History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 29

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 29

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It has also furnished speakers to the West Newton Lyceum when the subject of woman's suffrage has been debated, thus reaching a large class not otherwise ap- proachable. Among the most interesting speakers at their various meetings have been Mrs. Lucy Stone, Mr. H. B. Blackwell, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, Mrs Mary A. Livermore, Mrs. E. D. Cheney, Mrs. Laura Ormiston Chant, of England ; Mrs. S. S. Fessenden, of the W. C. T. U .; Hon. J. C. Wyman, of Rhode Island, and T. W. Higginson. Some meetings have been held in the interest of school suffrage especially, and they have done much toward placing and keep- ing women on the School Board. Mrs. Electa L. N. Walton and Mrs. Abby E. Davis have been the most active and influential members of the Executive Com- mittee of the League.

" THE PLAYERS."-This is the name of a dramatic association, organized March 16, 1887, composed of active and associate members. The active members take part in dramatic performances, of which six are given every season at City Hall, West Newton. The associate members are limited to 150, each paying an annual fee of eight dollars, and receiving two tickets for every entertainment. The associate membership has been full from the beginning, with from fifty to seventy-five names on the waiting list. The first per- formances were on the evenings of May 13 and 14, 1887, when Byron's comedy, "Our Boys," was given. Among the other plays produced have been " London Assurance," "Old Love Letters," "Rough Diamond," " A Russian Honeymoon," " Randall's Thumb," and "Engaged." These plays have been given with dra-

matic skill and ample stage effects. The officers of the association are as follows: President, George H. Phelps; vice-president, John A. Conkey ; treasurer, Edward C. Burrage; secretary, Pierrepont Wise. The above named, together with William T. Farley, T. E. Stutson and Herbert S. Kempton, constitute the Board of Directors.

THE MONDAY EVENING CLUB .- This club was established at the suggestion of Mr. J. H. Nichols and Dr. Wm. E. Field. The first meeting was held November 5, 1880. The number at first was limited to twenty-five members, but it has since been changed to thirty.

Meetings are held twice a month for five months of each year beginning in December.

The club has a constitution and by-laws. The of- fice of chairman is filled by members, succeeding al- phabetically each evening from season to season. The secretary is chosen annually by ballot.

Each member has to subscribe to the constitution and by-laws.

Four successive absences forfeit membership, unless excused by vote of the club.

The secretary organizes the meetings at eight o'clock and selects the chairman. The period from eight to nine is devoted to regular business and to five-minute talks by members in turn, at the call of the chairman. From nine to ten there is an essay by one of the members and its discussion. After the essay a collation is served. The meetings are held at the residences of the members in turn.

NEWTON CONGREGATIONAL CLUB .- In the minds of many members of the Congregational Churches in Newton there had existed a feeling of the necessity of some organization which would bring together the Congregational Churches from the different sections of the city for the sake of a more intimate acquaint- ance, and thereby more concerted action in church work. The great drawback had been the lack of a ready means of communication between the churches on the south and north sides of the city.

During the year 1885 a communication written by James F. C. Hyde, appeared in the Newton Journal, calling attention to this need of the churches, and expressing the hope that, when the "Circuit Rail- road," which was then building, was completed, af- fording the desired communication between the dif- ferent portions of the city, a Congregational Club might be organized.

On October 13, 1886, in accordance with this sug- gestion, an invitation, signed by five pastors and three deacons, was sent to the pastors, the deacons, the standing committees, and Sabbath-School superin- tendents of each of the seven Congregational Churches in Newton, to meet on Wednesday evening, October 20th, at the parlor of the Second Church, West New- ton, to consider the expediency of forming such a club.

Rev. Henry J. Patrick was chosen chairman of this

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meeting, and William B. Wood, secretary. It was voted to form a Congregational Club, and a committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws.

An adjourned meeting was held at the same place the following Wednesday evening (Oct. 27th), and a constitution and by-laws were adopted. The objects of the club, as expressed in the constitution, are "to encourage among the members of the Congregational Churches of Newton, a more friendly and intimate acquaintance, to secure concert of action, and to pro- mote the spiritual life and efficiency of the churches." Regular meetings are held on the third Monday of each month, from October to March inclusive. The January meeting is the "annual meeting" for the choice of officers, etc. The membership is limited to 150; cach church was entitled to ten members (tbis was afterwards amended so that the largest church, the Eliot, is entitled to sixteen members, and the smallest church, the North, is entitled to four mem- bers), and the balance of the 150 (or eighty members) is divided pro rata between the different churches, according to their resident membership. A vote was passed at this meeting that it is desirable that ladies attend the regular meetings as guests of the mem- bers.

