USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 1 > Part 19
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A more central location being desired, a site was purchased on Sheri- dan and Lowell streets, on which was erected old St. Joseph's Church, with a rectory on Agricultural avenue, a short distance away. It was on Feb- ruary 20, 1897, that the Wheelwright estate, of more than two acres, was purchased for the purpose, the land having a frontage of 373 feet, and depth varying from 300 to 470 feet. Both church and rectory were built within the year 1897. The church, designed as a temporary structure, was a building 45 by 100 feet, and had a seating capacity for about six hundred people. The interior had a Gothic arch, and memorial windows and four. statues were the gifts of parishioners.
In January, 1908, Father Curley was appointed pastor of the Church of SS. Peter and Paul, in Fall River, and Father John W. Quirk, of St. Mary's pro-Cathedral, Fall River, succeeded to the pastorate.
Ground was broken for the present church in November, 1909, the cornerstone being laid by Right Rev. Daniel F. Feehan, D. D., the local clergy assisting in the ceremony. Within six months the church, English Gothic in architecture, was completed. First mass was sung in the new church on Christmas morning of 1910, and the edifice was dedicated by the bishop January 1, 1911. The main altar, the Blessed Virgin altar, St. Joseph altar, the sanctuary and choir windows, the sanctuary lamp, four- teen aisle windows, and the twelve Stations of the Cross, were donated by members and friends of the parish. The former church building is in use as a church hall and for the Sunday school; and a part of it has been fitted up with a stage and accessories. The property is now clear of debt. During 1923, the pastor replaced the old church organ with a new memo- rial instrument dedicated to relatives and friends of the parish who have passed on. Forty-eight members of this parish served in the World War.
It is generally conceded that one of the most attractive properties in Oakland is that of St. Paul's Church and rectory, situated as they are in the very centre of the population of that part of Taunton. This parish, formerly the northern section of St. Joseph's, was established by the Right Rev. William Stang, July 28, 1904, and the first pastor was Rev.
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Father Martin J. Fox, who up to that time had been curate at the Im- maculate Conception Church. For the period of about one year, and while the church was being built, services were held in the local "Band Hall," that is now the residence of George Wood. The number of communicants, then as now, was about three hundred souls, and the first trustees of the parish were Michael J. Conway and Eli J. Ducharme.
The church itself, built by Irving Bassett from the plans and specifi- cations of. Maginnis, Walsh and Sullivan, Boston architects, has a seating capacity for approximately four hundred. The dedication of the church and the blessing of the bell both occurred on the same day, April 2, 1905, the Bishop of Fall River, Right Rev. William Stang, D. D., presiding at both ceremonies, morning and afternoon. The land for both church and rectory were purchased of Zenophile Yelle, and the grounds were beauti- fully embellished with trees, shrubbery and vines, making a very pleasing picture, particularly in the summer. The church was decorated as to its interior in 1921 by John Bielenberg, of Boston, and a handsome stained glass window from Munich was placed above the altar in 1923, and dedi- cated to the memory of Rev. Father Fox and the thirty-seven boys from this parish who participated in the World War. The subject of the repre- sentation upon the window is: "Christ Blessing the Children."
To this date, there have been but two pastors: Rev. Father Martin J. Fox, 1904, to August, 1917, the date of his death; and Rev. Father George F. Cain, from September, 1917, to the present, Father Cain having been curate at St. Matthew's Church in Fall River. The curates have been --- both during the present pastorate-Rev. Father William J. Smith and the one now serving, Rev. Father Felix Labonté.
The Portuguese people in the central part of the city have their church home at St. Anthony's, at the corner of Washburn and School streets, where they worship today in the basement of the church that Rev. Father A. F. Louro proposes to complete in a short time. Father Louro came to Taunton in April, 1903, having been appointed here by the Right Rev. Bishop Matthew Harkins, of the Providence diocese. Father Louro's mis- sion in Taunton was to organize the parish of St. Anthony, and that he did to the satisfaction of the nearly three thousand Portuguese who de- sired a priest who might address them in their language, and provide a place of worship for a large part of the townspeople. When he first came here, Father Louro occupied for his parsonage a house on Weir street, and in a part of the parsonage he fitted up a chapel where services were held on week days for a few years. Father Louro also at that time had charge of a congregation at South Dighton. On Sunday, services were held at the Temperance Hall, on Trescott street, and later at the Foresters' Hall, at Weir Village.
