History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 182

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 182

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""The removal within a few days of the scholars of the High School from the building occupied by them in past years to the new and elegant edifice just being completed, will leave the old High School building unocenpied and subject to such nse as you may direct, I respectfully recommend thet it he set apart for a City Hall, and used for the purposes of the City Gov- ernment. With few alterations and small expense it can be made to af-

find ample and convenient accommodations for all our wants for several years to come, If this recommendation meets the approval of the City Council, I wonhl suggest that the necessary alterations be at once made ; and that they include a thoroughly fire-proof vanlt, sufficiently large for the safe-keeping of the town as well as city records, the preservation of which must forever be of invaluable importance.

" The proper care of our streets should, and, I have no doubt, will, re- ceive that attention at your hands which their importance demands. At the present time they are generally in better condition than usual ; es- pecially is this the fact in regard to the main thoroughfares. In a city making such rapid growth as ours, and where individual interests and enterprise are constantly opening new strerts, the question of accepting and maintaining them by the city is one of daily increasing importance, ad will require the exercise of our best judgment, in order that the interests of the city, and of individual citizens, may be alike properly regarded. In this connection, I would recommend that a careful atten- tion be given to the provisions of the betterment act, which have 80 much importance and such saintary bearing upon the question of laying out new streets and the altering of old ones ; as they bave, also, mn re- gard to drainage and the construction of sewers. These two subjects are so intimately connected that it is hardly possible-nor is it desirable -to separate them. With so much presenting itself which requires early ettention, and while so little can be accomplished in one year, it is impossible but that individuals must be more or less annoyed by tetn- porary delays; and there will be much less difficulty in deciding whet ought to be done than in determining what can best be deferred for a brief season. When and where reasonably practicable, withont impos- ing too heavy taxation upon the people, the want of public improvement surely ought not to reterd private enterprise ; nor should the waiting patience of individuals be unreasonably taxed. I trust thet by constant vigilance on your part, by reasonaldy liberal appropriations of money. jndicionsly and prudently expended, the work of public improvement will he sure and constant, and the past hopes and expectations of uur citizens he fully realized,

" Closely connected with the matter of streets and highways are the street railroadle, which pass through our municipal thoroughfares. They were originally constructed with the T rail on the side of the streets ; but having, in the judgment of the citizens, become practically the cause of too much inconvenience, they were last summer removed from Milk, Washington and Elm Streets, and new tracks were constructed in the centre of the streets, with flut rails, and thoroughly paved. This change has proved beneficial and satisfactory to our people. The same change should be made on Broadway, and I recommend the application of all proper means for its speedy accomplishment. In the matter of common sewers, it is your duty to carry out what has been begun, and of perfecting the present systems. A considerable extent of sewerage has been constructed, and, so far as I know, the plan has been proper and the work well done, You will judge whether any improvement ean he made npon the existing plan, and if so you will adopt them.

"Our Fire Department is, as it has been for many years, in a most efficient and satisfactory condition, and is regarded hy our people with feelings of just and honest pride, not only for the services it has ren- dered, but for the manly conduct and bearing of its officers and nien. For the toils, hardships and dangers which firemen encounter, their greatest reward, next to an npproving conscience, is in the knowledge that their Jubore are properly appreciated by their fellow-citizens; and in both these respects I am sure the Somerville firemen have been richly rewarded. The proper maintenance and encouragement of this indis- pensible organization is in our keeping.

" The comfort and convenience of a large proportion of our people have been much enhanced by the introduction of Mystie water, More than twenty-eight miles of pipe are laid in our streets, with one hundred and forty-six hydrants connected therewith and jndicionsly distrifmted over our territory. The former appropriation for the water works has been expended, and the responsibility of their further extension, and of making the requisito appropriation therefor, devolves upon you.

