USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 48
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 48
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The capital of the company is $180,000. William B. Wooster is the president, and Charles H. Nettleton the secretary and treasurer. All the principal streets of the four villages are well lighted.
The Derby Street Railway Company is the outgrowth of several corporations formed to construct and operate horse street railways in the towns of Derby and Ansonia. The oldest of these was the Bir- mingham & Ansonia Horse Railroad Company, incorporated in 1876, with an authorized capital of $25,000. But the company was not or- ganized until some years later, when it constructed a line from the Derby depot to Ansonia, via Main and Elizabeth streets and Atwater avenue, in Birmingham, through West Ansonia, across the upper bridge, in Ansonia, and over the principal parts of Main street, in that village. A part of this road was not built until the fall of 1887, and the company continued operations about two years from that time. It had its stables in West Ansonia, and six cars were run. It operated under discouraging circumstances, but had an encouraging patronage. The rolling stock has been shipped to other points, and most of the track material passed into the hands of its competitor. In 1890 its affairs were in the hands of a receiver. The younger corporation, the Derby Horse Railway Company, was incorporated in 1885, with a cap- ital stock of $50,000. It was organized early in 1887, with John B. Wallace as president, William J. Clark, secretary and treasurer. The following year a new set of officers was chosen, namely: President, H. Holton Wood; vice-president, Charles F. Bliss; secretary, George O. Schneller; treasurer, Charles E. Clark. These officers managed the affairs of the company in 1890, at which time the road was accounted one of the most successful of the kind in the country.
By this company the work of construction was commenced in May, 1887, the line first extending from State street, in Ansonia, via Main street and Derby avenue to Derby Landing, and thence to Birming-
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HISTORY, OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
ham via Main street to Peck's Corner. The entire length was a little more than three and a half miles. Before the road was equipped it was determined to employ electricity as the motive power, and the charter was modified to permit the use of that agent. Another princi- pal feature was to operate the road mainly for freight purposes, in connection with a line of boats plying from Derby Landing. For this purpose the company equipped its road with five freight cars, which were operated by the Van Depoel system, the electric plant being lo- cated at Derby Docks. Passengers were also carried, but for more than a year the transportation of freight from Ansonia to tidewater formed the principal business of the company. The first electric car was run April 30th, 1888, and the following day operations were be- gun on a regular schedule. On the first of October, 1889, the steam- boat company running in connection with this road went out of service, when the freight department was discontinued, and since that time the passenger traffic has almost exclusively engaged the attention of the company. In October, 1890, the number of passengers carried averaged 1,500 per day.
In November, 1889, the equipment of the road was changed to conform to the system of the Thomson-Houston Company, a single trolley being used. The company is thus enabled to cover the dis- tance between the termini in Ansonia and Birmingham-more than three miles-in less than 20 minutes. There are in use five motor trucks, each being supplied with two ten horse power motors adjusted to both axles of the car. The carrying capacity of each car is from 50 to 80 passengers. The plant at Derby Landing is well equipped and a repair shop is maintained at Ansonia. Eighteen men are em- ployed and B. W. Porter has been the superintendent of the company since its organization.
The Derby Driving Park was opened in October, 1886. It has a fine location on the meadows about midway between Ansonia and Birmingham and is much patronized. The park was improved and is controlled by the Derby Agricultural and Driving Company, which was incorporated in May, 1886, with a capital of $7,000. Of this body R. O. Gates is the president.
To better promote the prosperity of Birmingham, Ansonia, Derby and Shelton, a board of trade for these villages was organized in No- vember, 1889, which had the following officers: President, H. Holton Wood; first vice-president, Charles H. Nettleton; second vice-president, Royal M. Bassett; secretary, F. W. Simmons; treasurer, Charles E. Clark. Efforts are being made to give the advantages of the above places a proper representation, so as to induce their further and speedy development.
