History of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 page 829

Charles H. Stearns

Former businessman, was born June 19, 1833, in Westminster, Mass., son of Stephen and Mary (Merriam) Stearns, and died in Worcester, at his home, No. 2 Crown Street, Aug. 1, 1909, aged 76 years. Mr. Stearns was descended from historic old New England ancestry, Isaac Stears, the immigrant ancestor, embarking at Yarmouth, England, in the ship "Arabella", April 12, 1630, and arriving on the Mass. coast in company with Governor Winthrop, Sir Richard Saltonstall, and Edward Garfield, ancestor of the martyred president. He came from Nayland, England, accompanied by his wife Mary, and was among the first freeman there in 1631,of which town he was for several years selectman, and where he died June 19, 1671. Mr. Stearns acquired his early educational training in the district schools and the academy of his native town. His business career was begun as a clerk in a clothing store at Fitchburg, where he remained until 1860. In the latter named year he came to this city, and purchased the Crane Bakery, at the corner of Pleasant and Newberry Streets, which he successfully conducted for a period of about 30 years, when he disposed of the business and retired from active business cares. He was a Republican in political belief, but being of a quiet and retiring disposition never cared nor sought public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business, in which he met with marked success, and to his home and its surroundings to which he was much devoted. Early in life he became a member of the Westminster Congregational Church, and after coming to Worcester became affiliated with the Plymouth Congregational Church, of which his widow is also an active meber. Mr. Stearns was charitable and benevolent, but always gave with a modest and unostentatious hand. Mr. Stearns married (1st) Nellie McClure, by whom he had 2 children, namely: Addie L., who died at the age of 19 years; and Arthur McClure, who died in infancy. He married (2nd), Dec. 4, 1866, to Sarah H. Lamson, of Worcester. Mrs. Stears survives her husband, without issue, and resides at No. 11 Monadnuck Road, Worcester.

THE END

History of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 page 853

Edwin Avery Brewer

Proprietor of Brewer & Company, wholesale and retail druggists, was born in Wilbraham, Mass., Oct. 28, 1853, son of Edwin Bliss and Eliza (Spencer) Brewer.

He attended the public schools of his native town, and Wilbraham Academy, from which he graduated in 1874. After teaching for a short while he came to Worcester, and entered the drug business as a clerk, thoroughly learning the business. Soon he entered the employ of Bush & Company, which was established in 1852 by the late William Bush, whoat that time made a specialty of the botanical part of the business.

A beginning had been made in the manufacture of proprietary medicines and a start in the wholesaling of essences and like products. In 1887 Mr. Brewer purchased a half interest in the store and later in 1893, became the sole owner of the interests of Bush & Company, but the firm name was not changed.

In 1897 the city decided to widen Carlton Street, now Commercial St., and the present modern wholesale drug building at the corner of Front and Commercial Streets was erected and the firm name changed to Brewer & Company. Later another story was added to this building and still later a second building was added, making one large 5 story building with frontage on Front, Commercial and Mechanic Streets.

Most of the building is occupied by the various departments of Brewer & Company. When Mr. Brewer started in the company only 3 or 4 were employed in the store. It has since grown to its present size, being today one of the largest wholesale and retail manufacturing drug and chemical concerns in the country. In the laboratory, where they manufacture a complete line of pharmaceuticals and proprietary medicines, and in the retail department, where they have a large prescription trade, the company's watch words are "Care, accuracy and reliability." The business has grown until Brewer & Company have drug and chemical offices at Worcester, Boston, Fall River, Providence and New York. Mr. Brewer gave personal attention to all the details of his extensive interests, and his care, integrity and conscientious methods were the foundation of his success as a business man.

He was a prominent leader in church activities in Worcester, and an ardent supporter of every movement which would improve the city of his choice. He was a member of Grace Methodist Church for more than 35 years, having joined under the pastorate of Dr. David Ela. In that time he had held every important office in the gift of the church, such as Sunday school superintendent, steward and trustee. At the time of his death he was president of the board of trustees. He ws also one of the trustees of the YMCA. He was liberal in support of the church and all worthy benevolences. Few that ever came to him with a worthy cause went away empty handed or empty hearted, for he gave himself as well as his money. He died after a brief illness at his summer home, Duxbury, July 18, 1917.

He had been married twice. In 1879 he married Elsie L. Dickinson, of Gilead, Conn., who died in 1885. In 1889 he married for the second time to her sister, Mary A., who with a son, Howard Dickinson and a daughter, Mary Ethel, survives him.

Elsie Mabel, th oldest daughter died in 1900, in her 18th year. Howard D. Brewer was admitted to the partnership with his father in 1903, soon after he graduated from the Mass. College of Pharmacy, Boston, and after the death of his father succeeded to his interests.

THE END

History of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 pages 797, 798

Henry Estabrook Whitcomb

Envelope manufacturer, trustee of the Estate of George Henry Whitcomb, was born in Worcester, Aug. 18, 1871, son of George Henry and Abbie Mller (Estabrook) Whitcomb. He received his education in the Worcester Academy, the Worcester H.S. and Amherst College, from which he was graduated in 1894 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. While a student he was manager of the musical clubs and arranged and carried out a tour in England in the summer of 1894, taking 40 students abroad and giving concerts all over England. He is one of the editors of the 1894 Bugle, a graduate periodical of his class, and is permanent class secretary. In August 1894, he began his business career in the offfice of the Whitcomb Envelope Company and was soon afterward elected assistant treasurer and secretary of the corporation. In 1898 he became manager of the Whitcomb plant, after its consolidation, the business being conducted under the name of the Whitcomb Envelope Company Division, U.S. Envelope Company. In March 1903, he shared half interest in the patent of a envelope-folding device invented by George H. Hallop.

