Worcester County MA

Biographical Sketch of John Wires

John Wires came to this town, from Leicester, Mass., about the year 1790. In 1797, he married Miss Anna Walbridge, and shortly after purchased a farm on road 32, now owned by his son, Harlow, and where he spent the remainder of his life. He was for many years known as Gen. John Wires, having served at the battle of Plattsburgh, and also held offices in the home militia. He was high sheriff of Franklin county for twenty years, and also held other positions of trust. Of fourteen children seven are now living. Harlow, the youngest, born in 1830, and … Read more

Biography of Albion H. French, M.D.

Albion H. French, M.D., a wellknown physician of Pittsfield, was born in Gilmanton N.H., March 27, 1847, son of Thomas H. and Sarah Ann (Brown) French. His great-grandfather, Ezekiel French, an Englishman, who was a pioneer of either Loudon or Hampton, N.H., spent his last days in Loudon, where he owned a farm. The second of Ezekiel’s two marriages was contracted with Sallie Smith. His son John was a native of Loudon. When a young man, John settled in Gilmanton, where he became a wealthy farmer, and died at the age of seventy-five years. He married Lucy T. Prescott, who … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Freeborn White

Freeborn White, from Northbridge, Mass., came to Eden in 1830, after a short residence in Waterville. He located upon a farm on road 19, where he resided about fifteen years, then resided with his several children until his death. Charles A., the second of his eight children, born in 1812, has been a resident of the town since his parents settled here, and is now actively engaged in the manufacture of lumber and starch.

Biography of David Warren Cogswell

David Warren Cogswell, one of Henniker’s most highly esteemed residents and a prominent Odd Fellow, was born in this town, January 1, 1824, son of David and Hannah (Haskell) Cogswell. His father, who was a son of Joseph Cogswell, was a native of Essex, Mass., born April 25, 1790. David Cogswell learned the blacksmith’s trade with David Choate in his native town, and worked for a time as a journeyman on Cape Ann. He was First Lieutenant of a Gloucester Military Company during the War of 1812, and subsequently received for his services a warrant for one hundred and sixty … Read more

Biograhical Sketch of Jacob Aldrich

(III) Jacob (2), son of Jacob (1) Aldrich, was born at Mendon, May z8, 1676, died about 1750. His will was dated May 5, 1748, and his property was divided August 23, 1753. He was a Quaker. He married Mary . Children: Jacob, his executor; Noah, mentioned elsewhere; Mary, married Israel Taft, of Upton; Hannah, married John Harwood; Experience, married Benjamin Craging; Margery, married Ichabod Amidon, of Mendon; Bethia, married Abraham Fletcher, of Mendon.

Biographical Sketch of Charles B. Murray

Murray, Charles B.; chemist and metallurgist; born, Worcester, Massachusetts, April 6, 1866; son of Peleg F. and Mary Prince Murray; educated, common schools at Worcester; took B. S. degree at Polytechnic Institute, at Worcester, Mass., in 1887; married, Attleboro, Mass., Jan. 29, 1890; Ellen Lincoln Robinson; issue, two children, Philip F., and Mildred A.; after leaving school, asst. chemist at Joliett Steel Co., Joliet, Illinois; spent a year in Buena Vista, Virginia, as chemist, and a year with the Minnesota Iron Co.; January, 1893, was appointed chief chemist and metallurgist at the Eliza Johnson Works, of the Carnegie Steel Co.; … Read more

Narrative of the Captivity of Nehemiah How

Fort Dummer

A Narrative of the captivity of Nehemiah How, who was taken by the Indians at the Great Meadow Fort above Fort Dummer, where he was an inhabitant, October 11th, 1745. Giving an account of what he met with in his traveling to Canada, and while he was in prison there. Together with an account of Mr. How’s death at Canada. Exceedingly valuable for the many items of exact intelligence therein recorded, relative to so many of the present inhabitants of New England, through those friends who endured the hardships of captivity in the mountain deserts and the damps of loathsome prisons. Had the author lived to have returned, and published his narrative himself, he doubtless would have made it far more valuable, but he was cut off while a prisoner, by the prison fever, in the fifty-fifth year of his age, after a captivity of one year, seven months, and fifteen days. He died May 25th, 1747, in the hospital at Quebec, after a sickness of about ten days. He was a husband and father, and greatly beloved by all who knew him.

Louisa Ann Todd Richards of Worcester MA

RICHARDS, Louisa Ann Todd8, (Caleb7, Jehiel6, Stephen5, Stephen4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born Nov. 2, 1834, in Hinsdale, N. H., died April 8, 1870, in Worcester, Mass., married April 8, 1863, Seth Richards, of Worcester, Mass., who was born Nov. 21, 1828. He was an instructor of music, also a singer and had a fine voice. Child: I. Cora Louise, b. Sept. 6, 1865, m. Nov. 7, 1888, George M. Bassett.

Biographical Sketch of Nathan Adams

Nathan Adams came to Eden with his father, Asa, in June, 1803, from Rutland, Mass. He subsequently located on a farm in the northern part of the town, where he resided a number of years, and finally, after various changes of residence, he died upon a farm now owned by one of his grandsons, his death occurring in 1854, aged sixty years. Of his family of seven children, five are now living. Harmon S., his second son, born in 1819, has always been a resident of the town. He has reared a family of four children. Mason Adams, the youngest … Read more

Biography of Henry Harrison Edwards

Henry Harrison Edwards, a watchmaker of acknowledged ability, who is now residing in Allenstown, was born in Laconia, N.H., July 28, 1840, son of Nathaniel and Rachel (Ranlett) Edwards. His grandfather, Ebenezer Edwards, who in his earlier years followed the sea, subsequently learned the hatter’s trade, and followed it in Laconia for many years. Another source of income to him was the Martha Watson, a native of Dover, N.H., who also died at the age of sixty-eight. Of their eleven children David, William, Charles, Eben, Mary, and Pierpont are living. Nathaniel Edwards, father of Henry H., was born in Plymouth, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ezra Durand

