USA > Connecticut > Tolland County > Vernon > A century of Vernon, Connecticut, 1808-1908 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
In February, 1879, Mr. Burr bought the material (not the paper) and started the Tolland County Leader. Associated
52
SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
with him in the business was J. A. Byron. This partnership continued until August, 1888, when it was dissolved; Mr. Burr continuing the publication until October, 1897, when he disposed of the business to Rady and Brown. On February 24, 1898, the name of the paper was changed to the Rockville Leader. T. F. Rady bought Mr. Brown out in July, 1904 and the publishers of the paper since then have been T. F. Rady & Co. For several years the plant was located on Brooklyn Street. On March 20, 1908, Mr. Rady purchased the Butler property on East Main Street, making many changes and improvements in the newspa- per department and in the job printing plant, introducing the latest modern machinery, including a linotype machine. The second floor of the present Leader Building was rented by J. A. Spaulding, where the Rockville Journal was first issued.
The Rockville Leader is a four-page, seven-column paper. Its present editor is Harry C. Smith. Its publication days are Tuesdays and Fridays.
The school system in the town of Vernon is in a condition of advanced development and has a large and suitable equipment. From earliest times citizens of the town of all classes have taken keen interest in educational affairs. As a matter of fact, the people have begrudged money spent for educational purposes less than that spent for any other purpose. For a small manu- facturing town, Vernon has a high reputation and stands at the very forefront as an educational center. The town has every reason to be proud of the teaching corps of its schools. The high average scholarship is conclusive proof that it is of the best.
Modern education in Vernon advanced in 1870 by the erection, of a second regular school building on the inauguration of a High School course. It was under district management unti! June 20, 1893, when the first town High School committee was appointed, consisting of Dr. A. R. Goodrich, Wilbur B. Fostec, A. M. Gibson, James Dingwell, and William V. McNerney.
After the completion of the new building in 1870 the second
53
SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
floor of the old building was refurnished with new single desks and the number occupying this floor considerably reduced.
Randall Spaulding was the first principal following the es- tablishment of a first High School course, and the first class graduated in 1873, which consisted of Thomas Goodell and his brother Edwin B. Goodell. These brothers graduated from Yale in the class of 1877, the former being a member of the faculty at the present time of Yale University and a distinguished Greek scholar. He wrote the commemorative poem for the centennial celebration of the town of Vernon, June 28 to July 4, inclusive.
The present High School Building, which cost about $40,000, was dedicated September 5, 1893 and was used immediately as the Public High School of the town of Vernon. The present High School Committee consists of William Maxwell, chairman ; George P. Wendheiser, secretary and treasurer; Lyman T. Tingier, Horace G. Talcott and Dr. F. W. Walsh. Harry Brooks Marsh, M. A., is the principal of the High School and Philip M. Howe, M. A., assistant principal. Ten teachers com- pose the faculty. There are three courses. The enrollment at the opening of the fall term in September, 1910, was one hundred and seventy-nine, one hundred from Vernon and seventy-nine from other towns. The cost of running for the year begun in September, 1910, is estimated at $9,750.
There are thirty-four graded public schools in the town, with free text books, teaching music, besides the regular course. Manual training and sewing are taught in all the schools within the city limits. The districts are : East, West, Northeast, South- east, South, Talcottville Southwest, Vernon Center and North- west. Schools are maintained in all these districts, with the exception of the Southeast, where the pupils are conveyed to Rockville, attending the East District. A school is also main- tained at the Tolland County Temporary Home for Children at Vernon Center. The enumeration of children October 1, 1910, follows :
East District 796
West District 636
Northeast 126
54
SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
South
56
Center
Talcottville 38
Southwest
41
Northwest
20
Southeast
20
County Home
36
1846
There are thirty-seven teachers employed, including the teachers of music, drawing and writing, in the district schools of the town.
The board of education of the town of Vernon at the present time consists of M. H. Talcott, president; S. T. Noble, secre- tary and acting school visitor; Dr. T. F. O'Loughlin, acting school visitor ; E. G. Butler, Dr. J. E. Hassett and Fred Wood- hall. Dr. A. R. Goodrich, who died December 20, 1908 was a member of the school board for twenty-five years, twenty-three years president of the board. S. T. Noble has been a member of the board for nearly twenty years.
There are two parochial schools in the town of Vernon, St. Bernard's, and the school connected with Trinity Ger- man Church. They are both doing excellent work and are a credit to those who have their management and direction in charge.
