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

From this brief sketch of the businesscareer of Mr. Bassett it will be seen that he has had his sliare of ui)s and downs. But early hardships and later reverses have not discouraged him, and at the present time he is reckoned among the many prosperous and substan- tial men of whom Worcester has reason to be so justly proud - men who, by their various industries are daily adding to her wealth, and extending her credit and good name.

But Mr. Bassett has not been through life so absorbed in business as to forego the advantages and deny himself the pleasures of travel. Not only has he visited nearly all the important cities and places of special interest in our own country and Mexico, but in the far north of Europe has witnesssed the wonderful spectacle of the midnight sun, and in the fiimous cities of other quarters of that continent has seen the triumphs of art and the varied phases of social life.

Mr. Bassett is not a politician, as the term is usually applied, but has decided opinions, and is not backward in expressing them. He is a strong Republican and accepts in full the doctrines they advocate. He has not been an office-holder to any great extent, though for six years he served as a member of the School Board, a position he cheerfully accepted for the opportunities it afforded to do something for the advancement of education among all classes; and his efforts in the office won the approbation of those who placed him in the situation where so much sood could be accomplished.

On the lUth of April, 1857, Mr. Bassett was united in marriage with Elizabeth Kennan, of Vermont, and five children have been born to them - three sons and two daughters - but of the children only two sons are now living.

Mr. Bassett is still in healthful and active life, and there is good ground for hope that he may live for many years, by his ingenuity and accumulating skill, by his vigor and enterprise, adding more and more to the already famous industrial specialities of good old Worcester.

Ivee Johnson

Worcester has been noted for the character and ability of its prominent business men, especially in the manufacturing industries. The men who led in the transformation of the sleepy country village into the bustling growing city, were the foremost in courage, enterprise and sagacity. Early in the history of the city men often said where are we to look for successors to the Washburns and Wheelers of the generation then passing away ? But they were answered with such names as Crompton, Walker, Moen, Knowles and many others, men who have even exceeded in achievements the leading actors in the earlier generations. Indications are not wanting that we are still evolving from the new generation of business men captains of industry with the spirit and energy of the great ones gone before.

Of this new generation, and notable in it in many ways, is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Johnson was born in Nordfjord, Norway, February, 14, 1841. His father was John Johnson, a farmer, one of a line of Johnsons reaching back for a thousand years, who from father to son, handed down the some narrow acres on which they had lived and died. But Iver was not exactly " a chip of the old block." His ambition reached out beyond his meagre surroundings, and at the age of sixteen he lefthome to serve as an apprentice at gun making in Bergen. His only opportunity for education had been the parish school for three months of the year, but this was afterward supplemented by the instruction received in Sundayschools, institutions which in Norway combine secular with religious teaching. His life in Bergen was a hard one, with longer hours of labor than were ever known in this country for mechanical work. Toil from 5 A.M. to 9 P.M. in summer, and from 6 A.M. to 8 P.M. in winter, was a great tax on human endurance. But as it was then the common lot of the toiler nothing better was expected, and it was borne uncomplainingly.

In 1862, having finished his apprenticeship, Mr. Johnson went to work at his trade in Christiania. Here he remained but one year. The fame of the newer land beyond the seas, with its wonderful possibilities had reached the ears of the young mechanic, and in 1803, at the age of twenty-two, he emigrated to America, and located in Worcester. He was of the vanguard of the great army of Scandinavians which has since been moving across the borders of the land which recent historical research has proved their ancestors discovered.

If in number like an army, in no other respect does the likeness hold, for they came to build up, not to destroy. Their power is felt in increased material wealth and in moral example. " Purer manners, better laws " must inevitably result from the infusion of this wholesome Northern blood into the arteries of the national life. He came at a time when the country was engaged in the deadly struggle of the Rebellion, but found no difficulty in getting work at his trade, and to it he devoted himself assiduously for the next eight years. His opportunity had come and he knew how to improve it.

In 1871, with the small savings of industry and economy, he, in company with Martin Bye, hired a small room on Church Street, and began the manufacture of pistols under the firm-name of Johnson, Bye & Co. From this small beginning grew the great business which has since, in busy times, employed three hundred and fifty hands. In 187.S the firm had so outgrown its accommodations as to necessitate removal to the building on Central Street, known to old residents as the " Armsby Building,'' then owned by H. H. Bigelow. They took two rooms and employed about fifty hands. In 1875 they bought the building, and, as the business continued to grow, took room after room, until, in 1881, they occupied the whole of the building. In 1883 Mr. Johnson bought the interest of Mr, Bye, and the business has since been conducted by him under the firm-name of Iver Johnson & Co.

