USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Dictionary of Worcester (Massachusetts) and its vicinity, 1893 > Part 14
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Odd Fellows' Home .- State homes for in most of the territories. American Odd disabled members of the I. O. O. F., and the Fellowship seeks ' to visit the sick, relieve the widows and orphans of deceased brothers who distressed, bury the dead, and educate the required assistance, had been erected in differ- orphan.' To become a member of a United ent sections of the country before the idea was
States lodge a person must be a white male, at least 21 years of age, and must believe in a supreme being."
taken up in Massachusetts. The matter came before the Grand Lodge in this State in 1874, and was put off from time to time till 1887, when active measures were taken to effect a practical result in the raising of money to build a State Home. Within two years
A social organization under this name was in existence in Worcester about the period 1820-25, but it had no connection with the present popular secret Order. Among the $35,000 had been obtained, and the offer of first Odd Fellows in Worcester were Samuel Thomas H. Dodge, Esq., of a tract of eleven S. Leonard, George C. Taft, James Murray acres of land near Barber's Crossing in Wor- and John F. Locke. The first lodge of I. O. cester settled the question of the location of O. F., instituted in Worcester, was Quinsiga- the Home, and steps were taken towards the mond, No. 43, formed May 1, 1844. Wor- cester Lodge, No. 56, was instituted Dec. 20, purchased considerable land in addition to speedy erection of the building. The trustees 1844. Central Lodge, No. 168, was formed Sept. 17, 1874. Ridgely Lodge, No. 112, was
that given by Mr. Dodge, and of this 10,000 feet was set off in garden plots to be allotted formed Sept. 19, 1882. Anchoria Lodge, No. to Rebekah Lodges, which will assume the 142, was instituted March 31, 1887. There care of them. The site of the building is are two lodges of Daughters of Rebekah: elevated, and the whole tract affords a fine Naomi, No. 18, June 27, 1872, and Queen prospect.
Esther, No. 33, March 24, 1881. There are
The building was erected from plans by two encampments: Wachusett, No. 10, insti- Barker & Nourse. It is four and one-half tuted May. 16, 1845, surrendered its charter in stories high, built of brick and brownstone. 1851, and was reinstituted Oct. 20, 1869. Forty inmates can be accommodated, allow-
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ing each a room. The cost was about $50,000. The corner stone was laid Oct. 8, 1890, with appropriate ceremonies. The ora- tion was delivered by C. M. Busbee of North Carolina, grand sire of the Sovereign Grand Lodge. The Home was dedicated on the 22d of June, 1892, on which occasion there was a grand parade of Odd Fellows from all parts of the State.
" Old Compound."-A one-story wooden building that for many years stood nearly on the site of the Harrington building at the cor- ner of Main and Front streets. It was re- moved to the north side of Pleasant street, near Main, where it stood in an altered form until removed to make room for the Odd Fellows building.
Rev. Andrew Gardner, 1719-1722.
Rev. Isaac Burr, 1725-1745.
Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty, 1747-1784.
Rev. Samuel Austin, 1790-1816.
Rev. Charles A. Goodrich, 1816-1820.
Rev. Arætius B. Hull, 1821-1826.
Rev. Rodney A. Miller, 1827-1844.
Rev. George P. Smith, 1845-1852.
Rev. Horace James, 1853-1863. Rev. Edward A. Walker, 1863-1865. Rev. Royal B. Stratton, 1867-1872.
Rev. William M. Parry (not installed ).
Rev. Nathaniel Mighill, 1875-1877.
Rev. Louis B. Voorhees, 1877-1880.
Rev. Joseph F. Lovering, 1880-1889.
Rev. Rev. A. Z. Conrad, 1890.
