USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Watertown > Historical sketches of Watertown, Massachusetts > Part 18
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 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
The Mrs. Warren, wife of Hon. James Warren, of Plymouth, who entertained Mrs. Washington at the Marshall Fowle house, Watertown, was Merey War- ren. She was the author of "The Liberty Song," written in 1769, beginning,
"Our worthy forefathers,-let's give them a cheer- To climates uoknowo did courageously steer ;
Through oceana to deserts for freedom they came, And dying, bequeathed us their freedom and fame." 1
October 17, 1789, President Washington again visited Watertown on his way to Boston, and was received with great enthusiasm. The meeting-house bell was rung and royal salutes given quite in con-
1 Mary L. D. Ferris in New England Magazine for July, 1890. "Our National Songs."
-
-
.
-
ยท
389
WATERTOWN.
trast to his first journey, when powder and shot were too scarce and valuable to be thus used.
On his return, November 5, he rode from Lexing- ton to Watertown over the same road the minute-men had taken, April 19, 1775, and without escort went quietly to the Coolidge tavern for refreshment and rest. He took supper in the public dining-room in the south end of the house, and lodged in the north- west chamber next to the river. This house is now standing and is owned by the heirs of the late John Brigham.
A few rods south stood the mansion-house of John Hunt, a town representative, farmer and trader. Here Maj .- Gen. Joseph Warren lodged and ate his break- fast before he started for Bunker Hill, where he gave his life for his country. Before starting he urged the ladies of the household to prepare lint and bandages, saying, "The poor fellows will want them all before night." Slowly on horseback he went down the hill to the bridge, hut galloped back and bade them again farewell.
Abner Crafts, who commanded the Watertown company at the battle of Bunker Hill, was an inn- holder before he took up arms. He continued to serve during the war, and had command of the military escort which was granted by Congress to Lady Frankland (Agnes Surrage) on ber removal from Hopkinton to Boston during the siege of Boston.
Under all the discouragements of the times, the people of Watertown maintainel their independent and patriotic principles, and when, on the 20th of May, 1776, "A resolve of the late House of Representatives, relating to the Congress of the Thirteen United Colonies, declaring them independent of Great Britain being read, the question was put to know the mind of the town, whether they will stand by and defend the same with their lives and estates ; and it passed in the affirmative unanimously."
After the capture of Burgoyne's Army, Watertown was selected as one of the places where the officers should be quartered.
-
To the minds of a majority of the plain and sober citizens this arrangement was quite repugnant; so they called a town-meeting in December, 1777, at which they plainly expressed their views, and through the selectmen their vote was communicated to the deputy quartermaster. However, several officers came and were quartered here, some at Angier's Corner in Newton, and at other places about town.
January 17, 1778, the representative of the town, Jonathan Brown, was instructed to use his influence and give his aid towards ratifying and confirming the Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union among the United States of America, as agreed upon by Congress.
On account of the prevalence of small-pox in Boston, in June, 1778, the meeting-house in Water- town was again opened for the use of the legislative
sessions, and the minister, the Rev. Daniel Adams, was their chaplain, and his fervor and power in discharging the duties of that office were long remembered.
In September of the same year the Legislature re- sumed its sessions in Boston.
CIVIL WAR.1 -- Roll of Honor .- As the record I am abont to make, agreeable to the statute of the Com- monwealth, may be examined by coming generations anxious to know who might be entitled to have their names entered upon this Roll of Honor, I will make such explanation as to me seems desirable for a per- fect understanding of all matters relating thereunto. At the opening of the Rebellion the loyal citizens of Watertown felt it incumbent upon them to take such measures as they deemed meet and proper to aid the general government to sustain the institutions of our Fathers and to crush this iniquitous rebellion, not only by word and vote, but hy the more powerful weapons of war.
They accordingly met, as the reader may see, by referring to the town records of that date, and took such steps as led to the organization of a military company, which was duly organized May 5, 1861, and which went into camp at " Camp White," Watertown, on the 1st of June. It was accepted by the Governor and ordered to report at Camp Cameron on the 2nd of July following, at which date it was mustered into the service of the United States for three years or dur- ing the war. Uniforms for both officers and men were furnished by liberal citizens and the town, and the expenses of drill and organization were paid, and also a bounty of thirty dollars to each of the volun- teers in addition to the other expenses incurred.
