History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 142

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 142

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The rails were laid to Elm Street in June, 1884, and cars commenced running hourly trips on this route as an independent line July 1, 1884. Half- hourly trips were inaugurated May 2, 1885. The ex- tension to Woodlawn Cemetery was commenced July 24, 1884, and cars began running hourly and half- hourly trips most of the day before August 10, 1884. A larger number of half-hourly trips was instituted May 8, 1886.

One of the most important events affecting our horse-car accommodations was the advent of the Lynn & Boston Railroad, which secured a conditional location to Everett Square in April, 1886, and an unconditional location June 9, 1886. Cars com- menced running over this line August II, 1886, and have made hourly trips from that date to the present time.

The Middlesex Railroad at last began to awake to the fact of impending competition, and when, later in the year, through consolidation with the Highland Railroad Company, more progressive elements were infused into the management, the outlook for better accommodations visibly brightened. During the summer and fall of 1887 the work of improvement commenced in earnest. On July 1, 1887, the fares to Bostou were reduced from six to five cents. The horse-car tracks which had previously been located on School Street, were relocated on Broadway. From the Eastern Railroad to Everett Square a double- track paved with granite blocks was laid, and a single- track, also paved, extended over the hill to Ferry Street, and thence through Ferry Street to Maldeu Centre. Cars commenced running over Belmont Ilill betwen Malden and Boston December 19, 1887. During the same year a new route was located through Buck nam Strect with the track in the mid- dle of the street and paved. Cars commenced run- ning over this route December 8, 1887, the location on Chelsea Street from Bucknam to Main Street being discontinued. In 1888 a paved double-track was laid below the Eastern Railroad to Sullivan Square, resulting in further reduction of runuing time, and greater regularity and frequency of trips.

601

EVERETT.

During the past year the track has been moved into the centre of Main Street and paved, resulting in another great improvement, and iu June, 1890, a loca- tion was granted for a double-track on Ferry Street between Elm and Chelsea Streets, and also on Chel- sea Street from Ferry Street to Everett Square. It is expected that a second track will soon be laid through Main Street, and that the advent of electric-cars may still further shorten the running time between Everett and Boston.

During 1888 also the horse-car tracks were laid in Ferry Street from Broadway to Elm Street, and the East Middlesex Railroad Company commenced running cars by that route to Chelsea and the Beaches.

At the time the town was incorporated, and, indeed, for many years afterwards, its sidewalks were in very poor condition, though gradually improving. Since 1886 the improvement has been more rapid, the town having in that year adopted the practice of paying one-half the expense of setting edge-stones and lay- ing brick or concrete sidewalks in front of the estates of those who will pay one-half of this expense. The widening of Main, Chelsea and Ferry Streets, in 1874 and 1875, involving an outlay of $43,218, was one of the principal public improvements in our highways. In 1882 and subsequent years, largely through the efforts of the Everett Town Improvement Associa- tion-a most useful society, which existed from 1882 to 1887-the streets of the town have been quite ex- tensively adorned with shade-trees. In 1888 the sys- tem of lighting the streets with electricity was intro- duced.

The Everett Public Library was dedicated May 1, 1879, and was opened for the delivery of books May 10, 1879. It had been proposed as early as 1871, when the proceeds of a ball held November 21, 1871, were set aside as a contribution to a fund for that purpose. The movement first took definite shape at a meeting of citizens held in Everett Small Hall, June 21, 1878, when a board of directors was chosen and a committee appointed to solicit contributions of money and books. The library, when opened, was composed mainly of books thus contributed, number- ing 1289 volumes. It was maintained as a private enterprise through the liberality of various public- spirited citizens uutil May 3, 1880, when it was turned over to and accepted by the town, and has since been maintained at the public expense. A reading-room was opened January 26, 1884, but discontinned within about a year, as not required by the public wants. The number of volumes in the library December 31, 1889, was 6181; the number of deliveries in 1889, 27,850, as compared with 10,940 in 1880. The total expenditures upon it to December 31, 1889, have been $11,603.47, of which $4145.89 have been expended for books and magazines. The town makes an annual appropriation for the library ($1000 in 1890, besides the dog-tax, amounting to $1279.08).

The first town-clock was a gift to the town by Mrs. Caroline M. Barnard. It is a large tower-clock weigl- ing 900 pounds, was placed in the tower of the Congre- gational Church, August 15, 1883, and started August 25th. The expenses attending the necessary changes in the tower were met by subscription secured through the agency of a committee of the Everett Town Improvement Association. It was formally presented to and accepted by the town at a meeting held November 13, 1883, and suitable resolutions of thanks to the public-spirited donor adopted.