55
SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND FRATERNAL SOCIETIES.
The truth and hope of the gospel has been the dominating and all absorbing force in the growth of mankind in all of the higher qualities. Religious life may vary in different communities, but religious institutions are essential to the best progress and true growth of all communities. Religion, like everything else, ex- pands. The difference between early and modern conditions in the religious life of Vernon is no less marked than it is in other Connecticut towns. In the mighty forward sweep of civili- zation and onward march of progress the religious customs and characteristics of the people undergo many and wonderful changes. No more contrasting picture can be presented than the religious life and institutions of Vernon, when the town was incorporated in 1808, over a century ago, and the religious life and institutions of today, as Vernon enters upon her second century as a political factor in the commonwealth of Connecti- cut.
The age of Puritanism has gone never to return, but the Puritan character will live as long as time shall last. We may lay aside the creeds, the forms of worship, the social customs of these good people, of strong faith and stronger courage, but we can never lay aside the two fundamental life-principles, faith in God and faith in man. The fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man have always been, and ever will be, the great keystones in the arch of every perfect and enduring religious structure. Religious restraint and intolerance have given way to liberty and charitableness, but we should exercise every care and not abuse the power which comes with the larger liberty of these modern days, striving at all times and in all places to obey the laws of God and man, and as spiritual heirs of the Puritans building up a theocracy that will endure throughout the ages. While the unit of life during all ages and in all towns has been the home, the blessed trinity which has held men and women to that which is highest and best, has been the home, church, and school. Vernon is blessed with churches that are progressive, standing everywhere and at all times for the moral and spiritual
56
SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
welfare of the people, and her religious life has contributed to the beauty and nobility of the community. So much has been accomplished by religion and the church that it would require more than a single chapter to do full justice. A history of each denomination during the modern period of the town's life will give a better insight into the conditions in the religious field, than a general treatment of the subject of religion and religious institutions.
Vernon has today twelve churches, nine Protestant and three Catholic, divided by denominations as follows: Three Congre- gational, two Methodists, one Baptist, one Episcopal, and two German Lutheran. The Christian Scientists have an organi- zation but no organized church. There is also a Swiss church just over the city line in Ellington, which is attended by several Rockville people of that nationality.
VERNON CENTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The parish was formed by name of North Bolton in 1760. The church was organized as the Second Church of Christ in Bolton in 1762. When the town was incorporated in 1808, the church and society took the name of the town.
The first house of worship, one-half mile east of the present building, was erected in 1762, present building erected in 1826, thoroughly remodeled in 1851, when the portico and spire were added. The spire was taken down in 1896.
The church has had a great many pastors. The records of the church are rich in honored names, which there is not space to mention here. The fate of so many of the hill town churches, from causes that are inevitable, has fallen upon the Old Mother church, that of a contracted parish, greatly lessened constitu- ency and meager material resources. For a number of the years the pulpit has been supplied by theological students. Albert A. Marquardt, a student at the Hartford Theological Seminary, is acting as pastor of the church at the present time.
1
ROCKVILLE A QUARTER CENTURY AGO-Looking West from Market Street. (Courtesy Rockville Leader.)
VERNON CENTER CONGREGATION- AL CHURCH, erected in 1826, re- modeled in 1851, when portico and spire were added. Spire taken down 1896. (Courtesy Rockville Leader.)
Park Place and Park Street in 1870. Site of present modern Henry Build- ing, showing First Congregational Church of Rockville. (Courtesy of Rockville Journal.)
57
SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES IN ROCKVILLE.
For fifteen years the original settlers of Rockville went to the old church at Vernon. The men usually walked, while the team of the Rock Company carried the women and girls. Weekly prayer meetings were held during this time in the Rock boarding house. The first service on a Sunday was held in the Rock "Lecture Room" on December 2, 1836, conducted by Rev. Diodate Brockway, of Ellington. The First Church of Rock- ville was organized October 26, 1837, with forty members, thirty- five of them from the old church in Vernon. There was con- nected with it a Sunday School of one hundred members, and the growth of the church, as of the village was rapid. The house of worship was twice enlarged, and still there was need of more room.
The Second Church was accordingly organized February 22, 1849, with forty-eight members, twenty-nine from the First Church and nineteen from elsewhere. Its house of worship, a New England meeting house of the noblest style, with Ionic portico and a lofty spire that was much admired for its graceful proportions, was built in 1848-9.