I shall, therefore, enter npon this roll all the names of that company, with their respective places of resi- dence, whether they composed the quota of this town or not, and also all of those who responded at the sub- sequent calls of our country, but I shall index those only who, as far as I shall be able to ascertain, went to compose the quota of our town.
(Signed) W. H. INGRAHAM, Toun Clerk.
This company was attached to the Sixteenth Regi- ment, commanded by Colonel Powell T. Wyman, of Boston, and was entitled Company K.
Commissioned Officers.
Names. Birth-place.
Captain Henry C. Lindly . Watertown.
1st Lieut. Stephen E. Messerve . Watertown.
2d Lieut. Frank W. Hilton,2 . . Watertown.
Sergeants.
Names. Bu th-place.
Clarke, Charles E. . Waltham.
Stearns, Samuel F. Lynn, resided at Watertown.
Capell, Jonas F. . Lexington, color bearer.
Coburn, Charles F. . Watertown.
Norcross, Thomas C ..
. Watertown.
1 By Wm. H. Ingraham, as recorded in a special volume deposited in the town archives.
2 Promoted to let Lieut, of Co. D, September 28, 1861, and John Eaton, Sonth Reading, was commissioned September 28, 1861.
390
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Corporals.
Names. Birth-place.
Waters, Theodore E. . Cambridge.
Swinburn, Banmel Natick.
Sharpe, James E. .
. Watertown.
Brigham, Mathias . Natick.
Smith, As& D. .
. Natick.
Rupp, Joseph D.
Watertown.
King, E. A. .
. Watertown.
Furwell, John N.
Bolton.
A/lams, George E ..
. Newton.
Privates, Co. K, 16th Regt.
Atwood, Samuel S.
Taunton.
Bright, Gilbert
Watertown.
Bright, Joseph
Watertowo.
Bridges, Charles Z.
. Watertown.
Benton, Perrio
Flolbrook, N. H.
Bean, Edwin
Natick.
Bowman, Geo. H.
W. Roxbury.
Brown, Charles E.
. Watertown.
Bradley, James E. . E. Braintree.
Cushman, Horace W
. Turner, Me.
Cole, Ralph
Lexington.
Colligon, John H.
. Watertown.
Cummings, Andrew, Jr.
Watertown.
Corrigan, Joseph
. Cambridge.
Craigen, George F.
. Boston.
Dolloff, John E.
Watertown.
Dolloff, Benj. W.
. Watertown.
Doherty, John Watertown.
Engley, George
Wrenthamn.
Eldridge, William E.
. Watertown.
Flynn, Cornelius J.
Watertown.
Freeman, Joseph Watertown.
Flohr, Andrew L. .
Watertown.
Franklin, Samuel,
Newton.
Harned, David
Waltham.
Harrington, Herman P.
Walthamn.
Harrison, James R. .
Watertowo.
Holbrook, John George Watertown.
Hanford, George C.
. Cambridge.
Hancock, Charles . Watertown.
Kenny, Patrick .
Waltham.
Kearney, James
Watertown.
Keyes, Sylvester W.
. Natick.
Knott, George . Watertown.
Kelaber, I. . . Newton.
Keating, Daniel
. Brighton.
Lyman, William H.
Watertown.
Lyman, Edward . Watertown.
Lord, Eben N. Watertown.
Leavertoo, James W.
Watertown.
Luker, J. . Watertown.
Mansir, John H. Watertown.
Mackin, Jumee E.
Watertown.
Miller, Heory I.
Watertown.
Miller, Charles A. Watertown.
Morse, Charles A. Watertown.
More, George F. Natick.
McGonnigal, Barney Waltham.
McCooliff, Patrick
. Ashby.
Mulluney, Matthew Waltham.
Murphy, Daniel . Cambridge.
Mullen, David . Combridge.
Manchester, G. D. Cambridge.
Nichole, Abram G. . Burlington.
Qualter, John . . Waltham.
Richardson, Charles . Littleton.
Robbins, George, Jr.
. Watertown.
Risley, George W. . Watertown.
Ristey, Chester . Watertown.
Rodman, John . Waltham.
Rood, J. L. . . Ludlow.
Sanderson, Horace
. Waltham.
Sanderson, Honry . Waltham.
Sanger, Wm. H. Watertown.
Smith, Gregg .
. Watertown.
Charles H. Chapman, Watertown . 35th Regt.