Up to the year 1876 the large Catholic population residing in town had enjoyed no local place of relig- ious worship. In June of that year a Sunday-school was opened, and regular Sunday services shortly af- terwards began to be held in Everett Hall, in which they continued to be held for a year and a half. On July 13, 1877, 12,160 square feet of land on the corner of Broadway and Mansfield Place were purchased for $3040. The erection of the present church edifice was begun in 1877, the vestry being finished ready for occupancy about January 1, 1878, and the main au- ditorium some years later. The church is under the pastoral care of Rev. Joseph F. Mohan, rector, or- dained in 1871, who was until lately assisted in his labora by Rev. James G. Gilday, as assistant rector.

It is estimated that about one-quarter of the popu- lation of Everett is connected with this church.

Grace Episcopal Church dates from June 10, 1886, when the first service was held in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, conducted by Rev. J. S. Beers, Rev. G. W. Durrell and the choir of St. Thomas' Church of Somerville. On February 5, 1886, at a meeting of those interested in the establish- ment of an Episcopal Church, held in the same place, it was voted to continue the services, and a system of pledges was adopted. On February 15, 1886, the first election of officers took place and the society took definite shape. On March 12th the name of Grace Church was decided upon, and the committee reported that they had hired G. A. R. Hall for Sunday services.

The society was first conducted as a mission, and Rev. Francis Gilliat, the first missionary, assumed charge May 4, 1886. The society grew and prospered, and on January 21, 1887, it was voted to purchase the land on Chelsea, at the head of Corey Street, for church purposes. It was conveyed to them April 23, 1887, at the price of $6500. On the 14th of Decem- ber, 1887, Mr. Gilliat tendered his resignation, and Rev. J. P. Pierce, of Dorchester, supplied the pulpit until April 22, 1888, when Rev. Percy Barnes suc- ceeded Mr. Gilliat as missionary. On June 8, 1888, the society voted to build a chapel on the land be- longing to the parish. This was commenced July 16, 1888, Norman C. Clark, architect. The new chapel cost, with furnishings, about $5000. The first service in it was held December 23, 1888. On De- cember 2, 1888, Mr. Barnes resigned and Rev. J. P.

602

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Pierce again took temporary charge. On April 22, 1889, the society voted to request the appointment of Rev. T. B. Martin, of Pine Meadow, as missionary in the church, who commenced his labors July 7th. After having operated for upwards of four years as a mission, the society was organized as a parish with a governing power of the rector, two wardens, clerk, treasurer and eight vestrymen, on the 10th of April, 1889.

The youngest of the religious societies of Everett is the Advent Church, which was organized March 28, 1889, with eight constituent members. The date of the first meeting for public worship was March 31, 1889; the officiating clergyman was Elder L. Boutelle. The church has not yet had a settled pastor. The number of members now belonging to the church is 21. It has raised for church expenses during the past financial year about $400, and $25 for benevo- lent purposes. A Sunday-school was organized May 12, 1889, at a meeting of which R. S. Sidelinger was moderator, with 12 members, since increased to 40. John H. Murphy has been its superintendent since organization. The first officers of the church were : Elder, John H. Murphy : Deacon, A. A. Anderson ; Clerk, Remly S. Sidelinger; Treasurer, Charles H. Weeks. The Sunday-school library numbers 225 volumes.

The Everett Young Men's Christian Association, which has been a living force for good in town dur- ing the past five years, was organized September 15, 1884, although a society for special work among young men had existed previously for about five months. The first officers were Francis Batehelder, president ; William F. Moore, secretary ; Benjamin F. Noyes, treasurer ; the first two having held simi- lar positions in the provisional organization, and having continued in these positions by subsequent re-elections until September, 1889, when, with all the other members of the board, they declined a re-elec- tion. Captain Noyes died in November, 1884. His place was filled temporarily until the follow- ing May, when George HI. Small was chosen for the office. In 1885 the Executive Committee was increased to five, and A. N. Smith was chosen vice- president, and held office until September, 1889. Mr. W. B. Marshall was the first assistant secretary, but declined a further election at the end of two years, and Mr. W. B. Price was chosen in his place, being elected the following year. Thus only one change was made in the board during four years. The har- monious and efficient action of this first Executive Committee contributed in no small degree to the suc- cess attained by the Association. The present officers, elected in September, 1890, are Rollins A. Edwards, president; F. C. Danforth, vice-president ; W. B. Marshall, secretary ; F. Batchelder, treasurer, F. J. Harding, assistant secretary and E. E. Randall, assist- ant treasurer.

