USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Volume II pt 2 > Part 9
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The procession reached the park at half past twelve o'clock ; and, the assembly having been called to order by Hon. Thomas Colt. president of the day, the exercises commenced with a prayer by Rev. Dr. Todd.
Major General William F. Bartlett, chairman of the sub-committee under whose immediate supervision the monument was erected, then rose. and addressing Mr. Colt, delivered it to him in a brief speech. As General Bartlett closed. the veil of flags which hal hitherto covered the statue fell, and it was greeted by the band with appropriate music, and by the people with approving shouts. Mr. Colt then accepted the monu- ment in behalf of the town in a few well chosen words. Then came the oration of George William Curtis. characterized by all its author's classic and glowing eloquence, overflowing with historic allusions and illus. trations, and full of the lessons taught by the war, and the civil struggle for human rights which preceded it.
After the exercises in the park, the procession formed again, and marched to the corner of Wendell avenue and East Housatonic street, where dinner had been provided in a mammoth pavillion. Here the public celebrations of the day closed : Hon. Thomas Colt presiding. and speeches being made by Governor Washburn and Lieutenant Governor Tucker.
Lodges and Societies .- Mystic Lodge, F. & A. M., was constituted at the house of Brother Samuel Bacon. in Lanesboro, in the forenoon of July 12th, 1810. The notice was signed by S. H. Wheeler as secretary. The charter members of this lodge were doubtless dismissed from Frank- lin Lodge, which had been constituted at Cheshire prior to 1795, and em- braced the members of that lodge in Pittsfield and Lanesboro. Dr. William H. Tyler, worshipful master of Mystic Lodge in 1812. was initi- ated in Franklin Lodge in 1808. His grandson, William H. Phillips, still has a silver jewel and the very elegant apron worn by Dr. Tyler as mas- ter. An advertisement signed by E. Loomis, secretary, in May, 1817. calls a meeting in their lodge room in Pittsfield. This lodge room was in Washington Hall, in the third story, which was substituted for the
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THE PARK IN 1885.
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gambrel roof of Capt. Joseph Merrick's tavern in 1811. The hotel was burned in November, 1826, and with it the records and charter of the lodge. The reasons which led to the removal of the lodge to Pittsfield were probably the increasing importance of the town arising from the establishment of the cantonment for United States troops, the cattle show of the agricultural society in 1811, and several manufactories. Three large hotels on the public square, each better than any in any other town of the county, probably conduced to the same result, and especially the hall built by Captain Merrick, a leading member of the order. The Morgan excitement occurred about the time of the burn ing of the hotel, and no effort is known to have been made to obtain a renewal of the charter until the fall of 1847. About that time informal meetings were occasionally held. til! December 16th of that year, when the first record of a regular communication of Mystic Lodge, under its new organization, was made The following officers were then elected : Franklin Weston, W. M .; Franklin Root, S. W .; Daniel P. Merriam. J. W .; Matthias R. Lanckton, secretary ; Comfort B. Platt, treasurer ; Merrick Ross, S. D .; Edwin Sturges, J. D. Since its reorganization the following have been worshipful masters: Franklin Weston, Daniel P. Merriam, L. H. Gamwell, George A. Murdock, George V. Bristol. Henry Chickering. Lebbeus Scott, Josiah Carter, Almon N. Allen, George N. Dutton, George C. Dunham, H. S. Russell, Frederick S. Parker, Gardner T. Barker, William H. Murray, I. D. Ferrey, W. S. Kirtland, William K. Rice, Charles H. Hubbard, W. D. Axtell, Charles H. Tuttle, George C. Hall, Thomas H. Day, Charles E. Merrill. The officers in January, 1885, were : Charles E. Merrill, W. M .; James E. Carver, S. W .; James Kittle, J. W .; E. H. Nash, treasurer : John F. Van Deusen, secretary : John P. Merrill, S. D .; Henry C. Merrill, J. D .; William C. Renne, S. S .; E. L. Burnham, J. S .; John S. Smith, marshal : Willis D. Smith, senti- nel ; Charles H. Hubbard, tyler; E. G. Hubbel, organist.
For three or four years after its reorganization the communications of the lodge were held in Odd Fellows' Hall, then in Goodrich block. The lodge then occupied rooms in Martin's block for about three years, after which it removed back to Goodrich Hall, which it occupied a little less than ten years. It then removed to its present elegant quarters in the Berkshire Life Insurance Company's building. The stated com- munications of the lodge are held on the first Tuesday evening of each month.
