen in 1860 and '61. In 1873 and '74 he was again elected to the Common Council, and was the presid^ent of that body the latter year. In 1875 he represented the city in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and was re-elected for the two succeeding terms 1876-77, serving on the Railroad Committee in each session. During the latter session he was an early and efficient advocate for the election of Hon. George F. Hoar to the United States Senate, and rendered valuable service in that memorable contest. Always a stanch temperance man in precept and practice, he has always shown an uncompromising devotion to the cause of temperance, and a marked absence of those time-serving traits which sometimes determine the " availability " of a candidate for political honors.

This fact, however, has not prevented him from rendering valuable service to the State for the past ten years in connection with the administration of the system of State Charities of this Commonwealth.

In 1877 he was appointed a trustee of the State Reform School at Westboro' aad he was one of the seven trustees retained by the Governor out of the whole number of twenty-one, when, in 1879, the State schools at Monson, Lancaster and Westboro' were consolidated under one management by an act of the Legislature. This position he held until 1888, and to its duties he gave much thought, and showed a sympathetic feeling for unfortunate youth, and spirit of generous helpfulness towards these wards of the State.

In business life his record is that of a successful man, whose steady progress from the start has been due to habits of industry, thrift and temperance, supplemented by more than the average amount of energy, enterprise and sagacity.

Although not generally known, it is a genealogical fact that Mr. Heywood shares a somewhat distinguished ancestry. Samuel R. Heywood was born in Princeton, Mass., Nov. 24, 1821, and was the second son of Ezra and Dorcas R. Hoar. Ezra Hoar was the son of Captain Stephen Hoar, and his father was Daniel Hoar, a native of Concord, Mass., who removed from that town early in life and became one of the first settlers of Westminster.

Captain Stephen Hoar was one of the leading business men of the town, and married Hannah Wood, of Westminster, whose family was also one of prominence in the northern jjart of Worcester County.

Ezra Hoar, the son of Captain Stephen Hoar, married Dorcas, the daughter of John and Dorcas Roper, the latter a daughter of Col. Timothy Kilburn, of Sterling. Both the Roper and the Kilburn families were held in high esteem in Sterling in their day and generation.

In 1848, these children, six sons and three daughters, by the authority of the General Court of Massachusetts, approved by the Governor, May 10, 1848, changed their family name from Hoar to that of Heywood.

The subject of this sketch spent his early years on his father's farm in Princeton, attending the district school in the winter season until twenty years of age, after which he continued his education for two terms at the Westminster Academy, the expenses of which were defrayed by his own earnings. These years, spent among the rugged and fruitful hills of Princeton, rooted the habits of industry, self-reliance and simple taste, and laid the foundation upon which he has builded a useful and successful life.

On leaving the academy he entered the service of E. D. & E. A. Goodnow, who manufactured shoes and carried on an extensive country store business in Princeton. In August, 1848, he engaged in the country store business on his own account, as a partner in the firm of Heywood & Warren, in Hubbards- ton, and at the end of three years he bought his partner's interest and continued to carry on a large and prosperous business until January, 1855.

In the month of February following, Mr. Heywood removed to Worcester, and became a partner of E. A. Goodnow, under the name and firm of Goodnow & Heywood, and buill up an extensive business in the wholesale and retail trade of boots and shoes. This partnership was dissolved in 1856, Mr. Heywood taking the retail department, and doing a successful and increasing business until 1864, when he sold out and began the manufacture of boots and shoes, in which he has since been constantly engaged. No house stands higher in the quality of its wares, which of late years have been extended to the finer grades, and the annual product has in some years reached half a million dollars.

In 1879 Mr. Heywood erected the Wachusett building on Winter Street, which is one of the largest and best equipped boot and shoe factories in this region.

The firm of S. R. Heywood & Co. was incorporated in 1883 as the Heywood Boot and Shoe Company, with Mr. Heywood as president, and is still so continued.

In financial matters Mr. Heywood holds an important place in the confidence of his fellow-citizens. He has been a director of the Central National Bank since 1865, and was a charter member of the People's Savings Bank, organized the same year. He has served as trustee and on the Board of Investment and finance committee of the People's Savings Bank for the twenty-four years of its existence, and has been its president since 1885. He is also a director in the Cotton and Woolen Mutual Insurance Co. of Boston.

Formerly connected with the Salem Street (Congregational) Church, he has been prominently identified with the Plymouth (Congregational) Church since its organization, active in matters pertaining to the building of that edifice and the financial management, and especially interested in lifting the burden of its deb(, toward which purpose he was a most generous and cheerful giver.

Mr. Heywood married Harriet Butler, daughter of Z. T. Milliken, of Chelsea, in June, 1856. Five children - three sons and two daughters - have been the fruit of this marriage. Two sons are now living, Frank Everett and Albert Samuel; the former (Harvard College, 1882) is now the treasurer of the Heywood Boot and Shoe Co., and the latter is a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, '87.

Benjamin Booth

Mr. Booth ia another of Worcester's citizens who, though not native-born, have added largely to her renosvn as a manufacturing centre by their ingenuity, skill and industry. He was born in Manchester,

England, on the 3d of March, 1831, and came to the United States when nine years of age. He lived in Fall River, Bristol County, until the great fire of 1843, by which his home was destroyed and everything pertaining to it lost. After several changes of residence he settled at Lawrence, in Essex County, and became connected with the Pacific Mills as an engraver. His fidelity and ability were recognized, as was shown by his rapid promotion to positions of trust and importance. He was made superintendent of the company's telegraph, water and fire apparatus and general supervisor of their property. As a citizen he was very popular, being elected superintendent of the Fire Alarm and chief engineer of the Lawrence Fire Department, which offices he held eleven years.

It was in 1870 that Mr. Booth made his permanent residence in Worcester, being employed by the Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Company, and was soon made superintendent of their Quinsigamond Works, which position he still holds.

He grew up to be an ardent lover of American institutions, and though by no means an aspirant for political honors, has been willing to do his part in the public service. He is a Republican so far as party affiliation is concerned. But his popularity with his fellow-electors evidently rests on his integrity of character, his prudence and conscientiousness, rather than on any party consideration. In 1880 he was elected a member of the City Council from a ward that is at all times overwhelmingly Democratic ; and in 1882 he was again elected, thus serving four years. In 1886 he was elected alderman, having no opponent ; and to the same office he was again elected in 1888, receiving a larger majority than was ever given a candidate for the office who had an opponent.

The school education of Mr. Booth was good - quite suflicient as a foundation on which to build that after-superstructure reared day by day by reflection, association with people of culture and the reading of instructive works. He has been somewhat of a traveler, having twice visited Europe, first in 1867 and again some twenty years later. These visits, though not, perhaps, for the ordinary purposes of pleasure travel, but rather as a refreshing pilgrimage to the scenes of his early days, were well calculated to infuse new energies and impart new ideas, such as are ever circulating in so busy and so progressive a place as old Manchester. The return of Mr. Booth from both of his European trips was celebrated by his fellow-citizens by testimonials of such a character as to leave no doubt of the warm place he held in their affections.

seems not difficult for one who follows his career and marks the elements of his character, to determine to what points his success is, in a great degree, attributable. We all have good intentions and aspirations ; but indolence and indifference keep many lagging behind them. Mr. Booth's habits are neither indolent nor indifferent, but alert, watchful and interested in whatever promises healthful advancement. Some are sharp and unscrupulous, and by pursuing questionable ways lose the confidence of those with whom they have to deal. He has not been one of these, but conscientious and fair-dealing to the degree that wins confidence and esteem. Some, by undue parsimony and little ways of selfishness, loosen the bonds of good-fellowship ; but he, by open-hearted and openhanded ways, makes friendships on every side. Some possess a haughty bearing and repellent manners, but his bearing is unassuming and his manners complaisant. In short, it may be remarked that such characteristics as he possesses will surely, under all ordinary circumstances, lead to popularity and success.

