History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 234

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 234

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Not yet satisfied with their earnest and successful ef- forts, the society, in October, 1882, established a training-school for nurses, which is yet in successful operation. Eight nurses are in constant attendance,

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graduating after having passed a successful examina- tion and two years' training in the hospital. A di- rectory for nurses was opened in 1885, aiming to as- sist persons requiring a nurse, and to aid nurses de- siring work in their chosen profession. In these va- rious works the ladies have been materially aided by the physicians of the city, who have cordially co- operated in much gratituous service, and by lectures and aid in the training-school. One pleasant custom has grown up in connection with this enterprise which is worthy of mention. For the purpose of raising funds in support of the nursery and hospital, some one (it is believed Mr. and Mrs. Dunning) suggested having a public breakfast on the 1st day of May ; this has grown gradually in favor, and seems to have be- come a permanent institution, the City Hall being usually filled from early morning till the middle of the forenoon, where the citizens meet in social inter- course, and no inconsiderable sums are realized from the entertainment.

The present president of the society is Mrs. Wm. E. Gowing, and for the past four years Miss A. E. An- drews has been the efficient head of the hospital.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS .- Forty years ago, 1845, there were within the present limits of Lawrence three of those small one-story buildings known as school- houses, where, as in other district schools throughout New England, the children had the benefit of a few weeks' instruction in the common branches of educa- tion in the two terms of summer and winter. They were, no doubt, like their prototypes, plain, rude and neglected, with cold floors, a uniform pattern of desks for pupils of all sizes, and these unpainted, on which, even if not instructed in the art, the male portion of the pupils were self-educated in the rudiments of sculpture.

In 1846 another building was prepared by the Es- sex Company, and under the direction of the Metli- uen school committee-Dr. Stephen Huse, James D. Herrick and Rev. Willard Spalding-was opened for pupils, with Nathaniel Ambrose1 as teacher. This school soon increased in numbers from twenty-five to one hundred and fifty, and was continued till after the acceptance of the town charter.

At the first town-meeting Dr. William D. Lamb, James D. Herrick and Dan Weed were elected mem- bers of the school committee. In their report they give the record of five schools, located on Tower Hill, Hampshire Street, Jackson Street, Prospect Street and " Andover side." The rapid influx of scholars rendered active measures necessary, and as future success depends largely on right beginnings, the agent of the Essex Company, Mr. Storrow, requested Hon. Horace Mann (then the best authority in educational affairs) to meet the committee and devise with them

some systematic plan adapted to the growing wants of of the city.

The plan then adopted contemplated the establish- ment of primary and intermediate schools scattered over the territory of the town, one grammar school upon the north side of the river, one grammar school upon the south side and one high school for the town.

At the town-meeting of 1848 five persons were chosen members of the committee,-Rev. Henry F. Harrington (now superintendent of schools in New Bedford), 2 Nathan W. Harmon (since judge of the Police Court), 2James D. Herrick, Rev. Lyman Whit- ing and Rev. George Packard.

The plan matured and carried into execution at that early day, and which has continued to the pres- ent time, of dividing the schools into primary, mid- dle, grammar aud high grades, has proved by time to be the best and most economical. The government, the people and the non-resident owners of our large manufacturing establishments were liberal in the ex- penditure for schools, as, in fact, they have ever been since. The manufacturing companies paying at that time sixty-five per cent. of all the taxes, expressed their feelings in the language of one of their representa- tives, " Let the schools be the best that can be made at any cost," fully realizing the importance of early discipline in habits of method and order, of those who are ultimately to be the sovereigns of the State.

This same year the committee called the attention of the town government to the requirements of the statute for a building for a high school ; twelve thou- saud five hundred dollars was promptly appropriated for the purpose, and the building now occupied by the Oliver Grammar School was erected, and named the Oliver School.

LAWRENCE HIGH SCHOOL .- In January, 1849, T. W. Curtis was elected principal of this school, to which seventeen pupils were admitted that month. In September twenty-two more were admitted, and Miss Sarah B. Hooker was elected assistant teacher. Mr. Curtis resigned in 1851, and for the remainder of the term Rev. H. F. Harrington, of the committee, was the instructor. In 1851 Mr. C. J. Pennell be- came principal. Miss Hooker resigned in January, 1852, and was succeeded by Miss Jane S. Gerrish, of Newburyport, who remained in service till June, 1873. In 1853 Mr. Pennell resigned to accept a professorship in Antioch College, Ohio.