"The Police Department of Somerville has increased in numbers and efficiency with an increase in population and wealth, until it has become of great interest and importance, In my judgment the force is well organized and the members generally are vigilant and faithful to their trust. In every large community a well-organized police is indispensabile for the protection of persons and property, and fur the maintenance of good order ; and although strong by being clothed with the authority of law, its usefulness and efficiency depend upon the personal character and manly deportment of its individual members, and upon the moral

773

SOMERVILLE.

support and sympathy of the citizens, of whose lives and property they are the constant protectors and guardiane.

" Upon the Health Department reste a great respons.bility. It is charged with duties which immediately affect the comfort and well-being of every citizen. Intimately connected with this department is a matter of great importance, and one which demands judicious consideration and efficient action. I allude to the nuisance in Miller's River, caused by an accumulation of filth which covers a large area of flats which are bare at low water. The flate are partly in Somerville and partly in Cambridge, the river being the boundary line between the two cities for a considerable distance, and both are equally responsible for the nuisance. During ' the heated terui' of last summer, when the tide was out, the stench from the flats was most offensive. The selectmen of Somerville and the City Government of Cambridge sought by united and harmonious action to improve the condition of this locality. The aid of the State Board of Health was sought and stringent rules were adopted for the preventation of further corruption of the water ; but in the judg- ment of the authorities of Cambridge aud Somerville and of the State Board of Health, nothing short of the filling the flats with sand or gravel could cure the existing evil, aud such filling cannot be under- taken without permission from the Legislature. I know you will heartily unite with the anthorities of Cambridge in procuring the needed legislation, and in devising the best and most speedy mode for abating the nuisance, and thereby reclaiming a large extent of worthless territory to valuable building land. The improvement contemplated embraces the construction by the two cities of a large hox sewer of sufficient size to conduct off all the water of the stream, and to serve the purpose for drainage for quite an extent of both localities.

" With the requisite legislation granted, it is hoped aud expected that the several ownere of the flats will at ouce enter upou the work of till- ing, and that without any reasonable delay this great improvement will be accomplished. Of course it will take time to complete the improve- ments, and the people, realizing atil acknowledging the fact. that the work of a year cannot be accomplished in a day, must endeavor for a while to cultivate the virtue of patience.

" The services of the Board of Overseers of the Poor, which in the early history of our town were hardly required, are now and have been of late years of much importance in relieving the wnuts of the destitute and neody. The people will require of their servants that this class be kindly cared for ; that necessary aid be cheerfully, not grudgingly bestowed ; that none among us shall suffer from want of the necessaries of life, and that no child be kept frour school for want of proper cloth ing. The Board of Soldiers' Relief have a most sacred duty to preform. The sick and needy of our returned soldiers who endured hardships and privations, and periled their lives for the preservation of our National Government, are worthy objects of our favor and solicitude. The peo- ple of Somerville who in the time of their country's need exhibited so much liberality in encouraging enlistments, and in care and providing for the wants and comforts of her men in the field, and their families at howie, will never consent that one of them shall suffer from want, or that he or any one of his family shall ever be classed or treated as a pauper ; and especially will they require that the families of our fallen heroes shall be regarded with the most tender care. If the occasion per- mitted I would gladly say more in regard to the part which our peo- ple took in promoting enlistments and furnishing volunteers for the war ; hut a single statement of Gen. William Schouler iu the second volume of his most valuable 'History of Massachusetts in the Civil War' minst sutlice. After speaking of the great liberality of our peo- ple, both men and women. he says, 'Somerville furnished eleven bun- dred and thirty-five men for the war, which wasa surplus of one hundred and forty-seven over and above all demauds.' That statement stands as the proud record of our towu, when its population was much less than at present, and that record will forever etand as enduring proof of the patriotism nud liberality of its people, who, by their devotion to the public welfare, have in the years that have passed been steadily laying the sure foundation of our city, which is destined at no distant day to rank favorably among the older cities of our Commonwealth.

