by GERRY GAWALT
Daily News Staff
The coming of 1962 in just two months, will mark the 50th anniversary of the erection and dedication of Draper Park and the impressive statue of General William Franklin Draper, located in the heart of Milford business district. Both the park and the statue were presented to the town by his late wife, Susan Preston Draper, in 1912.
The upkeep of the statue and park is provided for by Madame Bon Compagni of France. She pays $1000 for the salary of the caretaker and all other bills are sent to her lawyer.
General in the U.S. Army-Ambassador to Italy-Member of Congress William Franklin Draper was born April 9, 1842 in Lowell, the eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. George Draper. His mother was the former Hannah Thwing.
Leaving school in his early teens, he spent several years working in various mills throughout New England.
At the age of 19, William Draper enlisted in the 25th Massachusetts Regiment at the Milford enlistment headquarters.
Before he attained his 23rd birthday he had commanded a brigade upon several occasions. During the Civil War he saw active service in nearly all southern states.
General Draper worked his way "up through the ranks" until he commanded the 36th Massachusetts Regiment. He served as a signal officer for General Burnside in his North Carolina campaign. He also took part in the Maryland and Fredricksburg campaigns and in the Kentucky endeavor. He served under General Grant in the siege of Vicksburg and the Jackson campaign along the Mississippi. In 1863 he worked through East Tennessee and into the siege of Knoxville.
General Draper was seriously injured during the Battle of the Wilderness when he was shot through the body. Later he returned and commanded a brigade at the Weldon Railroad engagement.
Other battles he engaged in were Strawberry Plains, Pegram Farm, Petersburg, Roanoke Island, New Berne, Blue Springs and Campbell's Station.
He retired from the army soon after the completion of the war and returned to Hopedale where he entered in business with his father, the late George Draper.
A man of many talents, General Draper became head of George Draper and Sons, Co. in 1897 and became head of Draper Corp. in 1896 when it was incorporated. [Several other sources give 1916 as the date when Draper Company became Draper Corporation.]
During the period of 1887 to 1893, he added many inventions to his long list of achievements. Most of these were connected with the machines manufactured by the Draper Corp.
Although active politically and very influential, William Draper never held a political office during this period.
However in 1893 he was elected to Congress, where he served two terms for four years until 1897.
Then in 1897 he was appointed Ambassador to Italy by President William McKinley. At this time there were only four ambassadors to European countries: England, France, Germany and Italy.
Draper continued as the head of Draper Corp. until December of 1907 when he retired.
He spent the next three years traveling about the world and entertaining his many friends. He died Jan. 28, 1910 at the age of 68.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Civil War and the 100th anniversary of General Draper's enlistment in the U.S. Army.
His statue in Draper Park is a fitting tribute to a self-made man.
Milford Daily News, November 4, 1961.
It seems strange but this article didn't mention the sculptor of the General Draper statue: Daniel Chester French, probably best known for his statue of Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial.
To read about the missing statue of General Draper, click here.
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