USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Genealogical history of the town of Reading, Mass., including the present towns of Wakefield, Reading, and North Reading, with chronological and historical sketches, from 1639 to 1874 > Part 46
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Rev. Stillman Pratt, son of Benjamin, graduate of Amherst, 1831, studied theology, and graduated at Andover. First settled at Orleans, where he remained four and a half years, and preached at Eastham six months. He then removed to South Adams, Mass., and after doing missionary work several years, succeeded in establishing a church, of which he became pastor. After nine years of labor at Adams, he re- moved to Melrose, laboring among the people, holding meetings in the depot, and formed a church there, over which he was settled about three years, and which, like that at Adams, still continues to flourish. He removed to Carver, and was pastor three years. He published the " Mother's Assistant" two years, and the "Middleborough Gazette " from that time to his death, Sept. 1, 1862, at the age of 53 years. He was the author of four volumes published by the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, a life of Gen. Fremont, two editions of Sabbath School Questions, and a biographical catalogue of the class of 1831, Amherst College, and a genealogy of the Pratt family. Under his ministrations seventy-one were added to the church in Orleans, fifty at South Adams, twenty-five at Melrose, fifteen at Carver. His son, Stillman B. Pratt, is the present editor and proprietor of the Randolph, Mass., " Register," and of the " American Workman," 37 Cornhill, Boston, and was the candidate of the Labor Reform Party for Secretary of State in 1869. Another son, Ransom D., is connected with the Mass. Bureau of Sta- tistics. A third son, Thomas S., was former editor of the " Abington Standard."
Horace P. Wakefield, son of Dea. Caleb, Amherst, 1832, practising physician at Oakham, Mass., for several years, where he held the office of selectman and town clerk, and was twice elected as Representative to the Legislature. Returning to Reading, he was elected Senator for this district, in 1862, and served one year, and also as school commit- tee and town clerk for several years, and justice of the peace. He then was appointed as inspector of the almshouse at Tewksbury, and afterward physician there. Subsequently he was transferred to the superintendency of the State almshouse at Monson, which he still retains.
Rev. William Wakefield, son of William, graduated at Amherst, 1839,
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taught the South Reading Academy one year ; Codman School, Dor- chester, about two years ; graduated at Andover, 1845 ; went as Home Missionary to McConnelsville, Ohio, remaining there six years ; preached at Madison, Ohio, three years. In April, 1855, he removed to Harmar, a village of Marietta, where he was settled as pastor for many years.
Edward Hartshorn, M. D., formerly of this town, studied medicine, settled at Berlin, has an office in Boston, and is proprietor of the well- known bitters, "Key to Health."
S. O. Richardson, M. D., son of Dr. Nathan, of this town, resided in Wakefield, and was widely known for his " Sherry Wine Bitters."
It may not be inappropriate to quote here a remark of Dr. H. P. Wakefield, while physician at the State almshouse, in his address at the celebration in honor of the change of the name of South Reading to Wakefield. Referring playfully to Dr. Richardson, he said, " he, Dr. Richardson, engaged in the sale of bitters and became wealthy." " I," said Dr. W., "peddled pills and have got into the almshouse."
Jared Reed, son of Rev. Jared, formerly pastor of the Old South Church, in this town, graduated at Yale, 1846 ; resides at Stockbridge, Mass., where he is engaged in teaching.
John S. Wallis, Yale, 1832 ; studied law ; is now a farmer at Bolton, Mass.
William F. Wallis, brother of John S., studied at Yale, but died probably before graduating.
Rev. Pliny F. Sanborn, son of Rev. Peter Sanborn, Amherst, class of 1840. Settled for some years at West Bloomfield, N. Y., now at Springfield, same State.
Rev. George E. Sanborn, brother of Pliny F., Amherst, 1843. Preached at Georgia, Vt., Mt. Vernon, N. H., Northboro', Mass. ; and is now superintendent of the orphan asylum, at Hartford, Conn.
Joseph C. Sanborn, M. D., of the same family, though not a college graduate, is a physician in Boston.
George W. Symonds, son of Obed, not a college graduate ; studied medicine ; formerly was in practice at Lancaster, now at Clinton.
Daniel Temple, son of Charles ; not a graduate ; is a dentist. Has resided in the Southern States ; he first went there as an agent of Dr. Morton, and engaged in introducing ether as an anasthetic in surgical operations.