Among the many secret and social societies organized in the town of Derby, none is more important, by reason of its age and widely extended influence, than King Hiram Lodge, No. 12, F. & A. M. It
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
was instituted under a charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Massa- chusetts, January 3d, 1783, upon the petition of the following: Charles Whittlesey, Elijah Humphreys, Henry Whitney, Benajah Strong, Henry Tomlinson, Jr., Ebenezer Gracey, James Manville, Charles Pond, Richard Mansfield, Jr., Micha Poole, John Lawrence, David Lawrence, David Sackett, Reuben Lamb, Thomas Horsey, John Smith, Nathan Davis, Jobn Harpin, William Grinnell, Ebenezer Keeney, Jonas Green, John Fowler, Joseph Hull, Abijah Hyde, Wil- liam Nott, Bowers Washburn.
When the Lodge was formally organized at Derby Narrows, March 11th, 1783, Charles Whittlesey was chosen the master. The Lodge met at the house of Ebenezer Gracey. Under the Massachusetts char- ter the meetings were held until May 12th, 1792, when the Lodge passed under the jurisdiction of the Connecticut State Lodge. In 1793 the meetings were transferred to the public house of Joseph Wheeler, also a member, but in March, 1796, it was voted that £100 be applied to the building of a hall, 20 by 42 feet, one story of which should be a Lodge room, the other to be used for school purposes. The following year the corner stone was laid, on the northeast corner of the founda- tion walls, and the hall was dedicated June 26th, 1797. After the 15th of July, 1797, the regular meetings of the Lodge were held in this hall until 1827, when the meetings were divided and were held in this hall and Humphreysville, where many of the members resided. In 1841 the Lodge's interest in the hall was sold to the school district, and not long thereafter the building was demolished. But the Masons of Derby have preserved the inscribed corner stone and it is still shown as a relic.
After 1829 King Hiram Lodge held its meetings mainly at Hum- phreysville, and for several years its membership increased. But the Lodge did not escape the virulent abuse and misrepresentation which attended the anti-Masonic agitation in the early part of the thirties, which, however, did not swerve it from its faith. Firmly believing in their order, the Lodge signed, with great unanimity, on the 11th of June, 1832, the declaration of Masonic principles as promulgated by the Grand Lodge of the state. This paper bore the names of the following: Newell Johnson, James S. Greene, Ebenezer Fisher, Josiah Nettle- ton, Hiram Upson, Anthony H. Stoddard, Samuel French, Noah Kel- sey, W. H. Fowler, Nehemiah Bristol. Bennett Lum, James Smith, Sheldon Canfield, Edmund Leavenworth, Orville C. Morse, C. D. Fris- bie, David M. Nettleton, Moody M. Brown, John C. Humphreys, Will- iam Lewis, John S. Moshier, Henry La Forge, David Hitchcock, Freder- ick Bradley, Elias Tibballs, Samuel Daniels, Andrew French, Isaac Dickerson, Nathan B. Church, Russell Hitchcock, Abijah Wilcoxson, George Blakeman, Henry Wooster, John Martin, Oliver H. Stoddard, J. H. De Forest, Isaac White, John L. Daniels, J. M. G. Corey, David Sanford, Samuel B. Hine, Samuel W. Dickinson, Leman Chatfield,
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Robert Gates, Stephen Jewett, Rivinton Martin, Chester Jones, Josiah Merrick, Ephraim Peck, William Gurney, Jeremiah French, Levi Hull, Abram Smith, Gipson Lum, Joseph Connor, Jason Bassett.
Only one of these signers was living at the time of this writing, viz .: George Blakeman, who survived at an extreme old age. While this address had the effect of assuring the community that Masonry was not antagonistic to the civil and the religious interests of the country, there were not, for many years, any noteworthy additions to the membership and but slow progress was made. From 1836 until 1843 the meetings were held at Humphreysville. in what was known as Masonic Hall, owned by E. Gilbert, and thereafter, for several years, the Lodge met in various places. In 1848 the Lodge was moved to. Birmingham, but the meetings were soon after alternately held at Ansonia, so continuing until March 2d, 1853, when it was voted to hold all meetings at Birmingham, in Odd Fellows Hall.
