USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Danvers > Danvers, Massachusetts : a resume of her past history and progress, together with a condensed summary of her industrial advantages and development : biographies of prominent Danvers men, 1899 > Part 8
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wages of $531,834 annually, an average of $477.84 for each person. The capital invested in manufacturing amounts to $899,105, and the yearly product is $2,619,085. Every business man knows the full value of intelligent, educated, skilled workmen. Nowhere is this phase more propitious than here. The business of the town enjoys a steady growth, speak- ing well for the prudence and foresight of the capitalists, merchants, manufacturers and investors who are here engaged in mercantile pursuits. It is conceded by all that Danvers, as a manufacturing centre, has many great advantages, and her claims in this respect are be- coming more fully recognized day by day. Fully alive to the fact that perma- nency of prosperity of any community lies in the posses- sion of an abun- dance of manufac- turing enterprises, the people of Dan- vers have of late years encouraged without stint the location here of in- dustrial establish- ments. Adequate and valuable advan- tages are afforded for manufactories, transportation facil- ities are unexcelled, living is cheap, and rents are low. The board of selectmen will be glad to answer inquiries from manu- facturers contemplating settling here and every inducement will be afforded.
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ELECTRIC LIGHT STATION.
Highway Department.
Residents of Danvers, who have for years enjoyed the beauties of the shady walks, elegant residences, and well-kept streets, appreciate to the fullest degree the picturesqueness and beauty of the town.
A leisurely walk through the streets of Danvers can not fail to cause pleasure. There are delightful drives extending in every direction, through some of the most beautiful and historic scenery in the country. Concrete sidewalks on the principal streets and macadamized roads are a feature of the town. The streets are wide, and at night are well lighted by electricity. Maple street is the principal business thoroughfare and there are sev- eral streets in the residential portion of the town where have been erected many elegant edifices, the homes-of our well- to-do residents.
Electric Light Plant.
At the annual town meeting held in March, 1888, a committee consist- ing of N. L. Turner, T. J. Lynch, F. H. Caskin, S. C. Put- nam and George Tapley was appoint- ed to investigate and report on a street lighting sys- tem. The subject of electric lighting was carefully con- sidered and the committee recom- mended that the town expend $15,000 to erect and maintain an electric light plant of its own. The report was received fav- orably and the sum was appropriated, a committee consisting of N. L. Turner, J. F. Dale, C. P. Kerans, S. C. Putnam, T. J. Lynch, George Tapley and F. H. Cas- kin being appointed to expend the appro- priation in installing the plant. The arc light system was decided upon and on August 2 a contract was entered into with the Brush Electric Co. for the steam and electric plant, and with W. C. Huff for the erection of the necessary buildings. On
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Jan. 2, 1889, the plant was completed and on the same evening seventy-two arc lights were lighted. It soon became ap- parent that the plant would have to be considerably enlarged and the matter was brought up at each succeeding town meet- ing, but action was delayed until 1896, when George B. Sears, Esq., T. J. Lynch, C. N. Perley, J. E. Ropes and F. H. Cas- kin were appointed a committee to again consider the question, with the result that it was voted to appropriate $11,000 and the same committee was directed to ex- pend same. Dec. 3, 1896, the plant was in operation, but even with these increased facilities the plant was found inade- quate for the de- mands made upon it by reason of the
ever £ increasing popularity of elec- tricity as an illu- minant. At special meeting called in July, 1898, the superin- tendent asked for an appropriation of $5,500 to again enlarge the plant and it was granted together with $8,500 for arc lamps. On Dec. 14, the new two- phase alternater of 2,400 light ca- pacity was started, designed to furnish both light and power. The plant is one of the best equipped in the state and is now self supporting. Danvers was the first town in the state to own its electric lighting plant and the success of the experiment has proven that it was an excellent and renumerative in- vestment for the town. The demand for incandescent lights has far exceeded ex- pectations, and there is now a movement to run the plant continuously for both light and power.
SUPT. T. J. LYNCH.
SUPT. TIMOTHY J. LYNCH.