Stillman E. Parker, Esq., entered Amherst College, 1841. After studying about two years, was obliged to leave on account of ill health ; is now engaged in the manufacture and sale of shoes ; has served on
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the school committee in this town longer than any other man, except- ing Mr. John Batchelder. He was a member of the House of Repre- sentatives in 1859, and holds a commission as justice of the peace. His son, Edward H., spent one year in the State Agricultural College at Amherst.
Alfred A. Prescott was a member of the class of 1843, Harvard College ; began the practice of law in 1845 ; was register of probate about six years, 1852-8. Has always been a resident of Reading, having an office here.
Rev. Thomas M. Symonds, son of Eben D., graduate of Waterville College, Me., 1847 ; Newton Theological Seminary, 1850 ; was never settled as a pastor ; labored under the directions of the Home Mis- sionary Society with a good degree of success, at Green Bay, Wis., where he died July 5, 1852, at the age of 31.
William L. Peabody, son of Enoch ; Dartmouth, 1856 ; studied law, practised several years at Lynn, and is now established in his profes- sion at Omaha, Neb. In 1873 he was elected judge of probate.
Benjamin M. Hartshorn, son of Benjamin, graduated at the Har- vard Law School, and opened an office in this town. He was chosen for three years as one of the general school committee, and in 1867 was elected chairman of the board of selectmen. He died the same year, aged 27.
John M. Bancroft, son of Joseph ; Dartmouth, class of 1859 ; went west as civil engineer till the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted as a private in the Second Michigan Infantry ; was in sixteen battles ; served three years, and attained the rank of captain ; he was then offered the colonelcy of a regiment of cavalry, which he declined on account of health ; removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., and was engaged for a year or two in laying out the public park there ; he is now employed by ten New York insurance companies, as surveyor, which gives him employ- ment in different parts of the country, with his principal office in New York.
E. Bentley Young, son of Edward ; graduated at Dartmouth, 1862 ; sub-master in Brimmer School, Boston.
Wm. Wallace Davis, nearly two years a student at Dartmouth ; left the college and enlisted as a soldier in August, 1862 ; he received a bullet wound in his right wrist at the battle of Gettysburg, on account of which he was discharged from the service; enlisting again in December, 1863, in the 59th regiment, he was promoted to first lieuten- ant the next year ; he lost his left arm in the battle of Petersburg, July 30, 1864, and again received an honorable discharge Nov. 29,
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1864. He was a bookkeeper in Boston several years, but has now resumed his profession as land surveyor and civil engineer.
Solon Bancroft, son of Emery, graduated at Dartmouth, 1864, studied law, and is now in practice ; has an office here, and also in Boston. He was for some time employed in teaching in one of the city schools.
Gilman L. Parker ; Dartmouth, 1868 ; is now in business with T. T. Briggs, in Boston.
Walter S. Parker, son of Henry F .; Dartmouth, 1868; taught school in Bradford, Sherborne, and at the Farm School, Thompson's Island. Is now sub-master of the Dwight School, in Boston.
Thomas Appleton went through the regular course of study in the high school, and entered the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N. Y., where he graduated in the class of 1868, with the degree of civil engineer. He has been employed on various railroads, and was engaged for two years on the Boston and Maine extension.
Rev. Wm. Wakefield now preaches at La Harpe, Ill.
Sydney P. Pratt, Harvard College, class of 1873 ; is now a member of Boston Law School.
Howard A. Hanaford, Tufts College, class of 1873.
Those now pursuing courses of study : -
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.
Herbert Barrows, class of 1874.
George H. Barrus, 66
Walter B. Barrows, 1876.
E. Harley Gowing, 1877.
Arthur W. Temple,
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WORCESTER FREE INSTITUTE.
Frank E. Appleton, class of 1874.
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CHAPTER XII
MISCELLANEOUS.
- TOPOGRAPHY, MANUFACTURES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, LIBRARIES, POPULA- TION, VALUATION, ETC.
IT was said by the ancient Woburn historian, Johnson, in writing of Reading in 1651, that " Reading hath her habitation in the very centre of the country," meaning, we presume, that its location was in the centre of that portion of New England which was then settled. And now after the lapse of more than two centuries, the territory of old Reading, including the present towns of Wakefield, Reading, and North Reading, is still the centre of a periphery not less considerable and important ; for within a radius of fifteen miles of its central point, are no less than eight flourishing cities, viz. Boston, Salem Lynn, Chelsea, Charlestown, Cambridge, Lowell, and Lawrence, containing a popula- tion of more than 350,000 ; with many large towns within the same circle.
