USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Fitchburg > Fitchburg, Massachusetts, past and present > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
234
FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
Bradford, clerk. Upon the death of Moses Wood, Augustus Whitman was elected president and held the office until 1880. He was succeeded by Benjamin Snow, who resigned in 1883 ; followed by Lowell M. Miles, who resigned in 1886, when Amasa Norcross was elected.
The present officers are : Amasa Norcross, president, (sketch and portrait Chapter III.) ; H. C. Hartwell, vice- president ; H. A. Willis, Treasurer; B. F. Wallis, clerk and assistant treasurer ; A. C. Brown, book-keeper.
Trustees-Amasa Norcross, George Robbins, E. N. Choate, L. D. Bartlett, E. F. Bailey, Henry A. Goodrich, I. C. Wright, John Upton, S. Haynes, A. B. Sherman, Edwin Upton, E. B. Rockwood, S. A. Childs, J. L. Chap- man, James Phillips, Jr., Frederick Fosdick, Asa S. Lawton, Mial Davis, Fitchburg ; William Baker, Lunenburg ; Anson D. Fessenden, Townsend ; Walter R. Adams, Ashburnham ; Charles O. Green, Ashby ; M. D. Haws, Leominster.
THE FITCHBURG CO-OPERATIVE BANK
was incorporated Oct. 27, 1877, under the name of the "Fitchburg Co-operative Saving Fund and Loan Associa- tion." The name was changed July 1, 1883, by legislative enactment, to the "Fitchburg Co-operative Bank."
Its objects are the periodical savings of money paid in by the shareholders, which money is at once invested by loaning it among the shareholders only, secured by first mortgage on Massachusetts real estate, or by pledge of the shares them- selves, or by both. One dollar for each share held is paid in by the holder at meetings held every month, and these dues, together with all other accumulations, are put up at auction to the highest bidder as soon as the amount on hand is ascertained. These monthly payments continue until each share attains the value of $200, when it is said to mature and no longer participates in the profits, but is withdrawn by the holder. The shares are issued in series six months apart, and all the shares in each separate series have the same value and mature at the same time, while the different series
235
COMMERCIAL.
mature in the order of their issue. Each borrower, by pay- ment of dues on his shares, is laying by a sinking fund to meet his mortgage at maturity, and he receives his mortgage cancelled instead of the cash, which is paid to the non- borrower.
The influence of this institution has been very marked, for through its workings many persons have been induced to commence the acquirement of wealth in a small way. Others have been able to secure a homestead at a cost of monthly payment but little above that of necessary rent. It tends to encourage industry, economy and thrift, and opens an easy way for every person whose income exceeds his ex- penses, by which something tangible may be laid aside against adversity or old age.
The following persons have held their offices during the life of the bank, with the exception of the treasurer, who was preceded by George E. Clifford for the first four years : Jabez Fisher, president; Henry L. Rice, vice-president ; Joseph F. Simonds, secretary, and Charles F. Baker, treas- urer. A board of directors, consisting of the above, with fifteen additional names, constitute the management. Its office and the office of its secretary is at room No. 5 Roll- stone Bank block, 129 Main street, and its meetings for busi- ness are held on the third Thursday evening of each month.
THE FITCHBURG POST-OFFICE.
In 1827 David Brigham, Esq., as postmaster had his office for a time in the "Abram Dole house," on West Main street, but soon removed to the dwelling house now in Wesleyan Place, in the rear of the Methodist church, but which then stood on Main street, and which even now show traces of its former use in the letter drop in what was the office room. All the equipment used was a wheel about two feet in diam- eter provided with divisions of the several letters of the al- phabet.
Mark Miller was the next postmaster, being appointed by President Andrew Jackson, in October, 1834, and removed the
236
FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
office to a frame building adjoining the Fitchburg House, located about where the Emory House now stands, and the building is now removed to Oliver street. He occupied the first floor as a book-store and the second floor for the printing office and publishing office of a weekly news- paper ; but on his failure in business after holding the office only a few months, the Hon. Nathaniel Wood was appointed by President Jackson, early in 1835 ; he moved the office to the building standing nearly opposite the present Sentinel office, and during his term the first attempt at use of call boxes in aiding in the delivery of the mail was made. His principal assistants were his brother and after- wards Charles and Stephen Shepley. The office was re- moved, about 1841, to Wood & Torrey's brick block, in the store now occupied by Davis & Rogers' market, and at that time and until the completion of the Savings Bank block oc- cupied by Shepley's book-store. He was succeeded, in 1849, by his partner, Hon. Goldsmith F. Bailey, who was ap- pointed by President Taylor, and who retained the office in the same location and Mr. Stephen Shepley as his assistant.