Another adjourned meeting was held November 3d, and the organization completed by the choice of offi- cers. At the annual meeting, the following Jannary, the same officers were re-elected for the year 1887, viz. : President, Hon. James F. C. Hyde; vice-presi- dents, Rev. Henry J. Patrick, Dea. William F. Slo- cum; secretary, William B. Wood ; treasurer, Daniel E. Snow.

The succeeding presidents have been : Granville B. Putnam, in 1888; Albert L. Harwood, in 1889; and Winfield S. Slocum, Esq., who is now serving for the year 1890.

The club started with an "original membership " of forty-six ; its present membership is 112.

In the selection of topics for discussion, the aim has been to confine them to such as have a special relation to the interests of the Newton churches, and the club has been addressed very largely by indi- viduals selected from its own membership ; although it has listened to others from abroad also, includ- ing Rev. Francis E. Clark, of the Christian En- deavor Societies; Rev. Reuen Thomas, D.D., of Brookline; Chas. W. Hill, Esq., of Roxbury ; Rev. E. B. Webb, D.D., of Wellesley ; Rev. David Gregg, D.D., and Rev. E. K. Alden, D.D., of Boston ; Rev. Alexander McKenzie, D.D., of Cambridge; Prof. J. M. English, D.D., of Newton Centre ; Rev. A. E. Winship, of Somerville ; Rev. A. E. Dunning, D.D., of Boston ; Rev. Arthur Little, D.D., of Dorchester ; Rev. A. G. Lawson, D.D., of Boston.

The meetings have been held in the parlors and chapel of the Second Church, West Newton, which is well adapted, both by location and arrangement, for the purpose. Assembling at five o'clock, a social

time in the parlors is enjoyed until supper is an- nounced at six o'clock. This is spread in the chapel, after which, the tables having been cleared, the meeting is called to order about seven o'clock and the exercises for the evening taken up.

The meetings have been most enjoyable and profitable, a pleasant feature being the presence of a goodly number of guests to participate with the mem- bers in the privileges of the club.

THE NEWTON BOAT CLUB .- The Newton Boat Club was organized September 1, 1875. Its first boat- house was a cheap structure on the shore of Charles River, near the foot of Islington Street, Auburndale. The location was not favorable, especially for mem- bers living in other villages, but the club remained there, with varying fortune; holding several regattas, until it entered into new and much better quarters and a broader scale of existence, on the completion of its new club-house at Riverside in the summer of 1886. Here is a handsome and commodious building, with ample space for boats, bowling alleys, dancing hall, pool table, etc., inside, and tennis courts in the spacious grounds outside, all within two minutes' walk of the Riverside Station on the Boston and Albany Railroad, from which frequent trains run over both sides of the "Circuit" through the Newton villages to Boston. And so far as the opportunity for the pastime of boating is concerned, there is nothing better in the country. From this point to Waltham, two miles below, and to Newton Lower Falls, one mile above, the Charles winds through a succession of charming sylvan views, here and there varied by glimpses of cultivation and ornamental architecture. The large dam at Waltham makes the current very light, and the limpid waters are alive in the boating season with every variety of light craft, canoes, propelled by paddles, being the special favor- ites of the last two or three years. There are several hundred light and graceful boats owned and in con- stant use on this lovely stretch of water, and a good portion of those who propel them are young ladies.

Newton Boat-Club house and grounds, quite a val- uable property, is owned by a separate corporation, the stockholders of which are friends and generally members of the club. The club leases the property, pays a rent equal to the interest of the money in the plant, and will gradually invest its surplus income in the stock until it shall acquire the whole. The club has an active membership of about 200. The annual assessment is $15. During the winter months the club-house is a favorite resort for bowling. The officers of the club for 1890 are : President, William S. Eaton, Jr .; Vice-President, Sydney Harwood ; Treasurer, Charles W. Loring ; Secretary, Horatio Page ; Captain, William A. Hall.

