USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 2 > Part 18
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December 11, 1884, the cornerstone of the new church building was laid; and in July, 1885, the vestry was ready for occupancy. November 15 that year, the auditorium was occupied for the first time. The building committee for the new church consisted of J. Lyman Sweet, chairman ; Rev. Thomas W. Illman (his place being taken subsequently by Rev. Hiram A. Philbrook) ; W. R. Cobb, Charles E. Hayward, L. J. Lamb and E. O. Richardson; and the building and land cost $16,000. The building was dedicated May 11. 1887, and it was improved and enlarged by the addition of Murray Hall in 1908. The pastors since Mr. Philbrook have been as follows: Revs. Jabez N. Emery, June 3, 1888 to October 1, 1891; Daniel L. Fisher, 1891-93; A. Francis Walch, 1893-95; James Henry Holden, Sep- temper 1, 1895, to April 30, 1903; Hendrick Vossema, September 13, 1904, to December 2, 1908; Fred Atkins Moore, May 17, 1909, to March, 1914; Charles Huntington Pennoyer, since September 1, 1914.
All Saints' Episcopal Church .- On Sunday, July 6, 1890, Rev. J. B. Wicks, general missionary of the Diocese of Massachusetts, held a service in the G. A. R. Hall, the choir from Grace Church, North Attleboro, assist- ing in the service. About fifty persons were present at this meeting. A few interested in the holding of church services remained and a meeting was called for the following Wednesday, when it was decided to ask Rev. George E. Osgood to conduct a service on the following Sunday. On July 23, another meeting of those interested in forming a society was held and a temporary organization was effected as follows: George F. Coe, chair- man; W. H. Wade, treasurer; George K. Roberts, secretary. On August 26 a meeting was called, when it was voted to invite Rev. George E. Osgood to hold regular Sunday services for three months in Royal Arcanum Hall. At the close of this period Mr. Osgood was asked to become minister in charge of the mission then known as "All Saints' Mission." In September, 1891, the establishment of a mission seeming an assured matter it was deemed best to secure a hall for its permanent use. Finally a hall in the Horton block in North Main street was leased for two years, suitably fitted
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up and the first service held there on Sunday, February 14, 1892. Services were held in this hall until the building of the present church building in 1900. The first resident rector was the Rev. Isaac T. Bagnall, who was followed by Rev. James L. Tryon, Rev. Albert Crabtree, Rev. R. J. Mooney, Rev. Alwin E. Worman. The membership in 1923 was 350. The church is a flourishing organization, with a boy choir and a number of societies for carrying on church work. The church was consecrated on November 4, 1906, by Rt. Rev. William Lawrence, D. D.
Pilgrim Unitarian Church .- Pilgrim Church was organized January 24, 1901, as an independent religious society, the by-laws of the church stating that the aim of the society shall be to promote reasonable, progressive, practical and fervent religion; the government shall be democratic; the spiritual methods shall be liberal and positive, and in harmony with the covenant of the church, which is as follows: "We join ourselves by a covenant of the Lord into a church estate in the fellowship of the gospel, to walk in all His ways, made known or to be made known unto us, according to our best endeavor, whatsoever it may cost us, the Lord assist- ing us." This, in essential, is the story of the church here: The first audi- ences met at the Bates Opera House, and crowded that hall twice every Sunday. Rev. Wilson S. Fritch, who for several years previous to the close of 1900 was pastor of the local Congregational church, was the min- ister. Finding himself gradually growing out of sympathy with the thought of his church, he resigned in the fall of 1900, with the intention of entering a more liberal field outside of Attleboro. But he was persuaded to remain by a number of prominent citizens, and the Bates Opera House was engaged for services. Mr. Fritch was a brilliant preacher, and on account of his scholarly attainments an appreciative set of resolutions was passed in his behalf by his people, in which Mr. Fritch was pledged their hearty support. He later became interested in the stage, and since made a success on the lecture platform.
