USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 65
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Dr. E. R. Wade came to Brockton about thirty-five years since, and was a botanic physician.
Henry Eddy, M.D., came to Brockton as a physician from Guilford, Conn. He was formerly an Orthodox clergyman ; settled in East Stoughton, now Avon, Mass. ; he died several years since.
711
PHYSICIANS.
Dr. James Lewis Hunt was born in Jay, Essex county, N. Y., Novem- ber 27, 1817 ; educated at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., and graduated at Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H., in 1842 ; attended medical lectures at Cleveland and Cincinnati, O ; graduated at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1851 ; married Miss Maria Baldwin, of Medina, O., September 11, 1850; practiced medicine at Bellevue, O., Plymouth, Mass., and Brockton ; removed from the last named place to Painesville, Ohio.
Dr. George B. Cogswell had an office in Wheeler's block in 1859, where he remained but a short time.
Dr. Alexander Hichborn had an office in the village and practiced as a physician till 1861, when he enlisted as a captain in Company F, Twelfth Regiment, Col. Fletcher Webster; afterwards became surgeon in the army. See history of Twelfth Mass. Regiment.
Silas L. Loomis, A.M., M.D., was born in North Coventry, Conn., May 22, 1832 ; son of Silas and Esther (Case) Loomis ; educated at the public schools of his native town till fourteen years of age ; studied six months at Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass., three years at Hollis- ton, Mass ; graduated at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn .; taught school; elected teacher of mathematics and natural sciences at Holliston Academy in 1839 ; held that position during preparatory and part of his collegiate studies; in connection with his brother established the Adelphian Academy in North Bridgewater, now Brockton, in 1844, of which he was associate principal for ten years ; was elected member of the American Association for the Advance- ment of Science in 1853 at the Cleveland meeting ; principal of West- ern Academy, Washington, D. C., 1856; graduated doctor of medicine at Georgetown College, 1856; accepted the appointment of chief as- tronomer of the United States Lake Survey Expedition in 1856; published the "Normal Arithmetic" and "Analytical Arithmetic " in 1859 ; elected professor of chemistry, physiology, and hygiene of Georgetown College in 1861, and the same year was elected president of the Washington Scientific Association ; in 1862 was appointed assistant surgeon U. S. A., and accompanied the Union army of General McClellan from Fortress Monroe to Harrison's Landing, and afterwards stationed at the United
712
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
States general hospitals; in 1863 elected to the chair of chemistry and toxicology, medical department, Georgetown College, and has written various articles upon medical and scientific subjects, many of which are highly recommended by the press and distinguished men of all classes. Residence, Fernandina, Fla.
Lafayette Charles Loomis, A.M., M.D., born in North Coventry, Conn., July 7, 1824 ; son of Silas and Esther (Case) Loomis ; he was educated at the public school till the age of thirteen; studied at Wes- leyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass, and at Holliston, Mass. ; gradu- ated at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1844; he com- menced teaching in the public schools at the age of fifteen, which he con- tinued to do winters through his academic and collegiate studies ; in con- nection with his brother established the Adelphian Academy in North Bridgewater, now Brockton, in 1844, of which he was associate princi- pal till 1851 ; afterwards principal of Irving Institute, Tarrytown, N. Y., in 1852-53 ; elected professor of rhetoric and natural science in Wes- leyan Female College, Wilmington, Del., in 1853 ; professor of moral and mental philosophy in 1854, which chair he held till his election as president of the college in 1857. Several articles appeared in the Na- tional Magazine during that time. He was elected a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1856. In 1857 elected president of the Delaware State Teachers' Association. In 1858 he published " Mizpah, Prayer and Friendship," a devotional work of great merit ; removed to Washington, D. C., and established the Lafayette Institute, a seminary for young ladies ; edited "Mrs. Thomas' Travels in Europe, Egypt, and Palestine " in 1860 and in 1861 ; wrote upon various subjects; graduated doctor of medicine and surgery, medi- cal department, Georgetown College, in 1863. Residence, Washing- ton, D. C.
Dr. Henry F. Borden is the son of Dr. A. K. Borden, one of the old- est physicians of the past generation, and was born and educated in his native town and is a successful member of the profession.
