58. Philander Bates

Bates was the town shoemaker for 50 years in the Bates Building on Elm Street. Over 40 years, he held almost every elected and appointed town office position. In addition, he was a devoted choir member and parishioner of the Second Congregational Church (1859–1918) and a Deacon (1875–1918). It was said that as Superintendent of Streets, "the magnificent roads of this beautiful town are due to his farsightedness and his insistence upon ample appropriations for their maintenance."