Following is a list of clerks of the First Parish from Dec. 24, 1787, when the first
Old South Church .- In relation to the separate meeting was held, to the present first church in Worcester the Rev. Peter time. See Town Clerks. Whitney, in his History of Worcester County, Dec. 24, 1787, Theophilus Wheeler. published in 1793, makes the following defi- April 21, 1795, Leonard Worcester. nite statement : "In the year 1719 the first April 1, 1799, Oliver Fiske. meeting-house was erected, and here a church April 3, 1810, Asa Hamilton. was gathered." In the absence of any record March 21, 1821, Charles Wheeler. to the contrary this testimony of one who April 14, 1823, Enoch Flagg. April 7, 1824, Henry Wheeler. probably saw and conversed with some of those who attended the early religious meet- April 14, 1828, Austin Denny. ings held in the town would seem to be April 12, 1830, Henry W. Miller. conclusive as compared with what are ac- March 26, 1842, Harrison Bliss. March 27, 1843, William C. Barbour. knowledged to be matters of tradition. Mr. Whitney was a thorough investigator and a April 24, 1844, William A. Wallace. March 1, 1849, Charles E. Brooks. March 15, 1851, Asaph G. Wood. April 24, 1854, James E. Estabrook. March 22, 1858, James H. Bancroft. January, 1872, Joseph B. Adams. April, 1873, Lorenzo Q. Spaulding. January, 1874, Lemuel H. Hammond. careful historian. This first meeting-house, of which he speaks, was erected on the spot so long occupied by the familiar "Old South Church " on the Common. The first struc- ture was demolished in 1763, and the later one stood until 1887, when it, too, went the way of all earthly things. The new and cost- ly edifice, at the corner of Main and Welling- 1875, George A. Jordan. ton streets, was dedicated Sept. 17, 1889. Īt 1878, Henry H. Merriam. cost (including land ) probably $150,000. It 1880, Joseph B. Adams. is of brownstone throughout, and of novel April, 1881, Arthur E. Gray. January, 1885, Albert F. Smith to January, architecture, and there are few handsomer churches in the State. The amount awarded 1890. Dr. C. A. Peabody, 1890. the Parish in 1887, when the old building was The Souvenir of the Old South, written by the compiler and issued by the publishers of this DICTIONARY, gives a particular history city paid $115,395.25, and gave the old bell of the church from its organization, with many facts and details not in print elsewhere. removed from the Common, was $148,500; but a compromise was effected by which the in addition. The amount received per contra was $320 for the old building and $75 for the foundation stone. Following is a list of the Orchestral Union .- A musical organiza- pastors of the "Old South" to the present tion formed in 1875. It is directed by the time :
brothers A. W. and E. D. Ingraham.
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Oread (The) .- In 1845, Eli Thayer pur- chased of John Jaques four acres and ninety rods of land situated on the summit of what was then called Goat Hill, at $150 per acre. In 1848, Mr. Thayer began the erection of the north tower of the building called the Oread, using the stone of which the hill is composed in its construction. This tower was street. completed in 1849, and a college for young women established in the spring of that year. This was the only school in the country at that time which opened a full classical or college course to women, the other female seminaries fitting pupils to enter the Oread. Vassar, Smith and Wellesley colleges were much later. The name Oread was aptly ap- plied from the line in Virgil,
" Hinc atque hinc glomerantur Oreades,"
and signifies abode of the mountain nymphs. The school was continued many years with great success under the plan laid out by Mr. Thayer, who was principal until he entered upon his Kansas and Congressional work.
The south tower was completed in 1850, and paper to supply the imperative demand of the times. Isaiah Thomas drew most of his sup- diameter of the towers is 40 feet, and they are ply from this mill. This establishment con-
the connecting part in 1851 or 1852. The four stories high; the connection is three stories. Length of the whole, 250 feet. Other extensive structures were planned and some of them built; but the great advance in real estate values has induced their removal. The buildings were all erected without archi- tects' plans, but have been much noticed and admired; and a steel plate illustration of the main building, which is castellated in form, appeared as the frontispiece of a work on architecture issued some years ago. The ex- tensive grounds, which formerly reached to Main street, having been disposed of, a new street was laid out directly in front of the Oread, and named Alden street, which is reached from Main street either through Castle street or Oread place.
