USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890 > Part 94
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TOWN OF HARWICH.
Adams was pastor from August, 1841, to April, 1844. Rev. Cyrus Stone was pastor from September 1, 1844, to October 1, 1848. Rev. T. P. Sawin was pastor from December. 1848, to March 11, 1851. Rev. Moses H. Wilder became pastor in October, 1851, and was dismissed March 1, 1858. Rev. Joseph R. Munsell was pastor from November 7, 1858, to May 3, 1868. Rev. William Beard came in November, 1869, and closed his labors December 25, 1870. Mr. Charles S. Whit- ney, a licentiate, supplied the pulpit from May 7, 1871, to October 6, 1872. While supplying the pulpit he was ordained a Congregation- alist minister. Rev. Bradish C. Ward supplied the pulpit from Octo- ber, 1872, to January, 1876. The pulpit was supplied in 1877 by Rev. Joseph Hammond; in 1878 by Rev. Smith Norton; 1879 by Rev. S. W. Powell. Since 1880 the pastors have been: Rev. R. S. Tobey, Rev. C. M. Westlake, and Rev. H. P. Cutting. Rev. Mr. Cutting closed his labors in 18SS.
The first meeting house erected by the parish or society, a rude structure, stood a little westward of the chapel. It was taken down in 1792, and another, more commodious, was erected a little to the eastward, about where the chapel stands. After standing forty years this became dilapidated and unfit for public service, and was taken down and sold. The present structure was built in 1832, and enlarged and renovated in 1854, at an expense of about six thousand dollars.
The second church constituted was the Separate or New Light church. The first pastor was Rev. Joshua Nickerson. He was or- dained on "a stage in open air," February 23, 1749. The officiating ministers were: Rev. Isaac Backus, of Middleboro, Rev. John Paine, of Rehobath, and Rev. Nathaniel Sheperd, of Attleboro. The ordi- nation sermon was preached by Mr. Backus. The first deacons were William Nickerson and Richard Chase, both ordained the day after the pastor's ordination. As this was the first church of the denomin- ation in Barnstable county it caused considerable excitement and " a deal of discourse." Mr. Dunster, the pastor of the First church, the Sunday following "preached a sermon against the Newlight's pro- ceedings." The meeting house of this society, tradition has it, stood near the burying ground west of the house now occupied by Watson B. Baker. This burying ground is now unfenced, and all the head stones have been removed to the Island Pond cemetery. It was a small structure. Mr. Nickerson, the pastor, removed to Jamworth, N. H. But little is further known of this church.
The third church organized was of the Separate or New Light de- nomination. The first pastor was Richard Chase. He was ordained December 11, 1751, Mr. Backus of Middleboro delivering the sermon for the occasion. Other ministers officiating were Elder Carpenter, Elder Ewer and Elder Nickerson of the first Separate church. At
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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.
the ordination were Mr. Lewis of Billingsgate, and Mr. Dunster of the First church, who interrupted the meeting. Mr. Dunster protested against the proceedings, and declared some of the members had " separated from his church." This church worshiped in a meeting house in the west part of the town. At first, this church, like the first of which Mr. Nickerson was pastor, admittted to communion all Christians, whether they had been sprinkled in infancy or baptized by immersion. It also held to the baptism of infants of believers. But at length the pastor, and a portion of the church, became adverse to pedo-baptism, and the administration of the rite was neglected. This led to the convening of a council by the aggrieved brethren, December 20, 1752, which censured the pastor and that portion of the church that held with him. The censure, however, was revoked by another council, composed of Elders William Carpenter, Isaac Backus, Joshua Nickerson, and Dea. Eleazer Robbins, August 23, 1753, and fellowship with the church and Elder Chase was publicly declared. The next day Elder Chase, becoming satisfied it was his duty to go " into the water in baptism * * * went down to the water " with Elder Backus, who now was an Anabaptist, and the rite was adminis- tered.
