History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 28

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 28

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In June, 1864, the place was dedicated by appro- priate exercises to the purposes for which it had been obtained.

In 1865 an act of incorporation was granted by the Legislature to the Boston Children's Aid Society, the members of which had been united in starting and carrying forward the enterprise. Mr. Rufus R. Cook, familiarly known as "Uncle Cook," acted as agent, and sent to the home such boys as he found in the city morally exposed, and who in his judgment could be saved if placed under better influences.

The number of boys to be in the school at one time is limited to thirty, and it is designed to be a home in

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the truest and highest sense. The boys attend school every day except Saturday, and on Sunday attend the Congregational Church and Sunday-school. The day-school is upon the grounds, the teacher residing on the farm. The boys are given up by the parents or guardians to the care of the society till eighteen years of age, being received between the ages of nine and fifteen years.

After remaining in the school until, in the judg- ment of the superintendent (usually between one and two years), they are sufficiently trained to do well, they are placed in some family, but are still under the care of the society, a visitor being continually employed in visiting them to see that they are well cared for in their new homes. Between twenty and thirty boys are usually sent out in a year, and the re- sults show that a very large percentage of these boys, taken from their parents and placed under better in- fluences, may be saved from the criminal life almost certain to follow as the result of their evil surround- ings. Indolent and injudicious parents, to say nothing of those who are intemperate and criminal, make many homes the training-school for lives of lawless- ness and criminality. During the quarter of a cen- tury of the existence of Pine Farm School there has been no death among the boys and but little serious illness. They soon yield to a kind but firm disci- pline, and with regular diet and sleep, improve in bodily health.

REBECCA POMEROY NEWTON HOME FOR ORPHAN GIRLS .- In the year 1872 Mrs. Rebecca R. Pomeroy, with the aid of friends, assumed the care and support of four little girls who were made homeless by the disbanding of the "Girls' School" connected with the "Boston Children's Aid Society." This was the nucleus of what has grown to be the " Rebecca Pom- eroy Newton Home for Orphan Girls." With rare industry, tact and thrift combined, it has been en- abled to feed, clothe and educate its twenty inmates during the past seventeen years, mainly from the gifts of the women of Newton, although generous aid has been given by friends, both old and young, in neighboring cities.

The present location of the home on Hovey Street, Newton, was purchased by the citizens of Newton as a memorial to its founder, Mrs. Pomeroy.

There have been connected with the home fifty-two orphan and destitute girls. The number who have completed a full course of training, and have gone out prepared to enter upon life-work well equipped to earn a livelihood, is eighteen ; the number re- turned to friends, able to furnish good homes for them, ten. Three are married. Nineteen are now earning a support. Not one has died at the home, and only two since leaving it.

When thoroughly prepared each girl goes to ser- vice in a place carefully secured in a good family, a country home preferred. A bank-book is provided and all savings above necessary expenses are depos-

ited in the Newton Savings Bank. The treasurer of the " Home" corporation has now in her care nine such books with an aggregate of six hundred dollars invested.

One of the lady directors, in connection with the superintendent, continues watchful care and over- sight of these girls after leaving the home, as would a good mother.

The principle involved in the management of the home is unique. From each of the twenty-seven Protestant churches of the city one or more ladies or gentlemen are secured. These constitute a Board of Corporators, who, at an annual meeting, elect a Board of Directors, upon whom devolves the imme- diate management of the home.

It is an unwritten law that each of the Protestant religious sects in the city shall, if possible, be repre- sented upon this Board of Directors. It is not true that sectarianism in any objectionable sense ever has been or could be justly charged to the home.

The public are cordially invited to visit the home and witness the spirit which animates the whole household, and to remember it is only by the gener- ous gifts of its friends that the home has been en- abled to seek and save many a friendless orphan girl and elevate them to virtuous womanhood.

FIREMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION .- The above as- sociation was organized August 2, 1878, and incor- porated December 4, 1884, with the following list of names as incorporators :- Henry L. Bixby, F. H. Humphrey, W. S. Iliggins, Bernard Early, H. H. Easterbrook, George H. Haynes, Charles W. II. Boul- ton, J. E. Trowbridge, F. D. Graves, T. C. Nickerson, W. S. Cargill, John Dreary.