Oregon .- The region west from Chestnut and Harvard streets, on the western slope of the hill and the meadow beyond, particularly in the vicinity of the lower end of John street and North Ashland street. This name was given many years ago, at the time building operations began in this part of the town, which was considered a long distance from the center.
Orphans' Home .- See Children's Friend Society.
Orthodox Churches .- See Congregational Churches.
Oval (The Worcester) .- The grounds of the Worcester Athletic Club at Lake View. See under Athletics.
Painters' Union. - Meets at 476 Main
Pakachoag Hill .- The eminence in the southern part of the city, sometimes called Mount St. James. It is occupied in part by the buildings and grounds of Holy Cross College. The Indian name has been cor- rupted through various spellings into Boga- choag. It was here that one of the ten villages of Indian Christian converts was located in Eliot's and Gookin's time, over two hundred years ago. This hill is 693 feet high and extends into Auburn.
Paper Mills .- In 1776 Abijah Burbank erected a paper mill in that part of Sutton now Millbury, and began the manufacture of
tinued in operation until 1857. In 1793 Isaiah Thomas began the manufacture of paper at Quinsigamond Village, and sold his mill five years later to the Burbanks, who ran it in connection with the one in Sutton. In 1812 paper was made in a building at Lincoln square. In 1836 there was a mill at North- ville, and from 1834 to 1856 one in Auburn; also forty or fifty years ago a manufactory at Cherry Valley.
Parks (Public) .-- Worcester now has eleven public parks, the whole comprising nearly 350 acres. See the different titles in the DICTIONARY as follows :-
Chandler Hill, 37 acres.
Common or Central Park, 7 acres.
Crompton Park, 13 acres.
Dodge Park, 13 acres.
East Park, II acres.
Elm Park, 86 acres.
Fairmount Park.
Institute Park, 18 acres.
Lake Park, 110 acres.
North Park, 40 acres.
University Park, 8 acres.
See also Natural History Park, 40 acres.
Parks-Commission .- On the 4th of No- vember, 1862, the citizens of Worcester ac-
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cepted by vote an act of the Legislature The club was divided into three sections-on creating a Commission of Shade Trees and hospitality, education and benevolence, and Public Grounds. This Commission was to a member on entering was assigned to one of consist of three members, and the first board these sections. The club was in existence entered upon its duties with the beginning of about five years and at one time had its head- the year 1863. May 1, 1885, this body was quarters at Grand Army Hall. An attempt re-organized with five members, and its name was made to civilize and cultivate the news- changed to that of Parks-Commission. Its boys, in a similar way to the method pursued powers and duties are indicated by its title. in the Boys' Club (see title ) recently started Edward Winslow Lincoln is chairman and in this city. The Employment Society (see secretary, his associates being O. B. Hadwen, title) is an outcome of this club.
William H. Sawyer, Edward L. Davis and James Draper. It is no disparagement to the valuable services of those who have been his colleagues to say that from his appointment in 1870, Mr. Lincoln has been the back-bone of the Commission, and that to his intelligent direction, liberal views and practical sense Worcester owes much of what she to-day possesses in the form of public parks.
Parochial Schools .- See Schools.
Patrons of Husbandry. - An organiza- tion of those engaged in agricultural and hor-
Pharmaceutical Society .- An association of druggists, with William Bush as president.
Philadelphian Literary Society. - A rhetorical and literary society of young men formed in 1873, which occupied rooms at 460 Main street. The association was quite prominent for several years, but interest in its purposes and objects waned, and after one or two futile attempts to revive it the organiza- tion was abandoned.
Photographers. - The first photographs ticultural pursuits, having for its object the or daguerreotypes taken in Worcester were advancement of the educational, social and made by a man named Evans, who had a material interests of its members. It is com- room in 1841 at the north corner of Main and posed of local, state and national organiza- Central streets.
