Individual Details
Calvin Luther Prouty
(16 Mar 1808 - )
Calvin Luther Prouty, a former wealthy nail manufacturer of Worcester, was born March 16, 1808, at Spencer, Mass., son of Joshua and Betsey (Draper) Prouty. His people have lived in Massachusetts since Richard Prouty settled in Scituate as early as 1670, and have been residents of Spencer for several generations.
Calvin Luther Prouty was educated at Spencer. In 1834 he went to North Hadley, Mass. He there learned wire-making, and having become an expert at the trade, he decided to come to Worcester, where wire-making was a recognized industry. In 1842 he engaged as book-keeper for the old firm of Draper & Clark, dealers in flour and grain. While in their employ he saved money, and watched for an opportunity to go into the wire-making business. He was soon able to begin the manufacture of wire, and established himself in the Merrifield building, where he remained until the great fire of 1854, afterward resuming business on Front Street, and continuing it for some years with splendid success. He was then associated in business with Asa Allen, and manufactured shoe nails largely, succeeding in this industry as he had in his other enterprises. He retired with a small fortune in 1870.
He married in 1838 Mary Russell, of Northampton. Mr. Prouty had a strong personality. He was intensely practical and a man of unremitting energy. His purpose, once conceived, was always pushed to a successful conclusion. He was a man of the strictest integrity, and possessed the entire confidence of all with whom he was associated. He never cared for public office, and served but once on the Common Council, declining re-election. Modest and unassuming, he was a kind neighbor and a friend in all relations of life.
Calvin Luther Prouty was educated at Spencer. In 1834 he went to North Hadley, Mass. He there learned wire-making, and having become an expert at the trade, he decided to come to Worcester, where wire-making was a recognized industry. In 1842 he engaged as book-keeper for the old firm of Draper & Clark, dealers in flour and grain. While in their employ he saved money, and watched for an opportunity to go into the wire-making business. He was soon able to begin the manufacture of wire, and established himself in the Merrifield building, where he remained until the great fire of 1854, afterward resuming business on Front Street, and continuing it for some years with splendid success. He was then associated in business with Asa Allen, and manufactured shoe nails largely, succeeding in this industry as he had in his other enterprises. He retired with a small fortune in 1870.
He married in 1838 Mary Russell, of Northampton. Mr. Prouty had a strong personality. He was intensely practical and a man of unremitting energy. His purpose, once conceived, was always pushed to a successful conclusion. He was a man of the strictest integrity, and possessed the entire confidence of all with whom he was associated. He never cared for public office, and served but once on the Common Council, declining re-election. Modest and unassuming, he was a kind neighbor and a friend in all relations of life.
Events
| Birth | 16 Mar 1808 | Spencer, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States |  | ||
| Marriage | 1838 | Massachusetts, United States - Mary K Russell | | ||
| Census (family) | 8 Oct 1850 | Ward 4, Spencer, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States - Mary K Russell |  |
Families
| Spouse | Mary K Russell (1814 - ) |
| Father | Joseph Prouty (1767 - 1829) |
| Mother | Betsey Draper (1772 - 1846) |
| Sibling | Philinda Prouty (1792 - 1854) |
| Sibling | Calvin Prouty (1793 - 1808) |
| Sibling | Emelia Prouty (1796 - ) |
| Sibling | Horace Prouty (1798 - 1815) |
| Sibling | Charles Prouty (1800 - ) |
| Sibling | Cyrus Prouty (1802 - 1851) |
| Sibling | Elmira Prouty (1804 - ) |
| Sibling | Luther Prouty (1806 - 1807) |
| Sibling | Alden (Oldin) Draper Prouty (1810 - 1811) |
| Sibling | Mary Draper Prouty (1813 - ) |
| Sibling | Betsey Prouty (1816 - 1865) |
| Sibling | Joseph Horace Prouty (1818 - 1896) |
Notes
Census (family)
177, 277, Calvin L Prouty, 42 M, Machinist, 3800, MAMary K Prouty, 36 F, MA
Almira P. Goodale, 23 F, MA
Endnotes
1. Draper, James., History of Spencer, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to the year 1860 : including a brief sketch of Leicester, to the year 1753. (Worcester: Printed by H.J. Howland, 1860?, 279 pgs.), p. 245.
2. Pope, Charles Henry, 1841-1918., Prouty (Proute) genealogy. (Boston, Mass.; C.H. Pope, 1910.), p 52.
3. Anonymous, Biographical review. : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts. (Boston: Biographical Review Pub. Co., 1899, 1218 pgs.), 1164.