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 9
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Nichols of Dinvers, daughter of the late Dr. Nichols, giving the town two worthy representatives upon the board. - Miss Nichols is in every way qualified for the po- sition, and will prove an able and accepta- ble trustee. She is the newly elected presi- dent of the Danvers Women's Association.
The Iron Industry.
Nathan Read, a Harvard graduate who came to Danvers in 1798 was the origi- nator of the iron industry in Danvers. He was the inventor of the first nail cut- ting machine and having purchased the water-power on Waters river established the Salem and Danvers Iron Works. Read was the first to apply steam-power
DANVERS IRON WORKS.
methods of using water. It is the clogged condition of the brain and of the elimi- native organs brought about by the slug- gish action of circulation that plays an important part often times in mental diseases. Apartments were laid out and an apparatus was installed at the Danvers Hospital about two years ago for this special work. Hydrotherapy is in daily use, and in certain instances, is produc- ing marked effects in apparently produc- ing speedy improvement.
Since the foregoing article was prepared the death of Mrs. Grace A. Oliver of the board of trustees has occurred, and the vacancy has been filled by the appoint- ment by Gov. Wolcott of Miss Mary W.
as a propelling agent to vessels and ex- perimented successfully with a small boat propelled by steam paddle wheels on the pond beside his residence several years before Fulton's experiment on the Hud- son. The iron foundry brought many iron workers to Danvers and it soon became an established industry. There were a nail-shop and an anchor-shop at that time and in the latter was forged the anchor of the " Essex " frigate. In 1858 John Silvester bought the Salem and Dan- vers Iron Works which are at present operated by his son Benjamin Silvester, and have the distinction of being one of the oldest concerns now in active opera- tion in the county.
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Masonry.
By universal consent Masonry is re- garded as the first of all fraternal orders by reason of its age, the character of its teachings and the number and standing of its members. Its origin is known only from tradition but at the time of the first authentic record the organization was already ancient and had become strong and flourishing. It speaks well for the founders of the town that they brought with them the secrets of the royal craft and that almost at the very first the sound of the Master's gavel was heard in their midst.
were held than those necessary for the preservation of the charter. Upon the revival of Masonry the lodge continued to hold its meetings at South Danvers, now Peabody, and as there were at that time upwards of sixty brethren of the mystic tie residing in Danvers a petition for a warrant of dispensation for a lodge to be established in Danvers, under the name of Amity lodge, was signed by twenty-six of their number and in due time the warrant of dispensation, dated Sept. 28, 1863, was received. The brethren had leased the upper story of the Village Bank Building and carefully fitted and neatly furnished it, and having provided them-
MASONIC HALL.
A lodge was chartered May 1, 1778, to be located at Danvers, under the name of United States Lodge. The charter to- gether with all the regalia and jewels were consumed by fire at the house of Richard Skidmore in 1805.
The next lodge established in the town was in 1808, under the name of Jordan Lodge. Its meetings were held for many years at Berry Tavern. During the anti- Masonic excitement which prevailed from 1825 to 1835, the furniture, jewels and regalia were removed to South Danvers, and for many years no other meetings
selves with the necessary furniture, jewels and regalia, they held their first regular communication on the evening of Octo- ber 26, 1863. In 1870 the membership of Amity Lodge had increased to nearly 150, and some of the fraternity believing that the interests of Masonry would be promoted by the institution of another lodge, thirty-three of the brethren peti- tioned the M. W. Grand Lodge for a dis- pensation, and in due time they received a charter to work under the name of Mo- saic.Lodge, dated Oct. 30, 1871.
Holten Royal Arch Chapter was con-
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stituted March 12, 1872, agreeably to the petition of a number of the companions, and regular convocations have since been held.
The selection of candidates in these lodges has always been governed by the ancient landmark which declares that it is the internal and not the external qualifi- cations that recommend a man to Masons, and the wisdom of this course is justified by the high standing morally and socially of their members. Although none of the so-called higher bodies have ever been established in Danvers, many of the more enthusiastic craftsmen have not been con- tent to stop with the Chapter, but have taken degrees in other places where these higher bodies exist.
Throughout its history the craft in Dan- vers has been careful in selecting its ma- terial and painstaking in working out the designs upon its trestle-board. To-day, with an earnest membership of skilful workers, its future bids fair to be even brighter than its past.