He instructed Lucius J. tions having subordinate granges in every Knowles, who soon after opened his " Wor- state in the Union. Worcester Grange, No. cester Photographic Apparatus Manufactory 22, was organized Dec. 30th, 1873. The and Daguerreotype Rooms." In 1842, Mr. officers were James Draper, Master; George Knowles was located at 5 Brinley Row, hav- ing removed there from some other place. He was not long in the business. The names of H. Rice, Secretary; O. B. Hadwen, Treas- urer. The meetings are now held on the first and third Tuesday evenings of each some early photographers in Worcester are month, at Grange Hall, No. 244 Main given below with approximate dates: L. street. Present membership, 265.
Peat Meadow .- The meadow known by this name lies to the west of Newton Hill. The formation is of this nature all about that locality, in the marshy places. Peat was once used to some extent for fuel in Worcester, and a company was formed over thirty years ago for its preparation, but soon collapsed.
White & Co., and White & Andrews, 1846; J. L. Walker, 1846; Andrews & Babbitt, Waldo block, 1847; A. W. VanAlstin, 1847 to 1858 or '59; Geo. Adams, 1847; J. D. Andrews, T. S. Hathaway, M. S. Chapin and Lewis Babbitt, between 1850 and 1860. Of later photographers, C. R. B. Claflin came here in 1850. He was 29 years located at 377. Main street, and then moved to the Walker Building. A. F. Daniels began in 1861, and Frank Lawrence in 1863. Milton T. Carter was located at the corner of Main
People's Club (Worcester). - This as- sociation was organized Jan. 27, 1871, and incorporated in 1872. Its leading object was to provide an attractive place of resort for and Park streets for more than 20 years, until those in need of companionship and recrea- his death in 1887. E. J. Leland occupied the rooms at the corner of Main and Front streets for a long period, and gave up the
tion. Its rooms, at first over the Western Union Telegraph office, between Foster and Mechanic streets, were fitted up with pictures, business about ten years ago. G. P. Critcher- books, papers, piano, attractive games, etc., son opened his gallery about twenty-five years and were open every evening from 7 to 10. ago.
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Piedmont Church .- The seventh Congre- had only three pastors-George W. Phillips, to gational-Trinitarian Church formed in Wor- 1887, and Charles Wadsworth, Jr., to 1889. cester, organized in 1873. The church edi- Archibald McCullagh, D. D., is the present fice, at the corner of Main and Piedmont pastor. streets, was completed in 1877. The lot on which it stands was purchased in 1872 for
Police .- The Worcester police force has $20,000; but being larger than was required maintained a high reputation for its efficiency. for church purposes, a portion on the south W. Ansel Washburn is the city marshal, and was sold. The cost of church and land was has served fourteen years. The present force $130,000. Rev. George H. Gould was act- is composed of the city marshal, two assistant ing pastor until 1877, when Rev. David O. marshals, two captains, five sergeants, two Mears was installed, and the latter still inspectors and ninety-one patrolmen. The remains.
marshal receives $2,000 salary, the assistant marshals $1,482 each, the captain of station
Pilgrim Church .- The ninth Congrega- I $1,200, and the patrolmen $2.50 per day. tional-Trinitarian Church in Worcester, found- The appropriation for the department in 1892 was $95,000. The number of arrests in 1891 ed in 1885. The church edifice, at the corner of Main and Gardner streets, was built on was 4,060, and 5, 146 lodgers or tramps were land given by Mrs. Helen C. Knowles and accommodated at the stations. There is a police telephone and signal service, a van Mr. Frank B. Knowles, and was dedicated July 1, 1888. The building cost $110,000. or " Black Maria," an ambulance and two Charles M. Southgate is pastor.
Pillory .- See under Whipping Post.
