USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 1 > Part 60
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Clarence M. Hathaway was elected corresponding secretary. Several boys, once inmates of the Home, were now serving in the Allied armies, and the Home flung out a service flag with eight stars. In 1918, Miss Lydia H. Read and Randall N. Durfee were elected vice-presidents, and Mrs. Jennie Fessenden was elected matron of the Home. Israel Brayton was elected treasurer in 1920; and in 1921, Miss Eunice A. Lyman was elected corre- sponding secretary. Since the establishment of the home, 1318 children have been cared for here.
Women's Union .- More than fifty years ago, writes Mrs. James M. Morton, Jr., a group of far-sighted, public-spirited women realized the needs of the women and girls of Fall River for opportunities of self-im- provement and recreation. With this in mind, a meeting was held on Oc- tober 30th, 1873, which was addressed by Mrs. Jennie Collins, of Boston, a pioneer social worker. As a result of this meeting, the Fall River Women's Union was organized. The first business meeting was held De- cember 15th, 1873, and the following officers were elected: President, Mrs. Abram G. Hart; vice-presidents, Mrs. Lydian S. Adams, Mrs. James M. Aldrich, Mrs. S. C. Wrightington; secretary, Miss .Minnie B. Slade; treas- urer, Mrs. W. B. Durfee. It was voted to secure a room where women and girls might come for "enjoyment and assistance". The Troy Manu- facturing Company, through Mr. Thomas J. Borden, kindly gave the use of Room 18 in the Troy building, and from that time to the present the Women's Union has carried on the work it then planned.
A Sewing School was begun in 1879 which continued many years. Many Fall River women even now attribute their skill in the family sewing to the training given by this early school. In 1883 the Union Manufactur- ing Company, through its treasurer, Mr. Thomas E. Brayton, came to the assistance of the Women's Union and generously offered the use of the rooms over its offices for the growing work of the Union. In these rooms classes for millinery, dress-making, cooking, and gymnastics, were suc- cessfully carried on until the erection of the present building. In these rooms the Working Girls' Club was organized in 1891 under the leadership of Miss Mary E. Shove. She served as its president for twenty-five years and under her wise guidance the club became one of the most successful in Massachusetts. The Working Girls' Club was followed by a club for younger girls called the Happy Girls' Club.
On February 25th, 1889, the organization was incorporated under the name of the Fall River Women's Union. The following persons signed the original articles of agreement: Lydian S. Adams, Phoebe H. Trafton, Mary H. Beattie, Rachel B. Dodge, Mary L. Bassett, Mrs. W. H. Chace, Rachel M. Trafford, Nancy L. Hooper, Louisa G. Aldrich, Ellen M. Wrightington, Mary L. Chace, Mary G. Dean, Harriet H. Brayton.
In 1896 the Women's Union hired a house on Pine street and opened the Women's Union Home, where women and girls could find comfortable and respectable lodgings at a small cost. In the same year the Women's Industrial Exchange was opened. In 1904 land was bought on Rock street and the board of directors began upon the task of raising $50,000 to erect a building suitable to house all the activities of the organization. This was accomplished, and on March 12th, 1909, the present Women's Union build-
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ing was dedicated free of debt to the use of the women and girls of Fall River. Mrs. William H. Jennings, for many years president of the Wom- en's Union, presided at the dedication exercises, assisted by Miss Mary E. Shove, Mrs. Clarence F. Swift and Mrs. John B. W. Day. The uncommonly simple and beautiful building was designed by Mr. Parker M. Hooper, of New York, whose grandmother was one of the founders of the Union. It is well adapted to the work of the organization.
The present work of the Women's Union is under three departments : the House Department, the Department of Social Work and the Industrial Exchange. The House Department, under the charge of a superintendent and matron, aims to furnish a comfortable home at a moderate cost for self-supporting women. There are twenty-five rooms to rent, a small res- taurant serves simple, well-cooked meals at moderate prices.
