USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Fitchburg > Fitchburg, Massachusetts, past and present > Part 3
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
JOHN PARKIIILL, was born near Glasgow, in Scotland ; he came to this country and located in the city of Provi- dence, R. I., in 1848, where he remained for three years. From Providence he removed to Adams and afterwards to North Adams and was actively connected with the manufacturing of cotton goods in these two places for more than twenty-five years. He came to Fitchburg in 1879 and in ISSo established the successful gingham industry which bears his name and of which corporation he is president.
JAMES F. D. GARFIELD, is a native of Langdon, N. H., where he was born Aug. 14, 1828. He came to Fitchburg at the age of seventeen and from that time till twenty-one worked at printing in the office of the Fitchburg Sentinel- attending school at intervals at the Fitchburg Academy and at Lawrence Academy, Groton. The next three years were divided between school at Leicester Academy and working at his trade in Worcester.
In September, 1852. he returned to Fitchburg, bought one-half interest in the Fitchburg Sentinel office, and con- tinued the publication of that paper in company with his brother Elisha Garfield, till October, 1860, when he sold out, his brother, the senior partner, taking the entire business. After an interval of one or two years, which was passed in Boston and in Pawtucket, R. I., Mr. Garfield in April, 1864, entered into partnership with John P. Sabin, for the purpose
Frank A. Wood.
David M. Dillon.
John Parkhill.
James F. D. Garfield.
Henry M. Choate.
Horace M. Kendall
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
41
CITY GOVERNMENT.
of carrying on the coal business. At the end of one year William O. Brown succeeded Mr. Sabin and in April, 1866, George N. Proctor purchased Mr. Brown's interest. From that time to the present the firm has continued under the name of Garfield and Proctor, doing business at the old stand, No. 23 Water street. At the municipal election in 1881, Mr. Garfield was elected a member of the school com- mittee of Fitchburg for three years and in 1884 received a re- election for the same length of time.
At the city election in December, 1885, he was chosen alderman from Ward 4, and the following year was re- elected to the same office, during the latter term serving as president of the board. In November, 1886, he was chosen to represent the city of Fitchburg in the general court for the session of 1887, his associate being Joseph S. Wilson.
HENRY M. CHOATE, was born in Jamaica, Vt., Nov. 17, 1836. Spent his early life on a farm, until the spring of 1858, when he removed to Baltimore, Md. He was there salesman in a wholesale bakery for one and a half years. In September, 1859, he came to Fitchburg and engaged in the grocery business with his brother until May, 1882, when poor health compelled him to abandon the business, and he has engaged in no special occupation since that time. Served on the common council two years, 1881 and 1882.
HORACE M. KENDALL, was born in Dunstable, Mass., June 6, 1848. His boyhood days were spent at home on the farm. In October, 1867, he went to Manchester, N. H., to learn the machinist's trade at the Manchester Locomotive Works and worked there four years. In November, 1871, moved to Fitchburg and was in the employ of the Fitchburg Machine Works from that time until April, ISS5. He is at present employed at the Simonds Rolling Machine Com- pany's works; was a member of the common council of Fitchburg three years, 1882-83 and 1884.
42
FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
The city clerk is the official clerk of the board of alder- men. There have been but two city clerks since the incorporation of the city, the veteran town and City Clerk Henry Jackson, who served the town nearly six years and the city until January, 1887, and his successor, now in office.
CITY CLERK.
WALTER A. DAVIS, the present city clerk, is a native of Fitchburg, the only son of ex-Mayor Alonzo Davis. He fitted for college at the high school and entered Williams in 1865, graduating four years later. He was afterwards for several years associated with his father in the chair business. From 1880 to 1887, he was in the employ of the Fitchburg Railroad Company, as freight clerk, night clerk and ticket clerk. His education and experience in transacting business with all classes of people have admirably fitted him for the office he holds.
COMMON COUNCIL.