Right Rev. Bishop William Stang, of the Providence diocese, caused this parish to be divided in 1905, the year when Father Louro purchased the land on School street, where the church foundation was laid. One year later the church basement and the rectory were built. In 1905, Rev. Father Manuel F. Silva, of Fall River, was appointed to take charge of the southern part of the parish, at Weir Village, which had been started through the efforts of Father Louro. This priest also purchased land at the rear of his School street church and rectory, in order to be able to carry out any plans for building in the future.
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A large community of Portuguese people have their homes at Weir Village. In 1905, Right Rev. Bishop William Stang appointed Rev. Father Manuel A. Silva, of Fall River, to the pastorate of Our Lady of Lourdes. September 26, 1906, the church was started, and the foundations laid. Bishop Stang had charge of the ceremony at the laying of the cornerstone, July 1, 1906, and the church was dedicated by the bishop, December 3, 1906. Rev. Manuel Travassos, who had been assistant at St. John's Church, in New Bedford, was appointed pastor, November 20, 1911, and the present pastor, Rev. Father Augustino Santos, came-here November 20, 1913. The curates have been Fathers Manuel Cordeiro, Manuel Vallela, and Joaquin Fortuna. Fifty-four soldiers of the World War were members of this parish.
Large numbers of French-speaking people arriving in Whittenton, the northern section of the city, from time to time, their employment being at the mills and factories, the need became more and more apparent of a church of their own. Hence it was that Rev. Father Alfred Carrier re- ceived his appointment here, and St. Jacques Church was built in June, 1904. The convent was built in 1922, the sisters entering in April that year. The curate is Rev. Father Joseph S. Larue. One hundred and twenty-five members of this parish served in the World War, and the list has two gold stars.
The Polish-speaking population of Taunton, mostly employed in the mills and foundries, some proprietors of small stores, and living in all parts of the city, are communicants at Holy Rosary Church, on Bay street, Whittenton. Rev. Father Hugo Dylla was appointed by the bishop to take charge of the parish in 1907, and the church was built in 1908. The edifice was dedicated by Right Rev. Daniel F. Feehan, D. D., in 1909, and Rev. Stanislaus Basinski came to the parish in 1912. The present pastor is Rev. Father Michael Dreszouski, and the parish has sixteen hundred souls.
CHAPTER XI. THE MUNICIPALITY OF TAUNTON
Within bounds that were set forth originally by Myles Standish and John Brown, of Plymouth, Taunton has gradually built itself a city and secured an enduring place as a progressive community-the only city among all the earlier of the Old Colony plantations. A city that is surely advancing along numerous routes of civic enterprise in recent years, yet still of a conservative modern type, Taunton, at the geographical centre of Bristol county, is proverbially an industrial centre of population, a city of homes and of shops, as well as of business, banking and religious institu- tions, working along to the best interests of all its citizens. With a popu- lation of close to 38,000, and a total valuation of about $38,000,000. Taunton treasures not only its incomparable share in every era of New England's provincial and modern history, but above all else, at the present time, it prides itself in being a cosmopolitan city of enlarging usefulness to its varied citizenship, both in secular and religious matters. From iron to
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THE MUNICIPALITY OF TAUNTON
cotton manufacturing, the industries are multiplied, while this vast town- ship territory of nearly fifty square miles, with its riverward opportunity, offer their advantages of constantly increasing value both to home-maker and manufacturer. Just at the present time in its history Taunton is em- ploying close to ten thousand people in one hundred and sixty-seven manu- facturing establishments. The annual value of the city's products is over $48,000,000. The water works, the sewerage system, the electric light and power plant-these three items alone place the city comparatively on a par with larger communities. Taunton exists under a more economic govern- ment than for years. Its schools, its churches, its public library, its police and fire departments, its playground system, its planning board-all these are distinctively Taunton in their provision for the requirements of the growing city. The county, municipal, church and educational edifices have their special architectural attractions. A new and widespread interest in parks has become manifest with the recent acquisition of the Baylies and the William E. Walker Memorial parks. The opportunity secured by the first comers has been strengthened and increased by the generation in which we live.