The Women's Industrial Exchange enables women to put on sale articles of their own making, thus the woman who cannot leave her home to become a wage earner is afforded an opportunity of earning something towards her own support or that of her family. A committee suggests to the handicapped woman articles which will be salable, and often furnishes materials and designs.
The Social Work Department, which is the real work of the Women's Union, is in charge of a superintendent of social work, and her assistants and volunteer workers. Some five hundred women and girls are enrolled as members of this department. They are divided into groups according to age. Each group forms a club with officers chosen by and from its own membership. All club affairs such as programs, dues, changes of activities, new members, officers, etc., are brought up at the monthly business meeting or in the weekly business meeting in the younger clubs. The clubs are all self-governing and non-sectarian, being open to all girls and women regard- less of race or creed. The Junior Clubs-the Little Citizens, the Merry Group, and the Sunshine Club-have training in simple business meetings, hand-craft and games. They have occasional parties and plays. A spirit of co-operation and service is developed in all the clubs.
The older clubs-the Fall River Girls' Club, originally the Fall River Working Girls' Club, the Home Makers' Club, and Happy Girls' Club- have programs of a recreational and educational nature, including classes of various kinds, such as gymnastics, dramatics, basketry, dress-making, and millinery classes. These classes are open to other than club members, materially increasing the number of women reached by the Women's Union. Talks on various interesting subjects as well as dances, plays and parties are included in the monthly program. In the summer there are out-of-door interests. The Fall River Girls' Club belongs to the Massachusetts League of Girls' Clubs. Each summer some club girls and their friends avail them- selves of the State Vacation House at Rockport. Every two years the club is represented at the National Convention of Girls' Clubs. A Girl Scout Troop, a small High School Club and a club from one of the mills hold meetings in the rooms of the Social Department.
The Women's Union, through its Social Department, is a centre of recreational and educational activities for the women and girls of Fall River. It has been a large factor for pleasure and improvement in the lives of many in the fifty years of its existence. The Women's Union was
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incorporated "to promote the welfare of women and girls, especially those who are dependent upon their own exertions for their support, by providing them at a moderate cost with lodgings, a reading room with good litera- ture, a gymnasium, instruction in sewing, cooking, and other industrial arts, helpful music and social entertainment, and otherwise to aid them and better their condition." As the benefits and needs of such work have become more widely recognized and appreciated, and as the city has grown in size, the demands upon the Union have increased and the present build- ing is becoming inadequate. While the Women's Union has a small en- dowment fund, the income is insufficient for its work and it is dependent upon voluntary contributions. The officers of 1923 are as follows :
President, Mrs. John S. Brayton; honorary vice-presidents, Mrs. S. C. Wrightington, Mrs. William H. Jennings; vice-presidents, Mrs. M. Richard Brown, Mrs. Frank T. Albro, Miss Margaret L. Brayton; secretary, Mrs. Edward S. Adams; assistant secretary, Mrs. Edward B. Lovell; treasurer, Miss Mary A. Gardner; assistant treasurer, Mrs. J. Edward Newton.
Directors-Mrs. Frank T. Albro, Mrs. Marion Allen McCann, Miss Lillian F. Ashworth, Mrs. Harold R. Barker, Miss Phyllis Barker, Mrs. R. J. Barker, Mrs. O. S. Hawes, Jr., Miss Bertha Borden, Mrs. O. Elton Borden, Mrs. Philip D. Borden, Mrs. F. D. Bowker, Miss Elizabeth H. Brayton, Mrs. Israel Brayton, Miss Margaret L. Brayton, Miss Frances S. Brown, Mrs. Charles H. Carr, Mrs. N. D. Chace, Mrs. C. M. Cherry, Mrs. B. F. Covel, Mrs. T. D. Covel, Mrs. Charles D. Davol, Miss Clara Davol, Mrs. N. S. Easton, Mrs. Frank T. Coolidge, Mrs. C. M. Freeborn, Mrs. A. H. Gardner, Mrs. S. W. Gibbs, Mrs. John H. Gifford, Miss Mabel Greene, Mrs. William F. Hooper, Mrs. Melvin B. Horton, Mrs. F. S. Mathewson, Mrs. James A. McLane, Miss Margaret A. McWhirr, Mrs. Elbridge C. Merrill, Mrs. Everett B. Mills, Mrs. James M. Morton, Jr., Miss Dorothy Newton, Mrs. B. F. Riddell, Miss A. Estelle Robertson, Mrs. Abbott E. Slade, Mrs. Edward H. Thomas, Mrs. George H. Waring, Mrs. F. E. Water- man, Mrs. J. B. Waterman, Mrs. Albert R. Gee, Miss Gretchen Gee, Mrs. Robert McWhirr, Mrs. R. B. H. Knight.