MICHAEL D. CRIMMINS, was born June 5, 1847, in Ire- land, came to America and located in Orange, Mass., in 1860, moved to Fitchburg in 1867, is an iron moulder by trade and employed by Heywood, Wilson & Co.
FREDERIC RYAN, was born in Westminster, Mass., 1855 ; at the age of five years came to Fitchburg and has resided here since ; is a carpenter by trade.
JOSEPH A. FULLER, was born Sept. 14, 1841, in what was then the town of Cumberland, R. I., now Woonsocket. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in the Ist R. I. Cavalry, Troop C, served during the war, was slightly wounded twice-a buck shot scalp wound and a sabre cut. Since returning from the service he has travelled over the United States, Canada and Chili, South America, setting up woolen machinery. He came to Fitchburg in 1881, and has since been in the employ of the Putnam Machine Company.
43
CITY GOVERNMENT.
GEORGE S. COGGSWELL, was born July 12, 1857, at Pascoag, R. I., afterwards resided in Westerly, R. I .. five years, moving to West Fitchburg about 1873, is overseer of the weaving department of the Fitchburg Worsted Company, West Fitchburg.
JAMES HANNA, was born Nov. 25, 1858, in West Fitch- burg and with the exception of eleven years in New York state has lived here since. He was for a long time over- seer of spinning at the Fitchburg Woolen Company's mills, but since the woolen business was discontinued has engaged in the coal business with Edward McElroy, under the firm name of McElroy & Hanna.
FRANCIS A. McCAULIFF, was born January, 1848. is a native of the Province of Quebec and came to Vermont in 1867. He has resided in Fitchburg about seventeen years, most of the time engaged in the granite business.
WILLIAM H. GOODWIN, was born in Sterling, Jan. 2, 1827. As a contractor and builder has since resided in various places, Fitchburg, Bolton, Clinton and Worcester, returning to Fitchburg in 1851. Since which time he has probably built five hundred houses and public buildings in this city, besides rebuilding nearly every dam on the Nashua within the city limits. Is the present Inspector of Buildings. .
BENJAMIN G. BAGLEY, was born in Clinton, Maine, Feb. 16, 1845, removed from that place to Waltham and afterwards to Fitchburg, where he has resided for the past ten years. Is a carpenter by trade and a member of E. V. Sumner Post 19, G. A. R., having served in Co. F, Unat- tached Maine Infantry, during the war.
HENRY F. ROCKWELL (President), was born in Fitch- burg in 1849, and received his education in the public schools of his native town. In 1864 he went to Boston as an appren- tice in the Pharmacy of S. H. Woods, 51 Tremont street, and from that time has made the drug business his occupa- tion. He returned to Fitchburg in 1877 and engaged in business at 401 Main street, where he is still located.
44
FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
WILLARD DENNIS, a native of Barre, Mass., was born March 30, 1825, removed to Fitchburg and was engaged in manufacturing and mercantile business here for the past thirty years, although he was a printer by trade. He was a member of the firm of George Robbins & Co. He died Oct. 9, 1887.
JOSEPH C. MOULTON, was born in Sandwich, N. H., Jan. 1, 1824. Left home at 21 years of age, came to Massa- chusetts in 1848, and three years later became a resident of Fitchburg, engaging in the daguerreotype business, out of which has grown his present extensive photograph business ; was chosen the first president of the Y. M. C. A., serving three years and declining a re-election ; superintendent of the Rollstone Sunday School for thirteen years.
WILLIAM EDWARDS, is a native of Wales where he was born Dec. 3, 1846: came to New York in 1868; to Fitch- burg in 1870 to engage in the business of slate roofing. This is his third year on the common council.
ALVIN E. BATTLES, a native of Fitchburg, was born June 28, 1837, has since resided in Fitchburg, with the ex- ception of a few years in Millbury, Mass., and Manchester, N. H. Is a moulder by trade ; has been connected with the Fitchburg fire department for a number of years.