The two portraits of father and son, which accompany this sketch, represent the second and third generation of a family which has been prominently identified with the marvelous development of the carpet manufacturing industry for over fifty years, and may be considered to rank among the pioneers of this branch of manufacture in this country.

The present representative of the family, Wm. Jas. Hogg, the proprietor of the Worcester Carpet Company, is not a native of the city or State, but is one of the many enterprising young men whose brains and capital have been attracted to Worcester as a promising field for business enterprises, and a desirable place of residence, and whose skill and energy have aided in making the city a great manufacturing centre.

William Hogg, the father, was born in Philadelphia September 3, 1820, and died June 8, 1883. He married Catharine L. Horner, the daughter of an old and well-known Philadelphia family, who still survives him.

William James Hogg is the eldest son of this union, and has four sisters living. He was born in Philadelphia June 5, 18-51, and was educated in the schools of that city and Lafayette College, Easton, Pa.

The genealogical record of the family in this country begins with William Hogg, a wealthy linen manufacturer, born in Scotland, who came to this country early in the present century and settled in Northumberland County, Pa. His son, William Hogg (2d), a stanch Scotch Presbyterian, removed to Philadelphia when a young man and engaged in the manufacture of shawls and other woolen fabrics, and in 1832 he began the manufacture of carpets.

At that time this branch of industry was in its infancy in this country, and many of the present carpet manufacturing concerns in Philadelphia date their origin from this house, where their founders were employed in various capacities.

The business became prosperous, and in 1846, having amassed a competence, he withdrew, and was succeeded by his son, William Hogg (3d), who continued the business, in connection with a younger brother, James, until 1850.

This partnership was dissolved in that year, and the business was thereafter conducted and enlarged by the senior through many prosperous years.

In July, 1879, he came to Worcester, and, in company with his father, bought the Crompton Carpet Company's plant, on Russell Street, changing the name to the Worcester Carpet Company, the firmname being William J. Hogg & Co. William J. retained his interest in the Philadelphia house until 1882, when he withdrew from that firm and bought out his father's interest in the Worcester Carpet Company, becoming the sole proprietor.

He built a new mill in 1883, enlarging the weaving capacity of the mills one-third, and in 1884 he added to this plant the factories known as the Pacachoag Worsted Mills, and engaged in spinning his own worsted yarns. In 1885 this spinning plant was further enlarged to meet the demands of the rapidly growing business.

The product of the Worcester Carpet Company's Mills is Wiltons and body Brussels of the finer grades, and is sold to the trade direct, through the company's own agents. The business has been steadily prosperous from the start, and now gives employment to about 350 operatives, producing about 15,000 yards of carpet per week, and this product finds a prompt market all over the United States.

In addition to the carpet mills, Mr. Hogg, in company with Herbert L. Stockwell, bought the property known as the Stoneville Mills, Auburn, in 1887, which were refitted and furnished with new machinery for the manufacture of worsted and woolen yarns under the name of the Stoneville Worsted Company. The product of these mills is sold to the carpet manufacturers of Philadelphia and elsewhere, and gives employment to 150 operatives, nearly all of whom reside in the village of Stoneville, in cottages, all of which are owned by the company.

Like his father, who was largely interested in real estate in Philadelphia, Mr. Hogg has for several years been a large investor in building lots in the southwest section of this city, where he owns large tracts of land, which he has improved b^' opening new streets and building a number of modern houses for investment.

believer in the principles of protection to American incUustries. He is a member of tlie Masonic.order, and ranks as a member of the Royal Arch Chapter of Philadelphia.

Though not yet forty years of age, he has already won a prominent place in business circles, chieily by his own energy and enterprise, and is widely known as a successful manufacturer, a liberal and publicspirited citizen and a genial gentleman.

William H. Jourdan

In the present instance only "a plain, unvarnished , tale" is permitted, for wherever William H. Jourdan is known at all, he is known as a modest man, too honest and sincere in his nature and habit to covet or tolerate even the most artfully disguised form of

William Henry Jourdan's life, from his birth in the neighboring town of Grafton down to the present time is an open record of an honorable and successful business man, whose original stock in trade consisted chiefly in that old-fashioned lamily legacy, - personal industry, honesty and brains.

Thus equipped, it is not strange that he lias earned a large measure of success and an honorable recognition in the ranks of Worcester's respected and substantial citizens. ,

The general verdict of a man's contemporaries - it such a many-sided expression were possible - during his life would be a truer estimate of his real worth than the glowing memorials which find their way into the obituary columns of the newspapers when a good citizen or a great man dies.

Tried by this standard, the quiet, genial, unassuming and generous traits of William Henry Jourdan would call forth a practically unanimous tribute ot good-will and esteem from his fellow-townsmen, and a hearty assent from a widely-scattered host of friends and business associates.

These qualities of heart and mind, united with rare business tact and sagacity, sound judgment and a conservative, yet by no means narrow, temperament, and above all, an unswerving fidelity to his own convictions have won him their natural rewards in firm friendships and easy fortunes, during his long and steadily successful business life.

In brief outline the record of his early years is that of the typical New England-bred boy and man. Born in the rural but thriving town of Grafton

At the age of fourteen his school-days ceased and he went to work with and for his father, with whom he remained, after the good old-time custom, until he was " twenty-one."

In October, 1847, having arrived at man's estate, he came to Worcester and entered the service of the Providence and Worcester Railroad as a passenger conductor, in which capacity he remained until January, 18.J0, when he was pr..moted to be the general agent of that corporation at Worcester.

After thirteen years of faithful and efficient service as agent, he resigned the position September 1, 1863, to engage in his present business, having bought of Thomas Sutton his interest in the wholesale and retail coal trade, established then, as now, in the Lincoln House block on Main Street.

For many years Mr. Jourdan was the sole proprietor of this constantly growing business, which has kept pace with the city in its growth from a population of less than thirty thousand in 1863 to that of over i eighty thousand, during the last quarter of a century. I The present firm of William H. Jourdan & Co. was formed in 1885 by the admission to partnership of his only son, Mr. William S. Jourdan, who had been identified with the business since 1872, and Mr. William G. Strong, who has been associated with Mr. Jourdan during the whole period, and had previously served for several years in the office under Thomas

The firm is to-day probably the largest wholesale and retail house of its kind in the State, and in the magnitude of its annual transactions is second only to one of the many great manufacturing corporations

He has, however, been called to serve two full terms on' the Worcester Board of Aldermen, from 1873 to 1877, where he rendered able and valuable service during those trying years of financial disaster and hardship.

For more than twenty years he has been a director of the Worcester National Bank, succeeding Governor Lincoln on that board, and for the past sixteen years he has been one of the trustees of the Worcester County Institution for Savings.

He has also been a director of the State Mutual Life Insurance Company for many years, and served several terms on the Board of Direction of the Manufacturers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

Mr. Jourdan comes from sturdy New England ancestry on both sides. His mother, Susan Adams, was of the historical Adams family, her father being a cousin to President John Quincy Adams.

This branch of the Jourdan (or .Jordan) family settled in Connecticut; another in Maine, from which Eben Jordan, of Jordan, Marsh & Co., of Boston, is a direct descendant ; a third in Virginia, now repre- | sented by (ieneral Jordan, of Confederate fame; and a fourth in Ohio.