I. O. O. F.
In 1870 a petition was sent to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts praying that a lodge of Odd Fellows might be es- tablished in Danvers. A charter was granted, and on Sept. 13 of the same year, Danvers Lodge 153 was instituted. The charter members were :- Charles Tapley, J. W. Legro, L. E. Learoyd, Dr. L. Whiting, N, K. Cross, Dr. C. Hough- ton, A. W. Dudley, B. S. Moulton, A. W. Trask, of Essex Lodge, Salem ; L. Ridley, Bass River Lodge, Beverly ; J. M. Boy- son, Quascacumquen Lodge, Ipswich. From its formation the lodge has been prosperous and is in good condition finan- cially, having established an excellent fund.
Temperance.
It is a matter of history and a notorious fact that the early settlers of Danvers were much addicted to the use of rum and other beverages of an intoxicating nature. The use and abuse of rum, was, however, in those days generally prevalent and it is
to be presumed that the people of Dan- vers were not any worse than their neigh- bors in this respect ; but early in the his- tory of the town we find many warm and sincere advocates of temperance, who by precept and example did their utmost to stamp out a practice which, it is conceded, exercised a debauching effect upon the townspeople. The result was the forma- tion, in 1812, of the Massachusetts Socie- ty for the Suppression of Intemperance- the first society of the kind of which we have any knowledge. This was followed, in 1815, by the Danvers Moral Society which adopted vigorous measures for the suppression of the use of ardent spirits. Fifteen years later there was a general uprising in favor of temperance and, in 1833, Daniel Richards established a tem- perance store-an innovation in those days but nevertheless it proved highly suc- cessful and was the means of causing other merchants to follow the example thus set with the result that the sale of liquor was materially restricted. Numerous tem- perance societies and organizations have sprung up from time to time since then and have propagated the doctrine of tem- perance with varying success, and at the present time Danvers people are not in any danger of lapsing in intemperance for want of societies to teach them the error of their ways.
Catholic Total Abstinence Society.
The temperance movement among the Catholic people of Danvers can be traced to the visit of Rev. Theobald Mathew to Salem in 1849. For twenty-one years following this visit the temperance move- ment gained many followers, but no per- manent organization was effected until Nov. 19, 1871, when in the church base- ment, under the direct supervision of Rev. Charles Rainoni, the Catholic Total Abstinence Society was perfected as an organization with the assistance of James Fallon, Deputy of the Massachusetts State Temperance Union, and some other prominent members of the Young Men's Temperance Society of Salem. Here the Society held its first three meetings under the leadership of Daniel A. Caskin, who
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had been elected its first president. The society was founded for the purposes of helping the Catholic people of the town to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquor, to create better moral conditions through- out the community, to render assistance to those already addicted to the use of liquor and to support a place where the members could meet collectively and act as they thought best for the benefit of the society. On Nov. 12, 1880, it was decided to purchase the building formerly known as the Bell building, from the Danvers Sav- ings Bank. In this building the society has a well appointed hall, for meetings, dancing and enter- tainments, on the upper floor, one for gymnasiunı and sup- per purposes on the middle floor and a basement suitable for general purposes. Since the building debt has been re- moved the society has made a special endeavor to offer in- ducements to the Catholic young men of the town to join the organization and has placed at the disposal of members excel- lently equipped rooms with piano, pool-table, card-ta- bles and all other conveniences for modern amusement. The society was in- corporated under the laws of the State of Massachusetts, July 26, 1887, believing that such a course would prove beneficial in the time to follow. This society was a member of the Massachusetts State Union until it disbanded in 1876, when it assisted in the formation of the Essex County Cath- olic Total Abstinence Union, being one of the largest factors in its formation and the fourth oldest society in the Union.
Literary Societies.
Perhaps it will not be out of place to
CAPT. A. P. CHASE.
mention two societies of the past which no doubt are still remembered by our old- er citizens. The first was called the North Danvers Lyceum (this was before the di- vision of the town gave us the name of Danvers.) The meetings were sometimes held in the hall of the old tavern then standing on the site of the present hotel, and the hall was a portion of the grand old Tory mansion which was moved down from Folly Hill nearly one hundred years ago. There was a library connected with this Lyceum which was afterwards dis- tributed among the members. There was also, about sixty years ago, a Library As- sociation formed un- der the name of the Holten Circulating Library which lived aboutfive years, when the books were dis- tributed among the shareholders. Vari- ous literary organiza- tions now exist in town.
Co. K, Eighth Regt., M. V, M.
The Danvers Light Infantry, officially known as Co. K, Eighth regiment, Massachusetts Vol- unteer Militia, was organized March 25, 1891, to take the place of Co. K (Me- chanic Light Infan- try) of Salem.