The following year the Lodge was rent by contention, in conse- quence of the imprudent use of the black-ball when voting on the ap. plication of candidates for Masonic privileges, which resulted in the arrest of the charter September 30th, 1854. It was restored in May, 1857, and since that time the life of the Lodge has been peaceful and harmonious. But meantime a movement for a Masonic Lodge had been made, which resulted in the establishment June 15th, 1855, of Friendship Lodge, No. 81, U. D. Of this body Robert C. Narramore was the master; Henry Whipple, senior warden; Warren S. Water- bury, junior warden; and William Whitney, secretary. In all 57 com- munications were held, and the degrees of Masonry were conferred upon 25 persons, when its meetings were suspended on account of the refusal of the Grand Lodge to fully charter it. Although contributing so largely to the formation of other Lodges within its original juris- diction, King Hiram has had an aggregate membership of more than 800, numbering among those who attended its communications men in every avocation of life, its members being representative citizens of an intelligent community.
In 1802 the Lodge devoted $100 toward the formation of a library, which had, in 1812, 96 volumes of historical and standard books. In 1878 the Lodge united with the Odd Fellows in furnishing a new hall in the Tower Block, expending $500 for that purpose. This was swept away by fire January 12th, 1879, in which most of the property of the Lodge was destroyed. A new room was secured the same year, which has afforded an attractive home for the order, and the Lodge has there proportionately prospered.
On the 5th of January, 1883, the Lodge celebrated its first centen- nial, on which occasion an exhaustive historical discourse was delivered by John H. Barlow, from whose account this sketch has been compiled.
The masters of the Lodge from the time of institution to the pres- ent have been the following: 1783, Charles Whittlesey; 1784-5, John
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Fowler; 1786*, Webb Tomlinson; 1792, Elihu Sanford; 1793-8, Samuel B. Marshall; 1799-1800, Sheldon Curtiss; 1801-2, Francis French; 1803, Josiah Dudley; 1804, Abijah Wilcoxson; 1805, Francis French; 1806-8, Sheldon Curtiss; 1809, Jesse Beach; 1810, Francis French; 1811-14, Robert Gates; 1815, Abijah Wilcoxson; 1816, Francis French; 1817, John L. Tomlinson; 1818, Jeremiah French; 1819, Abijah Wilcoxson; 1820, Pearl Crafts; 1821-4, Jeremiah French; 1825-6, Harvey Downs; 1827, George Blakeman; 1828, Titus C. Pratt; 1829-31, William Lum; 1832, Newell Johnson; 1833, William Lum; 1834, Hiram Upson; 1835-7, John L. Daniels; 1838-9, Hiram Upson; 1840-3, John L. · Daniels; 1844, Ebenezer Fisher; 1845-7, John L. Daniels; 1848, Eben- ezer Fisher; 1849, Samuel French; 1850-1, Foster P. Abbott; 1852 -3, John W. Flowers; 1854-6, Hiram W. Hubbard; 1857-8, Robert C. Narramore; 1859, Henry Whipple; 1860, George A. Peck; 1861-2, Henry Whipple; 1863, Charles Rood; 1864, Nathan C. Treat; 1865-6, John H. Barlow; 1867, David W. Boyd; 1868, Hyland W. Granger; 1869-72, Robert C. Narramore; 1873, Charles A. Sprague; 1874, Albert F. Sherwood; 1875, Edward M. Platt; 1876, Clark N. Rogers; 1877, Arthur R. Blakeslee; 1878, Henry N. Beardsley; 1879-80, Clark N. Rogers; 1881, Leonard Jacobs; 1882, William T. Gillett; 1883, H. Stacy Whipple; 1884-5, Fred V. Bowman; 1886-7, Lucius P. French; 1888, Andrew E. Burke; 1889, J. Frank Terew; 1890, Charles H. Beecher.
The first treasurer of the Lodge was Henry Whitney. Ithiel Keeney served about a dozen years in the same office after 1800. Ransom Tomlinson was the treasurer a nuniber of years after 1839, and in 1861 William M. Hull was elected to that office, which he has since filled.
The first secretary of the Lodge was Richard Mansfield, Jr., who served several years; in the same office was Edward C. Remer, six successive years after 1858; and since 1866 John H. Barlow has most efficiently filled that office.