. This territory of the Readings contains about thirty square miles, or about 18,000 acres ; of which Wakefield contains 4,568 acres, and its central village is in latitude 42° 30' 26" N., and in longitude 71º 4' 42 W., and is ten miles from Boston.
Reading contains 5,941 acres, and its central village is in latitude 42° 32' N., and in longitude 71° 6' W., and is twelve miles from Boston.
North Reading contains 7,649 acres, and its central village is in latitude 42° 34' 31" N., and in longitude 71º 5' W., and is fifteen miles from Boston. The whole territory is bounded northerly by An dover, easterly by Middleton, Lynnfield, and Saugus, southerly by Sau- gus, Melrose, and Stoneham, and westerly by Stoneham, Woburn, and Wilmington. The central village of Wakefield is two and one half miles southeast from that of Reading ; the central village of North Reading is three miles northeast from that of Reading, and five miles north of that of Wakefield. The entire territory is agreeably diversified with hill and plain, woodland and meadow, lake and river. There are no lofty eminences. Its soil is generally fertile and productive. There
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is a fair share of water scenery. Ipswich River, taking its rise in the meadows of Wilmington and in Haggett's Pond, in the northwesterly part of North Reading, forms the boundary line between the westerly portions of Reading and North Reading, and then runs through the central part of North Reading, and passing through the town of Mid- dleton empties into Ipswich Bay. Quannapowitt Lake, in Wakefield, contains four hundred acres, and Crystal Lake, also in Wakefield, con- tains one hundred acres. Saugus River, composed of two streams that flow from the two lakes in Wakefield, and which unite near the eastern boundary of Wakefield, runs through the town of Saugus and empties its waters into Lynn Harbor. These rivers, lakes, and ponds afford considerable water for mills and factories, furnish much romantic scenery and many fine building sites.
WAKEFIELD.
The town of Wakefield is mainly a place of manufactures and trade, but includes many pleasant fields, gardens, and orchards. Its principal manufactures are those of boots and shoes, rattan goods, iron castings, medicines, razor straps, shoe tools, etc. The boot and shoe business, mainly ladies' shoes, has long been an important branch of industry in the place. As long ago as 1677, the town assigned to Jonas Eaton " the privilege of wood and herbage on a tract of land, on condition that he remained in town, and followed the trade of a shoemaker." He remained, and many of his descendants and successors, from that year to this, have exercised that honorable handicraft. The manner of carrying on this branch of industry has greatly changed within the last few years. Formerly nearly every shoemaker was his own "Boss"; that is, "he worked his own stock "; he cut, his wife and daughters bound, and his sons and apprentices, with sometimes a few journey- men, finished up the work. His principal market was Boston, to which place, sometimes in saddle-bags and on horseback, 'and some- times in a shoe cart, he transported and peddled from store to store his goods.
The introduction into this manufacture of labor-saving machinery, a full supply of which is too expensive for small operations, together with the greatly increased demand from a widely extended market, for boots and shoes, has thrown their manufacture into large establishments, so that while the amount of goods manufactured has increased, the num- ber of those who carry on the business, has diminished.
The value of boots and shoes now (1868) annually manufactured town exceeds $400,000. The number of shoe factories averages abou
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twelve. Until within some forty or fifty years the journeymen shoe- makers received their pay for their labor largely by way of barter, -in groceries and other articles at their employers' own prices. Much credit is due to Hon. Thomas Emerson, Col. James Hartshorn, Col. Lemuel Sweetser, and others, who, some fifty years ago, introduced a system of entire cash payments for labor, much to the advantage of the employees, - a system which still continues.
About the year 1822, Dr. Nathan Richardson removed from Read- ing, where he had long been a successful practitioner, and settled in Wakefield. Dr. R. had been accustomed to prepare sundry articles of medicine, especially sherry wine bitters, which had become justly cele- brated for their excellent medical and health-giving properties. After his removal to Wakefield, in connection with his son, Dr. Solon O. Richardson, and subsequently by the son alone, the preparation of these medicines was improved, systematized, and their sale widely extended, and the fame thereof spread the country over ; the business in 1868 amounting, it is said, to $100,000 annually.
