The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-24
Death of Aged
Odd Fellow.
WAS A PIONEER.
Matters of General Import
to Big Shoe Town.

4 Spencer, Dec. 23.-William Caldwell,
the oldest odd Fellow in the state Of
Massachusetts. and one of the Oldest
in the United States, passed away at Z
o'clock this morning at the home Of his
daughter, Mrs. Joel S. Billiard, Main
street, at the ripe old age Of 81 years.
Mr.. Caldwell has enjoyed excellent
health for the greater part Of his life,
until within the past two years, during
which time although not well, he has
been able to be about most OK the time
Mr.. Caldwell was taken i'll very suddenly
Monday afternoon. at which urne he
became unconscious remaining in that
state until his death this morning
The deceased was an esteemed and
highly respected resident Of Spencer,
where he has resided for 20 years, and
his familiar figure viii be greatly
missed by Spencer people. MI Cald-
well was a quiet, Industrious man, al
ways doing something useful, not al
ways for himself, but many times for
others Even when the old gentleman
was SO years old, he cultivated one of
the finest gardens of Spencer, Of which
he was justly proud. Mr. Caldwell up
to his removal to Spencer was very
successful market gardner, at which
business he spent most Of his early life.
He was a very intelligent and well
read man, spending ell his spare mo-
ments either scanning the newspapers
or reading some standard work. The
deceased, as before stated, was the old
est Odd Fellow in this state, having
belonged to that order SO years, and
held very high place of honor among
the members of that organization. VIII
liam Caldwell was born in the year 1911
in Williamsburg, Penn. He was the
youngest son Of ten children of Mr.. and
Mrs. Moses Caldwell, both Of whom
died and were buried in Pennsylvania.
When a young man, the deceased set
out from home, travelling overland to
Barre, Mass While In Barre he became
acquainted with Miss Esta Wilson Of
Charlton, to whom when % years OF
age he was married The day after their
marriage, Mr.. and Mrs. Caldwell start
ed back for Pennsylvania, and at that
time being obliged to travel overland,
the journey took them II days. After
residing in Pennsylvania. Mr.. Caldwell
and wife returned to Charlton, Mass,
where they resided until 1875, in which
year they moved to Spencer. Since Mr.
CaldWells stay in Spencer he has re-
tired from active business, living for II
years with his daughter, Mrs. Edward
Stone. and for the past eight years with
his daughter, Mrs. Joel Billiard, at
whose home he passed away His fam
lily consists of five children, Mrs. Bull
lard being the only surviving member
of the family.
The funeral VIII take place tomorrow
afternoon at 2.30 at the residence Of
Mr. Joel S. Billiard, Main street Rev
Mr.. Hague, OF the st. Matthew's Epis-
copal Church. viii be the officiating
clergyman.
All the public schools Of Spencer had
Christmas celebrations this afternoon.
At the Pleasant street school. grades !
and 2 held joint exercises, principally
Of literary and musical nature. At
the conclusion Of this program, Ed
mund Prouty entered dressed as Santa
Claus. and distributed little goodies,
much to their delight. In Miss Tay
lor's room fish pond was prepared.
Miss Jennie Sumner, teacher at the
Main street brick, gave her scholars a
Christmas party.
Miss Sullivan, teacher of grade T.
also planned very pleasing Christmas
program for her scholars.
Grades /, 8, and Of Maple street
all united and presented the operetta,
Christmas tide" in four acts, under
the direction Of Miss Colon, teacher.
/ JTOSe street, BFdueS 1, ana 5, united
and gave a pleasing program.
| All the other schools throughout the
town also held appropriate programs.
| The annual entertainment and Christ
mas tree of the First Congregational
! Church were held tonight in the churcn
chapel. A Brownie entertainment was
! first given, after which the usual
Christmas tree exercises were in or
der.
| At meeting of the foot ball team of
the d. P. H. S., this morning, it was
decided to have the teams photographs
taken at 10 o'clock next Tuesday morn
/ ing, at Currin's studio.
Another case of scarlet fever has bro
ken out in town, this time the victim
being the little girl of w. o. Warren,
May street.
Henry H. Wheeler of the Lawrence
scientific school is at the home of his
! father, DR.. e. r. Wheeler
Thomas K. Faxon, senior at Har-
ward University, is the guest of his
mother, Mrs. g. L. Faxon.
The annual Christmas tree exercises
of the Universalist Church were held in
the church chapel this evening.
Miss Winnie Simonds, assistant in the
| Camden high school, of which Chester
B. Allen Of this town is principal, is
visiting the family of Charles Allen and
family Of East Main street.