Crescent Lodge, F. & A. M .. was established in Pittsfield, September 12th, 1873, on the petition of fourteen brethren, most of whom were mem- bers of Mystic Lodge. The petitioners were : Henry Chickering. George C. Dunham, Hezekiah S. Russell, John C. Parker, T. E. Cole, D. C. Mun- yan, George Van Valkenburg. Theodore L. Allen, Henry Eastman. Charles W. Van DeMark, Clark F. Hall, William M. Prince. Jarvis N. Dunham. and Charles D. Mills. The first officers were: Henry Chickering. W. M .; George C. Dunham, S. W .; H. S. Russell, J. W .; Charles W. Van
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
DeMark, treasurer : Theodore L. Allen, secretary : Henry Eastman, S. D .: D. C. Munyan J. D .: Clark F. Hall. S. S .; George Van Valkenburg, J. S .; Truman E. Cole. marshal ; Charles D. Mills, I. S .: John C. Parker, tyler.
After working a year under dispensation, the lodge was regularly organized by the Grand Master, October 19th, 1874. The following have been worshipful masters : Henry Chickering. George C. Dunham. Wil- liam E. Vermilye, and William F. Gale. The officers in January, 1895. were : George H. Theker, W. M .: William P. Wood, S. W .; John F. Noxon, J. W .: E. T. Slocum, marshal ; Theodore L. Allen, treasurer ; Clark F. Hall. secretary : Charles E. Bennett. chaplain ; Charles W. French, S. D .; II. W. Dewey, J. D .: D. L. Evans, S. S .; F. F. Read. jr. J. S .; C. H. Hubbard. tyler. The stated communications of the lodge are held on the fourth Monday in each month.
Berkshire Chapter. R. A. M., was organized January 6th, 1859. under a dispensation from the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts, dated Decem ber 7th, 1858. After working fifteen months under dispensation the chapter was presented with a charter by officers of the Grand Lodge. March 22d. 1860. The following officers were then installed : L. H. Gam- well, H. P .; Franklin Weston. E. K .; E. F. Ensign. E. S .; Daniel Upton. C. K .; George V. Bristol, P. S .: J. N. Dunham, R. A. C .; Henry S. Briggs, M. 3d V .: C. M. Whelden. M. 20 V .: A. N. Allen, M. 1st V .; Josiah Carter, treasurer : George A. Murdock, secretary ; D. H. Bassett. tyler. The successive high priests have been : L. H. Gamwell, Henry Chiekering, Almon N. Allen, H. S. Russell, L. Scott, S. H. Almy, Tru- man E. Cole. William H. Murray, George C. Dunham. W. E. Vermilve. Charles E. Merrill. Thomas H. Day. The officers in January. 1885, were: Thomas H. Day, H. P .; George C. Hall. E. K .; Lewis W. Taylor, E. S .; Clark F. Hall treasurer ; John F. Van Deusen, secretary ; E. M. Annis. C. H .: William A. Butler, P. S .: Arthur F. Curtis, R. A. C .; Frederick M. Platt, M. 3d V .: John W. Cooney, M. 2d V .: Engene 1. Simmons, M. 1st V .; Charles H. Hubbard, tyler.
Since October 3d. 1861, the convocations have been held regularly. on the first Thursday evening in each month, with but one or two ex- ceptions. The annual convocation for the election of officers is held in October.
Berkshire Council, R. & S. M., was organized under a dispensation granted March 10th, 1874. The first principal officers were : Henry Chickering, T. I. M .; H. S. Russell, R. I. M .: Lebbeus Scott, I. M. of W. Mr. Chickering continued to hold the presiding office until his death. since which time it has been held by the present incumbent. After work- ing under dispensation fifteen months the charter was granted June Sth. 1875. The charter members were : Henry Chickering, H. S. Russell, Jo- siah Carter, William D. Axtell, E. S. Francis, Lebbens Scott. David A. Clary, L. H. Gamwell. W. T. Ingraham, Byron Weston. The stated convocations of the council are held on the third Wednesday of each
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month. The officers elected in October, 1884, for the ensuing year were : H. S. Russell, T. I. M .; L. Scott, D. M .; W. D. Axtell, P. C. of W .; Otis Cole, treasurer ; A. J. Newman, recorder ; C. F. Hall, C. of G .; T. H. Day, C. of C .; W. E. Vermilye, chaplain ; I. D. Ferrey, sentinel : C. H. Hubbard, tyler ; W. E. Wilcox, M. of C.