In 1757 the Anabaptistical wing of the church having organized a church of the Baptist order, gave Mr. Chase invitation to become the pastor. He accepted and was ordained September 29th. The sermon was preached by elder Backus. Elder Chase was pastor of the church until March 31, 1777, when he was deposed from the pastoral office for disorderly conduct as a minister of the gospel. Mr. Samuel Nick- erson, a Free Will Baptist, preached to the Baptists in their meeting house, which stood on the old burying ground at North Harwich, a portion of the time between 1778 and 1781. Mr. Jonathan Jeffers sup- plied the pulpit from 1781 till June, 1785. Mr. Enoch Eldridge became pastor in 1788, and continued till 1794, when Rev. Abner Lewis suc- ceeded him. Mr. Lewis continued the pastor until 1809. After him came Mr. Eli Ball, who supplied the pulpit a short period. He was succeeded by Mr. James Barnaby, a licentiate of the First Baptist church in Providence, who was ordained August 7, 1811. Mr. J. Bar- naby was pastor till June, 1819. Rev. David Curtis became pastor in August, 1822, and continued till December 11, 1824. Rev. Stephen Coombs became pastor in September, 1826, and continued until 1829. Rev. William Bowen became pastor in 1829, and continued until March 20, 1831, when he was succeeded by Rev. Davis Lothrop, who contin- ted until 1834. Rev. Seth Ewer was the next pastor. He left the society in June, 1837, after two years' service. Rev. James Barnaby became pastor the second time 'in November, 1837, and continued here until March, 1844, when Mr. Lothrop became pastor the second
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time. He continued until March, 1846. Rev. George Matthews be-' came pastor in July, 1846, and continued until March, 1848. Rev. Mr. Huntley supplied a short time, when Rev. Mr. Barnaby became pastor for the third time. He resigned his pastorate May 26, 1855. Mr. George F. Warren was ordained and installed January 8, 1856, and continued until September, 1857. He was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Ashley, who remained until November, 1857. After services of Rev. Mr. Clark and Rev. S. J. Bronson, Mr. Barnaby for the fourth time became pastor, in April, 1862, and continued until 1877, the year of his death. His successor was Rev. A. T. Dunn, who was followed by Rev. H. C. Hickok. Rev. J. W. Holman was pastor from 1883 to 1886. The present pastor is Rev. Charles A. Snow, who succeeded Mr. Hol- man in 1886.
The second meeting house of the Baptists was built in 1804, some rods southerly from the old cemetery at North Harwich. It was removed to West Harwich in 1828, to site of the present church edifice. It was taken down in 1841, and the present church erected. The dedicatory services took place November 17, 1841. This church is the eldest of the denomination in the county.
The Arminian, or Free Will Baptist church, was constituted in this town August 10, 1779. The first pastor was Mr. Samuel Nickerson. The church was composed mostly of those who had been members of the Separate churches. Mr. Nickerson left the church and returned to his native state, and the church was dissolved, October 20, 1789. Mr. Nickerson held meetings in the parish meeting house, and also in the Baptist meeting house at North Harwich.
The East Harwich Methodist Episcopal society was organized in 1797. The preacher at this date was Rev. John Broadhead. The first meeting house, a very small structure without plaster or paint, was built in 1799, in the east end of the old cemetery, near the site of the house of the late Washington Eldridge, and westward, a short distance from the house of Seth Eldridge. The house was occupied by the Methodists until 1811, when the present one at East Harwich was built, then it was vacated and sold. The society was incorporated March 1, 1809, by the Massachusetts legislature as the "First Metho- dist Society in Harwich," with " all the powers and privileges which are enjoyed by other religious societies," in the Commonwealth. Among the preachers after Mr. Broadhead, and before 1802, were Rev. John B. Gibson and Rev. John Merrick. Mr. Gibson was the preacher here when the meeting house was built in 1799. The first Methodist preacher here before 1797 was Mr. John Kenney, a native of Chatham, but a resident of Provincetown.
The first worshippers in the church at North Harwich were Reformed Methodists. Those who are now sustaining meetings in
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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.
the church are the Episcopal Methodists. Rev. Benjamin Swift was the first minister of the Reformed Methodists here.