RAZOR STRAPS. - The manufacture of the celebrated "Emerson Razor Straps " was commenced in Wakefield more than fifty years ago. Charles Emerson, the original inventor and manufacturer, was a native of Wakefield, and a resident here, when the first strap was made. He subsequently removed to Charlestown, where he and his successors continued the business ; but razor straps, similar to Emerson's and not inferior to them in excellence and beauty, are still made in Wakefield by the Messrs. Atwell, to the amount of $25,000 annually;
SHOE TOOLS, especially awls, of an improved kind, were manufac- tured in Wakefield, by Thomas Woodward, Senior, as early as 1810, perhaps earlier. It is believed that he was the first American manufac- turer of such articles, and his tools, particularly his awls, being far better and more finely finished than those imported from England, soon came into general use. His grandson, James F. Woodward, still continues the business in Wakefield, and on a much larger scale than his ancestor, and now manufactures some $25,000 worth annually.
RATTAN WORKS.
The rattan works of the late lamented Cyrus Wakefield, Esq., in' their present magnitude and completeness, are a marvel of patient energy and perseverance. From the smallest beginning, under the greatest difficulties, they have grown to the most entire and perfect success. They are located on Water Street, and occupy the mill priv-
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ilege and homestead known in the early history of the town as "Green's Mill."
At the time of the purchase by Mr. Wakefield of this property, in 1855,
RATTAN WORKS.
RUSSELL-RICHARDSON-SG
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
it consisted of two mill ponds, one on each side of the road, and a few small buildings, which had been used for various manufacturing pur- poses, together with the old "Green " dwelling-house. The premises
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RATTAN WORKS.
BEMALLL
RUSSELL-RICHARDSON-SO
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GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
were first occupied by Mr. Wakefield for the manufacture of rattan into skirt-reeds and baskets. When its use for skirts was superseded by steel, his attention was given to the production of cane for chair- seating by hand labor. The experiment of this process was not bril- liant, and Mr. Wakefield soon saw that the whole enterprise would end in failure, unless some arrangement could be made to use machinery. This, with his accustomed energy, he set himself about, and finally succeeded. From this time his course was onward, and soon the cane manufactured at these works was in demand all over the United States.
The different processes of manufacture may be briefly described as follows: The raw material, as it is imported, is of all sizes, and must be first assorted; it is then straightened, washed in huge revolving boxes, and scraped, by which it is brought nearly to a uniform size in its whole length. The next step is peculiar : each separate stick of rattan being passed through a machine which divides the outside sur- face into five, six, seven, or eight strands, as the case may be, and leav- ing a smooth, round centre, the length of the original stick. This is called the pith, and is used for baskets, etc. etc. The strands are then shaved smoothly and tied in bunches containing one thousand run- ning feet, bleached, put up in bundles of one hundred bunches, and the finished chair cane is ready for the market. The shavings, which have been referred to, are utilized by being spun into a coarse yarn, then woven into carpeting and mats, braided for open mats, etc. etc. In 1863, the number of hands employed was about two hundred. This number gradually increased, until in 1873 it exceeded one thousand. The pres- ent works consist of one brick machine shop, 158 x 60, of four stories, eight large workshops and store-houses, and a number of smaller buildings, and occupy ground to the extent of about four acres. The power required to run the immense machinery contained in the buildings is furnished chiefly by two magnificent steam-engines of two hundred and fifty horse-power each. This sketch would not be complete with- out mention of the names of Mr. Amos W. Chapman, the present superintendent ; Mr. Chas. W. Trow, master mechanic, and inventor of much improved machinery ; and Mr. William Houston, foreman of the mat and carpet department, whose ingenuity and untiring perse. verance has brought this branch of the business to its present state of perfectness. Many others are also worthy of honorable mention, but the length which this sketch has already reached, forbids further extension.
SCHEDULE OF GOODS MANUFACTURED. - Seating cane for chairs ;
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matting, many varieties ; mats of all kinds ; baskets of all kinds ; chairs for ladies, gentlemen, and children ; cradles, cribs, tete-a-tetes, sofas, baby carriages, window shades, brooms, brushes, table mats, wall screens, fire screens, wall pockets, slipper holders, clothes beaters, etc. etc. ; rattan used in the manufacture of whips, umbrellas, corsets, saddles, etc. etc.
THE BOSTON AND MAINE FOUNDRY.