These two churches worked side by side for a generation while the village grew to be a city. The years 1850, 1852, 1854, 1858, 1864, 1866-7, 1874, not to mention later dates, are spoken of as times of especial religious interest, when large numbers weer added to the church membership.
The pastors of the First Church were: Rev. Ansel Nash, 1839- 1841 ; Rev. Augustus Pomeroy, 1841-1845; Rev. Horace Wins- low, 1845-1852; Rev. John W. Ray, 1853-1855; Rev. Smith B. Goodenow, 1859-1860 ; Rev. Avery S. Walker, 1861-1864; Rev. Henry S. Kelsey, 1866-1868; Rev. E. B. Bingham, 1871-1878; Rev. J. W. Backus, 1879-1883 ; Rev. Charles H. Ricketts, 1884- 1888.
The pastors of the Second Church were: Rev. Andrew W. Sharpe, 1849-1851; Rev. Charles H. Bullard, 1853-1857; Rev. Charles W. Clapp, 1857-1864; Rev. Asa S. Fiske, 1865 -- 1871; Rev. Henry F. Hyde, 1872-1880 ; Rev. Samuel B. Forbes, 1881- 1888.
58
SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
Of these men the most influential were undoubtedly Revs. Horace Winslow and Edward B. Bingham, of the First Church, and Revs. Henry F. Hyde and Samuel B. Forbes, of the Second ; and it is a curious co-incidence that the term of service of each of these men was about seven years. Mr. Hyde died in office, and was sincerely mourned by the entire community.
April 3, 1888, the building of the Second Church was de- stroyed by fire. About the same time the town of Vernon wished to acquire the site of the First Church Building for a Memorial Town Hall. As there were eight churches in the place, the way seemed to be providentially opened for the union of the Congre- gationalists into one body, and after mature consideration and a thorough canvass, union was decided on.
The Union Ecclesiastical Society was formed on June 15, 1888, and into its hands the property of the societies connected with the First and Second Churches was duly conveyed. The Union Church was organized by one hundred and eighty-nine members of the First and two hundred and twenty-two of the Second Church, in August, 1888.
Services were held in the building of the First Church, which, after the sale of the lot on which it stood, was moved to the south side of Main Street across the Rock Canal. Rev. Charles H. Ricketts, the last pastor of the First Church, acted as pastor of the united body until May, 1889. On December 12 of that year, Rev. James Dingwell was installed by council as first pastor of the Union Congregational Church.
After considering other locations, the Ecclesiastical Society voted on July 24, 1888, to build a new church building on the site of the former Second Church. Plans submitted by Warren H. Hayes of Minneapolis were accepted, and on the anniversary of the burning of the Second Church the contract for the erection of the present beautiful edifice was signed. September 5, 1890, the building committee, consisting of J. G. Bailey, George Sykes, Crosley Fitton, George M. Paulk and Dr. E. K. Leonard, presented the finished building to the society. The church was first opened to the public for an organ recital by Prof. W. C. Hammond on the evening of September 17. The
NATHANIEL OLMSTED KELLOGG. ALLYN KELLOGG.
Grandsons of Reverend Ebenezer Kellogg, first Pastor of Vernon. Promin- ent in the early days of the first century of Rockville.
EBENEZER KELLOGG. Grandson of first pastor.
GEORGE KELLOGG. One of the earliest residents of Ver- non.
.
59
SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
services of dedication were held the next day. The sermon was by Rev. E. A. Reed, D. D., of Holyoke, Mass.
Wise, earnest, devoted laymen have been the strength of the Congregational churches of Rockville from the first. The names of Hammond, Kellogg, Maxwell, Loomis, Thompson, Prescott, Sykes, Grant, Harwood, and many more, appear again and again in the records. Deacon George Maxwell at his death, April 2, 1891, had been a deacon of the Second and Union Churches for thirty-five years, and Deacon John N. Stickney, served the First and Union Churches in the same office forty-four years.
Work among young people has always been a strong feature. One hundred were gathered into the Sunday School when the First Church was formed in 1837. Since then the schools have been fortunate in their officers and teachers. E. B. Preston is especially remembered as a superintendent who knew every child in a large school by name. The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, formed September 4, 1888, was for many years one of the most flourishing in the state. Other organiza- tions, not only of young people, but of men and women, have been efficient tools in the church work.