Mr. Fritch resigned October 29, 1904. In January, 1905, Rev. John H. Applebee was called from the First Parish, Unitarian Church, West Rox- bury, to be the minister. Meantime, while there was no settled minister, the pulpit had been supplied by the American Unitarian Association, which association this church joined in 1910. During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Applebee the church prospered, the Woman's Alliance, the Men's Club and the Young People's Union were organized, and these have been active since. In 1907 the church at the corner of North Main and Peck streets was built, and from that time onwards the society had their church home .. In October, 1910, Rev. Mr. Applebee resigned to accept a call to the Uni- tarian church at Syracuse, New York. In January, 1911, Rev. Thomas Jay Homer came from Melrose, this State, and he remained eight years. Dur- ing the World War the pastor and people were put to the test; nearly all the young men went into the war service, and the majority of the men and women were engaged in some kind of war work. During the winter of 1918 the coal situation became so serious a matter that this church united in service with the Murray Universalist Church for a few months. In December of that year, Rev. Mr. Homer accepted a call to Manchester, New Hampshire, and in September Rev. Manley B. Townsend came
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from Nashua, New Hampshire, to be the minister. He remained until March, 1922; and in May a call was extended to Rev. Charles W. Porter J. Shirley of Geneseo, Illinois, and he assumed this pastorate the follow- ing September. Since that time a parsonage has been purchased, and the church is in every way prosperous.
Catholic Churches .- The Catholic population in the central part of the town had so increased in the early eighties that the first branch of St. Mary's was established in 1883. Right Rev. Bishop Thomas F. Hendricken set about the organization of this parish, Rev. Father Mongan to that date having celebrated the mass in the Union Hall. Rev. John O'Connell, then curate of the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Providence, was appointed the first regular pastor of St. John's parish in Attleboro, his first mass being said here January 6, 1883. The estate of the late F. D. Bliss on North Main street was purchased, and the house standing thereon made use of as the rectory. September 17, 1883, the cornerstone of the present church was laid, the sermon for the occasion being preached by Rev. Father J. C. Walsh, of the Holy Communion Church, Providence. The window over the high altar is the gift of Rev. Father James Murphy, of St. Theresa Church of Providence; the side windows are gifts of various members of the church; the high altar was presented by the congregation, and the side altars by friends of the parish. The lot opposite the church was pur- chased by P. M. Carpenter in 1891, and the present rectory built at a cost of $6,000. The church property cost about $25,000. The dedication of the church took place September 22, 1885, the Right Rev. Bishop Hen- dricken having charge of the service. Soon after the death of Father O'Connell in 1910, Rev. Father David F. Sheedy was appointed to this pastorate.
There were few Catholics living in Dodgeville before 1840, and about that year the Dodges began to employ some Irish help in their factory. From 1860 the Catholics increased. When Father Delaney relinquished his work at the Attleboros in 1856, Father Gilleck took charge of the Hebronville Mission, St. Mary's. In May, 1872, the Hebronville Manufac- turing Company bought a large piece of land, which they donated to the Catholics, with the stipulation that it should be used only for church or burial purposes. Mass was said in the unfinished basement for the first time on Christmas Day, 1875. In 1880 this mission was detached from North Attleboro and given to St. Joseph's parish, Pawtucket, and mass was said every Sunday from that time on. Rev. Father P. S. McGee was appointed pastor in 1885, and in 1894 he built a parochial residence.
St. Stephen's church at Dodgeville was also founded through the efforts of Rev. Father Mongan, who in the early eighties began holding services in that part of the town. The millworkers in increasing numbers came from distant sections of the country, as well as from Canada, and very soon their church home was provided. St. Stephen's Church was built in the latter seventies. Rev. Alfred J. Levesque is the present pastor. There is a mission at Hebronville-St. Rose of Lima.
Ample provision was made for the religious needs of the French-speak- ing people mostly employed in the jewelry manufacturing plants, when in 1905 St. Joseph's Church and parish were established on South Main street,
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with Rev. Father Napoleon Massier as the first pastor. That year, also, the parochial school was opened under the direction of nine Sisters of St. Croix, and with 181 pupils. Father Lavoie succeeded Father Massier. The present rector is Father Antoine Berube. The parish has 1100 souls.
Other Religious Bodies .- Swedish services were first held in Attleboro in 1892; but the Swedish Evangelical Free Church was first organized January 24, 1903, with twenty-four members. G. N. Larsen was elected chairman of the church society, and he was still serving in 1923. The first pastor was Rev. F. O. Swanson, of Chicago, Illinois, he serving but one year. The next pastor was Rev. G. A. Suber, of Norwalk, Massachusetts, who remained with this church nearly seven years. During his pastorate the church made rapid progress, and the first church building on Pearl street became too small for the purpose, so that a new structure was built on South Main street, which was dedicated December 17, 1911. Rev. Mr. Suber removed to Washington, Connecticut, in January, 1913, and in the spring of the same year Rev. Carl Peterson of Malden resumed the work of this church, remaining until February, 1917. Since July 1 of that year, Rev. Henry R. Nelson of Montclair, New Jersey, has been the pastor.
The Christian Scientists of this section started their church organiza- tion thus: In August, 1919, a few Scientists met at the home of Mrs. Ida M. Hyde, Tiffany street, South Attleboro, and for several months therc- after meetings were held at the homes of those interested, in Attleboro and North Attleboro. Officers were elected November 25, 1919, and Mrs. Ida M. Hyde was chosen first reader, Mrs. Louise H. Collette second reader. In March, 1920, the hall in Odd Fellows' building was obtained for Sunday service. August 9, 1921, a society was organized, Mrs. Hyde continuing as first reader, and Mrs. Jennie L. Jescen being elected second reader. The title was changed June 8, 1923, to First Church of Christ, Scientist, Attleboro, Massachusetts. A Sunday school had been held prior to the or- ganization of the society, and has been continued. This church maintains a free reading room and loan library in Room 3, I. O. O. F. building.
In 1827 the Hebronville Congregational Church was constituted by Rev. Thomas Williams and former parishioners of the First Church, who built their meetinghouse on the Attleboro and Seekonk line. Rev. Mr. Williams was pastor of this church from 1827 to 1832. He was author of many pamphlet articles and sermons. In 1842 the Hebronville church voted to relinquish the Congregational usage and became an "Independent Church of Christ." The former building was sold and removed in 1870, and the new church that was built in Seekonk was burned in 1875. A new church was built and dedicated that year.
The South Baptist Church was established in 1760; and on April 20, 1789, the First and Second Baptist churches in Attleboro met and agreed upon fellowship as sister churches. Elder Elihu Daggett was the first pastor of the South Baptist Church. He died August 29, 1769, and was succeeded by Elder Elisha Carpenter, Jr., who was the settled pastor from June 7, 1778, until about 1798. Soon afterwards this church was dissolved, and the meetinghouse was taken down in 1810.
Other religious societies of Attleboro are the following-named: Advent Christian Church, Rev. George Armstrong, pastor; First Baptist Church,
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Rev. Guy E. Mark, pastor; People's Free Church, Rev. John D. Walter, pastor ; Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Church; Bethany Evan- gelical Mission, Attleboro Branch of the Re-organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
CHAPTER IX.
THE DOCTORS AND LAWYERS
In all this story of Attleboro town and city, the physician has had a prominent part both in his profession and as counsellor in town and city affairs; and his wisdom and experience have counted in the course and progression of the community. History has recorded his rallying to the fore upon occasions of service for national and international wars, and his devotion and self-sacrifice at times of epidemic, his leadership being an inspiration to others.
Among the doctors of the past whose memory remains in the part they bore in their day and generation, are these: Dr. Bezaleel Mann, a skillful physician and a townsman of influence here during the Revolution. He served with the Committee of Correspondence and Safety, and as a superior judge to determine controversies. A descendant of Rev. Samuel Mann, first minister of Wrentham, he made a study of his profession with Dr. Hewes of Foxboro, and began practice here about the year 1750. He married a daughter of Ezekiel Carpenter, and they had three sons who became doctors, namely, Dr. Preston Mann, of Newport, Rhode Island; Dr. John Milton Mann, of Hudson, New York; and Dr. Herbert Mann, a sur- geon who was lost with the privateer "General Arnold," December 26, 1778. War.
Dr. Comfort Capron, of this town, was a soldier in the Revolutionary Other physicians of that period and shortly afterwards were: Doctors Joseph Hewes, Abijah Everett, Joseph Bacon, Comfort Fuller, Thomas Stanley, S. B. Parris, Lemuel Fuller, Seba Carpenter, James W. Foster. Phineas Savery was the "beloved physician" of his day, and for many years was the only doctor in the east part of the town. He was born in Wrentham, April 5, 1800, a graduate of Brown and of Harvard colleges, and lived the most of his life in Attleboro. Thaddeus Phelps was for a long period the only physician in the north part of the town, and many years the oldest practitioner. He was born in Windsor, Vermont, July 21, 1809, and graduate of Dartmouth College. He came here in 1838; but during the Civil War he was surgeon at the Portsmouth Grove Hos- pital, Rhode Island. He received a severe accident in 1865, but recovered, and courageously resumed practice, though painfully disabled. He died May 30, 1879. Dr. James W. Foster was an active practitioner in the north part of the town for thirty years. Of the homoeopathic school, he had the confidence and esteem of hosts of friends throughout the town. He was born in Southbridge, this State, November 15, 1813, and was a graduate of the Vermont Medical College and the Berkshire Medical School. He started practice in Foxboro, and came here in 1854. He died in Septem - ber, 1885.