Dr. James C. Swan is the son of Dr. Caleb Swan, of Easton, born of a family eminent for their skill as physicians, and it would be strange indeed if the son should not inherit some of the skill and success for
713
CITY OF BROCKTON.
which his father was noted. Although born in Easton and settled in West Bridgewater, yet he has a large and lucrative practice in Brock- ton, and has become one of the leading physicians in the county.
Among the present physicians of Brockton are the following : George E. Freeman, Henry F. Borden, Dr. Roland Hammond, Dr. Jesse R. Averell, E. A. Dakin, James C. Swan, A. Eliott Paine, E. A. Chase, S. J. Gruver, J. E. Bacon, Benedict Donnovan, Chauncy M. Marston, Ar- thur V. Lyon, Horace M. Locke, W. P. Chisholm, Daniel W. Dimock, Fred J. Ripley, Wallace C. Keith, N. C. King, Daniel E. Brown, Thomas P. Conlon, Mrs. Ellen R. Chamberlain, Herbert B. Coy, Edward C. Frost, Mrs. Lucy S. Carr, George A. Boucher, Frederic D. Flag, Miss Hannah C. G. Kindborn.
CHAPTER XXXII.
CITY OF BROCKTON.
Inauguration of City Government-Proceedings-Addresses by Hon. Ziba C. Keith, the first Mayor-Governor John D. Long-Bradford Kingman, Esq .- Hon. Mathew H. Cushing-Hon. Benjamin W. Harris-Act of Incorporation of the City of Brockton -Wards of the City-City Governments and Officials for 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894.
THE INAUGURATION OF THE FIRST MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF BROCKTON .- Brockton had a splendid day for her first inauguration, the brilliant sunlight reflected on the freshly fallen snow, setting everything in a glory of light, while the crisp, bracing air seemed specially designed to raise the spirits of every citizen up to the standard of the day. At half past seven o'clock in the morning the bells of the First and Porter Congregational Churches at the north end, and the South Congregational and Methodist Churches at Campello united in merry peals for half an hour to celebrate the happy event.
The opera-house was nearly filled some time before the exercises were begun, and soon after the programme was opened all the seats of the 90
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
parquet and nearly every one in the gallery were occupied, and not a few found standing-room in the outer aisles. The centre section of the parquet seats were reserved for the members of the new City Council and the invited guests of the occasion, while the stage was occupied by the out-going town officers, distinguished guests, and the band. In the foreground of the platform on the left sat Chairman Henry H. Packard and his associates on the Board of Selectmen, Rev. Warren Goddard, Hon. Jonathan White, ex-Selectmen Whipple and Cross, Rev. H. L. Kelsey, Judge Perkins, and Bradford Kingman, Esq. On the right were ranged, as honored guests of the day, some of the venerable citizens of the town, including Father Simeon Packard, the only man present who voted at the first town-meeting held after North Bridgewater was in- corporated, Josiah W. Kingman, Esq., Capt. Henry French, Augustus Jones, Deacon Galen Pratt, William Faxon, Addison Shaw, Daniel Ford, Elbridge G. Lincoln, Deacon Elbridge H. Packard, Lyman Clark, Deacon Cary Howard, Frederick Howard, Deacon Alpheus Alden; in the centre sat Governor Long and Mayor-elect Keith, who were greeted as they came upon the platform with a strain of "Hail to the Chief" from the band, and enthusiastic cheers from the audience.
INAUGURATION PROCEEDINGS .- Promptly at ten o'clock Chairman Henry H. Packard rose, and, calling the assemblage to order, said he held in his hand the act of the Legislature incorporating the city of Brockton, which was accepted by vote of the town on the 23d of May last, and which began a change from a town to a city form of govern- ment, which was now about to be consummated by the inauguration of the officers elected under its provisions. Before bidding adieu to the town government, the speaker said it seemed fitting to glance at some points in the history of the town which were of peculiar interest at this time. This Mr. Packard did in a very interesting manner, reviewing briefly the history of the town from its establishment in 1821, to the election of its first city government, presenting in detail some of the most important salient events in the interval.
At the close of Mr. Packard's address the band played the overture "L'Espoir de L'Alsace," after which Rev, H. L. Kelsey, of the First Congregational church, offered an earnest prayer, fervently imploring the divine guidance and blessing upon the young city, and the members
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CITY OF BROCKTON.
of the new government, to the end that the best good of the people may be conserved, and God's will be done through their ministrations.
