USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town of North Andover, Massachusetts centennial 1855-1955 > Part 1
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MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY CENTENNIAL
1 8 5 5 North Andover, Massachusetts
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VERTICAL FILE NORTH ANDOVER, MA --- History
31330 00621 7578 Glad to be here, Neighbor!
050000 STREET
Sketch of our new Merrimack Valley Plant at North Andover - now under construction.
We think this beautiful new Western Electric plant is the best way of saying we're glad to be here in the Merrimack Valley.
Though it's been a relatively short time since we moved to the area - to Haverhill in 1943 and to Lawrence in 1951 - we've grown to like everything about it ... the communities, the peo- ple, our industrial and business neighbors, and our employees.
So, on the occasion of this Centennial Celebration, we would like to express our appreciation to you for being such good neighbors to us. We look forward to sharing and building Merrimack Valley's future with you.
Jesse Ault
MANAGER-MERRIMACK VALLEY PLANT
Western Electric
MANUFACTURING AND SUPPLY
UNIT OF THE BELL SYSTEM
WE Salute ...
The Town of North Andover on their Centennial
J. P. Stevens & Co., Inc. Fine Fabrics Since 1813
Souvenir Program Twenty-five Cents
ORTH
NDO
IN
CORPORATED
VE
APRIL 7!"
1855
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Program photography: George J. Cullen and Robert E. Finneran
TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER MASSACHUSETTS
CENTENNIAL
1855-1955
Observance JUNE 5 TO JUNE 12
CLASS OF SERVICE
This is a full-rate Telegram or Cable- gram unless its de- ferred character is in- dicated by a suitable symbol above or pre- ceding the address.
WESTERN UNION FX-1201
SYMBOLS
DL= Day Letter
NL=Night Letter
LT=Int'l Letter Telegram
VLT=Int'l Victory Ltr.
W. P. MARSHALL, PRESIDENT
The filing time shown in the date line ou telegratus aud day letters is STANDARD TIME at point of origin. Time of receipt is STANDARD TIME at point of destination
BA 241 NP878 NPS.WSB015 GOVT NL PD=THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC 18= THE HONORABLE WILLIAM- FINNERAN=
CHAIRMAN BOARD OF SELECTMEN NORTH ANDOVER MASS=
: MY CONGRATULATIONS GO TO ALL CITIZENS OF NORTH ANDOVER ON THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS INCORPORATION. 1 KNOW YOU WILL ENJOY YOUR OBSERVANCE OF THIS MILESTONE .IN THE LIFE OF A HISTORIC COMMUNITY. TO ALL OF YOU I SEND GOOD WISHES FOR FUTURE. PROGRESS=
: DWIGHT D EISENHOWER =.
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THE COMPANY WILL APPRECIATE SUGGESTIONS FROM ITS PATRONS CONCERNING ITS BERVICE
Welcome
The year 1955 brings to a close North Andover's first 100 years as a separately incorporated town. To cele- brate the centennial, a committee has been authorized by the town to arrange a week-long series of activities, which will be held from June 5 to June 12 inclusive.
This booklet is published as a program guide for the convenience of townspeople and visitors, and as a keep- sake for all who may wish to possess a brief reference book of historical and statistical fact on the Town of North Andover. No attempt has been made here to provide a detailed, comprehensive history. Such a his- tory is now being written and will be published later.
Prior to the official separation on April 7, 1855, this town was a part of the original town of Andover. It was, in fact, the original Town of Andover and was estab- lished in 1646.
So it is that not just 100 years, but more than 300 years of history form the glorious prologue to the North Andover of today and tomorrow.
A sincere welcome is extended to all who visit us on this occasion. All the facilities of the town will be made available to make the anniversary a truly memor- able one for townspeople and visitors alike.
GEORGE L. DAVIS
WILLIAM SUTTON
Founders of North Andover's time- honored basic industries which have grown with, and aided the growth of the community, are pictured here: at top left, George L. Davis, co-founder of the Davis & Furber Machine Com- pany; at top right, William Sutton, pioneer of the textile industry; and right, Capt. Nathaniel Stevens, founder of a textile empire.
CAPT. NATHANIEL STEVENS
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Weaving A Community
The Centennial arrives for North Andover in a time alive with a sense of history.
The age of atomic power, with all of its potentialities for good or evil, has dawned. Defeated ten years ago in one form, the totalitarian concept of government, in another form called Communism, shadows mankind's aspirations for freedom and peace.