Bristol-41
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Among the doctors of more recent years, Charles S. Holden came here in 1883 from Harvard Medical School and was medical examiner here thirty years. He was one of the original trustees of the Public Library, and has been prominent as a citizen and a physician. He was a member of the selective service board. He is a representative to the Legislature. Dr. Edward Sanford, a native of Raynham, received his education at Bristol Academy in Taunton, and settled at East Attleboro in 1852. He was of the homoeopathic school. Dr. John R. Bronson was a native of Middle- borough, Connecticut, and he settled at East Attleboro in 1856. He was a surgeon in the Union army in 1862, and had charge of hospitals at Will- iamsburg and Fortress Monroe. Dr. James Solomon, known as the "Indian Doctor," had a large practice in East Attleboro. Dr. Laura V. G. Mackie was one of the first women doctors here. She married Dr. George Mackie, she having been Dr. Laura Gustin. Dr. Mackie established a private sani- tarium. Dr. Mary Wolfenden, a native of Attleboro, married Dr. J. W. Batthershall, both being practitioners. Dr. William O. Hewitt was chair- man of the Medical Advisory Board during the World War.
Doctors in the World War .- The doctors answered the call to service during the World War, and upon all occasions the Attleboro physicians rallied for duty. For example, Dr. W. E. Milot spent twenty months in the service in France, where for special work he was decorated by the French government. His first commission was as lieutenant, on June 27, 1917, and he was eventually appointed a captain in the medical corps. He performed excellent service in camps in this country, notably at Fort Ben- jamin Harrison before going abroad.
Dr. Joshua W. Clarke was commissioned captain, M. R. C., U. S. A., on June 21, 1918. He was on active duty at the medical officers' training camp, Camp Greenleaf, Georgia, August 1, 1918, to 27, 1918; from there to Camp Lee, Petersburg, Virginia, until December 15, 1918, as sanitary officer to the Veterinary Training School, and remount division. December 15, 1918, he was assigned to duty at the Embarkation Hospital, Camp Stuart, Newport News, Va., and was on duty there in charge of the division of diseases of the thorax, until discharged from the service on April 7, 1919. In June, 1919, he was commissioned major M. C. U. S. A., and made desig- nated examiner of the U. S. Veterans' Bureau for Bristol county. In June, 1922, he was assigned to the Eleventh Corps, Eleventh Trains Organized Reserves, which post he still holds. He served in the U. S. Navy through the Spanish-American hostilities, being assigned to duty on the hospital ship "Solace," in 1898.
Dr. H. G. Vaughan, vice-president of the Attleboro Doctors' Club, although he was not a resident of Attleboro at the time of the World War, was a captain in the Medical Corps, and served sixteen months at Spartans- burg, Kentucky, and various southern camps.
Dr. John A. Reese entered active service on June 1, 1917, as first lieu- tenant of the Medical Corps, at medical officers' training camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, from June 1, 1917, to July 15, 1917. From there he joined a separate brigade, Coast Artillery, Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island. He was assigned to the Sixth Regiment, C. A. C., as bat- talion medical officer, and sailed with the regiment from New York, August
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12, 1917. In company with several other medical officers he established Camp Hospital No. 13, A. E. F. in France in November, 1917, and was promoted to captain in February, 1918. He was on duty at Camp Hospital No. 13 until January 1, 1919, in the capacity of chief of surgical service. The next few months he was commanding officer of the hospital. He went from Mailly to Camp Valdahon to take command of Camp Hospital No. 12, and was promoted to major in February, 1919. He returned to the United States the latter part of April, and was discharged from service at Camp Dix, on May 3, 1919.
Societies .-- The Attleboro Medical Society had been in existence seven- teen years to 1923. On Wednesday, February 7, 1906, at a meeting of the physicians of Attleboro, it was voted to organize a local medical society, and Dr. W. O. Hewitt and Dr. George E. McPherson were appointed committee to draft a model constitution to be presented at a subsequent meeting. Thereupon, the doctors were organized February 13 at a meeting at the residence of Dr. J. W. Battershall. Drs. Hewitt and Clark were appointed a nominating committee, and the following-named were elected the first officers of the society: President, Joseph W. Battershall; vice- president, Dr. Charles S. Holden; secretary and treasurer, Dr. George E. McPherson ; meetings committee: Drs. George H. Roberts, Fred U. Murphy, George E. McPherson; ethics committee: Drs. Laura V. G. Mackie and William O. Hewitt. The officers in 1923 : President, Dr. Allan MacKnight; vice-president, Dr. H. G. Vaughan; secretary and treasurer, Dr. Edith Kerkhoff.
