USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 2 > Part 35
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The first service of the Episcopal church was held in North Attleboro in September, 1858, by Rev. Julius S. Townsend, from Trinity Church, Pawtucket, at the instance of Joseph A. Allen, a grocer; and subsequent services were held at Union Hall, that occupied the site of the present Emerson House. At about the same time, services were started at East Attleboro, and Rev. Mr. Townsend came there to live. It was on March 30 that a parish was organized under the name of Grace Church, the name being proposed by Abiel Lincoln, and thirty-two persons were elected members. Mr. Townsend resigned in April, 1860, owing to ill health, Rev. Edward Cowley taking charge of both missions in June that year. Soon after he took charge, the place for service was trans- ferred to the Towne street school house, at the Falls; but Mr. Cowley resigned after a year. During the Civil War but few services were held, and by lay readers, some at the old "Braid Mill." In 1864 S. H. Webb, afterward rector for many years at Christ Church, Providence, acted as lay reader for a few months at East Attleboro and the Falls. In June of that year, Rev. A. C. Pat- terson, a district missionary, residing at Jamaica Plain, held services at Odd Fellows Hall, on Orne street, for a year. During that time the present church lot was purchased for $800. In May, 1871, another effort was made to estab-
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lish regular services, these being held at the residence of W. D. Whiting and in the Free Evangelical Church. In July, 1871, Rev. John S. Beers, a very energetic man, was called to be rector of the parish, and on October 17 ground was broken for the new church building. The cornerstone of the church was laid June 14, 1872; the church was opened for services March 12, 1873, and was consecrated June 18, 1873. The rectory was completed June 7 of that year. At the time that Mr. Beers resigned, September 17, 1876, there were fifty communicants. Rev. Frederick A. Fiske became the rector Sep- tember 24 of that year; and in the spring of 1878 he had raised nearly money enough to pay half the indebtedness of $4,824. Upon the death of Mr. Fiske, December 15, Rev. George R. Wheelock became rector, September 1, 1879, resigning in September, 1880, and that year an organ fund was started. Jan- uary 23, 1881, Rev. George E. Osgood began his work, which has continued to the present day. The organ was installed in the church in 1882, and in 1887 the parish debt was paid. The parish house was completed in March, 1892. and on Easter Day, 1893, the indebtedness thereon was paid. In 1895 and 1897 repairs and improvements were made; in 1903 the stained glass window was placed in the chancel, and the cost of all met without delay.
The first meeting of persons interested in a Universalist church was held at Samuel Newell's Inn, at Oldtown, August 17, 1816, and in the fall of that year a voluntary society was organized at the homes alternately of Messrs. Newell, Barrows and Captain Benjamin Bolckom. Rev. Richard Carrique was employed as "religious instructor" in 1817. In January, 1818, decision was reached to build a meeting house forty feet wide and fifty-one feet long, with fifty-four floor square pews and six gallery pews, the gallery to be at the east end of "meeting house." Incorporation as a legal Universalist society took place February 19, 1818, and the first delegate to the Universalist convention was sent September 15 that year. The first meeting house was dedicated December 29, 1818, Rev. Hosea Ballou preaching the dedicatory sermon to a crowded house. The second house of worship was built on the site of the present church in 1841, the dedicatory sermon being given by Rev. William S. Balch, of Providence, November 3, 1841. The first church organ was installed September, 1849, and cost $475; the second organ was installed in June, 1872; the third organ, a gift from G. K. Webster, December, 1917. The Sunday school held meetings prior to 1875, but was not completely organized until that year. F. G. Pate, one of the most active men in the history of this church, was elected a member of the parish in 1866. The list of the pastors of the church: Richard Carrique, 1817-22; Robert L. Killam, 1822-28; no record of the pastor from 1828 to 1841; Benjamin Hill Davis, 1841-45; Joseph Dexter Pierce, 1845-46; no record of the pastor from 1846 to 1848; Joseph Selman Davis, 1848-52; no pastoral record from 1852 to 1855; Joseph Dexter Pierce, 1855-80; J. S. Cantwell, 1881-84; William Frank Potter, 1884-89; F. A. Dillingham, 1890-96; F. L. Masseck, 1897-1902; R. E. Conner, 1902-08; Hazen Conklin, 1909-10; Carl F. Henry, 1911-15; H. Edward Latham, October 1, 1916 -.
