History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 133

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III > Part 133

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Dr. Geo. W. Butterfield, who is a graduate of the Boston University Medical School, began the prac- tice of medicine in this place in 1883. In the same year he moved into the John Clark house, on Main Street, where he has since resided and had his office. lle has recently bought that place. Practicing ho- mæopathically, he rides much into neighboring towns. He is a member of the School Committee.

For many years Dr. White came from Hopkinton one day in each week, and, having a room in Scott's Hotel, attended to dentistry.

About 1870 Dr. H. A. Mansfield opened a dental office in Broad's Building, and prosecuted his busi- ness for several years, when he went to Evanston, in the suburbs of Chicago, where he has recently died.

Dr. F. E. Lewis succeeded to the office and busi- ness of Mansfield, remaining for a term of years, then removing to Natick, where he now has an office. Dr. M. G. Leonard opened a dental office in 1883, in Adams Block, remaining only about a year.

Dr. E. J. Dixon now practices dentistry at his office in Greenwood's Block on Front Street.

LAWYERS .- It is quite certain that a young man opened a law-office in Ashland as early as 1850, but he could have remained only a short time. No one seems to remember his name, or anything about him, except that his hair was red.

George W. Norris was the first lawyer to take up a

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continuous abode in town. He came in June, 1869, and remained till May, 1876. He had an office in the Jones building, which during the latter part of his stay he occupied ouly in the evening, being at his Boston office during the day. After a time he bought and moved into the cottage house standing near the east end of Pleasant Street, where he continued to reside until his departure from town. He was a mem- ber of the School Committee during a term of years. After leaving town, in 1885, he was appointed Gov- ernment agent with the tribe of Nez Perces Indians. For several years he remained with his family at this post. He now resides in Boston, having a law-office in Rogers Building.

George W. Morse came to Ashland in 1869, while he was yet a law student in Boston. He was admit- ted to the har in June of that year, and opened an office in Central Block. In the following July he started the Ashland Advertiser. While he remained in town he was editor of this paper. In July, 1870, having gathered a law business in Boston sufficient for his support, he sold his interest in the paper, and removed from town, carrying away as his wife, Miss Clara R. Boit, one of Ashland's school-teachers. He now has a large law business in Boston.

George T. Higley, who is a graduate of Amherst College, and of the School of Law in Boston Univer- sity, began the practice of law in 1873, opening an office in Broad's Building. He still remains in his original quarters. In 1875 he removed his family into the house then erected by him, situated at the corner of Central and Alden Streets, where he contin- ues to reside. He was a member of the School Com- mittee for many years.

Henry Hogan, having recently been admitted to practice law in the State Courts, does law business in the town in the evening, being away at another office during the day. He was a student at the Boston University School of Law.

SOCIETIES .- Ancient Free and Accepted Masons,- The North Star Lodge was chartered June 14, A.L. 5865. The society met at first in the hall in Wig. gins' building. In 1884 commodious rooms were ele- gantly fitted up in the third story of Greenwood's Block, in which the meetings have since been held.

Grand Army of the Republic .- Col. Prescott Post, No. 18, was instituted August 12, 1867, and meets every Wednesday evening in their hall in the Jones building. Its membership numbers fifty.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows .- Ashland Lodge, No. 164, was established October 9, 1872. The meet- ings were held first in the G. A. R. Hall, afterward for a time in the old Masonic Hall. For many years pre- vious to 1890 this society occupied the hall in Adams Block, fitted up for their use. At the commencement of that year they took possession of large, finely- furnished rooms in the third story of Central Block.

Daughters of Rebecca .- Aurelia Lodge, No. 80, was instituted June 21, 1889, and meets in the Odd Fel-

lows' Hall on the first and third Fridays of each month.

Order of the Eastern Star .- Olive Branch Chapter, No. 12, was chartered June 28, 1881, and convenes iu the Masonic Hall on the first Tuesday evening of each month.

Woman's Relief Corps .- Col. Prescott Relief Corps, No. 15, was instituted April 12, 1880. This society mects in the G. A. R. Hall.

Ancient Order Hibernians .- Division No. 22 meets in its hall in Central Block, on the first Tuesday of each month.

