History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 136

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 136

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1 Contributed.

& # Jicon

Q. Newton Pike

575

ASHLAND.

There is none so humble that his life can fail to be an object of interest when viewed in the right light. How much more will this interest be enhanced when we contemplate the life of a man who, by his own heroic struggles, has hewn out his own pathway to success and compelled the fates to grant him his reward. Most certainly one who by his own efforts has attained affluence and social position, and throngh all the changing events of life has preserved his in- tegrity unimpaired, is deserving the pen of the historian.

Such a man is the subject of this sketch. He was born August 24, 1824, in that part of the town of Hopkinton, Mass., which is now incorporated in the town of Ashland. Here, too, his father, Benjamin, was born, and his grandfather, Jonathan, lived for many years. The latter was a minute-man, and par- ticipated in the famous battles of Bunker Hill and Ticonderoga. At the former engagement he stood within a few feet of the immortal Warren when he received his death-wound.

J. Newton Pike was one of four children and spent his youth at his father's home, enjoying the school privileges of his time, viz., twelve weeks in the winter, and twelve weeks in the summer, at the district school. These opportunities he improved to the best possible advantage until the spring of his thirteenth year, when, his father's health being poor, the boy was obliged to give up the summer term and assist in earning a livelihood for himself and the balance of the family.

In the summer of his fifteenth year he went away from home to work on a farm, returning in the au- tumn and attending the winter school. At twenty- one, through the kindness of a friend who loaned him the necessary funds, young Pike attended the autumn term of the Hopkinton Academy, and during the winters of the next four years taught school, be- ing employed on a farm during the summer months of '46 and '47, and in the track department of the Boston & Albany Railroad during the summers of '48 and '49. In '50 he was placed in charge of a force of men in this department on this railroad, and contin- ued therein until October, 1866, when he resigned this position, and accepted that of clerk in the office of the Emery Works of Charles Alden, where he re- mained until 1875. These works were merged into the Washington Mills Emery Manufacturing Com- pany, of which corporation he was chosen clerk. In '74 this plant was purchased by the Vitrified Wheel and Emery Company, and Mr. Pike was made fore- man of the emery department of the business, retain- ing that position until in '78 the city of Boston pos- sessed itself of the Sudbury River, for a part of its water supply, which permanently closed the manufac- tnre of these goods in this section. Superintendent W. H. Barnes, of the Boston & Albany Railroad, learn- ing of Mr. Pike's release from service with this com- pany, tendered him the position of station-agent at

Ashland, which position he accepted and has occupied constantly ever since.

In 1860 Mr. Pike was elected a member of the Board of Selectmen for the town of Ashland. The War of the Rebellion breaking out, he distinguished himself by his devotion to his country's flag, and his services in raising troops, and in assisting the families of soldiers, caused his townsmen to elect him chair- man of the board in 1862, which position he filled for six years with great credit to himself, and to the gen- eral satisfaction of his townsmen.

In 1871 he was elected Representative from the Fifteenth Representative District, consisting of the towns of Ashland and Hopkinton, and in 1872 was sent to the Senate from the Fifth Senatorial District, consisting of the towns of Newton, Natick, Framing- ham, Ashland, Sherborn, Wayland, Weston, Hol- liston and Hopkinton.

In 1871, Mr. Pike was appointed trial justice by llis Excellency, William Claflin, Governor of the Commonwealth, which position he continued to fiil until the establishment of the district courts. He has also served repeatedly as member of the School Committee, and overseer of the poor.

May 12, 1851, Mr. Pike married Martha, daughter of Josiah and Martha Burnham,-a fortunate union, for Mrs. Pike proved to be a true helpmeet in the fullest sense of the word, and has, by her wise coun- sel, ready hand and abiding faith, helped to win the victories of life. And now, as the twilight approaches and the shadows are falling toward the east, together they look back to that May morning with feelings of gratitude that life has yielded them so much of its joys and comforts.

Two children have blessed this union-Edgar A., born May 16, 1864, and died June 19, 1865; Willie B., born April 18, 1866. He married Angy, daughter of George and Jane Boutilier, November 9, 1887, and lives with his parents.

Another member of the family who has been as one of their own children to Mr. and Mrs. Pike is Mollie E. Burnham, horn October 8, 1869, and whose parents died when she was six years old, since which time she has been a member of Mr. Pike's family.

