USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Fitchburg > Fitchburg, Massachusetts, past and present > Part 18
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Directors-H. A. Willis, H. I. Wallace, H. C. Hartwell, J. Phillips, Jr., E. F. Belding, G. W. Weymouth, G. H. Spencer.
The road commenced business July 1, 1886. It is three and one-half miles in extent, from Sanborn road to the Fitch- burg park and the Lunenburg line, extensions have been authorized to Waite's corner and city farm. The road is supplied with first-class equipments, horses, cars, etc., and has done a very successful business for the one year it has been in operation.
THE FITCHBURG BOARD OF TRADE.
The principal mercantile organi- zations of the city are the Board of Trade and the Merchants Associa- tion. The Fitchburg Board of FITCH BURG BOARD OF TRADE Trade, the oldest organization of the kind, is an association of busi- ness men that has made itself felt in public as well as commercial affairs. It was organized in May, 1874. In 1876 the board moved into its rooms in the Post-Office and Board of Trade building. Its officers are : President, Dr. George Jewett, (sketch in Chapter V.,)
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vice-presidents, H. A. Goodrich, C. H. Greene ; directors- Charles T. Crocker, Rodney Wallace, James Phillips, Jr., Joseph G. Edgerly, Jabez Fisher, H. C. Hartwell, H. A. Willis, T. C. Upton, George H. Spencer, B. D. Dwinnell, W. A. Macurda ; secretary, E. P. Loring ; treasurer, Eben Bailey.
THE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION ¢
includes in the list of membership nearly every merchant in the city. The first officers elected, March 24, 1886, were : President, Daniel Cross, the oldest merchant in Fitchburg, whose business career covers a half century ; vice-presidents, H. A. Goodrich, Walter P. Guy, W. C. Emory ; Secretary, H. E. Jennison ; treasurer, D. H. Pierce. Regular monthly meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month.
The present executive officer, HENRY A. GOODRICH, has been in business thirty-two years. He was born in Fitch- burg in 1830, entered the Fitchburg Academy in 1841, worked in a factory during his vacations, left the High School in 1849 to take a position as overseer in a woolen mill, where he accumulated enough to start in business with his own money in 1855. Like many other active and ambi- tious men, he has met with reverses, but by industry, energy and perseverance has quickly overcome them and is to-day at the head of one of the finest and best regulated clothing and furnishing establishments in New England. He has twice represented the city in the state legislature, and is now president of the Massachusetts Mutual Aid Society and one of the trustees of the Worcester North Savings Bank.
The other officers of the association are : Vice-Presidents, A. R. Ordway, S. G. Frost, W. S. Harris ; directors-W. P. Guy, D. G. Wallace, F. A. Wood, C. M. Parker, J. F. Bruce, M. W. Fitz, J. F. Stiles ; secretary, J. P. Farns- worth ; treasurer, D. H. Pierce.
In 1868 Joseph Cushing took the stone mill on Laurel street, formerly occupied as a cotton mill, and converted it
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
into a flour and grain mill. He is now doing a large busi- ness there in flour, grain and feed. The premises are con- veniently fitted up for the business and are connected by a turnout with the main line of the Fitch- burg railroad. There are . CUSHING & CO. FLOUR & GRA IN. in addition to the main JC RA J C. 108 mill two large buildings for storage purposes, also an extensive saw mill and lumber yard on the opposite side of the river. Mr. Cushing is a native of Ashburnham, Mass., and has been a resident of Fitchburg for nearly forty years. He was first engaged in the livery business, afterwards in the lumber business, and in 1858 opened a flour and grain store under the American House, where he remained until he bought the stone mill and started his present business.