The object of this association is set forth in the fol- lowing preamble :

" WHEREAS, the membere ef the Fire Department of the City of New- ton are liable, in the discharge ef their duty, to many casualties to which citizens are generally not exposed, and,

"WHEREAS, These casualties are frequently very injurious, and some- times ruinous to health, comfort and pecuniary circumstances of those on whom they fall-

" It is therefore,

" Resolved, by the undersigned, being all members of the Newton Fire Department, that we form ourselves inte a seciety for the purpose of material aid and assistance, under the calamities te which the public duties of firemen may expose them, and for the better management and control thereof we accept the following constitutien, by which we mu- tually agree to be governed."

The present fund is maintained by annual assess- ment of cach member, by public contributions, and the small amounts realized from public entertain- ments.

The present amount of this fund is $2200, depos- ited in savings banks.

The officers for 1889 are Henry L. Bixby, presi- dent; W. S. Cargill, vice-president ; Willard S. Hig- gins, secretary and treasurer.

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION .- Some time during the summer of 1877, Dr. II. B. Jones was impressed with the necessity of doing some special

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work for temperance, and for that purpose invited about a dozen gentlemen to meet at his house to con- sider the subject.

While discussing the temperance question it was brought to the notice of those present that there were a number of young men in Newton whom the church did not reach, and it was considered desirable to take some united action to supplement the church work, and at the same time do more for temperance than was being done. To this end it was suggested to unite Christian workers from all the evangelical churches as a Young Men's Christian Association. A public meeting to consider it was called at Eliot Lower Hall, October 16th. Quite a large number of gentlemen responded to the call and the meeting was organized with Mr. E. P. Wright as chairman and Mr. George S. Trowbridge as secretary. Dr. H. B. Jones eloquently presented the object of the meeting, and was followed by several others, awakening con- siderable enthusiasm in the matter. It was voted to organize an association and a committee was appointed to prepare a constitution and report in one week, to which time the meeting adjourned. At the adjourned meeting the organization was perfected, a constitution adopted and the following board of officers elected : President, George S. Harwood ; vice-president, Geo. S. Trowbridge; secretary, Geo. C. Dunne ; treasurer, F. M. Trowbridge ; directors, Edward B. Earle, Ed- ward W. Cate, J. M. Kalloway, Dr. H. B. Jones, Daniel E. Snow.

The association was fairly launched, and has been an active organization ever since, doing good work in its chosen field. Its anniversary occasions are always of special interest, and at its last one, when Eliot Hall was well filled, the erection of a Y. M. C. A. building was advocated, which has so awakened public opinion to its necessity that active efforts are being made in that direction with very gratifying results.

The presidents since its organization have been : George S. Harwood, one year; G. D. Gilman, three years; II. J. Woods, three years; D. E. Snow, two years ; R. F. Cummings, two years; and D. Fletcher Barber, who is now serving his second year.

THE NEWTON SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION .- This Union of the Sunday-schools of the town of Newton for the discussion of practical questions, designed to prepare teachers and officers for better work, was organ- ized December 18, 1838, with Hon. William Jackson as its first president. Six schools comprised the Union at its birth, and its earliest anniversaries were held in groves, with processions of children, addresses from prominent citizens, and large gatherings, as their features. Its regular meetings were then held monthly, but afterwards made quarterly, changing from village to village on Sunday evenings, each Sun- day-school there reporting its condition. Through its enterprise a colporteur was maintained in 1849 and subsequently to labor in West Virginia and Ohio.

October 16, 1863, the Union celebrated the twenty- fifth anniversary of its organization with an address by Rev. A. L. Stone, D.D., of Park Street (Boston) Church, in the first Eliot Hall. June 27, 1863, the 100th anniversary of the organization of Suzday- schools by Robert Raikes was celebrated in the new Eliot Hall, with an historical address by Rev. Brad- ford K. Pierce, D.D., and a centennial hymn by Rev. S. F. Smith. The singing upon this occasion was by a choir of 350 children from the various schools, trained and conducted by Mr. George S. Trowbridge. In 1860 the Union represented a Sunday-school mnem - bership of 1405; in 1870, 2870; and in 1880, 3085, teachers and scholars. Meetings have been held reg- ularly all these years. October 19, 1881, a gold medal was offered as a prize for the best essay on "Sunday- School Interests." It was subsequently awarded by the committee to Mr. D. E. Snow, who had served as secretary of the Union from 1869 to 1877 and as its president during the year 1878. Among the promi- nent citizens of Newton who have served as its presi- dents may also be mentioned Messrs. Marshall S. Rice, Deacon Ebenezer F. Woodard, Frederick A. Benson, George S. Harwood, Joseph A. Newell, General A. B. Underwood and Hon. J. C. Park.