Ezra Durand was born in Seneca Falls, New York, on March 8, 1833, and is the youngest of a family of thirteen sons and daughters of David and Betsey (Crowell), Durand. His father was a farmer and his early boyhood was passed on a farm. His opportunities for gaining an education were limited to a few winters at the district school. At an early age he left home and went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he obtained employment in a musical instrument factory. This was followed by similar work in a factory at Norwich, Connecticut. He seemed to have a natural … Read more

Jehiel Todd of Worcester MA

Jehiel Todd8, (Caleb7, Jehiel6, Stephen5, Stephen4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born Nov. 4, 1818, in Hinsdale, N. H., he was twice married, first, Oct. 7, 1840, Melissa Hildreth, who was born Feb. 4, 1818, in Chesterfield, N. H., died May 28, 1843, in Hinsdale, N. H. He married second, Jan. 1, 1845, Susan Elizabeth, daughter of Zackariah and Lydia (Fairbanks) Whitman, who was born Oct. 20, 1818, in Stowe, Mass. He was a manufacturer of coffee, spices and cream a tartar. His factory was at 171 Union Street, Worcester, Mass. Child by Melissa Hildreth: 2033. Martha Elizabeth, b. Sept. 5, 1841. … Read more

Biography of David Johnson, M. D.

David Johnson, M. D., a prominent medical specialist whose home and laboratories are at Salina, returned to Kansas a few years ago after many years spent in practice in the New England states, most of the time at Boston. He returned to Kansas because many years ago, on first coming to America, he had located in this then new state, and it was those early impressions and experiences with Kansas life and people that caused him to locate here for a permanent home in his decliaing years. Doctor Johnson was born in Sweden on May 4, 1848. He was liberally … Read more

Biography of Melvin Harvey Walker, Jr., M.D.

MELVIN HARVEY WALKER, JR., M. D, has been a medical practitioner in Pittsfield for nearly a decade. He is a native of Westboro, born October 21, 1886, son of Melvin H. and Ann (Moses) Walker; his father being a manufacturer in Westboro; and the mother now deceased. The son Melvin took the usual courses in the grammar grades and was prepared for college in the Westboro High School and Phillips Academy, Andover. He was graduated from Yale University in the class of 1909 with the degree of B. A.; graduated from Harvard Medical School in the class of 1915 with … Read more

Woodruff Genealogy – Leicester MA

Woodruff, Frederick O. (8), William B. (7), Hiram (6), David (5), Noah (4), David (3), Samuel (2), Matthew (1). m. Fannie Sturtevant, Feb. 18, 1880. Frederick Orr Woodruff was educated in the public schools of Chelsea, Massachusetts, and Wheelers Preparatory School. After completing his studies at the age of nineteen years, he entered the employ of the old Publishing House of Ira Bradley & Co. on Cornhill, which concern was established the year Mr. Woodruff was born. In a few years he became a partner of the firm, the style of which was then changed to Bradley & Woodruff. In … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Allen, Frank Dewey

Allen, Frank Dewey, son of Charles Francis and Olive Ely (Dewey) Allen, was born in Worcester, August 16, 1850. He was educated in the Worcester high school; was graduated from Yale in the class of 1873, and from the Boston University law school in 1875; was managing clerk in the offices of Hillard, Hyde & Dickinson, Boston, remaining with them until 1878, when he was admitted to the Suffolk county bar. Upon severing his connection with Hillard, Hyde & Dickinson, he opened an office for himself in Boston, where he has ever since been located as attorney and counselor-at-law. Mr. … Read more

Babbit Genealogy – Leicester MA

BABBIT, SAMUEL. His first wife’s name was Abigail. They had Abigail, b. Sept. 8, 1762. His second, Bathsheba; and they had Silas, b. Oct. 1, 1764. Sanford, b. Dec. 17, 1765.

Biography of Allen, Nathaniel Topliff

Allen, Nathaniel Topliff, son of Ellis and Lucy (Lane) Allen, was born in Medfield, Norfolk County, Sept. 29, 1823. His native homestead farm has been owned and tilled by seven generations of Allens, noted for longevity, sterling common-sense, and rugged worth; and there, during his boyhood, the subject of this sketch followed the pursuits of his ancestors, and laid the foundation of a vigorous constitution. Three years of his minority were spent in a Waltham cotton mill, where he acquired a knowledge of textile manufacture; he also received a good common-school education in the public schools, a family school kept … Read more

Biography of Capt. Benjamin Brown

Capt. Benjamin Brown, father of General John, and of Judge A. G. Brown, and one of the most prominent among the early settlers of Ames, was born October 17, 1745, at Leicester, Massachusetts. His grandfather, William Brown, came from England to America while a youth, was the first settler in the town of Hatfield, on the Connecticut river, and was often engaged in the Indian wars of that period. Capt. John Brown, father of Benjamin, served with credit in the colonial army during the French war, and represented the town of Leicester in the Massachusetts legislature during, and for many … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Walker, Joseph H.

Walker, Joseph H. farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Fairport, Russell County, located in Saline Township, Ellis County, August 5, 1882, on Section 20. He has a homestead and timber claim, and railroad land, consisting of Section 20, 640 acres of land, sixty acres of which he has under plow. He has 360 head of cattle, amongst which can be found some fine Durham stock. He first landed in Kansas in April 1881, and prospected until he located as above named. He was born in West Townsend, Mass., in 1857, and removed to Cambridge, Mass., in 1865. Lived in his native … Read more