Mr. Lynch was born and reared in Danvers, where he attended the public schools and subsequently entered the stitching room of a shoe shop to learn the business. Later he bought the shoe fitting business of M. Manning which he conducted until it was moved to larger factories when he bought the patent rights of a button hole machine. When the firm of Martin, Clapp & French was formed Mr. Lynch contracted with them to do their fitting, buy- ing part of the machinery, stock and fittings which he removed to
their factory in Tapleyville in Sept. 1881. The following January the factory was devastated by fire and the business was moved to
Lynn. Shortly afterward the gen- eral adoption of the Reese ma- chine deteriorat- ed the value of his patents and he retired from the business. Mr. Lynch has taken a deep and last- in ing interest municipal affairs and has served on several important committees. In 1 888, he was chairman of the committee appointed to consider the subject of street lighting, and also of the committee ap- pointed to expend $15,000 for an electric light plant. He was appointed superin- tendent of the electric light plant in 1890, and the same year was granted a patent on an arc lamp hanger which he had in- vented. Mr. Lynch was also chairman of the committee appointed in 1891 to con- sider the advisability of enlarging the elec- tric light plant for domestic and commer-
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cial purposes, and served on the commit- tee of 1896 when the plant was enlarged. He acted as moderator of the special town meeting held in 1896. Mr. Lynch has been identified with various societies of Danvers and has been president of the C. T. A. Society ; Chief Ranger, M. C. O. F., and Master Workman A. O. U. W. His services on the various committees, and as superintendent of the town's elec- tric light plant have been eminently satis- factory and his wise counsel and mechan- ical ability have been beneficial factors in making the electric service a great and lasting success. He is now devoting his entire time to the plant, and is vastly in- creasing its efficiency.
the department is 89, consisting of one chief, four assistants and 84 call men. The apparatus consists of 5 wagons, 4 reels, I hook and ladder truck, 3 pungs, 5 three gallon and 2 six gallon Babcock ex- tinguishers. The United States Fire Alarm system is in use, and there are about 30 alarm boxes and three or four steam whistles and bells connected with the department. There are 229 fire hy- drants and the water supply is more than adequate for all requirements, the high pressure enabling a stream to be thrown with ease over the highest building with- out the aid of an engine. As a conse- quence there is not an engine in the de- partment. Factories are supplied with
CENTRAL FIRE AND POLICE STATION.
Fire Department.
In the efficiency of the fire department lies a measure of safety for the town and its inhabitants which cannot afford to be overlooked by any municipality con- ducted upon modern ideas of safety for life and property. From the bucket and axe brigade of the settlers of earlier years to the horse-drawn hose wagons and aerial trucks of the present day is indeed an evolution ; but as evolution in all things finite is an irrefragable law, so in this de- partment of our own municipality has the spirit of progress kept pace with the re- quirements of the times. The department is under the control of a board consisting of five firewards. The number of firemen in
automatic sprinklers and other precautions against fire. The thorough efficiency of this department is a matter for congratu- lation, and under the present regime a minimum of danger by fire is assured.
At present there is a movement to con- solidate the management of the fire, po- lice and electric light departments, with the view of increasing the efficiency and reducing cost of maintenance. The as- sertion is made that one chief officer and two assistants with a selected force of firemen, and four of their number under fair salary to act as electric linemen and special police, could more effectively and cheaply conduct the three departments than is now done under separate heads. The matter is being considered.
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Police Department.
The police force ordinarily consists of five constables, elected yearly, and a chief of police appointed annually by the board of selectmen. This force patrols the business and residential portions of the town and has been effective in protect- ing the property of citizens and main- taining order. Although the appoint- ments are made upon a yearly basis, some members of the force enjoy a continued incumbency of office not observable un - der similar con- ditions in other towns. The lat- est report shows the number of ar- rests to be : males, 108; females, 12 ; minors, II. The fines paid at the district court were forty-seven, a g- gregating $578, and at the supe- rior court, one of $50. The aggre- gate imprison- ment was nine years and four months, and one prisoner received a life sentence. There were only four and a half gallons of whiskey and sixty-two bot- tles of beer seized. The net cost of the force for the year was $2,718.27.
CHIEF OF POLICE A. W. BACON.
Water Works.