In ISSI Charles P. Washburn bought the flour mill and elevator formerly owned by the Fitchburg Flour Co.,
GEEL
WASHBURN & WOODWARD'S MILL.
and converted it into a corn and grain mill. In 1883 Frede- rick F. Woodward bought a half interest, since which time it has been operated and managed by the firm of Washburn &
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Woodward. The premises are admirably fitted up for doing a large wholesale and retail business. In 1884 a storehouse 100 feet long and thirty feet wide, was built to accommodate their increasing business. Mr. Washburn is a native of Mid- dleboro, Mass., where, before removing to Fitchburg, he was engaged in the coal and grain business. Mr. Wood- ward is a native of Fitchburg. He was a member of the 53d Regiment during the Rebellion ; afterward in the hard- ware business, and for ten years cashier of the Safety Fund National Bank of Fitchburg.
WHITNEY'S OPERA HOUSE, the only place of entertain- ment in the city, is centrally located at 208 Main St., and was built by Andrew Whitney, the largest owner of build- ings occupied for mercantile purposes in the city. It is sub- stantially built of brick, and in its arrangements will com- pare favorably with houses in cities of equal size. It has a seating capacity of about one thousand. It was managed by Mr. Whitney during its first three years, having been opened to the public Oct. 20, 1881. In 1884 the management was assumed by Fred. A. Currier who had acted as treasurer of the house, for Mr. Whitney, from its first season, and during Mr. Currier's management, which continued for three years, (until his appointment as postmaster, ) many of the leading musical and dramatic attractions made their first appearance in this city, and the reputation of Fitchburg for good "paying houses" was established. During the last season, ninty-two evening and eight matinee entertainments were presented, with total receipts of nearly $25,000. Mr. John W. Ogden is the present manager, having been connected with the house for several seasons.
The house draws a large patronage from the neighboring towns, and an established attraction is always sure of a large attendance.
In referring to the business houses of the city no effort is made to give a directory of all who are engaged in the different branches of trade, but simply to make mention of
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
some of the representative firms, or individuals, who have been a long time in business.
GENTS' FURNISHINGS.
DANIEL CROSS, the veteran merchant tailor, is also the senior merchant in active business in Fitchburg, at the present time. Mr. Cross was born in Swanzey, Cheshire county, N. H. ; served his apprenticeship in Keene, N. H. ; came to Fitchburg in 1833, and established himself in busi- ness in a small building, where the city hall now stands.
The following-named merchants were in business at that time: Kimball & Farwell kept dry goods and gro- ceries : E. F. Bunnell kept a dry goods store on the corner of Central and Main streets, now occupied by E. M. Read. In the same building was a jewelry store, kept by Silas H. Goodnow.
Mr. Cross remained in his first location only about a year ; after this, for about eight years, he carried on business in a two-story building, over Kimball & Farwell's store, which building is now the two lower stories of the present Sentinel office. From there he moved across the street, into Heywood & Comee's block, where John F. Bruce now is, remaining there for about thirty years, when he removed to his present quarters in Stiles' block.
HENRY A. GOODRICH, senior member of the firm of H. A. Goodrich & Co., commenced to sell gentlemen's furnish- ing goods in 1855. For fifteen years his familiar sign was over the door of the store now occupied by J. C. Sanborn, under the Fitchburg hotel. In 1867 he removed to quarters in Belding & Dickinson's block, and in 1885 moved into the new building erected by Mr. E. M. Dickinson. Among the many clerks and salesmen who have graduated at Mr. Good- rich's establishment may be mentioned E. H. Spencer, the hatter, in Central block ; J. R. Wood, now furnishing sales- man in Chicago, Ill. ; A. J. Litchfield, afterward with Farns- worth Bros., now Litchfield & Stebbins; E. B. Sears, now
Metodick
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in the fur business, on Sumner street, Boston; Robert Brooks, head salesman with Max Stadler & Co., New York ; H. E. Taylor, late United States Revenue Collector at Brat- tleboro, Vt. : Charles Smith, now bank cashier in Minne- apolis ; Elijah Stebbins, Jr., of Litchfield & Stebbins : L. A. Smith, salesman for J. J. Ray, Boston ; Foster E. Beaman, book-keeper at Hook & Hastings' organ factory, Boston. E. Stebbins, Jr., was in the employ of Mr. Goodrich eleven years ; F. E. Beaman, as partner and salesman, thirteen years, and W. L. Humes, now the junior partner, has been
EMERSON SC.