Henry A. Ford, esq., the clerk of the retiring Board of Selectmen, then read the record of the vote at the first city election, showing that the total vote for Ziba C. Keith, for mayor, was 1. 371, and for all others 1,075. The votes for members of the City Council were similarly given.
Chairman Packard next called the list of aldermen and common councilmen elect, who, as their names were called, rose to their places in the front sections of the orchestra seats. The chairman then escorted the mayor-elect to the front of the stage, and his introduction of him to the City Council as the first mayor of the first city of Plymouth county was received with cheers. He then placed in his hands the charter of the city, and with it the interests and future welfare of the young city, hoping that under his administration it might increase in prosperity and add new lustre to its name.
Judge J. R. Perkins then proceeded to administer the oath of office to the mayor first, then to the aldermen, and last to the common council- men, the ceremony being performed in so solemn and impressive a manner as to leave a deep impression upon the audience, who listened to it with the most rapt attention. This ceremony over, the mayor and City Council resumed their seats, and after the playing of " The Flowers of Alsace," by the band, Mr. Keith proceeded to deliver his inaugural address, which follows in full :
MAYOR KEITH'S ADDRESS.
"Gentlemen of the City Council :
" As we are about to assume the duties imposed upon us by the suffrages of our fel- low-citizens, it is befitting that we should raise our thank offering for the prosperity of our town during these threescore years, and that we should invoke the Divine bless- ing for the future welfare of our city.
" As this day marks a new era in our municipal career, it may not be unprofitable to review in a brief manner the history of our town from the period of its settlement to the present time, to mark the great changes which two centuries have wrought, and thereby prepare ourselves the more fully to realize the trusts and responsibilities com- mitted to our hands.
" On a small rocky hill, anciently called Sachem's Rock, a little south of the former site of Whitman's mill, in the present town of East Bridgewater, on the 23d of March,
716
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
1649, werc assembled a party of men representing on one side the proprietors of a plantation granted them by the Old Colony Court at Plymouth, on the other the Indian sachem Ousamequin, afterward and better known as Massasoit, who was present to execute a deed of a tract of land called Satucket, described in this instrument as 'extending in the length and breadth thereof as followeth, that is to say : from the wear [weir] at Satucket seven miles due east, and from the said wear seven miles due west, and from the said wear seven miles due north, and from the said wear seven miles due south, to have and to hold to Miles Stadish, Samuel Nash, and Constant Southworth, in behalf of all the townsmen of the town of Duxbury, to them and their heirs forever. In consideration of this bargain and sale, Miles Standish, Samuel Nash, and Constant Southworth bind themselves to pay for the same seven coats (a yard and a half in a coat), nine hatchets. eight hoes, twenty knives, four moose skins, ten and one-half yards of cotton.' This, then, was the original price paid for what now con- stitutes Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Brockton, and a part of Abington.
"Eleven years later, in June, 1656, Bridgewater was incorporated into a distinct township, being the first interior town in the Old Colony. Each settler had at first a grant of a house lot of six acres on the Town River, the first lot being taken in what is now West Bridgewater, where also the first houses were built and the first improve- ments made. Hardly had this settlement made a beginning when the war, known as the King Philip's, burst upon them, Being wholly an interior settlement, and remote from their friends on the seaboard, they were strongly urged to desert their dwellings and repair to the better protected towns by the coast. This, however, they resolutely refused to do, but kept their ground, defended their homes, and encouraged and assisted other towns to do the same.
"In early times the history of the church was the history of the town, hence the frequent reference in early records to parishes and precincts. Previous to 1716 Bridge- water had but one place of religious worship, but in June of that year the General Court incorporated a new parish, which was called the South. From this time the old parish took the name of the North, and comprised the territory of what is now Brock- ton and West Bridgewater.