But there is great good in the world. The Salk vaccine has just been announced. Interest in religion is running high. Hospitals and schools are going up everywhere. Slums are being cleared. More people are moving into the suburbs. New homes are being built in unprece- dented volume. Racial and religious intolerance are on the decline. Living standards are the highest in history.
Such is the national scene shared by the people of North Andover as they reflect upon what has gone before, and what the future may bring to their lives and community. The tenseness of the times-the "war of nerves" rising from the world situation- is real to them, but deeper still are their feelings of courage and hope and the will to achieve a better life.
In fact, most North Andover folks in this 100th year are too well occupied to worry unduly about outside forces. All of the long-established industries of the town are busy, and new industrial development is underway. Municipal growing pains present new problems to solve. Churches and civic organizations offer full programs to all. And to the average member of the community, family life is still fundamental, so he expends a great deal of effort and time with his family and his home property.
At mid-century, the Greater Lawrence community of which North Andover is part stood at the threshold of an economic renaissance. Textiles had been the city's chief industry, but several textile mills were closing. Some were moving south. Wise leaders saw the necessity of new effort to attract diversified industries into the vacant mill buildings of the city, and to seek the location of others in development sites in Greater Lawrence. This would restore job opportunities, help broaden the tax base, and tend to stabilize the economy against sharp fluctuations common to one industry. So they went to work.
Town Welcomes Great New Industry
The program brought results, and as 1955 unfolds the arca appears well on the way toward reaching its objective.
North Andover responded to the challenge in 1953 when the Western Electric Company offered to build a new multi-million dollar plant in the town. Citizens filled Stevens Hall at a special town meeting and voted unanimously to grant the company's request for rezoning of land off Osgood Street for that purpose.
The steel framework of the new industry rises skyward today as the town pauses to observe its Centennial. There is an air of expectancy everywhere. An already sharp interest in new home development has been accelerated, and possibilities for bringing other new industries to town have been heightened. The problem of adjusting to this trend and coping with possible excessive expansion are taxing the efforts of town leaders.
But neither problems nor progress are new to this town. A glance through its history recalls many another occassion when its staunch citizens met the demands of the times.
Six Pounds and a Coat
In 1634 the Massachusetts General Court ordered "that the land about Cochichewick shall be reserved for an inland plantation, and whoso- ever will go to inhabit there shall have three years' immunity from taxes, levies, public charges and services whatever, military discipline excepted. John Winthrop, Richard Bellingham and William Codding- ton, Esquire, are chosen a committee to license any that they may think mean to inhabit there, and that it shall be lawfull for no person to go thither without their consent or the major part of them".
Land was purchased by Rev. John Woodbridge of Newbury in 1646 after lengthy correspondence with Governor Winthrop. A consideration in the purchase, according to record, was six English pounds and a coat, paid to the Indian Chief Cutshmache by Mr. Woodbridge.
The settlement was originally called Cochichewick Plantation. The name Cochichewick was of Indian origin, meaning "place of the great cascades". This was soon changed to Andover in honor of Andover, Hampshire County, England, the birthplace of several of the original freeholders.
The earliest roster of actual settlers gives the following names: John Osgood, Joseph Parker, Richard Barker, John Stevens, Nicholas Holt, Benjamin Woodbridge, John Frye, Edmund Faulkner, Robert Barnard, Daniel Poor, Nathan Parker, Henry Jacques, John Aslett, William Bal- lard, John Lovejoy, Thomas Poor, George Abbott, John Russ, Andrew Allen, Andrew Foster and Thomas Chandler.
Although Cochichewick settlement was primarily agricultural, facto- ries were early encouraged to locate here, and several small industries such as grist mills, powder mills, saw mills and fulling mills were established. Water power afforded by Cochichewick Brook, running from the lake to the Merrimack River, was a resource appreciated by the pioneer manufacturers.
North Andover was destined to become a textile town, but the dif- ficulties confronting the early settlers regarding the manufacture of cloth were numerous. The mother country did not encourage it on this side of the ocean. Money was scarce and tools and machinery were expensive. And the pioneers had little knowledge of the art. A number of them had brought over crude spinning wheels and hand looms, and these they set up in their homes to manufacture homespun.