-
Jack M. Delaney, Watertown
. Private, 39th Regt., Co. G.
Wm. H. Corser, Watertown
Milo B. Skeele, Watertown
William H. Woodbury, Watertown Sergeant.
Washington Madden, South Randolph . . Geo. H. Goodwin, Sonth Randolph
Z. M. Hayden, South Randolph
Win. Hyland, Watertown
Charles A. Spaulding, Watertown
William Bright, Watertown
James Broderick, Watertown .
Patrick O'Hara, Boston, Watertown
Joseph Adame, Watertown George Cochran, Boston
Palemon C. Mills, Watertown . 33d Regt.
Thomas Sheahen, Watertown . 35th Regt.
William Mellen, South Boston . 35th Regt.
Watertown. -
Watson, Joseph . t'ambridge.
Added to the company after the regiment left the State and returned by the commanding officer :
Cullen, Michael . Boston.
Gosson, Elijah D. . Lexington.
Lamaire, John Watertown,
Moore, Peter Watertown.
O'Brien, Thones Watertown.
Pratt, James R. Boston.
Rev. Arthur B. Fuller, of Watertowu, received the appointment of chaplain and was with the regiment up to the battle of Fredericksburg, when, having re- signed his position as chaplain on the morning of that battle, he took a gun and entered the ranks as a private ; was among the first that volunteered to cross over the river to the attack and fell, shot dead, in the street of Fredericksburg. His body was recovered and was brought home to his friends and was buried in Mt. Auburn by the side of his relatives.
1862 .-- On the 7th of July the President issued a proclamation calling for 300,000 volunteers. The number assigned to Watertown as her quota was thir- ty-six. A town-meeting was called and it was voted to pay one hundred dollars bounty to each volunteer to fill the quota, and a committee was chosen to en- list that number. They succeeded, and the following names were enrolled :
Alonzo Pomeroy, Watertown 39th Regt., Co. G.
Samuel W. Hutchins, Watertown. . 39th Regt., Co. G.
Henry W. Ham, Watertown . Sergeant, 39th Regt., Co. G.
John Whitney, Watertown . Private, 39th Regt., Co. G.
Worth, Alonzo K.
Watertown.
Wright, Frank Natick.
Whittemore, George H.
Sherman, Robert Waltham.
Smith, John J. Waltham.
Smith, Johna. . Cambridge.
Sullivan, Deonis Watertown.
Stacey, Albert H. Northboro'.
Tuinter, George W. Charlestown.
Thompson, C. H. . Waltham.
Tibbetts, N. D. Newton.
Whitmarsh, Thomas F. . E. Bridgewater
Ward, John M. Watertown.
Webb, I. A. .
Watertown.
Smith, James H1. . Watertown.
Sumner, Alison R. . WatertowD.
King, Philip HI. . . Watertown.
Shattuck, Amory N. . Natick.
Orson C. Thomas, Watertown Private, 39th Regt., Co. G.
391
WATERTOWN.
Daniel Haggerty, Watertown . Both Regt.
Wml. W. West, Watertown .
. 33d Regt., Co. B.
Parker McCuen, Watertown
. 33d Regt., Co. B.
John Donally, Watertown . 33d Regt., Co. B.
John Crompton, Watertown . 33d Regt., Co. R.
John Mckinley, Watertown . 33d Regt., Co. B.
Emile Evers, Watertown
. 33d Regt., Co. B.
Joseph Gotleih, Watertown
. 35th Regt., Sergeant Co. B.
Thomas McNeil, Watertown . 35th Regt , Private.
Edward N. Pickering, Watertown 35th Regt., Sergeant, Co. B.
Win. II. Hogan, Watertown
. 35th Regt., Sergeant.
Robert Atkins, Watertown 35th Regt., Sergeant.
John Davison, Watertown . 35th Regt., Sergeant.
Patrick O'Hara . 39th Regt., Co. G.
The above were duly mustered into the service of the United States, Camp Stanton, at Lynnfield, and received their bounty as per vote of town.
The following names are residents of Watertown who volunteered for the three years' service and went into other companies, but who served to fill the quota of this town, and were allowed as an offset to the town when the requisition was made for an additional number of 300,000 volunteers :
Rufus Babcock, Watertown Co. H., 16th Regt.
Terence Rogers, Watertown
Co. I, 16th Regt.
ITugh Rogers, Watertown
. Co. I, 16th Regt.
