USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Spencer > Historical sketches relating to Spencer, Mass., Volume IV > Part 10
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She taught music in the public schools of Worcester for many years and for 30 years was one of the vocal teachers in the Worcester County Music School, an institution founded by her sons. She had charge of the music in the Worcester Normal School for 20 years, when she resigned her duties as teacher and instructor because of failing health. Her labors covered a period of 45 consecutive years of conscientious de- votion to the art of music, in all its branches. She was born in Enfield, Mass., July 8, 1823.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Sumner, three in number, naturally inherited the ruling passion of the parents, viz :- music. George William was born Oct. 14, 1848, and early in life it became evident that this talent was to enter largely into his future and under careful home training, he made progress. At the age of fourteen he began playing the pipe organ and at sixteen became the organist of the Congregational church in Spencer. Under such instructors as B. J. Lang of Boston, and abroad with the celebrated French teacher Guillmant, he made rapid advancement, in his chosen profession, which naturally was a source of pride to parents and a host of ad- miring friends.
Boston was his home for 25 years and he held the position of organist and director of the choir of the Arlington Street church nearly two decades. Was director of Harvard musical association and St. Bartolph Club, Boston, and ten years director of the Orpheas Club, Springfield, Mass. His success as teacher and director was highly flattering to self and parents, portending a brilliant future, but they were suddenly ter- minated by death, which occurred at his summer home, on Orr's Island, off the coast of Maine, August 14, 1892.
August 26, 1879, he married Viola Ryan, daughter of Thomas Ryan, leader of the Mendelssohn club of Boston. She was a musical critic of ability, was thoroughly in touch with the work of her husband and labored, harmoniously with him, to make the efforts of his life a success. He left a daughter,
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who inherits the musical temperament of parents and grand parents.
Edward Ludwig, second son, was born Sept. 22, 1850, and was schooled along the same lines of his brother, receiving most of his musical education in Boston, with B. J. Lang as teacher. He occupies a high position in Worcester, as organist and teacher and is closely identified with the musical interests of the city. Has been on the roll of directors of the musical association, or Festival, for many years. Is also general manager of the Worcester County Music school, founded by G. W. and E. L. Sumner in 1872, and its success, past and present, is largely due to his untiring efforts. It is, today, one of the largest and best equipped schools of its kind in Worcester County.
He married Kate Amelia, daughter of Cornelius and Amelia Brainard, of Haddam, Conn. Mrs Brainard was a teacher of the science of music, in Mobile, Alabama. Mrs. Sumner succeeds the elder Mrs. Sumner as teacher in the Worcester County Music School.
Ella Josephine, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sumner, was born March 9, 1853. Her training, as vocalist, followed, naturally, the same line of instruction of the brothers, making a specialty of the voice, however, which developed as a soprano, rapidly under the skillful home teaching of her mother. Later she was pupil under Mrs. C. R. Hayden, Madam Rudersdorff and Dr. Guilmette of Boston, Madam Courtnay and Signor Belare of New York.
She has held leading positions in choir work, in Spring- field and Brookline, Mass., Norwich, Conn., Buffalo and other places in New York. In Springfield she was soprano in the quartette choir at St. Paul's, and in Buffalo had charge of and directed the choir of the church of Christ.
To gain and hold these various positions, before a critical public, is evidence conclusive, that her musical inheritance and prominence as vocalist was in line and keeping with those of the family that preceded her. Nov. 10, 1881, she married Mr. Frederick J. Shepard, assistant editor of the Buffalo Courier, Buffalo, N. Y.
REMINISCENCES OF SPENCER
BY REV. M. EMORY WRIGHT.
In the month of April, 1864, I was appointed to the pastor- ate of the Methodist Episcopal society in Spencer. My im- mediate predecessor was Rev. Nathaniel H. Martin, who in turn had followed Rev. William J. Hambleton. Both were devoted and faithful ministers, though now retired from the active work. I came directly from Dudley, where I had been favored with a powerful revival, which gave to our ministry two prominent and successful men. My introduction to Spencer was an experience not often if ever paralleled. An epidemic of army measles had swept over Dudley, having been brought from the camp by a returned soldier. We had arrived on Saturday and the same night my wife and both my little chil- dren were violently attacked with that malady. The next day brought a driving snow storm, which left me only a meagre sprinkling of hearers. Our personal belongings lay in heaps in the parsonage and except for the unremitting kindness of our new parishioners, who came to our rescue as if we had been of their own kindred, the memory would have been dreary enough for a lifetime. Followed, however, as it was, by one of the most delightful periods of my life, that brief episode, however trying at the time, was only a transient ripple upon the surface. For three years I remained, the full period then allowed under the existing time-limit.