Mill in Operation 153 Years
The first woolen mill established in old Andover was opened in 1802 by James Scholfield, on Cochichewick Brook in the North Parish. He continued his work in the small shop for more then ten years during which time he did a good business of carding wool for domestic weaving and manufacturing woolen cloth. He sold the business in 1812 and thereafter successive owners operated the plant until 1825 when William Sutton of Danvers acquired it. The plant was renamed Sutton's Mills and continues to be a thriving industry today, manufacturing woolen goods for the women's and men's wear apparel trades. This is believed to be the oldest woolen mill in America to have been in continuous operation. The original mill building, where Scholfield started in 1802, still stands now at the corner of Sutton and North Main Streets. It is occupied as a residence.
Stevens Industry Born Here
Captain Nathaniel Stevens engaged Scholfield to manage the mills then being erected by him upstream on Cochichewick Brook. These mills, opened in 1813, proved to be the origin of one of the nation's great modern industrial enterprises, J. P. Stevens & Company, Inc., manu- facturers of many fabrics using wool, cotton and synthetic fibres. The local Stevens and Osgood Mills of the M. T. Stevens & Sons Company Division are currently active units of the corporation.
Origin of Davis & Furber
With the steady growth of industry in Andover came the need for better machinery. Jonathan Sawyer and Russell Phelps began making woolen machinery in 1832 in the basement of Abraham Marland's mill in the South Parish. The business passed to Charles Barnes, George H. Gilbert and Parker Richardson in 1836. They soon moved the shop to the North Parish on Cochichewick Brook, and this was the beginning of the present day Davis & Furber Machine Company. The first great period of development of this outstanding business emerged under the leadership of George L. Davis.
The Davis & Furber Machine Company continues an active place of leadership in the machinery building industry today, producing tex- tile preparatory and finishing machinery, cards, card clothing and spinning frames-machinery known and respected the world over.
Forefathers Saw Need of Industry
Interesting for its applicability to the modern desire for industrial developement is an action of the town taken before the Revolution, setting up a committee which recommended "by all prudent means to endeavor to discontinue the importation and use of foreign super- fluities and to promote and encourage manufactures in the town",
The forefathers, too, understood the necessity of industrial enterprises for the economic health of the community, and the danger of cheaply made imports competing with locally manufactured goods.
The coming of the Western Electric Company adds to the North Andover industrial community a leading national manufacturer in the field of electronics. The new plant, which is expected to be placed in operation in 1956, will manufacture carrier telephone equipment that has nation-wide application for long distance communication. Carrier telephony makes it possible to transmit many telephone con- versations over one path or pair of wires and forms the backbone of the telephone and television networks interconnecting all parts of the country.
As this booklet goes to press, a proposal for further rezoning of land as a site for another new plant, this one being in the plastics industry, has been approved by the town.
Completing the industrial picture here are several smaller firms, including: Howard Food Products Co .; John Glennie, Inc., tallow makers; Wipex, Inc., manufacturers and distributors of wiping materials; Charles D. Glennie, dairy products.
Agriculture still has an important place in the North Andover econ- omy. There are several large farms in operation in the town, producing milk, poultry, eggs, fruits and vegetables.
Religion Came First
From the earliest times the people of old Andover gave first place to religious worship and instruction. One of the great dramatic moments of the town's history came in the early part of the eighteenth century. The problem of repairing and enlarging or relocating the Congrega- tional Church building, then situated in the northern and original part of the town, confronted the citizens. It was agreed to build a new meeting house, but serious differences arose over the location. The question was debated at several town meetings, from 1705 onward. By this time the population in the southern part of the town had gained in strength.
Division Began in 1709
Eventually the majority of the voters favored a new church site in the southern part. This was unsatisfactory to the folks of the northern part. The dispute came before the General Court, and in 1709 two parishes were set off, the North and the South. The growth of the two different communities of interest led finally to the separation of the parishes in 1855, as two distinct townships.
Today's Churches
The North Parish Church, originally Congregational and later Uni- tarian in denomination, was founded in 1645. Rev. John Woodbridge was the original pastor, or teacher as he was called.
In 1834 a group withdrew from the North Parish Church because of its Unitarian leanings, and organized the Trinitarian Congregational Church. Their first pastor was Rev. Jesse Page.
Methodism commenced in North Andover in 1845 when Rev. Stephen G. Hiler held services and organized the First Methodist Church.