The preliminary work was done by F. Pierce Tebbetts and John T. Carroll. The company consisting of 48 recruits was mustered in at the old Berry tavern, March 25, 1891, by Col. J. Albert Mills of Newburyport. Lieut. George N. B. Cousins of Co. I, Lynn, was detailed to command the company until an election could be held. The first drills were held in Town hall.
On April 7, 1891, Frank C. Damon was elected captain ; F. Pierce Tebbetts, first lieutenant, and Fred U. French, sec- ond lieutenant. The following April,
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Lieut. Tebbetts resigned, Lieut. French was promoted to fill the vacancy and Sergt. A. P. Chase was elected second lieutenant.
The company moved into the present armory on Maple street, Aug. 26, 1891. The annual fall field day of the regiment was held in Danvers, Sept. 30, 1891. The memorable battle of the brick-yard was fought on that day, near the old trot- ting park. The day was brought to a close by a dinner to the entire regiment in Town hall, furnished by the citizens, followed by a dress parade in the Berry field.
: April, 1894, Lieut. F. U. French re - signed, Lieut. Chase was promoted to fill the vacan- cy and Sergt. H. W. French was elected second lieu- tenant.
Early in the spring of 1894 Capt. Damon or- ganized a ri- fle team which won the regimen- tal trophy in 1894 and '95, losing it by three points in 1896. At the state shoot at Walnut hill in '94, Private G. F. Draper and in '95, Capt. Damon, became distinguished marksmen.
In May, 1896, Capt. Damon was de- tached to command the Southern battal- ion of the regiment and on Oct. 3, 1896, was elected Major. Lieut. A. P. Chase was elected captain, Lieut. F. W. French, first lieutenant and Corp. F. L. Estey of Middleton, second lieutenant on Oct. 19,
1896. Capt. Chase was discharged on recommendation of the examining board Oct. 29, 1896. The lieutenants were as- signed to duty, Lieut. French being in command of the company.
In May, 1897, A. P. Chase (who had re-enlisted in the company as a private, Oct. 31, 1896) was again elected captain and this time assigned to duty.
At the call for volunteers for service in the Spanish-American war, the company responded promptly and on April 28 was quickly re - cruited to the war footing of 74 men. On May 5, the company, with the fore- going officers with the ex- ception of Lieut. F. L. Estey, who at the time was sick, left Dan- vers for South Framingham, the rendez- vous of the regiment. May II, 1898, the company was mustered in- to the United States service by Lieut. E. M. Weaver, U. S. A., with the following officers : A. Preston Chase, captain ; Henry W. French, first lieutenant ; Stephen N. Bond, of Boston, second lieutenant. The company was then known as Co. K, Eighth Regiment of Infantry, Massachusetts Volunteers.
LATE SPENCER S. HOBBS.
May 16, 1898, the regiment left for Chickamauga Park, Ga., arriving on the ev- ening of May 19. The command bivouaced on Lytle hill, a spur of Missionary ridge, and the next morning proceeded to perma- nent camp on the Alexander Bridge road.
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The regiment was assigned to the Sec. ond Brigade, Third Division, First Army Corps and participated in all the reviews held at Chickamauga Park.
During the month of August Lieut. French tendered his resignation to take effect Sept. I. The regiment broke camp Aug. 23, 1898 and marched to Rossville, a distance of seven miles, and proceeded by rail to Lexington, Ky., making camp, Aug. 24, 1898. Soon after arriving Lieut. French left for home. Sept. 15, 1898, Lieut. Bond was promoted to first lieu- tenant, vice French, resigned, and First Sergt. David F. Whittier of Co. F, Haver- hill, was made second lieutenant, Sept. 16. Lieut. Bond resigned and was discharged Oct. 28, 1898.
The command left Lexington, Nov. 10, 1898 and proceeded by rail to Americus, Ga., arriving there Nov. 12, 1898, and went into permanent camp.
Second Lieut. David E. Jewell of Co. F, Haverhill, was appointed and commis- sioned first lieutenant and assigned to Co. K, vice Bond resigned, Dec. 16, 1898. Jan. 8, 1899 the command broke camp and proceeded by rail to Savannah, Ga., and boarded the transport Michigan, sailing for Matanzas, Cuba, Sunday, Jan. Io and arriving at Matanzas, Jan. 13. The command disembarked and pitched shelter tents, remaining in the same until a permanent camp was pitched in the rear of Fort San Severeno. The regiment acted as escort to Gen. Gomez and Secre- tary of War Alger upon their visit to Ma- tanzas. The company was on provost guard duty in the city of Matanzas for two weeks, being quartered in Santa Christina barracks.