Patrons of Husbandry .- Ashland Lodge, No. 124, meets in the G. A. R. Hall on alternate Tuesday evenings. Its charter dates from April 7, 1885.

Knights of Labor .- Washington Association, As- sembly No. 4530, was chartered November 3, 1885. This society hold their meetings in their hall in Adams Block.

Lusters' Protective Union .- The local Branch of this society meet in their hall in Broad's Building.

Other societies have been organized and meet in the interest of life insurance, temperance, athletics, and for other purposes.

CHURCHES AND MINISTERS .- The First Universal- ist Society in Ashland held its first meeting for or- ganization May 13, 1871. John Clark was chosen treasurer, and John W. Spooner, John Clark, H. H. Tilton, H. W. Barrett and T. A. Osborn a parisli committee, with George W. Norris as clerk. There were also among its corporators William Wheelock, O. A. Wilcox, Hubbard Willson and others. The society leased the hall in Adams Building, at the corner of Railroad and Alden Streets. Meetings were held here regularly for about two years.

George Proctor was hired as preacher the first year. He was succeeded by Anson Titus, and by students from Tuft's College. A quartette choir and organist were employed, and much interest was shown in the enterprise. The number of families, however, whose members desired to attend the meetings was found insufficient to warrant their continuance.

Catholic Church .- On December 20, 1858, Fa- ther P. Cuddihy, of Milford, first celebrated mass in the town hall in Ashland. At that time Ashland, Hopkinton and probably other towns were a part of his parish. From this time onward Father Cuddihy or his curate came to Ashland and read mass about once in three months. It was some years later that another parish was formed, with Hopkinton as the centre, and embracing also Ashland and other towns. Father Thomas Barry was placed in charge, and at- tended to the Ashland mission, having services once a month. He was succeeded by Father Minietti, who was in turn succeeded by Father John J. Ryan. It was during the term of Father Ryan that money was raised, chiefly by subscriptions, and a lot of land sit- uated on Esty Street was purchased to be devoted to religious purposes. The building of the church

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which now stands upon that land was begun July 1, 1874, and was carried forward by degrees, so as not to incur too much of a debt. Late in that year the church had been built so far as to be covered in, and the basement put in a condition for use. First ser- vices were held on December 26, 1874, at which Fa- ther Ryan officiated. Father J. S. Cullen, who had been curate in the Hopkinton parish from the days of Father Barry, was now assigned as priest in charge of a new parish embracing the field of Framingham Centre, South Framingham and Ashland. For a short time he resided in Ashland, in the brick house on Union Street, and then moved to South Framing- ham. Up to the time when the church was occupied, services had been held in the town hall; afterward there were regular services in the basement of the new building. A Sunday-school, which had been early established, was held weekly. The church went on increasing in numbers and financial strength.

The building was carried forward to completion in the year 1883, and on the 16th day of December, in that year, the final dedicatory exercises were held. The church is a substantial building of pleasing de- sign, having a finished basement and an audience- room with a seating capacity of 400. To the rear is an addition containing rooms for the priest. Shortly after the completion of the church Ashland was des- ignated as a parish, and Fr. M. F. Delaney was as- signed as the priest in charge. He took up his resi- dence at the B. F. Brown house, on Summer Street. At that time there was a debt of about $6000; this has since been removed by means of subscriptions, pew-rents, fairs and the annual tax of one day's earn- ings levied upon the members, and the church is now free. The membership of the church, if estimated upon the basis of the whole Catholic population, is abont 700; if confined to those who give attention to religious observances, it is somewhat less than half that number. Frequently the audiences in attend- ance upon religious exercises occupy the entire seat- ing capacity of the church. Recently plans have been made for a dwelling-house for the priest, to be erected to the southeast of the church. On the 1st of May, 1890, Fr. Delaney was sent to Natick to have charge of a much larger church, and Fr. John IIeffer- nan has been stationed in Ashland.

