History of Mendon, (Worcester County) Massachusetts United States of America

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Biographies:

Benjamin Adams, representative, was born in Mendon, Mass., Dec. 18, 1764; son of Josiah and Sarah (Reed) Adams. He was graduated at Brown university in 1788, receiving his A.M. degree in course. He was admitted to the bar and practised in Uxbridge, Mass. He was a representative in the state legislature, 1809-14; state senator, 1814-15, and 1822-25, and a representative in the 14th, 15th and 16th congresses, 1816-21, having been elected first to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Elijah Brigham in 1816. He died in Uxbridge, Mass., March 28, 1837.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Samuel Penniman Bates, educator, was born at Mendon, Mass., Jan. 29, 1827. He was engaged in teaching at Milford, Mass., when sixteen years old, and, fitting himself for college, was graduated from Brown university in 1851 with the degree of A.M. He was occupied as a private tutor in 1851 and 1852. For five years following he acted as principal of the academy at Meadville, Pa., and as instructor of a class of teachers to whom he lectured on the theory and practice of teaching, this being an embryo normal school, and from 1857 to 1860 was superintendent of schools in Crawford county, Pa. This office he resigned to become deputy superintendent of public instruction in Pennsylvania, and in 1866 he was appointed state historian by Governor Curtin. From 1874 to 1881 he acted as superintendent of schools in Meadville, Pa., travelling in England, Scotland, and on the continent of Europe in 1877. He was president of the public library association from 1872 to 1880, a member of the Pennsylvania historical society, and a member of Crawford county historical society. His published writings include: "Institute Lectures on Mental and Moral Culture" (1859); "Method of Teachers' Institutes" (1862); articles on "Physical Culture" (1862-'63); "Liberal Education" (1864); "History of the Colleges of Pennsylvania "; "History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers" (5 vols., 1866-'73); "Lives of the Governors of Pennsylvania" (1873); "Martial Deeds of Pennsylvania" (1875); "Battle of Gettysburg" (1878); "Life of General O. B. Knowles" (1878); "History of Crawford County, Pennsylvania" (1878); "Battle of Chancellorsville" (1882); "History of Pennsylvania"; "History of Greene County, Pennsylvania"; "Digest of School Laws"; and contributions to volume twelve of the Encyclop?dia Brittannica. He received the degree of LL.D. from Westminster college in 1862, and from Alleghany college in 1877.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Adin Ballou Capron, representative, was born in Mendon, Mass., Jan. 9, 1841; son of Carlile W. and Abby (Bates) Capron. He was educated at Woonsocket high school and subsequently attended Westbrook seminary, Maine. He enlisted as a sergeant in the 2nd Rhode Island infantry in May, 1861, and was promoted successively sergeant-major, July 11, 1861, lieutenant, September, 1861, and 1st lieutenant in the U.S. signal corps, March 3, 1863. He served through the war, and received the brevets of captain and major. He was representative in the state legislature, 1887-92; speaker of the house, 1891-92; and a Republican representative from Rhode Island in the 54th, 55th, 56th, 57th and 58th congresses, 1895-1905.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor