USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Topsfield > Historical manual of the Congregational Church of Topsfield, Massachusetts, 1663-1907 > Part 3
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REV. ANSON McLOUD,
Rev. Anson McLoud, was born June 22, 1813, at East Hartland, Conn., the son of Anson and Clarissa (Beaman) McLoud, and a descendant of Aurora McLoud, who imigrat- ed from Scotland during the French and Indian wars.
His special education was obtained at Yale College (1838), Union Theological Seminary and Andover Theological Sem- inary (1841) and he was ordained December 8, 1841.
His life service was given to the Congregational Church of Topsfield, Mass., which he served as pastor from December 8, 1841, to October 1, 1869.
For a long period of years he was an influential factor in
REV. ANSON MCLOUD.
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OF THE MINISTRY.
moulding public opinion on religious and civic duties and obligations. His sermons were notable for their fresh and vigorous doctrinal statements, and his announcement of a series of discourses on selected themes was sure to find a keenly-interested congregation in attendance at the tinte and place appointed for their presentation, and at the conclu- sion of the service, his words furnished the subject of wide- spread discussion.
His services to the town were diversified in character and of inestimable'value, and to him more than any other single individual are we indebted for the higli standard of our dis- trict school system, which has formed the basis of our pres- ent educational facilities. He served as a member of the school committee from 1875 to 1882, and was also a ntember of the committee appointed by the town to investigate and report upon the feasibility of establishing a town library and held membership on the board of trustees, in addition to the position of librarian from the founding of the library in 1873, until his death, February 21, 1883. He was a mem- ber of the State Legislature from this town in 1872.
Through the efforts of Rev. Alfred Porter Putnam, D. D. (a native of Danvers, Mass., for 22 years pastor of the First Unitarian Church-The Church of the Saviour-of Brook- lyn, N. Y.) the valuable library of Mr. McLoud was pur- chased by Mr. Abiel Abbot Low of Brooklyn (born in Salem, Mass., February 7, 1811, and died at Brooklyn, January 7, 1893) and offered to the town library for a Mc- Loud Department, which offer was accepted by the trustees on July 23, 1885.
December 8, 1867, marking the date of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the settlement of Mr. McLoud, to those who can recall the event, is a day filled with thoughts and feel- ings which can never be forgotten; while to the Churchman and intelligent reader, it may well stand as an estimate of the appreciation and devotion, of the qualifications and char- acter and of the life and work of the subject of this sketch.
In 1841 he was married to Jane Cornish, daughter of George and Edna (Case) Cornisli of Hartland, Conn., and she died at Boston, February 13, 1900. Their children were
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
Helen, born April 18, 1843, died March 28, 1895 ; William, born February 25, 1851, died March 23, 1856; Malcolm, born July 7, 1854, died May 23, 1907, and Norman, born August 20, 1856, died December 15, 1901. The beloved pastor and his devoted wife are buried in Pine Grove Ceme- tery, in this town.
REV. EDWARD PAYSON TENNEY, A. M.,
Was born September 29, 1835, at Concord, N. H., in the eighth generation from Thomas Tenney, immigrant, who settled in Rowley, Mass., in 1639. Lawyers, physicians, teachers and clergymen have been numerous among the des- cendants of this early settler.
Edward Payson Tenney was educated at Pembroke Acad- emy, Dartmouth College, Bangor and Andover Seminaries, and was ordained a Congregational minister in 1859. He was pastor of Congregational churches at Manchester-by -the-sea, Central City, Colorado, Braintree, Lowell and Ash- land, Massachusetts.
During the civil war he was in the service of the Christian Commission. From 1876 to 1884 he was president of Col- orado College, the foundations of whose subsequent success and influence he laid with great faith, labor and patience.
His pen was always that of a ready writer, and his literary record is not a short one. In 1858-9 lie was assistant editor of the Pacific in San Francisco; for a time he was editor of the Congregational Review; the published addresses, re- views, and other articles from his pen have been numerous; and he is the author of the following volumes: Jubilee Essays, The Silent House, Coronation, Agamenticus, The New West, Colorado and the New West, Constance of Acadia, Agatha and the Shadow, The Triumphs of the Cross, A Story of the Heavenly Camp Fires, Our Elder Brother, The Dream of my Youth. [Literary World, June 1, 1901.]
He was installed at Topsfield, December 1, 1869, and dis- missed at his own request September 10, 1870,-the shortest
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REV. EDWARD PAYSON TENNEY.
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REV. JAMES HILL FITTS.
Enlarged from a group picture taken about 1882.
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OF THE MINISTRY.
pastorate in the history of this church. A devout lover of nature, he saw much to admire in this hill-girt town; and during his short stay wrote several choice sketches describ- ing the charms of Topsfield, which he still names "a dream of rural beauty."
REV. JAMES HILL FITTS.
He was born in Candia, New Hampshire, March 3, 1829. He was the son of John and Abigail (Lane) Fitts, a descen- dant of the eighth generation from Robert Fitts, the Ameri- can ancestor of the Fitts family, who settled in Salisbury, Mass., in 1635. He was educated in the public schools of Candia, at Pembroke Academy, and at the Normal Institute of Merrimack, N. H., and at Lancaster, Mass.
For service he taught in the public schools of New Hamp- shire, Maine, Mass., and at Ashby Academy. His theological education he obtained at Bangor Seminary, 1855-8 and at Andover. He was ordained as an evangelist at Candia, Nov. 2, 1859. He held pastorates at Boxboro, 1858 to 1862; West Boylston, 1862 to 1870; Topsfield, June 22, 1871, to March 22, 1880; New Market, N. H. ( afterwards called New- fields) 1880 to 1900.
In the civil war he was engaged in the work of christian com- mission, 1863 and 1864. Served on several school boards where he was pastor; was a member of the N. H. Legisla- ture 1895, a member of N. H. Historical Society, also of the New England Historical Geneological Society, and for thir- teen years scribe of the Piscataqua Association of Congrega- tional Ministers.
The following comprise his literary service: 19 Annual school reports, Geneology of the Fitts Family in America, Commemorative services of semi-centennial anniversary of the Sabbath School West Boylston, 1870; a sketch of South Newmarket, 1882; Historical address at the rededication of the brick meeting-house West Boylston, 1890; Lane Gene- ologies, 1891.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
His motto through his ministry was, be the congregations large, or be they small, to deliver the message. The follow- ing from one of his own letters may serve as sufficient to show how he regarded his ministerial work. "I try to live day by day, doing its allotted duties. My vocation, I love it, and thank God for the privilege of telling the people of his great salvation. If I know my own heart, it is my high- est ambition to be a preacher of his word."
He was married Jan'y 1, 1862, to Mary Celina, daughter of Coffin Moore and Dolly ( Pillsbury) French of Candia, N. H. She was a sister of Rev. S. Franklin French, and of Rev. George H. French. She is a Christian lady in its highest sense, the kind that make the best of pastors wives. She en- deared herself very strongly and sweetly to the people of Topsfield during their pastorate here.
Without a moment's warning, he passed from earth-"was not, for God took him," November 22, 1900, aged 71 years, 8 months and 19 days.
REV. FRANKLIN PEEL TOMPKINS,
Was born at Philadelphia, Pa., October 4, 1843, and his educational advantages included attendance at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., and the Concord (N. H.) Biblical In- stitute.
Pastoral record: 1875-77, Crown Point, New York; 1877-81, South Abington; August 7, 1881 to March 4, 1883, Topsfield ; 1883-88, Claremont, N. H.
In 1889 he removed to Hamilton, New York, and filled numerous engagements as a pulpit supply, but subsequently accepted the tenets of the Episcopal Church, and was or- dained a Deacon at Syracuse, N. Y., in 1891, and a Priest in 1892 by Bishop Frederick Dan Huntington (the first Epis- copal Bishop of the Diocese of Central New York). During his connection with the Episcopal Church he was non-paro- chial.