In 1909 he became treasurer of the Morgan Company, manufacturing motor trucks. After a year and a half he left that concern and established the Greendale Lumber & Supply Company, manufacturers of wooden boxes and cases, selling out the business in 1912 to Henry H. Dyk. Since 1909, when he resigned as division manager of the U.S. Envelope Company, he has devoted his time mainly to the care of his investments and the administration of his father's estate. Under the will he and his 2 brothers are the executors, sole beneficiaries and trustees.

He is secretary of the Wachusett Investment Comp; president of the Estabrook Investment Comp.; vice president of the Arcade Building & Reality Comp. He was one of the organizers and is president of the Worcester Assoc. of Building Owners and Managers, representing about 20 million dollars of assessed real estate in Worcester. He was one of the founders of the Merchant's National Bank and one of the original board of directors; also founder and vice president of the North Brookfield National Bank; an incorporator of the Worcester County Institution for Savings and of the People's Savings Bank of Worcester. He is president of the Worcester High School Alumni Assoc., and has been successively secretary, vice president and president of the Amherst Alumni Assoc. of Central Mass.

In 1915 he was one of the prime movers in forming the Worcester Military Training School, and a charter member of the Worcester Branch League to Enforce Peace. He is a member of the Worcester Chapter, Sons of the America Revolution, having had no less than 9 ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted, July 1917, in Company H, 19th Regiment, Mass. State Guard; served with his company during the war, and was honoraby discharged March 1919. In politics he is a Republican, and 1898-1900 was vice chairman and treasurer of the Plymouth Congregational Church. He is a life member of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and the YMCA. He is also a member of the Worcester Society of Antiquity; Worcester Natural History Society; Worcester Art Museum; Worcester Agricultural Society; the University Club of Boston, the Economic Club, the Tatnuck Country Club of Worcester, the Tatassit Canoe Club, the Psi Epsilon fraternity and the Psi Epsilon Club of New York.

He is director of the Columbia Paper Company, Buena Vista and Bristol, VA. Was vice chairman of Worcester County in the Red Cross Campaign, May 1918.

Mr. Whitcomb married, June 20, 1895, at Newton, to Gertrude Elouise Dowling, born at Providence, RI, Dec. 27, 1872, daughter of Rev. Dr. George Thomas and Mary Hatfield (Justin) Dowling. Mrs. Whitcomb is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Friday Morning Club, the Woman's Club, Civic Federation and the Mother's Club of Worcester.

Their home is at No. 6 Harvard Street, North Brookfield, Mass. Children born in Worester: 1) Henry Dowling, born June 22, 1897; student at Amherst College; enlisted in U.S. Naval Patrol, U.S. Steamship, "Gurkha", April 1917; commissioned ensign in U.S. Naval Reserve Force, June 6, 1918, and detailed to armored cruiser, U.S. Steamship " San Diego "; later was deck officer when vessel was torpedoed, July 19, 1918, off Fire Island, NY; the only American Battleship destroyed by the Germans during the War; he was subsequently stationed at Brooklyn Naval Yard, Ellis Island, the new receiving ship at Bay Ridge Barrocks until released from service Dec. 1918; He married July 21, 1918, Florence Merriam Martin, of Boston, daughter of Bertram T. and Florence Martin, of Winchester and Boston 2) Douglas, born Jan 18, 1899, graduated from Milton Academy, 1917; entered Amherst College, 1917, class of 1921; enlisted in Army in June 1918, left for Plattsburg, receiving commission as 2nd Lt. in Sept. 1918, placed in charge of military instruction at Georgia Technical Institute, Atlanta, GA; discharged in Dec. 1918; returned to college in Jan. 1919. 3) George Francis, born Aug. 24, 1900, student in Worcester Academy,1919; passed physical and other tests for motor transport service, Oct. 1918, was to enter service Nov. 14, but as the armistice was signed on Nov. 11, it made his anticipated entrance into the service unnecessary.

THE END

History of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 pages 795,796,797

George Henry Whitcomb

Envelope manufacturer was born at Templeton, Mass., Sept. 26, 1842, died at Worcester, Feb. 13, 1916, son of David and Margaret (Cummings) Whitcomb. He came to Worcester with his father in 1853 and attended the Thomas Street public school. In 1860 he graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover, and entered Amherst College, from which he was graduated in 1864. He was gymnasium captain of his class and orator at commencement.

On account of ill health he made a trip to Europe in a sailing vessel inthe summer of 1863 and returned much improved. In 1867 he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Amherst. He was a member of Gamma Chapter of the Psi Epsilon fraternity, and was also a member of the Phi Beta Kappa.

During the summer after he graduated he was employed in the hardware store of C. Foster & Company, in which his father was a partner, but in the fall he went west seeking a business opportunity for himself. In Ohio he investigated the manufacture of straw board and writing paper, and there he conceived the idea of manufacturing envelopes, an idea that he proceeded immediately to put into effect. With capital advanced by his father, he began in a small way late in the year 1864 to manufacture envelopes in a shop, on the site now occupied by the fire department on School Street, Worcester, using a primitive machine designed by James G. Arnold in 1858 and doing business under the name of the Bay State Envelope Company. He was clerk, cutter, machine tender, packer and shipper, and his wife was the bookkeeper.

During the first year he lost $1,000., but in the second year he saved $100. And in the third year made a profit of $2,000. In November 1864, the business was moved to the Partridge building at the corner of Walnut St., and in 1865 a new building was erected in Bigelow Court, by his father,and during that year his father became a partner undr the firm name of G. Henry Whitcomb & Company.