The postage in those days was 5 cents, 614 cents, 12 12 cents, 1834 cents, and 25 cents, according to the distance, and was very seldom prepaid. The letters for every town were done up in a wrapper, and the destination written thereon, and a way bill sent for amount of postage due, re- quiring a large amount of work for the business transacted.
At the arrival of the stage, which would only wait about five minutes, rapid work was required to open the mail bag, take out mail for the office, and substitute the outgoing mail.
In 1853, John Todd, Esq., was appointed by President Franklin Pierce, and soon after removed the office to the new town hall building just erected, a considerable increase was made in the number of boxes and other facilities for trans- acting the business. He had as his assistant, (and acting postmaster in fact, ) Martin Giles, now of Westminster. In 1859 Mr. Todd resigned on account of removal to New York, and J. W. Mansur, Esq., was appointed by President
237
COMMERCIAL.
Buchanan. He retained Mr. Giles as assistant, who was succeeded by Henry Allison.
The salary of the office as re-established in January, 1860, was $1,727.26.
About 1860 the post-office was burglarized, but an en- trance to the safe not being effected, the loss was very small.
Mr. Mansur was removed by President Lincoln in September, 1861, and Judge T. K. Ware appointed, who had as his assistant General John W. Kimball. Judge Ware was removed by President Johnson and Colonel George E. Goodrich appointed in 1867. His assistants were Albert A. Marshall and Charles E. Wallace.
On Nov. 18, 1872, the office was moved to its present loca- tion, corner of Main and Church streets, in the old Trinitarian church building, which had been remodelled for the office, and room that was imperatively needed by the rapid growth of the city was secured.
On the expiration of Col. Goodrich's third term, in 1879, Gen. John W. Kimball was appointed by President Hayes, and retained as his assistant Charles E. Wallace, during his entire term of eight years.
In 1882 the post-office building was greatly improved by alterations that brought the office down to the level of the street and secured for the office all of the first story. During the repairs the office was temporarily removed to Spaulding's building, corner of Main and Grove streets.
In November, ISS4, the free delivery service was com- menced with five carriers, all of whom still remain on duty. And the office was again altered by the removal of a large number of the call boxes which were no longer needed. The special delivery service was commenced Oct. 1, 1885.
On the expiration of General Kimball's second term in February, 1887, the present postmaster, Frederick A. Cur- rier was appointed by President Cleveland, after a spirited, but good-natured contest by four candidates. An additional carrier was secured Sept. 1, 1887, and Frank J. Dwyer was appointed and carriers' limits somewhat extended, an in- creased deliveries of business mail provided for, and addi-
238
FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
tional street letter boxes added. He retained as his assistant Charles E. Wallace, and nearly all of the other employes and carriers.
The present office force consists of Charles E. Wallace, assistant postmaster ; Frank H. Damon, Albert H. Harris, D. Irving Damon ; Miss Elizabeth F. Delahanty, money order clerk ; Miss Mary P. Arnold, stamp and registered letter clerk.
The six letter carriers are Albert S. Pierce, George M. Bowker, Patrick B. Purtill, Eugene Forest, Charles F. Lamb, Frank J. Dwyer. Special delivery messenger, Walter F. Oxford.
There are now about fifty street letter boxes, distributed so as to accommodate as large a number of people as possi- ble, taking into account also the convenience of the carriers in making collections.
The business of this office as shown by the returns for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, was : Receipts from sales of postage stamps and stamped envelopes $22,709.67 ; 2,533 reg- istered letters and packages forwarded and 2,433 received and delivered ; 830 special delivery letters delivered and 1, 142 special delivery stamps sold ; 3,798 domestic money orders issued, amounting to $37,814.11 ; 2,553 postal notes issued, amounting to $4,777.17 ; 641 foreign money orders issued to points in England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Canada, etc., amounting to $7,756.38 ; and 2,868 money orders and 3,476 postal notes paid, amounting to $38,995.30. The letter carriers deliv- ered 431,542 letters, 94,548 postal cards, 299,484 newspapers and packages ; and collected from street letter boxes, 333, 174 letters, 85,913 postal cards, 33,560 newspapers and pack- ages ; showing a total of 1,278,221 pieces handled for the year.