The regiment left Matanzas for Boston on the transport Meade April 4, 1899, arriving in Boston, Sunday, April 9, 1899. After a review by Gov. Wolcott it pro- ceeded to the South armory, where it was to be quartered pending the muster out of the regiment.
The company came to Danvers on a special train Sunday, April 9, arriving at 9 P. M., and was given a tremendous ova- tion. On Tuesday, April II, the com- pany was entertained by the town. The company, escorted by Ward Post 90, G.
A. R., school children and a mounted es- cort, proceeded through the principal streets of the town and was banqueted in the armory.
The company reported back for duty in Boston the following day and April 20 was furloughed to report again April 28, when the regiment was mustered out of the service at the South armory by Capt. E. M. Weaver.
The following changes occurred in the company during its year of service : Five men were discharged for disability and eight by order. Four were transferred, one deserted and one died.
On Aug. 19, 1898, a gloom was cast over the company by the death of Musi- cian Spencer S. Hobbs, who died at the Third Division Hospital, First Army Corps. A young man, an ideal soldier, a favorite with all, who at the call of his country offered himself and sacrificed his life upon its altar. He died at his post of duty, beloved by all. He was buried at Danvers.
He lives ! In all the past He lives; nor to the last,
Of seeing him again will I despair.
In dreams I see him now, And on his angel brow, I see it written : Thou shalt
See him there !
Improved Order of Red Men.
This order, which numbers about 200,000 in the country, and which ranks fourth in numerical strength among the social fraternities, is represented in Dan- vers by two tribes and two councils. The organization bases its claims to favor on the fact that it is the lineal descendant of the earlier patriotic societies which flour- ished along the coast from New England to the Carolinas before the Revolution, and in which was nursed and concealed the purpose to free the colonies from British rule. It is also the only associa- tion of strength which makes any organ- ized effort to collect and preserve the traditions, customs, and virtues of the aborigines of this continent. The tribes are composed of men only, while the councils admit both sexes. There are about 350 members of the order in the
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town, and the tribes and councils are each in a very flourishing condition.
AGAWAM TRIBE NO. 5.
This is next to the oldest Tribe in New England, and has long been influential locally and nationally. It was instituted on the 24th of February, 1875. Its meetings are held in its own hall, Red Men's Hall, in Tapleyville, every Thurs- day evening. Walter A. Sillars is its Chief of Records.
WAUKEWAN TRIBE NO. 16.
This Tribe was instituted on March Ist, 1886, and holds its meetings in Carroll's hall on the second and fourth Tuesdays in the month. At one time it was the largest country Tribe in New England. John J. Macauley is the Chief of Records.
WENONAH COUNCIL, NO. 2.
This Council was the third one institut- ed in the United States, the date of in- stitution being March 23d, 1887. In its early history it was for a long while the largest Council in the country. The Keeper of Records is Sarah E. Baker. Its meetings are held in Red Men's Hall, Tapleyville, every Tuesday evening.
NEOSKALETA COUNCIL NO. 31,
Was instituted February 2Ist, 1890. Its meetings are held alternately in the homes of its members on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. The Keep- er of Records is Sarah E. Whitney.
The Soldiers' Monument.
Shortly after the close of the war, measures were taken for the erection of a monument in honor of those who gave their lives in the contest. At the annual town meeting in March, 1868, a commit- tee was appointed to have the matter in charge, consisting of the following per- sons : William Dodge, Jr., E. T. Waldron, J. F. Bly, William R. Putnam, Dean Kim- ball, Timothy Hawkes, George Andrews, Rufus Putnam, S. P. Cummings, Simeon Putnam, Henry A. Perkins, Josiah Ross, Edwin Mudge, and Daniel P. Pope. Nearly $3,000 was raised by subscription, of which sum Mr. Edwin Mudge gave
nearly half, contributing to this purpose two years' salary as representative of the town in the Legislature. The town -add- ed a somewhat larger amount, making, in all, $6,298.20. The monument stands in front of the Town house. It is of Hal- lowell granite, thirty-three and one-quar- ter feet high, and seven and three-quar- ters feet square at the base. It bears upon its front the inscription :- " 1870, Erected by the citizens of Danvers, in memory of those who died in defence of their country during the war of the Re- bellion, 1861-65." On the other sides are cut the names of ninety-five persons who died on the field of battle, or by sickness brought on in the war. The list begins with the names of Major Wallace A. Putnam and Lieut. James Hill. The monument itself is a beautiful and appro- priate structure. It was dedicated with befitting ceremonies, Nov. 30, 1870.