In 1884 the business was incorporated as the Whitcomb Envelope Company with capital stock of $150,000., David Whitcomb being president, senior treasurer and general manager. After the death of David Whitcomb, G. Henry Whitcomb became president, serving until 1894, when M.F. Dickinson succeeded him. At the same time Henry E. Whitcomb, son of G. Henry Whitcomb, became secretary and G. Henry Whitcomb continued as treasurer and was also vice president.

In August 1898, the business of the company was sold to the U.S. Envelope Company, and Mr. Whitcomb retired from active management, though he continued as a director and vice president of the new corporation.

Mr. Whitcomb seems to have had a talent for discovering and developing men of ability in his business. Among the prominent men in the envelope industry, trained in the Whitcomb factory, may be mentioned: Henry D. Swift, D. Wheeler Swift, James Logan, John S. Brigham, Charles W. Gray, John A. Sherman, Charles Heywood, Byron Emerson, Frederick A. Bill and Ezra Waterhouse.

From 1898 until illness compelled him to relinquish his grasp, G. Henry Whitcomb devoted himself to various financial, educational and benevolent interests. He had already heavily invested in Worcester real estate, erecting the Whitcomb building on Front Street in 1877, the Cummings block on Main St. in 1879, and the granite block at Nos. 82-84 Front St. in 1883. His residence at No. 51 Harvard Street was the first granite dwelling house erected in the city.

He also found large opportunity for profit in real estate in the West, and he developed much of the business sections of Pueblo, Colo., and Seattle, Wash. Within a few years he invested a million dollars in real estate in Seattle alone and his confidence in the future of that city was amply justified. He was also interested in various transportation enterprises, among which was the Worcester & Marlborough Street Railway Company, of which he was at one time president.

He was one of the principal owners of the West End Land Company of Boston; director of the Columbia Paper Company; director of the First National Bank of Worcester; director of the State Bank of St. John, Kansas; and director of the Mass. Loan & Trust Company; director of the U.S. Coal & Oil Company; director of Hartford Manufacturing Company; and director of Equitable Securities Company of New York; president of the Standard Cattle Company of Wyoming; and president of the Boston Raisin Company; member of the corporation of the People's Savings Bank of Worcester, and of the Worcester County Institution for Savings.

The activity of Mr. Whitcomb in religious and educational affairs, considering the magnitude and engrossing nature of his business, was marvelous. Religion he placed foremost in the duties of life. He was for many years a member of Central Congregational Church and afterward of Plymouth Church, where he taught in the Sunday school, served on the board of assessors and as a deacon. He was a director of the Children's Friend Society and of the City Missionary Society. From 1890 to 1906 he was a member of the prudential committee of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and was chairman from 1903 to 1905. He also served on the executive and financial committees of the American Missionary Association.

Few men of his ability and wealth have devoted themselves more heartily and usefully to the advancement of public education. He served 2 years on the school committee of Worcester. He succeeded his father as a friend and trustee of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and in the early '80's was the prime mover in providing a trade school for boys at the institute,the first of its kind in this country. It was under the auspices of the Worcester County Mechanics Assoc., of which Mr. Whitcomb was then president. He was also a trustee of Amherst College from 1884 to the time of his death, and he was treasurer of the college from 1895 to 1897. He founded a scholarship at Amherst. He was a trustee of Mount Holyoke College and of Oberlin College, Ohio. He had been president of the Amherst College Alumni Assoc.; treasurer of the Gamma Chapter of the Psi Epsilon fraternity, and vice president of the Andover Alumni Assoc. In memory of his daughter Emma, he erected and endowed the School of Music, Whitcomb Conservatory in Doane College, Crete, Nebraska, in 1908, and he erected the Whitcomb Chemical Labratory at Drury College, Springfield, Ohio, in 1909. In politics he was a Republican. He used his influence constantly for progress and the public welfare. He served as trustee and vice president of the Worcester Board of Trade. Mr. Whitcomb married (1st), Oct. 11, 1865, Abbie Miller Estabrook, who was born April 8, 1842, died June 11, 1900, daughter of Francis Chaffin and Caroline (Miller) Estabrook. He married (2nd), Jan. 22, 1902, Elizabeth (Shannon) Wickware, of Seattle, Wash. Children by first wife: 1) Francis Chaffin, born March 5, 1867, died Aug. 12, 1867 2) Anne Boynton, born Oct. 22, 1868, died March 28, 1871 3) Henry Estabrook, see biography 4) Margaret, born July 12, 1873, died July 12, 1873 5) Emma Caroline, born Feb. 26, 1876, died May 29, 1902. 6) David, born Jan 22, 1879, graduate of the English High School, Worcester, and W.P.I. and Amherst College, A.B. 1900, A.M. 1905, Jena University 1903, George Washington Univ. LLB 1905, president of the Arcade Building and Realty Company, Seattle, Wash., and a prominent attorney in that city; was fuel administrator for the State of Washington, 1917-1918, and from April 1918 to January 1919, executive secretary of the fuel administration at Washington, D.C., married Sept. 13, 1911, to Mildred Osgood; one son, David Jr.,born in Seattle, Feb. 19, 1917. 7) Ernest Miller, born Feb. 28, 1882, graduate of Classical H.S., Worcester, Amherst College, A.B. 1904, A.M. 1907, president of the First National Bank, Amherst, Mass.; a director in several fiduciary, manufacturing corporations and savings banks, was commissioned Captain of the American Red Cross, July 1918; located in France, August 1918, in charge of Base Hospital at Toul until armistice was signed, Nov. 11, 1918, returning to America and was discharged Jan. 1, 1919, married April 21, 1909, to Anne Gauntlett, Ithaca, NY, one son, Stephen, born Dec. 10, 1916.