FREDERICK A. CURRIER, the present postmaster, son of Festus C. and Joanna M. Currier, was born in Worcester, December 24, 1851, but his parents removed to Holliston when he was about a year old and he received his early edu-
Fred A former.
239
COMMERCIAL.
cation in the public schools of that town. He removed to Fitchburg, in January, 1869, and entered the insurance agency of his father, and at the time of his appointment was a member of the firm F. C. Currier & Son, insurance, rail- road and steamship ticket agents. He was connected with Whitney's Opera House for three years as treasurer, and afterwards for three years as business manager. He was for four years secretary of . the Worcester North Agri- cultural Society, and declined a re-election. He has also assisted his father, who is secretary, in the work of the Massachusetts Mutual Aid Society. He is a firm democrat but has never been an offensive partisan or active politician. He received the endorsement of the business men irrespec- tive of party.
CHARLES E. WALLACE, assistant-postmaster, was born in Clinton, Mass., Sept. 3, 1847; removed to Fitchburg in the fall of 1861, where he was employed in the store of Waldo Wallace, corner of Main and Laurel streets, and was also employed as clerk in various places until Jan. 1, 1872, when he entered the post-office in the city hall building under Postmaster George E. Goodrich. He has served as assistant-postmaster under George E. Goodrich, J. W. Kim- ball, and F. A. Currier, the present postmaster, to date.
ALBERT S. PIERCE, carrier I, was born in East Jaffrey, N. H., March 15, 1845, and lived at home on a farm until seventeen years of age, when he enlisted, Aug. 11, 1862, in the 14th N. H. Volunteers for three years, or during the war; he remained in the regiment during its entire term of service of nearly three years, and was discharged at the close of the war. After returning home he learned the machinist's trade, and followed that occupation until Nov. 1, 1884, when he was appointed letter-carrier.
GEORGE M. BOWKER, carrier 2, is a native of Fitchburg and educated in its public schools. He has a good war record, having served five years in the United States Navy, participating in the great battles fought by Admiral Farragut in the Gulf of Mexico and on the Mississippi river. Since
240
FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
the war he has travelled extensively in Europe and Africa. When the free delivery system was given the city he was appointed to the service by Gen. Kimball, as a veteran of the war.
PATRICK B. PURTILL, carrier 3, was born in Ireland in 1846, came to Fitchburg in 1864, and commenced working for the Putnam Machine Company, learned the machinist's trade and remained in the company's employ until 1879, when he began work for the Fitchburg Steam Engine Com- pany, continuing with them until his appointment as letter- carrier in 1884.
EUGENE FOREST, carrier 4, a native of St. Bock, P. Q., was born in 1850 of French parentage. He was educated in the St. Viatem school and graduated in 1866. He came to Fitchburg in 1868 and has been a resident since, with the exception of four years when he was in the employ of W. F. Whitney, chair manufacturer, at South Ashburnham, in the cane work department. He received his appointment as letter-carrier in 1884.
CHARLES F. LAMB, carrier 5, was born in Phillipston, Mass., Nov. 6, 1856, and named in honor of John C. Fre- mont, the first Republican candidate for the presidency. He was brought up as a farmer and lumber man until April, 1879, when he came to Fitchburg to enter the employ of Sylvanus Sawyer as gardener ; in 1880 began work for the Putnam Machine Co. and remained about three years ; re- ceived his appointment as letter-carrier when the system was first adopted here.
FRANK J. Dwyer, carrier 6, a native of Fitchburg, was born Dec. 3, 1859; employed by E. M. Dickinson & Co., shoe manufacturers, from 1877 to 1887; was warden in Ward 6 from 1882 to 1886, and appointed letter-carrier Sept. I, ISS7.
JOHN F. SHEA, postmaster at West Fitchburg, was born in Fitchburg in 1840 ; is a machinist by trade and worked for the Union Machine Co. until November, 1885, when he was appointed postmaster at West Fitchburg.
Albert S. Pierce.
Geo M. Bowker.
Patrick B. Purtill.
C E Wallace, Assistant P. M.
J. F. Shea, P. M., W. Fitchburg.
Eugene Forest.
Chas. F. Lamb.
Frank J. Dwyer.
241
COMMERCIAL.
THE FITCHBURG MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
was organized June 29, 1847. Nathaniel Wood was the first president, serving in that capacity for over twenty-six years and as treasurer for twenty-four years. The first secretary was Ivers Phillips, who was succeeded by Abel Thurston in 1850. Mr. Thurston held the office of Secretary for upwards of fourteen years. He was succeeded, on his death in 1864, by Charles Mason, and he by L. H. Bradford, who was made president on the resignation of Nathaniel Wood. E. P. Downe, the present secretary, was then elected and upon the death of L. H. Bradford, Amasa Norcross was made president.
