Spear Fund

George N Spear was born on June 9, 1829, in East Randolph (Holbrook), Massachusetts, and married Ellen Maria Merritt, born February 10, 1829, on January 16, 1851, in Quincy, Massachusetts.

Spear started in business for himself with little capital and common school education, at the age of eighteen he began manufacturing boots and shoes in a small shop. As his business increased, he built a large steam-operated factory on the corner of North Franklin and Union streets in 1865 (current location of Mary Wales Holbrook Park). He later sold this business to Thomas White and went to Chicago, where he engaged in the furniture and upholstery business. However he was burned out in the great Chicago fire of 1871. In 1873, he returned to Holbrook and went into the oil business in partnership with John Underhay, becoming one of the wealthy men of the Town.

George N Spear died on April 5, 1894 in his hometown, at the age of 64, and was buried in Holbrook, Massachusetts. He and his wife Ellen did not have any children. He left enough money to care for his wife and the rest was donated to various charities.

In 1912, Mrs. Ellen M. Spear gave to the town of Holbrook the sum of $5,000 to be called the "Spear Fund," the income from which would be used for special cases of the poor and needy of the town.

She died on March 20, 1917, having lived a long life of 88 years, and was buried with her husband in Union Cemetery in Holbrook, Massachusetts.

Any resident who would like to apply for a grant from the Spear Fund should fill out an application and submit it by email to the Town Administrator.