"Gentlemen of the retiring Board of Selectmen : I cannot let the occa- sion of entering upon my term of official service pass, without expressing to you my appreciation of the magnitude and importance of your pub- lic duties during the past year ; and also my high appreciation of the fidelity with which those duties have been discharged. In thus express- iug to you my own judgment, and my own feelings, I am sure Iam but giving utterance to the sentiments of all onr citizens who bave had op- portunity to know and judge of your official actiou. The faithful man- ner in which the duties of a long line of town officers have always been

performed, has been most creditable to them, and most satisfactory to an appreciative public ; and I congratulate you that in retiring from publle service, you carry with you tho confidence, the esteem and the bout wishes of our entire community.

"Gentlemen of the City Council : The people of Somerville, always con- fiding and liberal, are ever watchful and exacting in regard to all mat- ters pertaining to the public good ; and while they will justify liberal appropriations for the welfare of the city, they will exact of its goveru- ment zealone devotion to its varions duties, and a judicione economy in the expenditure of the public money. Let us see to it that no duty be neglected, and that not a dollar bu wasted."

Allusion has already been made to the small pop- ulation of Somerville, the meagre number of its school children and the few schools maintained for their education at the time of the incorporation of the town in 1842. After that date it became not only necessary to improve schools already existing, but to add new ones to meet the rapidly increasing wants of pupils. After the schools of low grade had been pro- vided for, it was voted in the spring of 1851 to estab- lish a High School. The building now occupied as a city hall was first erected for the school. It was designed to accommodate one hundred scholars, and was dedicated on the 28th of April, 1852. It opened with sixty scholars, and Robert Beckford with an assistant had charge. From 1854 to 1858 two assistants were employed. The old building being soon outgrown, the present building on Prospect Hill was erected in 1871, and dedicated February 27, 1872. Since Mr. Beckford left the school it has been under the management of H. H.Babcock and George L. Baxter. In May, 1889, the number of children in the town be- tween the ages of five and fifteen was 6155, for whom during the last year, one hundred and sixteen schools were provided, under the care of one hundred and thirty-five teachers. The following is a list of the school-houses in that year with the date of their erec- tion and number of teachers. Most of these houses, it will be understood, accommodate more than one school :

Buildings.

Erection. Trhrs.

Buildings.

Erection. Tchrs.

High

1871

Cedar Street 1×13

Prescott

1867

Morso .

. 1869

Eagerly

1871

8 Beech Street

. 1x72

Davis

1884

Spring Hill

. 1.50 1

Luther V. Bell

1871

18 Franklin

. 15 16

Prospect Hil

1848

llarvard 1851

Cummings

1884

4 Burns .

Highland

1880

Brastow

1861

4 Lincolu

IN83

Jackson

Webster

1868

Music

I'nion

1×12

Drawing

Forster

1866

Sewing

Bingham

188G

The amount expended for the support of schools in 1899 was, For school contingent, $20,556; fuel, $6,049.90 ; school-house incidentals, $14,225.38 ; sala- ries, $9365.49, making a total of $133,896.77. Be- sides these amounts the sum of $25,000 was appropri- ated for school-house in Ward 2, of which $14,727.It was expended, and the sum of $25,000@vas appropri- ated for addition to the Morse School-house, of which $5439.88 was expended. Beside the above schools

Bennett

1868

4 Elm Street

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

there were the St. Joseph's Parochial School, under the care of Sister Mary Gertrude and eleven assistants, and the Kindergarten School on Somerville Avenue, conducted by Alice L. Warren and Sarah E. Kilmer.

The following is a complete list of expenditures of the city in 1889 for various departments :

Fire Department, $40,016.71 ; Health Department, $5226.54; Highways, $51,358.95; Indigent Soldiers and Sailors, $1500; Interest, $45,824.16; Miscellan- cous, $9373.25; Police, $41,241.08 ; Public Library, $6151.66; Public Grounds, $9109.58 ; Printing and Stationery, $5189.11 ; Reduction of Funded Debt, $38,000; Salaries, $25,494.91 ; Schools, $133,896.77 ; Sewers, $15,716.07; Sidewalks, $8,654.89; Street Lights, $16,986.17 ; Support of Poor, $14,610.92; Wa- tering Streets, $9228.28; Water Maintenance, $16,- 542.35 ; County Tax, $21,367.03 ; State Tax, $27,560; Overlay, $6997.37 ; School-house in Ward 2, $14,727 .- 14; Addition to Morse School-house, $5439.88 ; Wa- ter Works Extension, $82,279.26. The value of the property of the city is estimated at $1,287,023.44. The funded debt, December 31, 1889, was $952,500, and at the same date the valuation was $30,004,600.