Services were held by the Methodists in North Attleboro soon after 1830. The first building they owned was bought of the Universalists, and removed from Old Town and placed on the lot now occupied by the Manufacturers' Bank. This church was afterwards removed, and later destroyed by fire. The first Methodist minister stationed in North Attleboro was Rev. Jonathan Cady, who was appointed here in 1840 and 1841, and he was succeeded by Rev.
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George W. Brewster, who received his appointment in 1842. In 1844 occurred the division in the Methodist church on the question of slavery, and during this agitation the Methodist church of North Attleboro left the regular order and became Wesleyan Methodist; a little later the church was dissolved and its membership united with other churches. The Free Evangelical Church, whose church building is now occupied by the Methodists, was organized April 30, 1858, and installed its first pastor, Rev. Cyrus Cunningham, March 30, 1859. The "White Church," so called, was started in 1867, and was com- pleted and dedicated February 24, 1870. The Free Evangelical Church, under various pastors, continued worshipping in the new building until 1904. On March 11, 1904, at a meeting of the church, a resolution was passed to ask ad- mission to the Methodist denomination, and the First Methodist Episcopal Church of North Attleboro was organized by Rev. A. J. Coultas, D. D., then presiding elder of the Providence district of the New England Southern Con- ference. Rev. John Wesley Annas was appointed first pastor of the new church, March 24, 1904. The following named have been the pastors in suc- cession : Revs. Eben Tirrell, 1907-09; Edward Phreaner, 1910-11; Rev. William H. Allen, 1912-17; John McVay, 1918-19; Charles H. Van Natter, 1919-20; Rev. Amos M. Bruce, 1920 -.
Catholics were here before 1850, but the first church organized for their religious needs, like that at Taunton and Fall River, was called St. Mary's. Rev. Father Joseph McNamee, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was the first pastor, who came here to organize the church in 1850. By means of subscription a sufficient amount of money was raised to buy a lot of land on the main road between the Falls and North Attleboro. During these early days, masses were celebrated in homes of the communicants and in Barden's Hall. Upon the death of Rev. Father McNamee, in 1852, Rev. Patrick G. Delaney served as the priest of the St. Mary's parish up to 1854. Rev. Father Philip Gillick suc- ceeded Father Delaney, and considerable progress resulted from his efforts. In 1857 the first church for this parish was built on the lot that had been pur- chased in 1850, a plain building, but answering every need of the new parish. Father Gillick proved one of the most active of the Catholic pioneer priests in this region, for not only did he take charge of the struggling parish of St. Mary's here, building the rectory also, close to the church, but he built or purchased churches in Franklin, Wrentham, Walpole. Foxboro and Mansfield. His assistants here and among other parishes at this time were Rev. Fathers Conaty, Foley and Ryan. Rev. Father Gillick, advanced in years, resigned his work here in February, 1874, and removed to New York, where he died on May 10, 1874.
Rev. Father Edward J. Mongan was his successor, and among his assist- ants were Rev. Fathers James F. Clark, Bernard Boylan, George McManus, Patrick Kiernan, Andrew Brady, P. F. Doyle and John T. Lynch. In 1877 Rev. Father Mongan purchased the Tifft property, on Washington street, for $20,000, occupying the house as the rectory, and remodelling the stone barn for a church. The cornerstone of the present building was laid in the spring of 1890, Rev. Father Mongan completing the frame of the church, and Rev. Fath- ers McCarthy, Burns, Hurley, and Cassidy continuing the work thus begun. 'The church was dedicated December 8, 1900. Rev. Father McGee came here as the pastor in 1911, and the cornerstone of the new parochial school was laid in the spring of 1923.
Sacred Heart Parish was formed in 1904 by Rt. Rev. William Stang, D. D.,
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and the church was built in 1909. The cornerstone of the parochial school was laid in 1923. Rev. Fathers Vallandre and Duquoy have been the pastors. Sisters of the Union of Sacred Hearts have charge of the 251 pupils in the schools.
Public Utilities .- The North Attleboro Board of Trade was organized in January, 1910, the enterprise having been introduced here by William C. Hobbs, a local lawyer, who had been connected with the Norwood Board of Trade. Mr. Hobbs was elected the first president; Charles O. Mason, vice- president; Arthur T. Parker, secretary; Frank T. Westcott, treasurer. Start- ing out with a membership of fifty, it now has over 200. Mr. Hobbs was president for three terms; he was succeeded by William H. Bell for three years; then by Dr. Joseph B. Gerould and Robert J. Fuller ; then by Albert G. Prise, with Carl A. Hempel as vice-president, Frank J. Kelley secretary, and Arthur A. Weller treasurer. The board has been successful in bringing many new in- dustries to the town. Through its efforts, the Elm street loop for the branch line to Attleboro was made possible; granolithic walks were laid at the rail- road station; the school garden project was forwarded; the ball grounds were renovated; municipal Christmas tree was brought to a successful issue; the "North Attleboro Book" was published; the Chautauqua was established. "Pur- pose, progress and prosperity" is the slogan of this board.