THE END

History of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 pages 794, 795

David Whitcomb

Envelope manufacturer, was born in Hancock, New Hampshire, May 30, 1808, son of Abner and Abigail (Boynton) Whitcomb. His father was a Groton minuteman in the Revolution, descendant of John Whitcomb, who was born in Engand ad settled in Dorchester as early as 1633, later of Scituate and Lancaster. Jonathan Whitcomb, son of John Whitcomb, was also born in England, was the great-grandfather of Abner Whitcomb, and both father and grandfather were also named Jonathan.

David Whitcomb, one of the great figures in the industrial history of the city of Worceter, began life under conditions of unusual hardship. At the age of 7, he was bound out in a family that treated him harshly, and at the age of 9, he became chore-boy in the family of another farmer, where conditions were not much better. All his schooling was received in a few winter terms. At the age of 18, he left his native town on foot and found employment at Gill, Mass., on a farm located on the present site of Moody's Mount Hermon School, remaining until Sept. 1829, when ill health drove him back to Hancock. When his health improved he returned to Gill, remaining for a few weeks, then he went to Templeton, hoping to engage in business as a tin peddler in the employ of a cousin, John Boynton, but his mission failed. He worked for a time in Northampton and Ware at odd jobs until Jan. 1830, when John Boynton sent for him and started him on his course as a tin peddler.

He proved his ability on his 1st trip and after his 2nd trip was hired for a year. His pay was $100., his board and a "vest" pattern. From time to time he worked at the bench in the tinsmith's shop. In 1831 Mr. Boynton took him into partnership, and in 1832 he took charge of a branch of the business in Leominster. The partnership continued for 15 years with the utmost harmony and substantial success. In 1846 Mr. Boynton retired. Two years later Mr. Whitcmb admitted Col. Henry S. Smith to partnership, and in 1853 he sold his share of the business to his partner, retiring with what then seemed an ample fortune. In the Spring of 1854 he came to Worcester, and in Jan. following became a partner in the firm of C. Foster & Company, hardware dealers. During the Civil War he had the courage and foresight to buy heavily at panic prices and the firm profited handsomely. In Jan. 1866, he withdrew from the firm, which was afterward Duncan & Goodell and is now the Duncan & Goodell Company.

After 20 years in the tinsmith and peddling business and another period of 10 years in the hardware business, he entered middle life, upon the career that has made his name one of the foremost in the history of manufacturing in Worcester. He furnished capital to his son to establish the envelope industry, and during his later years devoted his wisdom and experience to the business that George Henry Whitcomb founded.

Mr. Whitcomb was a devout Christian, joining the Trinitarian Congregational Church of Templeton in 1839 and becoming the chief pillar of that church, maintaining his faith throughout life. He began early to give freely and regularly to church and benevolences of various kinds. He set an example of liberal giving that was perhaps more important to the community than the funds he contributed. The largest sums were for educational purposes, and his favorite form of gift was to establish scholarships. The total amount of his gifts, including public bequests, amounted, it is estimated, to more than a half a million dollars.

Mr. Whitcomb was one of the founders of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, originally called the Worcester County Free Institute of Industrial Science. John Boynton, his former partner, had decided to give the larger part of his fortune to promote industrial education, and Mr. Whitcomb persuaded him to establish a school in Worcester. Having formulated no scheme of his own, Mr. Boynton left the task to Mr. Whitcomb, placing $100,000 in his hands for the purpose. Cooperating with Ichabod Washburn, who had a similar project in mind, and later with Stephen Salisbury II, who contributed liberally, Mr. Whitcomb saw his purpose accomplished in 1869 and served as a trustee and treasurer of the institution, giving of his own means liberally and having a large share in planning and developing this model school of technology. His gifts amounted to more than $27,000. He died July 8, 1887. Senator Hor said of him: " He was one of the best types of the New England character, faithful and true and strong and wise".

Mr Whitcomb married, April 9, 1833, to Margaret Cummings, who was born at Littleton, New Hampshire, Nov. 1, 1808, and died at Templeton, Aug 1, 1886. Their children were:

1)Abby Boynton, born Jan. 7, 1834, died May 7, 1898; married Col. Henry S. Smith, of Boston.

2) Ellen Margaret, born March 31, 1841, died unmarried, April 18, 1882.

3) George Henry.

THE END

History of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 pages 817, 818

Arthur Nathaniel Whittemore

From youthful manhood Arthur N. Whittemore has been connected with the grain business in the city of Worcester, beginning as bookkeeper, but since 1889 as either partner or sole owner, the firm A.N. Whittemore & Company, of which he is sole owner, having existed since 1899. He is one of Worcester's successful businessmen, and has borne his full share in the upbuilding of this commercial center. Mr. Whittemore is of the 8th American generation of the family founded in New England by Thomas Whittemore, who traced his genealogy back through 16 generations in England to Peter de Bolvel, of Staffordshire, and the year 1100. In the 3rd English generation there was an intermarriage with the Whitmore family, and Whitmore became the family name, going through several changes before finally becoming Whittemore, the form used in this branch. Hertfordshire became the family seat, and at Hitchin, in that shire, Thomas Whittemore of the same town and shire, was born.

Thomas Whittemore came to New England prior to 1640, owned land in Malden, which remained in the family for more than 200 years. The line of descent from Thomas Whittemore, the American founder of the family is through his son, Daniel and his wife, Mary Millins; their son, Daniel and his wife, Lydia Bassett; their son, Jonathan and his wife, Sarah Woodcock; their son, Jonathan(2), a soldier of the French and Indian War and a veteran of 7 years service in the Revolution; his son, Arnold Whittemore and his wife, Betsy Dascomb; their son, Charles Preston and his wife, Clara Goddard; their son, Arthur Nathaniel Whittemore, of Worcester, Mass., to whom this review is inscribed.