Through no fault of either pastors or parishioners, the church was at that time in a seriously depressed condition. By death and removal several of the active and liberal sup- porters had dropped from its list. A debt, trifling enough for these days, but grievous indeed then, had for years bur- dened it, crippling its resources and sapping its courage. To give up in despair was the grim alternative already accepted by many devoted friends. It was freely discussed in the official meetings, as an inevitable necessity, and it is a matter of authentic history that one of the most enterprising citizens
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had actually made proposals to utilize the entire property for business purposes. Besides, the "Church on the Hill" was of necessity "a power to be reckoned with." For many decades the only religious society in the village, it had largely aggre- gated within its communion or under its influence, the growing wealth, the social prestige and the popular sentiment of the town. Any possible rivalry with an institution so compacted and so deeply rooted, was only a dream of the fancy. Then
REV. M. EMORY WRIGHT.
the former house of worship, just previously destroyed by fire, had been replaced by a noble structure, combining all the facilities and the advantages usually found at that period. And to crown it all, a pastor had been settled, whose command- ing presence and oratorical ability well fitted him to hold for years to come the mastery of the situation. It is little wonder that the crowd flocked to so inviting a center, whilst only a few dozens favored the humbler sanctuary with their presence.
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Yet amid this appalling discouragement, a few gleams of light began to break in. For some cause a spirit of hope- fulness took the place of the prevalent distrust and fear. Fol- lowing the most cordial of welcomes at the beginning of my service, there was a most encouraging rally of forces to the rescue. There was no more talk of selling the property nor of giving up the effort. The regular services grew in numbers and in interest. Meetings by the score and counting up into the hundreds, were held in the outlying neighborhoods. It was no uncommon thing to go directly from the church door, at the close of the afternoon service, then everywhere cus- tomary, to the little brick school house in the northwest part of the town, there to hold a five o'clock meeting, thence to Hillsville for another at seven, the regular work at home being meanwhile cared for by some one of the brethren. On week evenings private houses, far and near, were at all seasons freely tendered for social religious gatherings, and cheerfully did their walls ring with the voice of song and of prayer. From these special efforts frequent conversions resulted, and though not in every instance remaining to enrich our own membership, the happy subjects never failed to receive a cor- dial welcome elsewhere. And so, by slow but encouraging advances, the good work prospered and a dangerous emergency was thus happily averted.
Naturally enough, with this healthful quickening in the spiritual life, there presently came a heightened ambition for temporal improvements. Certain repairs and minor changes began to add their saving touches to the property. But the most noticeable achievement was the purchase of a pipe organ. It was small, of limited range, with no changes of registration, with no swell arrangement, with the show-pipes of pine wood, merely shaped and gilded to resemble the genuine, and with a wheezy bellows. Besides it was a second-hand affair and added its full price to the existing debt. Some were irrever- ent enough to nickname it a little "box trap." Yet, while not destined to outrival the famous Music Hall wonder, it was not to be despised. Its smooth and flute-like tones were in refreshing contrast with the strains of a cheap cabinet organ. It marked a notable advance in good taste, convenience and effectiveness. From that time the character and quality of the church music were distinctly heightened.
. It was then, however, that a deeper longing began to possess the hearts of a loyal few. A brooding nightmare had for years been the debt, which in one way and another ha l been piling up. A matter of only ten or twelve hundred dol-
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lars, it then weighed like a millstone upon the neck of the church. A proposal was made to clear it off. Of course the usual array of protests and of discouragements was presented. It was always so and doubtless will always be. One of the most forehanded and liberal members declared that, sooner than give a cent, he would see the church in ashes. Yet when the effort had gained headway enough to make it a sure thing, he manfully wheeled into line and gave a sum equal to the highest upon the list. Two-thirds or more were assumed by the church attendants alone and when the residue was pre- sented to the business men of the community, they, with the cheerfulness and the generosity for which they have always been noted, immediately cancelled every dollar. To their timely aid the church has more than once been indebted in the pinch of necessity. A public service of rejoicing was held in honor of this "great deliverance."