Mr. Pike was made a Mason at Framingham, and was one of the charter members of North Star Lodge of this town at its institution.

In 1870, with his wife, he united with the Method- ist Church, and has been one of its trustees ever since, and for the past ten years superintendent of its Sabbath-school.

Modest and retiring in his manner, upright and honorable in his business transactions, loyal to his friends, conscientious in the discharge of his life duties, he has won the esteem and respect of all who knew him, and life has been crowned with a gener- ous degree of success. May he long live to enjoy the same.

576

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

CHAPTER XLI.

EVERETT.

BY DUDLEY P. BAILEY.

THE town of Everett, formerly known as South Malden, was incorporated March 9, 1870, and named in honor of Edward Everett. It contains a territo- rial area of about 2325 acres, lying between the Mystic River on the south (separating it from Boston and Charlestown), Medford on the west, (Malden River forming the boundary), the city of Malden on the north, Chelsea and Revere on the east, Island End River forming the boundary for a part of the distance.

A tongue of land, extending on both sides of Broad- way, from Mystic River nearly to Mystic Street, con- taining the old Charlestown Almshouse, belongs to and is under the jurisdiction of the city of Boston. About five hundred acres, in the southwesterly por- tion of the town, consist of salt marsh, and the whole of that section is but little above tide-water, but from the Eastern Division of the Boston and Maine Rail- road, and the Sangus Branch, the land gradually rises toward the northeast, reaching an altitude of 133 feet above mean low water on Belmont Hill, and 175 feet above mean low water on Mount Washington, which last is the highest point of land in town. Between these two hills ruus a narrow valley, broadening into extensive meadows, as it stretches northwesterly to Malden. On the easterly side of this valley rises Corbett Hill, from the summit of which the land slopes gently northeasterly to the Malden line. The greater proportion of the town is not more than fifty feet above mean low water.

The general shape of the town approaches the form of an ellipse, its longest axis running northeast and southwest. Its greatest length is about two and one- half miles ; its greatest breadth about one and three- quarters miles. The number of acres taxed in 1890 was 1816.

About one hundred acres in the northeasterly por- tion of the town are occupied by Woodlawn Cemetery, one of the most beautiful in the vicinity of Boston. Between 150 and 200 acres are occupied by streets and ways, and a considerable portion consists of water surface.

Of Everete's geology, Nason's "Gazetteer of Massa- chusetts," says : " The geological formation is upper conglomerate, drift and the St. John's Group. The soil is sandy loam in some parts; in others clayey." This last feature is found almost uniformly on the high lands. Clay land suitable for the manufacture of bricks is also found on the lowlands not far above tide-water.

There are about 1100 to 1200 acres suitable for building. Some of the best building land is compris- ed in the strip of territory southwest of Belmont Hill

and Mt. Washington, and just above the railroad ex- tending from Chelsea to Malden. The soil in this tract is composed for the most part of a sandy loam, with a sub-stratum of gravel.

Farming is carried on to a limited extent, mostly in the form of market gardening. The number of farms in 1885 was forty. The aggregate value of their pro- ducts was $66,076, the largest items being milk, $19,- 955; green-house products, $12,520; vegetables, $13,- 577. The total value of the agricultural property was $466,925. Of the taxable area, 946 acres, accord- ing to the census of 1885, were devoted to agricultural pursuits, of which 356 acres were cultivated, and 390 acres uncultivated, the latter including 12 acres of woodland.

The number of manufacturing establishments in 1885 was forty-four, of which two were corporations having eighteen stockholders, and forty-two private firms, with fifty-eight partners and members. The total capital invested was $1,129,698, of which $60,400 were invested in buildings and fixtures, and $127,070 in machinery. The value of stock was §878,016; the value of goods made, and work done, was $1,496,795 ; the number of employees was 717; the amount of wages paid, $304,270 ; the aggregate number of day's work performed was 11,886 out of a possible 13,566- an average of 268 working days for the year, leaving 13 per cent. of lost time. The oldest branch of manu- factures is that of bricks, one establishment in this branch dating from the year 1795. Of the total manu- factured product, bricks, building materials and stone work represented $803,454; clothing aud straw goods, $33,941 ; iron goods, $66,000; oils, paints, colors and chemicals, $492,497. The fire losses by the different manufactories for the ten years ending June 30, 1885, were $146,750.

