History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 198

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 198

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" Agreeably to the vote of the town, the committee, namely, Dea. An- drew Rice, Major John Bruce, Joho Warren, Daniel Harrington, John Banister, John Weeks, and Abraham Howe, have made the following division ; that is, the squadron west of the meeting-house, the scholars are to meet at the school-house near Noah Church's, or the old tavern place, thirteen weeks, four days, and three-fourths of a day, yearly And the scholars are to meet in the squadron, at the west end of the town, at the school-house near Moses Howe's, six weeks, three days, and two-thirds of one day, yearly. And the north-west squadron, the scholars are to meet at such a place as the squadron shall think proper, two weeks aod four days, yearly ; and the squadron easterly of the meet- ing-house, the scholars are to come to the school-house near Joseph Johnson's, sixteen weeks, ode day, and one-third of a day, yearly ; and the squadton northerly of the meeting-house, at the school-house uear John Ilapgood's, seven weeks and two-thirds of a day, yearly ; sod the squadron at the east end of the towa, at the school-house near Joseph Baker's, five weeks, four days, and two-thirds of a day, yearly.

"The one-third, two-thirds, and three-fourths mentioned above, are added to the north-west squadron, to make that up three weeks."

In 1762, it was voted, " That the town will build or repare the school-housen in the several squadrants in the town, Where they Now are." Six new school- houses were soon after erected.

The exigencies of the town were such that but little attention was given to the schools during the Revolu- tion.

53-iii

In 1790 there were seven school districts or squad- rons as they were then called.

The act of 1834 establishing a school fund, and that of 1837 creating the Board of Education, inforced new life into the schools and from that time to the pre- sent the citizens of Marlborough have kept abreast with the rapid strides in educational interests through- out the Commonwealth. The yearly appropriation for schools was increased from $900 in 1834, to $35,000 in 1889.

There are now free schools in the town with 51 teachers and an average daily attendance of 1684. Whole number of pupils enrolled 2049.

Gifts .- The first benefaction to the town for edu- cational purposes was that of Captain Ephraim Brig- ham of £111. 1771. The interest of this fund was used to establish the Brigham School. The fund was finally merged in the general school fund.

In 1826 an academy was established, and in the fol- lowing year a building was erected for its accommo- dation. It was an individual enterprise.

In 1827 Silas Gates and his son Abraham gave $2000 towards its maintenance, and the name was changed to Gates Academy. After a few years of prosperity it declined, and in 1833 had nearly expired. In that year Mr. O. W. Albee took charge. He infused new life into the enterprise and his success in bringing the academy up to a high standard was almost phenome- nal.

Mr. Albee was a man peculiarly fitted for the position which he filled. Besides being a proficient teacher he was a liberal-minded and public-spirited citizen. He remained in charge of the academy until it was merged in the high school in 1849. The be- quests of the Messrs. Gates were finally transferred to the town, and the interest appropriated to the support of the high school.

Generous appropriations have been made for the schools, and they are in a promising condition.

The following list shows the present attendance and names of teacliers :

Bigeloto .- 1st grade, Miss Auna Witherbee, 63 pupils ; 2d, Miss Hat- tie Brigham, 47 ; 3d, Miss Mary E. Donovan, 51 ; 4th, Miss Enuna R. Baker, 47 ; 5th, Miss Mary E. Hartnett, 51 ; 6th, Miss Jeonie Walcott, 48: 7th, Miss Mary Kaler, 35 ; 8th, Miss Angie Dudley, 32; 9th, Mr. J. V. Jacksva and Miss Alice Davis, 54. Total, 428 pupils.

Hildreth .- Ist, Miss Harriet Alexander, 45 pupils ; 2d, Miss Mary A. Colleary, 50 ; 3d, Misses Mary Curtis and Josephino Morse, 60 ; 4th, Misa Kate Shaughnessy, 52 ; 5th, Miss Anoa Hyde, 54 ; 6th, Miss Maggle McCarthy, 54 ; 7th, Miss Anoa Wall, 48 ; 8th, Miss Minuie Worden, 47 ; 9th, Misses Ellen A. O'Connell and Melina Westcott, 63. Total, 466 pupils.