Other Societies .- January 21, 1888, a meeting of the Citizens' Committee of Thirty was held, John W. Cummings president. Of these a committee of seven was appointed to consider the matter of organizing an Associated Charities, members of the committee being Josiah C. Blaisdell, Rev. Thomas J. Barbour, Rev. Archibald McCord, Rev. Eldridge Mix, Rev. A. Judson Rich, Hon. J. W. Cummings, and Percy S. Grant. Under the di- rection of this committee, a general council of fifty members at large was formed, and the city was divided into five districts. The organization found a home in the B. M. C. Durfee Bank building. The first officers who di- rected the work of the Associated Charities, which was to secure harmon- ious action of different charities in Fall River, to prevent mendicancy and pauperism, to encourage thrift, independence, and industry, were as fol- lows: President, Hon. John W. Cummings; vice-presidents, Thomas J. Borden, James W. Morton; treasurer, William F. Hooper; recording sec- retary, Rev. Percy S. Grant ; corresponding secretary, Rev. A. Judson Rich. Miss Alice Wetherbee was early identified with the work of the Associ- ated Charities in the capacity of corresponding secretary. Her formal term of office began in June, 1888. Under her direction the Associated Charities was regularly incorporated in 1899. Those who petitioned for incorpora-
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tion were Alanson J. Abbé, James N. Buffinton, William C. Atwater, Alice E. Wetherbee, Walter C. Durfee, John Gregson, and Annie M. Slade. At this time it was stated that the purpose of the Associated Charities was to secure harmonious action of different charities; to raise the needy above the need of relief; to prevent begging and imposture; to diminish pauper- ism; to encourage thrift, independence through friendly intercourse, advice and sympathy, and finally to help the poor to help themselves rather than to help them by alms.
The resignation of Miss Wetherbee in January, 1917, was followed by the appointment of Miss Alice M. Bell as corresponding secretary in May of the same year. Under Miss Bell's direction, the Associated Charities was reorganized in 1918 under the name of the Association for Community Welfare in Fall River. It was thought that the new name would more nearly indicate the present policy and work of the association. It is inter- esting to note that the aims and policy of the association were definitely more constructive than those of the earlier organization. The association aimed to promote normal family life by helping families and individuals to overcome their difficulties and find opportunities for development, by emphasizing health, education, industry, recreation, and character, as essen- tial elements; by encouraging thrift, initiative and responsibility within the family group; secondly: to relieve distress; thirdly: to encourage and train volunteers for sympathetic and understanding service; fourth : to pro- mote the social betterment of the community and to cooperate with other organizations in lessening those abuses in society which undermine the wellbeing of individuals and families; fifth: to interpret social facts so as to lead to the improvement of conditions. The association is supported by private contributions, and in 1923 had a membership of six hundred. The officers then were: President, James N. Buffinton; first vice-president, James W. Brigham; second vice-president, Fenner A. Chace, M. D .; treas- urer, Henry H. Eddy; clerk, Miss Julia A. Harrington; general secretary, Miss Dorothy F. Phelps.