THE WESLEYAN HOME .- The Wesleyan Home was incorporated in 1883 and organized in December of that year. Its first money was the savings of a little girl in Taunton, Mass., who, in her fatal illness, expressed

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a desire to give all her money to a home for orphans. This contribution amounted to about twenty dollars. It has had larger gifts since, including a spacious aud comfortable house on Wesley Street, Newton, from Hon. Alden Speare, and an endowment fuud of $20,000 from IIon. Jacob Sleeper. The house for- nishing was also provided by generous friends-Mrs. Charles W. Pierce, the family of Hon. Jacob Sleeper, and others. The institution was originally intended for orphan and destitute children. Later its scope was enlarged to embrace the care of children of Methodist missionaries working in foreign fields. The building affords accommodations for about twenty children. It is presided over by a matron, aided and advised by a board of managers, composed of twelve ladies who reside in the neighboring villages. Children are taken at the age of four years or over. They have home training and care, and attend the public schools. These who can afford it pay from $100 to $150 a year. Others are taken free. Officers : President, Hon. Alden Speare; Vice-Presidents, Bishop R. S. Foster, Rev. J. B. Gould ; Secretary, J. R. Prescott ; Treas- urer, E. W. Gay; Matron, Miss A. Thompson.

THE NEWTON FANCIERS' CLUB .- In view of the fact. that Newton had a large number of breeders of thor- oughbred poultry, and quite an interest had been devel- oped throughout the city in regard to the same, some of the most prominent breeders deemed it advisable to form an association of those interested, and a meeting of fanciers was called, which resulted in the formation of the Newton Fanciers' Club, December 22, 1888. The object of the club is to aid and encourage the breeding of thoroughbred poultry by holding exhibi- tions and furnishing such information as may be deemed expedient. The first exhibition given by the club was held in Armory Hall, Ward One, February 5, 6 and 7, 1889, and was one of the largest held in the East outside of Boston. Birds were shown from several of the New England States and from New York. Artificial incubation was carried on in the hall during the exhibition. The attendance was excellent, among the visitors being some of Newton's most prom- inent citizens. The following are the officers of the club elected at the time of organization : President, W. R. Atherton ; Vice-presidents, John Lowell, Jr., F. A. Hondlette, E. T. Rice, C. B. Coffin ; Secretary, Geo. Linder, Jr .; Treasurer, W. W. Harrington.

QUINOBEQUIN ASSOCIATION .- This association has a location at Newton Upper Falls. It was organized in 1868 and incorporated in 1872. It is a literary as- sociation, meeting once a month from October to May, inclusive. It has seventy-five members and a library of a miscellaneous character, numbering about 500 volumes. Its officers at the present time (1890) are as follows: President, Frank Fanning; Vice- president, II. A. Smith; Secretary, W. F. Bird; Treasurer, John A. Gould, Jr.

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC .- Charles Ward Post, No. 62 .- This post of the Grand Army was or-

ganized July 21, 1868. The ten charter members were Wm. B. Fowle, A. B. Underwood, Thos. P. Haviland, J. Cushing Edmands, Fred. S. Benson, All- ston W. Whitney, Hosea Hyde, George S. Boyd, I. F. Kingsbury and Albert Plummer. Captain Wm. B. Fowle was the first commander. The post has been quite active since its formation. The total number of members borne on its rolls has been 334, and those now enrolled are about 150.

The post was named for Sergeant-major Charles Ward, of the Thirty-second Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, who was wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863, and died there July 9th, being only twenty-one years of age at the time of his death. His remains were brought home and deposited in the Newton Cemetery.

The amount expended for charity since the organi- zation of the post has been $9,592.22. Amount ex- pended from the post fund, $12,310.39. Total, $21,- 902.61.

A handsome lot in the beautiful Newton Cemetery has been provided by the city and consecrated as a "soldiers' lot."

The present officers of the post are: Commander, Samuel S. Whitney ; Senior Vice-commander, Charles W. Sweetland; Junior Vice-commander, Setlı A. Ranlett ; Quartermaster, E. E. Stiles ; O. D., Samuel A. Langley ; Chaplain, S. E. Morse ; Surgeon, J. L. Sears; O. G., Chas. A. Twitchell ; Adjutant, E. Gott; S. M., Benj. Hopkins; Q. M. S., Joseph Owens ; Sen- tinel, Wm. J. Holmes.