Washington .- 1st, Misses Addis Alexander and Lillian Holden, 58 pu- pils ; 2d, Misses Aona Wilder and Florence Morse, 55 : 3d, Misses Mary O'Callahan aod Agues Mccarthy, 70; 4th, Misses Mary Fitzgerald and Mary Moriarty, 63 ; 5th, Miss Mary McDonald, 46; 6th, Miss Winala O'Donnell, 46 ; 7th, Miss J. B. Colbert, 46 ; 8th, Miss Bessie D. Free- man, 33. Total, 415 pupils.

Pleasant Street .- 1st, grade, Miss Aana W. Packard, 40 pupils ; 1st, Miss Mary A. Murphy, 45 ; 2d, Miss N. F. Whelan, 42 ; 2d, Miss M. E. Fay, 41 ; 3d, Miss Mary Cavanaugh, 45 ; 4th, Miss Lillian Pratt, 48 ; 4th, Miss Nellie Quirk, 51 ; 5th, Miss O. W. Gleason, 51 ; 6th and 7th, Miss F. A. Gleason, -; 8th, Misses E. A. Cook and Mary Collins, 18. Total, 502 pupils.

834

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

High School .- 1st year or grade, 64 pupils ; 2d year or grade, 54; 3d year or grade, 24 ; 4th or senior year, 27. Total, 169 pupils. Teachers, G. H. Rockwood, Misses Florence Lock, Mary H. Morse, Lucy Pierce, M. L. Whitcher.

Farm School, mixed, Miss Emily Morse, 20 pupils.

Rice School, mixed, Miss Bertha Stevens, 22 pupils.

Robin Hill School, mixed, Miss M. L. Frost, 24 pupils.

South Street School, Ist and 2d grades, Miss Mary Fitzpatrick, 25 pu- pils Total, 91 pupils.

The present School Committee is as follows : S. II. Howe, chairman ; J. W. McDonald, secretary ; Wil- liam L. Morse, treasurer ; Daniel W. Cosgrove, Charles Favreau, Ellen A. O'Connell, clerk. Superintendent, H. R. Roth.

THE PRESS .- The first weekly newspaper estab- lished in Marlboro, was the " Mirror," in October, 1859, by Stillman B. Pratt, who learned the printer's art in the office of the Middleboro' Gazette, having pur- chased his little plant, wholly on credit, and com- mencing his business life here with a capital of only thirteen cents. This first office was in Union Block, opposite the O. C. R. R., on Main Street, with only one press-for hand use.

Mr. Pratt was a native of Orleans, Mass., born November 24, 1836, the son of Rev. Stillman Pratt, and came of a reformatory and protesting family.

John Pratt, his first American ancestor, was boy- cotted out of England, by religious persecution, and settled in Dorchester, Mass., in 1632. Other ancestors took part in all the Indian and early wars of Massa- chusetts, including King Philip's.

One ancestor was an officer in the French and In- dian war. Both his grandfather and great-grandfather were soldiers of the Revolution.

His father was early identified with the anti-slavery and temperance reformations, and naturally enough the Marlboro' Mirror, from the start, advocated these canses, then so unpopular.

In May 1861, a syndicate having previously capi- talised and established the Marlboro' Journal, the Mir- ror was purchased by these gentlemen, and merged with that paper.

Soon after this, Mr. Pratt became proprietor of the Middleboro' Gazette, and later on established at Boston, the American Workman, the official organ of Labor Reform, and in 1869, he was run by that party as their candidate for Secretary of State. Later on when alien influence took possession of the leading labor organization of America, the Workman was sold to other parties.

During the ten years, from 1861 to 1871, local journalism in Marlboro' had a varied history. George Mills Joy, editor of the Journal, early enlisted in the Union army, and shortly after the paper was discon- tinued, and for a time Marlboro' had no paper printed within its borders.