He was a person of original ideas, uncommon gifts, large
REV. FRANKLIN PEEL TOMPKINS.
REV. LYNDON SMITH CRAWFORD.
1851475
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OF THE MINISTRY.
experience, and engaging personality, and his addresses were strong throughout and made deep impression upon his hearers. As a result of his indefatigable industry nearly two score of converts were received into church member- ship, here.
He was twice married, his second wife being Mrs. Helen (Smith) Taylor of New York, who survives him. He died at Carnegie, Pa., February 13, 1897.
REV. LYNDON SMITH CRAWFORD,
Was born at North Adams, Mass., March 24, 1852, the son of Rev. Robert Crawford, D. D., and Ellen Maria (Griffin) Crawford. (Dr. Crawford was born in Paisley, Scotland, November 24, 1804; was pastor of the Congrega- tional Church at North Adams 1840. 1855 ; and died at Clin- ton, Conn., October 26, 1896.)
At the age of 16 the subject of this sketch united with the church of Christ (the Congregational, Deerfield, Mass. ), and his call to service in foreign lands grew with the passing years.
Bernardston Academy, Williams College, and Hartford Seminary furnished his training ; and on August 20, 1879, he was ordained a missionary of the American Board, Prof. Matthew B. Riddle of Hartford, Dr. E. K. Alden of the Board and Rev. T. A. Emerson (a brother in law) of Braintree, Mass., participating in the ordination service. A month later, with his bride, Susie Doolittle, he sailed for his distant field in West- ern Turkey. After a period of nearly four years they re- turned to the United States, were released by the American Board, and Mr. Crawford accepted a call to Topsfield, the installation occurring September 27, 1883.
Within the year the death of Mrs. Crawford, and the con- tinual drawing of the mission field, loosened his ties here, and he was dismissed October 18, 1886, returning at once to the service of the Board in its mission in Turkey. Short- ly before his departure he brought home a new bride, Miss
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BIOGRAPHIICAL SKETCHES
Grace Goodenough of Westfield, Mass., and the reception tendered them was a marked event. Mr. Crawford's stay in Topsfield, though short, was full of good fruits. His fine Scottish qualities of reverence, of deference for the aged, and of solicitude for the shut in and afflicted, have left their distinct impression upon the town.
His present address is Trebizond, Turkey.
REV. CHARLES W. LUCK.
Charles Washington Luck, son of Charles and Mary Jane (Agard) Luck and of English descent, was born at Cleve- land, Ohio, Feb'y 2, 1857, and received his special education at Andover Theological Seminary ( 1887) and Harvard Col- lege (1889).
He has held the following pastorates: Cong'l Church, Topsfield, Mass., June 29, 1887, to Sept. 10, 1890; Cong'l Church, Pocatello, Idaho, 1890 to 1894; Cong'l Church, Ogden, Utah, 1894 to 1898; and Cong'l Church, Weiser, Idaho, 1898 to 1900.
His pastorate over our church may be characterized as a clear, strong and practical presentation of the gospel truths ; but is entitled to special mention by reason of the admirable work he obtained by tact and skill from the Helping Hand Society, an auxiliary of the church.
April 27, 1882, he was married to Adella Matilda Luce of Marion, Mass .; and of their four children, the third, Margery was born in the parsonage (the Emerson-Holmes house ).
Since 1900 he has followed the profession of a civil and mining engineer and is now located at Weiser, Idaho.
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ยท REV. CHARLES W. LUCK.
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REV, ALBERT EDWARD BRADSTREET,
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OF THE MINISTRY. 37
REV. ALBERT EDWARD BRADSTREET.
Rev. Albert Edward Bradstreet was the son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Bradstreet. He was born in Ipswich, Mass., July 17, 1861, the ninth in a family of ten children-seven boys and three girls-six of whom are still living. He is a direct descendant of Humphry Bradstreet who came from England about 1635. He was of Puritan stock and has handed down to his descendants the Puritan heritage of strong principle. In every generation they have been among the staunch supporters of the church. The father, Nathaniel Bradstreet, held the office of Deacon in the Rowley church about twenty years; and his son, Daniel Bradstreet, for twen- ty-five years.