This happy event made all the more obvious another pres- sing need. The house of worship, as originally built. had been for those times considered a pattern of neatness, good taste and convenience. And the subsequent alterations, however extensive. have chiefly consisted of additions to the room, while the general plan of the structure has not been changed. But in fashioning the entrance a dreary blunder had been made. According to a style then not uncommon, a recess had been left, throwing open a large extent of floor space to the weather, rendering it utterly useless for any good purpose. To relieve the naked and uncouth appearance a wide fluted column had been erected at either end, leaving the distance between little more than wide enough for a passageway. The vestibule was cramped by just that extent of wasted room, thus permitting only a narrow and unsuitable approach to any other part of the building. So glaring a piece of botchwork had also compelled another, equally unfortunate. For the sole chance then left for reaching the audience room was by a flight of winding steps, crowded into an area at either corner of the church, barely sufficient for a common wardrobe, and leaving not an inch of standing room at the top. A correction of this great evil was seriously contemplated. Plans were pre- sented and approved. Full discussion was given to the subject. But the close of that pastorate had nearly come. The people had lifted hard in the payment of the debt. So the matter was deferred for the time. Yet while in the subsequent changes the ideas then favored were not carried out in detail, the general scheme for the purpose was then and there originated.
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The church at that period was highly favored in the character of its chief constituency. The names of Lewis W. Snow, Pliny Allen, William Henshaw, Hiram P. Dunton and Amos Kittredge now come up in review, as if they were only memories of yesterday. For loyalty, constancy and generous giving according to their means, it was of little use to look for their superiors. As representing a younger generation, William Brainerd Prouty was not a whit behind them. For fiery zeal, which neither storm nor flood could quench, plain Samuel Dickerman had no rival. Loring Emerson, a good and faith- ful man, had charge of the Sunday School, after whom came William Wadsworth, who for several years did excellent ser- vice. Not belonging to the church, but rendering friendly aid in many ways, were Russell Weld, Daniel Ball, Samuel Boyden. William Stanley and others. They were always helpful and responsive, whenever occasion required. As ever, since the apostles' time, there were also elect women not a few. With scarcely an exception the wives of those already named wer? conspicuous, as either members or friends, for their devotion to the welfare of the church.
In addition to these, Elvira Mason, Clarissa Sibley, Christina Eldredge, Olive Prouty, Marv Eliza Prouty, Mrs. Lauriston Prouty, Mrs. Isaac N. Stearns and Mrs. Hill, of Hillsville, will be gratefully remembered for their good works, so long as memory itself shall continue.
Not alone in the stated routine of church service were these faithful souls lavishing both time and effort and con- secrating their substance. A notable auxiliary, for both spiritual good and temporal, consisted of two social organiza- tions, which, with the regularity of clock work, were for years maintained by the women of the congregation. The one was located at the center, the other at Hillsville. They were cott- monly known as "Circles" and alternately met from house to house in their respective neighborhoods. There was always a keen rivalry between them, but it was the friendly rivalry of good works in a good cause, without a shadow of jealousy or of friction. Habitually the members attended each other's meetings, which were always in the afternoon and it was the regular custom to spread a bountiful repast before the com- pany. In strictly legitimate ways considerable sums were realized, which were devoted either to parsonage repairs and furniture or to the current expenses. It was a remarkable circumstance in the history of a church, so young in years and so limited in numbers, that two organizations, identical in spirit and in purpose, should so long exist in perfect harmony, side by side, and carry on with such eminent success, a work so noble.