At the close of the war, Wm. W. Wood re-estab- lished the Marlboro' Mirror, and in May IS71, after just ten years' absence, Mr. Pratt returned to Marlboro' and purchased the same, and soon greatly extended the business, consolidating the Mirror-Journal into a

"hyphenated " paper; started the weekly Marlboro' Advertiser and established a large group of local papers throughout this whole section of the State, under the firm-name of Pratt Brothers. He has owned more local papers in Massachusetts than any other man.

In the fall of 1887, Pratt Brothers issued the Daily Mirror, the first paper of its kind in these parts. This daily was discontinued in 1889, A complete file is in the State Library.

In 1888, Stillman B. Pratt established here a Relig- ious Reformation paper, the Weekly American, as a protest against the parochial school and other alien aggressions, and in advocacy of " Free Public Schools, Free Speech, Press and Worship, and Free Shops." This paper soon achieved an international reputation, and in 1889, its editorial office was removed to Boston, where it has ever since been published. Mr. Pratt's editorial experience has been enriched by three tours in Europe in 1861, 1885 and 1889.

In 1889, the local business was sold to S. B. Pratt's son, Wm. W. Pratt, who is still in charge of the job and newspaper interests under the old firm name of Pratt Brothers.

The Enterprise .- About two years ago the publish- ers of The Enterprise in Hudson, Messrs. Wood Brothers, conceived and carried to a successful issue, the idea of starting a similar paper under the name of The Marlboro' Enterprise, in this town. The first number appeared September 8, 1888, and was received at once with the most marked favor. In less than a year it had demonstrated itself to be a success, and since that time has grown steadily in scope and influ- ence until already it takes a front place in the list of Marlboro' papers. On September 3, 1889, the first number of The Daily Enterprise was issued, and in a short time its business had increased to such an extent that it became necessary to put in a new plant in Marlboro'. This was done, and for the first year the business was carried on in the Hazelton block. About the middle of November, 1890, the business outgrew these quarters, and a new building was erected on the corner of Hill and Devens Streets, with an office on the Main Street. To this place the paper has been removed, aud it is expected will be able to do even better work in the enlarged accommodations.

The Daily, is as yet a young paper, but it is alive all over, and gives every evidence of having a strong hold upon the people here.

While always aiming to give the news in the fullest and most complete manner, it has carefully refrained from espousing the cause of any particular party, sect or creed. It is run in the interests of good govern- ment, pure morals, and honest citizenship, and is the determined opponent of error, wrong and corruption wherever found.

To these principles it attributes its success, and that the public appreciate the efforts of the publisher to issue a good clean family newspaper, is evidenced by the increasing popularity of The Enterprise.

835

MARLBOROUGH.

The Marlborough Star was established Jannary 1, 1887 as a bi-weekly, through the desire of the Catho- lic Lyceum, and at the suggestion of Fr. McKenna, to have the Catholics who form a great part of Marl- boro's people, to be represented by a weekly de- voted to Irish American and Catholic interests, and especially the advocacy of temperance. It was a six column paper of twenty-four inches in length and numbered four pages. Its editorial work was done by the members of the Lyceum, promiment among whom were Jobn T. Winner and John F. Plunkett.

The paper continued under this management for that year and then passed into the control of a stock- company composed of many of the Lyceum people, whose interest in the paper had not ceased. It was made a seven column paper, a little longer than the old one, and started off under the management of W. D. Doyle. Mr. James L. Sullivan of Worcester as- sumed its management August 9, 1890.

The Marlborough Times is edited and published by Charles F. Morse.

BANKS .- The First National Bank of Marlboro' .- This was the one hundred and fifty-eighth bank organized under the National Bank Act. When that act became a law, February 25, 1863, Mark Fay, who had long had business dealings with Lancaster Bank, of Lancaster, Mass., travelling to and fro, on the days of the weekly meetings of the directors, gathered around him some of Marlboro's most enterprising cit- izens, and together they organized the First National Bank of Marlboro,' with a capital of $50,000 and authority to commence business October 1, 1863.

