USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Meriden > An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and men who have made it > Part 47
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Photo by R. S. Godfrey.
HALL AND READING ROOM, HOME CLUB.
ern conveniences which go to make club life attractive to the business or professional man.
The club is governed by an execu- tive committee of nine members, in- cluding the president, secretary and treasurer, from which are appointed all standing committees.
prestige is therefore high and the nu- merous events largely attended and greatly enjoyed.
The officers of the club January I, 1906, were : Dr. F. L. Murdock, pres- ident ; Arthur D. Meeks, first vice- president ; C. E. Stockder, second vice- president ; Louis Fisk, secretary, and
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SOCIAL CLUBS.
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Photo by Akers & Pigeon. W. H. A. MAYNARD.
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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.
W. J. Prouty, treasurer ; who with C. W. King, F. H. Billard, R. W. Car- ter and I. Burton Miller constituted the executive committee.
W. H. A. MAYNARD.
Walter H. A. Maynard, manager of the Home Club since January 1, 1903, was born in Natick, Mass, March 26, 1857, and is known by the members of the club as "Pop." He learned the doc- trines of an epicure under Daniel H. Maynard, his uncle, who for a quarter century conducted the famous Samoset House at Plymouth, Mass.
Since coming to Meriden Mr. May- nard has enjoyed a high reputation, first established here at the Winthrop Hotel. When his services were se- cured by the Home Club, the members became satisfied that there was none better to manage their house. His paraphernalia comprises every facility. No social function is too large and none too small to secure his service as a caterer, provided the call comes from the right direction ; nor in recent years has any occasion been considered a complete success unless he has fur- nished the viands.
He is a member of Meridian Lodge, 77, A. F. & A. M. ; Keystone Chapter, R. A. M. ; Hamilton Council, R. & S. M., and enjoys a wide acquaintance and deserved popularity among the leading citizens of this town and else- where. His leisure moments are spent at the "Bungalow," which he built on Notch Road at Lake Merimere in 1903.
MERIDEN WHEEL CLUB.
The oldest cycling organization in Connecticut is the Meriden Wheel club and it was started December 18, 1880, when there were less than a dozen bi- cycle riders in Meriden. For two years members met in Dentist T. S. Rust's rooms, but in 1882 permanent quarters were secured in Palace block and have been continually occupied since.
Among the early members were Dr. T. S. Rust, W. H. Squire, J. E. Brain- ard, L. A. Miller, Max E. Miller, Wil- liam Collins, Horace Miller, Frank A. Stevens, Reuben J. Rice, Wells Mc- Masters, Joseph Hyde, E. J. Pooley, Harry A. Stevens, Albert L. Stetson, John W. Lane and C. Win. King.
Cycling those days was a far dif- ferent proposition than the present day. The ordinary, or high wheel, as known by many, was the only make in existence and later day devotees of the low safety never experienced the exhilarating fun of coasting down a steep hill with feet thrown high over the handle bars and seated in a narrow saddle fifty-six inches from the ground. It was seldom a "high wheel- er" went through the season without one or more croppers and these are often recalled when the veterans get together and talk over old times.
Twenty years ago the roads through- out Connecticut were in abominable condition. Sandy soil and rocks abounded in every direction. The ag- itation of the rapidly increasing ranks of cyclists for good roads quickly bore
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SOCIAL CLUBS.
fruit and Connecticut to-day has hun- dreds of miles of macadamized state highways.
The Meriden Wheel Club was a strong factor in the good roads move- ment. J. E. Brainard, then president, and Attorney H. T. King, also a mem- ber, appeared before the Legislature several times and their hard work did
was a great boom for bicycling at that time. John S. Lane & Son furnished free the trap rock used. Liberal con- tributions were received and the path was finally constructed under the di- rection of President J. E. Brainard, who later made one of the best street superintendents Meriden ever had.
It was under the auspices of the
Photo by R. S. Godfrey.
PARLOR, MERIDEN WHEEL CLUB.
much towards the success of the pro- ject of improving the roads.
It was two Wheel Club members, W. H. Squire and F. C. Borst, the lat- ter at the time being a reporter for The Journal, who originated and pushed through the cycle path project from Meriden to North Haven, which
Meriden Wheel Club that three big national circuit race meets were given in this city in 1895-'96-'97. All the famous riders participated and some idea of the magnitude of the under- taking can be realized when the club went to an expense of over $1,000 for each meet. They were very success-
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ful, however, and all told the club netted about $400 by the races.
While the bicycle craze has departed in the last few years the Wheel Club still retains its membership of nearly 100 and many socials are enjoyed at the club. Last year the twenty-fifth anniversary of the club was celebrated with a banquet at the Winthrop hotel.