Everett ranked in 1885 as the seventy-eighth town in the Commonwealth in regard to its manufacturing products, and the one hundred and fifty-first in regard to the product of each individual.

The principal manufacturing establishment in Everett is that of the Cochrane Chemical Company, consisting of several large buildings, occupying thir- teen acres of land and employing about 140 hands. The business was begun by Alexander Cochrane at Maldeu in 1858. On his death, in 1865, he was suc- ceeded by his sons, Alexander and Hugh Cochrane. In 1872 they purchased the establishment in Everett, founded in 1868 by the New England Chemical Com- pany with a capital of $300,000, this company having been financially unsuccessful. After purchasing the works of the New England Chemical Company, Messrs. A. and H. Cochrane erected two new build- ings, doubled the capacity of the works and made Everett the principal theatre of their manufacturing operations. The building west of the Eastern Rail- road was burned in 1882, but has since been rebuilt. The company manufactures acids and other chemicals, chiefly sulphuric, muriatic, nitric and other acids.

The Union Stone Company was established in 1869

577

EVERETT.

and formerly carried on quite a business, employing abont forty hands in the manufacture of emery wheels and emery wheel machinery for grinding and polish- ing. The works were burned in 1881, and though they were rebuilt the company apparently never re- covered from the blow. In 1889 it failed and in March last its works, consisting of a factory and 71,000 feet of land, were sold at auction.

The Waters Governor Works, established by Mr. Charles Waters for the purpose of manufacturing steam-engine governors on a patent issued to Mr. Waters January 3, 1871, were located in Everett, about eight years ago in a building formerly owned by Hervey Waters and designed by him for a scythe factory. Mr. Charles Waters died in 1880, and Mr. Edward Dewey purchased the business and on April 27, 1882, became owner of the factory at Everett, where he shortly after commenced manufacturing operations, which were continued by himself and Mr. R. B. Lincoln, under the firm-name of Edward Dewey & Co., until the death of Mr. Dewey, April 9, 1890. Since that time the business has been carried on by Mr. Lincolu, the surviving partner. The establish- ment employs from forty to fifty hands and manu- factures from 2500 to 4000 steam governors annually.

In November, 1888, Messrs. O. J. Faxon & Co. started, in one of the buildings connected with the works, a foundry which manufactures castings for the governor works and piano plates.

The furniture factory now owned and operated by Charles H. Bangs was originally established by Mr. Geo. D. Otis in 1885 for the manufacture of chamber furniture. The establishment was purchased by Mr. Bangs in March, 1888, aud is now devoted to the manufacture of drug-store interiors, for which Everett has the largest establishment of its kind in the world. The business was begun by Mr. Bangs in the latter part of the year 1885. The idea originated with Mr. Bangs of making such work in sectional form for con- venience in shipment and adaptability to different situations or locations. This method has become very popular on account of the quality of the work that can be produced by being able to concentrate the re- quired workmen upon a single specialty. The enter- prise has grown from a very modest beginning to one of large proportions, Mr. Bangs having in his em- ploy at the present time between eighty and ninety employees, including a great many different trades, such as designers, draughtsmen, carvers, show-case makers, glass-grinders, metal-workers, silver-platers, millmen, cabinet-makers, glass-stainers, etc. Besides these several men are employed for setting up the work, which is now being shipped to every part of the United States, and several the past year have been exported. The present output of the establishment is at the rate of nearly a quarter of a million per year, and the demand seems to be rapidly increasing. Many of the finest drug-stores in the country are the product of these factories.

37-iii

Stephen H. Kimball's factory was originally estab- lished for the manufacture of children's carriages in 1875. The factory was partially burued January 29, 1879, but was afterwards rebuilt and enlarged. The establishment is now devoted mainly to the manu- facture of invalid chairs and athletic goods.

In 1881 White, Wiley & Co. established a varnish factory near the Chelsea line. The firm dissolved January, 1883, and the factory in Everett was trans- ferred to Messrs. Wiley & Richardson, who carried on the business until April, 1888, when Mr. Benj. J. Richardson, one of the original firm, became sole pro- prietor. No information has been furnished in re- gard to its operations.