William Henry .lourdau was the eldest of five children - one daughter and four sons - born to David and Susan, and married Emily Boyden Saunders, - deceased September l!i, 1871, - the eldest daughter of Esek Saunders, of Saundersville, whose line runs back to Roger Williams, of Rhode Island.

Previous to the death of Mr. Jourdan's father, in 1884, at the ripe age of eighty-six, the family gatherings included four generations of male rei)resentatives in direct line of descent, from David to Harry Putnam Jourdan, only son of William, now eight years of age.

At the age of sixty-two years the present head oi the line is still in daily attendance at his office and now, as ever, a peace-loving man, who, in all his long business career and extensive dealings with men and affairs, was never sued, or (with a single trifling exception) ever brought a suit in court; never failed to meet every financial engagement promptly, and was never known to deny an honest and deserving appeal for help or charity from his fellow-man.

The picturesque town of (Trafton (known since the colonial days as one of the " Praying sections " of the Indian Apostle Eliot), essentially a farming town, but long since noted for its product of men born with in its borders who have gone out to join in the great conflict in life, and by their own efforts have helped push the world along, and become distinguished.

Jerome Wheelock, now so widely known the world over as the inventor of the Wheelock Engine, and the subject of this sketch, was born in Grafton, June 20, 18.34. His parents were Daniel and Susan Pratt Wheelock.

One of a family of six, raised to hard labor and few opportunities, attending the common schools of the period, he received such education iis the limited terms could supply to a youth who was inclined to original investigation and to do his own thinking.

A noteworthy event of young Wheelock's life was the seceding from the parental home and effectually concealing his whereabouts against the most strenuous efforts at discovery, sustaining his position until his independence was established.

The natural bent of his mind was soon gratified through the influence of the Hon. Abraham M. Bigelow, by a situation in the Taunton Locomotive Works. Here he remained and served a full apprenticeship, and started on his career with the following endorsement from the management of the locomotive works : "' A good mechanic, steady, honest and of industrious habits," from the locomotive works young Wheelock went out, turning his attention to the practice of the steam-engine, and locating in various points. Ample and interesting material would tempt to a long description of his early mechanical life; but the limits of this sketch will not admit.

He came to Worcester in IS.'iS. Subsei|uently, while engaged with the Washburn Iron W<jrks of this city, he invented the now widely celebrated Wheelock Steam Cylinder Packing, which soon commanded such recognition among steam users that it became necessary to make arrangements for its extensive manufacture. Accordingly, the firm of Wheelock ife Wheeler (a co-partnership with Mr. (Uiarles A. Wheeler) began the manufacture in 1865. By the death of Mr. Wheeler, in 1867, Mr. Wheelock assumed the business and rapidly developed several inventions.

In 1870 he removed to the shops on Union Street, where the Wheelock Engine was first manufactured, and where, in the struggle for existence for almost a decade, there was a striking illustration of " one hand washing the other," the success of many smaller inventions making money to be spent in the experiments of developing the Wheelock Engine. Long and patiently was the labor carried on.

At length, by a few devices full of that simplicity that always characterizes valuable thought, the machine was completed. The fullness of his success is best attested by the universal applause bestowed on his work by the highest grade of mechanical experts in all parts of the world. At international expositions the Wheelock Engine has been a prominent feature, and at every contest has been victorious. The American Institute of New York, in 1875, awarded Mr. Wheelock the great gold medal of progress (the only one ever given for a steam-engine, and considered a great honor). He also received the medal and diploma of the Centennial Exhibition, Philadelphia, 187(5.

The Paris International Exposition of 1878 awarded Mr. Wheelock the grand prize, the only one for a steam-engine, and one of eight coming to this country.

The First International Millers' Exposition at Cincinnati, in 1880, offered a large award for the best steam-engine. Mr. Wheelock entered the Wheelock Engine, and, after a severe contest with the best known types, came off' victorious, and received what is admitted to be the finest award in existence.

From this the growth of the engine l)usiness was rapid, and the improvements and inventions of Mr. Wheelock have been hailed almost with acclamation throughout the mechanical world. At London, Edinburgh iind Brussels, where foreigners have exhilaited, the Wheelock Engine has received large gold awards.

In addition, and no less flattering, liave been the encomiums bestowed in more private ways by the most competent judges and experts in all countries where machinery and mechanical principles are best understood.

The late Colonel Forney, in a letter to the Philadelphia Pm-i from Paris, spoke very highly of the engine exhibited by Mr. Wheelock, and of the many favorable notices of it, and relates a conversation with a son of Mr. Wheelock, a lad of sixteen, who was in sole charge of the engine.

" Your father," he remarked, as he took the hand of the youth, " has given you a prouder name and a richer heritage than any king could give his son ;" and a prominent writer, noticing Colonel Forney's remarks, adds : " Without quarreling with that proposition at all, and speaking within the sober limits which history is bound to prescribe to itself, there is no doubt that Mr. Wheelock has placed his name high on the roll of distinguished mechanics, whose works adorn their country and their age."

In November, 1855, Mr. Wheelock entered Franklin Lodge of Free Masons, and since has passed through all the successive degrees to the thirty -second. He is a member of the Worcester County Mechanics Association, the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics' Association, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Institute of Mining Engineers, and in 1879, after his success in Paris, the Iron and Steel Institute of Great Britain made him a member without solicitation, a conspicuous honor much appreciated.

In June, 1858, Mr. Wheelock married Lydia Ann Robinson, a native of Concord, Mass., a daughter of Henry and Myra Robinson. Five children were born - four boys and one girl. Three have died, two sons are living.

In 1888 the local business carried on in Worcester was merged into a corporation, Mr. Wheelock desiring to be relieved of the local management, the better to enable a more extended development of the usefulness of his inventions.

Several large steamers, having their engines constructed on the Wheelock system - notably one of the Long Island Sound steamer.?, the " Connecticut," has engines of six thousand horse-power of the Wheelock system, while some of the largest manufactories in the world are being operated by this system. Recently a two thousand horse-power engine was sent to India (o operate a 100,000 spindle mill for an English house.

In politics, Mr. Wheelock acts with the Republican party. Although often urged to take an active part in public office, he has left that for others. Striving for his success in his chosen profession, he has not been diverted by " pyrotechnics, " but, doing right for right's sake, with truth, sincerity and integrity, coupled with a firm reliance on a kind Providence for his religion, few people ever attain a more wide or enviable reputation.

Stephen Sawyer

Stephen Sawyer, son of Alvin and Sarah (Newton) Sawyer, was born in Berlin, February 22, 1813. His childhood life was in a quiet family of a quiet country town. He was the youngest of six brothers - all reared in industry and the common school. Two younger sisters settled in Worcester; Mrs. Julius L. Clarke and Mrs. E. S. Brigham.

Stephen Sawyer was diligent in scholarship, and in early manhood took on him the respimsibilily of schoolmaster which he bore very creditably. Industries of the farm and some mechanical labor gave him such support as satisfies many young men. He identified himself early in religious interests and the church ef his fathers. In this he stood in company with a goodly number of other young men. Most of these cast in their lot with their fellow-townsmen. This outlook was not wide enough for the inherent business impulse of young Sawyer. The stir of mercantile life was more congenial to his inspirations, and more promising to his hopes. Against much sincere and earnest advice he chose to cast himself into " business life." That was the day when H. B. ClaHin had inaugurated a new order of business into the already vigorous blood of Worcester merchants. Sawyer's ideas of what a business life is, grew upon him. He found an ojiening in the liveliest house in Worcester County. Indeed, for life and energy, we might say, in the Commonwealth. Outsiders heard of it as "dusk." But its foundations were solid business principles. Worcester soon took knowledge of H. B. Clafiin. The country did, finally. Mr. Sawyer obtained there a position which met his aspirations. AVhen Mr. Claflin sought his wider field, Mr. Sawyer was retained as salesman in the succeeding firm, Hurdon, Hunt & Brown. The firm was soon reconstructed with JNIr. Sawyer as partner, B. L. Hurdon & Company. In that firm Mr. Sawyer was well-known in all the heart of Worcester County. He stood on the same ground, as it were, from 1841 to 1856. At this date, through ill-health, he retired from active business; but in sympathy still with the life of the city.