Charles Preston Whittemore, of the 7th generation, was born in Fayette, Maine, Aug. 25, 1834, but late his parents returned to Mass., settling in Hopkinton. He learned the shoemaker's trade and came to Worcester and became a shoe manufacturer, also a retail shoe merchant. He was a veteran of the Civil War, enlisting in Company C, 51st Regiment, Mass. Volunteer Infantry, and returned from the war with his health shattered. He was a member of Montacute Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Worcester; and in politics a Republican.

Arthur Nathaniel Whittemore, son of Charles Preston, was born in Worcester, Oct. 7, 1859. He was educated in Worcester public schools, and after completing his studies became an employee of Johnson, Bye & Company, manufacturers of pistols, at No. 44 Central Street.

He did not like that work and soon left it to enter the employ of Robert L. Smyth, a shoe manufacturer. He remained with Mr. Smyth several years, then was employed in other shoe factories in the city, finally leaving that line of work to go with the Hammond Organ Reed Company, remaining with that company 4 years. From the Hammond Company he went to C.W. Sears, a grain dealer, acting as bookkeeper during that entire period. That was the last position he ever filled as an employee, his next change being in 1889, to a partnership with H.H. Houghton, formerly senior partner of the grain firm, Houghton, Garland & Sears. The new firm, Houghton & Whittemore, purchased the business of C.W. Sears and continued grain dealing at No. 525 Main Street, in the Holbrook store.

In 1895 the business so increased that new quarters were necessary and a brick building was erected at Nos. 5-7 Beacon Street. In addition the firm owned elevators and store houses at 2 railroad yards in the city, andbecame very prosperous.

In 1899 Mr. Houghton withdrew, Mr. Whittemore continuing the busines alone, reorganizing under the firm name A.N. Whittemore & Company. There has been a constant increase in the volume of business transacted each year, the lines carried including hay, grain, feed, straw, and a general line of similar goods used by farmers and horse owners.

Mr. Whittemore is a member of Central Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, which he has served officially since 1895; Worcester County Mechanics Assoc.; Worcester Board of Trade; and in political faith is a Republican.

Mr. Whittemore married at Worcester, une 2, 1880, Louise Huntley, daughter of James and Margaret (Scott) Huntley. Mr. and Mrs. Whittemore are the parents of 4 children:

1) Flora Isabelle, married June 1, 1905, to Howard D. Brewer, a wholesale druggist of Worcester.

2) Ernest Arthur, born June 8, 1891, now a Lt. in the U.S. Army

3) Carl Leslie, born May 9, 1894, now a machinist's mate in the U.S. Navy

4) George Stanley, born May 12, 1895, a Lt. in the U.S. Army.

THE END

History of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 page 711

Clarence Edwin Wakefield

Two generations of Wakefields have been engaged in the manufacture of wrenches in Worcester, John E. and Clarence E. Wakefield, father and son, the latter succeeding to the business founded by he father.

The Wakefields early appeared in New England, John Wakefield, the founder, born in Hertfordshire, England, coming in 1632. He was an inhabitant of Marblehead, Mass., Jan. 1, 1637, but in 1642 he had a grant under the authority of the Ligonia Patent which was later known as the Great Hill Farm in Maine. He settled in the town of Wells, Maine, and there was a man of considerable prominence. He made several moves in the State of Maine, finally locating in that part of Biddeford now known as Saco, where he died, Feb. 15, 1764. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Edmund and Annie Littlefield, of Wells, and had sons: James, John, William, all of whom married and reared children. From him sprang George Wakefield, a veteran of the Civil War, and a jewelry merchant, living at Lewiston and Lisbon, Maine, and the father of 3 sons: John E., Otis J., and Arthur Wakefield.

John E. Wakefield married Ella M. Wood, at Winchendon, Mass. and they were the parents of Clarence Edwin Wakefield of Worcester. John E. Wakefield died in 1910, and was succeeded by his only son, Clarence E., now head of the business conducted under the firm name, Clarence E. Wakefield.

Clarence Edwin Wakefield was born in Worcester, Feb. 28, 1878. Graduating from the High School, class of 1898, in Worcester, he entered Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY, and there was graduated with the class of 1901. After completing his school years he became associated with his father, a manufacturer of wrenches in the city of Worcester. Like his forebearers, Mr. Wakefield is a Republican in politics, but is essentially a business man, public office holding no allurement for him.

He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Charter, Council, Commandery and Shrine of the Masonic order, the Worcester Country Club, Commonwealth Club and Economic Club.

Mr. Wakefield married in 1905, at Shrewsbury, Mass., to Mary I. Hickey, daughter of Thomas Hickey, of the Green & Hickey Leather Company.

Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield are the parents of a son, John Thomas, born Oct. 7, 1911, in Worcester.

THE END

History of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 page 726

Oakley Smith Walker

Founder, president and treasurer of the O.S. Walker Company, was born in South Rutland, Jefferson County, New York, Feb. 14, 1857, son of Benjamin F. and Ursula C. (Smith) Walker, both of whom were natives of South Rutland. His father was a cooper by trade and also followed farming. He served 3 years in the Civil War, dying of typhoid on his way to the front in 1864, leaving the mother with 5 young children without means of support.

Oakley S. Walker was adopted by his Uncle, and worked on a farm until he was 14 years old, when he began to work at the trade of wood-turning in a feather duster factory. Having saved a $100., he bought "his liberty" of his Uncle and since then has been self-supporting.