Solomon Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M., was instituted at Derby July 16th, 1795, under a warrant issued by Washington Chapter of New York city. The members present at the first meeting were: Jesse Beach, H. P .; John Beers, K .: Reverend Edward Blakeslee, the S .; Pierre Brandin, the R. A. C .; Francis French, the Z .; and Abel Hall, Charles Munson, William Morris, Benjamin Stiles. Other members who belonged prior to 1800 were the following:
Abel Allis, James Beard, Reverend Ashbel Baldwin, Henry Beard- lee, David Burrell, Abijah Bradley, Roswell Beardslee, David Beard, Levi Beardslee, Curtiss Sheldon, Jonathan Courzon, Doctor Edward Crafts, Medad Candee, Levi Candee, Watrous Clark, Henry Cooleigh, Moses Candee, Josiah Dudley, David C. De Forest, Joseph French, James Flagg, Joseph Fabrique, Francis Forgue, Ebenezer Gracey, * No record from 1787 to 1792.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Nathaniel Gage, Sheldon Gracey, Uriah M. Gregory, Reverend Alex- ander V. Griswold, Daniel Holbrook, Nathaniel Holbrook, Daniel Holbrook, Jr., Benjamin Hall, William Herron, Joseph Hull, Sylves- ter Higby, Lemuel Judson, Christopher Johnson, Leverett Judd, Isaac Judson, Chester Jones, Samuel Judd, Jasper D. Jones, Liberty Kim- berly, Reuben Lum, Ezra Lewis, Edward Leavenworth, William Leavenworth, Samuel R. Marshall, Josiah Masters, James Masters, William McNeal, Giles Mardenborough, John Nobles, Silas Nichols, Roger Perkins, Josiah Prindle, Stephen Porter, Lemuel Porter, Heze- kiah Sperry, Samuel Sanford, James Sperry, James Smith, Daniel Tomlinson, Henry Tomlinson, Reverend Ambrose Todd, Joseph Wheeler, Abijah Wilcoxson, Henry Whitney.
Not all of these lived in Derby, but many were residents of Milford, Waterbury, Woodbury and other nearby towns, but in every com- munity were among the leading citizens. There has always been a large membership, the number belonging in 1890 being 130.
The following have been the high priests of the Chapter, being elected in the order of their names, some serving a number of terms: Jesse Beach, Reverend Edward Blakeslee, Daniel Holbrook, Francis French, Reverend Menzies Rayner, D. B. Newton, Jeremiah French, Merritt Bradley, J. W. Flowers, H. W. Hubbard, J. A. Bunnell, Ran- som Matthews, Henry Whipple, E. C. Remer, John H. Barlow, Arthur R. Blakeslee, A. F. Sherwood, Henry Bradley, Henry N. Beardsley, E. M. Platt, C. A. Sprague, George C. Bedient, Leonard Jacobs, John L. Beardsley, Frank W. Beardsley. The secretary since 1869 has been Arthur R. Blakeslee.
Union Council, No. 27, R. & S. M., was instituted January 22d, 1860, with the following members: Henry Atwater, George Baird, John C. Barlow, Charles I .. Bassett, George Blakeman, Willett Bradley, Joseph A. Bunnell, John Carroll, George Hall, William M. Hull, William W. Lee, Jolin Lindley, Edward C. Remer, Truman B. Smith, Martin Warner, Henry Whipple, John D. Wymbs. The aggregate member- ship has been very large for a place the size of Birmingham, where the stated assembly of the Council is held, 118 persons belonging in October, 1890. Arthur B. Blakeslee, John H. Barlow and Frank G. Bassett, of this Council, have served as grand masters of the Grand Council of the state.
