History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 47

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 47

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Addison Brooks. Place on Lake Street. He was very active for a long time and did a large business. He sold one of his places to Mr. James Marden, who carried it on about fifteen years, then sold to Mr. W. H. Allen, who is the present owner. Mr. Brooks sold his other place to J. P. Squire and moved to Brock- ton, Mass., carrying on the same business there.

Mr. Joseph Butterfield, located on Lake Street, bought his place of Samuel Butterfield and was very successful. He died in 1875 and was succeeded by his son Joseph, who continued the business with success.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Mr. Charles Crane had a place on Arlington Avenue and Broadway, and was successful. He removed to the West.

David Puffer, about forty years ago, purchased the place on Broadway where he is now located. He has four sons-one, Warren, associated with him in market gardening ; the other three compose the firm of Puffer Bros., marketmen.

J. P. Squire's place is located at Lake Street and Arlington Avenue. About twenty years ago Mr. Squire began cultivating his land near his homestead, and since that time has purchased several other places and cultivated them as market-gardens. His business is quite extensive, and at present is under the direc- tion of Eugene O'Niel.

Walter Russell purchased his place of Mr. Flan- ders and for a time carried on quite an extensive busi- ness. He subsequently sold part of his land to W. W. Rawson.

Mr. Sprague's place, corner of Medford Street and Warren, was sold to Cyrus Wood, who carried it on about fifteen years. It was then sold to a land company.

J. F. Whittemore carried on the place owned by W. H. Whittemore, his brother. It was recently pur- chased by Mr. G. D. Moore, who later leased it to Mr. C. A. Learned, who was formerly in the employ of Mr. W. W. Rawson. Mr. J. F. Whittemore, about 1883, moved to Florida, where he is engaged in the same business to some extent.

Mr. Elbridge Locke's place, located opposite the Russell House, in the upper part of the town, is now carried on by different parties.

Sandy Boles, formerly in the employ of J. S. Crosby, purchased a place near the Arlington Reservoir. It is now laid down to grass.

Timothy Eaton, located just above the heights on the road to Lexington, was succeeded by his son, Joseph Eaton.

Mr. John Pierce's place, at the Foot of the Rocks, carried on a small business in vegetables and fruit- growing. Since the death of Mr. Pierce the place has been leased.

Thomas Pierce's place, located on what is now called Arlington Heights, was sold to a land com- pany.

The Elbridge Farmer place, near the Foot of the Rocks, is now carried on by his son, E. S. Farmer, who learned the business while in the employ of Mr. Varnum Frost, of Belmont.

The Bowen Russell place, situated on Arlington Avenue, is now conducted by his sou, Ira Russell.

The B. & H. J. Locke place is situated on Arling- ton Avenue. ¿ Upon the death of Benjamin, a few years since, H. J. succeeded to the business, and still con- ducts it.

Cyrus Cutter place, located on Summer Street, was one of the oldest in the business. He was succeeded by his sons, Cyrus and A. P. Cyrus' sons succeed him as Cutter Brothers.

The Abel Pierce place is situated on the hill near' Winchester. It is now occupied by Augustus Pierce, a grandson, who succeeds his father.

The William Whittemore place, located on Mystic Street, is now occupied hy J. S. Crosby, formerly of Belmont.

The Luke Wyman place, situated on Mystic Street, was purchased about twenty years ago by Mr. Huffmaster, the present proprietor.

The Stephen Scymes place, on Mystic Street, is one of the oldest in the town. Mr. Frank Frost, of Belmont, son of Henry Frost, is tbe present occupant. Warren W. Rawson. (See biography.)

The Aaron Dixon place, in the eastern part of the town, was a very sandy farm. Mr. Dixon was suc- ceeded by his son Porter, who sold the farm to Asa Durgin, who carried it on for four years, when it was purchased by the Catholic Church for a cemetery.

Mr. N. C. Frost was associated with Mr. David Fisher, who owned a place in Winchester, which he carried on in connection with those owned by Mr. Frost in Belmont. Mr. Fisher sold his interests in Winchester, and purchased the Ephraim Tufts place, which he also carried on with Mr. Frost, Mr. Fisher living in Arlington and Mr. Frost in Belmont. Mr. Fisher married Mr. Frost's sister.