· Though not coming within line of manufacturing business, the sale of spring water has assumed pro- portions which entitle it to mention as one of the in- portant industries of Everett. Everett or South Mal- den spring water has from time immemorial been noted for its excellent qualities. The first systematic at- tempt to make it an article of merchandize was made by the Everett Spring Water Co. in 1881, when they purchased the land at tho junction of Ferry and Chelsea Streets, and soon after established a plant in- cluding the present Everett Spring House. They have since done an extensive business in the sale of Everett Spring Water.

The Belmont Hill Spring, owned by the Belmont Hill Water Co., enjoys a deservedly high reputation, and the water from this supply commands a large sale.

The Glendale Springs, operated by S. G. Bennett, are of more recent date.

A large proportion of the residents of the town are engaged in business in Boston. The population of the town, according to the census of 1890, is 11,043, as compared with 2220, May 1, 1870. The valuation of the town May 1, 1890, was $7,889,650, of which $7, 451,300 was real estate and $438,350 personal property. . The assessed valuation of real estate is divided as fol- lows :- Laud, $3,355,950 ; buildings, $4,095,350.

The number of dwelling-houses May 1, 1890 was 2225, as compared with 414 iu 1870. The total tax- ation for the State, county and town purposes in 1890 was $120,585.92, and the rate $14.50 on the $1000. Ofthe total population of 5825 shown by the census of 1885, 4610 were native-born and 1215 of foreign birth. Of the native-born, 3253 were born in Massachusetts, 637 in Maine, 313 in New Hampshire, 116 in New York, and 92 in Vermont. Of the foreign-born, 436 were horn in Ireland, 463 in the British Provinces, 173 in England and Scotland. As to civil condition, 3012 were single, 2503 married, 290 widowed and 11 di- vorced.

As Everett was originally a part of Malden, its his- tory grows out of that of the parenttown, of which it is a continuation. The history of South Malden there- fore first demands notice.

The whole towu of Malden was originally included,

578

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

by virtue of a grant in 1633, within the territorial limits of Charlestown, the country north of Mystic River being known as "Mystic Side" or "Mystic Field." The exact date of the first settlement is not known, but as early as 1629, Ralph Sprague, who in the preceding year had landed at Salem, and taken up his residence at Charlestown, with his two brothers Richard and William, passed over and explored the country on Mystic Side, which they found an "un- couth wilderness," full of " stately timber," inhabited by a remuant of the once powerful tribe of Pawtuc- kets, under the rule of an Indian chief called Saga- more John, who dwelt at Beacham Point, now the Van Voorhis estate.

His tribe had been under the leadership of the Sachem Nanapashemet, who was killed in 1619. After his death his widow, the Squaw Sachem, estab- lished her authority over the tribe, and among the curiosities to be found at the Middlesex Registry of Deeds is a grant from the Squaw Sachem of a large territory in the vicinity, probably including the ter- ritory of Malden aud of several adjoining towns, dated in 1639.

In 1634 an allotment of land was made to the seve- ral inhabitants of the tract, afterwards known as the Five Acres Lot, bounded by the line running from the Powder Horn Hill to the North or Malden River ; and the Charlestown Book of Possessions, as early as 1638, shows allotments of numerous tracts on the Mystic Side, within the territorial limits of Everett.

Penny Ferry was established where Malden Bridge now is in 1640, and it continued to exist uutil the opening of the bridge in 1787. The road to the ferry, according to Corey's " History of Malden," lay near the edge of the marshes, between the burying-ground and Mystic River, in part coincidiug with Bow and Main Streets.

So far as known, the earliest settlers in what is now Everett, were William Sargent, described as a " godly Christian," in 1643 or earlier ; Thomas Whittemore, near Chelsea line, 1645 or earlier ; Thomas Caule, at the Ferry, as early as 1643; Deacon John Upham, in 1650, apparently in what is now West Everett; Peter Tufts, between 1638 and 1640. Ile kept the Penny Ferry, where Malden Bridge now is, in 1646. William Bucknam, the ancestor of a long line of prominent citizens of Malden, appears as a purchaser of real es- tate as early as 1649, and was certainly a resident at Mystic Side prior to 1664. . The old house supposed to have been erected by him was, until about a dozen years ago, occupied by our veteran fireman, Joseph Swan, one of his descendants, and stood on the site of Mr. Swan's present residence. Portions of this edifice are still standing near the spot. It is among the old- est buildings in town, if not the oldest.