After ten years respite and recui)eration, his business trend led him into partnership with T. A. Clarke, and E. W. Ball, who bought the stock of crockery, china, glassware, paper-hangings, etc., of John Firth & Company, and rented the store they occupied in Flagg's Block. They .soon out-grew their accommodations, and rented two large stores in Taylor's buildings. A few years more, and these premises were again too small, and with George Richardson included in the firm, and E. W. Ball retiring, they

No greater assurance of a high-minded and energetic business liouse can be given than constant increase of trade. Clarlie, Sawyer & Co. occujiy more floor-room and transact a larger wholesale and retail trade than any other hou.se of the kind in Massachusetts outside of Boston.

Increased public appreciation of Mr. Sawyer's integrity and business talent is manifest in his being chosen director in the Worcester Mechanics" National Bank, al.so in the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company, trustee in the Worcester Five-Cent Savings Bank and one of the aldermen of the city during the mayorship of Jillson, Pratt and Kelley, together with other important trusts. Starting in life without money or influential family friends, whatever success he has attained, is but one instance amonjr many, showing the jjossibililies that are within the reach of every young man.

Mr. Sawyer's first marriage took from his native town one of the choicest young ladies of one of the best families, Lucy Fairbanks, daughter of Deacon Oliver Sawyer. Her very early death was a common grief. A second happy connection was formed in marriage, December 2, 185S, with Miss Mary W., daughter of Silas and Silence (Pierce) Bigelow, ol Worcester. Mr. Sawyer has often very generously aided the church of his fathers.

Henry Salem Pr.Vtt

Henry S. Pratt, the senior member of The Ware- Pratt Co., is a successful business man whose claim to this title does not rest wholly upon the magnitude of the firm's business, or the amount of his private fortune.

His success, and a modest competence, have been fairly earned by the gradual |)rocesses of steady and intelligent application to business, courage and enterprise in his methods, simple tastes and habits, and a keen sense of the value of a sound reputation for honesty and fair dealing. To summarize the stages of his business career, and to give the picture in outline, we have, a country-bred boy at the age of twelve years at work bottoming lioots with his father, in the summer, and attending the village school in winter until his seventeenth year. At seventeen, beginning life in Worcester, working for his board for several months in a retail shoe-store; later, employed in a dry-goods house for two years, and then finding his level and life-work as a salesman in the clothing trade. Ten years later a partner in the firm, and tor the past twenty years the head and controlling spirit of one of the largest firms of manufacturing and retail clothiers in central Massachusetts. To lend a touch of commercial romance to the picture, we add, that he counts among other substantial rewards, the ownership of the Hillcroft farm, a valuable suburban property, on which he has lately built a fine private residence, and the Chadwick building, one of the handsome, modern business blocks on Main street, which he built a few years ago on the same site where he resolutely began life in Worcester as a boy, working for his board in the retail shoe-store.

The record of the present firm of The Ware-Pratt Company begins with A. P. Ware & Co., one of the pioneers in the ready-made clothing trade of the city, with whom Henry S. Pratt begun as salesman in 1855.

In January, 1866, a branch firm, under the name of Ware & Pratt was formed, the management of which was entrusted 'to the junior partner, Mr. Pratt. At the end of three years the two firms, A. P. Ware & Co. and Ware & Pratt were consolidated under the name of Ware, Pratt & Co., Mr. Pratt assuming the burden of the active management of the then struggling enterprise. The new firm at once moved the business from the Paine block to the First National Bank building, incurring a heavy rental for the times, aud began that year, 1869, the manufacture of clothing in connection with the retail trade.

In 1871 Mr. A. P. Ware retired from business and a new firm was formed undfer the same name, consisting of Henry S. Pratt, Edward T. Wardwell, and William W. Johnson, by whom the business was successfully continued for seven years, when Mr. Johnson's interest was bought by Mr. Pratt and Mr. Wardwell.

On the death of Mr. Wardwell, in 1880, Mr. Johnson returned to the firm, taking charge of the custom department, Mr. Pratt continuing to be the general manager of the large and steadily growing business.

.lanuary 1, 1888, a stock company was formed, and the business incorporated under the name of The Ware-Pratt Company, with William W. Johnson as president, Henry S. Pratt treasurer, aud Charles E. Black as secretary, a part of the capital stock also being apportioned among the faithful salesmen and attache's of the house.

The firm manufactures the greater part of the ready-made clothing sold over its own counters, furnishing employment to a large force of workmen the year round.

At the age of fifty-three Mr. Pratt is still the active manager of the business aud the undisputed possessor of a good name, which stands for business integrity, modest worth and an upright life wherever he is known among men. He has been, for several years, a director in the Citizens' National Bank.

Henry S. Pratt was born in Brookfield, Mass., November 18, 1886, but was reared from infancy in Charlton, his father's native place, to which town the family returned the year of Henry's birth.

Captain Joseph Pratt, the father of Salem, was an officer in the War of 1812, and his father was a fullblood Indian of Maine, whose copper-colored skin and long black hair were distinctly remembered by the third generation.

In politics Mr. Pratt's sympathies have always been strongly Republican, but political ambition was an element entirely foreign to his nature, and his business cares have left him no time to cultivate this disquieting guest of a mind serene.

Mr. Pratt married, December 24, 1857, Melora Fletcher, of Worcester, and the Chad wick building derives its name from the maternal side of lier family.

Colonel Frep. W. Wellinoton

Colonel Fred. Williams Wellington, the youngest son of the late Tiraolhy W. Wellington, of Worcester, and the great-grandson of Captain Timothy Wellington, of Lexington and Revolutionary fame, is the only representative of this once large family now living in this city.

Timothy W. Wellington, his father, removed, with his family, from Shirley, Mass., to Worcester in 1855, and was an honored and exemplary citizen here until his death, on the 2r>th of August, 1884.

The record of T. W. Wellington's earnest, helpful and kindly life is still fresh in the memories of many of his fellow-townsmen who shared with him in the growth and prosperity of the city for nearly thirty years of his active citizenship.

As a fitting tribute to his memory, in these pages, we quote the following extract from an extended notice published in the Gazelle on the day of his death :

[From tlie Worcesiei- Ereuing ''iazetie, August 20, 1SS4.] Timothy W. Wellington \v,is an energetic, public-spirited man during his active life, and wae engaged in almost every enterprise designed to develop Worcester or add to its credit. He served at various times as alderman and in the House of Representatives of the General Court, being while there a member of the Railroad (Jomniittee, and one of its most useful members. lie was for years a director in the First Xational Bank and the First National Fire Ir.surance Company, and a trustee of the People's Savings Bank. In all bis business and public relations he was prompt and faithful, and his integi'ity was above reproach. He was proud of his good name, and of the good opinion of men, which he enjoyed in a larger degree than falls to the share of most businessmen. He was intensely pat.iotic, and the fact that he was Lexington born wa-s always a source of great pride to him. At the centennial of the battle of Lexington lie manifested great interest and reprinted, at his own expense, an edition of Hon. Edward Everett's oration at the dedication of the monument to the Revolutionary heroes there. He was intensely stirred at the outbreak of the war, and e.xerted himself to the utmost, not only to aid in the raising and forwarding of troops, but in caring for them in the field and for their families at home. His ample means were always held ready to aid soldiers, ami he scattered money for tliem with a genei'ous hand. All through the war he was working for the soldiers aud he made numerous trips to the front to care for Worcester soldiers, and on every occasion he was lavish in his expenditure for their welfare. Two of his sons lost their lives as soldiers, - one in Andersonville Prison, - aud another died from the efTects of army life after his return home ; another also saw service in the navy. His devotion to the soldiers continued after peace was declared, and Post In, G. .\. R., has many reasons to honor and bless his memory. He was among the first to enlist in the State Guard, the home-guard of the war, and was always eager to follow the flag and show his devotion to it. For several months he maintained, at his own expense, a private hospital for the care of soldiers on Ma.son street in this city.