The Attleboro Dental Association is composed of the leading dentists of this city, with Dr. W. L. Elliott as president, and Dr. Henry Robinson as secretary. During the course of the World War, all the dentists took care of the teeth of the drafted men, and a number of the dentists went into the service at various camps. For example, Dr. E. M. Webb was with the 41st in France, and at Camp Hospital No. 26 was first lieutenant and commanding officer at the dental infirmary. Dr. Robert J. Allen went to Camp Oglethorpe and was first lieutenant in the dental corps up to the time of the armistice.
The Lawyers .- The Bar Association of the Fourth Bristol District had its inception May 16, 1908, when a number of the members of the bar here organized under this name. Among the promoters of the project was Frank I. Babcock, one of the oldest lawyers here, former town clerk and present city clerk. The association was incorporated August 14, 1917, with the following-named as the officers: President, Judge Frederick B. Byram: vice-president, Judge Philip E. Brady; secretary and treasurer, Edwin F. Thayer. The rules committee consisted of Frank I. Babcock. Judge Philip E. Brady and James H. Leedham, Jr. The present (1923) officers are: President, Judge Philip E. Brady; vice-president, Judge Ralph C. Estes; secretary and treasurer, Edwin F. Thayer.
It is believed that Everett Bolckom was the first lawyer in this town opening an office here about the year 1820. Ezra Bassett was here at about that time. John Daggett, author of the "History of Attleboro," was a prac- ticing lawyer here for a half century.
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Probation Officer John H. Nerney has a very wide acquaintance with lawyers throughout this county. He recalls John Daggett both as thor- ough historian and lawyer. He used naively to remark: "Well, if we can get the jury to see this case as you do, we doubtless shall have a good case." George A. Adams was considered one of the best of lawyers. He took great interest in Company I; was also a good hunter-and fisher- man. Frank I. Babcock, last town clerk and present city clerk and treasurer. was a good counsellor while practicing law, and was very careful in look- ing up points of law. Judge Philip E. Brady, first associate justice here. is a native of Attleboro, was city solicitor, and was mayor two terms. He is a naturalist and takes much interest in farming, in flowers and bees. Harry E. Carpenter was an attorney here a number of years. He was assessor, and lived on the old Hamilton place. A son of a Civil War vet- eran, he is treasurer of the Co-operative Bank. Judge Ralph C. Estes was in partnership with George A. Adams. He is a leading member of the Country Club, and is an associate justice of the district court. Walter A. Briggs, six feet five, is a lawyer "all look up to," and a man who fights hard for his clients. He is secretary and treasurer of the Woodlawn Ceme. tery Association. H. H. Robinson came here trom Fitchburg; his hobby- is hunting. Michael J. Maguire, who came from Boston, has a good prac- tice. Joseph G. Gaynor, a native of Attleboro, is a successful lawyer.
CHAPTER X. PUBLIC UTILITIES AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS
By means of the operation of such thoroughgoing institutions as those whose story this work thus recounts, Attleboro holds deservedly high place among the communities of like size and population in this State. Through her Chamber of Commerce and a number of very progressive public utilities, her banking and benevolent institutions, the city signally shares its pros- perity and advancement with its citizenship.
Chamber of Commerce .- An indispensable cog in the wheel of the progress of the city of Attleboro is its Chamber of Commerce; and in a city of specialized industry like Attleboro, its need is known and appreci- ated every hour of every day, and in an endless round of civic enterprises and innovations. The local Chamber of Commerce started in none too soon to accept and test its responsibilities that have increased with every year. Originating at the time of the great activities of the year 1917, and grappling with the claims of the war-time, it found itself of practical use throughout that period and always since that time. One cannot say too much appreci- atively of the valued place this organization has made for itself, and the influence it exerts throughout every department of the community. While it is an institution that secures and elaborates the present opportunities, and one also that has a way of looking into the future for the expansion of the growing city's needs and benefits, it is backed up with a history though brief, that proves that it is able to give a reason for its being.
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