Page:One of a thousand.djvu/315

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II1I.DRETII. HILDRETH. 30 r He taught school in the winter of i860 and '61. He was married in Cambridge, Septem- ber 18, 1867, to Abbie Amelia, daughter of William T. and Abigail Burnam (Story) Shattuck. They have no children. Mr. Hildreth has served his town as selectman, overseer of the poor for several terms, member of the school board, etc. In 1872 he was chosen moderator of the town meeting, and has since continued to serve in that capacity at every annual meeting. In 1878 he was a member of the House of Representatives, and the same year he re- ceived the appointment of justice of the peace, which position he still holds. In r 8 7 9 he was chosen secretary of the Farmers' Club (the oldest town club in the State), serving in that capacity to the present time — he had served two years previous to this as president of the club. In 1S88, at the organization of the grange in his town, he was chosen master, and re- elected at the next annual meeting. In politics Mr. Hildreth has been actively identified with the Republican party, hav- ing cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has attended many of the conventions called in its interests. He is always promi- nent in public matters, and has ever been ready to aid any educational, social or lit- erary enterprise that may affect the pros- perity of Lunenburg, where he still resides. His success in life is due entirely to his industry and intelligent economy. HILDRETH, MlLO, was born in Town- send, Middlesex county, August 17, 1824. His ancestors came from England in early colonial times. He is the sixth child of Zachariah and Hannah Sawtelle Hildreth. Until he attained the age of sixteen, his life was spent on the paternal farm. He secured his early education in the district schools of East Townsend. April 1, 1841, he was apprenticed to a manufacturer of combs in Leominster, where he was to serve four years in learn- ing the trade. He enjoyed the privileges of a good district school during the winter season, and here became deeply interested in the study of physiology and phrenology, and felt strongly inclined to prepare him- self for the medical profession. At the expiration of his apprenticeship he entered the Townsend Academy, a select school of high reputation at that time, and there applied himself earnestly to the work. He taught school and worked at his trade in order to supply himself with funds to again defray his expenses while in school ; but in the spring of 1847 he was offered a partnership in the manufacture of combs, which he accepted, and since 1849 he has been senior partner in the management of the same business — in i860 tortoise-shell jewelry and novelties were added to the list of manufactures. The brother of the sub- ject of this sketch is associated with him, the firm name beiny; Milo Hildreth & Co. MILO HILDRETH. On the 31st of December, 1846, Mr. Hildreth married Frances J. Hooker, of North Brookfield. The children were: Alice J., Clara F., Mary E., Jennie F., Annie C, Walter H. and Florence G. Hildreth. Of these, only four are now living : Mary, Jennie, Annie and Walter. Mr. Hildreth was a member of the House of Representatives in 1858, of the Senate in 1865, and of the governor's council in 1872, '73 and '74. In 1876 he was ap- pointed by Governor Rice a member of the board of managers on the Centennial Ex- position, at Philadelphia. He has been thirty years justice of the peace. He has served as trustee of the state reform school at Westborough, was appointed one of the trustees of the state primary and reform schools by Governor Talbot, when the board was first organized, and has re- ceived a re-appointment for a term of five years each by Governors Long and Rob- inson. He has been called to numerous