NEWTON CENTRE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION .- The people resident in Newton Centre have for many years shown an active interest in the subject of village improvement, for as far back as 1852 there was formed the Newton Centre Tree Club, having for its object, as quoted from its constitution: "The orna- menting of roads, lanes and public places, by plant- ing trees and shrubs, and preserving those already in existence, and the encouraging of land-holders to lay out their roads in manner according with the general convenience and taste." The main efforts of this society seemed to have been directed to planting trees, and in this work much good was accomplished ; but its life was short, covering only a period of about two and a half years.

Again in 1869 an executive committee of twenty- fonr was appointed in a mass-meeting, who should have "special charge of the local interests of the village, particularly in regard to sewerage, gas, water, police, railroad facilities and the development of the natural advantages of the village." The records of this committee's work have been lost and we are not able to give in detail their labors, but one most important object was attained at about this time, and presumably largely through their influence and with money raised by their efforts. When the Mason School was built the town owned scarcely any land on the east side, and the lower half of what is

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now known as the school-house lot was owned by private parties and covered with a tenement-house, blacksmith and wheelwright-shop. By private con- tribution this land was purchased for the town and is to-day one of the finest school-house lots in Massa- chusetts.

In the fall of 1879, mainly through the efforts of Mr. Edwin F. Waters, a public meeting was called looking towards the organization of a society which should take in hand those matters which are every- body's business and therefore nobody's business. The first meeting was held September 10, 1879, though the final organization was not effected and constitu- tion adopted till March 22, 1880. The first officers were : President, Hon. John Lowell; Vice-Presidents, Edwin F. Waters, Wm. C. Strong; Secretary, Lewis E. Coffin ; Treasurer, Dwight Chester; Executive Committee, including the above officers, E. M. Fowle, Samuel M. Jackson, Rev. E. P. Gould, Hon. James F. C. Hyde, E. B. Bowen, Rev. A. E. Lawrence, D. B. Claflin. Hon. John Lowell held the office of president for two years, and in 1882 Rev. Amos E. Lawrence was elected to the office and re-elected the following year. In the years 1884, 1885, 1886 and 1887, Mr. William B. Young most efficiently guided the Association as its leader, and for the two years 1888 and 1889, Mr. Dwight Chester held the highest official position. At the annual meeting in April, 1890, Mr. J. R. Leeson was elected president for the ensuing year.

The work of the Association has been much varied. It has worked in harmony with the city officials, of- ten leading in an improvement which would not be begun by the city, and always aiding in every public improvement.

Trees have been planted every year, and in variety, so that there is hardly a street in the village which has not its one or both sidewalks lined with trees, all vacant places having been filled by the Association.

The common, extending from the junction of Cy- press and Centre Streets, north to Lyman Street, cov- ering three large pieces of ground, has been graded, grassed and planted with trees and shrubs, and orna- mented with flower-beds. All triangular pieces of ground at the junctions of streets have been reclaimed and are now kept as lawns. In one or two instances land has even been purchased and improved at street junctions, and the entire bank of the Sudbury River Conduit from Centre to Summer Street has been made a beautiful grassy słope from a rough and unsightly bank of earth. The Association was instrumental in securing and contributed towards the improvement on the lake front at Lake Avenue.

A feature of its labors has been provision for the public entertainment during the winter, and it has been a rallying centre around which all citizens have gathered without distinction of clique or sect, thus assisting largely towards that fraternity of spirit char- acteristic of the village.

The celebration of the 4th of July has for a num- ber of years been undertaken through a special com- mittee, funds being raised by subscription for the purpose. It is not an incorporated body and for its funds has been dependent on the annual membership fee of $1 per member and such profits as have been derived from entertainments under its care. It has never been in debt; it has raised and expended over $4400 and through its efforts the city has expended about the same amount in this ward on public im- provements, besides much money that has been con- tributed and spent through its efforts, not passing through its hands.

The village long needed a public hall, and through discussion at the annual meeting in 1886 steps were taken by many of the citizens which resulted in the purchase of the old Baptist meeting-house by a cor- poration called the Newton Centre Associates, who removed the building to land which they had pur- chased, refitted it for its present use and established in the vestry a free public reading-room which is sup- ported in part by the Associates and by the city.