Grand Army of the Republic.
The Grand Army of the Republic is composed of soldiers who served during the war of the Rebellion, representing all branches of the service, and nearly every battle-field of the war. " Ward Post 90, G. A. R.," was so designated in honor of the Ward brothers, Angus and William, who lost their lives in the service. Its object is for rendering aid to needy or distressed comrades, the relief of families of deceased soldiers, and the mutual benefit of all its members. It was organ- ized June 8, 1869. Its sources of in- come are from its initiation fees, dues and voluntary contributions of its members and the liberal support of citizens of the town to all entertainments arranged for that purpose. The Post is now in a flour- ishing condition and is a worthy medium of dispensing " that charity which vaunt- eth not itself nor is unseemly." It has dispensed many thousands of dollars, and is one of the most deserving and greatest appreciated organizations in town.
Danvers Historical Society.
The Danvers Historical Society was or- ganized in 1889 and incorporated in 1893.
e
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DANVERS.
The original meeting which led to the establishment of the Danvers Historical Society was held at the house of Mr. John R. Langley, on Sylvan street, on Monday evening, July 29th, 1889, thirty-three ladies and gentlemen being present. Rev. A. P. Putnam, D. D., was chosen chair- man, and Ezra D. Hines, Esq., secretary. A committee, then appointed for the pur- pose, reported, at a second meeting held in the room of the Dan- vers Wo- men's Asso- ciation o n Maple street, on the 9th of the next month o f September, form of a Constitu- tion and
By-Laws, which be - fore ad - journm e n t was unani- mously adopted and received many signa- tures. A week later, Sept. 16th, a meeting was held for the choice of officers for the ensu- ing year and the mem- bership was increased to the number of fifty. The officers elected were-for President, Rev. Alfred P. Putnam, D. D .; Vice President, Hon. Alden P. White; Secretary, Ezra D. Hines ; Treasurer, Dudley A. Massey ; Librarian, George Tapley ; Curator, Miss Sarah E. Hunt ; Directors, Hon. Augus- tus Mudge, Mrs. Evelyn F. Masury, Gil- bert A. Tapley, Andrew Nichols, Dr. Warren Porter, Rev. Charles B. Rice,
REV. A. P. PUTNAM, D. D. President of Danvers Historical Society.
John S. Learoyd, Anne I .. Page, and Charles H. Preston. For its future col- lections and its various uses, the Society, a few weeks afterward, hired a commo- dious room in the National Bank building of the town, which it continued to occu- py as its headquarters until Thanksgiving Day of 1897, when the edifice took fire and was so damaged in consequence that it was necessary to seek other accommo-
dations. Fortunately a conven- ient and fine suite of apartments, in Perry's block, in the immediate vicinity, was found to be at once available, and here the scattered treasures of the Society were soon brought and placed in at- tractive ar- ray,-all of them , through the energy and care of both members and non- members in the time of danger, having been wonderfull y saved and
faithfully protected. Since the fire, as before it, there has been a steady gain of members, who now number nearly two hundred ; and also a steady flow of gen- erous gifts into the four rooms, from near and far. The walls are hung with divers flags and maps, and with about one hun- dred framed portraits or other pictures, large and small; while in cases or on shelves along the sides, or elsewhere, are
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three or four thousand books, pamphlets and other publications, and several thou- sand articles of much interest besides, consisting of valuable papers, diaries, manuscripts and autographs ; coins, scrip, seals, badges and medals ; swords, guns, shot, canteens, military costumes and other mementos of the wars; Indian relics, household utensils, pieces of an- cient furniture, curious textiles, rare china and heirlooms from the old homes ; botan- ical and mineralogical specimens, objects of natural history, and additional things of great quantity and variety. All are in-
O., Gen. Grenville M. Dodge, and the late Rev. Dr. George W. Porter of Lexington ; pictures of the " Battle of Bunker Hill " and the " Death of Montgomery " from Trumbull, the First International Exhibi- tion at London, and War and Union Pa- cific Railroad scenes at the far west, with a copy of the Lexington " Dawn of Lib- erty " framed with wood from the " Old Belfry," photographs of old homes of the Porters and other ancient landmarks of Danvers, and small mirrors that once be- longed to Governor Endicott and General Putnam, a banner of the Fremont Cam-
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