He now manufactures single-barrel breech-loading shot-guns - top, side and hamnierless-action ; revolvers - single, double and hammerless-action ; singlebarrel pistols, air-guns, police goods, handcufTs, legirons, balls and chains, police hooks, chain twisters, iron plates (for carpenter's use), and bicycles, most all under his own patents. He also does drop-forging of all kinds, polishing and nickel-plating. The firm have made many improvements on their goods, and have built many new machines for their manufacture. Mr. Johnson devotes himself closely to his business, yet he finds time to take considerable part in public atl'airs, and to meet all the requirements of a publicspirited citizen. He is an intelligent student of social and economic (piestions. He has been for many years a director in the Sovereigns' Co-operative Store, and on the board of directors of each of the three Cooperative Banks of Worcester, since their organization, being the president of one of them.

To the duties of these positions he devotes himself with conscientious fidelity. Such time as he can spare from his exacting business is always at their service, and his advice on all questions relating to the conduct of their affairs is given great weight by his associates.

Mr. Johnson was marrieil in 1<S(!9, and has four children. He lives in a comfortable home, which he built for himself some years since, on Catharine and Chanuing Streets. In 1884 he made a business and pleasure trip across the water, visiting his old home and many of the manufacturing centres on the Continent and in England. Those who have heard him describe what he saw and experienced on his trip, have no doubt that he returned with strengthened regard for the land of his adoption. Recently he was of a committee of manufacturers who testified in relation to tariff legislation before the Finance Cemmittee of the National Senate. Endowed with an active mind and healthy bodily i)owers, he lias great capacity for achievement, and will unquestionably accomplish even more substantial results than have already attended his efforts.

William Henry Burns

Mr. Burns was born in Charlestown, on the historical summit known as Bunker Hill, on the 22d ol June, 1850, and was a son of James Munroe and Catharine Marston Burns. The family is of Scottish ancestry, the Americiln head having come over as early as 1G42, settling in Haverhill, then a new and exposed frontier station.

While the subject of this sketch was yet young the family removed to Somerville, and his education was commenced in the common schools of that place. He afterwards attended the Lowell Grammar and High Schools, and subsequently took a regular business course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Boston. He was likewise a graduate of the .State

Normal School at Bridgewater, and fitted for college, but relinquished the purpose of taking a college course, being urged to at once enter the profession of teacher. He went to Spencer and took charge ol' a district school for the winter and spring terms of 1878-79, and then accepted the situation of principal of a grammar school, and held it till the summer of 1881. When he took the cars for Spencer his pecuniary means were at a rather low ebb for an enterprising young man, being just $3.25. But he had what was of more value than many times that amount of money, - a laudable ambition and unyielding resolution.

It was towards the clo.se of the latter year that he abandoned teaching and commenced that business career for which he was so well suited and in which he has been so eminently successful, his first employment being the selling of goods for an underwear house in Boston.

After spending two and a half years as a traveling salesman, with Mr. John S. Baker, another in the same line of traffic, he conceived the idea of settling in Worcester and starting a small factory tor the manufacture of underwear. The idea was put in force, but for six or eight months they were subjected to much hard work and many anxieties. In 1884 the ])artnership connection vvith Mr. Baker was severed, and Mr. Burns, continuing the business, cmployed him to sell the goods in New York and the West. The business so increased that in three years offices were opened in Boston, New York and Chicago, with a sales-agent in each place. From 1883 to 1887 it was found necessary to increase the factory fioorspaco from lour thousand to twenty-eight thousand feet, and still more was soon found necessary. In 1887 Mr. Harry S. Green, a brother-in-law of Mr. Burns, received an interest in the business. At the present time, January, 1889, the business has attained such magnitude that Mr. Burns has lately erected near the centre of the city a very large five-story brick and stone building, which will give an acre and a (juarter of flooring for their own operations, besides three large stores on the ground-floor, which are designed for wholesale business. They are to remove their business to the new and capacious ijuarters in July next, that month usually being the dullest for business, and hence the most favorable for the interruption of removal.