The Water Works Department is un- der the control of a board of water. com- missioners consisting of three members, one of whom is elected annually for a term of three years. In 1876 the State Insane Hospital joined with the town of Danvers in the establishment of the present water works, the expense to be borne partly by the State and partly by
the town. Middleton and Swan's ponds at Middleton were selected as the source of supply, the water being of an excep- tionally high quality. Owing to the ele- vation at which the Hospital stands, it became necessary to use high-pressure pumps to force the water into the reser- voir on the summit of Hathorne hill, in close proximity to the Hospital. A large brick pumping station was erected at Middleton with two powerful engines cap- able of pumping 2,000,000 gallons of water daily. The
state contributed $12,500 towards the expense, erected a reser- voir on Hathorne hill with a capacity of 5,000,000 gal- lons, and agreed to pay the town in addition $1,000 a year for twenty years for its water. This agreement expired in De- cember, 1896 and has not been re- newed, the matter now being in course of adjust- ment by a com- mission appointed by the Supreme Court. In 1897 the town erected the reservoir on Wills hill, Middle- ton, with a capac- ity of 1,500,000 gallons. This reservoir ha s proven a great success and has reduced the pressure on the force main from 80 to 60 pounds, which is a distinct advan- tage, as formerly such a large quantity of water was forced through so small a pipe that the main was necessarily affected by the throbbing of the pumps. Under the new conditions the coal has nearly twelve per cent. higher efficiency and twenty- five per cent. more water than formerly could be pumped in the same time. The latest report of the board of water com-
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ENGINEER J. H. CURTIS.
missioners shows that 226,281,176 gal- lons of water were pumped during the year. There are 44 miles of service pip- ing, and 1,700 families are supplied with water. "The town is abundantly supplied with fire hydrants, 229 being distributed within its limits.
JAMES H. CURTIS.
James H. Curtis, who for the past fif- teen years has been the engineer of the Danvers Water Works pumping station at Middleton, was born in Danvers, April 9, 1855, and graduated from the Holten High School. He learned the trade of a machinist and has been employed in that business and engineering all his life. His appointment as engineer of the water works was a fortunate selection of a wor- thy candidate and his duties have at all times been performed with faithfulness and competency. Fully realizing the im- portance of his position he has devoted his utmost skill and ability towards the improvement of the plant of which he
has charge and his thorough knowl- edge of his business has enabled him to utilize its capacity to the best advantage while reducing the cost of operation to a minimum. Mr. Curtis takes an active part in the affairs of the town where he resides and has acted as moderator of the Middleton town meetings. He was married Nov. 28, 1878 to Miss Elizabeth F. McEntee of Salem.
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DAVID J. HARRIGAN, SUPERINTENDENT OF PIPES.
David J. Harrigan, for many years superintendent of pipes of the Danvers Water Works, is able and conscientious and thoroughly fitted for the important position. He is in constant supervision of the extensive system, and his complete knowledge and experience make him a valuable officer.
SUPT. D. J. HARRIGAN.
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Postoffice Department.
The first postoffice established in con- nection with the town of Danvers was at Danversport in 1828. Since then post- offices have been opened at Danvers, Tapleyville, Danvers Centre and Asylum Station, making five in all. That at Danvers is the most important in point of business transacted which amounts to about $8,000 annually. Asylum Station comes next with about $700, the other offices returning a somewhat smaller amount. For the past two or three years the question of free delivery has been urged by the citizens, but ineffectually, as it is a rule of the postoffice department that a city or town shall have at least a
office. With the free delivery system there would be at least two collections and two deliveries daily in all parts of the town, five carriers being employed. Charles N. Perley, postmaster at Danvers, is using his best endeavors to bring about this very desirable reform in postal regu- lations and it is hoped that the system of free delivery will soon be an accom- plished fact under his able advocacy.
The Shoe Industry.
Over a century ago boots and shoes were made to supply the local trade, and were what was called " custom work." At the close of the Revolutionary War, as the country became more extended
THE G. A. TAPLEY FACTORY.