Berkshire Commandery. K. T., was instituted at Pittsfield. December 22. 1865. The successive commanders have been : L. H. Gamwell, Henry Chickering. H. S. Russell. Truman E. Cole, William D. Axtell. The stated assemblies are held on the second Monday of each month. The officers elected at the last annual assembly are: 1. D. Ferrey, E. C .: W. E. Wilcox. G .: Charles E. Merrill. C. G .: E. H. Rice. P .: Thomas H. Day, S. W .; George C. Hall, J. W .; Otis Cole, treasurer ; Clark F. Hall. recorder; William H. Murray, St. B .; John F. Van Densen, Swd. B .; William K. Rice, warder ; William F. Gale, John W. Cooney, Ed- ward E. Lewis, guards : C. H. Hubbard, sentinel.
Berkshire Lodge, No. 57, J. O. O. F. The charter for this lodge was granted in January, 1845. After a prosperous existence of a few years the lodge fell into decay and surrendered its charter about 1854. The re- instatement of the lodge was perfected May 8th, 1874, when the Grand Master and other officers and members of the Grand Lodge of Massachu- setts installed the following officers : William D. Axtell. N. G .; Julius HI. Granger, V. G .: Abraham Cohen, R. S .: William Duychman, P. S .: F. F. Read, treasurer. Since its reinstatement the lodge has had a pros- perous existence. The regular meetings are held every Tuesday evening in their hall in West's block. The officers elected in January, 1885, were: William D. Axtell. N. G .: James H. Holmes, V. G .: G. W. McGregor. R. S .: F. F. Read. P. S .: II. A. Root. treasurer : W. E. Johnson, Milon Hungerford, C. M. Wolf, trustees.
Osceola Lodge, No. 125. I. O. O. F., was organized September 3d. 1884. with the following first officers : H. W. Dewey, N. G .: F. F. Read. jr., V. G .; R. A. Teeling, secretary ; Clark F. Hall. P. S .: John C. Sar gent, treasurer : Robert Kells. W .; John Corkhill, C .; William H. Turn - er, O. G. ; F. A. Brooks. I. G. ; E. E. Lewis, D. E. Streeter, S. N. G. : Henry N. Barrett, Charles M. Markham, S. V. G .; Herbert E Entler, E. L. Kelly, S.S. F. F. Read. jr. and R. A. Teeling have been noble grands. Until the spring of 1885 the meetings of the lodge were held in Pythias Hall every Friday evening. The officers in January, 1885, were : John C. Sargent, N. G .; Henry N. Barrett, V. G .: H. C. Morris, R. S .: Clark F. Hall, P. S .: F. A. Brooks, treasurer ; R. E. Crandall, warden : E. E. Lewis, conductor ; James F. Watkins, O. G .; William Reel, I. G .; HI. J. Kennedy. Robert Kells, S. N. G .: A. J. Spencer. C. T. Wakefield, S. V. G .; Burton Jolls, chaplain ; F. S. Miller, Peter Rowe, S. S.
In February, 1885, the upper story of Central block was leased by the lodge for a term of ten years, and the work of fitting it up for the use of the lodge was immediately begun. The regular meetings of the lodge are now held in their new rooms every Wednesday evening.
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
Greylock Encampment, No. 21, I. O. O. F., wasinstituted June 19th, 1885, with thirteen charter members as follows: W. D. Axtell, C. P .; F. F. Read, H. P .; C. F. Hall, seribe ; L. L. Atwood, treasurer ; H. W. Dewey. S. W .; R. A. Teeling. J. W .; F. A. Brooks. E. B. Hume. H. C. Morris, J. C. Sargent, A. J. Spencer, F. F. Read, jr., F. W. Couch. The meetings are held in the new Odd Fellows Hall in Central block on the first and third Friday evenings of each month.
Berkshire Lodge. No. 8. K. of P., was organized November 18th, 1869. The charter was granted May 1st, 1870. The charter members were : I. C. Weller, O. S. Roberts, P. J. Ayres, F. F. Read. J. W. Ful- ler, C. F. Hall, W. K. Rice. F. B. Hare. The first officers were: I. C. Weller, C. C .; D. B. De Wolf, V. C .; O. S. Roberts, P .; F. F. Read, K. R. S .: E. B. Broadhead. M. of F .; F. R. Furgerson, M. of E .; P .J. Ayres. M. at A .; E. Higgins. I. G .; C. Corson, O. G. The regular meetings of the lodge are held every Wednesday evening in Pythias Hall, on North street. The officers in January, 1885, were : A. W. Stewart, C. C .; A. B. Haynes, V. C .; F. F. Read, K. R. S .; J. L. Smith, M. of F .; J. Gimlich. M. of E .; T. R. Glentz, P .; P. J. Roberts, M. at A .; C. Kahl, I. G .; E. F. Merry, O. G.