The meeting house at South Harwich was built for the Reformed Methodists in 1836. The master builder was Almond Hinckley of Dennis. The first minister was Rev. Benjamin Swift, whose remains lie buried at the north end of the church. The society subsequently became Wesleyan Methodist, and a church was organized January 1, 1845, of this denomination, with Rev. James Wright, pastor. In 1853, August 31st, the Methodist Episcopal church was organized with Rev. Mr. Spilstead, pastor.
A few years after this change many who had attended meeting here withdrew, formed a society, built the "Bethel," near the town line, and for many years employed Rev. Davis Lothrop of West Har- wich, as the pastor. Upon his retirement, the pulpit was supplied, but not regularly. At present the society is sustaining preaching.
Pilgrim church (Congregationalist), Harwich Port, was organized April 24, 1855, with Rev. W. A. McCollom as pastor. Mr. McCollom retired from service here on account of failing health near the close of the year, and Rev. Charles Morgridge succeeded him, commencing his labors February 18, 1856, and closing them February 18, 1858. Rev. Frederick Hebard was the next pastor. He came August 18. 1858, and retired February 18, 1864. Rev. Alvin J. Bates succeeded him February 26, 1865. Rev. Walter Ela followed in 1868. In 1869 Rev. Isaac Pierson preached eight months, and went a missionary to China. In 1870, Rev. Henry C. Fay was installed pastor. In 1872, Rev. Davis Lothrop supplied the pulpit; leaving in February, 1873, Rev. Isaac Dunham succeeded him, supplying the pulpit until Novem- ber, 1873. Rev. Edson J. Moore was pastor for some time, closing his labors April, 1878. Rev. John H. Vincent was pastor from February, 1879, to February, 1881. Rev. Minot S. Hartwell supplied the pulpit from 1882 to 1884. From April, 1884, to January, 1885, Rev. C. M. Westlake supplied the pulpit. Rev. H. P. Cutting, pastor of the Centre church, supplied the pulpit during the latter part of the year 1886, and the beginning of the year 1887, when Rev. Warren Applebee suc- ceeded him. Mr. Applebee closed his two years' pastorate in May, 1889. Rev. W. W. Parker commenced his labors in July, 1889. Nathaniel Doane is the senior deacon of the church, having held the office since the organization of the church in 1855. Freeman Snow who died in 1884, had been deacon since 1855. His successor is Henry Kelley. The present clerk and treasurer of the society is Dea. Nath- aniel Doane, who has held the office eighteen years. The church edifice was erected in 1854, and dedicated February 1, 1855. Rev. M. H. Wilder, Rev. James Barnaby, Rev. Mr. Thacher, Rev. Mr. Mc- Collom and Rev. Enoch Pratt taking part in the services.
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The members of the Roman Catholic church commenced the erec- tion of their house of worship at the Centre upon land purchased of Chester Snow, in October, 1865. The edifice was finished in May, 1866. The builder was George F. Swift of Sandwich. Services com- menced in it in July, 1866. The locating of the church at this point, and the success of the movement to erect and pay for it, was largely due to the efforts of Patrick Drum, since deceased.