The first directors were Mark Fay, Samuel Boyd, Sidney G. Fay, William Woods (2d), William Gib- bon, Joseph Boyd, John M. Whiton, Erastus S. Woods and George E. Woods. From the start for- tune smiled upon the bank, and on January 28, 1864, the original capital was increased to $100,000, and on November 7th, in the same year, to $150,000, at which figure it remained until May 5, 1865, when it was once more increased to $200,000.

Mark Fay was unanimously chosen as its first pres- ident, which office he held until his death, in 1876, when William Gibbon was chosen as his successor.

In 1878 Sidney G. Fay became president, filling that position until his death in 1882.

Edmund C. Whitney, formerly of the Lancaster Bank, was elected as its first cashier, remaining in that position until 1882, when he resigned to become cashier of one of the Boston banks.

F. L. Claflin succeeded him as cashier, having previously been in the Newton National Bank.

When the charter of the bank expired, in 1882, it was wound up, its stockholders receiving, on Angust 30th, the sum of $150 for every share of stock they held, and immediately organized another bank with the same name to commence business September 1, 1882, it being the twenty-seven hundred and seven- tieth bank organized under the National Bank Act.

The capital was fixed at $300,000, at which figure it stood until 1887, when it was reduced to $150,000. The original directors of this bank were Samuel Boyd, Wm. Morse, Sidney G. Fay, Wm. H. Fay, Charles L. Fay, Edward F. Johnson, Esq., and T. A. Coolidge.

Sidney G. Fay was chosen the first president, but as sickness had overtaken him he was never able to qualify, and the duties and responsibilities rested upon the vice-president, Samuel Boyd, who, in Janu- ary, 1883, was made president, Sidney G. Fay having been removed by death. In January, 1885, William H. Fay succeeded to the presidency, and occupies that position at the present time.

F. L. Claflin is the only cashier the bank has had.

This institution, situated away from the business centre of the town, but in the very heart of its popu- lation, has, by its fair and honorable efforts to serve the community, won for itself an enviable reputation, and a degree of success that justifies the wisdom of its promoters in their efforts to retain and carry on in their midst an institution with such an honorable past to serve the public in this rapidly-growing town in the future.

The Peoples' National Bank .- After a few years of stagnation in the manufacturing business of the town caused in part by "labor troubles," the year 1878 proved to be the beginning of a long season of pros- perity and growth, not only in the manufacture of boots and shoes, but in the large and steady gain in population. For years afterwards the first thing that would attract the eye of strangers when coming into town, would be the large number of buildings in all parts of the town in process of construction.

There was at this time one National Bank, also a Savings Bank in the town ; but the growing business interests demanded more banking facilities. About the first of September, 1878, a conference of a few public- spirited gentlemen was held, and it was decided to see what could be done towards getting subscription to the capital stock of the proposed new bank. Mr. D. W. Hitchcock, a retired Boston merchant, who made Marlborough his place of residence; in 1872, but who was well and favorably known in the town, accepted the important duty of soliciting subscriptions. In a very short time the whole amount of $100,000 was sub- scribed, and on Sept. 26, 1878, a meeting of the sub- scribers was held in Central Hall, Corey Block, to choose a committee to complete the organization, and to decide such other matters as might be deemed best. Mr. S. N. Aldrich presided, and John L. Stone, was secretary. It was decided to have for a name " The Peoples' National Bank," and the following were chosen a committee to take all necessary measures to start the bank, viz., Elbridge Howe, S. J. Shaw, D. W. Hitchcock, Samuel Boyd, S. H. Howe, Joseph Boyd, John O'Connell, George N. Cate, S. N. Aldrich, W. M. Warren, L. S. Brigham, Stephen A. Howe, (2dl,) Abel 1Iowe and T. A. Coolidge, of Marlborough, and J. S. Bradley, of Hudson, These same gentle- men were afterward elected as the first Board of

836

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Directors, who organized with Elbridge Howe, as president, S. J. Shaw, as vice-president, and Stephen A. Howe (2d) secretary. With this Board of Direc- tors, the success of the bank was assured from the start.