banquet-room in Odd Fellows' Building, then known as Library Building, which was opened with appro- priate exercises in the hall above on the evening of November 24, 1884. Rev. Phillips Brooks, of Boston, was the principal speaker, being followed by Rev. W. O. Ayer, and the president and the secretary of the Association. Later a change was made to the front room in the same building, and the Association being obliged to vacate this, another change was made to Everett Small Hall as the only available place. During the spring and summer of 1887 the demand for a building grew more and more pronounced, stimulated by the inconvenient quarters in which the Association was theu located, and in October of that year the organ of the Association, the Y. M. C. A. Star, published the plans and elevation of the pro- posed building. This seemed to crystallize the move- ment. A canvass was begun soon after, and in 1888 the present lot of land was purchased, the corner-stone of the building was laid July 21, 1888, and the present commodious and convenient building was erected after much persistent and self-sacrificing work, at a cost of $17,630, Brigham and Spofford being the architects and G. M. Coan, contractor. The seating and furnishing of the hall and other parts of the building cost about $2500 more. The ladies of the town supplied the piano used in the building, and also raised enough money to pay for furnishing the mem- bers' parlor. After the Woman's Auxiliary was formed, they furnished seats for the large hall, besides making a gift of $500 for the building fund. The Boys' Branch paid for fitting up their room and social hall. The Yoke Fellows furnished the room in the tower, and the Heartsease Band, the reception, read- ing and amusement rooms. The grand piano in the large hall was a gift from the Say and Seal Club. Mr. Herbert Loud and other friends have presented pic- tures. The building was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, November 12, 1888, Rev. Phillips Brooks again being principal speaker, while Rev. W. O. Ayer, with Messrs. Batchelder and Moor, officiated in the same capacities in which they did almost exactly four years previously. Thereligious work has always been kept in the foreground, and the strong Monday evening meeting, for men only, has really been the backbone of the Association. The gymnasium was opened in December, 1888, and at once attained a de- served popularity among the young men. Mr. Walter C. Day volunteered his services the first season and is now engaged on a salary. In April, 1888, the Boys' Branch was formed, the first officers being Ellie H. Dorety, president ; George D. Marshall, vice-presi- dent; Charles W. Hapgood, secretary ; and Fred. N. Small, treasurer. Master Dorety took a great interest in the work and made an excellent presiding officer. His untimely death in the summer following was a great loss to the Branch. The Woman's Auxiliary was formed on May 1, 1888, and the assistance ren-

The first room occupied by the Association was the ' dered has been invaluable in upbuilding the Asso-

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EVERETT.

ciation. The first board of officers was, Mrs. A. P. Potter, president; Mrs. A. Campbell, Mrs. J. W. Moore, Mrs. J. W. Masury, Mrs. J.S. Cate, vice-presi- dents ; Miss Grace L. Batchelder, secretary ; and Miss Carrie L. Stimpson, treasurer.

This Association has entertained the district convention on two occasions, and the first Woman's Auxiliary convention ever held in the world took place in Everett.

From a very interesting and valuable article in our enterprising local paper, the Everett Herald, on Octo- ber 29, 1887, the following summary, showing the re- ligious status of Everett, was furnished :

Average Attendance.

Church.

Church Service.

Sunday- School.

Sunday Evening.

Friday Evening.

Congregational,

235

230

150

Universalist,

140

130

Methodist,

175

150

Baptist,

180

154

110

St Mary's Catholic,

900

151

Grace Episcopal,

100

Glendale Chapel,

Courtland St. Chapel,

The foregoing figures, if brought forward to date, would undoubtedly show a marked increase.

During the past year some highly interesting in- formation in regard to the religious condition of our town has been obtained by means of a religious can- vass, taken under the auspices of the various churches. It is, of course, not entirely complete, but gives a fairly good idea of the religious condition of the town. The whole number of calls made was 1968, including 7606 persons. The church preferences of these per- sons were as follows : Congregational, including the Mission at the Line, 1399; Methodist, 1132; Baptist, 1109; Universalist, 943; Episcopal, 585-309 indi- viduals expressed no preference, but claimed to be Protestants, and there were 257 persons included as Lutherans, Swedenborgians, Presbyterians, Spiritual- ists, Adventists, etc., making 5824 reported as Protest- ants, with 1782 noted as Catholics. The total popu- lation at that time was estimated at 10,000. On the basis of these census reports, it was estimated that the total number of Protestants was 7260, Catholics, 2380. It was found that there were attending churches out of town: Congregationalists, 150; Methodists, 85; Baptists, 27; Universalists, 7; Episcopalians, 15. The average attendance in the Protestant Churches was stated to be 2235, leaving, after deducting children under five years of age, 4476 who did not regularly attend public worship. Many of those, however, un- doubtedly attend more or less frequently, and it would certainly be safe to estimate the church-going population at upwards of fifty per cent. of the total population. The foregoing facts were presented by Rev. F. T. Pomeroy at a Sunday evening mass-meet- ing, held in the Y. M. C. A. Hall, January 5, 1890.