Patrick Rogers, Watertown Co. I, 16th Regt.
Johnson Atcherson, Watertown . Co. I, 16th Regt.
Augustna Severnse . 2d Cavalry.
Jolin F. Bernard, Watertown . 2d Cavalry.
George R. Howard, Watertown
89th New York.
Charles F. Sherman, Watertown
Nimms Battery.
Phineas F. King, Watertown Nimme Battery.
Wm. G. White, Watertown
. Co. A, 16th Regt.
Charles Jackson, Watertown
. Co. C, 13th Regt.
Win. II. Jackson, Watertown
E. J. Trull, Watertown
. ('o. A, 13th Regt.
John Conley, Watertown
. New Orleans, with Butler.
Patrick Crotty, Watertown
. Co. I. 23d Regt.
John S. Stanley, Watertown
Co. K, 5th Regt.
Joseph H. Tyghe, Watertown Co. K, 5th Regt.
Patrick Toole, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Daniel A. Wilson, Watertown Co. K, 5th Regt.
Amos L. Derby, Watertown Co. K, 5th Regt.
Horace W. Otis, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Edwin A. Stackpole, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
George L. Rhoades, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Thomas Pendergast, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
F. A. Howard, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Edward F. Richardson, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Daniel P. Tilton, Watertown . Co. B, 44th Regt.
1. W. Sylvester, Watertown
Co. B, 44th Regt.
C. S. Fields, Watertown .
Co. B, 44th Regt.
Henry S. Treadwell, Watertown
. Co. B, 44th Regt.
Aaron W. Harris, Watertown
Co. B, 44th Regt.
Frank I. Hutchins, Watertown
.Co. A, 47th Regt.
Light Artillery, 11th Regt.
George W. Booth, Watertown
Light Artillery, 11th Regt.
Samuel Grienwood, Watertown
Jones' Battery.
Charles F. Degan, Watertown
. Co. E, 50th Regt.
Charles Miller, Watertown
. Co. E, 50th Regt.
Samael D. Bodge, Watertown
Franklin Coffio, Watertown
Thomas H. Patten, Watertown Co. E, 44th Regt.
James A. Robbins, Watertown
.Co. E, 44th Regt.
Frank S. Learned, Watertown
Co. E, 44th Regt.
Henry T. Pierce, Watertown . Co. E, 44th Regt.
Joseph G. Wilkins, Watertown
. Co. A, 44th Regt.
J. L. Day, Watertown Co. A, 47th Regt.
John W. Hartford, Watertown
. Co. A, 47th Regt.
Daniel C. Hawes, Watertown
. Co. A, 47th Regt.
James Kearney, Watertown . . Co. A, 47th Regt.
Henry W. Christian, Watertown . Co. B, 43d Regt.
George E. Priest, Watertowo . Co. H, 53d Regt.
On the 4th day of August, 1862, a further call for an additional number of 300,000 more soldiers was made upon the loyal States, and a town-meeting was called, to be held the 13th day of September, and by adjournment to the 17th day of the same month, at which meeting the town voted to pay the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars to each citizen of Water- town who should volunteer for the term of nine months, and be accepted and mustered into the ser- vice of the United States as a part of the quota of Watertown, and they also directed the selectmen to open an enrollment list immediately. In response to that call the following persons volunteered, and were
accepted and mustered into service September 19, 1862:
Names. Residence. These were assigned to
Joseph Crafts, Watertown . . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Ira J. Osborne, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
John H. Carter, Watertown . . Co. K, 5th Regt.
William F. Baldwin, Watertowa . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Charles Brigham, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Jacob Gi. Boyce, Watertown .Co. K, 5th Regt.
Charles Adams, Watertown Co. K, 5th Regt.
Juseph Lyman, Watertown Co. K, 5th Regt.
George A. Dexter, Watertown .
Co. K, 5th Regt.
James II. Blanchard, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Patrick Bures, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Judson Bent, Watertown
. Co. K, 5th Regt.
Andrew De Wyre, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Thomas Dardis, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
James Dnan, Watertown Co. K, 5th Regt.
James A. Ellis, Watertown Co. K, 5th Regt.
Charles Foster, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Micajah C. Howes, Watertown Co. K, 5th Regt.
Charles F. Hill, Watertown .
. Co. K, 5th Regt.
George E. Ilarrington, Watertown
. Co. K, 5th Regt.