It need not be repeated that the business of the firm is the manufacture of ladies' and children's underwear. At the jiresent time they employ four hundred hands, and their goods are sold all over the United States. They cut up, last year, over two millions of yards of cloth and millions of yards of embroidery and lace. Their daily capacity is about five hundred dozens of made-up goods, or six thousand pieces. Competition being sharp, they are, of course, obliged to take advantage of every facility that economy can dictate. Their raw material they procure from first hands ; have their own cloths made, and import their laces and embroideries, thus taking ever}' means to put their goods on the market at the lowest possible prices. They largely em|)loy female help, thus furnishing remunerative employment for many who would otherwise be doomed to indigent idleness. One great aid to his success Mr. Burns considers his liberality in advertising. He spends thousands of dollars annually in keeping his name and his business before the |)ul)lic. And another, and certainly not less potent clement, i.s his honest and unsw'erving determination to always give his customers their money's worth.

Mr. Burns has not been much in public life, his time and energies having been almost e.xclusively devoted to business. In his religious views he is firmly established, being of the old Trinitarian order; is a great respecter of the Sabbath and a devotional attendant on public worship.

In politics he is a jjronounced Kepublican, though not blinded by party zeal. He is likewise a strong temperance man, and always found liberal in contributing towards every commendable object of reform and every beneficial enterprise.

Mr. Burns was united in marriage, November 21, 1882, with Annie F., daughter of Henry R. Green, of Spencer. The fruit of the union is two sons, - Arthur Henry and William Russell.

Of the early struggles of Mr. Burns, perhaps a word or two may be added to what has already been said. His mother died in 1860, when he was twelve years of age, and the family were then in rather depressed circumstances. There were five children. P^rom the time of his mother's death he was obliged substantially to provide for himself, as his father was in poor health and died two years later, working liy day and studying by night. He was, however, assisted in gaining his education by an aunt. At the age of fourteen he was working for his board and clothes and winter schooling, and at Ihe age of fifteen he received four dollars a month in addition. At the iige of sixteen he received fifteen dollars a month and board. From this it will be seen with what phenomenal rapidity he progressed, as he now ranks among the most prominent manufacturers, not only of industrial Worcester, but of the whole country. To what is such success to be attributed ? Of course much is referred to boldness in venture, activity and enterprise ; and something, perhaps, to what goes by the name of good-luck. But other and higher agencies have operated - such agencies as are to be found in integrity of character, in fair dealing and in the faithful exercise of the manifold obligations due from inau to man. The good instructions and sound principles instilled into his young mind by his pious mother have borne their legitimate fruit. And surely no well-ordered mind can envy the prosperity of a man like him ; but, on the contrary, feel that in him they have an exemplar worthy of imitation.

George Claekson Whitney

We learn from high authority that ''An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.'' We add, on our own responsibility, that the sum of a well-spent life is not reckoned by years.

George C. Whitney has not yet reached the veteran stage, as his portrait in this volume will attest, and though the hand of Time has dealt gently with him, he has also been "good to himself," as the phrase runs, having practiced life-long habits of temperance and right living.

In the business circles of Worcester he ranks among the young, active and successful forces of to-day, and enjoys many well-de.served marks of public esteem and confidence.

George Clarkson Whitney was born in Westminster, Mass., September 19, 1812. His father, John Whitney, was a native of Westminster, as was also his grandfather, John Whitney, born October 12, 17(59. His great-grandfather, Nathan Whitney, born in England, March 12, 1727, came from England to Waltham, Ma,ss., early in life, and later settled in Westminster. Nathan held a commission as captain under King George HI., but resigned just before the War of 1774-78, and became an ardent patriot. During the winter of 177(5 he had charge of a squad of Dutch (British) prisoners, who were quartered for the season in the old homesteail in Westminster.

On the maternal side the ancestry runs back to both the historic families of P^than Allen and Gen. Warren, of Revolutionary fame. Lydia Allen, the wife of John Whitney and mother of George C, born in Hubbardston September 14, 1802, was the granddaughter of Ephraira Allen, born in Rutland 17(53, who married Lydia Warren, also of Rutland, and removed to Hubbardston.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the district .schools of Westminster until fifteen years of age, and^hen came to Worcester in IS.Wand attended the public schools until admitted to the Worcester Academy in 185(5. He enlisted as a private in Company F, Captain John Baldwin, of the Fifty-fir,st Regiment Massachu.setts Volunteers, Col. A. B. R. Sprague, ami served a part of the time as clerU in the provost marshal's office, under Major Harkness, at Beaufort, N. C, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service. The regiment was in active service in Virginia and North Carolina.