OFFICIAL HISTORY.#-The following is the list of selectmen of the town from 1701 to the present time, with the first year of their elec- tion and the number of years they served: 1701, Joseph Paine, 12 years; Thomas Freeman, 3; William Myrick, 6; 1704, Thomas Clark, 4; 1710, Chillingsworth Foster, 7: Gershom Hall, 3; 1713, Nathaniel Myrick, 19; Edward Snow, 2; Kenelm Winslow, jr., 3; 1716, John Freeman, 3; 1718, Dea. Thomas Lincoln, S: Ens. Prence Freeman, 13; 1725, Lieut. Joseph Freeman, 9; 1726, Capt. Edmund Freeman, 7; 1732, Nathaniel Hopkins, 1; 1733, Kenelm Winslow, 3; Chillingsworth Foster, 4; Joseph Mayo, 11; 1739, Jabez Snow, 29; 1742, William Freeman, 3; 1743, John Snow, 7; 1745, Thomas Winslow, 1; 1748, Ju- dah Sears, 1; Nathaniel Doane, 1; 1749, Edward Hall, 24; 1750, Elisha Doane, 7; 1753, Barnabas Freeman, 5; 1754, Thomas Kendrick, 1; 1758, Edmund Freeman, 6; 1763, Heman Stone, 3; 1770, Benjamin Freeman, 3; James Paine, 16; 1773, Joseph Nye, 7; 1779, Joseph Snow, 7; Solomon Freeman, 1; 1780, Nathaniel Downes, 2; Benjamin Berry, 4; 1782, Ammiel Weekes, 1: 1783, John Dillingham, 22; 1785, Ebenezer Broadbrooks, jr., 20; 1789, Ebenezer Snow, 3; 1791, Jona- than Snow, S; 1792, Dea. Reuben Snow, 2: 1801, John Gould, 1; 1802, Scotto Berry, 3; 1805, William Eldridge, 7: Isaiah Chase, 5: 1809, John D. Bangs, 4; 1811, Job Chase, jr., 4; 1813, Stephen Burgess, 2; Nathan Nickerson, 2; 1814, Ebenezer Kelley, 1; 1815, Daniel Hall, 1; James. Long, 16; 1816, Nathaniel Doane, 12; 1817, Elijah Chase, 15; 1818, Reuben Cahoon, 4; 1825, Nathan Underwood, jr., 25; 1830, Anthony Kelley, 3; 1831, Samuel Eldridge, 2d, 5; 1832, Isaiah Baker, 1; 1835, Amasa Nickerson, 4; 1836, Elkanah Nickerson, 1; 1837, Isaac Kelley, 9; 1839, Nathaniel Chase, 4; 1841, Isaiah Doane, 5; 1843, Freeman Snow, 2; 1844, Jacob Crowell, 3; 1845, Cyrus Weekes, S; 1848, Darius Weekes, 1; 1850, Danforth S. Steel, 14; 1853, James Chase, 2; John Kenny, 2; 1853, Benjamin F. Bee, 1; 1857, Shubael B. Kelley, 6; 1858, Isaiah C. Kelley, 5; 1860, Thomas Kendrick, 9; 1862, Benjamin W. Eldridge, 1; Sheldon Crowell, 2; 1864, Joseph C. Berry, 3; 1866, Zep- haniah Nickerson, jr., 15; Isaiah Chase, 14; 1873, Watson B. Kelley, 18; 1879, Thomas Ellis, 2; 1881, Mark F. Nickerson, 2; 1884, David Killey, 4; 1SS5, Edward Kendrick, 4; 18SS, Uriel Doane, 2; 1889, Jo- siah Paine, 2; 1890, Ambrose N. Doane, 1 year.
* In consequence of the loss of the first pages of the first volume of the town rec- ords, the names of the first officers of the town cannot be given.
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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.
List of town clerks from 1701 to 1890, with first year they served. The town clerks were chosen treasuresafter 1717: 1701, Thomas Free- man; 1707, Joseph Paine; 1713, #Chillingsworth Foster; 1742, Na- thaniel Stone, jr .; 1777, James Paine; 1785, Joseph Snow; 1789, Ben- jamin Bangs; 1793, Dean Bangs; 1795, Reuben Snow; 1796, Anthony Gray; 1800, John D. Bangs; 1809, Obed Brooks; 1810, Ebenezer Weekes; 1814, Obed Brooks; 1839, John Allen; 1846, Ephraim Doane; 1848, Benjamin W. Eldridge; 1852, Obed Brooks, jr .; 1853, Ephraim Doane; 1859, William H. Underwood; 1868, Braddock P. Philips; 1870, Freeman Snow; 1881, Joshua H. Paine.
