Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-17
WEBSTER.
DEATH OF FIRED T. CHASE.
One of Websters Most Honored citizens
Passes Away at His Winter
Home, in New York City.
(speciaa pispatch to the spy.,

Special Dispatch to the spy
Webster, Jan. 16.-Word was received
tonight announcing the death Of one of
Webster's most honored citizens, Fred
erick II. Chase, who died at his winter
home, at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, in
New York city, at 7.SO o'clock Sunday
evening, after a lingering illness from
a complication Of diseases.
Deceased was born at Burrillville, R,
T., in 1874, and was the son Of the late
John Chase, whom he succeeded in the
business of wooden manufacture. He at
tended the public schools and graduated
from Nichols Academy, In Dudley.
Although Mr.. Chase was a resident Of
Webster, the extensive plant of the
Chase wooden mills, of which he was at
the head, is situated within the cor
porate limits of Dudley being located
on the west side Of the French river.
They are considered essentially a Web
ster industry and have for years con-
tributed largely to the growth and pros
perity of the town. The water power
prior to the Incorporation of Webster
was the property of the Nichols cotton
factory, subsequently known as Fen
ners. The cotton mills were burned in
1885, and the franchises of the property
were purchased in 1859 by John Chase,
father of the deceased, who erected the
buildings which form the nucleus of the
present plant, in 1860,
These have from time to time been
added to, until the plant now covers
several acres. The firm name was John
Chase & Sons, the other son being Oscar
T. Chase, who sold his interests in 1874
In 1871 John Chase died.
Additions We're built to the mills in
1876, rs, 80 and "a. Now they employ
500 persons. They are kept in prime con-
dition, admirably arranged and are con-
sidered among the best in the country.
Mr.. Chase was the second largest EN-
ployer In the vicinity, and was the first
to adopt the weekly-payment system,
which he did 10 years before the pass
age of the weekly-paynent law by the
legislature of this state. Mr. Chase also
adopted the 58-hour law regarding WON
en- and minors, although it gave his
competitors over the state line in Con-
necticut and Rhode Island decided ad-
vantage over him in his business and
made difference of about $500 in his
weekly pay roll.
Mr.. Chase was always on the best of
terms with his employees, and has very
seldom been annoyed by labor troubles
In 1876 he was Webster's representa-
tive to the legislature, running largely
ahead of his ticket. He served as house
chairman on the committee on manufac-
lures. He was selectnan in Webster in
1S14-75 and 1879-S0. Although he never
sought office, whenever he allowed the
use of his name he always strove to
win, for his own credit and for that of
his party. He was looked upon as an
ideal candidate, and especially by the
laboring classes, among whom were his
strongest friends. His relations to his
employees were thoroughly known to be
OF the warTnest nature, and his hundreds
of kindly deeds during his long residence
in Webster won for him the love and
respect of all classes, regardless of polit-
ical affiliations.
When in town he was a constant at
tendant of the Universalist Church, and
has always contributed generously to-
wards its support No man in this vicin-
ity has given more money to charitable
objects, and with less ostentation, irres-
pective of creed or politics, than he has.
Mr. Chase was one of Webster's most
honored and respected citizens Fine
looking in appearance and build, all
who knew him will agree that come
ly exterior covered a generous heart and
soul Money could hardly have been
placed in hands where it would have
done more good He was of Quaker eX-
traction and possessed to a marked de-
gree the kind and benevolent DISPOSE
ton which characterized that sect.
On November 6, 1867, Mr., Chase was
united in marriage to Miss Jennie S.
Alton of Webster, by the Rev. George
J. Sanger, who was then pastor of the
local Universalist Church. He leaves a
wife and two sons, John f. and Fred
erick T., and daughter, Miss Bessie
Chase. He also leaves one brother, Os-
car r. Chase of North Oxford.