He was succeeded by Mr. Samuel John Pike, then a tutor in Bowdoin College. After a service of three years he removed to Somerville. For a few months the position was filled by Mr. Wm. H. Farrar, and, in May, 1857, Mr. Wm. J. Rolfe was elected principal. Mr. Rolfe remained four and a half years, and re- moved to Boston, where he became associate editor of the Boston Journal of Chemistry, and is widely known as the author of several valuable works. For three

1 Mr. Ambrose died September 30, 1878, at the age of sixty-seven. He was chosen annually during the continuance of the town a constable and part of the time inspector of police and captain of the watch.

2 Now deceased.

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months after the withdrawal of Mr. Rolfe, Mr. Thom- as G. Valpey, an instructor in another institution, spent his vacation as principal of the High School, and in December, 1861, Mr. Henry L. Boltwood be- came principal. He was succeeded in 1863 by Albert C. Perkins. Mr. Perkins remained till 1873, and re- signed to become principal of Phillips Academy, Exe- ter (and is now principal of the Adelphi Academy, Brooklyn, N. Y.). The subsequent teachers have been Charles T. Lazelle, 1873 to '75 ; Horace E. Bart- lett, 1875 to '79; Edward H. Rice, 1879 to '80 ; Ed- win H. Lord, 1880 to '84 (recently elected principal of the new Brewster Academy at Wolfboro'), and the present principal, Frank P. McGregor.

A second assistant, Miss Harriet C. Hovey, was elected in 1856, and, after a faithful service of seven years, was succeeded in 1863 by Miss Marcia Packard, who left the service in 1881. Other assistants have been Miss Alice E. Birtwell, 1873 till her decease, in 1883; Miss Emily G. Wetherbee, Mary A. Newell, Ada Lear, Katharine A. O'Keefe, Louisa S. Halley and Julia J. Underhill, the six last mentioned being still in service.

A sub-mastership was created in 1872, and the po- sition has been held by Herbert S. Rice, 1872 to '77 ; Parker P. Simmons, to 1879; Anson M. Richardson, 1879 to '85 ; Edward J. Sartelle, and Edwin H. Lord, Edward H. Gulick.

The Oliver Grammar School commenced with a little over one hundred and forty scholars in the spring of 1848, in a wooden building where the Unitarian Church now stands, under the direction of Mr. Geo. A. Walton (now of the State Board of Education). It was supposed that this house would accommodate the grammar school on the north side of the river for an indefinite period ; but before the walls of the High School building were up it was found necessary to alter the plan, and as soon as finished the grammar school was placed in the upper story, with seats for one hundred and eighty-four scholars. This soon proved too small, and in 1851 the three-story transverse section was built; again in 1867 the front portion of the original building was raised to its present height. Its name, Oliver Grammar School, was given in hon- or of the late General Oliver. In 1865 Hon. Milton Bonney, then mayor, who had been a member of the school committee for three years previous, and foresaw that the increasing growth of the grammar school would soon demand the use of the whole building, called the attention of the government to the necessity of providing a new building for the High School, and land was secured for the purpose, on which, in 1866, the new High School building was erected; but before its completion the sessions of the High School were held in the vestry of Trinity Church, and the entire original building was given up to the Oliver Grammar School.

During this time twelve other school-houses had

been built or enlarged in different parts of the city.

The committee were quite fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Walton, as he served as an able coadjutor in carrying into effect the plan adopted, and being zealous in his chosen profession, he brought the school to a high state of excellence. The Quincy School of Boston was the model on which the grammar school was built, then the only one of its kind in New England. Mr. Walton con- tinued in the mastership of the school from April, 1848, for sixteen years, till the summer of 1864; was succeeded by James H. Eaton, who had been assistant teacher (now treasurer of the Essex Savings Bank), Mr. with Albert F. Scruton as assistant. After Mr. Eaton's resignation, Mr. John L. Brewster was elect- ed (who was subsequently superintendent of schools form 1880 to 1887). Successive principals were James Barrell, Park S. Warren, Barrett B. Russel and the present principal, Benjamin F. Dame.