The North Attleboro Gaslight Company was organized in 1855, the terri- tory now covered by the mains including all parts of the North Town, Plain- ville and the Falls. H. F. Barrows is president of the company. Here also is one of the best sewer systems in New England, the main system having been completed in 1910. The disposal plant of the system covers an area of about eight acres, where the method of filtration in sand is carried out. The North Attleboro Water Company was incorporated May 16, 1883, the charter being secured by Henry F. Barrows, Handel N. Daggett and Joseph Barden, and the transfer of the water company was made to the North Attleboro Fire Dis- trict, June 17, 1883. The cost of the original water works, including the reservoir on Watery Hill, 565,000 gallons, was $11,790. The water system was extended to the Falls Village in the latter part of 1892, and to Old Town in 1904. A pumping engine of 2,500,000 gallons capacity per twenty-four hours was installed in 1912, at a cost of $20,000.
The North Attleboro Improvement District was formed in 1875, the man- agement of which was in the hands of a prudential committee, the purpose being for greater and better improvements other than could be obtained by . town appropriations for street lighting and sidewalks. The North Attleboro Steam and Electric Company was formed in 1886. The town is now furnished with electricity in unlimited quantities. Four electric car lines run through the streets, two of which connect with Attleboro; one gives service to Paw- tucket and Providence, and the fourth connects with Plainville, Wrentham, Franklin and Woonsocket. Electric express service is had with Attleboro and Providence. Telephone service is from the exchange operated by the Provi- dence Telephone Company, associated with the Universal Bell System.
The postoffice in North Attleboro is one of the most attractive federal buildings of any township in this part of the State, it having first been occupied in 1917. Former postoffice locations in this town have been in the Emerson House, at the corner of Washington and Elm streets; at the Riley building, corner of Washington street and Mason avenue; and finally at the Federal building at the corner of Washington street and Bruce avenue. The post-
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master appointed April 18, 1923, was Mrs. Elizabeth B. Flint, the first woman postmaster in a first-class office in New England, and one of three such in the entire United States. Mrs. Flint was chairman of the War Savings Stamps Committee during the drive for the month of June, 1918, and won cup and pennant for selling the largest amount of war savings stamps in the district during that period. The total amount of sales of the two kinds of savings stamps for war purposes at this postoffice in 1917 and 1918 was $77,596.81. The postmasters during and from the division of the towns have been as fol- lows : G. Eugene Fisher, 1894-98; F. B. Byram, 1898-1902; H. D. Hunt, April, 1902, to October, 1913; Albert Totten (acting postmaster), October 4, 1913, to May 15, 1914; Thomas L. Coady, May 15, 1914, to April 18, 1923; Eliza- beth B. Flint, April 18, 1923. The postoffice at Falls Village was established in 1871, with Joseph F. Freeman as postmaster.
The first North Attleboro newspaper undoubtedly was the "Bulletin," the first issue of which was on May 16, 1857. William H. Berry was the editor, and the publication came out every Saturday. Later J. M. Stewart was editor and finally the paper became the "Bristol County News," with Robert Sherman, of Pawtucket, as editor.
The first move toward the starting of "The Chronicle" was in November, 1871, and was the idea of Walter Phillips, a Providence newspaper man, who married Francena Capron, daughter of Virgil Capron, of this town. Dur- ing the latter part of December and in January of the next year Mr. Phillips made a personal canvass and secured subscriptions totalling $1,900. The first paper was issued on February 3, 1872, the type being set in a little office near Ryder's Hotel, now Park Street Hotel, Attleboro, and the forms run off in Providence. Upon the completion of Kendall's block "The Chronicle" moved to North Attleboro, adding a new press and other equipment. Edward Quinn became the foreman. On August 24 the firm became Phillips & Dunbar. The junior member was Eugene K. Dunbar, who had graduated from Brown Uni -. versity with honors. In January, 1873, Mr. Phillips, who was to become later general manager of the United Press of America, sold the business to Messrs. Dunbar and Quinn for $5,000. Six months later Mr. Dunbar became the sole owner with Eliot Hunt as local editor and assistant manager.