The steady growth of the population in Everett has made it apparent for some time that a system of sew- erage had become necessary. The matter was brought

up at a town-meeting held March 13, 1888, at which a committee of fifteen was appointed to consider the matter and report at a future meeting .. This commit- tee, by its chairman, Amos Stone, presented its report at a town-meeting held March 5, 1889, when it was voted, 267 in favor to one opposed, that the system of sewerage recommended in the report of the com- mittee be adopted, and that the treasurer be author- ized to borrow from time to time, with the approval of the selectmen, a sum of money not exceeding $50,- 000.00, to pay for the same. The plan presented esti- mated that the existing streets requiring drainage had a total length of twenty-eight miles, and they esti- mated the cost of the proposed system of sewerage for these twenty-eight miles of streets as follows :

3 miles of 36 by 36 inches, at $3,00 847,520.00

3 miles of 24 by 24 inches, at 2.00 31,680.00

3 miles of 18 by 18 Inches, at 1.50 . 23,760.00

3 miles of 12 by 12 inches, at 1,00 15,840,00

16 miles of 10 by 10 inches, at 0.80 65,584.00

amounting to $186,384.00, the average cost per mile being estimated at $6657.00, and the average cost per foot at $1.26. The actual construction of the sewer has recently been commenced.

It will, when constructed, connect with the system of metropolitan sewerage just laid out by the State Sewerage Commission, but until this is ready will have an outlet into Mystic River.

There was no local newspaper in Everett at the time of its incorporation, but soon afterwards the publisher of the Malden Mirror established an cdition of that paper, called the Everett Pioneer, which he continued to publish until about 1875.

The first strictly local paper was the Everett Free Press, the first number of which appeared May 24, 1873, then a small sbeet of four pages, each 11 x 14 inches, with four columns of reading matter. On the 10th of April, 1875, it was enlarged to seven columns, and on July 17, 1886, it was further enlarged to cover eight pages. The columns of the Free Press have been valuable not only for local news, but also as a per- manent record of facts relating to our local history. The Free Press continued to be the only newspaper published in town until October 31, 1885. Its pub- lisher from the first has been Mr. Benjamin F. Morgan.

On October 31, 1885, the first number of another local paper, The Everett Herald, appeared, published by Benjamin Johnson, publisher of the Malden City Press and the New England Grocer. It was edited for three months by Mr. C. G. Newcomb. In January, 1886, Mr. George W. Davies succeeded to the editorial chair, and has since held that position. The Herald is Republican in politics and independent in expres- sion, and it is devoted to local interests. Its manage- ment is enterprising; it is neatly printed and has shown commendable enterprise in gathering news, which has been rewarded by a steady growth in its circulation. In April, 1890, Mr. George W. Davies

604

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

purchased of Mr. Johnson all his interest in the Herald, and became publisher as well as editor. Both of the local papers are issued on Saturday, at a sub- seription price of two dollars per annum.

In addition to the above, the Rev. T. C. Watkins, for a short time during his pastorate, published a small local paper devoted to the interests of the Methodist Society, called the Sunbeam, and the Rev. F. T. Pomeroy conducted a similar enterprise, called the Friendly Hand.

The Young Men's Christian Association has also issued a small sheet for several years past, called the Y. M. C. A. Star, established in April, 1886. The first four issues were published at irregular intervals, but from September, 1886, it was issued regularly once a month until recently, when the practice was resumed of issuing it at irregular intervals.

One of our latest local institutions is the Everett Savings Bank, which was incorporated March 1, 1889. The first meeting of the corporators was held April 11, 1889, and the corporation was organized with the following officers : President, Wilmot R. Evans; vice-presidents, Woodbury A. Ham, Robert M. Bar- nard; treasurer, Samuel P. Cannell; clerk, Henry K. Veazie; trustees, Woodbury . A. Ham, Wilmot R. Evans, Robert M. Barnard, Samuel P. Cannell, George S. Marshall, Samuel M. Johnson, Isaac T. Winches- ter, Adams B. Cook, Daniel B. Fessenden, Thomas Leavitt, Cyrus S. Hapgood, John S. Cate, Nathaniel J. Mead, Henry K. Veazie, Joseph E. Nichols, James P. Stewart, Francis E. Dyer, Thornton A. Smith, Dudley P. Bailey.