" No settlements are known to have been made in the present city of Brockton prior to the year 1700, but very soon after this period settlements began to extend north- ward, and had increased to such an extent that in 1738 fifty-four individuals belonging in the northerly part of the parish, feeling that ' by reason of the great distance but few of their families could attend public worship in the West Precinct,' set forth their griev- ances in a petition to the General Court praying that ' they might be set off as a distinct and separate township,' which petition was so far granted as to allow them the powers and privileges usually given to parishes. For fifty-five years thereafter the people of the North Parish remained apparently contented in their connection with the other parishes of the town. In 1793, however, the desire to become a separate township be- came so strong that steps were taken looking towards the incorporation of a town, including, as was proposed in this instance, the West and North Parishes. This failed, as did similar attempts in 1814 and 1816.
717
CITY OF BROCKTON.
"At a meeting held May 5, 1818, the question of a division of the old town of Bridgewater was practically settled by a vote of 112 in favor to nineteen against, and at a meeting held March 25, 1819, the parish voted to petition . the next session of the Legislature for a division of the town.' This petition was duly presented, and an act to establish the town of North Bridgewater was passed June 5, 1821. The first town meeting after the incorporation was held July 4, 1821. Joseph Sylvester, Esq., was chosen moderator, and Col. Edward Southworth, town clerk. Abel Kingman, Esq., Howard Cary, Esq, and Capt. Zachariah Gurney were chosen selectmen. One at least who took part in that first town meeting sixty years ago, and a few others who were old enough to be present, are with us to-day. Proud are we to welcome them to this platform, men whose interest in the welfare and improvement of our beloved town has ever been active, and which, in 1881, is still unabated! But how few! Many, so many, have fallen by the way until not a score remain .. Yet we know these hearts thrill with pride and gratitude that a sparing mercy has permitted them to see this day and allowed them to witness these inaugural ceremonies.
" As to-day we part with all these old township associations and assume a place in the sisterhood of cities, let us renew from the heart the oath which our lips have just uttered.
" Let us retrace our steps for a moment to consider our growth in population which these years have developed. The fact that Bridgewater was an interior settlement, and her soil not the most productive, induced many families during the twenty-five years preceding 1764 to emigrate to the western part of the State, while not a few found homes in the State of Maine, then a part of Massachusetts. Notwithstanding this emi- gration, the census of 1764 showed a population of 833;
that of 1810, a population of 1,354, a gain of
1,480,
1,953,
2,094,
3,939,
6,384,
=
8,007,
13,608,
66 66 14] 1845 66 2445 1623 66 5601 521 126 473 6!
" Reference to these statistics show that not until 1840 did there seem to be any un- usual growth. Previous to this date it had been slow and steady, due doubtless to the fact that we were more an agricultural than a manufacturing people. From this point our progress and material prosperity has been more rapid and substantial.
"Of our industrial pursuits, the manufacture of boots and shoes stands pre-eminently at the head. Commencing in 1811 with the first shoes manufactured by Micah Faxon, who was wont to take a load of shoes on horseback to Boston and return with material for the manufacture of more, we find this industry had grown to such an extent that the census of 1845 showed the total number of pairs of boots and shoes manufactured in this town as being 200,187, at an estimated value of $179,716; those of 1855, 761,- 716, estimated value $724,827 ; those of 1865, 1,112,766, estimated value, $1,466,900,
1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1820,
66
718
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
while those for 1875 showed a production, the estimated value of which was $5,587,- 465. A comparison of these statistics shows that the growth of this industry has more than kept pace with our increase in population.
"A comparison of the valuation of the taxable property in 1850 (the central date in our town's history) with that of 1880, the amount raised by taxation on the same, as also some statistics in relation to our schools, may prove interesting, and are given herewith :
"Valuation of taxable property in 1850, $1,293,000
1881, 6,876,407 "Amount raised by tax in 1850, 9,781.75
66 66 1880, 104,885.00
"Number of schools in 1854 was 16 with 1,124 scholars.
1881 was 48 with 2,457 scholars.
"Amount appropriated for schools in 1850, $2,000
1880, 25,500
"These comparisons show that in material wealth and school appropriations we have advanced quite as rapidly as in population and manufactures.