CHARLES P. WASHBURN, was born in Middleboro, Mass., Dec. 11, 1856, with the exception of a short resi- dence in Boston, lived there until ISSI, when he engaged in business and removed to Fitchburg ; is at present associated with F. F. Woodward in the firm of Washburn & Woodward, grain dealers.
CLARENTINE E. FERSON, was born May 19, 1845, in Francestown, N. H. His parents went to Lowell, Mass., when in his infancy ; lived there until he was thirty years of age, with the exception of three years' service in the Union Army and one year in the western country. In 1875 he went to Greenville, N. H., where he resided four years, then came to Fitchburg, in October, 1879, and has lived here since.
45
CITY GOVERNMENT.
His military service was in Co. L, Ist Regiment Massachu- setts Artillery, enlisting as a private at sixteen years of age, and was sergeant at the end of his term of service.
THOMAS H. DOHERTY, was born in Lowell, Mass., Oct. 26, 1853 ; has resided in Fitchburg since 1863 ; is in the em- ploy of Alderman F. A. Wood, in the provision business, on Water street.
MICHAEL WHALON, was born August, 1839, in Dayville, Conn. He came to Fitchburg at the age of seven and has lived here since ; is an iron moulder by trade.
JAMES H. MCCARTY, is a native of Fitchburg, was born, July 18, 1862, is engaged in the provision business at the cor- ner of Water and First streets, where he has always resided ; has represented his ward in the common council three years, and was the youngest man ever elected councilman in this city.
CLERK OF COMMON COUNCIL.
JOHN E. KELLOGG, clerk of the common council, was born at Amherst, Mass., July 2. 1845 : graduated at Willis- ton Seminary, Easthampton, in 65, and Amherst College in '69 ; since been engaged in journalism-two years on Spring- field Republican, two years with New York Associated Press, a few months with the Taunton Gazette, and since 1873 with the Fitchburg Sentinel. He has been clerk of the common council since May, ISSO, and a member of the school committee since January, 1887.
CITY AUDITOR.
HENRY JACKSON, city auditor, is a native of Leominster, Mass. When five years old he removed to Fitchburg where he has since resided most of the time. He attended the academy at Framingham and Fitchburg, has been employed as bookkeeper in various positions in this city. Aug. 25, 1866, was elected town clerk, acting as town and city clerk until January, 1887; clerk for the board of selectmen to
46
FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
January, 1873 ; water register from 1872 to 1885 ; librarian of the public library from September 1866 to January 1873 ; member of the auditing committee from 1867 to 1873 and city auditor from 1873 to the present time.
CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
HENRY A. WILLIS, was born in Fitchburg, Nov. 26, 1830 ; has lived here the most of his life, engaged in banking, and is now president of the Rollstone National Bank. He was president of the first common council in 1873, elected city treasurer and tax collector for 1874 and annually since ; has been a trustee of the public library for about twenty years ; was a member of the legislature in 1866. He is or has been. connected with various Fitchburg corporations in official ca- pacity. Ebenezer Torrey, who was treasurer and tax col- lector the first year, 1873, had served the town in the same capacity for many years.
CITY SOLICITOR.
EDWARD E. PIERCE, was born in Templeton, Mass., Dec. 28, 1852; came to Fitchburg about 1860; graduated at the high school in 1873; entered Harvard University in 1873 : graduated at the law school, Harvard University, in 1877, with the degree of L. L. B. ; is a member of the law firm of Pierce & Stiles. The following named lawyers have filled the office of city solicitor : George A. Torrey, 1873 ; David H. Merriam, 1874-75-76; Harris C. Hartwell from 1877 to 1886.
CITY PHYSICIAN.
JOHN D. KIELTY, was born in Fitchburg, June 17, 1858, educated in our public schools and at the Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, Mass. ; graduated from the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, Boston, May 24, 1883, and from the
Henry A. Willis.
Henry Jackson.
Walter A. Davis.
C. H. D. Stockbridge.
John D. Kielty.