The Odd Fellows have several well established organizations in Derby, numbering hundreds of members and having a wide influence. The oldest body is Ousatonic Lodge, No. 6, which was instituted Oc- tober 13th, 1841, under a dispensation granted to five persons: Sheldon Bassett, Robert Gates, Peter Phelps, Richard Evans and Robert R. Wood. The meeting was held in a small room at Derby Narrows, and but eight persons were at that time initiated. As the order was pop- ular the Lodge had, in the course of a dozen years, 168 members and à benefit fund of $2,000. Then came a season of apathy and declining
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
interest, which affected all the Odd Fellow Lodges in the state, reduc- ing the number from 69 to 20, and the membership from 5,000 to about 1,600. Only 68 of the members of the Ousatonic Lodge re- mained faithful to the principles of the order, but these steadfastly persevered until the Lodge was again revived and was placed on a better footing than before. In this condition it was when the great fire of January 12th, 1879, destroyed its Lodge room and most of the property, including a library of 600 choice books. The same year a more elegant hall was provided, and since that time the Lodge has had renewed prosperity. A large library for the free use of the members has been furnished, and the surplus fund exceeds $5,000. In the his- tory of the Lodge about $28,000 has been disbursed for charitable pur- poses. More than 500 persons have been members of the Lodge, the number belonging in 1800 exceeding two hundred. Of the entire membership 78 have presided over the meetings of the Lodge, the first noble grand being Sheldon Bassett. Other pioneer presiding officers were Robert Gates, Edward T. Stanley, Robert R. Wood, Sid- ney Alling, Simon Tomlinson, Lewis Hotchkiss, Eli Burritt, Horatio N. Hawkins, William N. Priestley, George Bristol, Charles Smith, Matthew Donnelly, Nelson M. Beach, Abijah Hawkins, L. R. Sperry, Edward Bradley, John Lindley, Chipman S. Jackson, Charles C. Jack- son, John Wallace, William B. Ashley, William Baldwin, Charles B. Johnson and Philo Curtiss, all prior to 1850.
Excelsior Encampment, No. 18, was instituted September 25th, 1850, its first officers being: C. P., Sheldon Bassett; H. P., John Wal- lace; S. W., Charles C. Jackson; scribe, Henry Atwater; treasurer, Thomas Elmes. The chief patriarchs prior to the war were: Sheldon Bassett, R. R. Wood, Matthew Donnelly, Hiram W. Hubbard, David R. Cook, Nathaniel Jones, H. N. Sherman, Wales Terrill, William S. Downes, James H. Beatty, J. H. Barlow, Charles C. Jackson, Chipman S. Jackson, David W. Boyd. H. M. Jackson, Charles L. Russell, Will- iam Baldwin, Eli B. Stevens, Hobart Sperry, William E. Hine, D. T. Johnson, Joseph A. Bunnell. J. H. Barlow has been the past scribe since January, 1863. He was also in 1864 the grand patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Connecticut, a position which was likewise filled by John Wallace in 1856, Charles C. Jackson in 1855, David M. Boyd in 1863 and Matthew Donnelly in 1875.
The Encampment suffered the same loss of property by the fire of January 12th, 1879, as Onsatonic Lodge, and as the records were burned no extended account can be given. Since that time the organ- ization has grown to fine proportions and is in a prosperous condition.
Valley Lodge, No. 14, K. of P., was instituted March 4th, 1870, with about 30 charter members, a few only continuing until the fall of 1890, when there was reported an entire membership of 148. The Lodge has a good hall on Main street, Birmingham, and a beneficiary fund of $13,000. In common with other Lodges, it lost its records in the great
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
fire of January 12th, 1879, when Odd Fellows' Hall was burned. Henry A. Warren has been the master of exchequer a number of years, and J. A. Fenwick the keeper of the records. Charles Buckingham, George E. Munson, Henry L. Smith and Otto Marshall are among the oldest members.
Endowment Rank, Section No. 163, K. of P., was instituted April 16th, 1878, of members of the above Lodge, and has held its meetings annually since that time. In 1890 its officers were: Charles Bucking- ham, president; George E. Munson, vice-president; C. B. Wooster, secretary and treasurer, and Doctor William S. Randall, medical ex- aminer.
Gould Division, No. 9, Uniform Rank, K. of P., was formed in 1889, and in the course of a year had 32 members. The Division has be- come quite proficient, having a fine reputation among similar bodies. Its officers in 1890 were: S. R. captain, E. C. Johnson; S. R. lieutenant, James E. Sherwood; S. R. herald, John Young; S. R. recorder, W. W. Bemis; S. R. treasurer, C. B. Wooster; S. R. guard, Will. H. Fourtin; S. R. sentinel, F. I. De Forest.