He attended school at odd times, an at length apprenticed himself to learn the trade of machinist, serving 3 years, his pay averaging in that time less than a $1.00 a day. Then, after 2 terms in the high school, he worked at his tade. In the meantime his mother had qualified herself as a school teacher by attending the State Normal School and was teaching in the grammar grade. Afterward she was apponted to a State position. His next position was with the Eames Vacuum Brake Company of Watertown, New York, and he remained with this concern fo 5 years, the last of which he spent in England in charge of an experimental shop for testing railroad brakes.

Upon his return from abroad he went West and spent a year or more in various shops in Indiana and Ohio, thence going to New York City, remaining for a time, and finally to Watertown, his native city, where he began to manufacture drill grinding machinery of his own design in a small shop.

In 1887 he came to Worcester to arrange for the manufacture of some of his machine tools in the Washburn Shops of the Worcester Poytechnic Institute, when he accepted an attractive offer to enter the employ of the Washburn Shops, and he has made his home here since that time. He was for 3 years engaged in designing and developing machinery here. In the course of his work he perfected a successful twist drill grinding machine that has had a wide sale under the name of the Worcester Twist Drill Grinder. In 1890 he entered the employ of the Norton Emery Wheel Company and remained 7 years as designer, inventor and master mechanic. While there he designed machinery for truing emery wheels and also designed a tool grinding machine, the latter of which is now in universal use.

In 1897 Mr. Walker embarked in busines with little capital, but with the nucleus of success in the invention of a magnetic chuck that holds machine parts while they are being finished on lathes, planers or grinding machines.

It was the first device of its kind, and proved highly successful when finally introduced. He has from time to time added the manufacture of other machines of his invention. From a one-man shop in rented quarters, the business has grown to large proportions. The business was moved from the Washburn Shops to the Porter Last Factory and in 4 years outgrew the two floors occupied there. In 1910 a large factory of concrete construction was built at Greendale. At that time Mr. Walker bought out his partner and in 1914 the business was incorporated under its present title, the O.S. Walker Company, of which he is president and treasurer; Isaac F. Williams, secretary and manager. The factory is spacious, well lighted and thoroughly modern. Mr. Walker is a member of the Worcester Country Club, and attends St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church, of which his family are members. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Walker, married in Watertown, NY, Dec. 22, 1880, Mary A. Cutler, of Carthage, NY, born at LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Aug. 28, 1856, daughter of Orville L. and Delia (Babcock) Cutler. Her father was a carpenter and builder, and was a lieutenant in the Civil War, born at Bennington, Vermont, Jan. 16, 1821, died Dec. 12, 1912; her mother was born at Champain, NY, July 7, 1831, died Dec. 23, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have 3 children: 1) Mildred A., born Sept. 15, 1890, graduate of the Worcester High School 2) Dorothy A., born June 8, 1893, graduate of Smith College, 1915 3) Oakley Cutler, born June 19, 1894, graduate of the Worcester H.S.; student in the engineering course at Michigan University for 2 years; tried to enlist in the U.S. Navy after the European War began but was refused; later was drafted and accepted and served for over a year in the aviation corps, and has now resumed his studies at the Michigan Univ., class of 1920.

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History of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 page 785

Thomas Rice

Son of Deacon Edmund Rice, the founder, was born about 1622, in Buckinghamshire, England, and resided at Sudbury and Marlboro, Mass., settling in the latter town about 1664, and there died Nov. 16, 1681. He married, Mary King, who bore him 9 sons and 4 daughters, Ephrahim being the 7th child; Jonas, "The father of Worcester", being the 11th child.

Thomas Rice, son of Ephrahim Rice, was born March 21, 1701, died at Worcester, Dec. 17, 1785. He married (1st), Mary Hall, who died at Worcester, Sept. 8, 1749. He married (2nd) Judith Stearns, who died Nov. 1811, aged 81 years, the mother of Sarah Rice, wife of William Trowbridge.

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History of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 page 830

George F. Smith

As head of the wholesale milk dealing firm, operating as the George F. Smith Creamery, Mr. Smith has reached a leading position in the business with which he has been conected since boyhood, his father having been in the same business.

George F. Smith is a son of Walter H. Smith, and a grandson of Benjamin Smith, of Rutland, Mass. Walter H. Smith was born in Rutland, in 1863. He married Mary A. Whtehouse, daughter of a Civil War veteran, and his wife, Louise E., born in 1825. Walter H. Smith was for many years engaged as a milk dealer; was a Republican in politics.

His children were: Clifford Austin; Arthur Kendall; Louise Ermine; George F.; Mamie V.; Elsie A.; and Roy.

George F. Smith was born in West Boylston, in 1883, and was educated in the public schools of that town. He early became familiar with the milk business and has known no other business activity. He is now engaged as a wholesale milk dealer under the name of the George F. Smith Creamery, with headquarters in Worcester. He is a Republican and affiliated with all Worcester's Masonic bodies, of both the York and Scottish Rites, and holding the 32nd Degree. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist.

Mr. Smith married in Worcester, Feb. 10, 1912, to Margaret E. Parnell, daughter of Charles C. and Mary Parnell, her father is a machinist.

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History of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 page 551

John Ladd Sewall

Editor, clergyman, was born in Lunenburg, Vermont, Feb. 27, 1856, son of William and Caroline Heard (Titcomb) Sewall, a descendant of John Howand, who came in the Mayflower. He graduated from Dartmouth College ( A. B. , 1877) and Andover Theological Seminary (S.T.B., 1882). He was ordained in the Congregational ministry in 1882; was pastor in various towns in Vermont, Missouri, and Mass.; pastor of Lakeview Congregational Church, July 1911 to 1917.

He was managing editor of the "Worcester Magazine," 1907-1909; executive secretary of "Boston 1915" in 1909-1910; secretary of the summer conference of Congregationalists, Isle of Shoals, 1914, and manager and secretary of the National League for Protection of the Family. He served on the Worcester School Committee from 1911 to 1914. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Congregational Club.