Mr. Wellington was for many years very prominent in the Miisonic fraternity. He took his Blue Lodge degrees in Morning Star Lodge, in this city, in 1857; was a charter member of Montacute Lodge, 1858, and of Athelstan Lodge, lSt;5. He was also a member of Worcester Royal Arch Chapter, of Worcester ('ounty t^onimandery of Knights Templar, of the Lodge of Perfection of the Scottish Rite, a charter member of Lawrence Chapter Rose Croix, and of Goddard Council, Princes of Jerusalem, and a member of Boston Consistory, 32°. He was an honorary member of his lodge, chapter and temple at the time of his death. For many years he was Treasurer of the director.^ of the Masonic Fraternity here, and was one of the three who presented the great chandelier in the Templar rooms in the Masonic Hall. Mr. Wellington was a zealous and public-spirited citizen, a generous friend, a kind neighbor and a man whose charity found numberless channels for its bestowment of which the public nevei'knew. His hanil and his heart were always open, and his memory will be cherished by very many who have had reasons to bless and honor him. His death will leave an impressi(>n on many hearts not easily effaced.

Col. Fred. W. Wellington, the son, whose portrait is given in this volume, was born in Shirley, Mass., May 31, 1851, and is the proprietor of the large wholesale and retail coal business, built up under his own management during the last twelve years, and known as the firm of Fred. W. Wellington & Co.

Brought to Worcester when a child of four years, he began his education in the public schools of the city, and with the exception of two years spent in the schools of Germany and France and one year's absence in California, his life has been spent here.

He began his business life at the age of seventeen years as book-keeper in the First National Bank of Worcester, from June, 1868, to October, 1869, when he entered his father's coal-office, taking charge of T. W. Wellington & Co.'s Southbridge Street coalyards. In November, 1871, he went to California, but returned the following .lune to enter the reorganized firm of T. W. \Vellington & Co.

He withdrew from this firm in 1874 and became associated with J. S. Rogers & Co., in the retail coal trade for a year, and in 1875 he formed a partnership with J. S. Rogers and A. A. Goodell, under the same name, for the purpose of conducting a strictly wholesale trade in coal.

In 1876 this firm was changed to A. A. Goodell & Co., J. S. Rogers retiring, and in 1878 Col. Wellington withdrew from this partnership and bought the new Hammond Street yard, and began the wholesale and retail coal business on his own account. The following year the two firms were merged in one, under the name of Fred. W. Wellington & Co., Col. Wellington being the sole owner of the present large and growing business, with extensive yards on Htimmond Street.

Colonel Wellington has been an active member of the State militia since Marcli 27, 1882, when he was commissioned second lieutenant of Battery B, Mass. Light Artillery, Unattached. January 22, 1883, he was promoted to be first lieutenant, and to the captaincy and command of the battery September 29, 1884, and under his efficient leadership the corps maintained high rank in the State service. In January, 1887, he was promoted to be assistant inspectorgeneral on the stafl' of the commander-in-chief, (iovernor Oliver Ames, with rank of colonel, which position he still holds.

The military instinct is a family inheritance, dating back to Captain Timothy and Benjamin Wellington, both of whom were members of Captain Parker's company at the battle of Lexington, Benjamin being the first prisoner of the Revolution, having been captured by the Kings's troops early on that eventful morning, but later rejoined the com))any. Captain Timothy Wellingloii, the direct ancestor of this branch of the Wellington family, was a descendant of Roger Wellingtcm, one of the proprietors of Watertown in H10;>, who later removed to Boston.

Four brothers of Col. Fred. W. were in active service on the Union side during the Civil War, two o( whom gave their lives for the cause. The same patriotic ardor which inspired them, and made him the drummer-boy of the State Guards, First Company, from 1861 to 1865, would doubtless have led him to distinction, or a soldier's grave, on the battle-fields of the Rebellion had he been born a fewyears earlier.

Col. Wellington has also been somewhat active in politics, and took a prominent part in the memorable Tenth Congressional District contest between two factions of the Republican party in 1887. He was a member of the executive committee of the Republican State Committee for two years (1887-88) ; chairman of the Fourth Republican Senatorial Committee for the same years ; and secretary of the Tenth Republican Congressional District Committee from September, 1886, to September, 1888.

In the Masonic order he is a member of the thirtysecond degree Massachusetts Consistory, Scottish Rite, and Worcester County Commandery, Knights Templar.

Fred. Williams Wellington married, September 4, 1883, Lydia A., widow of General Ar.hur A. Goodell, formerly colonel of the Thirty-sixth Massachusetts Volunteers.

Sumner Pratt

The family of Mr. Pratt was of English descent. His father, Elias Pratt, Jr., was a farmer in Oxford, Worcester County. His grandfather, Elias Pratt, commanded a company of militia during the Revolution, remaining in service till the close of the war. His mother was Sally Conant, a daughter of Dr. Ezra Conant, of Oxford, and a lineal descendant of Roger

Sumner Pratt, the subject of this sketch, was born in Oxford on the 30th of September, 1809. His education was obtained in the common schools of that day, where, it will he borne in mind, the discipline was of a severely practical kind, little of the speculative or ideal then being countenanced.

When he was about eight years old the family removed to Sutton, in which place, upon coming of age, he commenced his prosperous business career. Tn 1844 he removed to Worcester, where he established the business of equipping cotton and woolen-mills with machinery and supplies, in which he was eminently successful.

Worcester was long years in attaining the position it now occupies. And the extended business life of Mr. Pratt enabled him to follow the city's development from a secondary town to its present commanding position - a development in which he acted a no inconsiderable part.

Without entering into the details of Mr. Pratt's business life, let it sim|)ly be said that his career was marked by industry, integrity and sound judgment - qualifications that never fail of suitable recompense in the world of trade. He was ever prompt in fulfilling engagements, even those deemed of trivial import, and methodical in all his ways. To an eminent degree he enjoyed the reputation of being a rdiable man, and that means a great deal.

But aside from his business relations, Mr. Pratt was belli in high esteem for his graces of character ; for his high sense of the duty of man to man, and his constant endeavor to exemplify the .same in his own conduct ; for the uniform courtesy towards all classes that marks the true gentleman ; and above all, for his truly Christian principles.

Sumner Pratt was not much in what is called jmblic life, for he was of a somewhat retiring disposition. He was a member of the Common Council some three or four years, and served as alderman two years ; was a trustee of the Worcester County Institution for Savings, and vice-president of the People's Savings Bank ; a director of the Worcester Safe Deposit and Trust Company, and at one period president of the Board of Trade.

In politics he was an adherent of the present Republican party, in which he became enrolled from the old Whig party. But though his principles were well defined, he avoided their enforcement in any ortiensive way; and not aspiring to official position, was usually content that his vote alone should quietly proclaim his affiliation.