Edward P. Pierce
47
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Bellevue Hospital Medical College, city of New York, Mar. 13, 1884 ; was appointed city physician January, 1887.
The past city physicians are Charles H. Rice, 1873-74- 75 ; Alfred O. Hitchcock, 1876; F. H. Thompson, 1877 ; E. P. Miller, 1878: D. Sidney Woodworth, 1879-80-81 ; Alfred O. Hitchcock, 1882-83 ; E. P. Miller, 1884 ; D. Sid- ney Woodworth, 1885-86.
DEPARTMENTS.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
There are few cities in the United States where there is greater safety to life and property than in Fitchburg. The pleasantest relations exist between the different departments of the city government, and as a consequence, they work to- gether for the public welfare. The city has been remarkably free from crimes of a serious nature, and few disastrous fires have occurred. We have, moreover, been singularly blessed in this age of labor agitation, by freedom from labor troubles and strikes, with all their attendant miseries, showing evi- dent consideration on the part of employers and a reasonable and contented spirit on the part of the employed.
The police force of Fitchburg is not large as compared with the size of its population. The force at present consists of a chief, captain, sergeant and thirteen patrolmen. It is in an excellent state of discipline and a credit to the city.
The small number of arrests for drunkenness, disturbance of the peace and other misdemeanors, usually committed in public places, is something remarkable when we consider the rapid growth of business and population in our city. This happy state of things is due in part to the faithful perform- ance of duty by the officers of this department and in part by the law abiding character of our citizens.
The officers in their endeavors to suppress the sale of in- toxicating liquor have had the support and encouragement of the city government, and a pronounced temperance senti- ment on the part of the people, a decisive majority of our
48
FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
citizens having voted that no licenses for the sale of intoxicat- ing liquors shall be granted in our city and elected a mayor and aldermen in harmony with this vote.
The officers and members of the police department are appointed by the mayor and aldermen in January, and are for the present year: Charles H. D. Stockbridge, chief ; Russell O. Houghton, captain ; Thomas Connor, sergeant ; and Patrolmen W. H. Shattuck, Benjamin A. Young, John Flannagan, Joseph T. Battles, Joseph Shepard, Charles II. May, Frederick E. Raitt, Michael M. Connor, Milan G. Twichell, Ephraim E. Farrar, James F. Roy, Charles A. Kendall, Ira F. Legrow.
CHARLES H. D. STOCKBRIDGE, the present chief of po- lice, was appointed in January, 1886. He is a native of Dix- field, Me., but came to Massachusetts when quite young and was in the employ of the Waltham Watch Company until 1885, when he was appointed chief of the Waltham police by Mayor Johnson. Just before the close of the war, when only fifteen years old, he enlisted in the 42d Massachusetts Regi- ment, but owing to the close of the war the regiment was not called into active service. He was connected with the mili- tary for eight years after the war, and at one time was captain of Company F, 5th Regiment, M. V. M.
Those who have served as chief of police previous to 1886 are R. O. Houghton, 1873-74 ; A. P. Kimball, 1875; William Gilchrist, 1882; Aaron F. Whitney, 1876-77-78- -79-80-81-83-84-85.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department is efficiently organized and is always kept in good working condition, ready for instant and zealous service. It is managed by a board of engineers who have charge of a good set of new and modern equipments, consist- ing of three steam fire engines, one hook and ladder com- pany, also hook and ladder truck manned by West Fitchburg hose company, and four hose companies, with three hose car- riages in reserve.
49
CITY GOVERNMENT.
The board of engineers are chosen in November by the city council in convention and are as follows: D. W. Tinsley, chief: G. H. Kendall, Ist assistant ; B. Parkhurst, 2d assistant ; J. N. Whiting, 3d assistant; G. E. Wellington, 4th assistant. J. W. Rand, superintendent fire alarm tele- graph.
Steamer Wachusett No. I-is located at 28 Oliver street.
Steamer Rollstone No. 2-is located at 28 Oliver street. Engineer, W. H. Dow ; fireman, Charles T. Cook.
