Chair Manufacturer.
Mr. Derby early on was employed by Sylvester K. and Jonas Pierce in their chair company in S. Gardner. Philander then partnered with Augustus Knowlton in 1863 buying their own shop. By 1868 he had gained control of the factory and named it the P. Derby Company. His company in 1897 was recognized as the 2nd largest chair manufactuer in the world, right after the Heywood Wakefield Company, also of Gardner.
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Gardner currently has two large chairs visible in its city limits. One is in front of the Helen Mae Sauter school on Elm Street and the other at the intersection of Minott Street and East Broadway (Rt. 2A) in front of the Chair City Wayside Furniture Company. The P. Derby Company built the first such large chair displayed in Gardner, named the Derby Chair, which was displayed at the train depot at Union Square. It no longer exists.
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He was the son of Levi and Sally (Stratton) Derby.
Philander first married Viola Dunn on February 27, 1839 at Petersham, Massachusetts. They shared over 50 years together before she died in 1891. Mr. Derby remarried at the age of 77 to a second bride, 35 years his junior, Miss Susan E. Gibbs, on November 2, 1893 at Medford, Massachusetts.
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From "Men of Vermont: an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont" compiled by Jacob G. Ullery and published in 1894:
Derby, Philander, of Gardner, Mass., son of Levi and Sally (Stratton) Derby, was born June 18, 1816 in Somerset.
His career is one which should encourage all. It is a lesson of industry, sobriety and perseverance. Remaining on the home farm until his majority, several years were spent in Massachusetts and at Jamaica [Vermont], during which time he learned the business of chair making, when opportunity offered to engage in the business for himself which he quickly embraced. The trying period from 1857 to 1861 found him a young manufacturer in the town of Gardner, Mass., with the burden of heavy responsibilities resting upon him. Nerving himself to meet the crisis in a manly way, he succeeded in going through the ordeal without serious harm, meeting his obligations, maintaining his credit and his honor unimpeached and firmly established before the world. From that time to the present he has gone on in a career of exceptional prosperity, due chiefly to himself rather than to fortunate circumstances, his untiring energy and perseverance.
Mr. Derby though closely confined to the building up and development of his business interests has not been disposed to ignore his relations to the public nor the welfare of the community. He has been ready and happy to do his full share in supporting the institutions of society, to contribute to benevolent and charitable objects, and to help in enterprises which he deemed conducive to the good order and enduring welfare of the community.
Declining invitations to public office, he has however consented to act as director of the national bank and is trustee of the savings bank in his own town. A man of principle, he shares the confidence and regard of his fellow citizens; a friend of temperance, he commends the cause by precept and example.
A Republican in politics, he is true to his convictions. An orthodox Congregationalist in religion, he is tolerant of all faiths and seeks to honor his Christian profession by a Christian life.
Mr. Derby was married, Feb. 27, 1839, at Petersham, to Viola Dunn, daughter of John and Abigail Dunn. Of this union were three children; Mary Augusta, John Baxter (deceased, July 11, 1842), Ella Viola and Arthur Philander.
-------------------------------------------------
Census records:
1850 Philander ( chairmaker), Viola, Mary, 10, Ella, seven months and Viola's sister Elvira Dunn.
1855 Philander (chair manufacturer), Viola, Mary, 15, Ella, 5.
1860 Philander (chair manufacturer), Viola, Ella, 10, Arthur, 4.
1865 Philander (chair manufactuer), Viola, Ella, 15, Arthur, 9, Abby Ramsdell (chair seater), 44, Maria H. Bush (domestic), 45.
1870 Philander (chair manufactuer), Viola (keeping house), Ella (clerk in chair shop), 20, Arthur (attending school), 14, Abbie Ramsdell (housekeeper), 49.
1880 Philander (chair manufacturer), Viola (keeping house), Arthur (chair manufacturer), his wife Lucy and son Ashton, 2.
1900 at 42 Central St: Philander (retired), his wife Susan and Swedish servant Emma Nelson.
His son Arthur lived right across the street at 41 Central.