The present board of officers are : Amasa Norcross, president ; William Baker, vice-president and treasurer ; E. P. Downe, secretary ; directors, William O. Brown, Amasa Norcross, Daniel Cross, Gardner S. Burbank, Rodney Wallace, George H. Spencer, George Jewett, II. G. Morse, William D. Peck, Orlando Mason, S. R. Merrick, John M. Lockey, Simeon W. A. Stevens, William Baker.
The company has a fine suite of rooms in the savings bank block. From the beginning it has been prospered and now carries insurance amounting to $15,800.000.
NATHANIEL WOOD, the first president of the company, for nearly fifty years one of the most prominent citizens of Fitch- burg, was born in Holden, Mass., Aug. 29, 1797. He graduated at Harvard, in 1821, and was an instructor in that college and also in the academy at Lancaster after gradua- tion. After studying law and being admitted to the bar in Boston he came to Fitchburg, and in Feb., 1827, formed a partnership with Ebenezer Torrey, under the well known name of Torrey & Wood, remaining in partnership until the latter became too infirm to attend to office duties. Mr. Wood was an able lawyer and especially successful as a conveyan- cer. He had not only agreeable qualities of disposition but was endowed to an unusual degree with sound, sterling qual- ities of mind and character. One who had known him inti- 16
242
FITCHIBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
mately for more than fifty years, and who for more than forty years was associated with him in business, spoke of him as " being characterized during the whole period of his business career for an unswerving integrity and honesty." This is no slight eulogy coming from a business associate of so many years who must have known him so intimately, and have watched him in the midst of those crises of temptation which happen in the career of every business man.
He was a firm believer in the power of religion to make men better, and so long as his powers lasted took an active part in the word of the church and Sunday school. We will not attempt to give a complete list of the offices filled at dif- ferent times by Mr. Wood ; the records of the town of Fitch- burg show that he was one of our most active and conspicu- ous citizens. He was moderator of many of the town meet- ings from 1830, a member of the school committee for many years, selectman, president and director of the Fitchburg Mutual Fire Insurance Company from its organization, di- rector and solicitor for the Fitchburg National Bank, and president of the Fitchburg Savings Bank. He was a life- long democrat and often the candidate of his party. He was in the lower branch of the legislature in 1839, '47 and '50, and was also once elected senator, and was the candidate of his party for congress in 1841.
Mr. Wood was an industrious man. He believed in hard work, and loved to the last to keep to that regular routine of labor and duty which characterized him in his earlier life. Probably the hardest thing he ever did was to relinquish ac- tive duty, and it was only the irresistible force of infirmity and disease that could compel him to surrender. After a sickness lasting some two years, he died of paralysis, Aug. 3, 1876, in his seventy-ninth year.
TIIE MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL AID SOCIETY
of Fitchburg was among the first of the mutual benefit socie- ties organized in this state, having been incorporated Feb. 17, 1879, and its first certificate was issued March 26, 1879. Its object is to furnish protection and relief, such as is sought
243
COMMERCIAL.
in life insurance. It is founded on the mutual co-operative plan, and is a purely mutual association, the members having full control of all its business. It is established on the prin- ciple of mutual aid and assistance, so that the husband and father, or wife and mother, whose income may be limited, can through its means easily provide for their dependents in case of their death. The law of the state requires the estab- lishment of an emergency fund, (one assessment from each member) which now has reached the sum of $5,000, and will constantly be enlarged by the addition of new members and its own accumulations of interest. There are now upwards of 2,400 outstanding certificates in force, representing an in- surance of nearly $5.000,000, and it has paid out on account of death claims, more than $150,000. Most of this large sum has been paid to the widows and children of its deceased members, whose entire future support is dependent upon this money, a relief that in their condition in life could not other- wise have been secured for them. It has a steadily growing membership, no institution of this kind in this state has a better record for promptness and square dealing, and it already has obtained a high standing in insurance circles. The board of managers are nearly all residents of this city, and most of them have continued in office from the begin- ning. The first president was Henry A. Willis, president of the Rollstone National Bank, who served in this office for five years. Henry F. Coggshall, secretary and manager of the Fitchburg Gas Company, was his successor and served three years, when Henry A. Goodrich was elected as its third president and is now in office. The other officers are as follows : Harris C. Hartwell, vice-president and solicitor ; Ezra B. Rockwood, treasurer ; D. S. Woodworth, M. D., medical director ; F. C. Currier, secretary.