The school, commencing with two classes in 1848, has now eight grades under sixteen female teachers, with one head master and seven hundred pupils; the building will accommodate eight hundred and forty.

Packard School .- This is at the present time the grammar school of South Lawrence. The building was originally a brick building of eight rooms and was first occupied 1872. In March, 1885, it was destroyed by fire, but has since been rebuilt and con- tains ten rooms and a hall. The other buildings, the Lawrence and Union Street School buildings, on the south side of the river, are occupied by the primary schools.

The grammar school has been successively under the charge of Isaiah W. Ayer, Jonathan Tenney, John B. Fairfield, Wilbur Fiske Gile, John Orne, Jr., J. Henry Root, Jefferson K. Cole, Edward P. Shute and Albert P. Doe.

It would be impracticable in the limits of this article to give a more extended sketch of the growth of the schools of Lawrence, and mention the various faithful teachers who have been here employed. Suffice it to say that, in addition to the three pre- viously named, Lawrence has seventeen public schools, employing seventy-two teachers, the total number of teachers being one hundred and eight in active employ; the average number of pupils for the year 1886 being nearly five thousand; average attendance, 96.42 per cent.

Free evening schools were established in 1859- for the benefit of those who are unable to attend school during the day -- taught at first by volunteer teachers. The evening school started as an experi- ment, under the direction of Mr. George P. Wilson, the city missionary, in the old Odd Fellows' Hall. It was removed later to the basement of the City Hall. The school gradually grew in favor, has become a part of the public-school system, and the expense

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is assumed by the city. There are now maintained one school in the westerly part of the city, one on the south side of the river, and a large one in the Oliver building for ordinary English branches of study, and a High School for instruction in algebra, chemistry and drawing.

Sewing has also become a permanent addition to the work of the middle or intermediate schools, and very creditable work of the pupils has been exhib- ited.

A sewing-school had been established in April, 1859, by the city missionary, and for twenty-five years was sustained under the care of the mission, charitable and competent ladies volunteering their services as instructors from year to year.

TRAINING-SCHOOL .- Among the schools a very valuable addition was made in 1869 by the establish- ment of a training-school for teachers, in which per- sons who could not perhaps incur the expense of ab- sence from home in the normal schools of the State may have an opportunity to educate themselves for the business of instruction. The object of the school is to fit teachers for the work of organizing, govern- ing and teaching in the public schools. The school has been under able management, and has proved of great value. The first instructors were Misses L. J. Faulkner and Fannie A. Reed, the latter of whom continued in the school for about ten years. In 1879 Miss Lily P. Shepard, a graduate of the Westfield Normal School, a teacher of experience in the train- ing-school at Springfield, was placed at the head of the school, and has continued till the present. Her first assistant was Miss Clara Lear, who served one year, and was relieved at her own request, succeeded by Miss Clara T. Wing. Miss Wing resigned, and was followed by Miss Janet G. Hutchins, who, in 1887, accepted another position in Lewiston, Me.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS .- In 1847 several private schools supplied tbe wants of the people, in addition to those under charge of the town. Among these was a school opened near the commencement of 1847 by a Mr. Ward, assisted by Misses Proctor and Chapman, commencing with twenty-four scholars, which in its fourth term numbered forty.

Messrs. Twombly and Judkins had also a flourish- ing school ; another was taught by Messrs. O'Connell and Bresnahan ; and still another was opened in Feb - ruary, 1848, by Mr. and Mrs. Silas Blaisdell. This latter school continued for several years and was well patronized.

At the present time the St. Mary's parochial, a pri- vate school, embraces about twelve hundred pupils.

The French population also maintain a private school, and the German population also have a small school of sixty pupils. A successful private school is also under the charge of Misses Marcia Packard and Cornelia Harmon. Gordon C. Cannon has for several years conducted a flourishing commercial school.

MANUFACTURING.

THE LAWRENCE MACHINE SHOP was built and owned by the Essex Company, the main building, foun- dry and chimney being very substantial structures of stone, commenced in 1846 and finished in 1848. The works were operated by the Essex Company until 1852, Caleb M. Marvel being the superintendent. The machine-shop played an important part in the early days of Lawrence, was supplied with every variety of valuable tools and machines, and gave employment to a large number of skillful mechanics. Some of these still remained in . Lawrence, though a large number, on the closing ot the shop, sought other fields, and other places in various parts of the Union have had the benefit of their skill. Many locomotive engines were built here, the first of which was the "Essex," which was used on the railroad between Lawrence and Boston. Others were the " Welland " and the "Trent," which went to Ogdensburg; others went to the Erie Railroad, and many others later to other roads.