Mr. Derby early on was employed by Sylvester K. and Jonas Pierce in their chair company in S. Gardner. Philander then partnered with Augustus Knowlton in 1863 buying their own shop. By 1868 he had gained control of the factory and named it the P. Derby Company. His company in 1897 was recognized as the 2nd largest chair manufactuer in the world, right after the Heywood Wakefield Company, also of Gardner.
-------
Gardner currently has two large chairs visible in its city limits. One is in front of the Helen Mae Sauter school on Elm Street and the other at the intersection of Minott Street and East Broadway (Rt. 2A) in front of the Chair City Wayside Furniture Company. The P. Derby Company built the first such large chair displayed in Gardner, named the Derby Chair, which was displayed at the train depot at Union Square. It no longer exists.
-------
He was the son of Levi and Sally (Stratton) Derby.
Philander first married Viola Dunn on February 27, 1839 at Petersham, Massachusetts. They shared over 50 years together before she died in 1891. Mr. Derby remarried at the age of 77 to a second bride, 35 years his junior, Miss Susan E. Gibbs, on November 2, 1893 at Medford, Massachusetts.
-------
From "Men of Vermont: an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont" compiled by Jacob G. Ullery and published in 1894:
Derby, Philander, of Gardner, Mass., son of Levi and Sally (Stratton) Derby, was born June 18, 1816 in Somerset.
His career is one which should encourage all. It is a lesson of industry, sobriety and perseverance. Remaining on the home farm until his majority, several years were spent in Massachusetts and at Jamaica [Vermont], during which time he learned the business of chair making, when opportunity offered to engage in the business for himself which he quickly embraced. The trying period from 1857 to 1861 found him a young manufacturer in the town of Gardner, Mass., with the burden of heavy responsibilities resting upon him. Nerving himself to meet the crisis in a manly way, he succeeded in going through the ordeal without serious harm, meeting his obligations, maintaining his credit and his honor unimpeached and firmly established before the world. From that time to the present he has gone on in a career of exceptional prosperity, due chiefly to himself rather than to fortunate circumstances, his untiring energy and perseverance.
Mr. Derby though closely confined to the building up and development of his business interests has not been disposed to ignore his relations to the public nor the welfare of the community. He has been ready and happy to do his full share in supporting the institutions of society, to contribute to benevolent and charitable objects, and to help in enterprises which he deemed conducive to the good order and enduring welfare of the community.
Declining invitations to public office, he has however consented to act as director of the national bank and is trustee of the savings bank in his own town. A man of principle, he shares the confidence and regard of his fellow citizens; a friend of temperance, he commends the cause by precept and example.
A Republican in politics, he is true to his convictions. An orthodox Congregationalist in religion, he is tolerant of all faiths and seeks to honor his Christian profession by a Christian life.
Mr. Derby was married, Feb. 27, 1839, at Petersham, to Viola Dunn, daughter of John and Abigail Dunn. Of this union were three children; Mary Augusta, John Baxter (deceased, July 11, 1842), Ella Viola and Arthur Philander.
-------------------------------------------------
Census records:
1850 Philander ( chairmaker), Viola, Mary, 10, Ella, seven months and Viola's sister Elvira Dunn.
1855 Philander (chair manufacturer), Viola, Mary, 15, Ella, 5.
1860 Philander (chair manufacturer), Viola, Ella, 10, Arthur, 4.
1865 Philander (chair manufactuer), Viola, Ella, 15, Arthur, 9, Abby Ramsdell (chair seater), 44, Maria H. Bush (domestic), 45.
1870 Philander (chair manufactuer), Viola (keeping house), Ella (clerk in chair shop), 20, Arthur (attending school), 14, Abbie Ramsdell (housekeeper), 49.
1880 Philander (chair manufacturer), Viola (keeping house), Arthur (chair manufacturer), his wife Lucy and son Ashton, 2.
1900 at 42 Central St: Philander (retired), his wife Susan and Swedish servant Emma Nelson.
His son Arthur lived right across the street at 41 Central.