W. W. Rockwell Post, No. 125, G. A. R., was organized March 10th, 1882, with twenty charter members. It was named in honor of the late Captain W. W. Rockwell of the 31st regiment. The first officers were : Byron Weston, C .: Charles M. Whelden, S. V. C .; Thomas G. Colt, J. V. C .; Henry B. Brewster, Q. M .: Rev. Samnel Harrison. chaplain : Oliver L. Wood, O. D .: James McKenna. O. G. Charles M. Whelden was commander in 1883 and William H. Chamberlain in 1884. The offi- cers for 1885 were : Oliver L. Wood, C .: Walter Cutting. S. V. C .; Robert B. Dickie, J. V. C .; James Kittle. adjutant : Edgar G. Hubbel, Q. M .; Silas D. Spaulding, surgeon ; Louis B. Simons. O. D .: John H. Skinkle, O. G .; Charles H. Miller, S. M .; Henry Brewster. Q. M. S. The regular meetings are held in Music Hall on Fenn street, on the first and third Mondays of each month. The membership, Jannary, 1885, was 191. The post has an invested relief fund of $2, 600.
The Women's Relief Corps was organized in April, 1884, with Mrs. Gen. William F. Bartlett as president.
T. G. Colt Camp, No. 27, Sons of Veterans, was organized July 2d, 1883, with thirty-one members. The first officers were : Edgar J. Coombs, captain ; D. M. Peck, 1st lieutenant ; Edson Bonney, 2d lieutenant : E. T. B. Schweitzer, chaplain. The officers for 1885 are: D. M. Peck, cap- tain ; E. F. Paine, 1st lieutenant : H. D. Sisson, 2d lieutenant : P. A. Chambers, chaplain. The regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. The number of members in February, 1885, was twenty-eight.
Pittsfield Lodge. No. 339. K. of H., was organized July 27th, 1876. with the following charter members including first officer- : W. D. Ax tell, P. D .; C. H. Adams, D .: W. J. Breckinridge, V. D .; F. G. Bab-
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cock, A. D .; W. M. Pinney, guide ; A. F. Gaylord. C .: G. E. Rockwell, R .; W. H. Perkins, F. R .: T. P. Tobey, T .: E. B. Hume, guardian ; M. R. Hall, S .; T. F. Hall. W. M. Pinney. C. A. Rockwell. trustees ; . 1. H. Stocker, O. S. Roberts. The successive past dictators have been : W. D. Axtell, C. H. Adams, W. J. Breckinridge. W. M. Piney, W. F. Hat- rington. F. A. Churchill, N. S. Noyes, C. E. Johnson, C. E. Burfitt. J. P. Fryer, J. L. Brady. The regular meetings of the lodge are held on the first and third Mondays in each month, in Odd Fellows' Hall. Central block. The officers for 1885 are : E. B. Hume, D .; J. W. Clark, V. D .; C. H. Chamberlin, A. D .: J. C. McGowan. guide ; W. F. Gale. C .: C. I Clifford, R .: F. A. Churchill. F. R .; H. C. Clark. T .; M. E. Thompson. guardian ; C. E. Goewey, S .: F. S. Parker, D. C. Smith. jr., George S. Dunbar, trustees ; W. D. Axtell, representative to Grand Lodge.
