Individual Details
Thomas Austin Prouty
(11 Aug 1822 - 14 Feb 1903)
Thomas A. Prouty, a retired merchant of Spencer, was born in this town, August 11, 1822, son of Captain John N. Prouty and Melinda (Luther) Prouty. His first American ancestor was Richard Prouty, who settled in Scituate, Mass., as early as 1667. The great- grandfather of Thomas, Isaac Prouty, was the first of the family to locate in Spencer. The grandfather was Thomas Prouty, who was a highly esteemed citizen in his day. Captain John N. Prouty was born at the family homestead in Spencer, and resided in this town all his life. He serves as Selectman and Overseer of the Poor, and also belonged to the State militia. His wife, Melinda, was a native of Spencer.
Thomas A. Prouty was educated in the common schools and at Leicester Academy. He taught school for some time, but when nineteen years old he entered mercantile business as a clerk, in which capacity he continued some twelve years. About 1854 he engaged in business at Paxton, Mass., as a member of the firm of T. A. & I. L. Prouty, and carried on a general store in that town for several years. Subsequently he returned to Spencer and conducted business here under the firm name of Thomas A. Prouty & Co. until his retirement in 1884.
Mr. Prouty married Georgiana E. Pike, of Paxton. He has three children; John N. Prouty, who resides in Norton, Mass.; Clara E., who is now Mrs. Frederick Watson, of Spencer; and Walter V. Prouty, of Worcester. While residing in Paxton, Mr. Prouty served as Assessor and Town Collector. he has served upon the School Committee of Spencer, has acted as a Justice of the Peace for over twenty-five years, was Trial Justice for three years, and is at the present time chairman of the Boards of Assessors and Overseers of the Poor. His political principles are Democratic. A progressive citizen, he is interested in all movements having for their object the development of the bushiness resources of the town.
Thomas A. Prouty was educated in the common schools and at Leicester Academy. He taught school for some time, but when nineteen years old he entered mercantile business as a clerk, in which capacity he continued some twelve years. About 1854 he engaged in business at Paxton, Mass., as a member of the firm of T. A. & I. L. Prouty, and carried on a general store in that town for several years. Subsequently he returned to Spencer and conducted business here under the firm name of Thomas A. Prouty & Co. until his retirement in 1884.
Mr. Prouty married Georgiana E. Pike, of Paxton. He has three children; John N. Prouty, who resides in Norton, Mass.; Clara E., who is now Mrs. Frederick Watson, of Spencer; and Walter V. Prouty, of Worcester. While residing in Paxton, Mr. Prouty served as Assessor and Town Collector. he has served upon the School Committee of Spencer, has acted as a Justice of the Peace for over twenty-five years, was Trial Justice for three years, and is at the present time chairman of the Boards of Assessors and Overseers of the Poor. His political principles are Democratic. A progressive citizen, he is interested in all movements having for their object the development of the bushiness resources of the town.
Events
| Birth | 11 Aug 1822 | Spencer, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States |  | ||
| Marriage | 31 May 1854 | Paxton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States - Georgianna Ellen Pike | |||
| Census (family) | 6 Aug 1870 | Spencer, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States - Georgianna Ellen Pike |  | ||
| Census (family) | 1880 | Spencer, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States - Georgianna Ellen Pike | | ||
| Death | 14 Feb 1903 | Spencer, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States |
Families
| Spouse | Georgianna Ellen Pike (1833 - ) |
| Child | Clara Edna Prouty (1856 - 1909) |
| Child | John Nazro Prouty (1861 - 1921) |
| Child | Walter V. Prouty (1869 - ) |
| Father | John Nazro Prouty (1794 - 1848) |
| Mother | Melinda Luther (1796 - ) |
| Sibling | Melinda Adeline Prouty (1824 - 1904) |
| Sibling | Theodore C. Prouty (1827 - ) |
| Sibling | Isaac Lothrop Prouty (1831 - 1904) |
| Sibling | Vernon Prouty (1834 - ) |
Notes
Census (family)
278, 401, Prouty, Thos A, 47, MW, Merchant (retail), 1200, 8000, MAGeorgiana, 36, FW, Keeping house, MA
Clara, 14, FW, at school, MA
John, 9, MW, at school, MA
Walter V, 1 MW, MA
Census (family)
Thomas A. PROUTY Self M Male W 58 MA Merchant & Farmer MA MAGeorgiana E. PROUTY Wife M Female W 47 MA Keeping House MA MA
Clara E. PROUTY Dau S Female W 24 MA MA MA
John N. PROUTY Son S Male W 19 MA Clerk In Gen Store MA MA
Walter V. PROUTY Son S Male W 11 MA At School MA MA
G. Fred WATSON Other S Male W 25 MA Clerk In Drug Store MA 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.