Pine Meadow .- A name early applied to the swale or low ground between Oak and Chandler Hills, extending a mile east of Washington square. Shrewsbury street, for- merly called Pine street, runs through the centre of the meadow. Many years ago a large Irish settlement was made here and still remains, though much improved over its for- mer condition. The Pine Meadow burying ground, a short distance beyond Washington square, was opened in 1828, and used some thirty years, but nearly all the bodies have been removed. A portion of this ground was encroached upon in the building of the Union Railway Station. In police circles Pine Meadow is familiarly known as "The Mead- Ows."
Plumbers' Union .- Meets at 476 Main street.
Plymouth Church .- The sixth Congrega- tional-Trinitarian Church in Worcester, formed in 1869. The church edifice, at the corner of Pearl and Chestnut streets, is constructed entirely of granite, and cost over $150,000. The corner stone was laid April. 26, 1873, and the church was dedicated April 29, 1875. The steeple contains the only chime of bells in the city; this, with the organ, was given by Edward A. Goodnow. Plymouth Church has
patrol wagons. A matron is employed at the Central Station. On the 28th of May, 1888, the Worcester police was made permanent, so that officers (excepting the marshal and his assistants ) can now be removed only for cause. The Police Relief Association is a voluntary organization of the members of the force, for the purpose of aiding a sick member tempo- rarily and paying a death benefit to his widow and orphans of $400. This fund is supported by annual assessments of the members and the proceeds of their annual balls. The first paid policeman in Worcester was Alvan W. Lewis, appointed in September, 1848. The number of police at different times is given below: 1855, 5; 1860, 12; 1865, 16; 1870, 30; 1875, 50; 1880, 60; 1885, 80.
Following is a list of city marshals since the incorporation of the city in 1848:
George Jones, 1848-52.
Alvan Allen, 1853.
Lovell Baker, 1854.
Jonathan Day, 1855. Frederick Warren, 1856-58.
J. Waldo Denny, 1858.
William S. Lincoln, 1859. Ivers Phillips, 1866. Levi Barker, 1861. William E. Starr, 1862.
Charles B. Pratt, 1863-65.
Joseph B. Knox, 1866.
A. B. R. Sprague, 1867-six weeks.
James M. Drennan, 1867-71, 1880-82. Jonathan B. Sibley, 1872.
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W. Ansel Washburn, 1873, 1875-79, 1883, $4,650; and from Stephen Salisbury, Esq., 1886-92.
A. Davis Pratt, 1874.
Amos Atkinson, 1884-85.
Police Stations .- The basement of the City Hall building was used as a police station for many years, until the removal of the police department to its present quarters in the Armory building on Waldo street in 1885. Station 2, in the "Island District,". was es- tablished in 1883, quarters being fitted up in the engine house on Lamartine street.
$100,000, with which the Salisbury Labora- tory, completed in 1889, was erected. The total donations to the Institute amount to not less than $650,000. The grounds are bound- ed by the Jo Bill or Institute road, Boynton, Salisbury and West streets.
Charles O. Thompson was the first principal of the Institute from 1868 to 1882, and was succeeded by Homer T. Fuller, the present head of the faculty. There is a corps of twenty- three professors and instructors. The course of instruction is especially designed to meet the wants of those who wish to be prepared as mechanics, civil engineers, chemists or de- signers. The training of students preparing
Polytechnic Institute (Worcester) .- This institute was founded by John Boynton, Esq., of Templeton, in 1865, and was incor- porated May Ioth of that year under the to be mechanical engineers occupies three and name of the Worcester County Free Institute one-half years; that of all others three years of Industrial Science. Mr. Boynton gave of forty weeks each. There are four classes : $100,000 with the purpose, as set forth in his apprentice, junior, middle and senior. The letter of gift, to endow and support a Free school year begins in September and ends in
School or Institute for the benefit of the July. youth of Worcester County. Its aim was ever number of students at the Institute.
The last catalogue gives 243 as the to be the instruction of youth in those branch-
· By an act of the Legislature, which took es of education not usually taught in the effect July 1, 1887, the name was changed to public schools which are essential and best Worcester Polytechnic Institute. During the adapted to train the young for practical life. year 1889 an essential change took place Towards the erection of the main building by which free tuition to an unlimited num- Hon. Stephen Salisbury gave (in addition to ber of residents of the county was no longer the land, about 5 acres), the sum of $22,000; given, but is afforded only to five students and $6I, III was subscribed in all, which was admitted at each examination-one from each senatorial district in the county. As there are five districts and seven examinations dur- ing the course, there can be but thirty-five free Worcester County students in the school mostly given by citizens of Worcester, the workmen in twenty shops and factories con- tributing $1,551. The grounds were laid out by Calvert Vaux of New York; and Earle & Fuller were the architects. The building, at any one time. The expenses of tuition to constructed of granite from Millstone Hill, all others (with the exception of those pro- vided for by the gift of Mr. Hoar, and the
with trimmings of Uxbridge granite, was erected by Tower & Raymond. The total grants from the state ) is $150 per year.
cost of building, grading of grounds, equip- The corporation of the Institute is at pres- ment and furniture was $75,343.68. The ent constituted as follows: Hon. P. Emory main building was named Boynton Hall, and Aldrich, President; Rev. Daniel Merriman, dedicated Nov. 1I, 1868, and the school Secretary; Waldo Lincoln, Treasurer; Hon. began its sessions at that time. The work- George F. Hoar, Charles H. Morgan, Stephen shop, one hundred feet in length and three Salisbury, G. Henry Whitcomb, Rev. A. S. stories high, was the gift of Ichabod Wash- Garver, Rev. C. H. Pendleton, Hon. W. W. burn, who, in addition to the cost of erection Rice, Charles G. Washburn, and Mayor ($12,000), gave $5,000, and the income of Francis A. Harrington, ex-officio. $50,000 during his life-time to sustain it, and at his death the sum of $50,000. In addition
Poor Department .- The first tax assessed to the above gifts the Institute has received in Worcester for the benefit of the poor seems from Hon. Stephen Salisbury $176,000, and to have been in 1757. In 1763 the erection additional land; from the State of Massachu- of a workhouse was authorized, and in 1772 setts, $100,000; from David Whitcomb, Esq., such a building was erected on Front street, $26,000; from Hon. George F. Hoar, 40x 18 feet, at an expense of £70. In 1807
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In Antiquarian Hall :
it was determined to build an almshouse of brick, but after land had been purchased for PORTRAITS - Isaiah Thomas, Thomas L. the site, and materials for the structure, the Winthrop, Gov. John Davis, Increase Mather, Cotton Mather, Richard Mather, Samuel Ma- ther, John Endicott, John Winthrop, William Bentley, Aaron Bancroft, C. C. Baldwin, E. D. Bangs, William Burnett, Rev. Thomas Prince, Rev. Ellis Gray, Chas. Paxton, John Chandler, John May, Hannah Adams, John Leverett, Columbus, Vespucius, Humboldt,
plan was abandoned. Until 1817 the poor were supported by contracts with the lowest bidder at public auction, in the manner usual in the country towns. In that year the Jen- nison farm, situated on the old road to Boston, bordering on the upper end of Lake Quinsiga- mond, was purchased, with its comfortable mansion, for $5,500, and a permanent home Hon. Stephen Salisbury, Samuel F. Haven, provided for the aged and infirm of our indi- Robt. B. Thomas.
gent citizens. The above facts are from Lincoln's History. The almshouse establish-
BUSTS - Isaiah Thomas, Jared Sparks, John Davis, Charles Allen, Washington, Franklin, ment, as received by the city from the town John Adams, Alex. Hamilton, Andrew Jack- in 1848, consisted of a farm of 240 acres, an son, Clay, Webster, Voltaire, Racine, John Winthrop, James Walker, Isaac Davis, Wash- ington Allston. almshouse, brick hospital and other buildings, which had cost $15,000. In 1855 a new almshouse was completed at a cost of $25,012. In Mechanics Hall : In 1889 the property comprised 203 acres of
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