Mr. Bradstreet received his early education in the public schools of Ipswich and fitted for college in the Manning high school of that town. One year of his college work was taken at Dartmouth, after this he went to Oberlin, Ohio, and there completed his studies, taking the degree of B. D. in 1888. He was ordained at Lexington, Michigan, August 30, 1888, and supplied the Congregational Church ( now Presbyterian) about one year. In January, 1890, he became pastor of the Congregational Church of Shelburne, Mass. This was an especially successful pastorate, seventeen young men being converted, and they have proved to be the very back-bone of the church. September 1, 1891, he became pastor of the Congregational Church in Topsfield, Mass., and twelve were received into church membership during his three years' service. From Topsfield he went to Oxford, Mass., where he remained six years. This was a very successful pastor- ate, these six years being full of co-operation and fruit gather- ing. Two gracious revivals were experienced with an in- gathering into the church of fifty precious souls.
On account of the failing health of his wife, he had to seek a warmer climate. In 1900 they moved to Lemon Grove and Spring Valley, Southern California, and remained two years, during which time the membership was doubled and a new parsonage built. The hot climate here not agree- ing with him, he took a six months engagement in Newport,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
Washington, and Priest River, Idaho. This was virgin soil and the work although attended with difficulties was fruitful. At the end of this engagement he went to Hudson, South Dakota, where many young people were gathered into the church, and under the blessing of God, organized a church at Virginia, South Dakota, six miles from Hudson. After a pastorate of two years he returned to Lemon Grove, Southern California, and also has charge of the church at La Mesa, and resides in the parsonage built in his former pastorate.
Mr. Bradstreet is conservative in his theology and evange- listic in his preaching. He has always laid great emphasis upon pastoral work and in the later years of his ministry has successfully conducted catechetical classes among the chil- dren.
June 26, 1888, he was married to Miss Flora Chase Ord- way of Ipswich, Mass. Her heart and soul have always been in the work of the church. She has indeed been a true helpmeet and a very efficient one, but unfortunately poor health has marred in a great measure the full efficiency of her fruitful life.
REV. FRANCIS ALDEN POOLE.
Was born in Salem, Mass., October 25, 1870, the eldest of a family of three children. His parents were Laura Anna (Mackintosh ) and Edmund Alden Poole, the latter a descend- ant of the eighth generation of John Poole, who came from Reading, England, and settled first in Cambridge in 1632 and later at Reading in 1639, where he was one of the lead- ing proprietors.
Edmund A. Poole has been connected many years with the China Insurance Co. of Boston, and its President since 1890. He was the son of Fitch Poole of Peabody, Mass., and Mary Anne Poor, niece of Rev. Daniel Poor, D. D., one of the first missionaries of the American Board to Ceylon.
Fitch Poole was one of the best known citizens of Essex County. His tastes were decidedly literary and he constantly
REV. FRANCIS ALDEN POOLE.
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REV. HERBERT JAMES WYCKOFF.
OF THE MINISTRY. 39
contributed to newspapers many sparkling essays, besides being the editor of the Danvers Courier and Wizard, both popular weeklies in their day. He was a personal friend of George Peabody and was for many years librarian of the Peabody Institute.
Fitch Poole's father was Fitch Poole, a deacon for forty years of the Old South Church of Peabody. He married the youngest daughter of Hon. and Rev. Manasseh Cutler, D. D., L. L. D., of Hamilton, who probably was one of the most distinguished men of his times. He was the leading spirit in the settlement of the Northwest Territory, and probably inspired the famous "Ordinance of 1787," by his friend Hon. Nathan Dane.
Such were in part the antecedents of Rev. Francis A. Poole, who graduated from the Bangor Theological Semin- ary in 1893 and later took a special course at Harvard and at Hartford Theological Seminary.