INTERIOR OF H. A. GOODRICH & CO.'S STORE.
with him most of the time for twelve years past. The other leading gents' furnishing houses, in the order of their estab- lishment are, E. H. Spencer, Farnsworth Bros., Albee & Lyons, Edward Connor, Litchfield & Stebbins, U. E. Cleve- land, the Globe Clothing Store, and H. E. Goodere.
DRY GOODS.
JAMES F. STILES commenced the dry and fancy goods business in 1845, and is now the senior in that branch. He
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
is a native of Cavendish, Vt., and came to Fitchburg in March, 1841, and entered the employ of T. C. Caldwell, who kept a country store. He remained with Mr. Cald- well three years, when he started in business for him- self, in the room now occu- pied by R. R. Conn as a jewelry store, in the build- ing known as the Torrey & Wood block. After two years he removed to where JAS.F.STILES DANIEL CROSS. Warren Upton's market now 3553 is, then across the street to what is now the Emory mar- ket, under the Calvinistic church ; here he remained for some ten years, remov- STILES' BLOCK. ing to Central block, where he remained until he built the Stiles block, in 1875, moving into his present store on the first of January, 1876.
L. SPRAGUE & Co. established their business in 1851. The members of the firm are Leander Sprague and F. H. Colburn.
A. B. SHERMAN started in business in Fitchburg, Feb. 15, 1855, in the building one door below his present location, the Rollstone Bank building, into which he moved as soon as it was completed, February, 1870.
THE L. J. BROWN STORE, for several years past the leading dry goods house, is now owned and managed by Nichols & Frost, the individual members of the firm being F. I. Nichols and W. A. Frost. It has been under the management of the present firm since Oct. 1, 1884.
Luther J. Brown, the founder of the establishment, was born at Eden, Vt., Dec. 31, 1827, and was the oldest of
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three children of Luther H. and Bersheba (Shattuck) Brown. He was educated at the schools of his native town. at an academy at Johnson, Vt., and at Appleton Academy, New Ipswich. His first experience in mercantile business was at Eden, Vt., where he was engaged in the dry goods and grocery business with his father. He soon after went to Hyde Park in the employ of Noyes Bros., who kept a large country store : afterwards to Manchester, N. H., where he was employed in a mill. When twenty-three years of age he went to Boston, and was employed for several years by Brett & Ellis, at that time wholesale and retail dealers in dry goods on Federal street. In 1853 the firm placed him in charge of a branch store at Natick, where he remained about a year. Mr. Brown came to Fitchburg in August, 1855, and soon after formed a partnership in the dry goods trade with A. B. Sherman, which continued nearly three years. The firm of Sherman & Brown occupied the store next to the Rollstone Bank block. He married Jan. 13, 1856, Miss Sarah P. Harding of East Medway, who was a most efficient helpmate in building up his large business. In 1860 Mr. Brown formed a partnership with Charles Kimball of Haver- hill under the firm name of Kimball & Brown, which con- tinued about a year and a half, at the store which Mr. Brown afterward occupied, but which was very much enlarged.
In April, 1862, Mr. Brown commenced business for him- self, and his energy and business tact soon developed a large and thriving trade. In 1865 his increasing business required a large addition to his store, and five extensions were made. at various times, till two large stores in front were occupied and the space between Main and Crescent streets mainly de- voted to mercantile purposes.