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History of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 page 836

Albert Edward Jewell

Senior partner of the firm of Albert E. Jewell & Company, retail grocers, was born in Chard, England, June19, 1874, son of John and Rosa M. E. (Davey) Jewell. He had a common school education. He began to work in the office of Cory Brothers, Ltd., at Cardiff, Wales, when he was but 11 years old. Two years later he went back to work for his father, who was a retail merchant in Wales. In July 1890, he came with his father to this country. The family located immediatey in Worcester, and John Jewell engaged in business as a grocer and dealer in meats and provisions in South Worcester. In this store Albert E. Jewell was a clerk until Feb. 10, 1898, when he was admitted to partnership under the firm name of J. Jewell & Son. Four years later the father retired on account of ill health and removed to Denver, Colo., where he lived for 5 years. The son continued the business alone until the Fall of 1908, when Arthur H. Sawyer was admitted to partnership under the present firm name of Albert E. Jewell & Company. The store i at No. 570 Southbridge Street. Mr. Jewell is now one of the veterans in mercantile business in South Worcester, having been in business 27 years (1918).

He is a member of the Worcester Retail Grocers & Provisions Dealers Assoc., of which he was for 4 years the president. He is a member and for the past 20 years has been treasurer of Hope Congregational Church.

Mr. Jewell married in Worcester, Aug. 25, 1898, to Carrie Edna Sampson, daughter of Bushrod White and Nellie F. (Reynolds) Sampson.

They have 3 children:

1) Edith Florence, born July 9, 1899

2) John Albert, born Feb. 9, 1903

3) Arthur George, born Dec. 10, 1905.

Their home is at No. 1 Homestead Avenue.

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History of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 page 684

Oliver Brooks Wood

President and treasurer of the Commonweath Press, was born in Ashburnham, Feb. 7, 1857, son of Eliphalet S. and Susan H. (Farrar) Wood. His father was also a native of Ashburnham, where he lived until 1866, whe he became express agent at Winchendon, a position he held until 1886. He was appointed deputy sheriff in 1870 and held that office may years, was constable and oveseer of the poor. George Farrar Wood, a brother of Oliver B. is a prominent merchant in Winchendon, and Ernest Freeman Wood, another brother, succeeded his father as express agent and deputy sheriff. Isaac Wood, grandfather of Eliphalet S. Wood, was a soldier in the Revolution, selectman of Rindge, NH. He was a son of Michael Wood, who was born in Concord, and settled in Lunenburg, the 4th in line from the pioneer of the family in this country, William Wood, who settled in Concord, author of "New England Prospects", one of the first books written in America.

Oliver B. Wood attended the public schools of Winchendon. At the age of 12 years he began his career as apprentice in a printing office, and with the exception of 5 terms in school he has been constantly engaged since then in the printing business.

When a young man he became foreman of the newspaper and job printing office of the "Franklin County Times", at Greenfield. He worked afterward in printing offices in Fitcburg and Chicago. In 1878 he returned from the West and took charge of the job printing establishment of Edward R. Fiske, then one of the largest in the city. In 1880 he became foreman of the printing department of Sanford & Company, stationers and printers of Worcester. Two years later he bought half interest in the business, which was conducted afterward under the firm name of Sanford & Wood, and shortly afterward he became sole proprietor.

In 1894, having outgrown the quarters on Maple Street, Mr. Wood removed his plant to Foster Street, and again in 1913 to the Graphic Arts building, No. 25 Foster Street, where his business occupied the whole 5th and 6th floors. His imprint, The Commonweath Press, is widely known. At the time of moving to the present location Mr. Wood purchased the plant and business of F.S. Blanchard & Company. In 1911 the business was incorporated; Mr. Wood is president and treasurer; E.H. Marsh, vice president, and Hamilton B. Wood, secretary and assistant treasurer.

The company has a large business in law, catalogue, book, and mercantile printing. A branch office is maintained in Boston at No. 44 Bromfield Street.

Mr. Wood is a director of the Merchants National Bank. He is a member of Athelstan Lodge, Free Masons, also has received the 32nd Degree. He was formerly president of the Worcester Typothetae, an association of master printers. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Wood married, Oct. 19, 1882, Jennie Chase Flagg, born March 23, 1857, daughter of Samuel Curtis and Elizabeth Wood (Merriam) Flagg, of Grafton. Her great-grandfather, Col. Benjamin Flagg, was in command of a company of minutemen that marched to the Lexington Alarm.

Mr. and Mrs. Wood have had 4 children:

1) Olive Marguerite

2) Roger Hamilton, deceased

3) Hamilton Brooks

4) Gladys Jeanette

Mr. Wood's home is at No. 36 Richards Street

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Histoy of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 pages 683, 684

