History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 153

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 153

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NATICK.

One of the most imposing public buildings is Odd Fellows' Hall, situated on the corner of Main and Pond Streets, This building was built and is owned by Takawambait Odd Fellows' Building Association. The following-named gentlemen constitute the direc- tors of said association : P. G. Charles Q. Tirrell, President; P. G. Frank E. Cummings, Treasurer ; P. G. William L. Doane, Secretary ; P. G. William F. Demeritt, P. G. James H. Littlefield and P. G. George E. Dunton. The architect was Ernest N. Boyden, No. 35 Congress Street, Boston, Mass. The land for this building cost $4500. The corner-stone was laid with impressive ceremonies June 17, 1887, and it was dedicated by the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, May 23, 1888. The building is about sixty feet high and is of four stories. On Main Street it is 56} feet, on Pond Street, 883 feet. The first story on Main Street is of iron and plate-glass, ' while on Pond Street it is of brick and plate-glass. The remaining three stories are constructed of brick with Long Meadow sand-stone trimmings. Underwood Bros., of Natick, had the contract for the brick, stone and iron work, and George Brierly, of Natick, the wood-work. The cost of the building was $28,000. The first story consists of three stores occupied as follows: On Main Street, Milton E. Smith & Co., meat and provisions,-while the corner store is leased to Miss McGrath for millinery. The Pond Street store is used by Noah L. Hardy for the sale of teas and coffees. The second story : O. H. Burleigh, insurance; H. G. Sleeper, lawyer. On this floor is the Banquet Hall of Takawambait Lodge, No. 59, I. O. O. F., and is 36 feet x 44 feet, seating capacity of 300. Third and fourth stories contain Odd Fellows' Hall and ante-rooms. The hall is 42 x 53 feet and 21 feet high, containing a new feature in Odd Fel- lows' Halls, viz., a gallery on two sides, with chairs for about 100, which is a very convenient arrange- ment. The hall is frescoed in elegant style at a cost of $600 by Strauss Bros., of Boston. It is furnished to match in solid cherry and plush, at a cost of $30,00.

The Hogan Brick Block .- This is on the west side of Main Street. George C. Howe has in it a spacious store for the sale of dry goods and furniture, with storage-room on the second floor. Timothy Burns occupies the central part of the block as a boot, shoe and rubber store, with room for custom-work and re- pairing in the rear. Also in this block is W. C. May- nard's barber-shop.

stock of goods and greater facilities for his business in general. The superintendent of his sales depart- ment is Charles H. Turner, while George L. Hill su- perintends the business of the workshop. A portion of the lower story of this block is occupied by G. W. Howe & Co., as the Natick office of Howe & Co.'s Boston and Natick Express, which will be noticed elsewhere.

Downs' Block .- This is on the west side of South Main Street, and is owned by James Downs, baker. Of the north division, Mr. Downs occupies a con- siderable part of the lower floor for his bakery and business office, and all of the second story. Kennedy & Buckley (successors of Loker Brothers) have here their grocery store. In the south division Mrs. J. Kenealy has a store stocked with dry goods and fancy articles, and Mr. Soule has a confectionery and ice cream establishment. The entire second story is occupied by Elijah Edwards & Son in the manufac- ture of shirts of woolen, cotton and silk. Their large business will be noticed elsewhere.

The Childs Brick Block, owned by Willard Curtis Childs. At the time of the great fire in 1874, Mr. Childs was the owner of three buildings, for manu- facturing purposes, on or near the site of his block, viz., one twenty-four by sixty feet, two stories high ; one thirty by fifty feet, two stories high, and a third forty by sixty feet, three stories high. All of these were destroyed, and the loss equaled $5000 above the insurance. The block now standing was erected in 1876 and 1877, and is forty by eighty feet, and three stories high, fronting on South Avenue and Wash- ington Street. In the basement is Mr. Childs' own workshop, where there is a twenty horse-power boiler and eight horse-power engine. Mr. Childs repairs bicycles and tricycles, turns wood-work and grinds tools.

P. F. Peters has here his factory for spring-lasting hammers and shoe-jacks; and J. A. Reall has his barber-shop and bath-rooms.

In the first story H. H. Berry has his refreshment saloon, J. J. Dolan his tobacco store, Miss M. Dolan her millinery establishment, and Blanchard & Hay- ward their rooms for shoe-finishing and stitching. The second-story is occupied by Martin Hall's job- printing office, whence issues the Natick Weekly Re- view. C. H. Inman and Dion have their machine- shops here, and make machine pegging-awls and edge-trimmers and Dion's Riveting Machines. In the third story is Washington Opera Hall, with spa- cious stage, scenery, etc., seating 350, heated by steam and lighted by Lungren lamps; with ante-rooms, fire- escape, etc.