Sumner Pratt was twice married. His first wife, whom he married May 19, 1836, was Serena, daughter of Caleb Chase, of Sutton. By her he had two children, Frederick Sumner and Emma Amanda, both now liviug. His second wife, whom he married August 5, IS.W, was Abby Curtis, daughter of Ebenezer

At the time of his decease, January 6, 1887, Mr. Pratt was a few mouths above seventy-seven years of age, and his unexpected death sent a thrill through the community seldom witnessed. In the words of the litany of the church he loved, he had long been accustomed to pray that from sudden death he might be delivered ; and his prayer was answered ; for death is never sudden to one who, like him, is always prepared. Yet, in another sense, his death was sudden, almost instantaneous, the fatal attack being paralysis of the heart.

Mr. Pratt was a man of deep religious feeling and an exemplary member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He long and faithfully served as warden and vestryman in All Saints' Church, and liberally contributed to tlie maintenance of the form of worship in which lie delighted. And it was from that consecrated edifice that his remains were borne to their liiat resting-place. The attendance at the funeral services - which were, of course, after the appointed order of the church - was large and embraced many of the most prominent citizens, as well as a large concourse of relatives and sympathizing friends. The Rev. Dr. William R. Huntington contributed for publication a brief and touching eulogy, a portion of which may appropriately conclude this sketch : " Sumner Pratt was a representative man of whom the city of Worcester had reason to be prond. Integrity was written in the lineaments of his face, and his name, wherever known, carried a great weight of con fidence. . . .' He had, also, the prestige which comes of an attractive mann'jer. There was more cordiality in the grasp of his hand than could have been easily |iut into a sentence. The business which he chose, or, to speak more accurately, which he called into existence, - for the very idea of it is believed to have originated with him, - was one that demanded unflagging personal supervision, and the demand was fully met. Industry he carried almost to excess. For the greater numberof his aotivedays he probably worked twice as many hours as (jur labor reformers think ouglit to be accounted lawful, and yet he throve under it, both in body and mind. His immense correspondence, which he conducted for the most part unaided, proved a sort of education in itself; and he acquired a readiness of expression and clearness of style that would have done credit to a trained scholar. Perhaps his finest trait was his genuine humbleness of heart. There was not a shred of vanity .about him, but, on the contrary, a singular capacity of reverence. This disposition, rare enough under any circumstances, is peculiarly infrequent in the case of 'self-made men.' As a rule they are spoilt in the making. But Sumner Pratt, though self-made, was .as far as possible from being self-conceited. He habitually esteemed others better than himself, often doing so in cases where the impartialobserver wasof adift'erentmind. . . . Both as citizen and as churchman, he has left behind him that beat heritage, a blameless reputation. Young men who are gazing doubtfully at their lives, and wondering what they are likely to make of them, will do well to look and see what Sumner Pr.itt made of his."

Henry Emerson Smith

Colonel Henry E. Smith, of the firm of Childs, Smith & Co., jobbers in boots and shoes, is one of the many patriotic Worcester County boys who shouldered a musket and went to war in the volunteer armies of the Union in 1861.

In his case the military title by which he is generally known is no hollow mockery, but one of several honorable titles, honorably earned either by long and faithful service in camp and field during the ("ivil War, or by subsequent service and prominence in the military organizations of the State.

Of all the honors of rank and title which have been thus earned, the one which he prizes most, and which will live longest on history's page, undimmed by the dust of years, is that of the young and intrepid "color-bearer" of the gallant Fifteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers.

Entering the army as a private in Company F of that regiment, July 10, 1801, his stalwart figure and soldierly bearing speedily marked him for promotion from the ranks, and soon after reaching the field he was appointed color-bearer of the regiment. In this important and hazardous position he won distinction by his coolness and bravery, carrying the flag in all the bloody battles in which the " Old Fifteenth " was engaged, from Ball's Blufl', October 21, 1801, through the disastrous Peninsular campaign (under McClellan), the battles of Centreville and South Mountain, to the field of Antietam, where he was wounded in the leg, September 17, 1802.

The flag-staft', which was shattered at Ball's Blutf, was repaired with thongs until after the battle of Malvern Hill, when he found the handle of a tin dipper, while on a foraging excursion, from which he fashioned a ferrule to secure the fracture in a more thorough manner. This flag-staff, with its bulletriddled ensign, is now preserved in the State-house at Boston, still bearing the ferrule made of the tin-dipper handle and carried by him through the subse- (pient campaigns.

The bullet which disable<l him at Antietam changed but did not stop, his military career. He was sent to hospital in Philadelphia, and when convalescent was assigned to the command of the Hospital Guard at Chester, Pa., where he rem.ained until the spring of 1864. His term of service having then nearly expired, he re-enlisted " for the war" in March, 1804, and rejoined his regiment in active service, and was again severely wounded in the breiLst at the battle of North Anna River, May 20th of the same year.

was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, as mustering officer, at Auburn, N. Y., and on July 4, 1865, he was commissioned as second lieutenant of the One Hundred and Ninety-third Regiment New York Volunteers, and assigned to duty at Wheeling, W.Va., as post adjutant. Later he served as provost marshal at Romney, W. Va., and as assistant superintendent of the Freedmen's Bureau at Harper's Ferry. In tills department he established the first freedmen's schools in Harper's Ferry, Charleston, Martinsburg and Smithsfield, W. Va.

Since the war he has served in the State militia of Massachusetts as second and first lieutenant of Battery " B," Massachusetts Light Artillery, for four years, and in 1886 he was elected lieutenant-colonel and commander of the Worcester Continentals, an independent military organization of high character in the city of Worcester.

In 1878 he became a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, and at the annual meeting, June 7, 1885, he was elected first lieutenant of that honored and exclusive veteran organization. On the death of Commander Trull, November 21, 1886 (the first commander to die in office since the corps was organized in 1638), Lieutenant Smith succeeded to the command, and presided at the two hundred and forty-eighth anniversary of the corps, in Faneuil Hall.

Two years later, June, 1888, he was elected captain and commander, and during the past year has had the distinguished honor to command the oldest military organization in the country on the occasion of its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, celebrated last June, and made memorable by the presence of a notable delegation from the parent corps of London, England, and observed as a general holiday in Boston.

In civil life Colonel Smith is widely known as a successful bu.siness man and a genial gentleman. He was born in North Brookfield, Mass., April 26, 1841 ; was educated in the common schools of the town, and began life in earnest, at fifteen years of age, as a shoemaker in his native town, where he worked at his trade until he left the shop for the battle-field in 1861. Benjamin Smith, his father, the son of Isaac Smith, was a native of Canterbury, N. H., and married Mary E., daughter of Nathaniel Smith. Her mother, nee Susannah Bartlett, of North Brookfield, is still living at the age of ninety-seven year.s.

At the close of his long service in the army Lieutenant Smith returned to North Brookfield, and in September, 1866, he came to Worcester, and engaged as a traveling salesman with the well-known boot and shoe firm of S. R. Heywood & Co., manufacturers and jobbers. In 1870 he became a partner, succeeding to the jobbing l>usiness of S. R. Heywood &. Co., under the firm-name of A. J. Stearns & Co.

Later the business of this firm was consolidated with that of B. W. Childs & Co. (1874), under the name of Childs, Smith & Co., the present firm, in which he is a partner. The house does a large and successful jobbing business throughout the New England and Middle States in the general line of boots, shoes and rubbers.

Colonel Smith married Abigail C, daughter of Benjamin Nevin, of Ogsdenburg, N. Y., December 8, 1868, who died June 28, 1880, leaving three children, - two sons and a daughter. His second wife was Mary C. Wilson, of Worcester, whom he married April 26, 1882, and by whom he has two sons.