On March 3, 1877, Mr. Dunbar disposed of the paper to F. B. Greene, of Providence, son of Prof. Greene, of Brown University; Eliot Hunt, of Attle- boro, and Edwin A. Codding, of North Attleboro. The new firm organized as F. B. Greene & Co. Two years later Mr. Hunt purchased the interest of Mr. Greene and the firm became Eliot Hunt & Co. The business prospered, but at the expense of the health of the senior proprietor, who in 1881 was obliged to secure as assistant Edgar Perry, also a graduate of Brown. Mr. Hunt's quest of health was in vain, and he died on September 8, 1883. The administrators of his estate sold his three-fourths interest to Mr. Perry, who in turn sold a quarter to William H. Barnes, a former foreman, and who then was conducting a job printing office in the Odd Fellows building. The two places were consolidated, and on January 1, 1884, "The Chronicle" publishers became Perry, Barnes & Co. On July 14, 1886, Mr. Barnes bought the in- terest of Mr. Codding and became an equal partner in the firm of Perry & Barnes. In 1888 Mr. Barnes became the sole owner, with Burrill Porter, Jr., as editor. "The Chronicle" became a semi weekly in 1884 and a daily news- paper on November 17, 1890.
When Mr. Barnes retired from "The Chronicle" he sold the newspaper
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to Harry D. Hunt. In December, 1908, the concern was taken over by the present owners, the North Attleboro Chronicle Co., with Joseph W. Martin, Jr., as manager and editor. In addition to publishing the "Evening Chronicle," the owners conduct a high grade and prosperous job printing plant. -
Miss Ada M. Perry, librarian of the Richards Memorial Library, tells the story of that institution, thus :
The Richards Memorial Library is the result of the steady growth of many years, and the untiring interest and inspiration of many townspeople. The library had its begin- nings in the early seventies, as the outgrowth of a Lyceum Association, and it was for several years supported by private subscription, at length becoming a necessity to the town's progress. The Union Improvement District having been organized about that time, and having proved its capacity for progressive work, the library was put under its care, and was successfully carried on by that association until 1887. In that year the town was divided, and the library, enlarged and improved, was transferred, with other properties, to North Attleboro, the town assuming the care and expense of conducting a reading room in connection with the library. Miss Irene W. Day was the first librarian, and her term of office extended over a period of years. In the spring of 1884 the children of Edmund, Ira and Lucy Edwards offered to present the town with a memorial library building. The offer was accepted, and a lot in the center of the town was purchased.
The building is of brick, with cream-colored terracotta trimmings, and the cost was about $60,000. It contains a beautiful and inviting reading room, with a library of refer- ence books on open shelves, and is equipped with the best current magazines and news- papers. It has a librarian's room with steel stacks, capable of shelving about 18,000 books. On September 14, 1895, the new Richards Memorial Library was fittingly dedicated, the orator of the day being Hon. John D. Long; and on September 20 the building was opened for the distribution of books. On January 2, 1900, Miss I. W. Day, after ten and one- half years of faithful and efficient service, during which time the library had advanced from a small beginning to a well-kept and growing institution, resigned her position, to be married to one of the prominent townsmen, and her place was taken by Miss Leda J. . Thompson. Miss Thompson's service at the library was one of rare efficiency, and the memory of her seven and one-half years of work is bright in the minds of the towns- people. She resigned to accept another position, and Miss Ada Perry was chosen for the position. For the space of sixteen years the institution has increased in value to the town. There are now eighteen thousand books, which is the capacity of the stack-room, and ninety-five hundred borrowers are registered on the books. The present trustees are as follows : Rev. George E. Osgood, chairman of the board; Dr. Joseph B. Gerould, Mauran I. Furbish, Donald Le Stage, Mrs. C. W. Fisher. It is the policy of the board to make the library of use to all the departments of the town's affairs.
The Attleboro Savings Bank received its charter February 2, 1860, the incorporators being H. M. Richards, S. Bowen, E. Ira Richards, Josiah D. Richards, George Morse. Ezekiel Bates was the first president, who held office until 1870, the deposits at that time being $76,000. Henry Rice served as president from 1870 to 1872, and was succeeded by Abiel Codding, who pre- sided until 1900. In 1900 George A. Dean served as president for two months, and was succeeded by Albert Totten, the president in 1923. In the course of seventeen years, the deposits showed an increase of 150 per cent. While the bank was established for the benefit of local people, its reputation has spread until deposits come to it from all parts of the State, and beyond. Mr. Totten takes pride in the bank's advancement, and spares no pains or effort to for- ward its interests. During 1923 the building, erected in 1903, was rebuilt and further modernized. The vice-presidents are George W. Cheever and Mark E. Rowe.
