The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-03
OBITUARY
FREDERICK L. HILDRETH.

FREDERICK l., HlLDREII1'
Frederick Louis Hildreth was the
oldest child Of Louis Hartwen Hill
dreth and Catherine Elizabeth Ray
mond of Aver, Mass.
He was born January 4, 1S41 in West
! ford, Mass, where his fathers family
| had lived for many generations and
had held tracts of land; his mother
came from an old influential Charles
town (Mass) family
! He attended Westford Academy,
| where he had for a teacher the pres
ent Secretary Of Navy Hon. John d.
! Long. Later he went to Lawrence
Academy in Groton, Mass, but, being
of a rowing disposition, gave it up and
went to work as baggage master on
the Fitchburg railroad.
At LincOlns first call for volunteers,
/ he enlisted in Co. A. Fifteenth Mas
sachusetts volunteer infantry and came
| to Worcester to learn a soldiers duties
at Camp Scott While camped there he
was appointed a corporal, and promot-
ed to a sergeant When the Fifteenth
was ordered to the front he was asked
to take the cOlOrs, Colonel Devens say
ing to him: Fred, you will make a
good mark for the Rebs,. but I Know
you will stand by that flag" His col
onels words were proven by his con-
duct at Balls Bluff, where his regi-
ment received it's baptism of fire.
Thirteen bullet holes were made in
| the flag he carried; part, of the flag
staff was shot away; the letters on his
hat were shot off, and his coat was
pierced in several holes, but he kept
the flag, and, barefooted and exhaust
ed saved it through that first awful
day As his regiment went into the
! fight his friend, Lieutenant Grant, babe
| him goodbye, saying he did not be-
lieve they would meet again.
From injuries received at this battle
he was invaded, and sent home on
furlOugh. He returned twice, only to
be sent back again on account of his
failing strength.
He married Harriet Walker Hazen
in Groton, Mass, by whom he had
born two sons, the older-Wi lliam-dy-
ing when only months old
After a couple of years he went to
work again for the Fitchburg railroad,
as conductor, and stayed with them
quite a while living at this time in
Fitchburg, Mass. Later he came to
Worcester, and was yard-master on
the Boston, Barre & Gardner Railroad.
He left there and went into the milk
business having at that time one of
! the largest retail routes in the city.
While in this business he met with an
accident, and sold out, going to work
for the Boston e Albany railroad.
He left there to accept a good posi-
tion with Rice Barton e Fales, with
whom he staid until failing health
made him relinquish all work.
He was a great sufferer from
troubles and injuries received while in
the army.
The last few years he has written
very many contributions for newspa-
pers, being quite frequent contribu-
tor to The Spy and Telegram, as well
! as to several out town papers. He
was a member of Post 10, G. A. R.; a
| mason, being a member and one time
secretary of Caleb Butler Lodge Of
Aver, Mass.
He was a firm and consistent be-
lever in the doctrines Of spiritualsm:
and in connection with the local So
ciety Of that faith he organized and
conducted for several years the Chill
dren's LyCeum. He was a great lover
of children, and they seemed to recp-
rocate his love for them by being very
fond of him.
He was very fond of nature, and de-
lighted in all her works and ways.
Since his failing health has kept him
from manual labor he has composed
several books of POEMS the best
known of which he called Echoes
From My Song Realm"
ABOUT a monJh ago ne was stricken
down with typhoid fever, and breathed
his last, Sunday night, at 113O D. m.
as the result of complications from
that disease.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs.
II. w. Hildreth a son, who is a fore
man at the local post office; a broth
er, whose business and home are in
Charlestown, and a sister, who lives
in Cambridge, Mass.
His great effort life woe
those who We're in need. As was said
of his comrade, Lieutenant Grant
We shall meet. but we shall miss
him"