Congregational Church .- This church grew out of a previously existing Sunday-school, which was es- tablished as far back as 1828. About 1832, $600 were subscribed, principally by those interested in the cotton factory, and with this sum, a second story was built upon the village school-house, to be occu- pied for religious purposes. This building stood on the site of the present Town Hall, but nearer the street, and was called "The Chapel." The second story of this building was fitted up with movable seats, made of pine boards, and afforded seating capa- city for about one hundred persons. Besides being in use for religious purposes on Sundays, during the

week it was occupied, as occasion demanded, for lec- tures, lyceum debates, town-meetings and other pub- Jic purposes, until it was torn down in 1855, to give place to the present Town Hall.

The Union Evangelical Society was organized as a legal body from the worshipers in the chapel Feb. 17, 1835. In the spring of this year, the society bought of James Jackson about two acres of land, on the northeasterly side of Main Street, opposite to the chapel, with a view to erect a meeting-house thereon. The land purchased, besides comprising the lot at present occupied, extended back into the ceme- tery, and westerly to include the land now covered by the "Brick Store." The southeasterly line of the lot was the same as at present, but was produced to near the back side of the cemetery; thence turning at a right angle, the line ran northwesterly to the canal, and up the canal as far as the confectionery store. The last-named land was sold to William Jennison, and the portion of the land northeasterly of the present cemetery wall was sold to the town of Hopkinton, and is now owned, with the remainder of the cemetery, by the town of Ashland. A strip of land on the west side of the present church lot was set apart to be leased for sheds, the " lessees to hold the land as long as sheds shall be supported for use of horses on said land." A committee was ap- pointed to "build the house on the credit of the society," consisting of James Jackson, Josiah Cloyes, Jr., Calvin Shepard, Jr., William Jennison, John Stone, Richard R. Brewster, Abel Greenwood, Jr., Matthew Metcalf and Joseph Ballard. The house seems to have been modeled after the Baptist Church in Westborough. It was completed that season, and was dedicated January 21, 1836. This was the build- ing now known as the Congregational Church, and the only change in its external appearance to this day has been caused by the substitution, in 1889, of stained windows in place of the old plain glass, and the erection of a chapel, about 1870, attached to the rear. In 1846 the name of the society was changed by vote to the " First Parish in Ashland," since which time all its acts have been done in that name. Re- cently some doubt having arisen as to the legality of this change, in 1889 au act of the Legislature was passed establishing this name and legalizing all acts before done under it. The records of this society, both church and parish, have been preserved, and are tolerably complete. The method of conductiug the church is in the dual form customary in the Con- gregational order, the "parish " holding the title to the property and transacting the business, and the "church " conducting the religious exercises. Any person, male or female, above twenty-one years of age, is eligible to membership in the parish, but is received only upon its formal consent. No one is admitted to the church except upon assenting to its creed and articles of covenant.

The church at its organization numbered twenty-

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one members, all but three joining by letter from neighboring churches, of whom thirteen came from Framingham. Many more members soon joined, and the church appears to have been always self-support- ing. Its membership in the course of fifteen or twenty years arose to about one hundred and fifty, but has, especially since the establishment of the Methodist Church, which drew from its numbers, fallen away, so that there are now but one hundred and twenty. Twice in the history of the church the inside of the building has been remodeled, the first to accommodate a larger audience, the second, which occurred in 1889, to secure a conformity to modern ideas. The pews were originally sold by auction to attendants at the church, are still largely owned by individual pro- prietors, and are taxed for the support of preaching. The society has taken part of the pews for unpaid taxes and these are rented. A portion of the expenses is now raised by subscriptions, and the Social and Literary Society turn in a contribution of about two hundred dollars annually. There is no permanent debt, and the parish has never placed a mortgage upon the premises.

Prominent men in the town, though not members of the church, have been and still are active members of the parish. A prosperous Sunday-school convenes every Sabbath in the year in the church and chapel. With this is connected a library, often renewed. A few years ago a branch of the Christian Endeavor or- ganization was established, which has served to add to the membership of the church, doing in a more quiet way the work formerly accomplished by revi- vals.

This church has had but few deacons, their terms of service having been long. Calvin Shepard, Jr., was appointed at the organization of the church ; a few years later William Seaver was chosen. These two men served for many years, the latter continuing to act until shortly before his death, which occurred in 1887. After Deacon Shepard moved away from town, Dexter Rockwood was choseu and continued to act till his death. Later have followed in the office Edwin Perry, William Ockington and W. H. Hoven- den, who are still acting.