The following societies and institutions are in ex- istence in Somerville at the present time :

Somerville Suvinge Bank, incorporated February 21, 1885.

Somerville Co-operative Bank.

Joho Abbot Lodge of Masons, chartered September 8, 1858.

Soley Lodge of Musons, chartered April 2, 1879.

Somerville R. A. Chapter, chartered October 10, 1871.

Orient Council of Royal and Select Masters, established Jan. 26, 1889.

Oasis Lodge of Odd Fellows, instituted September 17, 1868.

Paul Revere lodge, instituted March 15, 1878.

Caleb Rand Lodge, instituted May 29, 1888.

Somerville Encampment, No. 48.

Grand Canton Washington, No. 6, P. M., instituted May 9, 1883. Component, No. 16.

Component, No. 17.

Erminie Lodge, No. 76, Daughters of Rebekah ; Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 7, instituted January 28, 1870.

Odd Fellowe' Building Association, incorporated June 4, 1884.

American Legion of Ilonor, Prospect Council, No. 111.

Ancient Order of Foresters.

Ancient Order of Iliberniana, Division No. 6, instituted 1876 ; Division, No. 17, instituted 1872.

Ancient Order of United Workmen, Somerville Lodge, No. 48.

British American Association, Branch No. 10, organized October, 1887 ; Branch No. 53.

Brotherhood of Carpentere and Joiners, Local Inion No. 24, organized July IG, 1888.

Equitable Aid Union, Mystic Union, No. 703, instituted March 9, 1889; Somerville Subordinate Union, instituted May 23, 1889.

Willard C, Kinsley Post 139, G. A. I.

Sons of Veterans, Henry B. Leighton Cump, 16.

Woman's Iteliof Corps, Willard C. Kinsley, No. 21.

Somervillo Fife, Drum and Bugle Corps.

Home Circle-Harmony Council, No. 43, ins, March 8, 1882; Irving Council, No. 44, ins. March 23, 1882 ; Somerville Council, No. 103 ; Washington Council, No. 9, ins. February, 1880.

Knighta and Ladies of Honor, Evening Star Lodge, No. 792.

1. O. of Red Men, Webcowet Tribo, No. 66 ; Wonohaquaham Tribe, No. 69.

Knights of Honor, Worren Lodge, No. 182, instituted November, 1875 ;

Mt. Benedict Lodge, No. 872, instituted January, 1878 ; Cameron

Lodge, No. 1146, instituted July 2, 1878; Winter Ilill Lodge, No. 423. Knights of Labor, Assembly No. 2019 ; Ernest Assembly.

Knights of Pythias, Franklin Lodge, No. 11, instituted May 23, 1870. L. O. L., Mount Horeb Lodge, No. 19, organized April 18, 1871.

Order of the Iron Hall, Locul Branch, No. 257, org. Nov. 11, 1886 ; Lo-

cal Branch, No. 314; Local Branch, No. 430; Local Branch, No. 885. org. Oct. 25, 1888 ; Sisterhood Branch, No. 596, org. Nov. 12, 1887; Sisterhood Braoch, No. 866, org. October, 1888.

Mase. Catholic Order of Foresters, Count Benedict, No. 39.

New England Order of Protection, Prospect Lodge, No. 71; Warren Lodge, No. 26.

Plasterers' Union of Cambridge and Somerville.

Royal Arcanum, Elm Council, No. 36, instituted Dec. 5, 1877.

Company M, 8th Regiment, M. V. M.

Royal Society of Good Fellows, Mt. Benedict ; Assembly, No. 119, ins. Oct. 25, 1887 ; Prospect Assembly, No. 73; Somerville Assembly, No. 22, org. Inly 1, 1886.