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It was in the midst of this period that the most tragical event in all our American history occurred. Never to be for- gotten was that dreadful Saturday morning which brought the news of President Lincoln's assassination. Throughout the community, as everywhere within telegraphic range, the excite- ment and the commotion were past all account. Lamentably familiar have we since become with such unspeakable horrors. But then the whole nation seemed to be dazed with consterna- tion and dismay. Of course the ordinary plans for the next day's worship were set aside. Every loyal sanctuary became at once a house of mourning and on that hasty notice were solemn services extemporized in honor of the illustrious martyr. Our church was heavily draped by Mr. Dunton, with the richest fabrics in somber black which he was wont to use in his tailor- ing business. The effect was overpowering and little could be done but to sob and to stammer out a few broken sentences, then to let the mute eloquence of the occasion speak the lesson, which no words could ever teach.
The Spencer of that day was very little to be compared with the large and populous community of the present. The census roll then counted about 2800. The sumptuous dwellings of today were probably not then thought of. likewise the stately brick piles which now adorn the village. The old Town Hall would soon "hide its diminished head." if taken up and re-planted upon its old site. The High School was modestly housed in wooden walls, with the little nest-egg of a public library cuddled into a room up stairs. The Baptist church and the Universalist had no existence but in the possible dreams of a few hopeful friends. There had once been a Universalist society, whose place of worship was a plain wooden structure on the south side of Main Street, nearly op- posite the old Watson tavern. But the organization had ceased and for years the building had been occupied as a boot shop. Meanwhile the persons in sympathy with that faith quite generally identified themselves with the Congregationalist church. There had also been a Baptist organization in the northern part of the town, which occupied a very small build- ing of wood. situated upon the road leading towards Worcester. That also had been given up and the humble headquarters had long stood empty, a lonely reminder of former days an l doings. The old and reliable boot firms were steadily pros- pering, but inclosed in quarters that would now seem like boy-suits for giants. Where stands the colossal plant of Isaac Prouty & Co. was an open lot, though near the end of our stay the front section, the wonder of its day, was erected. From Josiah Green's to the Watson Brothers not an engine gave a
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puff of steam, nor a pulley whirred nor a gear clacked and rattled. Every stroke of work was done by hand or by machines operated with hand or foot power. Upon the little stream below, entirely by water power, William Upham ran a manufactory of cloth, and a step lower down William Stanley followed a like industry. At the upper Wire Village, Myrick and Sugden, and at the lower, the Prouty Brothers were mak- ing notable additions to the wealth of industry. And to the lasting honor of Spencer be it said, that a long search will fail to discover its superior for the solid integrity of its busi- ness men.
As a rule my relations with the community were of the most agreeable character. More than one mark of confidence wholly unsought and unexpected by me, was shown by the people. By the custom of that time a committee of three had charge of the public schools, so far as the qualifications of the teachers were concerned and the general condition and progress of the pupils. That committee consisted of Rev. James Cruik- shanks, Dr. E. C. Dyer and George L. Hobbs. Upon the death of Dr. Dyer, I was chosen in the customary way to fill the Ve- cancy, till the end of the year, when at the regular town meet- ing I was elected by the citizens and served during the re- mainder of my stav. For many a mile did Mr. Cruikshanks and myself, both well versed in the use of nature's apparatus for locomotion, travel side by side in our official tours of school inspection. I do not now remember a district in that large township that we did not personally visit, going and returning on foot. A notable event in the light of subsequent history was the employment, as the High School principal, of Wilbur O. Atwater, since known throughout the world of science. On the retirement of Mr. Cruikshanks from the school board, he was succeeded by Dr. E. M. Wheeler, who, being amply provided with sturdy horseflesh, soon put a period to the era of pedestrianism.
For some years the rapid growth of the school in the lower part of the village had been overcrowding its meager accommo- dations. Some new arrangement was imperatively demanded. With Hon. Luther Hill and some others I was placed on & building committee, having full power to act in the matter. Timid conservatism strenuously urged the patching up of the old wooden building, which had so entirely outlived its con- venience, with an under story added and a flight of outside steps, open to the weather: $2,000 was the outside figure of expense which in these cautious calculations had been so much as dreamed of. And when the committee had audaciousi.y broached a plan for a structure of brick, three stories high,
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containing four rooms finished and two others to be utilized when needed, a storm of criticism burst forth, of which this new generation has never dreamed. Yet we "builded better than we knew," even though our rash venture had overtopped the limit of $20,000, for scarcely had the call sounded, to gather into the new quarters the swarming troops of children, before the unfinished rooms were needed to accommodate the throng. Not an inch of space had been wasted and that seemingly extravagant outlay was really one of the wisest measures of economy for a community-so thriving and so full of enterprise. Very plain to more modern eyes may seem that pioneer structure. But many a more ambitious architectural triumph will fail to equal it in solid and durable character. It is well fitted to stand for ages.