The following is a list of the ministers who have been settled or hired for periods of more than one year: James McIntyre, who, while a student in the senior class at Andover Theological Seminary, had commenced preaching to the congregation in April, 1834, was ordained and installed pastor of the church January 21, 1836. He was employed at a salary of five hundred and fifty dollars. ITis father- in-law, Bartlett, of Newburyport, built for him the house standing opposite the church, which was occu- pied by him while he remained in town, and was sold to James Jackson on his departure. He is said to have been a remarkably genial man, and suc- ceeded well in uniting in one congregation the var- ious denominational elements. After two years, his

wife dying, at his own request he was dismissed, and returned to Elkton, Md., his native place. Forty years later, by invitation, he attended the semi-centen- nial celebration of the Sunday-school, and received the hearty welcome due to the pleasant memory of his early labors.

The next pastor was Joseph Haven, Jr., also a young man from the seminary at Andover. He was ordained and installed November 6, 1839, and re- mained seven years, carrying the church through the period during which the question of a new town was agitated and its organization effected. He is said to have taken a strong interest in the formation of the town. He was a man of fine personal appear- ance and an able preacher. He and his father, also a minister, who lived with him, bought of Captain Heywood the house now owned by S. W. Wiggins, and occupied it during his stay in town. The salary paid him was six hundred and fifty dollars. His contract with the society made provision for termi- nating his term of service by either party giving six months' notice. It is said that, spurred on by advisers who believed in the potency of doctrinal sermons, he once preached a discourse in which the short-comings of other denominations than his own were pungently set forth, and that this caused offence in the minds of some. The Baptist portion of the congregation from this time withdrew, and took steps to establish a church of their own denomination. On December 16, 1846, he was dismissed to accept a call from Har- vard Church, in Brookline, in charge of which he remained four years. Afterwards he became succes- sively Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy in Amherst College, Professor of Systematic Theology in Chicago Theological Seminary, and again Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy in Chicago Univer- sity. He died May 23, 1874. His books on " Mental and Moral Philosophy " and the " History of Ethics " have had a wide sale.

Charles L. Mills, following Mr. Haven, was in- stalled as pastor February 11, 1847. He was a man of advanced middle age. His health gave way, and he was dismissed at his request in April, 1849, return- ing to Middlefield, Conn. A very pleasant memory still remains of the happy influence of Mrs. Mills as a " perfect lady."

William M. Thayer, of Franklin, was ordained and installed June 20, 1849. He was a graduate of Brown University and had recently studied theology with Dr. Jacob Ide, of Medway, a theologian of the old school. Mr. Thayer's seven years of ministerial labor were exhibitions of strength and zeal. His interest extended to town affairs so that he became popularly known, and was chosen to represent the town one year in the Legislature. He bought the lot of land and built the house now owned by B. W. Houghton, on Pleasant Street. His voice finally failed him and he was dismissed, December 25, 1856. He returned to Franklin, where he has

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

since resided. After the recovery of his voice he engaged in lecturing on temperance, becoming well- known throughout the State. He was for many years secretary of the Massachusetts Total Abstinence So- ciety. He is still engaged in preaching and lecturing. Ile is the author of a series of juvenile works, setting forth in a popular manner the lives of distinguished Americans.

T. F. Clary, a man of middle age, followed Mr. Thayer, being installed December 25, 1856. Ile came from Thetford, Vt., where he had concluded a success- ful pastorate. He wasthought by many to be an able preacher, but misfortunes seemed to combine against him, resulting in his dismissal, March 30, 1859.

Horace Parker, a recent graduate of Amherst Col- lege, next supplied the pulpit for two years. IIe was ordained but not installed, May 31, 1861, the records of the council showing an implied protest at the irregularity of such a proceeding. He was a direct, practical preacher, and succeeded in adding members to the church. He has since labored in the churches at Leominster, Ashby, Pepperell, Lunenburg, and other places. In the winter of 1864-65 he was with the Christian Commission in the army.