Mr. Brown commenced with dry goods and cloak-mak- ing, but dressmaking was added. In 1882 the carpet department was established, and the millinery parlor a year later. Mr. Brown leased the store for several years, but ac- quired the property by purchase. The store front has been rebuilt twice since he owned the block. In 1882 the tasteful brown stone front was erected, making it one of the finest
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blocks in the city. In addition to this he also had a branch store at Shelburne Falls for three years. Mr. Brown was thoroughly alive to the interests of the city and made invest- ments where they would increase its prosperity. He was a director in the Wachusett National Bank from its organiza- tion in 1875, vice-president of the Worcester North Savings Institution and trustee from the time the bank was incorpo- rated. president of the Wachusett Electric Light Company from its organization. He was also a vestry-man of Christ church, and a member of Jerusalem Commandery, Knights Templar, a prominent Odd Fellow and first president of the Old Ladies' Home. Mr. Brown represented the city in the legisla- ture in 1878 and '79, serving on the impor- tant committee on fi- nance.
His active interest in whatever tended to BROWN promote the growth of the city and his willing- ness to aid worthy ob- jects, and his business capacity, made him a most valuable citizen, while his social qualities made for him many THE L. J. BROWN BLOCK. warm personal friends. His hall was freely open to meetings, whether political, religious, or in the interests of temperance. For several years he furnished the hall, warmed and lighted, for meetings of the Railroad Men's Christian Association.
The death of no citizen could have produced a profounder sensation ; his had been a busy and a useful life and his loss was deeply felt in this city where the best part of his life was spent. On the day of his funeral the city was draped in mourning ; the stores and post-office were closed and business
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was generally suspended throughout the city. Business men very generally expressed the universal sorrow at the loss the community had sustained, by placing the emblems of mourn- ing in their windows. The dry goods, millinery and clothing stores were most prominent in this public expression of feel- ing, recognizing in Mr. Brown, an active but honorable rival in his department of trade, whose energy and skill had brought trade to counters other than his own.
Among the later dry goods establishments may be men- tioned : E. G. STOWE'S, M. W. FITZ & Co., BOSTON STORE, L. U. HAMMOND, GIRARD & IRISH, E. J. MOORE & Co.
GROCERIES.
The grocery store of WARREN S. HARRIS was estab- lished by T. C. Caldwell in 1835 ; that of S. D. BALDWIN by J. Baldwin in 1837. The store of H. J. LACEY in West Fitchburg, known as the "old Baldwin store," has also been long established. H. A. HATCH & Co., are the oldest es- tablished grocerymen now in active business. The senior member of this firm, H. A. Hatch, has been in the business since 1844. He first started in the old Rollstone block, in that portion now occupied by George H. Chapman as a shoe store. In 1870 he built Hatch's block, at the corner of Main and Prichard streets, a portion of which the firm has since occupied. Of the thirty or more now engaged in this line of business the following have been the longest established : W. P. GUY. C. A. CROSS, (wholesale,) J. A. & E. A. Jos- LIN, JOSIAH SPAULDING, JOHN F. BRUCE, DANIEL BOYLE, M. N. BENJAMIN, JOHN D. MORRILL, G. H. & T. CUTLER, HIRAM A. GOODRICH, CHARLES R. CONN and E. M. READ. COBB'S BOSTON BRANCH, A. L. Williams & Co. proprietors, although more recently established, is one of the largest in the city.
MEAT AND PROVISIONS.
The oldest meat and provision house in the city is that of the LOWE BROTHERS, which was established by John Lowe,
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whose ancestors were among the early settlers of the town of Fitchburg, and whose father was David Lowe. Of this large family only four sons are now living, two worthy citizens of their native city, one in Michigan, and one in California, while one died at the close of the war, having served three years' time in the army. John, the eldest of these boys, by his early marriage, was brought into connection with A. & O. W. Mead, now wealthy commission dealers in Boston, but then neither of the three had any capital.