THE GODDARD LITERARY UNION .- The Goddard Literary Union was organized October 28, 1874, in the Universalist Church at Newtonville with forty-four members and the following officers : Robert P. Gould, president ; Lewis E. Binney, secretary ; C. B. Fille- brown, treasurer. Its object was " Religious, Mental and Social " improvement. Its membership consists only of those connected with the above church.

Regular meetings are held twice a month, and " Pub- lic " concerts or plays are given about four times a year. The vestry, where meetings are held, is finely adapted to these plays, being fitted with stage, scenery, foot-lights, etc., and combining this advan- tage with the fact that plenty of talent is available, and earnest, working committees can be easily chosen. Some fine plays as "Once Upon a Time," written by Mr. H. N. Baker, a member ; "High Life," by Mr. Monday, another member ; " Longfellow's Dream," a fine amateur play, and "Among the Breakers," one of Walter Baker's famous dramas, have been most successfully rendered to crowded houses. By this means the Union has been able to make handsome contributions to the church funds, its yearly subscrip- tion having been as high as $500.

At present (1889-90 season) the membership has grown to about 165, including prominent business men, and a large percentage is composed of real active, working members.

The Union is in a flourishing condition and gov- erned by the following officers : President, Rev. R. A. White; Vice-President, F. M. Whipple; Secretary, W. Henry Cotting ; Treasurer, Alfred B. Tainter.

THE TUESDAY CLUB .- The Tuesday Club was or- ganized November 1, 1877, for social and literary

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACIIUSETTS.

purposes. No constitution or by-laws were adopted, but instead a few simple features were agreed to, such as that there should be from twenty to twenty-five members, that meetings be held fortnightly, and that the proceedings include essays and discussions. The club has been in existence now for nearly fourteen years, and the interest of its members appears to be unabated. Among those who have heen on its list, hut who have passed away from this life, are the fol- lowing gentlemen : The Rev. Dr. G. W. Hosmer, Lucius H. Buckingham, Ph.D., Mr. Calvin Brooks Prescott, Hon. William S. Gardner, General Adin B. Underwood, the Rev. Dr. B. K. Peirce, the Hon. Jolın C. Park.

The present list of members is as follows : Mr. Wil- liam C. Bates, Rev. Dr. Walcott Calkins, Hon. Wil- liam Claflin, Mr. E. H. Cutler, Rev. J. B. Gould, Mr. E. B. Haskell, W. S. Hutchinson, Esq., Rev. F. B. Hornbrooke, Hon. R. C. Pitman, Mr. Edward Saw- yer, Rev. Dr. George W. Shinn, Rev. Dr. L. E. Smith, Rev. Henry G. Spaulding, Dr. Lincoln R. Stone, Hon. Heman M. Burr, Dr. William W. Jacques. The officers for the current year are : President, E. Sawyer; Secretary, G. W. Shinn ; Treasurer, L. R. Stone.

NEWTONVILLE WOMAN'S GUILD .- The Newton- ville Woman's Guild was founded March 21, 1884, by a few ladies, who, led by one who had given the sub- ject much careful thought, had succeeded in matur- ing a broad and comprehensive plan for a society, which, it was hoped, would unite the women of New- tonville from all churches and all neighborhoods, for the purpose of charitable work, intellectual improve- ment and social intercourse.

It was thought, in the beginning, that the Newton Cottage Hospital, which then existed only in the minds of its projectors, would form a good basis for the work of the society, anl with the hospital the Guild has always been identified in the minds of Newton people, a standing committee having its in- terests in charge.

Aside from this work, however, the Guild has done far more, through its charitable committee, to relieve such local need as exists in Newtonville, than is gen- erally known, and has always responded, to the ex- tent of its means, to any outside call for aid.

On its social side, it has done a work eminently worth doing in bringing into agreeable intercourse many Newtonville women, who might otherwise never have known of each other's existence.

Meetings are held once a fortnight from October to May, for literary instruction and entertainment.

At present, December, 1889, the Guild bas an ac- tive working force of more than 100 members.