With the launching of the city upon its destinies, and with those who have shared in directing its course, these annals have to do. The first act of the Legislature of Massachusetts establishing the city of Taunton was passed March 31, 1860, but it was rejected by the people of Taunton April 30, that year. The act for the first charter was passed May 11, 1864, and adopted June 6, the first organization of the city government taking place at Central Hall, June 2, 1865. Hon. Edmund H. Bennett was the first mayor, and James M. Cushman, former town clerk, was elected city clerk. Mayor Bennett, who was judge of probate and insolvency of Bristol county for twenty-five years, was connected with the Boston University Law School from the time of its organization in 1872, and in 1876 he was chosen dean of that school. He was a native of Manchester, Vermont, and came to Taunton in 1848, where he was in law partnership with Nathaniel Mor- ton, Henry Williams, Henry J. Fuller and Frederick S. Hall. Mayor Bennett was re-elected in 1866, when the city's total valuation was $150,000, the tax rate at that time being $14.30 on $1000, the tax list valuation being $9,346,107.
The city started out with a debt of $112,000, that had been incurred by the town on account of money and supplies advanced families of soldiers in the Civil War, the sinking fund being first created to meet the Civil War debt. In 1866, by amendment to the city charter adopted the first year, a board of three assessors was elected. The salary of the mayor at this time was $600; that of the city solicitor, $400; city treasurer and col- lector, $1400; city clerk, $750; city marshal, $1000. Edward Mott was the first chief engineer of the fire department, the department property then being valued at $45,000. Samuel D. Godfrey was superintendent of streets, and he reported that seventy-six gas and fluid lamps were then lighting the city. Silas D. Presbrey, M. D., was city physician; the city marshal was Robert Crossman (2nd); L. B. Church was chairman of the committee on poor and almshouse, the first year's expenditure in that department being $8,884.83. John E. Sanford was president of the city council, and Charles L. Lovering was chairman of the finance committee. Mayor Bennett was
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elected in 1867 for the third time, when the real estate valuation was $6,293,537, and personal property was valued at $3,639,392. Willis Potter was city marshal, and the actual cost of maintaining the police department was $7,074. Lemuel L. Talbot was superintendent of streets, with 274 ,miles of road to care for. The old Baptist church was fitted up for an armory, at an expense of $2,000. On account of ill health, Mayor Bennett did not finish his third year, and Stephen A. Rhodes, a prominent grocer, was chosen to fill out his unexpired term; and in 1868 Mr. Rhodes was elected to the mayoralty. Later, Mr. Rhodes was made State insurance commissioner, and became president of the John Hancock Life Insurance Company. During this administration, the schedule of the city property showed an increase of $19,261.26. The lot for the central engine house and stable on School street, the engine and school house lots at Hopewell, and the stone crusher and engine and equipment, were all purchased with- out creating a city debt. George A. Washburn was city treasurer.
Mayor Rhodes was re-elected in 1869, when the central engine house and stable were completed, and the fire department had one of its greatest parades. The administration of 1870 was that of Daniel L. Mitchell, lead- ing druggist, the year that William W. Waterman was appointed superin- tendent of schools, and when the drawing school was established. A police station and lock-up were provided at a cost of $20,000. Dr. Joseph Murphy was chairman of the board of health, and J. L. Macomber superintendent of streets. Mayor Mitchell was again elected in 1871 and 1872, the fire alarm telegraph first being in operation the latter year, at a cost of $9,200.
Judge William H. Fox became the city's executive head in 1873. A native of Taunton, his service on the district court bench extended over the long period of forty-eight years. He was president of the Bristol County Savings Bank, and during forty years he was a member of the board of trustees of the public library. George H. Babbitt, merchant and business man, was elected mayor in 1874, the city's population then being 21,000, and the tax rate was $12.68 per $1000. No permanent debt was created, and all loans in anticipation of taxes were paid. John A. Fay and Orvin Ingalls were successive city marshals this year. Again, in 1875, Mr. Bab- bitt was the city's mayor. A reduction in the total debt of $26,139 was brought about by the purchase of war loans through the sinking fund. Mr. Babbitt was re-elected in 1876, on which date the system of water works was completed at a cost of $293,936.83. Abram Briggs was superintendent of streets. Onias L. Paige, one of the leading dentists in the city, was elected mayor in 1877. These were times of great business depression and industrial decline, when two thousand vagrants were fed annually at the police station. George F. Seaver was city marshal. The new almshouse and stable were completed at a cost of $22,197, Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Leonard being in charge of the city farm.