Steamer Wanoosnoc No. 3-is located at 108 Wachusett street, West Fitchburg. Engineer, Thomas May.
Franklin Hook and Ladder Co. No. I-is located at 30 Oliver street. Foreman, George Jefts : clerk, J. W. Fogarty : driver, H. H. Beard ; thirteen men.
Rollstone Hose Co. No. I-is located at Steamer House, 28 Oliver street. Foreman, F. C. Foster : clerk, J. T. Ken- dall : driver, S. Poland ; thirteen men.
Wanoosnoc Hose Co. No. 2-is located in No. 3 Steamer House, 108 Wachusett street, West Fitchburg. Foreman, Calvin Beer : clerk, George Pethybridge: driver, W. W. Marston : thirteen men.
Mazeppa Hose Co. No. 3-is located on Factory square. Foreman. W. A. Pearce : clerk, F. P. Burrington : ten men.
Niagara Hose Co. No. 4-is located on Day street. Foreman, T. F. Murnane : clerk, J. H. Fogarty ; ten men.
DAVID W. TINSLEY, has been at the head of the fire de- partment for the past three years. He is a native of Hing- ham, Mass., where he was born Aug. 18, 1848. At the age of 23 he came to Keene, N. H., and was there for about a year connected with the fire department as a member of Phoenix Hose Co. No. 4. He came to Fitchburg in 1872 and about a year after joined the Fitchburg Fire Depart- ment ; was a member of Hose Company No. I. until 1878 : was on the board of engineers until his election as chief of the department in 1884.
Mr. Tinsley was for nearly ten years foreman of the huim- ber, door, sash and blind manufactory of C. A. Priest. but in
4
50
FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
March of the present year, finding his health was being af- fected by too close application to business, gave up his position, and has since been regaining his health ; working a portion of the time on architectural and mechanical drawing at his residence.
Those who have served as chief of the fire department, since the incorporation of the city, are Lucius Aldrich, George H. Manchester, A. J. Green and George Reed.
Mr. Reed, in speaking of the fire department, refers with pleasure to the temper of the organization during all the time he was connected with it. He joined the department in 1848 as a member of Washingtonian Engine Co. No. 2, which was located on Day street, and in 1857 joined the only Hook and Ladder company; was on the board of engineers twelve years, the last seven of which he was chief. He served under Kilburn Harwood, John II. Wheeler, James B. Lane, A. P. Kimball, Capt. E. T. Miles and Francis Sheldon, be- fore the incorporation of the city, and under Lucius Aldrich, George H. Manchester, and A. J. Green, since. No one is better acquainted with the department or would speak more truthfully of its management, it is therefore an uncommon tribute to such an organization for their former chief to refer to his associates without a single unpleasant recollection and without the remembrance of an unkind word or act during the long time of active service.
It is hardly necessary in this connection to say there exists a sincere friendship and respect for Mr. Reed, not only with the entire department as it is at present organ- ized, but with all who have ever been associated with him, either as his superior, equal or subordinate in rank.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
Every part of the city is supplied with an excellent quality of water, abundant in quantity and furnished to the inhabi- tants at reasonable rates. The first board of water commis- sioners was appointed in 1870, the town having accepted a charter from the legislature. Full plans and estimates were
51
CITY GOVERNMENT.
presented and adopted and the works constructed in 1871-2.
The water supply was taken from Scott and Shattuck brooks, tributaries of Falulah brook, with four reservoirs, Scott, Overlook, Marshall and Falulah. Water for the high service is taken from Scott and Overlook and for the low service from OVERLOOK Marshall and Falulah. The four reservoirs have a ca- pacity of about 300,000,000 gallons. Scott is 450 feet above the track of the Fitch- burg railroad, Overlook 405, Marshall 216, and Falulah 236. The mode of supply CALULLAH is by gravitation and it is gratifying to know that the supply of water for fire ser- MARSHALL vice, as well as for do- mestic use, will doubtless prove sufficient for the next ten years.