NEWTON CENTRE WOMEN'S CLUB .- In January, 1887, Post 62, G. A. R., invited from the pulpits of the churches in Newton Centre all interested in the relief of disabled soldiers and their families to meet on the afternoon of January 11th, to devise means for raising additional funds for that purpose.

At that meeting a board of five officers and a com- mittee of twenty-one, representing the four churches of Newton Centre, were chosen to co-operate with sim- ilar organizations in other wards in the city in the management of a Soldiers' Fair.

At the close of the fair this committee, with its officers, twenty-six in all, formed a permanent organ- ization called "The Ladies' Union." A constitution was adopted and a president, vice-president, secre- tary and treasurer at the Soldiers' Fair were elected to the same positions in the new club.

In February, 1888, the membership was doubled, and in November of the same year a new name was adopted-" The Newton Centre Women's Club."

It is both a literary and charitable association. Ac- cording to its constitution, "At each regular meeting there shall be a paper read, by some person engaged for the purpose, or some entertainment of a literary or educational interest."

Its charitable work has been chiefly in connection with the purchase of "The Children's Play-ground." The first contribution, twenty-five dollars, received by the Newton Centre Improvement Association for this purpose was made by this club in October, 1888, and by a recent entertainment, "The Festival of Days," about $2500 was realized for the same object.

The club now numbers about fifty. It holds its meetings the last Friday in each month at the house of one of its members. Its original and present offi- cers are :- Mrs. R. R. Bishop, president ; Mrs. Charles Grout, vice-president ; Miss Anna C. Ellis, secretary ; Mrs. D. B. Claflin, treasurer.

" THE NEIGHBORS."-On the evening of January 15, 1878, at the house of Rev. Alvah Hovey, D.D., LL.D., in Newton Centre, the following-named gen- tlemen met and organized a club for the purpose of literary culture, and for the promotion of social inter- course among its members, viz. : Robert R. Bishop, Edwin F. Waters, Alden Speare, William E. Webster, Alvab Hovey and Thomas L. Rogers. The same evening it was voted that the name of the club be " The Neighbors." The number of members is lim- ited to twenty-five.

The meetings are held upon the first Monday even- ings of every month from October to May inclusive, at the houses of the members, in rotation, the host upon each occasion acting as chairman. The secretary for eleven years, until his removal from the city, was Thomas L. Rogers.

An executive committee of four, annually elected, together with the secretary, attend to the appoint- ments, presenting new names for membership, and whatever other business may arise. The members are expected to present in rotation essays upon sub- jects selected by themselves and previously announced, followed by comments by the other members and guests.

Among the subjects presented to the club are two at least which have led to lasting and beneficial re-

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sults in the village. In December, 1878, Rev. A. E. Lawrence gave an address upon " Village Improve- ment," which was the immediate cause of the organi- zation of the Newton Centre Improvement Associa- tion, still in the height of its vigor and usefulness. In April, 1888, Hon. Robert R. Bishop read a paper entitled, " What Can We Do for Newton Centre ?" in which was first presented the plan of improving the low laud in the centre of our village and laying out an extended public park and play-ground.

The present members are: Charles C. Barton, Elisha Bassett, Robert R. Bishop, Dwight Chester, Judson B. Coit, George E. Gilbert, Albert L. Har- wood, Alvah Hovey, William E. Huntington, Amos E. Lawrence, Edward H. Mason, Theodore Nickerson, Herbert I. Ordway, William E. Wehster, Avery L. Rand, Thomas L. Rogers, J. Herbert Sawyer, Edwin P. Seaver, Alden Speare, Oakman S. Stearns, Arthur C. Walworth.

Formerly members: Samuel F. Smith, Edwin F. Waters, Charles P. Clark, Albert D. S. Bell, William C. Strong, Samuel L. Caldwell, Emil C. Hammer, Bradford K. Peirce, Walter Allen.

THE YOUNG MEN'S SOCIAL UNION OF NEWTON CENTRE .- In the autumn of 1882 the Rev. Edward Braislin conceived the idea of a non-sectarian club which would unite socially the young men of Newton Centre. To carry out this idea a meeting of young men was called.

A constitution and by-laws were adopted and the following officers were elected to serve six months : President, R. W. Waters; secretary, G. G. Sanborn ; treasurer, E. S. Lyon.