By act of the Court of Assistants passed May 16, 1849, O. S., " Upon the petition of the Mystick Side men they are granted to be a distinct Towne, and the name thereof to be called Mauldon." The boundary

between Charlestown and the new town appears to have been established on a line running from near Powder Horn Hill in a northwesterly direction to the North (now Malden) River, and Stephen Fosdick, Thomas Whittemore, William Sargeut and Richard Pratt are mentioned as abutters thereon.

The portion still remaining within the limits of Charlestown included all the southwesterly portion of Everett, and must have corresponded nearly with what was afterwards the Southwest School District, though including a somewhat smaller area. Judging from references in ancient deeds, the line, which passed through the Bucknam farm would extend from southeast to northwest, some distance southerly from Nichols, High and Hancock Streets. The ex- act location cannot now be given.

These territorial arrangements continued until 1726, when the remaining territory of Charlestown north of the Mystic River was anuexed to the town of Maldeu except a small strip of land at Penny Ferry, which has been mentioned before as still be- longing to the city of Boston.

Steps had been taken to effect a separation from Charlestown as early as 1721. It appears from the Malden town records that " At A General Town meting jn malden on ye second of June 1721, John pratt moderator, It was putt To vote to se wher This Toun will Joine with our Charlestown naightbours jn petitioning To ye Generall Court for Ther coming off from Charlestown to be one Township with malden according To ye warrant. And ye vote passed on the Afirmative. And That is all yt dwell on ye north side of mistick River up To maklen line; and from boston line To medford line." Chelsea was then a part of Boston and so remained until 1738.

On account of the opposition of Charlestown the separation was not consummated until 1726, when it was effected in answer to the petition of Joses Buck- nam, Jacob Wilson and Jonathan Birrett. The tract thus set off comprised about one-half of the present town of Everett, and thirty-four years later, in 1760, it was inhabited by thirty families.

South Malden had always been separated in some measure by natural geographical features from the rest of the town by the Great Swamp, extending from the Chelsea line westerly so that a comparatively narrow strip of habitable territory connected the south with the rest of the town. The southerly part had not been long annexed to Malden before they began to desire separation.

The immediate occasion for this movement was the re-location of the meeting-house at the Centre, which, by an order of the General Court, made August 4, 1729, was to be placed where the Universalist Church now stands, instead of on the old site at or near Bell Rock. The location of this meeting-house gave rise to a very bitter controversy between the north and the south parts of the town. The new meeting-house was occupied for the first time August 16, 1730, and

579

EVERETT.

on the 13th of September following, the people on the south side held their first separate meeting for public worship. In 1734 they appear to have erected a house of worship on what is now Belmont Hill, on the lot now occupied by Hawes Atwood as a resi- dence, at the corner of High Street and Broadway.

The lot for the church was given by Jonathan Sar- gant, a worthy descendant of the " godly Christian " before mentioned, " in consideration of the love, good-will and affection that I have for and do bear for the Christian people that inhabit in the south part of Malden, and for the propagation of the Gospel among them," and " for the erecting of a new meeting- house in order to the worshipping of God in the Con- gregational way." His deed is dated August 6, 1731, and the lot comprised a quarter of an acre and was reached by a way twenty-six feet wide which led from the highway.

A council of three churches met April 16, 1734, and on the 18th embodied the South Church with sixteen male members. On the 4th of September following Jonathan Sargant and Ebenezer Upham were chosen ruling elders, and John Mudge, deacon. Rev. Joseph Stimpson, of Charlestown, was settled as pastor of this church September 24, 1735, and con- tinued to serve, with some interruptions on account of ill-health, until 1744, when he was dismissed.

The south part still remained by law an integral part of Malden proper, but a movement had been in- augurated some time before to have it incorporated as a separate town or precinct, and at a public town- meeting, held March 5, 1733, it was " voted that Jon- athan Barrett, John Willson and Lieutenant Samuel Bucknam to be ageants to appear at the Generall Court the second Wednesday of the next Sessions to act in behalf of the town of Malden, referring to a petition of Joses Bucknam, John Mudge, and sundery other of the inhabitance of the Southerdly part of said town, which petition is that the Generall Court would set them of into a disstinct Township or precinct, according to the bounds mentioned in said petition."

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 136

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