The Manufacturers' National Bank, which in 1923 removed from the formerly well known landmark to its new spacious and modern building, was organized in March, 1908, to conduct a general commercial banking business, its officers
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from the first being among the best known conservative business men in the community. The officers: President, Frederic E. Sturdy; cashier, Clifton W. Carpenter; directors: F. E. Sturdy, G. K., Webster, C. A. Whiting, G. W. Cheever, J. F. Mason, J. L. Thompson, C. E. Riley, F. L. Baker, W. B. Ballou.
Clubs, etc .- The North Attleboro Kalmia Club dates its organization from its first meeting, January 14, 1895, when twenty-seven women gathered to form a woman's club. The committee chosen to present a constitution and by-laws gave the organization a guide that, with very few changes due to the growth of the club, have stood the test of twenty-five years. The name "Kal- mia" was chosen, and the letter "K," surrounded by a laurel wreath, with a manuscript half-unrolled about its stem, became the insignia, and the club colors chosen were green and gold. As stated in the constitution, the club's object is to promote general intelligence, culture and sociability, and to further the charitable and educational effort of the town. The first work in this direc- tion was that of improving conditions in school buildings, and photographs, suitably framed, were presented to the different schoolrooms. This work was followed with the clearing up and grading of unsightly schoolyards, and the planting of flowers and shrubs, that has been fully appreciated. Through the influence of the Kalmia, in 1904 a Village Improvement Society was founded, and much good was accomplished thereby. The next step was the formation of a woman's auxiliary to the local Y. M. C. L. In 1908 the Kalmia estab- lished the Penny Savings in the public schools, with Mrs. E. G. Flint as financial secretary, a position she has held ever since, as this branch of work has never been turned over to the town.
A district nursing committee was organized November 20, 1911, under the auspices of the Kalmia-a most successful venture; but the work of the visiting nurse so increased and became of such importance that in 1918 it was decided that a regular nurse association should be incorporated. The club still continues its personal and financial interest therein. During the World War the club was actively engaged in Red Cross and other activities that still con- tinue. As the Kalmia is the only organization of its kind in North Attleboro, it is looked to for assistance in every good work, and has always responded generously to the many calls for money outside its own town, and therefore its influence and help have become widespread. As a group, in common with most thinking people, the club is thinking in larger units, and adding its con- tribution to the world's work. In its musical and literary programme the prog- ress of the Kalmia has been steadily onward. The number of charter members was forty. In 1923 the membership was one hundred and forty, with a waiting list. The officers at that time: President, Mrs. E. Foster Clark; vice-president, Mrs. Harold Mason; recording secretary, Mrs. C. Ray Ranall; treasurer, Mrs. John L. Thompson; lecture committee : Mrs. George A. Chisholm, Mrs. George H. Bessette, Mrs. Charles S. Peckham; auxiliary committees : Americanization, Mrs. George L. Rhodes; Conservation, Mrs. George Cotton; Legislative, Mrs. Elmer E. Rockwood; Literature, Miss Ada Perry; Music, Mrs. Harry Fisher ; Penny Savings, Mrs. Edmund G. Flint ; Public Health, Mrs. Clarence A. Stirper.
The North Attleboro Y. M. C. A. serves the progressive Christian, social and athletic interests of the young men of this section, with live committees and officials to open the route to enlarging fields of practical usefulness. With a membership of 529 in 1923, and with a general secretary who is leaving noth- ing undone to promote a programme of health and wholesome living in the com-
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munity, the association has its lasting place here and an outlook for even better things to come. In every movement for the public good the "Y" has been at the forefront; and particularly during the World War it was second to none other in sharing its membership and their talents and patriotism with all other societies in drives and enlistments. Secretary Ernest Priestley is making a spe- cialty of worth-while athletics, and he has done so from the time that he came here to take charge, in 1919. It is generally known that Richards, of English Channel swimming fame; Jedlinski, the well-known wrestler; Fulton, of long- distance running fame, and many real star baseball players, are products of the North Attleboro Y. M. C. A. Since Secretary Priestley has been here, he has been the means of putting five athletic actors in circus and in tours. The building occupied by the "Y" is the Memorial Hall, erected by the Woman's Relief Corps in 1895, which building in 1906 was turned over to the town fathers, and then was leased by a number of local men and called the Y. M. C. L. The records of this organization are not to be had.
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