John M. Fiske's Brick Block .- This, which fronts on South Avenue, was erected in the winter of 1888-89, and is seventy by fifty feet and three stories in height. Fiske & Co. occupy nearly all of it for the sale of Mr. Childs has built, also, a large number of houses in the village, besides being a partner in many firms for the manufacture of foot-wear and working in the gold mines of California. hardware, stoves, building materials, painters' sup- plies and everything appertaining to water, steam and gas-piping, plumbing, etc. Mr. Fiske was in the same business in Eagle Block, but in his new and Burks' Brick Block, owned by Charles W. Burks, commodious building has found room for an increased | and occupied on the lower floor in part, and on the

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

second entirely, by the owner as a furniture and car- pet store. Mr. Burks is one of the undertakers of Natick and much employed in conducting funerals, and is largely concerned in the care and adornment of Dell Park Cemetery.

Charles S. Oliver, fish-dealer, occupies nearly, or quite, one-half of the lower story.

Woodbury's Brick Block .- Owner, P. F. Woodbury. Erected in 1874, on the site of the block destroyed by fire in same year. Situated corner of Main and Court Streets. Lower story occupied by H. F. Cham- berlain, for sale of dry and fancy goods; Marnell Brothers, as a boot and shoe store, and on Court Street by the owner, P. F. Woodbury, for the sale of furni- ture, carpets, beds, bedding, window-shades, etc. On the second floor are the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation rooms, well fitted up and convenient, and the rooms of Dr. Frederick Lewis, dentist. On the third floor is a spacious public hall.

Winch's Brick Block, corner of Main Street and South Avenue. Owner, Leonard Winch. The cor- ner of the first story is occupied by the Natick post- office, George L. Sleeper, Esq., postmaster. On the same floor is located the insurance and real estate firms of J. M. Forbush & Co., an agency for the sale of sewing-machines, and the large grocery store of Gray & Young. On the second floor are found a barber's shop, the rooms of St. Patrick Benevolent Society, and the quarters of the American Brass Band. In this block "The Lasters' Union," "The Trimmers' Union," and the "Natick Cadet Band" have also established quarters; while in the base- ment, under the post-office, is the fruit store of Gioga Salvatore.

Masonic Brick and Marble Block .- This was erected in 1874, and belongs to the estate of the late Leonard Morse. The front is of marble, the other walls are brick. It is occupied on the lower floor by the At- lantic Tea Stores Company, Messrs. Wilde & Soule, who deal in teas, coffees and crockery ; by James F. Gray, manufacturer of confectionery and keeper of fruit for sale ; by Leonard P. Stone, dealer in meats and vegetables, and by Beals' Clothing and Furnish- ing establishment. In the second story are Mulli- gan's billiard-room, Finn's barber-shop, Dr. Abbott's rooms for dentistry, and Miss Mabel Morse's music- room. The third and fourth stories are wholly occu- pied for Masonic purposes.

Rice's Brick Block (owners, Phineas G. and Martin Rice) .- Adjoining the Masonic Block is the very ex- tensive establishment of William D. Parlin, who occupies the basement and four stories above for his hardware, stove, plumbing, gas-fitting, steam and hot-water heating business, and whose contracts for goods and work extend over all the region and largely over the entire country. Mr. Parlin has two large store-houses for materialsoutside, and employs thirty- five or forty men. Seven horses are used in his work.

John B. Fairbanks has his large establishment in

this block, selling fruits, stationery, newspapers and everything found in a variety store. J. E. Dewitt's art store adjoins, for the sale of pictures, picture frames, stationery and artists' supplies. Here also is the domestic and Vienna bakery of C. M. McKech- nia, with sales-room, and the "Blue Store Clothing Company's" establishment, owned by Henry An- drews. In the second story is the printing-office of George C. Fairbanks, proprietor of the Natick Bulle- tin, the shop of J. H. Gilligan, tailor, and the law- offices of Messrs. P. H. Cooney and Henry C. Mulli- gan. A large part of the third story is used by the Grand Army of the Republic.

Tash's Brick Block, Summer Street, is chiefly oc- cupied by George C. Wight, dealer in salt and fresh provisions, fruits and vegetables.

Wilson House Block, F. A. Stone, owner, hotel kept hy L. K. Mitchell .- The stores in it are occupied by M. C. Brigham, druggist ; James Sweeney, harness- maker ; A. B. Lindsay, laundry ; C. H. King, fish- dealer, and Jefferson Holmes, Yankee notions.