In politics he is a Republican, active, but not aggressive, preserving in all the relations of life the same manly and genial traits which have won him the respect and regard of his comrades in the army and a host of warm friends in business, military and social circles wherever he is known.

Ransom C. Taylor, of Worcester, Mass., was born in Winchester, N. H., February 24, 1829. He is a son of Charles Taylor, of Winchester, and is the sixth of nine children. His mother's maiden name was Susan Butler, a daughter of an old citizen of Winchester, where the ancestors of both of his parents had lived for several generations. When Ransom was four years old, in 1833, his parents removed to Northbridge, Mass. There, when of sufficient age, he attended the common-schools of the village and assisted his father on his farm and in the meat business, in which his father was engaged.

When he was seventeen years old he left home, and began business for his father in Worcester, manufacturing neats-foot oil, glue-.stock and tallow, and dressing tripe for the market. He had been in the city only a short time when he had the typhoid fever, and was obliged to return home to rest and regain his ^health. The next year, being then eighteen years of age, he bought his time of his father for three hundred dollars, and went to Sutton, Mass., where he engaged in business similar to that of his father on his own account. He remained in business there four years. In 1850 he married Miss Mary Louisa Chase, an accomplished and excellent daughter of Capt. Abraham Chase, of that town. At the age of twenty-two he removed to Worcester, where he has since resided, carrying on for several years the same business that he had followed before.

His business grew to be the largest of its kind in this part of the country. Besides his establishment in Worcester, he had branches in New York City, Milford, Randolph, Taunton, Springfield, Hartford,

New Haven, Troy, Albany and other places. When he began business he employed only two men and used two horses, but his trade increased so much that at one time he required one hundred men and as raanv horses. While thus engaged in business he began investing in real estate, and after he had been in Worcester about twenty years he disposed of his extensive business before-mentioned, and turned his whole attention to transactions in real estate.

His first purchase was the Newton estate on Front Street, now owned by Dr. F. H. Kelley. Much of his capital is invested in large buildings in the centre of the city, especially on Front and Main Streets; among the best known being the Taylor building, the First National Bank building and the Chase building, all of which are ornamental to the city. He built the first five-story, six-story and sevenstory blocks in Worcester. Mr. Taylor was one ol the originators of the First National Bank and was one of the directors of that corporation for about twenty years. He was also one of the original stockholders of the First National Fire Insurance Company, of which he has been a director and large stockholder ever since.

Mr. Taylor's wife died in the year 1878. In 1880 he married Mary S. Stevens, daughter of Merrick R. Stevens, a flour merchant of Newton, Massachusetts. He has four children by his first wife - two sons and two daughters ; and by his second wife a son and a daughter. The two older sons are associated with him in business. Until 1883 Mr. Taylor lived at Quinsigamond Village, where he had built for himself a large and handsome bouse, but in that year he purchased the Dr. Kelley mansion, on Main Street, where he now resides.

When be came to Worcester the population of the city was about seventeen thousand. He has been identified with its growth until the present time, it being now a city of eighty thousand inhabitants. He has never sought office, and with the exception of two years, when he was a member of the Board of Aldermen of the city of Worcester, has not held public office. He is positive in his political views, but has not been a very active politician. He does, however, take an active part in local affairs in the city, and was a contributor to the fund recently raised to procure the new location for the post-office in the city. It was largely owing to his influence that the new site for it was selected. He is a lover of fine horses and enjoys driving his speedy and handsome teams. Mr. Taylor is a conspicuous example of what may be accomplished in New England by energy, industry, economy and perseverance. Starting in life without the advantages of education, except such as he obtained in the ordinary public schools in the small village where he was reared, he early manifested that aptness for business which gave assurance of success. He early acquired confidence in his own judgment as to business enterprises, and he possessed the courage

His operations in real estate have been large and equally successful. His purchases were followed by an advance in the market value of the estates purchased. These continued successes of his various branches of business have raised him from a poor boy to be one of the most wealthy men in the city. Popular rumor classes him among the millionaires. His success under difficulties is proof of his sagacity and the soundness of his judgment.

Possessing an accurate and retentive memory, he has been able constantly to carry in mind his numerous business transactions without much trouble of making entries on books - an advantage easily appreciated.

He is eminently a self-made man. It may be said of him in the words of Shakespeare, " Not propt by ancestry, neither allied to eminent assistants, by the force of his own merits he makes his way." Until quite recently Mr. Taylor was an attendant at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Worcester, and has been a liberal contributor to its support. He has also contributed in aid of the Whitinsville Methodist Church. His father was a prominent Methodist and contributed largely to aid in the building of a Methodist church in Winchester.

James Anthony Colvin

Mr. Colviu was born in Cranston, R. I., on the 20th of June, 1833. His fiither's name was Caleb Colvin, and he was a descendant from John Colvin, who settled in Rhode Island near the close of the seventeenth century.

The education of Mr. Colvin was gained at the common school, where his quickness of apprehension and application as a scholar made him proficient in the limited studies of such schools at that period. But whatever deficiences existed at the time he left school were soon supplied as he went out into the world; so that now few men, aside from those who are in what is called professional life and actual students of the times, stand before him for general intelligence, and that shrewd use of knowledge that always leads to success. But the success attained by Mr. Colvin is by no means to be attributed solely to shrewdness and industry, but in a large measure to that unswerving integrity of character and manliness that have all along marked his course.

Mr. Colvin's firet experience in the work of life was on the home-farm at Cranston. There he labored till eighteen years of age, when he left to learn the iron foundry business, and soon became so skillful that in 18G3 he was able to commence business on his own account, which he did with his brother Caleb as a partner at Danielsonville, Conn. In about two and a half years after this commencement he purchased his brother's interest and continued on for some two and a half years more, when his establishment was burned. Though crippled by this disaster, he was far from being discouraged; and after duly considering the matter, determined on removing to Worcester as affording a more extensive field for contemplated future operation. Thus he became a resident of Worcester in 1868. In the business here he again formed a partnership with his brother, a partnership which continued twelve years. After that period James A. Colvin, the subject of this sketch, commenced on his sole account, and has continued to conduct a large and prosperous business to the present time. The reputation of the products of his foundry in the markets of the country is second to none; but the excellence of his products is not the ouly'element of thrift, for his promptness and fair dealing have had their deserved influence. But the writer of this sketch has received a caution from Mr. Colvin not to give a word of undeserved praise - a caution which he feels bound to respect, though perhaps it was unnecessary, as he would not knowingly, in any case, bestow unmerited adulation, nor, especially, undeserved censure. In public affairs Mr. Colvin has never been conspicuous, preferring rather the quiet duties and enjoyments of home life when not engrossed by the cares of business. He is a reader of good books, historical, biographical and similar works, seldom wasting time over the ephemeral literature that at this day falls in such showers from the press, and which is .so repugnant to the taste that is disciplined for the useful and dignified.

In Ids religious views Mr. Colvin ranks with those now commonly known as liberal, in distinction from those of the old Puritanical and Trinitarian theology. And in politics he liolds allegiance to the principles of the present Republican party.

Mr. Colvin has been twice married. His first wife was Amy Ann, a daughter of John C. John.son, of Natick, R. I., the marriage taking place January 21, 1854. His second wife was Anna, a daughter of Francis Lee, of Montpelier, Vt., the marriage taking place January 20, 1 869. By his first wife he had two sons and one daughter ; and by his second wife he had two daughters, all of whom are now living.