A. H. Currier was ordained and installed December 3, 1862, and held the office of pastor for three years. This was during the stress of war times, and he gave strong support to all town measures in aid of the war. He built and occupied the house on Pleasant Street now owned by G. W. Norris. There was strength and reasonableness in his preaching and a peculiar degree of gentlemanliness in his manners. April 28, 1865, he was dismissed to become pastor in a much larger field of the Second Congregational Church in Lynn, where he labored for many years. He is now a professor in Oberlin College.

George G. Phipps was stated supply from Septem- ber, 1865, to December, 1867. He was a very accept- able preacher and a genial companion. He went away to be settled over the church at Wellesley, where he remained for many years. He is now pas- tor of the Congregational Church at Newton High- lands.

M. M. Cutter followed as pastor, being ordained and installed December 29, 1868. IIe, too, was of a social turn, and was beloved, especially by those young people who, like himself, were devotees of the musical art. He was dismissed, at his own request, March 31, 1873.

E. P. Tenney was stated supply from the spring of 1873 till June, 1876. Subsequently his efforts in this vicinity in raising funds for Colorado College, of which he had been appointed president, were suc- cessful. He is now living in Manchester-by-the-Sea.

Thomas Morong preached first on July 1, 1876. Later he was hired as stated supply. On June 12, 1878, he was installed pastor, and remained in the service of the church till March 4, 1888. During this time the church prospered. Never did it seem casier

to raise all needed funds. Mr. Morong's thought was mature, often unique, always interesting. 'His ser- mons were carefully prepared, his illustrations being often drawn from the fields of science, with which he had made himself familiar. With him, in particular, botany was a favorite study. Taking it up tirst as a pastime, he became afterwards a close student and a recognized authority in this science. He is now en- gaged in making original researches in South America, being in tbe employ of certain botanical societies. He was finally dismissed from his pastor- ate February 24, 1890.

On the same day Charles H. Dutton was ordained and recognized as pastor of the church. Mr. Dutton is a graduate of Amherst College and has been a student in the Hartford Theological Seminary.

All the ministers of this church, it is believed, have been graduates of colleges. All have brought with them wives, who have in a greater or less degree assisted them in their pastoral work. Seven of the twelve have been ordained, thus showing the prefer- ence of this church for young pastors.

Baptist Church .- The first preaching service oc- curred December 30, 1841. The gathering was at William Waite's house, situated, as the streets are now named, at the corner of Main and Cherry. Aaron Haynes, of Southborough, delivered the ser- mon. On January 6, 1842, a regular prayer-meeting was established, the houses of the attendants in turn serving as the place of assemblage. Occasional preaching services were also held at dwelling-houses, and sometimes in the chapel then standing on the site of the present town-hall. In May, 1843, regular Sunday services were begun in the hotel kept by Thomas Barber (now Scott's Hotel), students from Newton Seminary officiating.

On November 8th, in the same year, the Union- ville Baptist Church was organized, with a member- ship of forty-five, twenty-two residing in the town of Hopkinton, twenty-three in Framingham, many hav- ing formerly been regular attendants at the meetings of the Congregational Church and contributing to its support. Only two of the original members of the Baptist Church are now living,-Mrs. Caroline Bal- lard and Mr. Frank Chickering.

An effort was soon made to provide a house of worship. Through a committee appointed for the purpose, a lot of land now lying on the south side of Front Street, opposite the dwelling of Mrs. E. A. Forbush, was purchased of William Seaver, and a cellar, of which the remains can still be seen, was commenced. The purpose for which the land was to be used had been kept a secret, and when it became known that a Baptist church was going up at that point, there was a small tempest in the neighbor- hood. So this spot was exchanged for other land owned by Seaver, on the opposite side of the street, - the same now occupied by the hardware concern of Perry & Enslin. A frame chapel was now built on

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the land thus finally acquired, having the dimensions of thirty-one by forty-five feet, and at a cost of one thousand dollars. This building was dedicated on March 20, 1845, by appropriate religions services, and at the same time was ordained Zenas P. Wilde, the first pastor of the church, who had responded favor- ably to the moderate call by the society of three hun- dred dollars annually. This building was occupied by the church for their religious services during the next five years, after which time it was sold and used for a boot-shop until its destruction by fire.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 133

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278