Graham ; treasurer, E. J. Pooley ; cap- tain, F. A. Morse ; executive commit- tee, H. F. Neuman, E. B. Matteson, T. E. Mckenzie, A. U. Unger.
THE COLONIAL CLUB.
This leading social club with a full membership of 350, non-mem-
Photo by R. S. Godfrey.
BILLIARD AND CARD ROOM, MERIDEN WHEEL CLUB.
No liquor is allowed in the Wheel Club and it is an organization of which the citizens of Meriden are proud.
The present officers are :
President, Carlton H. Winslow ; vice-president, Horace W. Stowe ; financial secretary, William H. Hirsch- feld; recording secretary, William E.
bership of fifty and a waiting list of thirty, occupying commodious and handsome quarters covering the en- tire top floor of the Wilcox Block, was formally organized March 19, I90I. The meeting was attended by the members of the Royal Arcanum and when the charter
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membership list was opened forty- eight signatures were then and there secured. This was the final result of a previous suggestion made at Pilgrims' Harbor Council, by its vice-regent, Joseph A. Roberge. His plan of forming a social club in Meriden composed of members of the Royal Arcanum for the purpose of extending the social features of
G. Birdsey and N. D. Clark of Pil- grims' Harbor Council and J. H. Bowker, Willis J. Prouty, Horace S. Savage, G. H. Yeamans and L. H. Ives of Alfred H. Hall Council.
The committee reported adversely on the project, believing that the Arcanum should not be asked to assume any financial responsibility in the premises; but the members
WILCOX BLOCK, HOME OF THE COLONIAL CLUB.
the order met with immediate favor by the members most interested in the upbuilding of the organization. The committee of ten appointed to ascertain if the project was a feasi- ble one for the two local councils to assume, was composed of the follow- ing: Col. C. L. Upham, chairman ; E. J. Doolittle, J. A. Roberge, L.
were of the mind that the club should be formed independent of the councils. Personal solicitation re- sulted in securing 138 names and many more promises should the club become a reality. Thus en- couraged an independent committee set about making plans for the orga- nization and considering locations
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PARLOR, COLONIAL CLUB.
ASSEMBLY HALL, COLONIAL CLUB.
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SOCIAL CLUBS.
CARD ROOMS, COLONIAL CLUB.
BILLIARD ROOM, COLONIAL CLUB.
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for rooms, the top floor of the Wil- cox Block being selected by this committee as most desirable.
At the meeting held at City Mis- sion Hall, at which the organization was perfected, the following officers were chosen : C. L. Upham, president ; J. H. Bowker, vice-president; H. S. Savage, secretary and C. P. Rice, treasurer.
Roberge, Thomas L. Reilly, C. J. Hinsdale, J. H. Bowker, Geo. F. Rogers and A. W. Hitchcock.
It was voted at a later date to restrict the membership to 200, and the full complement of members was secured before the rooms were opened. That the fair given by the club was a success both socially and financially is now a matter of his-
SOCIAL ROOM, COLONIAL CLUB.
A committee consisting of H. A. Curtiss, C. J. Danaher and G. H. Yeamans was appointed to draft the constitution and by-laws. There was also another appointed to arrange and carry out a fair the proceeds of which were to be used for furnishing the club. That com- mittee was composed of J. A.
tory and that subsequent functions of the club have likewise reflected credit upon its members and the community as well, cannot be gain- said. That the Arcanum Club start- ed on its journey forward without any of its members being blind- folded seems to be conclusively proven by the remarkable success
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achieved from the very beginning. On Nov. 1, 1904, the club became an open one and others beside mem- bers of the Royal Arcanum were made eligible to membership. From this date the club experienced a remarkable growth, increasing from 125 members to 350, its present limit, and largely owing to the untiring and earnest ef- forts of Geo. F. Rogers.
By vote of its members in Jan- uary 1906, the name of the club was changed to that of the Colonial Club, which it now bears. In the spring of 1906 the quarters of the club were enlarged and the building was altered and refurnished at an expense of $3,000, giving the club the whole of the top floor of the building. These changes also gave the club the opportunity to better accommodate the members and to fit up the largest billiard and pool room of any club in the state. The rooms of the Colonial Club are luxurious in appointment and furnish every possible comfort of club life as indi- cated by the accompanying illus- trations. The large assembly room is used for the meetings of the orga- nization as well as the social events, and in this also the Meriden councils of the Royal Arcanum, the Elks and the Heptasophs hold their regular meetings.