Itoyal Conclave of Knighte aod Ladies, Charles E. Gilman Council, No. 24; John A. Cummings Council, No. 13; Mystic Council, No. 14 ; Provident Council, No. 7.

Women's Christian Temperance Union-East Somerville, Union Square, Weat Somerville, Winter Hill.

Young Women's Christian Temperance Union.

St. Joseph's Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society, org. Dec. 14, 1873. United Fellowship, Reliance Council, No. 55.

Order of United Friends, Revere Council, No. 235; Union Square Coun- cil, No. 202 ; Excelsior Council, No. 3 ; Somerville Conucil, No. 1 ; Unity Council, No. 59.

Golden Star Lodge, No. 82, L. O. G. T., org. 1881.

Sons of Temperance, Kinsley Divisioo, No. 88 ; Prospect Division, No 89; Prospect Section, No. 7, org. 1888; Putnam Commandery, No 38, org. 1888 ; Crystal Wave Commandery, No. 264.

Order of Tonti, Somerville Lodge, No. 316.

Tenders' Union.

U. O. of L. O. L., Unity Lodge, No. 7. org. 1884.

United Order of Pilgrim Fathers, Clarendon Colony, No. 73; Delft llaven Colony, No. 27.

United Order of the Golden Cross, Grand Commandery of Mass.

Atlas Real Estate Association, organized Jau. 4, 1889.

Central Club, incorporated Dec. 13, 1886.

Fireman's Charitable Association.

Hillside Club, Winter Hill, org. Oct. 18, 1882.

Mclean Asylum.

Owl Club, organized Jnoe 14, 1880.

Royal Arcanum Social Club, Excelsior Council.

Shiel Literary Association.

Somerville Chess Club.

Somerville Union Hall Association, incorporated April 17, 1869.

Webcowet Club.

Somerville Catholic Lyceum.

Somerville Cycle Club.

Somerville Improvement Society.

Somerville Young Men's Christian Association.

Somerville Wharf and Improvement Company, incorp. March 29, 1880. Firemen's Relief Association, incorporated March 28, 1890.

Somerville High School Association,

Among the manufacturing establishments in the town are the American Tube Works, organized in 1871, and having a capital of $300,000; the Eagle Shade Roller Company, incorporated in 1881, with a capital of $100,000 ; the Middlesex Bleachery, with a capital of $300,000, and the Union Glass Company, organized in 186-4, with a capital of $50,000. Among other industries is the North Packing Company, with their slaughtering establishment on Medford Street, with a capacity of two thousand hogs per day.

The Somerville Police Court was established by an Act of the Legislature, passed April 23, 1872. Its officers are Isaac Story, justice, Charles G. Pope and John Haskell Batten, special justices, and Ilerbert A. Chapin, clerk. .

The city government for the year 1890 is composed of the following officers :

MAYOR : Charles G. Pope.

ALDERMEN : Ward 1. Charles Hemenway, president, Charles B. San- born.

Manche. Suite

775

SOMERVILLE.

Ward 2-George A. Kimball, Allen F. Carpenter.

Ward 3-Ezra D. Sonther, Alvado T. Nickerson.

Ward 4-John W. Converse, Albert W. Edmands, George I. Vincent, clerk.

COMMON COUNCIL : Ward 1-ClRrence H. Willey, Edwin A. Wilcox, Edric Elbridge, George W. Prichard.

Ward 2-Charles S. Butters, L. Roger Wentworth, William J. Mc- Lean, William M. Armstrong.

Ward 3-Charles B. Osgood, president, William E. Pulsifer, William L. Barber, Frank E. Dickerman.

Ward 4-Isaac R. Webber, William A. Hunnewell, Frank E. Merrill, Newell F. Caswell, Charles S. Robertson, clerk.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE: Charles G. Pope, mayor ex officio, Charles B. Osgood, president of Council ex officio. .

Ward 1-S. Newton Cutler, term expires 1891 ; Horace C. White, term expires 1892 ; Horace P. Hemenway, term expires 1890.