An event of great importance was the reception in February, 1892, of the legacy of $5,000 left by Mr. Maxwell to found a free reading room in connection with the church. Trustees were ap- pointed to have charge of the fund, to which another $5,000 was added in 1898 by the heirs of Mr. Maxwell, and yet another $5,000 in 1904 by the will of George Sykes. The rooms were furnished and opened to the public in the spring of 1892. The daily attendance has averaged about seventy year after year, proving the great usefulness of this institution.
Since 1897 the church has given the community a chance to hear sacred music of the highest order in a series of special ser- vices of song on Sunday evenings. Large portions of Handel's "Messiah" have been given at the Christmas season for years. Haydn's "Creation" was given twice in connection with the cen- tennial celebration in 1908.
When the General Conference of Congregational Churches of
60
SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
Connecticut was formed, Rockville was one of the first places to entertain the annual meeting, and has now entertained the state body four times, in 1869, 1880, 1893, and 1908.
Mr. Dingwell closed his pastorate in 1895, and the present pas- tor, Rev. Charles E. Mckinley, was installed September 16, 1896.
Under the pastorate of Rev. C. E. McKinley, which has extended over a period of fourteen years, the present Union Church has attained a remarkable growth, and today its member- ship is 550. It has one of the largest Sunday Schools of any Con- gregational church in the state. Mr. McKinley is an excellent preacher and a faithful and devoted pastor, who does not neglect a single interest of his parish.
TALCOTTVILLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The Talcottville Congregational Church was organized March 13, 1867, with a membership of seventy-four. (By letter sixty-four, by confession ten.) The church building was erected by H. W. and C. D. Talcott, at a cost of $31,000, and presented by them to the Congrega tional Church, in Talcottville, "so long as said church shall sus- tain the preaching of the gospel and other connected means of grace according to the Faith and Order of the Fathers." There have been eight pastors, Rev. George A. Oviatt (1866-1875), Rev. Joseph P. Hawley (1875-1878), Rev. Theodore L. Day (1879- 1883), Rev. George H. Pratt (1883-1888), Rev. Jonathan Wad- hams (1888-1890), Rev. Foster R. Waite (1890-1903), Rev. David L. Yale (1904-1908), Rev. Francis P. Bacheler (1908). The first deacons were John Winchester (1867-1874), Horace W. Talcott, (1867-1871).
The Sunday School was organized December 2, 1866, with H. W. Talcott as superintendent. The Ladies' Missionary Society was organized September 19, 1866, with Mrs. Daniel Kellogg as president. The Ladies' Mission Band was organ- ized October, 1882, with Miss Alice Dexter as president. The Y. P. S. C. E. was organized September, 1886 with Rev. George H. Pratt as president.
The present officers of the church are: Deacons, Horace G.
61
SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
Talcott (1882 ), Morris H. Talcott (1889 ), clerk, J. G. Talcott ; treasurer, M. H. Talcott ; superintendent Sunday School, H. G. Talcott ; choirister, G. W. Smith ; president Ladies' Missionary Society and Mission Band, Mrs. C. D. Talcott; Daughters of the Covenant, Miss Florence Moore; president Y. P. S. C. E., Rev. F. P. Bachelor. Present church member- ship, one hundred and ninety-six.
Since the burning of the church edifice on October 31, 1908, Talcott Brothers have kindly donated the use of the hall in the upper part of the store building for church purposes.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
The first steps looking toward a new church home were taken on February 26, 1866. At this meeting it was voted to build a church and a subscription paper was put in circulation by a com- mittee, consisting of R. S. Lewis, C. White, L. A. Corbin and H. C. Parker. The first service in the vestry of the new church was held on June 16, 1867. It was a love feast. The bell was raised to its place in the tower June 28, 1867. The vestry was inadequate to accommodate the congregations and the audience room of the church was dedicated on Tuesday, November 26, 1867, Bishop Simpson preaching the sermon. Finished and fur- nished, the church cost $56,000. A little more than a year after dedication, including the debt secured by mortgage, it was found that there were claims against the church, including interest, of about $38,000. At this point Messrs White and Corbin came to the rescue, agreeing to assume all but $10,000 of the debt, if the church would deed back to them the banks and the property in the rear of the church, and make over to them some uncol- lected subscriptions. The deed was given, the property costing them nearer $25,000 than $10,000. Pastor after pastor made an effort to liquidate the debt, but without success. Rev. J. H. James, who assumed the pastorate of the church in 1885, freed the church of a heavy debt, a notable accomplishment .. The mortgage was burned at a union meeting of the people, in which different ministers participated, on the third Sunday in October, 1887. The occasion marked a jubilee celebration long to be re- membered in the annals of local Methodism.