population of 10,000 or that $10,000 worth of business shall be transacted. Danvers cannot meet the requirements of the department as regards population, but through the efforts of citizens has in- creased the business in the various of- fices so that if they were consolidated the returns would be much more than those required to give us a free delivery throughout the corporate limits of the town. The free delivery system has re- ceived some opposition from individuals residing in various parts of the town who appear to labor under a misapprehension concerning the benefits to be derived from such a system. At present mail matter must be called for at the post-
and population more numerous, there sprang up a demand-in the then South- ern States-for shoes of northern manu- facture. They had previously been sup- plied by importation. The energy of our citizens soon led them to furnish goods for this market, and the making of boots and shoes soon became the princi- pal industry of the town and gave em- ployment to hundreds of persons. In the United States Census Report of 1810, Danvers is ranked among the towns most extensively engaged in this industry. In explanation of the want of increase and prosperity in this branch of business it may be stated that a large proportion of our manufacturers now have their sales-
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rooms in Boston, while their goods are made in various towns in New England. The business would be nearly doubled if it were all brought here. But this would not be regarded as judicious management, since the kinds and styles are so various, and there are so many advantages in bringing similar classes together.
The largest shoe manufacturing firm in town is that of C. C. Farwell & Co. which gives employment to upward of 200 per- sons, and runs almost the entire year with- out shutting down. It is an old and im- portant business now conducted by H. G. Farwell. Other local firms are G. A. Creigh- ton & Son, Eaton & Armitage and several smaller concerns, in addition to those more fully described in following articles.
bers being men of integrity and honor in every dealing, standing high ingthe community. The products of the con- cern have become standard goods of their grade in the market on account of their excellent finish, durability and at- tractive appearance. The trade of the firm is derived from nearly every state in the Union and although the factory has a capacity of over one thousand pairs of shoes a day it has frequently been taxed to the utmost to keep pace with the de- mand and execute the orders promptly. Mr. Clapp came to Danvers when a young man, and has engaged in the shoe business ever since. He is a thoroughly experienced shoe manufacturer, being informed in ev- ery detail of the work. Mr. Tapley was
CLAPP & TAPLEY FACTORY.
Clapp & Tapley.
In 1885 Granville W. Clapp and Wal- ter A. Tapley formed a partnership and began the manufacturing of women's, misses' and children's shoes in one of G. A. Tapley's factories at Tapleyville. The mechanical equipments of the establish- ment are of the most perfect and com- plete character, and include all the most recent inventions in machinery for secur- ing improved productions at minimum cost. The machinery is operated by steam-power and over one hundred per- sons are employed in the various depart- ments of the business. The firm is one of the most reliable in the business, the mem-
born in Danvers, graduating from the Holten High School and Comer's Busi- ness College, Boston. He has engaged in various commercial pursuits both here and in Boston and is a prominent mem- ber of the Masonic Order, being a mem- ber of Mosaic Lodge and of the Holten Royal Arch Chapter.
J. W. Tulloch.
This business was established in 1873 by James Tulloch, father of the present proprietor. Upon his death in 1877 the business was continued by J. W. Tulloch, who has succeeded in developing a trade which extends generally through the south and west, although a considerable
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business is done in the states of New York and Pennsylvania. The factory is a commodious three-story building, fully equipped with all the latest improved machinery, tools and appliances known to the trade. From forty to fifty skilled operatives are em- ployed who turn out annually 7,500 pairs of shoes. Mr. Tul- loch manufactures fine machine sewed women's, misses' children's and little men's shoes, the lat- ter being a specialty with this house. All goods are made up of the best materials, and are unsurpassed in their respective grades for finish, style, durability and workmanship. They are admirably adapt- ed to the wants of first-class retailers and jobbers, and the large and annually increasing trade of
J. W. TULLOCH.
merits of the goods produced. Mr. Tul- loch is a native of Danvers, and upon graduating from the Holten High School entered his father's shop to learn the business of shoe- making in which he has since con- tinued.
Donovan & Shea.
The shoe manu- facturing firm of Donovan & Shea had its inception in 1885, when Daniel J. Donovan and Thomas F. Shea commenced business in a factory on Maple street where they remained until two years ago, when the business had in- creased so much that they were obliged to seek more commodi- ous premises. The present shop is locat- ed on Hobart street and is a three-story frame building well
TULLOCH'S FACTORY.
the house is ample evidence of the ap- preciation that has been accorded to the
equipped with all the most modern ma- chinery and labor-saving devices known
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DANIEL J. DONOVAN.