Laurel Lodge, No. 777. K. & L. of H., was instituted at Pittsfield, March 5th, 1884. with the following charter members : John L. Brady. past protector : F. A. Churchill. protector : Lillian A. Lucas, vice pro- tector ; H. C. Morris, secretary : O. J. Copeland, financial secretary : A. H. Hall. treasurer : Addie M. Dodge. chaplain : N. S. Noyes, guide ; Helen M. Holland, guardian : Nellie Brady, sentinel : Luther L. Atwood, Jennie E. Atwood, Mary A. Copeland, Henry C. Clark, Martha J. Clark, Charles HI. Clifford, Fred A. Cooley, George S. Dunbar, Anna Dunbar, Henry W. Dewey, jr .. Maud M. Dewey. Freeman M. Dodge, Everett M. Dodge. Eddie E. Dodge, David L. Evans, Lizzie B. Evans, Orlan lo S. Fish, Nellie M. Hall, Edgar B. Hume. George 1. Holland. Andrew Jack- son, Henry P. Lucas, Frances C. Moran. Helen Noyes, Clark D. Noble. Clara M. Noble, Florence E. Pelton. Georgia C. Roseboom, Darwin E. Streeter, Mary F. Streeter, David C. Smith, jr .. Kate A. Smith, John F. White, Julia K. White. The successive protectors have been : F. A. Churchill, Lillian A. Lucas, and John L. Brady. The regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday evening's in each month. in Central block. The officers in Jannary; 1885, were : Lillian A. Lucas, past protector : John L. Brady, protector : Helen Noyes, vice protector : H. C. Morris, secretary ; O. J. Copeland, financial secretary ; A. H. Hall, treasurer ; Addie M. Dodge, chaplain : N. S. Noyes, guide ; Frances C. Moran, guardian ; O. S. Fish, sentinel.
Onota Council, No. 568, Royal Arcanum, was instituted March 21st, 1881, with the following charter members and first officers : A. J. White. regent : D. E. Streeter, vice regent ; J. L. Brady, orator ; E. E. Moore. secretary ; C. H. Adams, collector ; H. P. Lucas, treasurer ; H. H. Shaw, chaplain ; C. M. Crittenden, guide : W. H. Watkins, warden ; G. A. Holland, sentry : W. B. Taylor, past regent : W. H. May, S. Bridges, O. S. Roberts, C. A. Rockwell, E. B. Hume, A. H. Lovejoy, A. H. Chapin. The successive past regents have been : W. B. Taylor, A. J. White, John L. Brady, D. E. Streeter, and H. W. Dewey, jr. The regular meetings of the council are held in Pythias Hall, on the second and fourth Tues. day evenings in each month. The officers in January, 1885, were : D. L.
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
Evans, regent ; E. B. Hume, vice regent ; H. C. Morris, orator ; Irving D. Miller, secretary ; D. E. Streeter, collector ; George A. Holland, treas- urer ; H. H. Shaw, chaplain ; W. J. Devall, guide ; C. M. Crittenden, sentry.
Division No. 5, Ancient Order of Hibernians, was organized March 4th, 1877, and has ever since been highly prosperous and popular. It pays $5 per week to its members in case of sickness, and in case of death the friends of the deceased brother receive 850 for the expenses attending the sad event. Meetings are held in Armory Hall on Sunday afternoons. The officers in 1884 were : Dennis A. Hogan. president ; Anthony Walsh. vice president ; John Smith, R. S .; William Bastion, F. S .; Jerry O' Brien, treasurer.
Berkshire Lodge, No. 407. D. O. H., one of the German order of Harn- gari, was organized in Pittsfield September 9th, 1578. with the following officers ; Emil Ende, E. B .; August Rosenberg, O. B .; David Hnether, U. B .; August Peters. S .; John H. Bruhn, S. F .: Jakob Frey, T. The other charter members were Peter Becker, C. Schoeneberger, George Gensler, M. Waldschmidt, John Markert, John Neuberger, H. von Nida, Albert Elligsen, E. Isler, Henry Wingler, G. Greenfield, Louis Roehm, John Nagelschmidt. The successive presiding officers have been : Au- gust Rosenberg, Havid Huether, Angust Peters, Jakob Frey, H. von Nida, George Gensler, John H. Bruhn. Paul Koepka, M. G. Rosenthal, Albert Elligsen, Fred Winter. The lodge has a membership of fifty -three and meets the first and third Thursdays of each month in Read's block. The officers in January. 1885, were; William Loberenz, O. B .: George Helwig, U. B .; August Peters, S .; Henry Meyer, S. F .; Jakob Frey, T.
St. Joseph's Mutual Aid Society was founded in February, 1861. by the late Rev. Charles Lynch, then assistant pastor of St. Joseph's Church. This is the oldest Catholic voluntary association in Berkshire county, and during the twenty-four years of its existence has accomplished a vast amount of good in Pittsfield. It pays out an average of about $400 an. nually for the benefit of sick members. The beautiful stained glass chancel window in St. Joseph's Church was a gift from this society. St. Joseph's Cornet Band was organized in 1872. In 1875, the society, having accumulated considerable property, was incorporated. The organization numbers about one hundred members. Its regular meetings are held on the first Sunday of each month at its hall in Pierce's block. The present officers (Jannary, 1885) are : William Nugent, president ; James A. Da- ley, vice president ; James O'Donnell, treasurer : M. J. Feeley, clerk ; Michael Meagher, bookkeeper. The officers of the band are : Robert St. James, leader : Joseph St. James, treasurer.