Representatives from 1811, with the first year in office and num- ber of years in service: 1711, John Mayo, 3 years; 1712, Gershom Hall, 2; 1713, Thomas Clarke, 8: 1717, Chillingsworth Foster, 5; 1719, William Myrick, 1; 1720, Kenelm Winslow, 1; 1720, John Gray, 1; 1725, Edmund Freeman, 13; 1741, Joseph Freeman, 4; 1749, Edward Bangs, 2; 1755, Nathaniel Stone, jr., 6; 1761, Chillingsworth Foster, 9; 1770, Benjamin Freeman, 4; 1775. Joseph Nye, 3; 1777, Solomon Free- man, 5; 1783, Kimbal Clarke, 3: 1791, John Dillingham, 11; 1800, Eb- enezer Broadbrooks, jr., 5; 1801, Benjamin Bangs, 4; 1806, Ebenezer Weekes, 3; 1812, Eli Small, 1; 1813, Nathan Nickerson, 1; 1823, Rev. Nathan Underwood, 2; 1827, James Long, 10; 1827, Dr. Greenleaf J. Pratt, 1; 1828, Isaiah Chase, 3; 1832, Sidney Underwood, 1; 1834, Job Chase, 2; 1834, Zebina H. Small, 2; 1835, Samuel Eldridge, 2d, 4; 1839, Cyrus Weekes, 5: 1839, Richard Baker, jr., 2; 1842, Loring Moody, 2; 1849, Darius Weekes, 1; 1850, Obed Nickerson, 1; 1851, Nathaniel Doane, jr., 5; 1854, Anthony K. Chase, 2; 1856, Elkanah Nickerson, 2.
SCHOOLS .- At the time Harwich was incorporated it was enjoined by law upon every town in the province "having the number of fifty householders or upwards," to have" a school master to teach children and youth to read and write; " and having " the number of one hun- dred families or householders to have a grammar school set up " and taught by " some discreet person of good conversation, well instruc- ted in the tongues," and "to take effectual care and make due pro- visions for the settlement and maintenance of such school master or masters," the selectmen and inhabitants of such towns respectively were imperatively commanded. But this town, at the time of incor- poration, not having families enough, as the law required, to establish a school in which both reading and writing could be taught, early had "a school for to teach children to read." In 1708, however, "families eneough" were found, and the matter of establishing a school and providing for the settlement of a schoolmaster was brought up at a meeting of the town June ninth for consideration. The * Died in office, and Kenelm Winslow, jr., was chosen to fill unexpired term Octo- ber 12, 1702.
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TOWN OF HARWICH.
town voted to leave the management of the school with the select- men, but for some reason not apparent they did not comply with the provisions of the law, and at the July session of the court the town was presented, and Edward Bangs was chosen to appear, as an agent, and give reasons for the neglect. After this date the town seems not to have neglected to maintain a lawful school. In March, 1709, but a few months after the presentment, in town meeting it was voted to raise such a sum "as the law makes provisions in making town rates, to pay the schoolmasters and his board." It was also decided that the schools should commence by "removes" that had been determined upon. After this time up to the settlement of Mr. Asbon as the town schoolmaster in 1713, the town, it is evident from the records, became interested in schools and made provisions for their support.
At the time Mr. Asbon was settled as the schoolmaster no school houses had been built, and as an inducement to some one to open his house for the school the town offered the sum of "nine pence a week for a convenient house to keep school in." Mr. As- bon's engagement was for seven months in 1713. Whether he was engaged for 1714 we have no means of ascertaining. At the time of his teaching the town was districted, and the schoolmaster made the circuit of the town in seven months. This manner of estab- lishing the school gave each section of the town the benefit of the school, although it necessitated long vacations and gave the master continuous service. Doubtless it was the best plan that could be adopted for the time when the inhabitants were scattered, and but one teacher supported by the town.
In 1715 Mr. Philip Selew was engaged as the town schoolmaster, with a salary of forty-eight pounds. The town was, indeed, fortunate in securing a teacher of such qualifications. Before his term expired the town authorized the selectmen to again secure his services, and give him the same salary.
Mr. Selew came to this country, his descendants claim, from Bor- deaux, and had been educated for the ministry, but choosing the vo- cation of a teacher, was never settled in the ministry. He was the schoolmaster of the town for over fifty years. He died May 15, 1772, at the age of eighty-four, and lies buried in the old cemetery at Harwich, where a slate stone, with inscription, marks the place of his sepulture. Mr. Selew was three times married, and has descendants, but none residing in Harwich.