The bank opened for business May 11, 1889, and the total amount of deposits received up to the close of business on June 30, 1890, was $40,864, and the total number of depositors had been 331. At the same date there remained on deposit $20,247, held by three hundred and sixteen depositors, showing an average to each depositor of $64.07.

The Everett Co-operative Bank opened for business October 14, 1890; President, Samuel Freeman (2d), vice-president Charles B. Ladd, secretary and treas- urer, Charles E. Jennings.

The following societies also exist in town besides those already mentioned :

American Legion of Honor .- Lincoln Council, No. 753. Established October 1, 1881.

Ancient Order of United Workmen .- Franklin Lodge, No. 61. Estab- lished November 11, 1883.

Order of the Sons of Veterans .- Gen. A. P. Martin Camp, No. 62. Estab- lished April 26, 1886.

Women's Relief Corps .- James A. Perkins Corps, No. 40. Established April 26, 1886.

Home Circle .- Comfort Council.

Improved Order of Red Men .- Assowomsett Tribe, No. 56. Estab- lished December 13, 1887.

Knights and Ladies of Honor,-Longfellow Lodge, No. 609.

Knights of the Golden Eagle -Halspear Castle, No. 66. Established February 8, 1887.

New England Order of Protection.

Order of Tonti. Bay State Lodge.

Royal Arcanum .- Palladium Council, No. 287. Established March 22, 1879.

Royal Conclave of Knights and Ladies.

Sons of Temperance .- Golden Star Division, No. 81.

Established December, 1884.

United Order Golden Circle .~ Wendell Phillips Commandery, No. 279. Established February 26, 1885.

United Order of Pilgrim Fathers .- Gov. Bradford Colony, No. 78.

The following statistics of Everett will show its rapid growth :

School

Pop. Chil- dren.

Valuation.

Tax Levy.

Rate.

No. of Dw'lg- Houses.

1870

2152

432

$1,736,379

$24,845 84

$13 30

414

1871

2471

503

2,423,232

31,040 78

12 00

491

1872

2712

541

3,091,924

38,912 16

11 80

544

1873

3177

602

3,911,875

55,023 94

13 30

635

1874

3468

618

4,408,525

62,378 74

13 30

701

1875

3500

680

4,404,650

62,389 85

13 30

770

1876

3604

697

4,491,400

46,898 00

10 00

782

1877

3686

724

4,542,550

47,463 50

10 00

804

1878

3833

744

4,000,950

49,103 93

11 50

822

1879

3888

731

4,103,950

45,272 70

10 50

828

1880

4037

764

4,221,400

46,736 27

10 50

854

1881

4402

832

4,263,550

59,963 58

13 50

866

1882

4538

879

4,633,000

73,966 96

15 40

1883

4810

912

4,796,550

62,745 64

12 60

937

1884

5151

965

4,950,150

66,369 36

12 80

1000

1885

5640

1039

5,133,600

69,168 56

12 80

1114

1886

0275

1145

5,461,800

76,672 77

13 30

1259

1887

6965

1217

6,835,850

82,895 48

13 50

1420

1888

8115

1415

6,499,100

91,309 14

13 30

1624

1889

9262

1659

7,210,300

113,720 75

15 00

1848

1890

10,676

1847

7,889,650

120,585 92

14 50

2225

The foregoing statistics of population are those of the assessors. The census returns gave the population as 2220 in 1870; 3651 in 1875; 4159 in 1880; 5825 in 1885 and 11,043 in 1890.

With a remarkable record of progress during the first two decades of its history, Everett enters upon its third decade almost large enough to be a city, and with great possibilities for the future if its opportuni- ties are rightly improved.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

AMOS STONE.

Amos Stone, third son of Phineas-a lineal descend- ant of Rev. Samuel Stone, who came to this country from England A. D. 1633-and Ilannah (Jones) Stone, was born at Weare, New Hampshire, Angust 16, 1816, and lived there with his parents until 1824, when they removed to Charlestown, Middlesex County, Massa- chusetts. He was educated at the Charlestown Free School. At the age of fifteen he went to work in his father's grocery-store, and remained there until he was twenty-one years of age. He then engaged in the real estate business, and has continued in that busi- ness more or less down to the present time, and has become one of the largest real estate holders in Mid- dlesex County.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 142

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