The Business Men's Association, of Pittsfield, was organized Decem- ber 20th, 1881. The first officers were: E. H. Kellogg, president : J. M. Barker, vice president : George H. Tucker, secretary and treasurer : ex- ecutive committee, J. R. Warriner, George W. Bailey, J. Dwight Fran- cis, Charles Atwater, Hascal Dodge. The association occupies a suite of
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rooms, elegantly fitted up. in Central block. The following officers were elected January 20th, 1885. for the ensuing year ; E. T. Slocm, presi- dent ; William H. Sloan, vice president : George H. Tucker, secretary and treasurer : executive committee, J. R. Warriner, F. W. Hinsdale. W. M. Crane, H. B. Wellington, Hascal Dodge.
Temperance in Pittsfield .- Although. during some years, there had been in Pittsfield a growing sentiment in opposition to the use of intoxi- cating liquors no organized effort in favor of temperance was made till 1828. In January of that year a meeting was held at the town house to consider the expediency of forming an organization for the suppression of intemperance. Joseph Merrick. Rev Augustus Beach. Edward 1. Morton, Henry K. Strong, and Hemy Hubbard were appointed a commit- tee to take the necessary preliminary steps to that end.
Mr. Beach was the most active promoter of the movement, in which he was efficiently aided by Captain Merrick, Charles Francis, and B. F. Hays. At the election in May, 1828, the town voted, almost unanimously, that it " disapproved the practice of treating at representative elections," and the Argus said " the representatives elect went home that night. for the first time in many years, without paying for their honors in rum."
At a meeting of the citizens on the 10th of November. 1828, resolu- tions were adopted expressing a wish that the retailing of ardent spirits in the town should cease, and Jason Clapp. Henry Hubbard. and Calvin Martin were appointed a committee to communicate the sentiments of the meeting to the merchants. The latter held a meeting to consider the matter. and adopted a series of resolutions, deprecating the excessive use of ardent spirits, expressing the opinion that the suppression of all vice could only be effected " through the medium of moral principle and pub- lic feeling," approving the temperance movement, and finally declaring "that we will so regulate our trade in this article as to cheek, as much as possible, the evils consequent upon it."
Messrs. Bissell & Co., and Buel & Colt. who had dealt largely in liquors, abandoned that branch of trade, and within a few years most of the other merchants followed their example. The reform soon extended to the manufacture of spirits, and distilling almost entirely ceased.
Social customs in the use of wines and liquors gradually underwent a change, and the proportion of those who totally abstained from aleo- holic beverages of every kind, and those who habitually or occasionally indulged in their use, was nearly reversed, and within ten years from 1828 a great moral revolution was effected.
Since 1838 Pittsfield has shared with the rest of the commonwealth the vicissitudes of the temperance reformation. It has had the ordinary succession of temperance organizations, with their successive develop- ments : the Washingtonians in 1841. the Rechabites in 1841. the Sons of Temperance in 1848, the Good Templars, and subsequently. the Pittsfield Catholic Total Abstinence Society in 1874. The Mount Sinai Lodge of Good Templars and the George N. Briggs Temple of Honor
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
were instituted in 1867, the Mount Hope Lodge in 1871, and the Noble Lodge in 1874. The Good Templars organization was kept up until 1884.
The Father Matthew Total Abstinence Society was founded February 1st, 1874, by Rev. Thomas Smyth, then assistant pastor of St. Joseph's Church. It was organized under the title of the Pittsfield Catholic Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society. The first officers were: Clement Coogan, president ; Thomas Smith, vice-president ; J. Kearney, R. S .; John Drake, C. S .: H. W. Magnus, F. S .: Patrick Donahue, treasurer. While acting under its first name it had, connected with its legitimate work, a system of pecuniary benefits to its members in cases of sickness or death ; but in August, 1877. it was determined to abandon it and work solely for temperance. With this view the society adopted the name of the great apostle of temperance, Father Matthew. The society is in a prosperous condition, and an honor to its members and to the com- munity. The regular meetings are held every Tuesday evening in its hall in Gamwell's new block. The officers in February, 1885, were : Frank Larkin, president : Edward Cain, vice-president ; William Nugent, treas- urer ; C. H. Higgins, R. S .; R. F. Stanton, C. S .; John J. Bastion, F. S.
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