James Wilson, Watertown
Co. K, 5th Regt.
Oliver M. Over, Watertown
. Co. K, 5th Regt.
Charles U. Hilton, Watertown
Co. K, 5th Regt.
George W. Horn, Jr., Watertown
Co. K, 5th Regt.
Edward C. Ireland, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
William Jones, Watertown Ov. K, 5th Regt.
James Kennedy, Watertown
Co. K, 5th Regt.
Austin W. Lindley, Watertown
Co. K, 5th Regt.
George C. Nichols, Watertown .
. C'o. K, 5th Regt.
Ward M. Otis, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Peter A. Ober, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
John A. Pond, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Charles H. Priest, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Seldon H. Rosebrook, Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Jeremiah Russell, Jr., Watertown . Co. K, 5th Regt.
Mark N. Sibley, Watertown
. Co. K, 5th Regt.
Charles E. Saoger, Watertown
. Co. K, 5th Regt.
Edwin II. Brigham, Watertown .
. Co. A, 13th Regt.
Elijah Norcross, Watertown
. Co. L, 14th Regt.
Harrison I. Craig, Watertown . Co. G, 7th Battery.
Wm. Dowling, Watertown . Co. G, 32d Regt.
Raselas Ireland, Watertown . 14th Regt.
Rev. Henry A. Hempstead, Chaplain . 29th Regt.
Edward S. Rowse, Watertown . St. Louis.
Henry A. Wilkins, Watertown 20th Regt.
Samuel G. Noyes . Sharpshooters 40th Regt.
Wml. H Johnson, Watertowa
Rhode Island Regt.
Adolphus Klons, Watertown
5th Battery.
Owen Dinan, Watertown
. 30th Regt.
Charles Howard, Watertown
14th Regt.
James Hutchinson, Watertown 2d Regt.
Michael M. Warren, Watertown 9th Regt.
Hngh Grey, Watertown . 38th Regt.
James B. Childa, July 29, 1802, Watertown . Co. A, 12th Regt.
F. D. Chaot
. Assistant in Hospital. Connecticut Regt.
392
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
WATERTOWN-(Continued). BUSINESS INTERESTS-BANKS.
THE BUSINESS INTERESTS OF WATERTOWN .- The local business of Watertown has never been very large, but the opportunities for its citizens to supply their wants for food and clothing and other necessi- ties have generally been good. When transportation from Boston to the outlying towns was by wagon- this was long after that first period when transporta- tion was by boat, along the estuaries and up the riv- ers,-when, in fact, all transportation between Boston and the central and northern parts of Massachusetts, and with New Hampshire and Vermont, was made by teams,-Watertown was on the great road, where six-horse coaches and six-horse wagons were common, passing through her streets as commonly as single teams pass now. Then there were convenient stopping- places-taverns for the entertainment of man and beast. There were at least six taverns, where we have scarcely one now. Then there were stores also where the countrymen could sell their produce and buy their dry-goods and groceries, their hardware, their medicines. In the early days money was scarce, salaries of the minister and schoolmaster were paid in corn and other grain. Of course nearly all trade was barter trade ; exchange of produce at the stores. A farmer would come in with his family, making a day of it, to make his purchases for several weeks or months at onee.
Trade has changed greatly from what it was sixty or eighty years ago.
Now the farmer, if not supplied at his own door, or in his own village, goes directly to Boston by rail, makes his purchases with the money which has been returned perhaps by the commission dealer for his produce, sees the sights and returns the same day, or atter a very short stop.
The stores in Watertown now supply what the ladies or the families do not care to take the time to go to Bos- ton for. It is true that the people, in many cases, would be far better served nearer home, and at cheap- er rates ; but one cannot expect the average person who wishes to buy a few dollars' worth of dry-goods, say, to refrain from the temptation to overhaul the entire stocks of the large dry-goods stores in Boston. Then "that is as good as a play," and so they have their satisfaction for their time and money, even al- though they choose poorer and less tasty goods, and at higher prices than they would have given nearer home, but they have seen great quantities of goods and a large number of people buying.
In this way we try to account for this present tendency to rush to the largest places for everything, which is common to the multitude, not reflecting that
they often buy of cheap salesmen who have no name and no care to establish a reputation, when they might have purchased nearer home of the proprietors them- selves, it is true of smaller establishments, but yet men who have judgment and taste and everything to gain by serving their customers and neighbors well.