Chair Manufacturer.
Mr. Derby early on was employed by Sylvester K. and Jonas Pierce in their chair company in S. Gardner. Philander then partnered with Augustus Knowlton in 1863 buying their own shop. By 1868 he had gained control of the factory and named it the P. Derby Company. His company in 1897 was recognized as the 2nd largest chair manufactuer in the world, right after the Heywood Wakefield Company, also of Gardner.
-------
Gardner currently has two large chairs visible in its city limits. One is in front of the Helen Mae Sauter school on Elm Street and the other at the intersection of Minott Street and East Broadway (Rt. 2A) in front of the Chair City Wayside Furniture Company. The P. Derby Company built the first such large chair displayed in Gardner, named the Derby Chair, which was displayed at the train depot at Union Square. It no longer exists.
-------
He was the son of Levi and Sally (Stratton) Derby.
Philander first married Viola Dunn on February 27, 1839 at Petersham, Massachusetts. They shared over 50 years together before she died in 1891. Mr. Derby remarried at the age of 77 to a second bride, 35 years his junior, Miss Susan E. Gibbs, on November 2, 1893 at Medford, Massachusetts.
-------
From "Men of Vermont: an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont" compiled by Jacob G. Ullery and published in 1894:
Derby, Philander, of Gardner, Mass., son of Levi and Sally (Stratton) Derby, was born June 18, 1816 in Somerset.
His career is one which should encourage all. It is a lesson of industry, sobriety and perseverance. Remaining on the home farm until his majority, several years were spent in Massachusetts and at Jamaica [Vermont], during which time he learned the business of chair making, when opportunity offered to engage in the business for himself which he quickly embraced. The trying period from 1857 to 1861 found him a young manufacturer in the town of Gardner, Mass., with the burden of heavy responsibilities resting upon him. Nerving himself to meet the crisis in a manly way, he succeeded in going through the ordeal without serious harm, meeting his obligations, maintaining his credit and his honor unimpeached and firmly established before the world. From that time to the present he has gone on in a career of exceptional prosperity, due chiefly to himself rather than to fortunate circumstances, his untiring energy and perseverance.
Mr. Derby though closely confined to the building up and development of his business interests has not been disposed to ignore his relations to the public nor the welfare of the community. He has been ready and happy to do his full share in supporting the institutions of society, to contribute to benevolent and charitable objects, and to help in enterprises which he deemed conducive to the good order and enduring welfare of the community.
Declining invitations to public office, he has however consented to act as director of the national bank and is trustee of the savings bank in his own town. A man of principle, he shares the confidence and regard of his fellow citizens; a friend of temperance, he commends the cause by precept and example.
A Republican in politics, he is true to his convictions. An orthodox Congregationalist in religion, he is tolerant of all faiths and seeks to honor his Christian profession by a Christian life.
Mr. Derby was married, Feb. 27, 1839, at Petersham, to Viola Dunn, daughter of John and Abigail Dunn. Of this union were three children; Mary Augusta, John Baxter (deceased, July 11, 1842), Ella Viola and Arthur Philander.
-------------------------------------------------
Census records:
1850 Philander ( chairmaker), Viola, Mary, 10, Ella, seven months and Viola's sister Elvira Dunn.
1855 Philander (chair manufacturer), Viola, Mary, 15, Ella, 5.
1860 Philander (chair manufacturer), Viola, Ella, 10, Arthur, 4.
1865 Philander (chair manufactuer), Viola, Ella, 15, Arthur, 9, Abby Ramsdell (chair seater), 44, Maria H. Bush (domestic), 45.
1870 Philander (chair manufactuer), Viola (keeping house), Ella (clerk in chair shop), 20, Arthur (attending school), 14, Abbie Ramsdell (housekeeper), 49.
1880 Philander (chair manufacturer), Viola (keeping house), Arthur (chair manufacturer), his wife Lucy and son Ashton, 2.
1900 at 42 Central St: Philander (retired), his wife Susan and Swedish servant Emma Nelson.
His son Arthur lived right across the street at 41 Central.