Very pronounced was the temperance sentiment in those days. Not to my knowledge was there in all that township, a place where intoxicants were sold. As a rule the people, old and young, were abstainers. Organizations found ready favor, not for stemming a tide of inebriation, which did not exist, but to keep alive and active the principles of the people and to promote social intercourse. In the interest of the Good Templars' Order, one Collins, an accredited agent, made his appearance and proposed to organize a lodge. He came un- announced, was something of a dude in his appearance, had many odd and absurd mannerisms, and at a public gathering afterwards held in the old Town Hall. he delivered himself of a harangue, which for pompous rhetoric and bombast one might long travel and not find equalled. Only his evident sin- cerity and his volcanic earnestness redeemed either himself or his effort from ridicule. Yet in spite of drawbacks so nearly fatal, a movement was begun which enlisted some of the choicest elements in the community. A society was formed, bearing, in honor of the season, the name of "May Day Lodge,"" and for years it held. as to numbers and character, a com- manding position. Prominent among the active helpers in this were Deacon Proctor, Mrs. Cynthia Ann Bacon, Mrs. Ball, (the mother of Daniel), J. E. Bacon, W. O. Atwater, Mary Hersey, William Wadsworth, Mary Bullard, John W. Bigelow, Loring Emerson, Daniel Ball. Richard Lindley, Mary and Abbie Dunton, besides many others who came in at later times and made a good record.
In the way of social intercourse, affording, with sub- stantial improvement in voice culture, the most pure and re- fined enjoyment. nothing exceeded a musical association which was formed during the same period. Its two-fold object was to encourage friendly intercourse on the part of its members
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and to study choice choral compositions. There was no test of social connection applied, nor of religious affiliation, the oniy condition of admittance being a far degree of musical taste and a hearty enthusiasm for the purpose in view. It was known as the Mendelssohn Society, and was substantially a re-animation of a former body which, under the same title and with a portion of the same individuals, had gained a creditable reputation. Nothing cheap nor ordinary in character was ever chosen for practice. The weekly gatherings for drill and for recital were occasions of rare interest and profit. Such proficiency was attained that several popular and successful concerts were given, one of them as far away as West Brookfield. William Sumner, a native of Spencer, but in all his later years a resident of Worcester, was the director. He belonged to the old and well known family of that name. He was a living embodiment of the musical spirit, a composer of high class oratorio, a man of unsullied character and of deep religious feeling. As a conductor he excelled in skill and tact and patience. Urbane in manner, kind and courteous to all, gentle and genial in spirit, he commanded the esteem and the confidence of every one. His work was no mechanical drudgery, wearily endured, with his eye upon the clock and with the thought of the coming pay day chiefly uppermost. Rather it was marked with a glow of enthusiasm which gave to every pulse a healthful throb of interest. Being a ready player upon the violin, he had a fashion of holding that in- strument as he led, not in order to help the accompaniments, but to emphasize certain passages or otherwise to interpret them according to his taste. And when the moment had ar- rived for closing, his only announcement would be to commence singing, with his mild and mellow voice, without so much as a note from any instrument, the opening stanza of the hymn, "By Cool Siloam's Shady Rill," in which all the chorus in- stantly joined. To my best remembrance this feature was never once omitted. The instrumental parts in these congenial exercises were led by Mrs. J. W. Temple, formerly Miss Sybil Green. To my best information and belief she was then the most accomplished pianist in that community. With a culti- vated taste, quick to discern the spirit of a composition, strong and self reliant in execution, she gave a support to the voices, upon which, from the first measure, they confidently rested and were never disappointed. Some of the scores were notably involved and difficult, yet she never faltered, and it was an inspiration to observe the ease and the readiness with which the tangled passages tripped off from her fingers' ends. With the bass viol, Benjamin Deland rendered valuable ser- vice, as did also George W. Merritt with the flute, both being
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