In 186(5 he began business in a small way at 393 Main Street, paying twelve dollars a month rental for a single back-room, where he carried on the manufacture of fancy stationery and lace valentines, from imported stock. Three years later he bought the stock and good-will of Messrs. Berlin & Jones, the largest manufacturers in this line in New York, and removed the whole business to Worcester. These branches have since been continued and greatly enlarged, but about 187(5 he began to add Christmas cards, books and booklets, until this publishing branch has grown to much larger proportions than the original lines. The house now employs from one hundred to one hundred and twenty workmen and women, and has its own departments t'orprinting, box-making and shipping, besides the designing and manufacture of the artistic features of the various publications, by skilled workmen. The product is sold direct to jobbers in all parts of the Union, employing six traveling salesmen, with branch offices at Chicago, New York and Boston.

Besides the.se business activities, Mr. \V'hitney has also found time and enthusiasm for much private and public usefulness and philanthropy in the exercise of higher aims in lite than mere money-getting. He united with the First Baptist Church of Worcester in June, 1805, and has been the superintendent of its Sabbath-school since 1871.

He has been an active member of the Young Men's Christian Association since 18t)4, and presitlent of that organization in this city for four years - 1872 and'73, and 1885 and '80. As a member of the soliciting committe to raise funds for the present new and costly edifice, he rendered zealous and intelligent service, and is an earnest promoter of the work of this association.

State Executive Committee of the Young Men's Christian Association from 1870 to '83 and is a charter member of the Worcester Baptist City Mission Board, and has been its president since 1886.

I In the department of education he has, for ten years, been a trustee of the Worcester Academy, is the secretary of the board and a member of the Executive and Investment Committees.

Always a straight Re])ublican, of strong anti-saloon, no-license convictions, he has been modestly, but earnestly identified with the cause of temperance reform, both as a citizen and a member of the city government. He was in the City Council in 1883 and '84, and was elected to the Board of Aldermen from ^Vard 8 for 1888 and '89. He is a trustee! of the City Hospital, and for several years ha.s been a trustee of the Home for Aged Women.

! 22, 1840, the daughter of Hon. Chas. R. Whidden, born in St. George, New Brunswick, May 22, 1822, the son of General Rendol Whidden. Her mother was Mila Frances Smith (Whidden), daughter of

Hod. Noah Smith, of I'rovideuce, R. I. They have three children - Mila Frances, born April 6, 1871 ; Florence Allen, born September 4,1878; and Warren Appleton, born April 10, 1883.

1. Streams fnun enrtli's most sacreil plarn. Poured at Oread's rocky base, Filled thee with tlin vital force of the planet's deathless course AgsB gone, till thou hadst grown And made the upper skies thine own. And Btill thy tender vernal shoots Take the thrill tliose eager roots Feel, deep hidden from the sun, Where those crystal sluices run.

:i. Long ago, from ambush sprung, Through thy depths the war-whoop rung ! Awful lights about thee blazed When the braves their war-song raised ! Round thee curled white clouds of fleece When they smoked their pipe of peace ! Cobwebs in the vanished gleam, Ijess than shadows of a dieani, Even their dust is blown away, - Thou and thy green branches stay !

Thou hadst known how many springs (If building birds and darting wings When thy great topti caught the fires Of Freedom's sunrise, and our sires For a cause that was the Lord's Turned their sickles into swords ! Tboii, hast seen those conquering men Beat their swords to ploughsliares then. And the hamlet in its health Grow a mighty commonwealth !

Berlin

Business Men. - Our first yimng man who made a business success was Abraham Babcock, son of William, born 1770. He was a tobacconist in Boston. He died in mid-life.

Levi Meriam, son of Levi, born 1781, settled in Boston in the wholesale wine trade 1812. He died 1831. His annual family visit to the old homestead and his "turn out '' were ijuite impressive on his native town, which held him in high esteem.