Mayor Paige was re-elected in 1878, the iron bridge being completed at Weir Village that year, at a cost of $10,000. Daniel L. Mitchell, former mayor, was superintendent of streets, the gas, naphtha and oil lighting of the streets costing $7,397.61. Mayor Paige was again in office in 1879, when the permanent municipal debt was $251,000. Alfred B. Hodges was city marshal, and his assistant was Francis L. Dow. The next year, 1880, Charles F. Johnson was elected mayor. He had taught school in his early
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years, and in 1868 he was one of the organizers and the president of the Taunton Brick Company. He received re-election in 1881, the year that an increase in the city debt was brought about by the purchase of a site for the proposed city hall, at a cost of $35,000. William D. Marvel donated the fountain for the common. The vote favored license. Again, in 1882, Mr. Johnson was chosen mayor, the year in which a new city charter was enacted by the General Court and adopted by the city council. A new board of overseers of the poor was created, consisting of three persons, to be elected for a term of three years; and a board of health, to be appointed by the mayor and aldermen. Horatio L. Cushman held the mayor's office in 1883. He was a member of the firm of Anthony and Cushman, tack manufacturers, and an avowed prohibitionist. The city vote was for license. The board of health made its first report this year. In 1884, Charles F. Hanson was elected mayor. James Edward Seaver was city marshal, Francis L. Dow was his assistant, and James Cash captain of the night watch.
Charles F. Hanson, druggist, of the firm of Hanson & Sproat, headed the administration of the city's affairs again in 1885, when the value of public property was scheduled at $2,971,000. This year, the demands upon the poor department were greater than usual, due to the depression in all branches of manufacturing.
Richard Henry Hall was mayor in 1886. Mr. Hall, a graduate of Bris- tol Academy, trustee of Bristol County Savings Bank and Morton Hospital, devoted himself arduously to the city during this memorable year of the disastrous freshet. Edwin A. Tetlow, the present city clerk (1923) was elected to that office; Francis L. Dow was appointed city marshal, James Cash first assistant, and John G. Hopkins second assistant. Everett D. Godfrey, long an employee at the Taunton Locomotive works, was chief executive in 1887. William H. Bartlett Post, No. 3, G. A. R., erected the soldiers' monument of granite and bronze at Mayflower Hill. This year, Daniel Carey was appointed to the board of overseers of the poor. Again, in 1888, Richard Henry Hall was elected to the mayoralty. A sewerage commission made an examination of the territory upon which the city was built, with reference to the construction of proper outfall main sewers, and Captain George A. King made all levels, profiles and plans therefor. The municipal debt was increased $67,000 for the Dean street bridge, the West Britannia and Shores street schoolhouses, and the engine and police sta- tions in Wards six and eight. The water debt was increased $10,000, and the appropriation for the street department was $11,000. William R. Bil- lings resigned as clerk and superintendent of the water works, and George F. Chase was elected to that office. Richard Henry Hall was again elected mayor in 1889, when the 250th anniversary of the settlement of Taunton was observed, and former Mayor Edmund H. Bennett was the orator. The fire engine houses in Wards six and eight were completed. The soldiers' memorial tablet in city hall was set up.
Arthur M. Alger, for many years judge of the probate court, was chosen mayor in 1890. Judge Alger was trustee and member of the board of directors of many institutions, and was a valued historical and genealogi- cal writer. The population of the city was 25,389. Alfred B. Hodges was the city marshal, and Abner Coleman was elected chief of the fire depart-
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ment. William R. Black was superintendent of streets. Francis S. Babbitt, manufacturer of the Babbitt lathe, became the mayor in 1891. George F. Chase was appointed superintendent of the board of water commissioners and Edward L. Redfern chief engineer. Edward H. Temple was elected city treasurer, and Edward H. Evans city marshal. Mayor Babbitt was re-elected in 1892, the vote this year being for no li- cense. There was a liberal balance in the hands of the treasurer, and an increase of taxable property of $242,800. William Y. Fox, M. D., was chairman of the board of health. Francis S. Babbitt was mayor for the third time in 1893, the year the city accepted the public park act, and com- missioners were appointed to maintain parks. Water was introduced from the Lakeville pond; and an appropriation of $15,000 was made for perma- nent drains and sewers. Taxable property had increased the past year $389,060, this being the largest gain, with the exception of 1890, for the preceding ten years. The vote was for license. Charles L. Johnson was appointed assessor.