The Queen's Daughters of Fall River were organized in April, 1903, by the Right Rev. Bishop Matthew Harkins, of Providence, Fall River then being a part of the diocese. The organization is devoted to charities whose chief care is the support of the White Sisters, who came from Brittany, France, on the invitation of the bishop, to act as nurses for the sick poor in their own homes, as well as to give care to children in day nurseries. Persecution of religious orders in France at this time obliged the nuns to seek service in other countries. The society has maintained these Sisters ever since, by the revenues from various charitable benefits that have become annual events-the June lawn fête, the New Year's re- ception, and the May Pole festival. The association is composed of mem- bers of every English-speaking Catholic parish in the city, who materially help other charities, also, with contributions and service. During the pro- longed strikes of years ago, they distributed clothing and food to the suf- fering unemployed. While the World War was on, a special surgical dressing class was formed, and thousands of dressings were sent to the Red Cross, and garments were made for hospitals, a White Sister nurse being qualified for. and directing this work. Devastated France has been greatly assisted by the organization.
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In 1921 the Red Cross called upon the Queen's Daughters to make layettes for the children of Central Europe; the members of the organiza- tion formed a sewing circle in the summer, and by the middle of October one hundred layettes were made for the Red Cross. The splendid work that has been done in behalf of the White Sisters by the Queen's Daughters justifies their existence; and in their turn, the White Sisters have rendered to the sick poor in Fall River needed help at all times, caring for them in their own homes, getting the meals often, providing proper clothing, put- ting the house in order-no case being too repugnant for their service. Many cancer cases have been relieved by them, and during the influenza epidemic Bishop Stang and St. John day nurseries were given over as emergency hospitals under the charge of the White Sisters. Some of the charter members of the Queen's Daughters are still active in all the works of charity, and new members are constantly being enrolled, the member- ship now being two hundred and fifty. There were thirty-two charter members. The first president was Mrs. B. F. Nickerson; vice-president, Mrs. John Marshall. Mrs. Margaret E. Brennan, who was then secre- tary, was elected president upon the retirement of the president, and she still holds that position. The other officers now are: Vice-president, Mrs. Matthew Mannion; treasurer, Mrs. B. A. Leary; recording secretary, Mrs. Thomas D. Sullivan; financial secretary, Mrs. William Crowley; corres- ponding secretary, Miss Rose L. Vallee; Right Rev. Monsignor James E. Cassidy, chaplain; Right Rev. Bishop Daniel F. Feehan, spiritual director. The Fall River Association was affiliated with the General Council of the Queen's Daughters in 1904.
One cannot take many steps in Fall River without hearing of the work and progress of the Young Men's Irish American Catholic Total Ab- stinence and Benevolent Society, in existence since 1872, and always exist- ing for the steady advancement of the community and its increasing mem- bership. The beginnings were small. There were only four men present at the first meeting; but the society has become a power in the community, and a factor for upright dealing and for total abstinence. It is interesting to note that on Sunday, January 28, 1872, Patrick E. Foley, Daniel Down- ing, Timothy Harrington and Frank O'Brien met to form the organiza- tion, and that very afternoon had enlisted the interest of sixteen more men, and elected the following-named temporary officers: President, F. A. O'Brien; vice-president, Timothy Harrington; recording secretary, Daniel Downing ; financial secretary, A. J. Thacker; treasurer, P. E. Foley. Rooms in Concert Hall building were secured, and here were held the subsequent meetings of the organization, the name of the society as adopted at that time being the Young Men's Irish American Temperance Society. Shortly afterwards, upon request to join the Massachusetts Catholic Total Ab- stinence Union, the word "Catholic" was added to the title.