R. H. Randall has a store for the sale of dry and fancy goods at No. 9 West Central Street.

Hooker & Hawes are funeral and furnishing under- takers and dealers in carpets and household goods, at Adams Block.

At 29 South Main Street is the well-known estab- lishment of J. H. Washburn, jeweler. Mr. D. W. Wells, in charge, is a regularly educated optician.

Wood's Block, erected by Edward W. Wood, oppo- site the railroad station .- This is occupied by Mrs. R. S. Bent, milliner ; Washburn & Reed, druggists ; R. E. Farwell & Son, insurance and real estate business ; H. W. Atherton, millinery ; E. E. Everett, baker; L. A. Perry, who has a bakery and eating-house, and John B. Moyse, harness-maker.

Eagle Block, owned by R. A. Ballou and occupied by Finn Brothers, tobacco and cigars ; Shattuck Brothers, groceries ; W. L. Brown, boots and shoes, and T. L. Irwin, for a furniture and kitchen goods store. On the second and third stories John Palmer has a boarding-house. On the first floor William Ballou keeps tonic and temperance drinks.

Edward Walcott Block, owned by the heirs of Ed- ward Walcott, on Main, West Central and Pond Streets .- Hamlein's eating saloon and S. B. Knowles' meat-market are in the basement. The Natick Pro- tective Union store, groceries and meat-market, is on the first floor, as is also the boot and shoe store of Moran & Buckly. William Flynn, tailor, has quar- ters in this part of the block. In the second and third stories is the hotel of George Rogers, and a por- tion of the boot and shoe manufactory of J. B. Wal- cott is in the same.

SOUTH NATICK, BUSINESS, ETC .- The postmaster is William J. Cronin, appointed in 1886. He has also a harness establishment. M. B. V. Bartlett keeps fine groceries, flour, provisions, etc. James E. Cooper has succeeded Gustavus Smith as druggist.

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Thomas Foy has a boot and shoe store. J. A. Smith sells dry and fancy goods. George H. Jackson has a variety store. J. W. King keeps groceries, crockery, tin goods, grain, flour, etc. George J. Ingalls has sold for seven years foot-wear and furnishing goods. H. P. A. Weigand has a grocery and variety store. Frank F. Schumann keeps vegetables and has a meat- market. Patrick F. Hallinan and Fred. Neauschafer have meat markets. The largest business block is owned by Messrs. Edwards & Clark. The South Na- tick manufacturers are as follows :

William F. Pfeiffer & Co. (William F. Pfeiffer, William H. Pfeiffer, Charles F. Pfeiffer) began busi- ness in 1870. Make boots and shoes-130,000 pairs annually ; annual sales, $115,000; wages annually, $25,000; apply power to all machines ; are their own superintendents. Cashier, Charles F. Pfeiffer ; book- keeper, Mrs. C. F. Pfeiffer ; employés, 50 in number.

John Schneider (established 1883) makes brogans, plow-shoes ; specialty, Hungarian nail and hob-nailed shoes for miners ; from 25,000 to 30,000 pairs annually ; has 30 employés ; sells all over the United States ; works mostly on orders ; sales, $36,400.

E. Dowd, Jr., successor of Hopf & Bisch, makes boots and shoes, chiefly nail brogans; employs 8 men, and sells chiefly at the West. E. Dowd commenced manufacturing in 1860.

The Maltha Manufacturing Company have com- menced making at South Natick a substitute for In- dia rubber, which, it is claimed, can be produced for two and one-half or three cents per pound. The work is yet largely experimental. This is a joint stock company, Mr. Stephen M. Allen owning one- half.

The water-fall at the village is rated at 150 horse- power, and at the rapids below at 100.

OTHER MANUFACTURES .- Shirt-making is one of Natick's industries which continues to give employ- ment to many females. This was commenced in 1861 by W. d. E. Edwards ( William and Elijah), and when the partnership was dissolved, the younger brother associated with himself his son, F. E. Edwards, under the firm-name of E. Edwards & Son. The produc- tion of their factory is very large, and consists of fancy and plain flannel shirts for vacation, bicycling and tennis wear. They also produce the same article in cotton and silk. In the early days of this business the work was chiefly done in the families of the town and region, without steam or gas-power, but now it is done in the factory, and an engine drives all the sewing-machines. The Edwards shirts are well known and rank high in the market.

Newell Cooper is engaged in the same business, and manufactures woolen shirts of all kinds. Production, 35,000 dozen. He uses steam-power, and employs from 30 to 50 females, who run sewing-machines. The machines in this business are all owned and kept in repair by the proprietors. Mr. Cooper has con- ducted this business twenty years or more.