The water commissioners chosen in January, by the city council in convention, are Charles H. Brown, Thomas C. Lovell, Samuel D. Sheldon. Superintend- ent of water works, Thomas C. Lovell ; water registrar, A. W. F. Brown.
CITY ENGINEER AND SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS.
THOMAS C. LOVELL, is a native of West Boylston, born March 21, 1846; spent his early life in his native town : studied civil engineering with Phineas Ball of Worcester :
52
FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
came to Fitchburg in 1869 and opened an office as civil en- gineer : was elected superintendent of water works in 1875, as water commissioner in 1879, and city engineer in 1880, which position he still holds.
There have been but two city engineers previous to Mr. Lovell. George Raymond in 1873-4, and Thomas C. Shel- don 1875-6-7-8-9.
WATER REGISTRAR.
A. W. F. BROWN, was born in Chelsea in 1864, April 4: lived afterwards in Greenfield, Mass., and moved to Fitchburg in 1872; was elected water registrar in Janu- ary, 1885.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
The highway department of Fitchburg has many obstacles to meet in the faithful carrying out of its work, by reason of the demand for new streets, sidewalks, etc., occasioned by the marked growth of the city. and the difficulty of making effective and permanent work on our hillside streets.
THOMAS LARKIN, JR., the present superintendent of streets is a native of Fitchburg, where he was born June 24, 1852, and has resided here since.
George W. Holman was superintendent of streets in 1873 and 1874: Joel Davis, 1875-76-77 : F. W. Aldrich, 1878- 79-80-81-82 : Abram G. Lawrence, 1883-84-85-86.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
The overseers of the poor chosen annually in January by the city council in convention are, this year the Mayor ex officio, (chairman), S. S. Holton, John J. Sheehan, Aaron F. Whitney and the president of the common council ex officio.
S. S. HOLTON, a native of Northfield, Mass., was born Nov. 16, 1818 : represented his town in the legislature one year ; removed to Montague in 1857, and came to Fitchburg
Henry F. Rockwell.
John E. Kellogg.
David W. Tinsley.
S. S. Holton.
John J, Sheehan.
Aaron F. Whitney.
53
CITY GOVERNMENT.
in March 1872 : elected an overseer of poor in 1883, and has been an assistant assessor for several years.
JOHN J. SHEEHAN, was born in Ireland. Feb. 5. 1844 : settled in Lowell. Mass., in 1848: has been a resident of Fitchburg since July, 1864 : served five years on the city gov- ernment : placed on board of overseers of poor in 1884: is a member of the civil service examining board : is a member of the firm of Sweeney & Sheehan at 238 Water street.
AARON F. WHITNEY. is a native of Westminster, and came to Fitchburg in 1852 : was superintendent of the chair manufactory of Alonzo Davis for twenty years previous to 1876. when he was appointed chief of police. in which capacity he served for nine years : one year under Mayor Blood. two under Mayor Merriam. one under Mayor Vose, two under Mayor Culley and three under Mayor Davis. after which, in 1886, he was elected by the common council to his present position on the board of overseers of the poor.
The poor farm. situated in South Fitchburg, is a model institution of its kind and a credit to the city : it is in charge of N. B. Stone, superintendent. and Mrs. E. T. Stone, matron.
Trustees of Public Library, and School Committee, are given elsewhere.
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC BURIAL GROUNDS.
M. W. Cummings, Joel Joel, Daniel B. Whittier.
ASSESSORS OF TAXES.,
David F. MeIntire, Elliot N. Choate, Charles K. Sawyer.
CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINERS.
John J. Sheehan, Francis Buttrick, Walter A. Davis.
BOARD OF REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
Leander Sprague. D. A. Corey. Z. F. Young. Walter A. Davis, clerk.
54
FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
INSPECTOR OF MILK.
C. H. D. Stockbridge.
INSPECTOR OF PETROLEUM.
Henry G. Greene.
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.