The club possesses its own stew- ard who has four assistants in keep- ing the club rooms in apple pie order, and also catering for the regu- lar Saturday evening lunches, given 7
in the banquet room by the club to its members. The Colonial Club possesses an orchestra of ten pieces composed exclusively of members, and this orchestra dispenses delight- ful music there every Saturday eve- ning.
The officers of 1906 are George E. Bicknell, president; W. H. Squire, first vice-president ; George Ohl, second vice-president ; C. C. Powers, secretary and L. T. Fuller, treas- urer. The house committee are George F. Rogers, chairman (by virtue of this office also business manager of the club), J. H. Bowker, E. G. Johnson and H. W. Storrs. The executive committee at this writ- ing consists of the officers of the club and Geo. F. Rogers, J. H. Bowker, E. G. Johnson, E. L. Montgomery, Harry J. Williams and H. W. Storrs.
YOUNG, MEN'S T. A. B. SOCIETY.
This society whose membership of 560 distinguishes it as the largest total abstinence organization in the state, was organized Nov. 21, 1880, in room 16, Palace Block, with four- teen members, having the following objects in view: The promotion of total abstinence, morality and be- nevolence. To these objects the society has strictly adhered and to this fact the success of the organiza- tion is attributed. It is maintained entirely by the following sources of
PARLOR, YOUNG MEN'S T. A. B. SOCIETY.
Photos by R. S. Godfrey. LIBRARY, YOUNG MEN'S T. A. B. SOCIETY.
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CARD ROOM, YOUNG MEN'S T. A. B. SOCIETY.
Photos by R. S. Godfrey.
SMOKING ROOM, YOUNG MEN'S T. A. B. SOCIETY.
POOL ROOM, YOUNG MEN'S T. A. B. SOCIETY.
Photos by R. S. Godfrey.
CARD ROOM, YOUNG MEN'S T. A. B. SOCIETY.
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SOCIAL CLUBS.
revenue: Monthly dues, which are 50 cents, and by public events of which two are given annually; an excursion, usually to New York and Coney Island, on which they have carried as many as 1,800 people on one occasion; and an entertainment and dance that has been given in the town hall on each Thanksgiving night. Its membership is composed exclusively of Catholics between the ages of 18 and 35 years. The so- ciety was incorporated on March 22, 1893. The officers are elected semi- annually. The benevolent feature of the organization is a sick benefit of $5.00 per week and at death the sum of $100 is paid. There is also an extra benefit branch attached to the society, that is known as the "Extra Benefit Branch" of which the mem- bers may avail themselves by pay- ing a small consideration each month. The society has one of the finest sets of club rooms in the city, having seven large rooms situated on the third floor of Palace Block, consisting of an elaborately furnished parlor, a library, meeting room, smoking room, pool and card rooms and a room for the officers, and on these is exercised great care in fit- ting for the comfort and enjoyment of the members. A number of pri- vate social events are given each year. Of these the most notable is their anniversary, celebrated with a ball and banquet usually on the first Friday of January. On different occasions they have given public en-
tertainments, the entire proceeds go- ing to public or charitable institu- tions ; and they have cared for and practically maintained for a number of years the free ice water fountain in front of Palace Block. Besides their rooms, the society has a valua- ble piece of land on West Main street, with a frontage of II0 feet and a depth of 125 feet and has also a comfortable balance in the bank.
AMARANTH CLUB.
An organization which has for some years figured prominently in Meriden social life is the Ama- ranth Club, incorporated in 1895, occupying commodious and hand- somely furnished quarters in the Cahill Block. This social club has now a resident membership of 125 and possesses fifteen non-resident members. Its objects are the pro- motion of sociability and friendship : and the organization is distinctively cosmopolitan, good fellowship and re- spectability being the necessary requi- sites for membership.
The formation of this popular social club dates back to January 19, 1893. The first quarters com- prised the three rooms previously occupied by the Young Men's Ger- man-American Club, in the Wilcox Block, the furnishings and rental of the rooms being the same year pur- chased entire. The first officers were: President, A. W. Tracy : vice-president, John A. Hurley ;
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PARLOR, AMARANTH CLUB.
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Photos by R. S. Godfrey.
READING ROOM, AMARANTH CLUB.
SOCIAL CLUBS.
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secretary, T. E. Reynolds and treas- urer, James J. Landrigan. From the character of its membership the club has always been a growing and a prosperous one, and within two years it became apparent that larger quarters were needed. Upon the completion of the Cahill Block in 1895, the rooms in the Wilcox
of its members. Its inaugural balls have been events long looked for- ward to and remembered. The club has in various other ways won dis- tinction and success. Its summer outings have been invariably well attended and the only occasion when the local opera house, now destroyed by fire, was ever filled to
Photo by R. S. Godfrey.