Base-ball Factory .- Firm of H. Harwood & Sons. Established 1858 by Harrison Harwood; later as above. Different grades are made, the best covered with horse-hide; the cheaper with sheepskin. The balls are wound at the factory, the covers are put on by women at their homes. Great quantities are made, that are shipped to all the cities and larger towns of the United States and Canada. The League ball is the ball of the prominent professional clubs throughout the country. Superintendent, J. Sweet- land ; book-keeper, F. Wight.

CONNECTION WITH THE WORLD .- A century ago three turnpike roads, from Boston westward, passed through this town in the north, centre and south parts of the same. These were kept in fairly good repair, and stages upon them furnished the means for public conveyance.

In 1834 the Boston and Worcester Railroad (now Boston and Albany) was opened through the ceutre of the town, and from that time the population and business of the place have been increasing. It is understood that this railroad corporation will soon lay the third and fourth tracks through Natick, and make great and substantial improvements in and around the station. The passenger and freight busi- ness of Natick upon this road is very large.

The Saxonville Branch of the Boston and Albany Railroad connects with the main line at Natick. This is about five miles long.

The Natick and Cochituate Street Railway is be- tween three and four miles long, and carries and brings passengers between the two villages as many as twenty times each day, except on the Sabbath, when the trips number five each way. This road, with its good equipments is a great public convenience, as from 100 to 120 of the employees in the factories of Felchville and Cochituate reside in Natick, and daily use the horse-cars. Built in 1885; cost, $32,000; capital, $25,000, held mostly in Natick and Cochitu- ate; 200,000 passengers annually. President, Harri- son Harwood; secretary, F. H. Hayes; treasurer, William H. Bent ; superintendent, George F. Keep. These, with O. A. Felch, John O. Wilson and Charles Park, are directors.

CEMETERIES-The Ancient Indian Burying- Ground .- Like the English people of early times, the Indians of the Natick Plantation made a cemetery of the ground immediately adjacent to their first mect- ing-house. This was in South Natick, and the limits of their burying-ground appear to have been as fol- lows : Beginning at the ancient Eliot Oak and run- ning west, north of the Unitarian Church, to a point near the corner of the school-house yard, thence southeasterly to about the lower end of Merchants' Block, thence across thestreet in front of Bacon Library building, and over the green in the rear, to the south- east corner of the land enclosed, where once stood the residence of the famous " Deacon Badger," and from that point back to the Eliot Oak, taking in the

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

grave of the Indian preacher, Daniel Takawamhpait, which is the only grave that can be identified.

William Biglow, who wrote his history of Natick in 1830, tells us that within his memory the remains of Indians had been brought to this ground from the surrounding region for burial. In building the walls around the church green, many graves were disturbed, and in laying the water-pipes south of the church to- wards Bailey's Hotel, a long row of Indian graves was brought to light. Beads, spoons, pipes, an Indian kettle and many other relics were secured for the museum in this way. Generally, the bones were care- fully re-interred.1

A second Indian burying-gronnd, of smaller dimen- sions and plainly opened much later, is on the north side of Pond Street, in the central village. This was probably used after their old cemetery in South Natick had been chiefly given up for other purposes.

This ground on Pond Street, much neglected for many years, is now to be fenced and properly graded. Trees are to be set ont, seats provided, etc. This is to be done by the Wamsquam Association, of which Amos P. Cheney is president, with a full list of officers, all of which is as it should be.

The ancient cemetery north of the Unitarian Church in South Natick was granted by the Indian proprie- tors, June 22, 1731, " to Mr. Peabody and his success- ors, and for the use of other English inhabitants." In 1830 there were ninety-two grave stones for single persons, and one, that of Rev. Mr. Badger, for seven members of his family, in that cemetery. One tomb contained then five hodies. Eighteen of the ninety- two alluded to above were over sixty years old at death.2

Before 1805 the remains of some persons had been buried where the Edward Walcott business block now stands, and possibly in the ground now covered by the " Odd Fellows' Block." But burials there were doubt- less discontinued when the Central Cemetery was opened north of the brick church, covering the ground now occupied by the brick blocks on the east side of Main Street. This last-mentioned burying-ground was used nearly or quite as late as 1849, when the town purchased twelve acres of land of Edward Walcott, for the Dell Park Cemetery. This was consecrated in that year, Hon. Henry Wilson having charge of the procession which was formed on the occasion. Rev. Samuel Hunt's address at that time has been preserved in Bacon's "History of Natick." When this uew cemetery was opened, the remains of those who had been buried in the ground on Main Street, as well as the tombstones, were removed to it, and for nearly forty years a large part of the interments of the town have taken place there. Farther west, the Catholic cemetery has been laid out and now contains many graves and monuments.