The board of managers are H. A. Willis, H. F. Coggs- hall, L. Sprague, A. S. Lawton, George Robbins, H. A. Goodrich, H. C. Hartwell, D. S. Woodworth, J. P. Farns- worth, Aaron F. Whitney, F. C. Currier, C. W. Goss, J. II. Putnam, H. A. Currier.
Festus C. Currier, secretary of the society, was born in Holliston, Mass., Oct. 6, 1825, and resided there for many
244
FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
years, engaging in mercantile and insurance business. He removed to this city in 1868 and engaged in the insurance business and built up a large insurance agency in this vicinity. He disposed of this business in 1875, and was soon after appointed by Governor Gaston on the state detective force, proving a very successful officer. He was especially detailed and placed in charge of the inspection of manu- factures and public buildings and visited nearly every manufactory in the state. His extensive insurance experi- ence particularly fitting him for the work.
On the expiration of his commission he did not ask for a re-appointment, but again entered the insurance business in company with his son (Fred A.) and has also done a large business in railway and steamship tickets, foreign drafts and investment securities.
In 1879 he was the principal mover in starting the Massa- chusetts Mutual Aid Society, and was elected secretary, which position he has retained, and as the active business manager has built up a large and prosperous society.
He served as alderman in 1874 and '75, and was again elected in 1881. He has served as treasurer of the Worcester North Agricultural Society for the past six years and has been a director of the Fitchburg Co-operative Bank for
several years. He has been active in politics and has always acted with the democratic party ; has been honored by nomi- nations for various offices, having been the candidate for county commissioner in 1874, coming within a few hundred votes of an election for representative to the legislature in 1880, also was on the Cleveland electorial ticket for this state in 1884; and as candidate for congress in 1886, received a very flattering vote, reducing the majority of Mr. Whiting, his successful opponent, by about forty per cent over his pre- vious election.
THE UNITED STATES MASONIC ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY,
incorporated Sept. 1, 1887, insures only Masons over twenty- one and under sixty years of age. President, ex-Mayor Eli
245
COMMERCIAL.
Culley ; vice-president, General John W. Kimball ; secretary, C. S. Perry ; treasurer, J. G. Tyler.
Directors-Eli Culley, Gen. J. W. Kimball and Charles F. Baker of this city. George F. Morse, Joel G. Tyler, Dr. H. R. Brown and Charles S. Perry of Leominster.
The office of the company is at Room 14, Savings Bank block.
WORCESTER NORTH UNDERWRITERS ASSOCIATION.
President, J. M. Lockey ; treasurer, F. A. Currier : sec- retary, C. E. Kirby.
THE FITCHBURG GAS COMPANY
was incorporated under the laws of the state of Massachu- setts in 1852, with a capital of $60,000. Rodney Wallace is president, and H. F. Coggshall, treasurer. The board of directors are Rodney Wallace, Charles T. Crocker, G. S. Burbank, T. K. Ware, and Francis B. Shepley. The com- pany's plant is located on the Old Colony and Fitchburg rail- roads, in the southern part of the city, and consists of the necessary works with two gasometers, one having a capacity of 65,000 and the other 28,000 cubic feet, with twelve miles of street mains. The company's office is located at 331 Main St.
THE WACHUSETT ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY
was incorporated in 1883, with a capital of $100,000. The first officers were L. J. Brown, president, Geo. E. Clifford, treasurer.
The central station is located on Water St., and is equipped with a 275 horse-power engine and the usual ac- companiments. The capacity is about 140 Thompson-Hous- ton arc lights. The company are about putting in the Thompson-Houston system of incandescent lighting, which is specially intended for residence and interior lighting at a
246
FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
long distance from the station, or in any part of the city. The company are also making arrangements to furnish electric power for mechanical purposes. The officers are Walter A. Fairbanks, president, Geo. E. Clifford, treasurer, O. H. Lawrence, James L. Chapman, directors, A. H. Kimball, superintendent. The company's office is located at 162 Main St.
THE FITCHBURG STREET RAILWAY CO.
was incorporated April 10, 1886, with a capital of $60,000, and is officered as follows : President, H. A. Willis ; vice- president, H. I. Wallace ; treasurer, B. F. Wallis ; clerk, H. C. Hartwell : superintendent, W. W. Sargent.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.