St. Michael's Parish was founded in 1868 as a mission and in 1900 as an independent parish. Rev. James Gildey was the first pastor.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church was formed as a mission in 1880 and as an independent parish in 1888. Rev. Augustine Amory was the first minister.
The contribution of all five churches to the spiritual life of North Andover are immeasurable. All are active today, not only in matters spiritual, but in the creation of opportunities for people, especially young people, to participate in wholesome recreational and cultural programs.
In a sense, they are the conscience of the community. It would not be possible to attempt to describe here anything of the long list of achievements in which the five churches have had a part.
Organizations too numerous to list are active in all the churches. Building programs have been accomplished or projected in all five parishes. At St. Michael's, one of the great forward steps of recent years was the founding of St. Michael's School, a step which will soon be augmented with the construction of a new additional school building. The North Parish Church, too, is planning further progress by the building of an educational addition to the church. A few years ago the Methodist Church took the step by building a parish hall. St. Paul's and Trinitarian Congregational Churches have had their expansion and improvement programs in previous years.
Current pastors of these churches are: St. Michael's, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis L. Shea; Trinitarian Congregational, Rev. Clinton W. Carvell; St. Paul's Episcopal, Rev. Alexander S. Twombly; First Methodist, Rev. Donald D. Douglass; North Parish, Rev. Ernest A. Brown, Jr.
Grade Schools to College
North Andover's carly school history is similar to many another New England community. In recent years its educational system has progressed with the construction of a new high school building, a new elementary school and two additions to existing elementary schools.
The town is the home of Brooks School, a boys' preparatory school of Episcopalian influence, founded in 1927. Frank D. Ashburn is head- master, a position in which he has served since the founding.
Merrimack College, co-educational, conducted by the Augustinian Fathers, was founded here in 1947. Very Rev. Vincent A. McQuade, O.S.A., is president of the college, and has served in this position since the beginning.
In North Andover also is Campion Hall Retreat House, established in 1937 by the Jesuit Fathers, with Rev. Lco J. O'Keefe as present superior, and Rolling Ridge Methodist Conference Center, founded in 1948, with W. Albert Lotz as present executive director.
Boston University established a conference center in 1954 on Osgood Hill, North Andover,
A public library was opened in the town in 1875. This became the Stevens Memorial Library in 1907 through a gift of the Hon. and Mrs. Moses T. Stevens. Miss Marian F. Batchelder is present librarian.
Many Answered Calls to Wars
In every war, from the earliest days down to the present, North Andover folks have done their full share. A long line of distinguished sons and daughters have gone forth from the town, many to face death for their country's causes. Their service has included the Indian Wars, the Revolution, the Civil War, the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Many others have made great con- tributions to the arts and sciences, the religious, professional, business, labor and public life of a peaceful world, at home and elsewhere.
The heroic quality of these people has been exemplified time after time after time. They are the greater part of a heritage to which the North Andover of 1955 owes so much.
North Andover is richly endowed with organizations, civic, social, religious, labor, fraternal, and political. Together with the churches, they form the foundation for a vigorous community spirit.
Apart from the church organizations, some of these active bodies are the Grange, American Legion and Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary, Eclectic Club, Historical Society, Improvement Society, Charitable Union, local units of the CIO and AFL, Taxpayers' Association, Boosters' Club, Board of Trade, Parent-Teacher Associa- tions, and Woman's Club.
This, in brief, is North Andover, old as the days of the Pilgrim Fathers, young as the Spirit of '55, with a vision of new horizons and a capacity to achieve new goals.
FENSE YE
CHRISTIAN A. HERTER GOVERNOR
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT STATE HOUSE, BOSTON
April 11, 1955
To the People of North Andover:
It is a privilege for me to extend the official greetings of the Commonwealth and my own sincere best wishes to the people of North Andover as you celebrate the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of your town.
While your community has undergone many changes during the past century, I do not suppose that any period of change in its history has been as significant as the past decade. Since World War II, North Andover has seen a rapid increase in its population. The tremendous new industrial plant now under construction by the Western Electric Company provides another significant change, and one which will provide employment for many hundreds of North Andover citizens. Also of great significance is the rise of North Andover as a center of education, with several very important new developments in this field.
With these changes have come problems similar to those confronting many of our communities with rapidly growing populations but the people of North Andover have met these problems in an intelligent manner. The construction of a fine new high school and new elementary school buildings shows that the townspeople are determined to provide the best possible education for their children.