William Addison Howe, son of Solomon and Sarah (Stowe) Howe, both of Marlboro', wa-s born in Berlin July 4, 18015. He was inherently a " business man." The " heredity " was jirobably of the Stowe blood. His father was a country merchant - groceries, hardware, hats, cotton cloth, calicoes and broadcloth. Young Howe at sixteen bought and sold on his own judgment. A " tavern " was run in connection. The father died at the son's majority ; the mother soon after. He kejit the family of five in home life till his location in Boston as a wholesale dry goods merchant at thirty-one years of age. This ability had come of his own hand in a country store in a town of six hundred inhabitants. He took a younger Itrother from the farm and made of him also a Boston merchant. Aci|uiring reputation as a business man, he left the store to his brother and a partner, and took the i)residency of the Eliot Fire Insurance Company, which soon had an established reputation. In connection he was also elected president of the Eliot Bank. These offices he held till stricken by paralysis, in 1858. His life was prolonged till the 1st of October, 1863. His years of feebleness were spent upon the homestead, which he had sacredly kept. He never married. His last days, though clouded, were enjoyable. His ambition for wealth (he had a competence) was never half so intense as was his desire to stand among the successful business men of Boston. This was the pride of his life.

Solomon Henry Howe, brother to William A., was born November 29, 1822. Reared in the country, he entered his brother's store in 1830. He early developed aptitude for mercantile life ; became partner in his brother's firm and pressed business to a large extent. On his brother's retirement he entered into a partnership - Pierce, Howe & Co. (William P. Pierce) ; later as Howe, Pierce & Co., with a younger Pierce brother. The elder Pierce said that S. H. Howe was the best salesman in Boston. Later he was silent partner in the house organized of his own clerks- Jackson, Mandel & Co. Mr. Howe retired with competence of wealth to a fine farm on Wataquadock Hill in Bolton. He adorned his home and improved his farm ; was prominent in the New England and the Worcester County Agricultural Societies ; was president of the latter. He held various trusts in the town. But his life had been too stirring for the country and leisure. He was persuaded into connection with the B. C. & F. R. R- He was president when the road was extended to New Bedford. The road came to grief and Mr. Howe lost most of his well-earned wealth. But his buoyant nature carried him through the struggle. He was just getting free of legal complications when, February 5, 187!), he was smitten by the family hereditary disease, paralysis, of which his mother, brother and two sisters also died. Mr. Howe was a very genial and most popular man in all the relations of life. He married, 1851, Lucinda, daughter of James Savage, Esq., of Boston, then of Southboro". He left one daughter, Mrs. Leslie Hastings, of Cambridge; three sons - Solomon H., commission agent. New York City; Doctor James 8., of Boston; William Addison, of Oregon. He represented his district in the House 1875.

New Braintree

A partial list of the soldiers in the French War (1755-60), in the regular army for one or more campaigns, contains the names of Edward Blair and Thomas Barnes, corporals ; Oliver Cobleigh, Joseph Gilbert and Pelatiah Ware, privates.

The following enlisted for a shorter term of service : Samuel Steele and Joseph Higgins, corporals ; Eliphalet Ayers, David Barr, Edward Blair, .Solomon Gilbert, Samuel Harrington, Sylvanus Howe, Aaron Forbush, Thomas Weeks, Asa Whitcomb, privates. John Peacock was adjutant in Col. Timothy Ruggles' regiment in the same war.

The following is a muster-roll of Capt. Grainger's company of minute-m<'n that left New Braintree for Boston on the afternoon of April 19, 1775 : Johti

A muster-roll of the company under command of Captain Grainger, in Colonel Learued's regiment, August 1, 1775, contains the following from New Braintree : John Grainger, captain ; Elias Hall, ensign ; Jonathan Stone and Jonathan Wetherell, sergeants; Wyman Hoit, corporal; David Hunter, fifer; Benson Dunbar, drummer, and the following privates : Jonathan Loud, Daniel Corthell, Oliver Ware, Lovel Lincoln, Joslin Munroe, Samuel Shaw, James Weston, Robert Rickey, David Wood, Joseph Steele, William Shaw, Nathaniel Vinton, Pelatiah Hawes, Joseph Hale, Cornelius Cannon, Hugh Mc- Cally, William Steele, John Eyres, Isaac Amsden, Edward Hunter, William Johnson, John Sprague, Timothy Howe, John Hunter, Robert Hoit, William Dickey, Darius Barr. Average term of service, three months, one week and six days.

The following is a list of the soldiers in the Revolutionary War in Captain Dexter's company of Colonel Learned's regiment (term of service, six months): David Bennet, lieutenant; Jacob Gilbert, corporal; Phinehas Warner, Samuel Shaw, Oliver Woolcott, Joseph Swinerton, Jacob Nichols, Salathael Washburn, Philip Delano, Oliver Stone, Aaron Hall, James Stine, Jr., Alexander Dun, James Richmond, Elijah Weston and Joseph Barnes, privates.