Willis K. Hodgman was elected mayor in 1894. Mayor Hodgman, a capable administrator of the city's affairs, was an inventor of more than ordinary note, he having originated and perfected scores of devices of value to the printing press. The city possessed 168 miles of public streets, 220 miles of sidewalks and twenty-two bridges. License was granted. Charles A. Reed was mayor in 1895, a year in which road building and re- pairing was a feature of activity. Mr. Reed was for many years a leading attorney; and he was a member of the House in 1881 and 1882, and of the Senate in 1886 and 1887. This year the division of the city into eight wards was re-established and the boundaries defined, the first division hav- ing been made in 1864. The public buildings represented a valuation of $344,000. James Edward Seaver was appointed chairman of the board of health. Mrs. Lizzie T. Burt was appointed a member of the board of overseers of the poor. Benjamin Morris, a veteran of the Civil War, and a. pension agent, was elected mayor in 1896. He recommended that a special committee, consisting of the mayor and the president of the common coun- cil, be appointed to act in conjunction with the street lighting committee, to establish a municipal lighting plant. This year, the city government appropriated $45,000 to build a new front to the city hall; and the steel bridge at Westville was completed. Dr. Elliott Washburn was appointed chairman of the board of health, and Albert M. Clark was chief of police.
Nathaniel J. W. Fish was chosen mayor of the city in 1897, and in July of this year the city came into possession of the plant of the Taunton Electric Lighting Company, and adopted their system for the municipal lighting plant, the city then beginning the business of doing its own street lighting. The State Board of Health gave its approval for a proposed system of sewers and sewage disposal for the city. John H. Church was superintendent of streets, and Francis S. Babbitt was chief of police. Mayor Fish was re-elected in 1898, and for the first time an appropriation was made for the engineering department. The total amount appropriated for sewer construction to date had been $100,000. Electric lights were turned on at Weir Village August 17. H. H. Wilcox was appointed inspector of plumbing. The Spanish-American War began in April, this year, Battery F, First Regiment, Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, entering the service.
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Mayor Fish was re-elected in 1899, the city's population at this time being 30,000. Captain George A. King was city engineer. A new engine house and police station were built at East Taunton, at a cost of $15,000. Arthur M. Alger was elected mayor in 1900, the year in which the contract was made for the Robert Treat Paine monument. Henry A. Thayer, presi- dent of the board of sewer commissioners, died June 25, and he was suc- ceeded by Walter Carter. John G. Hopkins, captain of the police force, died October 23. Francis S. Babbitt, former mayor, was now chief of police. The total valuation of public buildings was $556,000. John O'Hearne was elected mayor in 1901, his inaugural being recalled as a very comprehensive one. The chief of police was Henry A. Hopkins.
Richard E. Warner, prominent stove manufacturer, was chosen for the mayoralty in 1902, the city's assessed real estate valuation then being $21,172,562. The Lothrop soldiers' monument was erected on the common; the site of the Carnegie library building was purchased; the purchase of the land and part building of the municipal lighting plant was made, the Y. M. C. A. building was constructed on Cohannet street, and the Huber- Hodgman printing press plant was built, on Weir street. Charles E. Dun- bar was chief of police. In the second year of his administration, 1903, Mr. Warner advocated revision of the city charter, and the municipal lighting plant was completed. George A. King was elected clerk and superintendent of the water works.
In 1904, Mr. Warner again mayor, the municipal lighting plant had begun to surmount many of its most difficult problems. On the board of health, Dr. Frank A. Murphy succeeded Dr. Shannahan as city physician. The Carnegie public library was opened November 30. The Robert Treat Paine monument was unveiled. John B. Tracy was city solicitor and Alonzo K. Crowell was city engineer. The administration of John H. Eldridge, silver plate manufacturer, as mayor, began in 1905, the city's population then being 30,967, and the assessed valuation $21,744,671. Grade crossing plans were discussed by the railroad company and the city officials. James Cash was chief of police, Augustus J. Macdonald was deputy, and the captain was William B. Webster. Under the administration of Mayor John B. Tracy, attorney, in 1906, the tax rate was reduced from $20.20 to $19. The mayor made a great plea for the publicity of the city's attrac- tions and advantages. The income of the municipal lighting plant had in- creased 150 per cent. Michael J. McAloon was appointed assessor. The chief of police was Lemuel P. Gammons. In the second year of Mayor Tracy's administration, the total valuation of the city was $21,184,250; the total value of public buildings was $586,000. Edgar L. Crossman, present Bristol county treasurer, was mayor in 1908, and the voters accepted the act obligating the city to provide playgrounds for children after July 1. The municipal lighting plant was recorded as self-supporting, and city lights were being maintained without cost to the city. N. J. W. Fish was chief of police. During Mr. Crossman's second year as mayor, in 1909, the legislature passed the act for the second city charter; the present police station was started on the site of the old structure; the bridge at Adams street was built at a cost of $11,152. The appropriation for the poor department was $19,000, the lowest since the first year of the organiza-
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