to the trade and well adapted to the requirements of the business. The firm manufacture women's and children's fine and medium grade shoes of which they turn out 2,000 cases annually. Only the best class of stock is used in the manufacture of the goods and fifty skilled shoe- workers are constantly employed. The facilities of the house for the prompt and satisfactory fulfilment of orders are absolutely unsurpassed, and the goods manufactured are suited to the requirements of the Boston and New York markets in which the house enjoys a large and permanent trade, obtained solely on the merits of its output. Mr. Don- ovan was born in South Boston, Dec. 20, 1861, receiving his educa- tion in the public schools of Salem and coming to Danvers in 1880. Mr. Shea is a native of Danvers and was educated in our public schools. Both the partners are expert and thoroughly experienced shoemakers and have been engaged in the shoe business since leaving school. They
are possessed of undoubted ability and experience and their success is assured.
The Danvers Insane Hospital.
Situated northwest of the settled part of the town, and about three miles from its business streets, stands the Danvers Insane Hospital, upon an abrupt eminence known as Hathorne hill. The summit of this hill is 240 feet above the sea level. The building, or group of buildings, is of brick, in Gothic style of architecture, and is an imposing landmark for miles around.
The hospital was built during a period when throughout the country state hos- pitals for the insane were being con- structed massively, and were evidently intended to be imposing in appearance. Attention was given to producing archi- tectural effect, but the time has undoubt- edly passed when the State of Massachu- setts will ever again build a hospital upon similar lines. The tendency now is to erect a substantial and plain structure for such purposes.
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THOMAS F. SHEA.
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The hospital buil lings were begun about 1875, and were first ready for patients in the spring of 1878. At this time it was predicted by some that the hospital would never be filled, but within a few years, like all the other state hospitals, it became crow ded, and since the Danvers hospital was built two other large hospitals for the insane have been built in this state-one at Westboro and the other at Medfield.
The Danvers Insane Hospital has had for its trustees several Danvers citizens. The late Charles P. Preston, for several years chairman of the board, the Hon. Augustus Mudge, the late Edward Hutch- inson, and Wm. B. Sullivan, Esq., who
superintendent, the late Dr. Wm. B. Goldsmith, the late Dr. Wm. A. Gorton, more latterly superintendent of the Butler Hospital in Providence, R. I., and Dr. Chas. W. Page, who has recently gone to Middletown, Conn., as the superintendent of the Connecticut Hospital for the in- sane. The present superintendent is Dr. Arthur H. Harrington. The corps of assistant physicians is Dr. H. H. Colburn, Dr. F. A. Ross, Dr. Wm. L. Worcester, Pathologist, and Dr. Mary Paulsell. The steward of the hospital for nearly ten years has been Mr. John N. Lacey. The hospital has altogether about 125 officers and employees.
DONOVAN & SHEA FACTORY.
has recently completed the seven years term for which he was first appointed, and who has just received a re-appoint- ment to the Board at the hands of his excellency, Roger Wolcott. The present chairman is the Hon. Samuel W. Hop- kinson, of Haverhill, who has been offi- cially connected with the institution since its opening. The five remaining mem- bers of the present board are Solon Ban- croft, Esq., O. F. Rogers, Zina E. Stone, Mrs. Grace A. Oliver and Miss Florence Lyman.
The hospital has had for its superin- tendents Dr. Calvin S. May, Dr. Henry R. Stedman, who for one year was acting
Since the hospital was opened, nearly 9,500 patients have been treated.
The Danvers hospital has not been be- hind the most advanced institutions of the kind in the country in providing all practical means possible for intelligent treatment of insanity as a disease. A training school for nurses was established nine years ago. Lectures are given weekly by the medical staff, and there are recitations and practical demonstration of all that pertains to nursing the sick, clinical lectures, and from day to day the watchful eyes of the physicians are quick to see the needs of their patients and to direct their nurses how to provide for them.
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STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE AT DANVERS.
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Mechanical restraint has been used with less and less frequency for some years past, and in its place has arisen a greater amount of individual care. There has been also an almost total abolition of the use of hypnotics and drugs in the treatment of the insane. It is the uni- versal testimony of physicians who have had years of experience with the insane, that there is less violence and excitement observed now than in former years, and this diminution has been attributed to the discontinuance of irritating restraints and depressing drugs. Among the more advanced methods of treating the acute forms of insanity is hydrotherapy. There is no drug that influences the circulation of the blood so effectively as the various
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