The members of the society joined in their first parade in regalia, May 30, 1872, and on August 10 that year they removed to Mayhew Hall, when officers were elected as follows: President, Marcus Leonard; vice- president, Patrick E. Foley; recording secretary, James E. O'Neill; finan- cial secretary, Thomas F. Cunneen; treasurer, Frank O'Brien. The society attended the annual parade in Boston in October, 1872. The first anniver- sary ball was held January 28, 1873, and in May that year, Marcus Leonard
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was succeeded by Patrick E. Foley as president. In June the benevolent feature was added to the work of the organization, and the word "Benevo- lence" was added to the title. Two hundred of the members attended the annual parade of the C. T. Union in Boston, October 10. P. M. McGlynn was elected president of the society in August, 1875. The beginning of the year 1877 found the society with five hundred members, the year that P. H. Baldwin was elected president. April 1 the society removed to Carrolton Hall, with larger quarters and improved conditions; in May the annual convention of the C. T. U. was held at Carrolton Hall. The society participated in the Centennial celebration of the birth of Rev. Father Theo- bald Mathew in October, 1877. In February, 1878, Edward F. Murphy was elected president ; in February the following year, Augustus P. Gorman ; and in August, 1879, John H. Carroll filled that office. Dr. E. J. McGrath was elected the first physician of the society, September 28 that year.
James F. Manning was the head of the society in February, 1880, the charter being procured May 11 that year. Dr. A. P. McGee was elected physician in March. Michael H. Connelly was elected president, February, 1881, and Dr. James E. Sullivan physician. Thomas Donahue was presi- dent in February, 1882, and he was succeeded in August that year by William J. Brooks. In February, 1883, John Casey was president; the Meagher Guards were guests at the anniversary ball of the society, January 28, 1884. On May 13, the Guards presented the society with a framed set of resolutions. Lawrence H. Coyle was the president in August, that year; he was succeeded in August, 1885, by Daniel F. Sullivan, and in May, 1886, by James A. Burke. James F. Manning was president in 1887; James M. Manning in February, 1888; Laurence H. Coyle in August that year: John T. Neeson in February, 1889, in which year a gymnasium was added to the society's equipment. That year, in March, the I. A. Guards were organized, and in April a drum corps. Dr. Michael Kelley was appointed the society physician in 1889. John C. Sullivan was the president in February, 1890, and the building committee was appointed, the society purchasing the site of the present building in July. The I. A. Guards and the drum corps made their first appearance March 17.
Jeremiah G. Riley was elected president in February, 1891, and Michael H. Sullivan in 1892, the Ladies' Auxiliary being organized that year. Jere- miah J. Connors succeeded as president in 1893, and in October that year, Dr. Michael Kelley was elected physician. Succeeding presidents were Maurice H. Horan in February, 1894, and John T. Neeson in 1895. Removal of the society was made to a hall in the Quinn, Woodland & Company build- ing March 10, again in May to the D. D. Sullivan building, and soon afterwards to St. John's Hall, on Third street. There plans were made for the construction of a building at a cost of $20,500, the work being begun July 31, 1895. Laurence H. Coyle was elected president in February, 1896, when the society met in its new home, with an indebtedness of $21,000. John H. Sullivan was president in 1897; Jeremiah G. Riley in 1898, (a num- ber of the members answering the call to service in the Spanish-American War) ; Thomas D. Sullivan in 1899, the annual requiem service on Thanks- giving Day being instituted. John F. X. Murray was the president in February, 1900, when Rev. Father Christopher Hughes, pastor of St. Mary's Church, was appointed spiritual director. Succeeding presidents
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were: Michael Downey, 1901; James McDonald, 1902; William O. Brooks, 1903. It was this year that the Saint John's Temperance Society became amalgamated with the Young Men's Society. Thomas V. Doran was elected head of the society in 1904; George F. Coyle, in 1905; James J. Fagan in August that year; Thomas J. Fitzpatrick in August, 1906, in which year bowling alleys, billiard room and other improvements were added, at a cost of $10,000; Frank L. Coyle, 1907; Cornelius Donovan, 1908. In May that year, Very Rev. Father James S. Cassidy was appointed spiritual advisor, death having removed Rev. Father Hughes. John S. Mitchell was president in 1909; George F. Coyle in 1910, in which year the society received from friends the sum of $2645. John S. Mitchell was president in 1911; Algernon D. Sullivan in 1912, when the society presented a chalice to the Very Reverend Chaplain upon his elevation to the rank of Monsignor. Thomas J. Geary was president in 1913; Joseph F. Kelly in 1914; Thomas Poirier in 1915 and 1916; Daniel A. Reagan in 1917. The society participated in the preparedness parade in April. Two hundred and fifty members were called as subject to the first draft in the World War; all social activities were suspended; a welfare committee was appointed to assist in war work, and the building was placed at the disposal of the local war workers. As a result of a tag sale for the benefit of soldiers and sailors, the sum of $3,000 was netted. Louis E. Brady, succeeding Daniel A. Reagan, resigned in November, 1917, was reelected in February, 1918. The society had one hundred and eighty members in the service.
