| Leominster: The Late F. W. Polley
Frank Warner (sic) Polley, 62, died, Friday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, at his home on Lancaster street. As stated in Friday's Sentinel, Mr. Polley suffered a severe paralytic shock at his store in the morning. Dr. C. A. Wheeler attended him and he was removed to his home, where it was found that his left side was completely paralyzed. He remained conscious until about 11 o'clock, conversing with his family when the change came. Dr. Wheeler had left town, and Dr. Appleton H. Pierce was summoned, but all efforts to restore him were futile and he passed quietly away without a struggle at 3 o'clock, with members of his family at his bedside. No death for some time past has cast such a pall of gloom over the community and the generous sympathy of every individual is extended to the bereaved family. For nearly 40 years Mr. Polley has been one of Leominster's most prominent and influential business men, winning by his sterling character, genial disposition and straightworwardness, the respect and esteem of everybody coming in contact with him, either in a mercantile or a social way. No man stood higher in the estimation of the public then he, albeit he was unpretentious and ..... Few men possessed so remarkable a memory. He was an indefatigable reader -- so far as his business interests would permit -- and his excellent memory retained what he read, so that he was always an interesting person with whom to converse. It was said of him that he could relate more geographically and accurately more incidents in the Civil war than any of his other comrades. Leominster has always been Mr. Polley's home. He was born, Feb. 26, 1837, making him at his death, 62 years old. His education was received in the public school. His father and mother were A. M. Polley and Mrs. Belinda H. (Carter) Polley. Deceased was married in 1864 to Miss Jennie Damon of Leominster. Three children were born: Mrs. William H. Walker of Clinton, Frank D. Polley of Leominster, and William M. Polley of Brockton, all of whom survive him, as do Miss Ellen Polley and Mrs. Thomas A. Hills, his sisters both of Leominster, and Henry Albert Polley of Boston, his brother. His wife also survives him. Previous to 1862, Mr. Polley's father was in the retail shoe business; in that year he took his son in the store with him and the business has continued under the firm name of A. M. Polley and Son up to the present time. By shrewd business sagacity, and keen foresight, Mr. Polley build up the business of his father until at the present time he conducted one of the best equipped shoe stores in town; building up a large trade, which has increased rapidly until more commodious quarters would be imperative in a short time, it being understood that he would occupy one of the stores in McGrath's new block, when finished. It is worthy of mention that Mr. Polley was the oldest business man in Leominster. Mr. Polley was possessed of an instinctive desire for military life. Previous to the Civil war he was 2d lieutenant in the local militia company, which at the time used the old engine house as an armory. Mr. Polley entered the United States service, July 12, 1861, at Worcester, as a private in Co. A, 15th regiment Mass. infantry. His promotion was rapid and he held the rank of sergeant and 2d lieutenant, receiving his commission, Aug. 1, 1861. He resigned some six months later, and was honorably discharged jan. 16, 1862, at Poolesville, Md He re-enlisted in 1864 in Co. H, 4th Mass. heavy artillery, and served until the close of the war. He was discharged, July 14, 1865 at Readville. At the organization of Charles H. Stevens Post, 53, G. A. R., Mr. Polley was a charter member. He has served the Post ably, being commander in 1869 and 1870, and taking an active part in everything. Mr. Polley's other fraternal affiliations were with Wilder Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and Tahanto Lodge, No. 23, A. O. U. W., both of which he was a charter member. The funeral of Mr. Polley will take place, Sundaqy, from the Unitarian church at 2 p.m., under Masonic direction. The general public is invited. |