The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-20

bers names. And, best of all, it is nat
ural for Mr., Thayer to do this, 1t is
no effort on his part: but thoroughly
natural, 1t is not surprising that his
popularity has eliminated in the re-
cent honor bestowed upon him by the
people or that universal confidence in
him is felt by republicans and demo-
Gratis alike,
John Randolph Thayer was born in
Douglas March 10, 1S45, where he lived
until he was l6 years of age He was
the son of Morey r. Thayer and Har
riet (Morse) Thayer His father was
a farmer of moderate means, who was
ambitious for his son. and early incul-
Gated into his son the belief that the
future held something better for him
than a farmers life. During the years
of his youth, young Thayer attended
country school. He was a careful stu
dent, but he lost no opportunity to
get into the woods and hunt rabbits or
squirrels or to set snares for part
ridges. This, together with his farm
duties. no doubt did much to build up
the rugged constitution which has and
does today stand MI Thayer in such
good stead, and makes an amount of
work possible which would otherwise
break him down.
At the age of Is, young Thayer went
to Nichols academy, where he fitted for
Yale, graduating from the academy and
going to the university in 1865. He
graduated from Yale in 1863, in the first
third of his class. He was a fair stu
dent, but never sacrificed a good time
for hard work He was able to keep
up a fair and safe standing without
an extra amount of work, and was in
no sense d book worm He took an
active interest in such athletics as there
We're then. mainly round ball and boat
ing. He rowed in the class crew, but
was not heavy enough to get into the
:" varsity" He was a member Of sew
eral secret societies and universally
popular with his classmates.
David Manning, Esq. is his only
classmate residing in Worcester. Other
members of the class are now we'll up
the ladder in public and private life
but Bissell, the postmaster general I'M
der Cleveland has so far received the
greatest honor.
When y years of age young Thayer
was a witness in n civil suit involving
a dispute over cutting some wood Then
and there he determined to become
lawyer and afterWard he kept that end
constantly in view. He felt sure as
he now expresses it. that he should be
able to do as well as the lawyers pres
ent.
MI Thayer came to Worcester Oct.
l. 1869. Outside Of the family of Judge
Henry Chaplin, he Gid not know a per-
son here. He entered the Office of
Judge Chaplin and studied law with
him. Later he was with Justice Hart
ley Williams of the police court. He
was admitted to the bar in 1869. He
then entered the Office of w. A. Viii
l.. 4
years, leaving at the end of that time
10 open an Office of his own at he cor
ner of Pearl and Main streets Later
he was with G. S. Chaplin at the Walker
building. and for the past eight years
he has been in partnership with City
Solicitor Arthur F. Rugg.
Almost Immediately after hanging
out his shingle Mr. Thayer had quite
an extensive practice, and he won his
first case. Until within the last few
Years, Nh Thayer has done an extern
sive criminal practice, trying a very
large number of capital cases. probab-
ly more than any man in Worcester
county, and he achieved much prom-
nence thereby. OF recent years, Mr..
Thayer has gradually worked out of
criminal into civil cases, which now
keep him very busy. Mr. Thayer is an
exceptionally magnetic man, and while
speaker he has a fascinating, CONVEX
satiOnal manner that holds and inter-
ests his audience. This has been par
ticularly noticeable in his stump
speeches. There is a deal of good in
them, sandwiched in among dry or
sparkling humor, that makes friends
and votes, too, as has been demon
strated
Mr.. Thayer was married Jan. 80,
1872. to Miss Charlotte D. Holmes,
daughter of Pitt Holmes and an old
resident Of South Worcester Since his
marriage, he has resided in the family
residence on Cambridge street. Mr.
Thayer has done much to beautfy the
exterior of the place, while the inside
is model of comfort and luxury. Six
children are the result of the union all
Of whom are living.
Henry Holmes Thayer, the eldest son.
graduated from Harvard College in
1896, and is now in his last year in the
Harvard law school John M. Thayer
has just graduated from Harvard He
is studying law in his fathers office.
Both sons have many of their fathers
qualities for making friends and are
exceedingly popular. The youngest son
took keen interest in the recent cam
p2ign, and will probably accompany his
father to Washington.
Miss Charlotte D. Thayer is now at
home, having recently graduated from
private school for girls in Boston
Miss Marguerite E. Thayer is attending
preparatory school at Bryn Mawr and
the two younger children Mary p and
Edward c., are attending private
schools in Worcester. The family are
attendants at St, Matthew's Church.
where Mrs. Thayer is an active worker
Mr. Thaver has a brother Charles NJ
q farmer in Spencer, and a sister, Miss
Lucy A, a school teacher in Woon-
socket, R. l. There were no other child
rem in his fathers family cousin
John M. Thayer is judge of the superior
court of Connecticut.
Mr. Thayer has been an ardent fox
hunter for years. He is a charter
member of the Worcester Fur Company
and was Instrumental in its formation.