Mr. Derby early on was employed by Sylvester K. and Jonas Pierce in their chair company in S. Gardner. Philander then partnered with Augustus Knowlton in 1863 buying their own shop. By 1868 he had gained control of the factory and named it the P. Derby Company. His company in 1897 was recognized as the 2nd largest chair manufactuer in the world, right after the Heywood Wakefield Company, also of Gardner.
-------
Gardner currently has two large chairs visible in its city limits. One is in front of the Helen Mae Sauter school on Elm Street and the other at the intersection of Minott Street and East Broadway (Rt. 2A) in front of the Chair City Wayside Furniture Company. The P. Derby Company built the first such large chair displayed in Gardner, named the Derby Chair, which was displayed at the train depot at Union Square. It no longer exists.
-------
He was the son of Levi and Sally (Stratton) Derby.
Philander first married Viola Dunn on February 27, 1839 at Petersham, Massachusetts. They shared over 50 years together before she died in 1891. Mr. Derby remarried at the age of 77 to a second bride, 35 years his junior, Miss Susan E. Gibbs, on November 2, 1893 at Medford, Massachusetts.
-------
From "Men of Vermont: an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont" compiled by Jacob G. Ullery and published in 1894:
Derby, Philander, of Gardner, Mass., son of Levi and Sally (Stratton) Derby, was born June 18, 1816 in Somerset.
His career is one which should encourage all. It is a lesson of industry, sobriety and perseverance. Remaining on the home farm until his majority, several years were spent in Massachusetts and at Jamaica [Vermont], during which time he learned the business of chair making, when opportunity offered to engage in the business for himself which he quickly embraced. The trying period from 1857 to 1861 found him a young manufacturer in the town of Gardner, Mass., with the burden of heavy responsibilities resting upon him. Nerving himself to meet the crisis in a manly way, he succeeded in going through the ordeal without serious harm, meeting his obligations, maintaining his credit and his honor unimpeached and firmly established before the world. From that time to the present he has gone on in a career of exceptional prosperity, due chiefly to himself rather than to fortunate circumstances, his untiring energy and perseverance.
Mr. Derby though closely confined to the building up and development of his business interests has not been disposed to ignore his relations to the public nor the welfare of the community. He has been ready and happy to do his full share in supporting the institutions of society, to contribute to benevolent and charitable objects, and to help in enterprises which he deemed conducive to the good order and enduring welfare of the community.
Declining invitations to public office, he has however consented to act as director of the national bank and is trustee of the savings bank in his own town. A man of principle, he shares the confidence and regard of his fellow citizens; a friend of temperance, he commends the cause by precept and example.
A Republican in politics, he is true to his convictions. An orthodox Congregationalist in religion, he is tolerant of all faiths and seeks to honor his Christian profession by a Christian life.
Mr. Derby was married, Feb. 27, 1839, at Petersham, to Viola Dunn, daughter of John and Abigail Dunn. Of this union were three children; Mary Augusta, John Baxter (deceased, July 11, 1842), Ella Viola and Arthur Philander.
-------------------------------------------------
Census records:
1850 Philander ( chairmaker), Viola, Mary, 10, Ella, seven months and Viola's sister Elvira Dunn.
1855 Philander (chair manufacturer), Viola, Mary, 15, Ella, 5.
1860 Philander (chair manufacturer), Viola, Ella, 10, Arthur, 4.
1865 Philander (chair manufactuer), Viola, Ella, 15, Arthur, 9, Abby Ramsdell (chair seater), 44, Maria H. Bush (domestic), 45.
1870 Philander (chair manufactuer), Viola (keeping house), Ella (clerk in chair shop), 20, Arthur (attending school), 14, Abbie Ramsdell (housekeeper), 49.
1880 Philander (chair manufacturer), Viola (keeping house), Arthur (chair manufacturer), his wife Lucy and son Ashton, 2.
1900 at 42 Central St: Philander (retired), his wife Susan and Swedish servant Emma Nelson.
His son Arthur lived right across the street at 41 Central.
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