Immediate steps were taken to obtain a charter from the authorities at Washington, and the organi- zation was completed October 31st, and the bank authorized to commence business December 9. After several attempts to select a cashier, on the 4th day of December, John L. Stone, of Marlborough was elected to that position, and on the evening of the same day his bond was accepted. Although not an experienced banker, the selection may be said to have been a for- tunate one, as he was well-known throughout this and the adjoining towns, and his mercantile experi- ence had learned him not only how to secure custom- ers, but also how to keep them.

The rooms that were selected in the Town Hall Building for the banking-rooms, not being ready for occupancy as soon as expected the receiving of de- posits was somewhat delayed ; the first deposit being received from the well-known Insurance Agent Mr. Samuel B. Maynard, on January 13, 1879.

From that day a steady increase has been made until at the present time the number of depositors is considerably over two hundred, and the amount to the credit of depositors nearly if not quite $250,000.00.

In November 1882 the bank was moved into the new building owned by Mr. Hiram Temple, and known as Temple Block, thereby securing pleasanter and better rooms for its increasing business. The bank has recently purchased a location on Main Street, and will build a substantial brick building, having all the modern improvements for the transac- tion of the banking business. On the death of Mr. Elbridge Howe, who died in California April 5, 1886, while travelling for the benefit of his health, Mr. D. W. Hitchcock succeeded to the presidency of the bank.

It has been the policy of the managers of this in- stitution to engage in all the legitimate branches of banking, not only making it profitable for the stock- holders, but an accommodation to the different classes of customers. With this idea in view, they sell for- eign exchange, buy and sell gevernment bonds, and have first-class bonds for sale for investments, and they never offer anything for sale that they do not own. Nothing of this kind is sold on commission. In January 1888 the bank was designated a United States Depositary. The following is the condition of the bauk at the last annual meeting :

RESOURCES.

Loans and discounts $286,609.64

Over drafts .

28.85

United States Bonds 4 per cent. par value 25,000,00

Stocks and securities 2,330.00

Due from banka 63,752.07

Due from United States Treasury 10.00

Cash on hand

26,118,50

Expenses and taxes paid 132,30

Premium on United States Bonds 2,000.00

Redemption Fund

1,125.00

$107,106.38

LIABILITIES

Capital Stock

$100,000.00

Surplus

20,000.00

Undivided Profits 12,136.40

National Bank-notes Outstanding 22,500.00

Dividends unpaid

995.50

Deposits .

251,474.48

$407,106.38

The last dividend was a three per cent. semi-annual dividend declared and payable January 1, 1890. The present Board of Directors consists of: D. W. Hitch- cock, S. H. Howe, John O'Connell, S. N. Aldrich, W. M. Warren, L. S. Brigham, A. C. Weeks, Abel Howe, B. F. Greeley, L. P. Howe, C. B. Greenwood, John L. Stone and Walter P. Frye.

Such is a brief history of the Peoples' National Bank of Marlborough, which wise men prophesied would be a failure.