The Hoadley Portable Engine, which acquired ex- tended celebrity, was first built here by John C. Hoadley, who subsequently established his works on the North Canal, whence large numbers of the engines went to the West and California. Here also the steam fire-engine, which, with modifications, is now in so general use, was first brought out hy Thomas Scott and N. S. Bean. The first engine built, named the "Lawrence," was purchased by the city of Bos- ton. Mr. Bean subsequently removed to Manches- ter, where the manufacture of these engines has since been carried forward. Considerable amounts of cot- ton machinery were also built here.

In 1852 the property of the machine-shop was transferred to a new company-the "Lawrence Ma- chine-Shop Company," having a capital of seven hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars, the value of shares being fifty dollars each. The officers were Samuel Batchelder, president; J. H. W. Paige, treasurer ; Gordon Mckay, agent ; and John C. Hoadley, super- intendent, who, on the resignation of Colonel McKay, became agent.

The company suffered in common with others in the general depression of business in 1857, remained idle two years, and the property was sold to the Ever- ett Mills Company.

The following just tribute to the memory of Mr. Hoadley, written by a gentleman in Boston, appeared in the Advertiser soon after his decease :

John Chipman Hoadly, born in Turin, N. Y., 1818, the son and grandson of farmers, passed his youth in Utica, N. Y. At the age of eighteen he was employed in preliminary surveys for the enlargement of the Erie Canal, and his ability as a draughtsman brought him quick promotion and more responsible work. In 1844 he went to assist Horatio N. and Erastus B. Bigelow in the foundation and develop- ment of the manufactories and town of Lancaster (now

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Clinton, Mass.). Four years later he, with Gordon Mckay, formed a partnership for the manufacture of engines and other machinery in Pittsfield. In 1852 he was called to the position of superintendent of the Lawrence Machine-Shop, and soon after re- luctantly accepted the position of agent, well knowing that the failure of the company was only a question of time.

After the closing of that company he engaged in the manufacture of portable engines, then hut little used in this country. Their skillful design and hon- est construction soon gained a name and a large market for them all over the country, especially in California. After a number of very prosperous years the crisis of 1873, with its shrinkage of value and bad debts, forced the company to close its affairs. During a part of this time Mr. Hoadley was also interested in the organization of the Clinton Wire-Cloth Company, agent of the New Bedford Copper Company and the Mckay Sewing-Machine Association, and was one of the founders and president of the Archibald Wheel Company. Since 1876 he engaged in various interests, especially as an expert in mechanical and engineering questions, serving in important cases in the courts and in responsible positions in the great mechanical exhibitions.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, of which he was one of the original trustees, claimed for many years a part of his interest, and as a member of the State Board of Health during more than seven years, he did his part in this most useful work, be- sides filling other positions, as alderman in Lawrence, a member of the Legislature in 1858, and Presidential elector in 1862. Commissioned by the State during the Rebellion, he visited England to inspect ordnance for harbor defense.

This brief summary comprises, however, only a fraction of Mr. Hoadley's real interest. The unique feature of his life was his intense enthusiasm in many paths of literature and in the higher lines of thought. If mechanics was his pleasure, literature was his de- light; no pressure of husiness could draw him wholly away from his books.

At the age of nineteen supporting a mother and six sisters, in the following year earning a reputation and a fortune, he kept out of the rut of a mere business man ; studied French, German, Latin and Greek, and was as familiar with Homer's Odyssey and its translations as with the designs of his engines. Col- lecting about him a rich and choice library, reading in curious and out-of-the-way lines, as well as in the English classics; of marvelous memory, which seemed to retain everything he ever read, he be- came a centre around whom a group of inquirers would easily gather, and from whom they could always draw facts most correctly stated and poetry most musically spoken.

But beyond the intelligence and learning of the man, it was the character of Mr. Hoadley that im-

pressed all with whom he came in contact. He was more than honest ; there was a touch of ancient chiv- alry in his sense of honor. He trusted men, and he expected and always acted as if he expected the same honorable sense in others that was found in him ; and though at times sadly disappointed and cruelly treated, he never lost his confidence in man.