Executive, membership and missionary committees were also chosen for a term of three months. Admission to membership was made conditional only upon the acceptance of the candidate by the member- ship committee and his signature to the by-laws. No membership fees were asked, as it was the wish of the founders of the Union that no obstacle should be put in the way of any one who wished to become a mem- ber of the Union.

The offer of the free use of the Baptist Church Chapel for meetings was accepted and the monthly meetings soon interested nearly all of the young men of the village.

Programmes of literary and musical exercises and debates were given, and the Union had the cordial snp- port of the citizens of Newton Centre.

In the year 1884 a course of popular entertainments was given under the auspices of the Union, but the main financial support has been the voluntary con- tributions of its members and friends. In 1885 the membersbip was ninety-five, and until its dissolution in 1886 it was highly successful in fulfilling the pur- pose of its organization.

AUBURNDALE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY .- The or- ganization of the Auburndale Village Improvement Society dates from October 31, 1883. Its objects, as

defined in the first article of the constitution, are the beautifying and adorning of the streets and public grounds of the village, especially by planting trees and shrubs, and caring for and preserving the same ; to create and encourage in the community a spirit of improvement that shall stimulate every one to seek to make his own surroundings more attractive; to attend to matters affecting the public health ; and to provide such entertainments as the Board of Govern- ment shall think proper. Soon after the organization of the society an opportunity offered itself to secure a public hall in the village, by obtaining control of the lately disused Williams School building. The society promptly raised about $1000, and fitted up a neat hall, having leased the building from the city for five years. Another public benefit aided largely by the society is the tunnel beneath the tracks of the Boston & Albany Railroad uniting the two sec- tions of the village. Whenever there has been opportunity to carry out its purposes the society has striven to do all it could. It has assisted in clearing the streets of rubbish ; it has set out and cared for shade-trees ; it maintains bulletin boards in various locations. At the present time it is interesting itself in securing access for the public to Charles River over ways that have been unlawfully closed up. In all ways where public interest is aroused, the society stands ready to push matters through its organization and, numbering, as it does, on its roll the names of a large number of the most influential citizens, its in- fluence is capable of accomplishing much by way of permanent improvement.

WEST NEWTON WOMEN'S EDUCATIONAL CLUB .- This club was formed in July, 1880. In the autumn of that year its membership was largely increased, and the meetings were held at first monthly and afterwards fortnightly. The club soon ontgrew the accommodation of private parlors, and was fortunately able to secure the commodious parlor and supper- room of the Unitarian Society for its regular meet- ings. Its range of discussion has been broad, includ- ing Woman Suffrage, Temperance, Domestic Econ- omy, History, Biography and Art. It has made a special study of municipal affairs, going through, as an object lesson, all the forms of an election. One afternoon in the year is devoted to descriptions of summer outings ; another is given to short essays of ten minutes on practical or literary subjects. The club has a " gentleman's night " at New Year's, and an annual supper in May. It interests its members in the public schools, and was instrumental in intro- ducing the regular instruction of the girls in sewing. It supports a scholarship at the Tuskegee Normal School for Freedmen in Alabama, and every year sends to it contributions of money and clothing.

WOMAN SUFFRAGE LEAGUE .- The Newton Non- Partisan Woman Suffrage League was organized in West Newton in March, 1885. The objects of this as- sociation, as stated in its constitution, are " to procure

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the right of suffrage for women, to effect such changes in the laws as shall place women in all respects on an equal legal footing with men, to combine the woman suffrage sentiment in Newton, to circulate woman suf- frage petitions and woman suffrage literature, and to endeavor to have men of integrity nominated and elected to the Legislature who favor municipal suffrage for women."

Hon. William Claflin was chosen president ; Mr. S. Warren Davis, secretary ; Mrs. James P. Tolman, treasurer, and Mrs. E. N. L. Walton, chairman of the Executive Committee.

At the close of the first year Mr. Claflin resigned, and Hon. Robert C. Pitman was elected and served two years. The present officers (1890) are : Mr. Na- thaniel T. Allen, president ; Mrs. Louise A. Chap- man, secretary ; Mrs. James P. Tolman, treasurer ; with three vice-presidents and an Executive Commit- tee of ten representatives, men and women.

The League has been the means of exciting much thought on the subject, and of extending a belief in the value of equal suffrage, to man as well as to wo- man.

It has held cach year one or two public meetings in the City Hall and elsewhere, and several smaller parlor meetings in the various villages from Anburn- dale to Newton.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 28

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