They suggested that he should ride through the country in this vicinity and buy whatever produce he could find for sale among the farmers, and they would sell, and divide the profits. The business suited him ; the rapid drives about the country, the meeting with all classes of men, developed his powerful will and wonderful perseverance, which were con- trolled by strict integrity and honesty of purpose.
He soon conceived the idea of supplying his own towns- people. Like all new ventures, the idea was ridiculed and opposed ; but believing in the law of supply and demand, he pushed on, and soon had a market established in Guy's block. Leaving his brother in charge, he moved his family to Rindge. For the next few years he could not be said to live anywhere, for his days were spent between scouring Cheshire county for supplies and looking after the store here, sending his supplies to Boston, and spending most of his nights in driving from one place to the other. His brother leaving for the West, Mr. Lowe bought a place and removed his family to Fitchburg again.
In the financial crisis of '57 he lost all he had. It was a crushing blow. So many years gone, and nothing left but an honest name and what the "law allowed." Meeting W. C. Emory one day, they talked over the situation. Putting their money together-between seven and eight dollars-Mr. Lowe said : "I will go and buy something and you may sell it." Then came the reward of honest dealing. It was won- derful how the farmers, with whom he had dealt, sustained and trusted him. The business steadily increased, he sup- plying most of the markets with dressed beef at wholesale,
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the amount of which was many thousands annually during and since the war. He was always his own cashier and book-keeper, carrying every account with him in a pass-book (or memorandum). Having established a flourishing and successful business he sold out the same in favor of his sons, whose long training as "helps" had fitted them to be worthy successors of the father. They had greatly increased the business, having added the manufacture of pork products, when a disastrous fire occurred, completely destroying all their works, and as such supplies can be obtained direct from Chicago it is not likely that they will soon be rebuilt.
FURNITURE DEALERS.
EUGENE W. WILLIS is proprietor of the oldest furni- ture house, which was established by his father, S. D. Willis, who commenced the manufacture of coffins and mattresses in 1845, occupying, for thirty years, the store adjoining the present National house, at first alone and later with his son, Eugene. His health failing he retired to a farm among the New Hampshire mountains, but, with health restored, he re- turned to the furniture business, at 306 Main street, with his son and grand-son.
MARTIN WEBBER, a resident of Fitchburg for twenty-four years, has been engaged in the furniture business in his present location, 221 Main street, for the past eleven years. Mr. Web- ber is a cabinet-maker by M.WEBBER. 219 FURNITURE. 220 trade, and was employed by F. A. Beckwith. man- ufacturer of doors, sash and blinds, for eleven years, previous to pur- chasing his present busi- ness of R. I. Lawton.
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
FITCHBURG FURNITURE COMPANY .- (Mr. C. M. Par- ker) succeeded J. K. P. Wood, in the retail furniture business, 335 Main street, in 1884. Mr. Parker had been, however, for a long time, connected with the furniture business as a manufacturer. He was born in Merrimac, N. H., in 1835, where he commenced manufacturing. In 1880 he removed to Fitchburg and has since conducted the business, under the name of Parker & Co. The manufactory is located in Newton Place, comprising a fac- tory, with engine and boiler-house adjoining. Employment is given to about forty hands, nearly all skilled workmen, and the product includes house and office desks, secretaries, hall stands, etc., in mahogany, walnut, cherry, oak and other popular woods now in use. Mr. Parker is a member of the New England Furniture Exchange. Upon coming to Fitchburg he took a lively interest in town affairs ; was rep- resentative to the legislature for two years, and held various offices of trust ; has served the city in the common council ; is a director of the Fitchburg National Bank, and a trustee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank.
HARTWELL & REED .- This is one of the oldest estab- lished marble works in the country. Its origin dates back to a period of fifty-six years ago, and was founded by Mr. Isaac Hartwell, and conducted by him alone, until 1848, when he formed a partnership with Mr. George Reed, under the style of Hartwell & Reed. Mr. Hartwell has since died, and the surviving partner is now the proprietor.