BILLIARD AND CARD ROOM, AMARANTH CLUB.
block together with the furnishings of the club were disposed of, and at the same time the present rooms in the Cahill block were fitted up and furnished entirely new at a cost of about $2,500. This club enjoys an enviable reputation for hospitality, harmony and the good fellowship
its full seating capacity, during a regular theatrical performance, was when the Amaranth club brought a pleasurable theatrical attraction to Meriden and bought the privi- leges of the theatre outright. Many citizens of Meriden prominent in business and public life, including
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several mayors, have been enrolled in the membership of the club.
The presidents of the club from the beginning have been as follows : Dr. A. W. Tracy, Thos. L. Reilly, now mayor of Meriden; John A. Hurley, James J. Walsh and George H. O'Malley, the last named being the present incumbent. The other officers of the club are vice-presi- dent, James J. Niland; financial secretary, James J. Walsh; record- ing secretary, F. A. Lajoie; and treasurer, James J. Landrigan. The board of governors comprises the following: Dr. A. W. Tracy, chair- man; M. F. Fitzgerald, H. T. Downs, C. W. Cahill, Kenneth Hil- lard, M. F. Morrissey, Wm. Glea- son, Fred. Eginton, Dennis Hor- gan, E. T. Mooney, C. E. Flynn, W. E. Kavanaugh.
The house committee is N. J. St. Cyr, T. J. Hagerty, Dr. M. F. Sulli- van, W. H. Russell, A. E. Cope, Thos. L. Reilly and Howard Island. The auditors are as follows. W. H. Russell, L. P. Fagan and F. A. La- joie.
EAST SIDE SOCIAL CLUB.
As is indicated by its name, this social club is located in the eastern part of Meriden and its building is situated at the corner of East Main and Murray streets. This club owes its existence to the untiring efforts of the following young men of the town : Simon J. Cahill, Jeremiah A.
Lynch, John W. Cahill, Daniel Lynch, Patrick J. Cahill, John L. Coleman, John H. Cook, Charles Murray, Alfred J. Cook and Jere- miah Rohan. It was nearly a score of years ago that these young men realized the desirability of drawing the young men together in that sec- tion of the town for the promotion of social intercourse, intellectual and literary improvement and recre- ation. For the further purpose of making good citizens of themselves a meeting was called under the branches of a historic elm tree which then beautified that locality. The result was the appointment of a committee to consider the matter and report at the next meeting to be held at the same place the first of the following October, 1888. This committee reported favorably and as a result the club was given birth and ten young men became its first mem- bers. The first officers were: presi- dent, John H. Cook; vice president, John L. Coleman ; financial and re- cording secretary, Jeremiah A. Lynch; treasurer, Patrick J. Cahill, the last named being the present incumbent, having been annually re-elected ever since. The com- mittee appointed to look up suitable quarters secured a lease of land from Waldo C. Twiss and upon it a club building was erected, the entire work of construction being done by the members, and two weeks after the organization of the club the rooms were ready for occu-
SOCIAL CLUBS.
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pancy and these were situated about 100 yards east of the present club house. Two years later when the membership had increased to twen- ty the club met its first misfortune, for at that time a disastrous fire totally destroyed their quarters. In consequence of this the club's pro- gress was stayed for a time but later
more up-to-date club house was a necessity. A building committee was appointed to procure land and submit plans for the erection of the same. The present site was chosen by the members upon the recom- mendation of that committee and the erection of the present spacious club house which became ready for
EAST SIDE SOCIAL CIL
Photo by R. S. Godfrey.
EAST SIDE SOCIAL CLUB.
and within six weeks after it had been decided upon, club house No. 2, larger than the former, became ready for occupancy. After six years' continued prosperity and pleasant associations of its members the club grew in membership until it was evident that a larger and
occupancy in the fall of 1896, was immediately begun. December the same year a public reception was held in the rooms and the club was formally inspected by a large gathering including parents of the members and many prominent men of the city, at which time the mem-
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bers were highly complimented for their creditable achievements and since that time the club has contin- ued to grow in membership. Iin 1899 the club was incorporated un- der the laws of the state, receiving a charter from the legislature which entitles it to hold property to the value of $20,000. The member- ship now numbers sixty and this in- cludes several of Meriden's success- ful business and professional men. It enjoys an enviable reputation for hospitality and this has been one of the most important factors in the pros- perity and popularity of the organi- zation.