62
SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
From the time that Messrs. White and Corbin took the front basement rooms of the church, long used as banks, it was the intention of those gentlemen that this property should revert to the trustees of the church. When Cyrus White died this had not been attended to and Lewis A. Corbin bought the banks.
The subject was frequently mentioned by pastors and others, but it was not until the pastorate of Rev. W. J. Yates that it was definitely arranged. Then Mr. Corbin executed deeds which are duly recorded, conveying the banks to the trustees. He reserved the income during his life. Then a portion was reserved for a fund for contingencies, but at last all the income goes to the trustees. Certain annual contributions to benevolent inter- ests are provided for and the balance may be used for the cur- rent expenses of the church.
Meanwhile Mr. Corbin had purchased the lecture room of the First Church and removed it to his own lot, back of the church. This is the room, which, by the courtesy of the Congre- gational Church, was used as a place of worship by the Metho- dists when the old West Street Church burned. Now George W. Doane joined with Mr. Corbin and these two gentle- men at their own expense fitted up the commodious "Wesleyan Hall," "Ladies' parlor" and church kitchen and placed them on the lot on which stands at the service of the people of the church, a noble act, worthy to be remembered to their honor.
When Rev. W. S. MacIntire came to be the pastor of the church the frescoing on ceiling and wall was badly defaced and the church greatly needed repairs. He soon set about this work and on "Old People's Day," October, 1906, the church was re- opened in its present attractive condition.
Under the energetic pastorate of Rev. R. S. Moore, who is now on his second year, the spiritual wants of the people are in good hands and material blessings have come to the church in the way of additional improvements.
The church records show the following as to the pastors :
1834, S. Cushing, E. Whitney, L. Pierce; 1835, no record; 1836, H. Torbush, E. A. Standish, E. Chapin; 1837, no record ; 1838, E. Chapin. (A "local preacher" of East Hartford) ; 1839,
63
SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
no record; 1840, "Vernon Circuit," B. M. Walker, C. D. Rogers ; 1841, L. Leffingwell, L. W. Blood, E. A. Standish; 1842, Lanson B. Clark, W. Emerson; 1842, No record, R. W. Allen presiding elder ; 1844-1845, A. F. Park, "local preacher." A lawyer of Nor- wich ; 1846, H. Torbush, J. B. Gould. First Church built, West street; 1847, W. Hurd. Church dedicated May; 1848-1849, Anthony Palmer; 1850, L. W. Blood; 1851-1852, W. S. Sim- mons; 1853-1854, G. W. Brewster; 1855-1856, W. O. Cady; 1857-1858, G. W. Wooding; 1859, Charles Morse; 1860, C. S. Sanford; 1861-1862, R. Parsons; 1863-1864, John Lovejoy ; 1865-1866, Erastus Benton ; 1867-1868-'69, J. W. Willett; 1870- 1871, E. H. Hatfield; 1872, Shadrach Leader; 1873-'74-'75, Henry H. Martin; 1876-1877, G. W. Miller; 1878-1879, N. G. Axtell ; 1880-'81-'82, Richard Povey ; 1883, O. H. Fernald ; 1884, G. W. Brewster; 1885-'86-'87, J. H. James; 1888-'90, Orange W. Scott; 1891-'94, G. H. Bates; 1895-'99, W. J. Yates; 1900- '01, W. A. Luce; 1902-'05, W. P. Buck; 1906-'08, W. S. Mac- Intire; 1909, R. S. Moore.
VERNON METHODIST CHURCH.
The Vernon Methodist Episcopal Church started from small beginnings, as most of the Methodist churches do, from class meetings. This was in the early sixties. The meetings were held mostly in the Dobsonville schoolhouse and the increasing numbers demanded preachers and the society was supplied by students from Wesleyan University at Middletown. One of the men was Rev. W. W. Bowdish, who at present is district super- intendent in the New York Evangelist conference. About 1865 the congregation had increased to such numbers that a house of worship became imperative and the church at Bolton was purchased and moved to Vernon, cut in two and lengthened and is the building now used for worship. Somewhat later the building was improved and a belfry added with a fine bell in- stalled, mainly by the generosity of S. S. Talcott, a prosperous manufacturer, who for many years was the motive power of the society.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.