Many civil and mechanical engineers throughout the country owe to Mr. Hoadley their early enthu- siasm, their free lessons in drawing and their present positions.

Politically he was one of the founders of the Re- publican party in Lawrence, and on the breaking out of the war none were more earnest to sustain the gov- ment, furnishing time and money to the cause of the Union, and had it not been for the unfortunate physi- cal defect of deafness, he would, without doubt, have taken a still more active part in the military service.

Back of all else was the deep religious faith which supported his principles, and was revealed in every word and deed. He was a devout member of the Episcopal Church, and for many years was warden of Grace Church, Lawrence. He died in Boston at the age of sixty-seven years and ten months.

BAY STATE MILLS .- The Legislature of 1845 and '46 granted charters to the Bay State, with one mil- lion dollars capital, and Atlantic Mills, with two mil- lion dollars capital, the Union Mills, with one mil- lion dollars capital, and the Bleaching and Dyeing Company, with five hundred thousand dollars capital. The two latter never went into operation. The Bay State was the first of the manufacturing corporations, commencing in April, 1846, and the buildings were so far completed that the wheel of the River Mills was first set in motion February, 1848, and the man- ufacture of cloth commenced in June following. The buildings of this company were planned upon a large scale, consisting of three buildings, each of them, in- cluding the attics, nine stories in height; and the River Mill, with its wings, from three to five sto- ries high, and fourteen hundred and eighty feet in length ; all erected under the superintendence of Captain Phineas Stevens, of Nashua, an experienced engineer. These mills manufactured many varieties of woolen goods, new to American manufacture, and at one time were especially well known as manufac- turers of the " Bay State Shawls," made of wool and at a moderate cost, of varied patterns, making in a single year, 1850, three hundred and fifteen thousand. They attracted much attention and commendation at the International Exposition of 1852, and at the Paris Exposition, 1867.

The first treasurer and general manager was Sam- uel Lawrence, who, as well as his brothers, Amos and Abbott Lawrence, had taken so deep an interest in the development of American manufactures, and had previously acquired much experience from their con- nection with the mills at Lowell. The first resident agent was M. D. Ross. Samuel Webber was agent

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for a short time, and was succeeded by Captain Oliver H. Perry. After a long service he was succeeded by Captain Gustavus V. Fox, the efficient Assistant Sec- retary of the Navy during the Civil War.

In the general depression of trade these mills failed in 1857, remained idle two years, and the entire prop- erty passed into the hands of a new company, formed largely from the creditors of the former one, and took the name of

WASHINGTON MILLS .- Chartered in 1858 and or- ganized with a capital of one million six hundred and fifty thousand dollars. They introduced several va- rieties of worsted goods, worsted coatings made of combed wool, heretofore imported and introduced in- to American mills by Hon. E. R. Mudge ; twilled blue flannel coatings and opera flaunels. Joseph S. Fay was first treasurer of these mills, succeeded by Joshua Stetson, who was followed by Henry F. Coe.

This corporation was the second in size in Law- rence, furnishing employment for about twenty-five hundred persons. The plant consisted of one cotton mill, 19,000 spindles, 65 sets of cards, 320 broad looms ; one worsted mill, 8640 spindles, 885 looms ; five woolen mills, weekly product, 100,000 yards cot- tons, 120,000 yards dress goods, 20,000 yards worsted, 40,000 yards woolens and 1000 shawls. Motive-pow- er, seven water-wheels of 1025 horse-power, and two engines of 1000 horse-power.

The resident agents have been Gustavus V. Fox, previously agent of the Bay State Mills ; Edward D. Thayer, William H. Salisbury, who engaged in other business in Chicago; Parker C. Kirk and John H. Needham, who yet remains in Lawrence engaged in trade. Mr. Granville M. Stoddard, for a long time superintendent of the worsted department, removed to Worcester. . These mills furnished employment to about twenty-five hundred people, were well equipped with machinery and employed persons skilled in man- ufacturing, and produced goods of excellent quality ; but they, as well as their predecessors, failed of ulti- mate financial success, and are now in liquidation. The mill property and water-rights have been trans- ferred in 1886 to a new organization.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 234

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1538

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538