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

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Biographies:

Albert F. Bellows, painter, was born at Milford, Mass., Nov. 29, 1829. His childhood was passed in Salem, Mass, and in 1845 he obtained a position in the office of a Boston architect. His taste and aptitude for drawing made him eminently fitted for this business, and at the age of nineteen he became a partner in a firm of good standing. After remaining in business a short time he adopted painting for a profession, and was for some years principal of the New England school of design. He soon after went abroad and divided his time between New York and the art centres of Europe. He was elected an associate of the National academy in 1859, academician in 1861. He was one of the first members of the American society of painters in water colors, and in 1868 was made an honorary member of the Royal Belgian society of water colorists, which honor cannot be given without a unanimous vote of the members of the institution. Before going abroad he confined his work chiefly to oils, in which he was less successful than in his later water colors. Among the best of these are: "Study of a Head" (1876); "Autumn Woods" (1876); "Sunday Afternoon in New England" (1876); "New England Homestead" (1878); "The Willow Wagon," "Sunday in Devonshire," and "The Village Elm." Several of his pictures have been reproduced in steel or copper-plate engravings. The Art Journal for March, 1877, says: "Bellows' soft river hanks, his trees trembling with light, and the quiet skies of summer have long made his paintings loved, and they have also served to develop the taste for water colors among us." He died at Auburndale, Mass., Nov. 24, 1883.

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

Horace Brigham Claflin, merchant, was born at Milford, Mass., Dec. 13, 1811; son of John and Lydia (Mellen) Claflin; grandson of John Claflin; and only brother of Aaron Claflin (1807-1890). His first American ancestor, Robert Claflin, settled near Milford, Mass., in 1661. He received an academical education and entered his father's store as a clerk. In 1831 he succeeded to the business in partnership with his brother Aaron and his brother-in-law, Samuel Daniels. In 1832 the firm established another store at Worcester, to which he devoted himself exclusively, disposing of his Milford store to his brother. In 1843 he removed to New York and entered into partnership with William F. Bulkley in the dry-goods jobbing business. In 1851 the firm name was changed to Claflin, Mellen & Co., and later Mr. Claflin erected the Trinity building. In 1861 they built extensive warehouses on Worth street. At the outbreak of the war the firm failed and Mr. Claflin offered his creditors a compromise of seventy cents on a dollar. In a short time the seventy cents was paid and then thirty cents additional with interest in full was paid. In 1864 Mr. Mellen retired from the firm and the style of it was changed to H. B. Claflin & Co. The business of the house continued to grow, its sales in a single day reaching $1,500,000, and in a single year $72,000,000. Mr. Claflin was an abolitionist and active in his support of the antislavery party. He was always a Republican, although in 1884 he supported Mr. Cleveland as candidate for the presidency. He was prominent in many Brooklyn charities. He died at Fordham, N.Y., Nov. 4, 1885.

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

Stephen Chapin, clergyman, was born in Milford, Mass., Nov. 4, 1778. He was graduated at Harvard college in 1804, and in the following year was ordained to the Congregational ministry. In 1819 he became a Baptist minister, and settled at North Yarmouth, Me., where he preached until 1822, resigning in that year to accept the chair of theology at Waterville college, Me. From 1828 to 1841 he was president of the Columbian college at Washington, D. C. In 1822 Brown university conferred upon him the degree of S.T.D. Among his published sermons are notable, Letters on the mode and subjects of Baptism; The Duty of Living for the good of Posterity. He died Oct. 1, 1845.

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

William Claflin, governor of Massachusetts, was born in Milford, Mass., March 6, 1816; son of Lee and Sarah (Adams) Claflin. He was prepared for college at Milford academy and attended Brown university, but was not graduated. He entered his father's shoe factory in 1835, and in 1838, after mastering the details of the business, he engaged in a similar undertaking in St. Louis, Mo. In 1845 he removed to Boston, Mass., where he carried on a wholesale shoe business. He was a member of the Massachusetts house of representatives, 1849-53; of the state senate, 1860-61; and of the Republican national executive committee, 1864-72, being chairman of the last named, 1868-72. He was lieutenant-governor of Massachusetts in 1866, 1867 and 1868, and was governor of the state, 1869-71. He was a representative in the 45th and 46th congresses, 1877-81. He was vice-president of the corporation of Boston university, 1869-72, and from 1872 was its president. He was president of the Massachusetts club. He received the degree of LL. D. from Wesleyan university, Middletown, Conn., in 1868, and from Harvard in 1869.

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