Ward 2-A. II. Carvill, term expires 1891 ; James E. Beard, term ex- pires 1892 ; Charles I. Shepard, termi expires 1890.

Ward 3-Norman W. Bingham, term expires 1x91; Quincy E. Dick- erman, term expires 1892; William P. Hill, term expires 1890.

Ward 4-Giles W. Bryant, term expires 1892; Martin W. Carr, term expires 1890 ; Addie B. Upham, term expires 1891.

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND SECRETARY : Clarence E. Meleny.

ASSESSORS : Benjamin F. Thompson, term expires 1890; George W. Hadley, term expires 1891 ; ITiram D. Smith, term expires 1892; Wul. P. Mitchell, clerk.

ASSISTANT ASSESSORS : Ward 1-George W. Bartlett.

Ward 2-David A. Sanborn.

Ward 3-Edgar T. Mayhew.

Ward 4-Samuel T. Richards.

BOARD OF HEALTH : J. Frank Wellington, chairman, term expires 1891 ; Alvah B. Dearhorn, term expires 1892; Charles B. Crane, terin expires 1892 ; William P. Mitchell, clerk ; Caleb A. Page, inspector.

OVERSEERS OF THE POUR : Charles G. Pope, mayor, chairman ex officio ; Charles G. Brett, four years from 1889; Herbert E. Ilill, four years from 1886; Edward B. West, Daniel C. Stillson, Charles C. Tolson, ugent ; Frank W. Kann, aecretRry.

WATER BOARD: Adna C. Widding, Walter C. Mentzer, SRmnel W. Holt, Frank G. Lombard, Frank A. Titus, Nathaniel Dennett, superin- tendent ; Frederick W. Stone, secretary.

REGISTRARS OF VOTERS: Cromwell G. Rowell, chairman, Charles P. Lincoln, William B. Hawes, George I. Vincent, city clerk.

TRUSTEES OF LIBRARY : George A. Bruce, term expires 1892; William E. Weld, term expires 1893 ; James E. Whitaker, term expires 1893; Jolın B. Veall, term expires 1893; Charles S. Lincoln, term expires 1891 ; Christopher E. Rymes, termi expires 1891 ; Elijah C. Clark, term expires 1892 ; Henry Flitner, term expires 1891 ; Charles II. Browo, term expires 1892."

LIBRARIAN : Harriet A. Adams.

CITY CLERK : George A. Vincent. CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR : John F. Cole.

MESSENGER : Jairus Mann.

SOLICITOR : Selwyn Z. Bowman. AUDITOR : Charles S. Robertson.

ENGINEER : Horace L. Eaton.

SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS : Thomas H. Eames.

SUPERINTENDENT OF BUILDINGS AND LIGHTS : Thomas R. Roulstone. CHIEF OF POLICE: Melville C. Parkhurst. CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT: James R. Ilopkins. INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS : James R. Hopkins.

CITY PHYSICIAN : Alvah B. Dearborn.

INSPECTOR OF MILK AND VINEGAR: Thomas Cunningham.

There are three newspapers in the town, with job printing offices attached-the Somerville Journal, the Artisan, and the Sentinel.

On the 25th of March, 1874, Somerville was author- ized by law to take land for a publie park. Under the authority conferred by this act, about sixteen acres of the Temple, or Ten Hills farm, on the banks of Mystie River, have been taken and converted into a park, which has probably cost up to the present time between three and four hundred thousand dol- lars.

Besides the clergymen and mayors whose names have been mentioned in this sketch, there are many others who should be referred to as identified with the life and prosperity of Somerville. It is making almost an invidious distinction to include here the names of a few, while there are and have been many worthy of eredit. To the names of James M. Shute, Thomas Cunningham, George O. Brastow, George .I. Bruce. S. 7. Bowman, J. R. Poor, Nelson Howe, Charles H. Guild and J. Hlaskell might be added a long list of those of other citizens who have per- formed their full share in promoting the welfare of their native or adopted town.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 182

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