[Note: Icabod Washburn founded the largest wire manufacturing firm in the United States, Washburn & Moen, in Worcester in the 1830s. He was a self-made man, a pillar of various reform causes such as temperance, anti-slavery, and woman's rights, and a profoundly generous benefactor of numerous worthy causes. Washburn shunned the public eye, tried unsuccessfully to keep his benefactions secret, and served in the state Senate only because his colleagues in the new Republican Party persuaded him that his reputation would strengthen the entire ticket. Similarly he wrote his autobiography at the request of a clergyman who convinced him it was his duty.]

[P.56] I was married to Miss Brown October 6th, 1823, and occupied at once a hired house in School street, where we remained one year and six months. In December, 1824, our first child, a son, was born to us, who lived only a few days. In the spring of 1825 we moved to a house on Summer street, the property of my wife. Her we lived until 1829, when I built my present dwelling-house.

One circumstance connected with the raising of this house I wish to mention, as it illustrates the state of popular sentiment at the time in regard to the use of ardent spirits [e.g., rum] on such occasions.

Before the raising, the carpenter suggested to me the bill of fare required to enable him to proceed with the undertaking. Having examined it, I asked him if there was no such thing as raising the house without the stimulus of spirits. he doubted if it could be done. I inquired if his men would be willing to aid; and if not, whether they would co-operate if I would pay them for it.

[P. 57] Under the circumstances, the attempt was made to do what had not before been done for many years--a house-raising without rum! I cast around to see if men enough could be found in the neighborhood for the raising, with such a bill of fare as I would furnish, namely: lemon-ade, crackers and cheese, with small beer.

Among my own workmen at the shop, I could find only a few willing to help. The others were within sight, and by their jeers, ridiculed the undertaking, and did their best to make it a failure. The work, however, proceeded noiselessly and successfully to its completion without rum. And the novelty of such a house-raising was made the theme of a newspaper article, under the caption, "Progress of the Temperance Reform."

It was about this time that the friends of Temperance were organizing societies for its promotion throughout the New England States, and the first Temperance Society was organized in Worcester. Rev. Rodney A. Miller, of the Old [P. 58] South Church, was chosen president, and myself secretary.

This movement greatly excited the opposition of the public at large, but especially of the tavern-keepers, one of whom, at that time, called upon Mr. Miller with a demand for the list of the members--as if the good people of Worcester had no right to move in the premises without their approval.