T. S. BLOOD is the oldest established dentist. He was born in Sterling, June 23, 1810; began the practice of his profession in Worcester, in 1837, and afterwards moved to New York City ; came to Fitchburg in 1840; since 1852 has occupied his present office.
THOMAS PALMER began the practice of dentistry in Fitchburg in 1844. For the past fifteen years his son, Joseph W. Palmer, has been associated with him in business, under the name of Palmer & Palmer.
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J. C. MOULTON is the oldest established photographer in the city, having been in business here since 1848.
R. R. CONN, watchmaker and jeweller, is the oldest in his line of business, commencing Aug. 24, 1855.
W. A. MACURDA, apothecary, began business in 1868.
EDWIN M READ.GROCER
LOUIS N.WILBUR.
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PROCTOR'S BLOCK.
EMORY
OYSTERS
LOANDIESTCIE
EMORY'S BLOCK.
The following are also seniors in their respective lines of business : Charles Mason, insurance ; S. A. Childs, real estate ; J. F. D. Garfield (Garfield & Proctor), coal ; F. A. Beckwith, lumber ; G. B. Knowlton, hardware ; Baker Bros., booksellers and stationery ; George H. Chapman, boots and shoes ; S. G. Frost, harness maker ; Peter B. Howard, hair dresser.
Charles G. Giles, referred to in the post-office sketch as M. Giles, died of paralysis at Westminster, Dec. 3, 1887, at the age of sixty-nine years.
CHAPTER XIII.
JOURNALISM IN FITCHBURG.
THE first printing-office and newspaper in Fitchburg was estab- lished in October, 1830, by J. E. Whitcomb & Co. It is to be re- gretted that no files of the early volumes of papers printed here have been preserved, and that only a few scattering numbers are now to be found as memorials of the in- troduction of printing into the town.
Jonathan E. Whitcomb was a son of John Whitcomb, a farmer then living in the south part of the town. Young Whitcomb had served a year at the printing business in Greenfield, and in the fall of 1828 went to Boston, where, after working a year, he purchased a small office and com- menced the business there. In the autumn of 1830, being then but twenty-one years of age, he moved his office to Fitchburg, and, in connection with John Page, started the Fitchburg Gazette, the first number of which was issued on or about the 19th of October. Mr. Page was a son of Enoch C. Page, of Lunenburg, and had served his apprenticeship to the printing business in the office of Col. Edmund Cushing of that town. He was younger than his partner, Whitcomb, being at that time only twenty years of age.
The size of the Gazette was what was called super-royal (about 22 by 28 inches). The paper was manufactured by
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Mr. Alvah Crocker, at his mill at West Fitchburg. The first number was issued to one hundred and twenty-five sub- scribers,-the price being one dollar and fifty cents a year, or a dollar and twenty-five if paid in advance. The printing- office was in a wooden building just below the entrance to the Fitchburg Hotel. The driveway to the hotel stables
FITCHBURG HOTEL AND PRINTING-OFFICE.
passed through between the printing-office and the hotel en- trance, the dance hall of the hotel being over the driveway, and connecting the two buildings. The second story was used for the newspaper, and the lower for printing Bibles from stereotype plates, for Col. Edmund Cushing, of Lunen- burg, and for a small circulating library and book-store.
In March, 1831, only four months after the first issue of the Gazette, Mr. Page left the firm, and Whitcomb carried on the paper till December following, when he sold a half interest to Beniah Cooke, then principal of the academy. The firm of Whitcomb & Cooke continued as publishers till March, 1832, when Whitcomb disposed of his remaining in- terest to Cooke, but continued to edit the Gazette till Septem- ber following, when he left town and the paper was edited for three months by Nathaniel Wood, Esq. Whitcomb's last issues were decidedly outspoken in opposition to the princi- ples and policy of the Jackson administration. During the political campaign of 1832 the Gazette, under Mr. Wood's
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