Since its formation the following have served in the office of presi-
dent. John H. Cook, Simon J. Cahill, Alfred J. Cook, John Gehring, Jr., Richard Rohan, John W. Cahill, David T. Keegan, Matt. F. Hanley, George A. Cook, Thomas J. O'Brien, Emmett E. Flanagan and J. Richard Geary. The present officers are J. Richard Geary, president ; Michael B. Carroll, vice-president ; John F. Semrau, recording secretary ; Frank J. Conklin, financial secretary ; Pat- rick J. Cahill, treasurer ; Geo. A. Cook, business manager ; Oswald D. Pepin, librarian; John F. Barry, warden; Frank A. Semrau, prop- erty manager ; executive committee, Michael B. Carroll, Simon J. Cahill, Emmett E. Flanagan, Thomas F. O'Brien and Matt. F. Hanley.
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BANKS, BOARD OF TRADE AND POST OFFICE.
BANKS, BOARD OF TRADE AND POST OFFICE
MERIDEN SAVINGS BANK.
In 1851 when the Meriden Savings Bank was incorporated Meriden was fast becoming a manufacturing cen- ter, small as it appears to us in 1906, but the wisdom, push and energy of those early business men was begin- ning to be felt and Meriden was tak- ing on strength for the future. The wise ones saw the need of some insti- tution for savings where the mechanic could deposit small amounts for safe keeping and also get money to build themselves homes; for it was a pe- culiar feature of Meriden at that time, as it has been since, that a ma- jority of the working men lived in their own homes, and at that early period nearly all were native born. To meet the needs of the little grow- ing village the business men held a meeting early in 1851 to consider plans and the outcome was the ap- pointment of a committee to draw up resolutions incorporating The Meri- den Savings Bank. These were pre- sented at the May session of the Gen- eral Assembly and the application granted by them, the certificate of in- corporation being signed by John P. C. Mather, Secretary of State, July 12, A. D., 1851.
The trustees were as follows :
Enos H. Curtis, Edwin E. Curtis, Hiram Yale, Ashbel Griswold, Charles Parker, H. W. Saltonstall, Julius- Pratt, Alfred P. Curtiss, Isaac C. Lewis, Noah Pomeroy, James A. Fra- ry, Benjamin H. Catlin, Levi Yale, Bertrand Yale, A. C. Wetmore, Joel H. Guy, David N. Ropes, Howell Merriman, Elah Camp, Ward Coe, Linus Birdsey, Walter Booth and Cur- tis L. North.
The first meeting of the trustees. was held at the Meriden Bank build- ing on Broad street, then called North Market street, July 16, 1851, and the following officers were elected:
President-Enos H. Curtis.
Vice-president-Benjamin H. Cat- lin.
Directors-Julius Pratt, Charles Parker, Levi Yale, Joel H. Guy, Ed- win E. Curtis, Curtis L. North, Da- vid N. Ropes, Howell Merriman and Henry W. Saltonstall.
Joel H. Guy was the first secretary and treasurer.
The same year three vice-presidents were added to the list of officers, mak- ing four, as at present. The three added were Walter Booth, Elah Camp and Ashbel Griswold. The treasurer was authorized to appoint a clerk without extra expense ; and he ap- pointed Samuel B. Morgan. The
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first attorney was Dexter R. Wright. The office of the bank was for about three years at the residence of the treasurer on West Main street, present number 34, but for the accom- modation of the "up-town" people he
JOEL H. GUY.
was authorized to receive deposits at the Meriden Bank on Tuesdays of each week from two to four o'clock p. m.
The directors met once a week at the treasurer's residence for the first two years; but the time was soon changed to once a month. The first year the treasurer received fifty dol- lars for his services.
March I, 1854, it was voted "to authorize the president and secretary to purchase a safe for the bank at an
expense not exceeding one hundred dollars" and in April the same year it was voted to purchase ten or more shares of the stock of the Meriden Bank at one hundred and seven dol- lars per share, and in December of the same year it was voted to buy two shares at par.
Levi E. Coe was elected secretary and treasurer July, 1854, to succeed Joel H. Guy and the office of the bank was moved to the fine brick block called the Coe building, just then erected north of the Center church.
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EDWIN E. CURTIS.
This building was torn down in 1894 and the street widened at that point.
Considering the condition of the country just before the war the fol- lowing vote of the directors taken
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BANKS, BOARD OF TRADE AND POST OFFICE.
February 4, 1861, is significant :
Voted, To loan the balance now in the treasury as the appraising com- mittee shall think will best subserve the interests of the business commun- ity and the bank
S. H. W. YALE.
That the directors were patriotic is shown by the vote September, 1861, instructing the treasurer to buy treas- ury notes, U. S. sixes, at 9778 and 7-30 notes at par.
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