Back in the earlier days, which the oldest now scarcely remember, before 1830, William Sherman, who had as a young man taught a school on the corner of School and Belmont Streets, and for a year in Medford, was engaged in the dry-goods business. He began with Mr. Bigelow and later entered into part- nership with Jesse Wheeler in 1834, under the name of Jesse Wheeler & Co. In 1836 Jesse Wheeler went to West Newton and Mr. Sherman formed a partner- ship with Mr. Bigelow. Later than this he kept a store on the south side of Main Street. When the town-ball was built in 1847, William Sherman was the first occupant on the east side, with hisstock of dry goods. In 1849 he sold out to Wm. II. Ingraham, who was for so many years the town clerk and who has occupied so many offices 1 of trust in the service of the town and is in 1890 the chairman of the Board of Seleetmen. William II. Ingraham carried on a dry- goods business here for two years, until, in 1861, he was followed by Mr. Joel Barnard, who remained until 1869, when that side was fitted up for the use of the Free Public Library, and Mr. Barnard built the briek block next east of the town-hall, now occupied by the apothecary, James B. Woodward.
In 1838 Mr. Jesse Wheeler returned from West Newton and established a store near the corner of Mount Auburn and Main Streets, where he kept a great variety of goods such as were usually kept in a country store, including dry-goods, crockery, cutlery, hoots and shoes, etc .- in fact almost everything ex- cept provisions and building materials.
In 1845 Je-se Wheeler bought the building which he occupied for many (twenty) years. In 1846 Mr. Delano March, who had served as clerk with Mr. Wheeler, was taken into the firm: Many prominent business men have begun their business education in this house. In 1853, Mr. March retired to enter the firm of Locke, Chandler & March, Boston, afterwards March Brothers, Pieree & Co., wholesale dealers in gentlemen's furnishings.
Otis A. Train, who had heen in the employ of the firm for several years and had formed a matrimonial copart- nership with Mr. Wheeler's oldest daughter, entered this house which for a while from this time was Wheeler & Train, until Mr. Wheeler bought him out.
In 1857, Horace W. Otis began as a boy with Mr.
1 Wm. H. Ingraham, chairman of the Board of Selectmen for 1890, served also in 1875 and 1876, and as town clerk from 1850 to 1863, 1881- 1889, twenty-three years, and representative to General Court 1862, 1878, 1879 ; assessor for 1879-1890, (except 1880) many times moderator, fre- quently serving on important committees.
393
WATERTOWN.
Wheeler. Ward M. Otis began in 1860. Both served on the quota of Watertown in the War of the Rebellion, and on their return from the war bought out the stock aud stand of Jesse Wheeler, and since that have continued to carry on the business. During the past year, encouraged by their growing success, they have erected on the west corner of Main and Spring Streets the large brick block which they now occupy. Their business in the changed tendency of the times to greater specialization, is more limited in variety of kinds of goods than were kept by Jesse Wheeler in 1853, although they have a very much larger store and a much larger stock of goods. Dry goods and boots and shoes in sufficient variety for a place of this size can probably be found always ou their shelves and counters. The second story of their new build- ing is occupied by the Young Men's Christian As- sociation, and the third fioor by the Pequossett Lodge of Free Masons, who sub-let to the Odd Feilows, the Young Men's Assembly, and various other organiza- tions. This is one of the finest business blocks yet erected in the town. Its architect was Alberto F. Haynes. Our limited space will not allow us to de- scribe the dry-goods store of Geo. C. Lunt & Co., formerly Lunt & Tarlton, or the apothecary stores of James B. Woodward, or of F. M. Martin for many years known as Sullivan's, or of George F. Taylor, or the new one of E. E. Jennison, all on Main Street.
So we must not stop to describe the stores of the grocer, Benjamin Dana, who built the Dana Block on Main Street, and the large residence on Summer Street, now occupied by the Rev. William H. Savage. He was wise in securing the location of the works of the gas company on the banks of the river, although the government has not yet 1 made the slight expenditure necessary to enable vessels to bring their supplies of coal directly to their wharf. We need not mention the line of grocers who have followed him, improving the methods of doing business until now one beholds an artistic display of all that one can ever need placed out openly so that any one can see the prices plainly marked, to tempt his purse and help him to purchase wisely, as at Benton's Boston grocery, or Hartford's round the corner, or at Hall's in the Noyes Block, or in some others.
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.