Pastoral record :
Sanford, Me., 1893 to 1895; Topsfield, Mass., April 12, 1895, to August 29, 1899; East Weymouth, 1899-1901; and Barre, Vt.
His present church is the second largest in Vermont and has a membership of 567. The fine brick edifice has recent- ly been remodeled and enlarged at an expense of over $6000, and is free from debt.
He married Marion Kaler Rounds of Portland, Me., and of their two children, Gordon Cutler Poole was born in the Emerson-Holmes parsonage, February 8, 1895 .- S.
REV. HERBERT JAMES WYCKOFF.
Rev. Herbert James Wyckoff, son of James L. R. and Mary A. F. (Pooler) Wyckoff, was born at Elizabeth, N. J., December 16, 1870, and received his special education at Yale College (1892) and Yale Divinity School (1898) and was ordained at Woodbury, Conn., September 15, 1898.
Pastorates :
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
Congregational Church, Fayette, Ohio, 1898 .99.
Congregational Church, Topsfield, April 12, 1900, to January 21, 1903.
Congregational Church, Chelsea, Vt., 1903-1905.
Congregational Church, South Glastonbury, Conn., 1906.
His pastorate here was distinctive by reason of the con- stant and inereasing interest which he aroused among the younger people of the congregation and town in spiritual thought and eivie righteousness.
He thoroughly identified himself with the town, serving on the Board of Library Trustees and as Seeretary of the Improvement Society, and was ever active in promoting its interests and welfare.
May 31, 1897, he was married to Lillian F. Wheeler of Hartford, Conn., and during their residenee in town two daughters, Dorothy and Lillian, were born July 22, 1900 and July 4, 1902, respectively. On January 17, 1906, he was installed pastor of the Congregational Church at South Glas- tonbury, Conn.
REV. WILLIAM GEORGE POOR,
At present serving the ehureh, was born at Andover, Mass., June 13, 1858, of the seventh generation from Daniel Poor, one of the sixteen original freeholders of Andover. HIis higher and special education was received at Dartmouth College (1882) and Yale Divinity School ( 1885) and he was ordained in his native town May 28, 1885.
Pastorates :
Cong'l Church, Paola, Kansas, 1885-89.
Second Cong'l Church, Chicopee Falls, Mass., 1889-94.
First Cong'l Church, Keene, N. H., 1894-99.
Assumed charge over Cong'l Church, Topsfield, Septen- ber 1, 1903.
Pursuant to, his appointment as State Supt. by the Sixth National C. E. Convention, held at Saratoga, N. Y., in July, 1887, Mr. Poor, assisted by George M. Ward, See'y of the
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REV. WILLIAM GEORGE POOR.
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OF THE MINISTRY.
United Society, outlined a plan for the introduction of C. E. into the State of Kansas and in the following Fall entered upon a twenty months' campaign of carnest and faithful ser- vice of carrying the message of "for Christ and the Church" throughout the State.
At the first State Christian Endeavor convention, held in the First Presbyterian Church of Topeka, May 30-31, 1888, Mr. Poor was elected the first President of the C. E. Union of Kansas, holding the office continuously until his removal from the State in 1889. At which time a State Committee passed the Resolution that he would "always be considered the Father of the Endeavor movement in Kansas."
It must be borne in mind that his efforts for the spreading of C. E. were made during his pastorate over the Congrega- tional Church at Paola.
In New Hampshire he was a Director of the New Hamp- shire Home Missionary Society, and a member of the Ex- ceutive Committee of the New Hampshire Sunday School Association, the latter sending him as a delegate to the Inter- national Sunday School Convention at Atlanta in 1899. He was a New Hampshire delegate to the National Council at Portland, Oregon, in 1898.
May 9, 1889, he was married to Miss Hattie M. Taylor, of Paola, Kansas.
PARSONAGES AND RESIDENCES OF MINISTERS.