"North Bridgewater reviewed would be incomplete without reference to her military history, the part she bore in the struggle through which the nation has passed, and we refer with pride to those who in times of danger rallied to their country's call, and in a measure made this growth and prosperity possible. In the old French and Indian wars the North Parish furnished her share of fifty men and means for the defense of the settlers. In the Revolutionary war a company of men, under the command of Capt. Josiah Hayden, was furnished from this part of old Bridgewater, besides many who enlisted in other organizations, for a detailed account of which I refer you to Kingman's 'History of North Bridgewater." In the war of the Rebellion we recall the spirit and patriotism which the attack on Fort Sumter inspired in the hearts of the people, and how, on the evening of April 21, 1861, in yonder church vestry, more than one hundred men, the very flower of our then thriving town, came forward and enlisted in the service of their country. Nor shall we soon forget with what feelings we bade the comrades of Com- pany F, 12th Massachusetts Regiment, God-speed on their way to the front, from which so few returned ; of Company I, Ist Massachusetts Regiment of Calvary, Capt. Lucius Richmond, a company which we had so often admired on parade, then more ad- mired because of their voluntary response to the call of duty ; to the hundreds of others who under other commands and in other fields did honorable service for their country. All these we hold in greatful remembrance. Never again as a town can we allude to these heroes or do them honor for their fidelity and patriotism. And as to-day we seal her history, shall we not resolve to do all in our power to perpetuate their names and fame?
"Much might be said in a review of the ecclesiastical, the educational, and the bio- graphical history of Brockton, but time will not permit. With the past passing in re-
1 An elaborate Work of six hundred and ninety-six pages, published in 1866 by Bradford King- man, Esq., of Brookline, Mass.
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719
CITY OF BROCKTON.
view, shall we not thereby be stimulated to zealous endeavors still to maintain for our city the name and fame she has now as a town for her business enterprise, and as zealously guard her educational and moral interests, that in them she may excel, if pos- sible, her industrial fame ? Before closing this book of the past we desire to express our thanks to the retiring Board of Selectmen for the eare and pains taken in prepar- ing the way for the election and organization of the new government, and they may well feel satisfied that in this transition the work has been so smoothly and correctly accomplished.
"Let us now consider for a moment the duties that confront us to-day. As the forth- coming report of the Board of Selectmen will present and cover the business of the past year, I shall anticipate very little in that direction, but shall in a measure defer to their judgment, which I have been allowed to avail myself of.
"In the judgment of your town officers, as expressed heretofore in their annual re- ports, there seems to be a necessity for inereased accommodations and improved faeili- ties for the care of the poor at the almshouse. I therefore call your attention to this subjeet, believing that in the duty which we owe to the unfortunate poor, sympathy should have consideration as well as economy.
"Our highways generally are in a very good condition, but by reason of recent changes in the grade of Main street, with no suitable material at hand with which to reconstruct, it is at present in a very bad condition, and will demand prompt attention, which in my judgment ean only be permanently done by macadamizing or paving a portion of this street. Considering the improved condition of this our main thorough- fare, the extensive improvement of Pond street contemplated by our county commis- sioners, the building of streets already laid out, liberal appropriations will be required at your hands.
" Our schools were never, as a whole, in a more satisfactory condition than at the present time, and their high character, we believe, has contributed largely to the rapid and vigorous growth of our town. The amount appropriated in this department shows in what estimation our educational privileges are held, and a determination on the part of the people that support shall not be wanting to secure the best results attainable.
" The protection which the introduction of water affords, as well as the comfort and convenience provided for our people, in its use for domestic and other purposes, mark this enterprise as a wise and necessary measure, and notwithstanding the heavy outlay, the numerous applications for water serviee indicate that it will soon become self-sup- porting. Intimately connected with this subject is that of sewerage.
" At no very distant day the question of drainage will force itself upon us, and I would suggest that immediate steps be taken to investigate this matter, that whatever is best may be sought out and applied, when made a necessity.
"Our fire department is in a most satisfactory condition, and is regarded by our people with honest pride, not only for efficient services rendered, but for the manly conduct of its officers and men. While we have been remarkably exempt from destructive fires in the past, no effort should be spared to keep this department in its present efficient condition.
" The position of police officer is one of great responsibility, calling for courage, judg-
720
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
muent, sobriety, and honesty, and no such force can be made effective unless harmony prevails among its members; they should know no party, no friend, no foc; know and obey only the call of duty in the execution of all laws, firmly, yet fairly and impartially. As a force it is strong, being clothed with the authority of the law, yet weak and ineffi- cient without the support of the people.
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