Hamilton Brooks Wood

Secretary and assistant treasurer of the Commonwealth Press, was born in Worcester, May 28, 1889, son of Oliver Brooks and Jennie Chase (Flagg) Wood. Hamlton B. Wood attended the public schools of his native city and graduated from the South High School, in 1906. He entered Williams College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1910 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In high school and college he was prominent in athletics and music. For 2 years he played center in the college football team and for 3 years was on the college track team. He was leader of the college Glee Club in 1909-1910; member of the Mandolin Club, the Banjo Club, the college orchestra, and was author of several coolege songs. He has continued from time to time to compose and publish music since graduation. He was a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity and the Gargoyle Society. He was one of the editors of the "Williams College Song Book". He was marshall of his class at commencement, and is it's permanent secretary. In 1906 he became associated with his father in the printing business, and since 1912 has been secretary. A large share of the management has been given over to him in recent years. He has been active in musical organizations. From the Fall of 1914 to the Spring of 1916 he sang in the choir of the Westborough Congregational Church. He is a member of the Worcester County Musical Assoc., director of the Publicity Assoc., clerk of the Quinsigamond Boat Club; member of the Worcester Economic Club, the Worcester Country Club, the Worcester Fish & Game Club, the Worcester Commercial Travelers Assoc., and the Worcester County Horticultural Society. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Wood married, Nov. 26, 1912, Helen Osgood Bradley, was born in Worcester, June 16, 1888, daughter of John Erving and Emma M. (Dingley) Bradley. She graduated with first honors from the Worcester High School in 1906, and from Smith College in the class of 1910. She was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Society and was president of the College Settlement, one year. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have a daughter, Elizabeth, born Jan. 18, 1915. They reside at No. 67 Lancaster Street, Worcester.

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History of Worcester and Its People by Charles Nutt; Volume 4 pages 568, 569

Charles Nutt

Journalist, genealogist, historian, was born in Natick, Mass., Sept. 26, 1868, and died Set. 26, 1918, at Wareham, Mass., the son of Colonel William and Abigail (Puffer) Nutt.

His preparatory education was acquired i the schools of his native place, he graduated from the Natick High School in 1886, president and valedictorian of his class. He then entered Harvard University, took second-year honors in physics in 1887, and was gradated in 1890 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, both for general rank and for honors in physics.

During his course in school and college, Mr. Nutt did newspaper work fo the Natick "Bulletin" and Natick "Citizen" and the Boston "Evening Record", this experience laying the foundation for his career in journalism, he having been one of the best known men in that line throughout his section of the State of Mass.

In 1890, the year of his graduation frm Harvard, he accepted a position as reporter on the staff of the Worcester "Daily Spy", for many years the leading paper in that thriving city, and in the following year, having gained additional experience, he founded "The Paragraph", in New Rochelle, New York, and later became the owner of newspaper and printing plants at New Rochell and Mamaroneck, New York.

On Oct. 1, 1899, he purchased the Worcester "Daily Spy" and conducted it until June 1, 1904, when it passed out of his hands and was suspended. The plant was destroyed by fire, May 21, 1902, and the loss was disastrous to the business. He disposed of the New Rochelle "Paragraph", Nov. 1, 1900 and the Mamaroneck "Paragraph" to Charles F. Rice.

With thorough training, true journalistic instinct, broad knowledge of affairs, he reflected honor upon his profession, and in his conduct of the various papers with which he was indentified. He made them the exponent of the highest interests of the community, of the State and of the Nation.

In addition to his journalistic work, Mr. Nutt devoted considerable time to genealogical research, in which he was an expert, and from 1904 until his death was associated with the Lewis Publishing Company of New York, and at the time of his death was watching through the press the later pages of a monumental work which he had already completed - "History of Worcester", which will be read with great interest by his many friends and acquaintances in Worcester, his adopted city.

He completed a history of the First Mass. Heavy Artillery, which was begun by the late Hon. Alfred S. Roe; wrote a history of the Crompton & Knowles Loom Works, one of the largest enterprizes in Worcester, and was author of several other books which received favorable comment from the press and from the reading public.

Although so much of his time and thought were given to the duties above mentioned, Mr. Nutt was also an active participant in political affairs, in which he took a keen interest, and was chosen by his fellow citizens to serve as delegate to various Republican conventions, including the State Convention when the late Theodore Roosevelt was nomiated for Governor of New York. He was the candidate of the Republican Party for the office of supervisor; during the presidential campaign of 1904 was in charge of the Speakers' Bureau of the Mass. Republican State Committee; was chairman of the 4th Ward Republican Committee of New Rochelle, New York, and treasurer of the New Rochelle Republican Club. Mr. Nutt held membership in the Mass. Sons of the American Revolution; the New England Historic Genealogical Society; the Worcester Society of Antiquity; Huguenot Council, Royal Arcanum; and Huguenot Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, both of New Rochelle; and during his collegiate course was a member of the Pierian Sodality, in which he played the double bass, and he was also a member of various other clubs. Mr. Nutt married (1st), Aug. 26, 1891, to Ada Sophia Robinson, born March 5, 1871, at Natick, died Nov. 17, 1909, at Worcester, daughter of Walter Billings and Ella Maria (Bullard) Robinson. He married (2nd), at Havehill, New Hampshire, Nov. 28, 1911, to Lucia Jeanette Morrill, born Nov. 28, 1885, at Benton, New Hampshire, daughter of Eben and Nancy (Holt) Morrill, of Haverhill, NH. Children by (1st) wife: 1) Isabel Ella, born at New Rochelle, NY, June 27, 1892; married Feb. 15, 1919, to Robert Truman Bamford, U.S. Navy, of Ipswich, Mass. 2) Harold, born Dec. 3, 1893, at New Rochelle, NY; graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, class of 1916. 3) Arthur, born Feb. 6, 1895, at New Rochelle, NY; graduate of W.P.I., class of 1916; married Nov. 29, 1917, to Anne Josephine Dewey, of Buffalo, NY, daughter of Frank Cline and Helen May (Keon) Dewey. 4) Dorothy May, born Aug. 23, 1897, at New Rochelle, NY 5) Charles Stanley, born at Worcester, Nov. 10, 1899; seaman in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S. Steamship "Kansas" Child by (2nd) wife: 1) Ruth, born at Worcester, April 7, 1913 In the death of Mr. Nutt the city of Worcester lost a man who had made a name for himself in the city of his adoption, a man of courage and determination, of untiring energy, who added to these qualities the courtesy of a genteman. Burial was in Dell Park Cemetery, Natick, Mass.

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