In 1753 the South parish, now the present town of Harwich, took action in matters relating to schools, and "choose Lieut. Zachariah Smalley, John Gage and Gershom Hall, to hire school masters or school mistress'," but whether they carried out the vote of the parish
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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.
does not appear. It was doubtless the first attempt of the "South side " people to support a teacher. Whether they continued yearly to support a teacher while the regular town's schoolmaster was on the circuit the records do not show. In 1766, however, a committee of the precinct was chosen to "settle the school" and Benjamin Nickerson was allowed " four shillings and ten pence lawful money for school house room," indicating that no school house had then been erected in the precinct or parish up to this time. In 1768 the general court authorized precincts to raise money for the schools and building school houses, and the South precinct choose " Samuel Nick- erson, James Gage and Reuben Eldridge to settle the schools in the precinct." In 1775 the South precinct took action in relation to sus- taining schools. "Reuben Eldridge, Prince Young, John Smith, Samuel Nickerson, Nathaniel Downes and Ebenezer Chase were chosen to settle the school."
During the revolutionary period the schools of the town were not well sustained, owing to limited means at the town's command. For not providing a schoolmaster according to law, in 1779, the town was "presented." After the close of the war efforts were made to keep up the schools to the requirements of the state; and Joseph Smith was employed as the town's schoolmaster. He was from Barre. He made the North parish his place of residence. He was generally known as "Schoolmaster Smith." The legislation of 1789, supplemented by that of 1800, 1817 and 1827, laid the foundation of a district school system which prevailed in this town up to the time of adopting the present system.
At the present time (1890) the town sustains sixteen schools under the graded system, and has nine school houses. The high school was established at the Centre in 1881, with A. L. Wood as principal. He was succeeded by L. T. McKenney in 1887. The present teacher is S. A. Hayward, who succeeded Mr. McKenney in 1889. The late Colonel H. C. Brooks caused one thousand dollars to be placed in the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, the interest on which to be annually expended for a suitable medal for every school in town, to be donated once every year to the pupil in each school who is most proficient in composition and letter writing and most ex- cellent in behavior, to be determined by the teacher of each school.
The leading institution of learning in this section for twenty years was the Pine Grove Seminary, established in this town by Sidney Brooks in 1844. Mr. Brooks was the principal from the beginning. He gave up the charge of the school in 1866 to engage in teaching on the state school ship. The building he sold to the town in 1869, and it is now used for school purposes. Mr. Brooks was born in Harwich and graduated at Amherst College in 1841. He died in Boston, where he had resided mostly since he closed his school in Harwich.
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TOWN OF HARWICH.
VILLAGES .- The villages in town and localities in which post offices have been established, are Harwich, East Harwich, South Harwich, Harwich Port, West Harwich, North Harwich and Pleasant Lake.
Harwich is the central village and the oldest in the town. It is sit- uated upon high land, many feet above the level of the sea, and above the chain of ponds that border the northerly line of the town. Where the Exchange building stands, the land is twenty-nine feet above the level of Long pond. On what is now Main street, sixty years ago, from the house of the late E. E. Hardings to the house occupied by the late Isaac Smith, there were only ten dwelling houses, and of these eight are yet standing, together with the old school house, in which many of the old residents of the village and neighborhood received the rudiments of their education.
The first to open a store in this place was Ebenezer Brooks, Esq., which was before 1789. In 1802 his son, Obed Brooks, became asso- ciated with him in trade, and they erected in 1807 the store which was removed in 1880 from the old corner across the street, and is now occupied as a dwelling house. After the death of the father, Mr. Brooks continued in trade until about 1833, when he became associ- ated with his son, Obed Brooks, jr., who had been in business in Bos- ton under the firm of Rand & Brooks. Mr. Brooks at this date enlarged the store, and put in a good stock of goods, such as was usually kept in a country store, making it the store of the town. Mr. Brooks, in 1856, becoming cashier of the bank just established in the village, gave up the business, and Mr. Obed Nickerson of South Harwich, who had for some time been engaged in the store, took charge and carried on the business for several years, when in 1876 Mr. Cyrenus S. Hunt, . a young man, who had received his business training under Mr. Nick- erson, took charge of the old stand, and remained in business there until the erection of Brooks' block, in 1879, when he removed his stock into the room he now occupies. Mr. Hunt has, with the excep- tion of a short period at his place of residence in trade, occupied this store.
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