May I congratulate North Andover on its accomplishments during the past one hundred years and wish for the town the greatest of success and happiness in the centuries to come.
My warmest personal regards.
Sincerely, Christian de Hartas
PHILLIPS BROOKS
BISHOP PHILLIPS BROOKS STATUE ON THE COMMON
RICHARD B. RUSSELL, GA., CHAIRMAN
HARRY FLOOD BYRD, VA.
STYLES BRIDGES, N. H.
LYNDON B. JOHNSON, TEX
LEVERETT SALTONSTALL, MASS.
ESTES KEFAUVER, TENN.
RALPH E. FLANDERS, VT.
JOHN STENNIS, MISS.
MARGARET CHASE SMITH, MAINE
STUART SYMINGTON, MO.
FRANCIS CASE, S. DAK.
HENRY M. JACKSON, WASH.
JAMES H. DUFF, PA.
SAM J. ERVIN, JR., N. C.
HERMAN WELKER, IDAHO
United States Senate COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
April 18, 1955
Citizens North Andover Massachusetts
Dear Friends:
I am certainly pleased to send to the citizens of North Andover my hearty congratulations and every good wish on the occasion of the North Andover Centennial .Celebration.
Few communities in Massachusetts, or indeed New England, have been more splendidly representative of the finest traditions of our country than has North Andover.
Whether it be in education, in business activity, in social and community relationships, or in fields of cultural endeavor, North Andover has always stood for the very best that we know.
A Centennial Celebration always marks a century of both accumulated experience and achievement. This is true of North Andover, but it is equally true, I know, that this celebration marks, even more importantly, many decades more of further achievement in every area of community activity and of inspiration to us all.
Sincerely yours,
3
Leverett Saltonstall United States Senator
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING AND FIRE STATION
The town's adminstration offices are located in the Town Office Building on Main Street, on either side of which are the headquarters of the police and fire departments, while to the rear are the service yards of several municipal departments. Shown in the photo above is the three-stall fire station with the town office building at left, in front of which is the World War II Memorial tablet.
Roster of Elected Town Officers 1955
Listed below are the 1955 elected town officers of North Andover, who are the continuation of a long line of faithful public servants.
Moderator Attorney Arthur A. Thomson
Town Clerk John J. Lyons
Town Treasurer James J. Maker
Tax Collector James H. Dewhirst Selectmen-Raymond Broadhead, Arthur P. Kirk, William A. Finneran Board of Public Welfare-Raymond Broadhead, William A. Finneran, Arthur P. Kirk
Highway Surveyor Ira D. Carty
Tree Warden John J. Connors Board of Assessors-Henry E. Lund, Edward W. Phelan, Marguerite Soucy
Board of Public Works-Irving C. Howes, Francis B. Kittredge, Joseph D. Sullivan
Board of Health-R. George Caron, George E. Jewett, Dr. Julius Kay School Committee-Dr. Fred C. Atkinson, Mrs. Caroline M. Ingram, Roger B. Merriman, William F. Rock, Atty. Charles W. Trombly Planning Board-James M. Bannan, Atty. Ralph E. Finck, Howard Gilman, Nicholas F. Nicetta, John B. Osgood
Housing Authority-Bernard W. Bingham, Raymond Broadhead, Irving C. Howes, Atty. John A. McNiff, Edwin C. Murphy
Constables-Gasper J. DeMario, Archie M. Gourley, Frank P. Howard, Alexander Ness, Jr., Augustine J. Walsh
Elected State and County Officers 1955
The honor of serving in higher elective public office has been con- ferred upon North Andover citizens occasionally through the years. In this Centennial Year, this honor is held by Atty. Arthur A. Thomson, Member of the Governor's Council, and John J. Costello, Essex County Register of Probate,
STEVENS MEMORIAL LIBRARY
JOHN F. KENNEDY MASSACHUSETTS
COMMITTEES: LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS SELECT COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS
United States Senate WASHINGTON, D. C.
May 4, 1955
William A. McAloon, Chairman Centennial Committee Town of North Andover North Andover, Massachusetts,
Dear Mr. McAloon:
It gives me great pleasure to extend through you to the people of North Andover my heartiest congratulations upon the occasion of North Andover's Centennial Year.
In the hundred years of its existence as a corporate community, North Andover has made many contributions of great sig- nificance to the historical, economic, and civic development of our great Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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