The oldest parsonage of which there is any mention was situated in the pasture ever since called the parsonage pas- ture. The house stood directly west of the residence of Al- bert Austin Conant, and was built in 1663. Here lived Rev. Thomas Gilbert, and also his successor, Rev. Jeremiah Ho- bart.
In 1694 the house was not considered sufficiently good for further ministerial occupancy and School Master Good- man was allowed to live in it as part of his salary for teaching school.
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PARSONAGES AND RESIDENCES
Rev. William Perkins lived in the Nehemiah Perkins house, Perkins street, near Mile Brook.
Rev. Joseph Capen owned his house, built probably in 1686, now standing on a slight eminence east of the present M. E. Church.
Rev. John Emerson lived in his own house, built about 1754, on the present site of the Balch-Jordan mansion,
Rev. Daniel Breck lived in his own house, the Old Clark Tavern, on Main street, about where the driveway to the barn of the late Jolin Bailey is located. 1779-88.
Rev. Asahel Huntington lived in his own house, purchased of John Gould, 1791, on the corner of now Boxford and Wash'n Streets, at the west part of town, 1789-1813.
Rev. Rodney Gove Dennis first lived in the Billy Emerson house, now residence of C. Fred Jordan ; later in the west- ern half of the Jacob Towne house on High street. 1820-29.
Rev. James F. McEwen first lived in the north part of the Joseph Emerson house on the common east, opposite the Cong. Church ; later in the Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland house (being the first tenant) now owned by Mrs. Ephraim P. Pea- body. 1836-40.
Rev. Anson McLoud first lived in Jacob Towne's house three years, then in the one built by J. Perkins Towne on opposite side of the street, until his own house was built fur- ther up the street, 1861. Ministry 1841 to 1869; he died in this house in 1883.
Rev. Edward Payson Tenney boarded at the corner of Main and Prospect streets, 1869-70.
Rev. James Hill Fitts lived on Main street, in the Richard Phillips' house ( now residence of Mr. Augustus Willard Smith ) 1871-80.
Rev. Frank P. Tompkins lived in the Taylor house, Main street, now owned by Fountain Lodge, No. 170, I. O. O. F., 1882-83, and Rev. Lyndon S. Crawford also occupied the estate, 1883-6.
Rev. Charles W. Luck lived in the parsonage purchased of Charles H. Holmes, Esq., Jan'y 1, 1886, being the Emer- son-llolmes house on the Common, opposite the church, 1887-90. This house was also occupied by
Rev. Albert E. Bradstreet, 1891-1894.
THE "PARSON CAPEN" HOUSE
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OF MINISTERS.
Rev. Francis A. Poole, 1894-1899, and
Rev. Herbert J. Wyckoff, 1900-1903.
In 1903 the house was sold to Willard Emery.
Rev. Wm. G. Poor lives in the Merriam-Frame house on Main Street, 1903.
THE PARSON CAPEN HOUSE.
"The parsonage house," the use of which was tendered to Rev. Joseph Capen in 1681, would seem to have been not a suitable shelter for the beloved scholar and pastor; and so, upon the twelve acres of land granted him by the town, was erected the house which still bears his name. 1686 is con sidered the date when this substantial structure was reared. Its sturdy frame of hewn timber, and the bricked interior of the walls, testify both to the lingering Indian menace, and to the pastor's purpose to shelter his flock if need be, for, proof against arrow and bullet, it was a veritable fortress in minia- ture. But against foes of flesh and blood it never needed to be garrisoned. The huge chimney, six feet square, rises from an immense structure of brick comprising, on the ground floor the great oven and the fireplaces for the two rooms, and on the second floor two more fireplaces.
Many changes have been made within this building during its eleven-score years, especially in partitioning off more rooms, and in otherwise modernizing the interior. But in other respects, e. g., the wine closet, the winding stairway, and the entrance to the attic, time has only aged the original condition. The bricks of the chimney are laid in clay, and are of ancient pattern.
The large room at the west end was probably both library and dining room ; and in this room the prince of darkness may have met his defeat by the redoubtable champion of truth and godly sense. The other room was the living room.
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