In addition to the foregoing societies are a number of others con- nected with the minor orders, which are equally important in their respective spheres, among them being Derby Lodge, No. 2,302, Knights of Honor, which meets at Birmingham and is reported prosperous; Paugassett Council, No. 28, Knights of Columbus, meeting at the same place and having a liberal support from Irish citizens; Court Housa- tonic, No. 6,859, Ancient Order of Foresters, another successful bene- ficiary organization, which has its membership largely from citizens of foreign birth; Woodsworth Lodge, No. 2, United Workmen, insti- tuted in 1880, which had, in October, 1890, 71 members; Arnold Lodge, No. 88, N. E. O. of P., is a prosperous beneficiary order; as is also Pootatuck Tribe, No. S, I. O. of R. M., which has a large membership.
Among the temperance organizations Birmingham Division, No. 6, Sons of Temperance, holds a deserving place. There are also several temperance societies connected with the Catholic church, the Young Men's Temperance Association having a large membership, as has also the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Total Abstinence Society. Both have done good service for the cause to which they are devoted. The St. Vincent de Paul Society is more of a beneficiary body, its object being to raise and disburse charities to the poor.
Among the societies whose principal object is the cultivation of the social feelings, the Pequot Club is one of the oldest and most pop- ular. It was established many years ago through the instrumentality" of Doctor Thomas A. Dutton, and its membership is limited to 25 kin- dred spirits. Among the conspicuous features of the club are an an- nual hunt or feast at the seaside and a masquerade assembly, at which the members appear arrayed in Indian costume. The first sachem of this tribe or club was William C. Beecher; the present is Robert O.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Gates. The club room is handsomely fitted up and is centrally located at Birmingham.
The Nous Club, of Birmingham, was for a number of years a pop- ular society, whose members were persons of literary tastes. Many of the best citizens belonged to it, and its intellectual entertainments were pleasant features of the social life of the village.
The Derby Choral Union indicates the object for which this society was organized, but interest in it abated after a useful existence.
Kellogg Post, No. 26, G. A. R., was instituted at Birmingham July 30th, 1868, with 64 charter members. David Torrance was the first post-commander. This position has also been held by the following: Daniel W. Boardman, William H. Farrell, Selah G. Blakeman, Sanford E. Chaffee, Lewis H. Monroe, David F. Chadeayne, William H. Thyther, Andrew Dean, Samuel Miller, George H. Croak, Freeland Brazie, L. P. French, O. F. Lathrop, O. W. Cornish, Thomas H. Gil- bert and Ezra Sprague. The Post has suffered the loss of its rec- ords, which prevents a full account of its history. In October, 1890, there were 98 members, with L. P. French as the commander and Charles E. Hauxhurst as the adjutant. The Post aided largely in the building of the soldiers' monument, on the public green at Birming- ham, and in a general way has promoted the interests of the survivors of the late war. Under its encouragement
Charles L. Russell Camp, No. 26, Sons of Veterans, was organized a few years ago at Birmingham and has succeeded in fully establish- ing itself among the numerous societies of the community. The latter organization is also prosperous and has a growing membership.
The Soldiers' Monument was completed in 1883. The matter of building a monument to the memory of the soldiers of the late civil war was agitated as early as 1875, by members of the G. A. R. and other patriotic citizens, and a committee was appointed to begin the work. In 1878 the base for such a monument was laid, near the cen- ter of the park at Birmingham, when, for want of means to carry on the work, it was allowed to rest several years. In 1883 the project was again taken up, and about $3,000 was raised to carry it to comple- tion. The base was removed to its present site, on the northeast corner of the park, and the contract for the bronze work awarded to M. J. Power, of New York. The local committee was composed of William B. Wooster, William E. Downes, R. M. Bassett, Charles E. Clark, S. E. Chaffee, George H. Peck, William Wilkinson, F. D. Jack- son, William Ford, David Chadeayne and J. W. Storrs. The monu- ment was completed and dedicated July 4th, 1883. It is composed of granite bases and die, with metal tablets and a bronze figure of an in- fantry soldier at rest surmounting the pile, the entire height being 21 feet. On the base are in large relief letters the names of Gettysburg, Newbern, Atlanta and Chancellorsville. On one of the metal tablets above is inscribed:
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