Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 18 text:

©bituarp. ' ' T ' RUSTEE of the Polytechnic Institute from 1869 to 1891 ; died I in Worcester, April 23, 1891. In the death of Mr. Moen the city has lost one of her more illustrious and public-spirited citizens; the circles of business, a man of high character and unusual financial ability ; society an orna¬ ment and an originator of power—for Mr. Moen was in himself a marvellous creative social force,—and the Institute a valuable counsel¬ lor and a liberal and constant benefactor. Mr. Moen was better and very widely known, formerly as one of the original partners of the firm of Washburn Moen, and later, since 1869, as president of the Washburn Moen Manufacturing Company, the largest wire making concern in the world. The permanent success of this business was ensured by the combination of the mechanical skill of Mr. Ichabod Washburn, founder of the Washburn shops, and the re¬ markable administrative and financial talent of Mr. Moen. Says the former in his diary, written in 1866 : “ In ' 1850 I took as my partner my son-in-law, Philip L. Moen. In him I have had most efficient aid in bringing up the business to its present mammoth size. While he makes no claim to being a practical mechanic, he has, by his exactness, promptitude and aptness for business generally, supplied a deficiency in myself indispensable to success. He has rare ability over finances.”

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Offier Robert C. Sweetser, S. B., Instructor in Inorganic Chemistry. William W. Bird, S. B., Instructor in Mechanical Drawing a?id Steam Engineermg. Joseph O. Phelon, S. B., Instructor in Physics. •James L. Barnes, Assistant in Civil Engineering. Alton L. Smith, S. B., Assistant in Drawing and Mechanical Laboratory. Charles A. Clough, S. B., Assistant in Physics. Harry P. Davis, S. B., Assista?it in Physics. Stanley H. Rood, S. B., Assistant in Physics. Ellis W. Lazell, S. B., Assistant in Chemistry. Lee Russell, S. B., Assistant in Mechanical Laboratory. Zelotes W. Coombs, A. B., Clerk and Assistant in Languages. Mathias B. Walls, Instructo r in Iro?i Work. Horace W. Badger, Instructor in Wood Work. George A. Mitchell, Assistant Instructor in Iron Work. 9

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From 1873 to 1883, Mr. Moen was treasurer of the Institute, and un¬ til his death a member of the most important committee of the corpora¬ tion, that on grounds, buildings and current expenses. To the Institute he gave most cheerfully both time and money. In 1883, he subscribed $25,000 for the increase of the endowment fund, and both earlier and later gave, as occasion made needful, smaller sums for special equip¬ ment, or apparatus or books. He had a warm interest in young men who were struggling to get an education, and responded most liberally to appeals for their assistance. Mr. Moen had such rare grace and attractiveness of person and man¬ ner, that he was called the most courteous gentleman in Worcester. This greatly assisted him in his intercourse with men of business, and everywhere made him many friends. He had also, great quickness of perception, and a keen insight of character. Hence he transacted or¬ dinary business with wonderful despatch. To these natural qualities he added unremitting industry and marvellous fidelity in attending to the details of every duty and trust which came to him. He was punctual, wasting no time, either for others or himself; he was sympathetic, mak¬ ing others feel, even in a few words, that he had a warm personal inter¬ est in them; he was generous, contributing to a large number of worthy objects; he was steadfast in adhering to a high standing of in¬ tegrity ; he was a man of unblemished personal habits, and of positive and yet charitable religious convictions. He blessed and brightened the world while he lived, and his memory will ennoble and enrich all who knew him. 11