At the annual meeting in 1881 a committee was ap- pointed to see what could be done towards furnishing the boys with a play-ground, for the play-ground which had been on the Common for years could no longer be used for that purpose. From time to time various reports and suggestions were made and tem- porary grounds provided, and at the annual meeting in 1888 the following gentlemen were appointed a committee to provide a permanent play-ground :- Messrs. Hon. Robert R. Bishop, Alden Speare, Mel- len Bray, Edward H. Mason, Daniel B. Claflin, Ar- thur C. Walworth, J. R. Leeson.

The committee have carried their labors over two years, devoting, for a good portion of the time, one evening each week to the purpose, and contributing of their energy, business foresight, tact and money. The result is the purchase of a tract of land from Centre to Pleasant Streets, extending also north to Homer Street, containing about twenty acres, bought from seven individuals, costing over $25,000. The city of Newton gave $10,000, and the balance, over $15,000, was contributed by the residents of Newton Centre. The Improvement Association gave $1400 from its funds. It is the plan to lay out this land with ample play -ground facilities for boys and girls, and the remainder for ornamental park purposes, Hon. J. F. C. Hyde and Mr. J. R. Leeson having offer- ed to contribute an extensive herbarium.

The re-location of Union Street, just accomplished, and a new station on the Boston and Albany Rail- road are results of the efforts of a special committee appointed by the Association for the purpose.

All these things show what has been and may be attained as the result of co-operation, and as year by year passes, the power of the Newton Centre Im- provement Association for all that tends to the public welfare increases, and the fact that it endorses any

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plan gives immediate and powerful impetus to the movement.

NEWTON PROHIBITION LEAGUE .- The League has had an informal existence since the summer of 1887, but on the evening of February 11, 1888, at a meeting held in the Police Court-room, West Newton, a con- stitution and by-laws was adopted, and the following- named persons were chosen officers for the ensuing year :- President, Myron L. Henry ; Secretary, G. Lyman Snow; Treasurer, David B. Fitts; Execu- tive Committee, Edwin F. Kimball, Henry A. Inman and the officers of the League. The mottoes of the League, adopted at that meeting, were : "Educate, agitate, legislate." Terms to the Liquor Traffic :- " Unconditional surrender : we propose to move im- mediately upon your works."

The following have been some of the most promi- nent and active members of the League: Hon. Robert C. Pitman and William H. Partridge, of New- ton; Prof. Edwin F. Kimball, Dr. Levy Parker, Henry A. Inman and N. C. Pike, of West Newton ; James M. Gordon, Rev. W. R. Newhall, Myron L. Henry, Frank F. Davidson, of Auburndale; Rev. W. H. Cobb, James Cutler and Ruel W. Waters, of Newton Centre.

The League has been instrumental in largely in- creasing the interest in prohibition in Newton by holding numerous public meetings, bringing into the city such speakers as the Hon. John P. St. John, Mrs. Mary Livermore, Volney B. Cushing, Rev. Thomas Dixon, Jr., Hon. W. H. Earl, Rev. Dr. Gordon, Rev. O. P. Gifford and Rev. Dr. Miner. Judge Pitman, of Newton, has been among the most logical and con- vincing of the speakers. The increased interest has been shown in the enlarged vote from 52, the largest vote previously recorded for a Presidential candidate, to 212 votes cast for Gen. Clinton B. Fiske at the last election.

THE EVERY SATURDAY CLUB,-The Every Satur- day Club, of Newtonville, was organized in 1870. Its officers are a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, and an executive committee. For enter- tainments a special committee is appointed. Its membership is strictly limited to forty ladies and gentlemen. Among the members are clergymen, lawyers, private and public school teachers, the sec- retary of the State Board of Education, publishers and business men. The meetings have been held of late years every other Saturday night, in private par- lors, from October to May. Its main object has been literary work, and every member, both ladies and gentlemen, is expected to contribute a paper each season. These papers are read or talked by the writers, and afterwards discussed. English literature, from Chaucer down, has been considered ; also, in con- nection with the special author, the history of the times. Shakespeare has been studied for several years. One year Hawthorne and Art alternated. "Representative Americans" occupied one season ;

" Fireside Travel" another. Last season thirteen representative novels were reviewed and discussed. Next year " Mediaval History," "Greek Literature " and "Topics of the Day " will form the programme. A large stereopticon is owned by the club, and has added much to the interest of many meetings.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 29

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