Marlborough Savings' Bank.1-On the 10th day of May, 1860, Mark Fay, Samuel Boyd, Thomas Corey, William Morse (2d) and Levi Bigelow met at the office of Boyd & Corey, to accept the charter of this institution, which had been granted by the General Court, and approved by Governor N. P. Banks, under date of April 3, 1860. This was thirty-three days he- fore the celebration of the two hundredth anniver- sary of the settlement of Marlborough occurred. The population of the town was 5900, and yet no bank or institution for savings had been organized by its citizens. Mark Fay, the first named in this charter, had for a time previous transacted business for his towns people in the Savings and State Banks lo- cated 'at Lancaster, both in the way of savings for people of moderate means, also in procuring loans upon real estate for those who wished them, and dis- counts for the traders and manufacturers, and know- ing the benefits the town might derive from an insti- tution of this kind, had been instrumental in securing this charter for Marlborough. At the first election of officers, May 21, 1860, Samuel Boyd was chosen president ; Jabez S. Witherbee, vice-president ; John M. Farwell, clerk ; Mark Fay, treasurer, with Thomas Corey, William Morse (2d), Samuel A. Chipman, Benjamin F. Underhill, Levi Bigelow, Francis Brig- ham, A. C. Felton, Asa Lewis, William P. Brigham, Peter P. Howe, C. S. Hastings.

The bank was opened for business June 22, 1860, at the office of Boyd & Corey, one day of each week. The deposits the first six months amounted to $2312, when a dividend of 2} per cent. was declared. Wil- liam Morse (2d) was chosen president, May 19, 1862, and remained in this office three years, when Mark Fay was elected president and Edmund C. Whitney was chosen treasurer. Sidney G. Fay succeeded his father as president, May 16, 1870, remaining in office two ycars, when Elbridge Howe was elected presi- dent. 1Ie remained in office ten years and was a great help to the bank, as was Edmund C. Whitney, who held the office of treasurer thirteen years. Edward

1By Edward R. Alley.

837

MARLBOROUGH.

R. Alley, the present treasurer, was elected October, 1878. S. Herbert Howe was chosen president May 15, 1882, remaining to this date. The deposits now amount to $1,421,576.42.

Marlborough County Operative Bank .- President, Charles F. Robinson.

PUBLIC LIBRARY .- The first public library was established in 1792, and the present library in 1870. A gift of several hundred volumes was made by the Mechanics' Institute. The town also voted $1300 for its establishment. The citizens have manifested a lively interest in the library, and liberal appropria- tions have been made for its support. It contains 10,000 volumes.

The present trustees are as follows : E. L. Bigelow, Miss H. E. Bigelow, W. D. Doyle, Rev. F. S. Rice, J. E. Savage, J. V. Jackman, William H. Loughlin, George Mastel, Francis C. Curtis and Mrs. H. E. Bigelow. The librarian is Sarah E. Cutting, assist- ants, Lottie G. Moore and Mary S. Chamberlain.

WATER-WORKS .- The water-works were construct- ed in 1882, and completed at the close of 1883, at a cost of $165,174.48. The water supply is Lake Williams. The capacity of lake and water-shed is 175,000,000 gallons annually. Capacity of reservoir, 5,000,000 galls.

Present Board of Water Commissioners .- James T. Murphy, term expires 1890; R. D. S. Mortimer, term expires 1891 ; John A. Connell, term expires 1892.

Officers .- James T. Murphy, president of the board ; R. D. S. Mortimer, clerk of the board ; James T. Murphy, treasurer of sinking fund; George A. Stacy, superintendent of the works; William Mc- Nally, water registrar.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, consists of one hook-and- ladder company and four hose companies. The chief of the department is Mr. George H. Bigelow.

THE MARLBORO' STREET RAILWAY was chartered by the General Court in chapter 166 of the acts for the year 1888. The company was authorized to use either animal or electric power in operating its cars. It early became evident that the use of horses was impracticable on account of heavy grades. The Presi- dent, Samuel Boyd and the treasurer, Samuel C. Dar]- ing, visited Richmond, Virginia, Scranton, Pennsyl- vania, and other places to examine the working of the electric roads, which has recently been established at those points, and the result was the equipment of the Marlborough road for operation hy electricity. The road was completed and commenced operations on the 19th day of June, 1889. The first Board of Directors consisted of Samuel Boyd, president ; Samuel C. Darl- ing, treasurer ; Stillman B. Pratt, Edward R. Alley, Timothy A. Coolidge, Jas. T. Murphy, Alba C. Weeks.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 198

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