Those in Captain Cutler's company of Colonel Drury's regiment (term of service, nine months) were : Simeon Howard, sergeant ; Jonathau Woods, Jonas Woods, Alpheus Warner, Caleb Sturtevant, Levi Swift, Silas Stone, L. Holyard, Jonathan Warner Cushman Edsou, James Richmond and Joshua Whitcomb, privates.

Those belonging to the Fourth Regiment (enlisted for three years or the war) were : John Woods, corporal ; Elias Hall, ensign ; Elijah Stone, Fred. Nichols, Jonathan Waite, Caleb Willis, Timothy Stone, Jesse Willis, William Waite, Thomas Dodge, John Dean, Benjamin Lynde, Nehemiah Ward, Ebenezer Ross, Barzillai Thompson, Thomas Gault, Cornelius Cannon, Stephen Witt, Daniel Hunter, Joseph Nye, Fred. M. Callahem, Cornelius Dillins, Henry Gilbert, Elias Parkman, Robert Hoit, James Forbes, Jesse Hoit, Benjamin Chamberlain, Joseph

Those belonging to General Warner's brigade (enlisted for three years or the war) were : John Crosset, Humphrey AVillard, Reuben Hoit, Levi Winter, Joseph Hale, J. Ayers, Jr., Jacob Nichols, Timothy Howe, James Weston, Aaron Hall, Zebulon Bassett, Benjamin Witt, Peter Whitcomb, Joseph Shaw, Joseph Willis, Jonathan Weston, John Woods, Josiah Willard, John Ayres, James Bell, Edward Hunter and John Dane, privates.

Other soldiers who enlisted for three years or the war were : Elijah Barnes, .lohn Blathews, Isaiah Bacon, Paul Stewart, Robert Washburn, Peter Adams, Samuel Grainger, John Glass and Elijah Weston, privates ; Francis Stone, captain in Gen. Warner's brigade; Wm. Tufts, lieutenant in Captain Knowlton's company in Colonel Dike's regiment; Percy Hall, surgeon's mate in Colonel Learned's regiment ; Ephraim Willard, filer. In the artillery - Daniel Mathews, bombardier ; Thomas Mann, gunner. Two others (Firmie Woods and Joseph Pepper) enlisted for eight months in the infantry.

It is well known that on a return voyage from Havre, in 1832, Professor S. F. B. Jlorse fell into the company of Dr. Jackson, of Boston, who had been in Europe investigating electro-magnetism and had an electric battery on board.

From conversations at that time Morse claimed that he received a sort of inspiration that instantaneous communication could be made by this means to distant points. Arrived in New York, he proceeded to carry out his inspiration. I will quote his account :

"My means were limited. My first instrument was made up of an old picture or canvas frame, fastened to a table - the wheels of an old wooden clock, three wooden drums, a battery of one cup,'' and other details.

During the three years and more that Morse had been laboring to bring out his inspiration he had kept it a profound secret, but now he felt compelled to seek aid, and knowing that Gale was well informed in electro-magnetism batteries, -etc., he invited him to his studio, revealed to him his secret, showed him

Appendix

Gale, who had lately built one for his own use on a newly-invented plan of Professor Henry, of which Morse had never heard, saw at a glance where the defect was. He had it removed to his laboratory, attached to liis own battery and proceeded to operate on Morse's forty feet of wire. The electric transit was instantaneous. Additions continued until Gale had ten miles of wire strung up around his laboratory, and the transit seemed as instantaneous as in forty feet.

After the experiments of Gale Morse felt full assurance of success. He petitioned Congress for aid to build a line from Washington to Baltimore.

On March 3, 1843, a bill was carried through appropriating thirty thousand dollars for an experimental line, tfale was employed as electrician and chief engineer to construct the line. He ran it direct from the halls of Congress to the railway station in Baltimore.

Professor Morse fully admitted his obligations to Professor Gale. In a letter to Dr. Jackson, denying any obligation to him, he says : " I have acknowledgments to make to Professor Sillinian, but I am most of all indebted to Professor Gale for substantial and efiective aid. If any one has a claim to be mutual inventor it is Professor Gale."