J. Frank Heflin was president in 1919-20, and a reunion of service men was held January 27, 1920, and a Roll of Honor prepared. The outstand- ing indebtedness of the society was paid December 1, that year, the cere- mony of burning the mortgage being celebrated January 27, 1921. Thomas J. Geary was president of the society in 1921. The society building on Anawan street is one of the most attractive society buildings in the city, the total cost of the property being $47,000. The building is in charge of a board of seven trustees.
The Women's Catholic Associates, an auxiliary of the Y. M. I. A. C. T. A., was organized March 27, 1892, with the following-named officers: President, Mrs. Louisa F. Connelly ; vice-president, Mary A. Sullivan; re- cording secretary, Nellie McGraw; financial secretary, Ella Foley; corre- sponding secretary, Katie A. Corrigan; treasurer, Mary E. Quigley ; guard, Ella Freeborn. "Fraternity, Harmony and Unity" is the motto of the organization, and this has proved no misnomer. February 4, 1896, the society began to hold their meetings in Anawan Hall, in the Young Men's new building. Mary J. Geagan was elected president in 1903, and has been reelected each succeeding year. April 19, 1906, the Associates pre- sented the Young Men's Society with an American flag and pole. There was a successful membership drive in 1910 and 1911. Through the years of the World War the Associates assisted in the work of caring for the needs of the men in the service. January 27, 1921, the society debt was extin- guished.
The Deaconesses' Home has become a settled institution in Fall River, and Methodism has increased its activities through the work of the deaconesses. The plans for the launching of the project of this Home
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originated with the following-named, who were called together at the sug- gestion of John D. Flint, December 21, 1892: William S. Greene, J. R. Butterworth, Job Gardner, J. N. Wilde, I. N. Smith, Lafayette Nichols, A. J. Marble, C. E. Case, T. F. Vickery, Daniel Moore, Rev. A. J. Coultas, J. G. Gammons, Walter Ela, W. A. Luce, F. S. Brooks, L. M. Flocken, R. D. Dyson. A permanent organization was effected January 28, 1893, with John D. Flint as president, Job Gardner vice-president, Rev. W. A. Luce, corporation clerk, and Iram N. Smith treasurer. The disciplinarian management of the Home is in the hands of the New England Southern Conference, represented by the board of nine members; but its direct supervision is in the hands of the local board of corporation and board of managers. Previous to incorporation, Miss Emma Ross, employed as a city missionary, instituted the work of the deaconess here, and this gave an impetus to the present movement. An endowment of $10,000 was made by Mr. Flint, and as headquarters for the Home the Benjamin Covel estate on Second street was purchased. Miss Mary N. Adams was elected secretary in June, 1894, Miss Eva C. Fields succeeding her in 1899. The Deaconess' Aid Society was organized in 1894 to assist in providing financial support and furnishings for the Home. Miss Mary E. William- son was acting superintendent in 1913, and Miss B. Marion Hope was ap- pointed superintendent in 1915. The Home for Working Girls is under the direction of this organization.
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