A daughter of Mr. Fisher married D. L. Toppen, who is the present occupant of the place.

BELMONT .- Mr. Joe Wellington is a prominent market gardener of Belmont. He has occupied his present place about twenty years, having succeeded his father.

M. W. Marsh is the oldest inhabitant in Belmont who has pursued farming as an avocation. He was ninety years of age August 7, 1890. Small fruits have been one of his specialties as well as apples.

George Prentice, whose farm is on the Highlands, is one of the oldest farmers in this town. His products have been chiefly milk and vegetables. His farm is now under the control of his son, whose products are fruit, vegetables and milk. He has about three hun- dred hot-bed sash, insuring early vegetables.

Jonathau Frost was one of the earliest farmers in this town. Upon his death, about thirty years ago, he left four sons, viz. : Warren S., Varnum, Artemas F. and Herbert F., all of whom are now successful gardeners and have pursued this business from boy- hood. Seth Frost and son Newell C., were also farm- ers here. Sylvester Frost has been in the business ahout twenty years. He is a son of Isaac Frost.

Willard IIill was a son of Joseph Hill. He occu- pied his father's farm about five years and then became a member of the firm of Winn Ricker & Co.

Leonard Stearns, Sr., died fifteen years ago. His son Leonard, Jr., now occupies the place.

Nathan Robbins, now dead, once sold produce for Abbott Allen, father of Henry. His vehicle was a two-wheel tip-cart, and his market was Charlestown Square.

James aufsell

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ARLINGTON.

Isaac Lock, who died fifty years ago, was father of George Lock. George died in 1870. He was the father of Edwin, Isaac and W. H. Lock. The three latter died in 1889. The sons of W. H. are in husi- ness in Quincy Market. This was a market-garden- ing family, and the old estate on Pleasant Street is very valuable.

Charles Winn, Sr., came from Woburn about 1850, and was a good gardener. He died a few years ago. His son, Charles Winn, now occupies the place.

Mr. Morton, whose residence is upon Spring Lane, is among Belmont's reputable gardeners. Mr. Mor- ton's advent into the business of market-gardening was made about the year 1855. He was employed successively by onc Adams, of Winter Hill, Somer- ville ; Warren Rawson, then West Cambridge; George Hill, Arlington ; Charles Winn and Joseph Hill, of Belmont. He then bought the farm tilled by Edward Phillibrown. He had for many years the enviable reputation of succeeding in keeping celery later in the winter season than any other farmer. His son Edward succeeds him.

Silas Frost, who died in 1889, was also a market gardener. His residence was on Pleasant Street, and three sons now succeed him.

Henry Y. and Amos Hill, brothers, were market- gardeners from boyhood, both born in Belmont. The farm of Amos is now carried on by his son, Amos Edwin. The farm of Henry is leased, in part, to Warren Eustice.

William Richardson, now eighty years old, has spent the last forty years in market-gardening, and many of the devices in machinery that he originated are now used by the trade.

William Hill was the first to raise cucumber-plants under glass to set out in the open field. He was also the first to introduce Boston market celery. He was a deep thinker, and many of the modes of operation that are in vogue to-day in the business were first practiced by him. He was born in Belmont.

Warren Eustice, born in Vermont, came to West Cambridge (now Belmont) when quite young; is now seventy years old and vigorous. Market-gardening all his life, his operations in pig-raising have engaged much of his time. In 1861 he brought the first Chester White pig that came into Massachusetts. In 1870 he bought a Yorkshire boar that was imported by Col- onel Hoe, of printing-press fame, and crossed upon his Chester White stock, and this is the stock that is now known as the Eustice straiu of Yorkshire pig.

Hittinger Brothers are successors of their father, who raised fruit principally. The sons, in addition to fruit, are also engaged in market-gardening. They built several large green-houses, and are growing let- tuce and cucumbers extensively.

P. Schahan, located near Fresh Pond, is very suc- cessful in growing lettuce in green-houses. Mr. Schahan first introduced the use of roffea for tying vegetables. Large quantities are now used.