Near the centre of our town, and close beside the track of the Boston and Maine Railroad, stand several brown and dingy buildings, of vari- ous shapes and sizes, surrounded by dust and smoke, and to which, in the morning, numbers of stalwart men may be seen wending their way. The stranger passing in the cars is told that this is the Boston and Maine Foundry, but of the extent of the business carried on here, the classes of goods manufactured, and the various new and improved processes employed, even most of our own residents are ignorant.
Like many other important enterprises, this foundry had its com- mencement in a comparatively small business, but its growth has been rapid and continuous. Previous to the year 1854, stoves and other articles of iron for household use were made of imperfect and ancient patterns, and needlessly large and heavy. During the early part of that year, Mr. A. J. Blanchard, residing at South Reading, having dis- solved his connection with Messrs. Hartshorn & Ames, iron founders at Nashua, N. H., conceived the plan of erecting an iron foundry on the line of the Boston and Maine Railroad, in what was then a part of Stoneham, and producing iron goods of improved patterns and con- struction. He selected a piece of land belonging to Mr. Cyrus Wake_ field, and which, although thickly covered with oak, he considered well suited to his purpose. Consulting with Messrs. Charles Tarbell, Wil- liam Stewart, and J. F. Dane, with whom Mr. Blanchard soon after became associated in partnership, it was determined to purchase this site, if possible, and proceed to the erection of buildings suitable for the business. On conferring with Mr. Wakefield, who was then, as well as since, well known and respected for his liberality and public spirit, the project immediately met his hearty co-operation.
Work was commenced in clearing the land, building material was collected, and early in the fall of 1854, the corner-stone of the original buildings was laid by Mr. Blanchard, and the work vigorously pushed forward by Messrs. Blanchard, Tarbell, Stewart, and Dane, under the firm name of Blanchard, Tarbell & Co., with a capital of $20,000.
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The buildings originally erected were, - Ist, a moulding room 150 feet in length, 60 feet wide, and one story high, with arched roof, large windows, and well ventilated, and which is still standing; 2d, a build-
FOUNDRY BUILDINGS.
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ing 65 feet long, 56 feet wide, and two stories high, connected with the former, and which was used for a store-house and mounting room. This has since been rebuilt and greatly enlarged.
Within the space of four months, the first productions of the new firm were placed on the market, and they gave employment to about fifty men. The amount of the first year's business was such that larger capital was required to make those additions and improvements that would enable them to supply the demand for their goods. Over- tures having been received from parties to invest in the enterprise, it was finally determined to form a stock company, which was organized Feb. 4, 1856, under the present style of the " Boston & Maine Foundry Co." This company consisted of the members of the old firm of Blanchard, Tarbell & Co., with the addition of Messrs. Sewall G. Mack, Cyrus Wakefield, and others. Sewall G. Mack was elected president ; T. C. Whittemore, secretary ; and A. J. Blanchard, agent and busi- ness manager. The capital stock was increased to $30,000, and the real estate, stock, and good-will of the firm of Blanchard, Tarbell & Co. were purchased by the company.
The tract of land which was deeded to the company by Mr. Wake- field March 15, 1855, comprised about 65,000 square feet.
The business of the company steadily increased each year under the skilful management of Mr. Blanchard, aided in "hard times" by the calm and far-seeing advice of Mr. Wakefield, and the clear and able judgment of Mr. Mack, until June 29, 1866, when a serious fire checked the business, and involved the company in heavy loss. The most un- tiring and vigorous efforts of the employees, firemen, and citizens only sufficed to save the moulding room, the rest of the buildings being totally destroyed. This loss was the more disastrous because occurring at a time when the company had on hand a large stock of manufac- tured goods and raw material. Five hundred tons of castings were melted or broken by the fall of the building, and a large quantity of wood patterns was destroyed. The loss by the fire was $80,000, 4 with $50,000 insurance.
The company immediately commenced clearing away the ruins, and in a short time the present building, 125 feet long, 56 feet wide, and 4 1-2 stories high, occupied the site of the one destroyed. Many al- terations and improvements were adopted in the new building, and new and improved machinery introduced, as suggested by the long experi- ence of Mr. Blanchard, so that at the commencement of 1867 the foundry and its connections were the most complete and convenient of any in New England.
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The loss having amounted to the sum total of the original capital, it became necessary either to increase the capital stock or to meet the cost of these improvements from the profits of the business. The for- mer being considered the safest and most convenient plan, $60,000 was added, making the capital stock $90,000, and with these improved facilities the business was correspondingly increased.
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