He conveyed to Gale a portion of the patent, but purchased it back for fifteen thousand dollars. Professor Gale was through life a devotee to science, and in all the telegraphic experiments, lasting several years, he was more ambitious for its triumph than for fame or fortune. Modest and retiring, he made no effort to bring his name before the public, but was content to remain through life the true friend of Morse, aiding him not only in science, but as an ever reliable witness in court in infringement cases. Morse, in a letter of November 13, 1837, says: "I arrived just in time to seethe experiments Gale was making on ten miles of wire, and the result has surprised us all, and I conceive, settles the whole matter." Morse, when reminded of his obligations to Gale, replied : " I might have obtained the information from some one else."

Leonard Dunnell Gale was boin in that part of Sutton which is now Millbury, July 2."), 180U. He received his primary education from our schools, went hence first to Brown University, then to Union College, where he was graduated in 18li.'). He received the degree of M.D. from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York in 1830. He was professor in the New York College of Pharmacy, professor in .lefferson College, Mississippi, and for a year or two was chemist in the Smithsonian Institute, Washington. He published a work on chemistry and made a survey of Manhattan Island.

assistant examiner in the Patent Office, and was appointed chief examiner in October, 1846. Washington, in those days, was intensely pro-slavery in sentiment. Professor Gale, being opposed to slavery, brought upon himself the ire of that sentiment. He was plied with threats from high official sources. His reply was worthy the heroic Roman consul Regulus : " I can surrender my office, but not my principles." He was accordingly removed from office October 1, 1857, by order of President .Tames Buchanan, who, as Secretary of State in 1846, had confirmed him in his position. He opened his office as counselor of inventors and patents, and received an extensive and lucrative practice.

He died in Washington, October 22, 1883, leaving a wife and a married daughter. His father, Jonas Gale, lived on the farm which was afterwards sold to Elder Elias Forbes. Three generations of Gales lived on that farm.

Holden

The Damos Memorial.' - In 1886 it became apparent that a new school-house must be provided to meet the increasing needs of the Centre District, and although the good people have ever manifested a very liberal spirit in educational affairs, like all New Englanders, each citizen had his own peculiar way as to how to meet that need, and a committee was chosen to investigate and report at a future meeting.

Early in their investigations it was rumored that S. C. Gale, Esq., had purchased a building site adjoining the " Common " for a librarj' building, and upon communicating with him his plans were so far outlined as to assure them that it was the intention of himself and wife, a native of Holden, to erect and present to the town a suitable structure to answer for library and high school purposes, to be known as the " Damon Memorial,"' in memory of Mrs. Gale's brother, the late Rev. .Samuel C. Damon, of Honolulu, Sandwich Islands.

The committee's report, with a letter from Mr. Gale, declaring his purposes more minutely, was read in town-meeting and a vote of thanks passed, and from .luneof 1887 to August, 1888, the beautiful structure arose from foundation to final completion and completeness. In July a committee was chosen to arrange for and have charge of acceptance and dedication of the building, to whom Mr. Gale made known his intention of adding to his already princely gift the sum of three thousand dollars for the purchase of books for a free imblic library., with instructions to have the books upon the shelves on the day of dedication.

Mr. .lohn Wadsworth, of Chicago, 111., sent a check for one hundred dollars as a slight recompense to Holden for having furnished him a wife, and the

Holden Library Association, seeing its great desire of | a " Free Public Library " likely to be gratified, voted [ to close up its affairs and present to the town its ! library of fourteen hundred volumes and other j property.

In September a town-meeting was called for the purpose of formally accepting these various donations and choosing a board of trustees and appropriating ' necessary funds for current expenses: Trustees, A. K. Learned, W. E. Austin (three years); H. W. Warren, , Rev. D. F. Estes (two years) ; Emory Rogers, Charles E. Parker (one year). The trustees, in grateful recog- 1

Douglas The Damox .Memorial

The reading-room was opened to the public November 30th, and one week later the library of fortyfive hundred carefully selected volumes was ready for the giving out of books - a noble monument to the donors and a potent factor in .the future development of our town and the enlightenment and intelligence of our citizens.

Hon. John P. Washbukn

Ordinations, 1027. Pastor's house, 1027. Second antl other divisions of land, lUia. Acts of the proprietors, li»28. Incorpunition, 1028. Xame, 1029. Organization, 1029. Civil tiistory, 1030.

Provision for schools and relitritfus privileges, 1030. Revolution, 1031, 1032. Service in the war, 103:*.. Condition at close of the i-iiiitiiry, 1031. Condition of the town licfore the Civil