The North Cemetery is supposed by many to be the oldest in Natick, with the exception of that in South Natick, but when it was laid out is uncertain, though it must have been before 1758. In 1830 it contained forty-three grave-stones, ten of which were for per- sons over sixty years of age, and a later notice refers to one of a person who was ninety-one, and another to an individual who arrived at the age of 103.

The land for the cemetery in the west part of the town was given by William Boden, Esq., and the grant was made in 1815. A monument was erected in it, in 1855, to perpetuate the memory of the donor, who was a man of respectability and great excellence of character.

LAWYERS .- William Biglow wrote in 1830 thus : " But one of this class of citizens has ever attempted to gain a residence in this town; and he remained but a short time."

The historian here had reference to Ira Cleavland, Esq., who, finding but little encouragement to be a lawyer in Natick, soon removed to Dedham. John W. Bacon, born in Natick in 1818 and graduating at Harvard College in 1843, commenced the practice of law in this place in 1846, and continued it until he was appointed one of the judges of the Superior Court. He was as a lawyer what he was as a judge, an inflexi- ble supporter of everything that is right and eleva- ting in the community. (See under the head, Bio- graphical.)

Benjamin F. Ham, a native of Farmington, New Hampshire, opened a law-office in Natick about 1853. He studied law with John W. Bacon and was admit- ted to the bar in 1852. Mr. Ham was chosen town clerk to succeed Chester Adams, Esq., when the lat- ter retired from that position after twenty-seven years of faithful service.

Oliver N. Bacon, the historian, was a teacher for some years, studied law with John W. Bacon and Lyman Mason, of Boston, and opened a law-office in Natick about 1856.

George Lane Sawin, horn in Southboro', January 15, 1837, graduated from the Law School in Cam- bridge in 1860, and received from that institution the degree of LL.B. in 1867. He was a partner of Judge Bacon from 1860 to 1865. Mr. Sawin was an able lawyer and did much business. He died at Wash- ington October 31, 1867. Had been a member of the State Senate one year and of the Lower House three years before his death. Among the Natick lawyers of the present generation Walter N. Mason was very prominent and ranked high in his profession, not only here, but in Boston, where he had an office. Mr. Mason was capable of doing a great amount of busi- ness and had a large practice. He was elected Sena- tor from the Fourth Middlesex District for the Legis- latures of 1883 and 1884.

Charles Q. Tirrell was born in Sharon, Massachu- setts, December 10, 1844. His father was a physician in Weymouth. He entered Dartmouth College in

1 See Biglow's " llistory," and the pamphlet of the Historical Soc. 1884, page 29.

2 Biglow, p. 16.

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1862 and graduated in 1866. Taught an Academy and High School for three years. Was a member of the School Committee of Weymouth four years. Was a Republican member of the Legislature from Wey- month in 1872; served on the Probate and Chancery Committee. Removed to Natick in 1873, and in that year married Miss Mary E. Hollis, of this place. Was Senator for the Fourth Middlesex District in the Legislature of 1881, serving on Committee on Public Health, Prisons, etc. A year later he was re-elected to the same office and was a member of the Commit- tee on Judiciary and Public Health and chairman of the Joint Committee on the Liquor Laws. In 1884 he received a large complimentary vote for Congress in the Republican Convention, and in 1888 was the Presidential elector from the Ninth Congressional District, casting his vote for Benjamin Harrison. Mr. Tirrell studied law with Richard H. Dana, Esq., and was admitted to the bar, in 1870, and has offices in Boston and Natick. He has one child, Arthur H. Tirrell, born June 4, 1881.

William Nutt was born August 5, 1836, in Topsham, Vermont, studied law with Walter N. Mason, Esq., in Natick, and was admitted to the bar August, 1868. His office is in Natick. Was Representative from Natick in the General Court in 1871 and 1872. Was chairman of the Natick selectmen in 1874, 1876 and 1881. Served in the war for suppressing the Rebel- lion ; was corporal and sergeant Company I, Second Massachusetts Regiment, lieutenant in Fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, then captain, major and lieutenant-colonel in Fifty-fifth Regi- ment Massachusetts Volunteers and made colonel of volunteers by hrevet. Colonel Nutt was appointed Jus- tice of the District Court in May, 1886, and a large business is transacted in his court, particularly in the trial of liquor cases. He is often the moderator of town meetings and the trusted executor or administrator in the settlement of estates. Judge Nutt married Miss Abbie P. Puffer, and their children are Wil- liam H., Charles, George, Henry, Nellie A., Julia M. and Matilda E.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 153

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034