William Henry Sawyer

It would be unseemly, even were it proper, in a work like that now in hand, to indulge in personal comparisons ; to show wherein this or that one is superior or inferior to some other. Such comparisons, of all others, are odious. But it is not invidious to remark of one possessing the characteristics of the individual whose name appears above, that he stands in the front rank of Worcester's most active, enterprising and successful citizens.

Mr. Sawyer is a native of Bath, N. H., and was born August 8, 1843. Like so many of the smart sons of New England, who, from humble conditions his education was gained chiefly in the common school, though he was for a while a pupil in the Newbury (Vermont) Seminary. Yet he by no means came from the humblest rank, for his father was a well-todo farmer, and the owner of many lumber producing acres, in laboring upon which the son commenced that course of training which finally led to the high j position in the lumber business he" now occupies^ position the most commanding of any in the trade now in Worcester, if not in all New England. The following statements found in an interesting and valuable little work published in 1888 Ijy F. S. Blanchard & Co., of Worcester, in the form of an almanac and county-hand book, give in a succinct form a view of Mr. Sawyer's progress in the lumber business: When he had attained his majority, "he and his brother started the lumbering business for themselves, building, a saw-mill, from which they turned out products for quick shipment to the cities. This was followed for several years and then, after visiting several cities to decide upon a location for establishing a retail lumber trade, William H. came to Worcester in 1870, and formed a partnership with Mr. Joseph Chamberlain in the lumber-yard on Grove street. He retired from the firm at the end of the first year and started for himself on Lincoln street." And he seems to have located on the very spot where the first business of the kind was started, in 1685, by Capt. John Wing. He was successful beyond expectation! " But it is not as a retailer of lumber that Mr. Sawyer has accumulated his handsome fortune. He early foresaw the advantages of handling on a large scale the lumber from the great forests of Michigan aud Wisconsin, and ^the pine centres of Canada, and in 1877 established a wholesale lumber-yard at Tonawanda. New York, a few miles from Buffalo, and in 1880 established another yard at Bay City, Michigan. He also went into the forests of Tennessee and Kentucky for white wood, and into other Southern States for black walnut, shipping the products to the Middle and Eastern States. He was one of the first to ship white wood from Tennessee to Massachusetts. He did an immense business when the prices of lumber were high, and he reaped the benefit of his industry. He has consolidated his Bay City yard with that of Tonawanda, which has a capacity for thirty million feet of lumber, and employs one hundred men, all lumbering."

Mr. Sawyer enjoys an enviable reputation for honesty and fair dealing, as well as for readiness to lend a helping hand in all approved enterprises. And his abundant means enable him to indulge his natural inclination to liberality in aid of the worthy objects of charity so constantly presented. In the furtherance of missionary work he is especially interested. But he is not one to make an ostentatious display or obtrusive boast of his good deeds.

seems never to have entered into an undertaking that was not successful - at least where he had a controling influence ; a fact which will naturally be attributed to his uncommon shrewdness, forecast and energy. Another element of success has been his habitual reticence concerning hi.s business affains. Still another, and, without doubt, one of the chief elements of success, is his promptness in meeting appointments and obligations of every kind. He is not one to put oft" till' to-morrow a duty that can as well be done to-day, in this differing from a great many business men who allow that arrant thief - procrastination - to steal so much of their suKstance.'

In public life, at le.ast so far as official position is concerned, Mr. lawyer has not been conspicuous, his inclinations never leading in that direction. He, however, accepted the office of Alderman of Worcester, and now, 188S, occupies a seat with that honororable board.

A good part of his few vacant intervals of lime he spends in reading, and keeps well posted on the current events of the day. In historical researches he delights, and in books of permanent usefulness. But novels and similar light literature he eschews. He is accustomed to spend, as far as other duties will allow, his evening hours at home in reading and tireside recreation, seldom appearing in the club room or other outside place of entertainment.

Mr. Sawyer has been twice married. His first wife, with whom he was united January 4, 1870, was Miss Sylvina T. Child, of Bath, N. H., a lady belonging to one of the leading New Ham|)shire families. He had a daughter by her, and Imtli mother and daughter died in 1872. His second and present wife was Jliss Fanny A. Weld, an intelligent and estimable lady. Their marriage took place in May, 1874, and the fruit of this second union is four daughters and one son, ail of whom are now living.

In bis religious views Mr. Sawyer ranks with the Trinitarian Congregationalists, in that respect adhering to the old paths of the New England fathers. In politics he is a pronounced adherent of the Republican party.

' The writer is aware that the Webaterian doctrine teaches the contrary, tliiit is, never to do to-day what can be put oft" till to-morrow. The lute John CJlen King, of Salem, who was a personal friend as well as legal brother of Hon. Daniel Webster, many years ago related to the writer a scene which took jdace in one of the higiier conrts. Mr. Webster v/iis counsel in an important case, and when it was called he arose in all his dignity, and much to the surprise of all, moved for a continuance. " Whj', Mr. Webster," said the .ludge, " for what reason do you make such a motion ? The parties, witnesses and council are all hero, ready to go on. I am surprised at your motion, aiul must ask for some substantial reason. The homely old maxim, ' Never put off till to-morrow what can be done to-day,' is a good one and worthy of application in this case." Upon that Mr. Webster, in his most solemn and measured tones, thanked tlie court for reminding him of the maxiui, that was at least venenible for its years, but begged leave to remark, that wise as it appeared lie was accuHtomed to follow one that seemed better fitted to his own habits, and that was, never to do to-day wliat could be put off till to-morrow. "Well, well," Mr. Webster, replied the Jnilge, "the Court and bar will never iloiibl that you have faithfully folluweil the teaching of your maxim. The case must go on."

Joseph Mas8A Bassett

Mr. Bassett was born in Eden, Vt., on the 31st of August, 1834, and was a son of George Bassett, a farmer of that place. His education was obtained in the common school of that period, in which, if there were not such a variety of studies pursued as is the case at this day, elementary instruction was given with a thoroughness not now excelled.

From the time he was able to make his services of value, till the age of sixteen, he led the life of a farmer-boy, and in that capacity secured the benefits of one of the most healthful and freedom-inspiring of all employments.

In April, 1851, when but sixteen years of age, he came to Worcester, and found employment in the manufacturing establishment then known as Court Mills for about six months, until compelled by failing health to return to his country home. After a few months, his health having been restored, lie entered a country store, where, for two years, by dealing in all sorts of merchandise and with all sorts of people, he gathered an experience that in after years, as he entered upon a more extended and complicated business career, proved of very great advantage. Few situations are better calculated to develop the business capacity of a youth than a New Fingland country store. The dilapidated little shoj) in old Danvers where the celebrated London banker, George Peabody, began his business life was lately to be seen, if it is not still grimly smiling there.

In March, 1854, Mr. Bassett again came to Worcester as an incipient adventurer in trade, and from that time Worcester has been his home. His first employment was in a lumber yard, where he remained for a year. After that, for eight years, he was bookkeeper in a manufactory of woolen machinery. His next step was to become a partner in the old firm of E. C. Cleveland & Co. At the end of four years he disposed of his interest to Mr. Cleveland, and lor a year was in the wool business, with a partner, under the firm-name of Bassett & Hobbs. He then returned to his old business of manufacturing woolen machinery, and again formed a partnership with Mr. Cleveland, the style of the firm being Cleveland & Bassett. The firm met with difficulties and losses to such an extent th.at in about two years a failure took place.

It was in .luly, 1870, th.at the firm of John.son & Bassett was formed, and pursued the manufacture of wool-spinning machinery. The partnership continued till the death of Mr. .Tohnson, in March, 1880. ;\Ir. Bassett tlien purchased from the heirs of liis late partner their interest, and has continued the business to the present time. Under his sole management it has become extensive and prolitable.