Henry Richardson, situated near Fresh Pond, has several large green-houses, used for growing lettuce, and was among the first to use them for that purpose.

Davis Chenery's place, sitnated by the side of C. H. Slade, has one green-house, and devotes his attention mostly to fruit-growing.

D. A. Hart's place is located opposite Mr. Slade, known as the Tainter estate. He learned the business with Mr. Henry Locke.

Howard Richardson carries on the old Thomas Richardson place. Has one green-house.

Thomas Richardson carried ou the William Rich- ardson place.

Frank and Edward Stone have done quite an exten- sive business. Frank died a short time ago, and the place is now run by his brother.

Mr. T. L. Creeley occupies the place formerly car- ried on hy his father in the milk business.

C. H. Slade, located in the southern part of Bel- mont, was formerly associated with William Cook, and hired the Brown and Stone places ; afterwards Mr. Slade carried on the business and honght the Stone estate, which he now occupies, and has been quite successful. He has built two green-houses, raises quantities of currants and is a breeder of swine.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JAMES RUSSELL.

James Russell was born January 14, 1788, in that part of Charlestown that now forms the city of Som- erville. His father, James Russell, was a respected and substantial citizen, and the family had been long established in Middlesex County. He was graduated from Harvard College, in the class of 1811. Among his classmates were several who afterwards attained marked distinction, of whom, perhaps, the most noted was Edward Everett. After completing his college course he began the study of the law in the office of Hon. William Austin, of Charlestown, at that time a leading member of the bar. He was admitted to the bar in 1814, aud entered upon the practice of his pro- fession in West Cambridge-a place with which his family connections were numerous and close, aud here he made his home for the rest of his life.

For many years Mr. Russell attended to nearly all the legal business, not merely of his fellow-townsmen, but of many people in neighboring towns; for his reputation as a sound and sagacious counsellor was wide-spread. He lived in days before his profession had become specialized, and his practice was a varied one. With a knowledge of the law he combined a native good judgment which made him a wise adviser, and his known uprightness held public confidence. By

Faltan Noblurs

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a discriminating judgment he joined a sympathetic and generous disposition. To many of those with whom he was brought into business relations he gave needed assistance at critical times, and his outside charities were numerous and unpretentious. The fre- quent tokens of appreciation and gratitude that came to him iu his later years were but the legitimate re- sults of his own acts.

AMOS ROBBINS.

Amos Robbins was born in West Cambridge (now Arlington), Massachusetts, December 28,1817, and re- ceived a limited education in the public schools of the time and locality. At the age of fourteen he became a poultry buyer and dresser for his brother Nathan, who had been for some time established in Faneuil Hall Market in Boston. At the age of six- teen Amos Robbins removed to Boston, aud was em- ployed in his brother's business there uutil 1836. It was at this time that Simeon Hoyden, who kept the Tremont House in Boston, and had a high apprecia- tion of these industrious young men, became proprie- tor of the Astor House, New York City, and remarked to Nathan, the eldest, the dearth of first-class poultry in Fulton Market in that city, and suggested that there was a fine opening for some New England man, who would atteud to business and keep out of bad company. This was exactly what the Robbins boys knew how to do,-accordingly, in 1836 Amos Robbins went to New York and secured a stand in Fulton Market in that city, consisting of some plauks laid over two saw benches; the business was conducted on a very moderate scale to what it is at present ; and the receipts of all the dealers in Fulton Market at that time would hardly equal what some single firms iu that busy centre now take in and send out daily. In 1839 he was joined by his brother Eli, who was associated with him in his dealings in poultry and game, and in 1841 they formed the firm of A. & E. Robbins, which became and continued to be the largest receivers and shippers of poultry, game, etc., iu the country. At the death of his brother Eli, the latter's nephew, Milton Robbins, son of Mr. Amos Robbins, became a member of the firm, which was changed to A. & M. Robbins. The gains of the firmn of A. & E. Robbins were the re- ward of years of plodding and successful traffic, and resulted in a competency for the brothers.

Mr. Amos Robbius was married at the age of twenty to Miss Adelia Martling, of Tarrytown, New York, who has borne two sons and two daughters who were reared and married, but who died in early woman- hood. Mr. Robbins, in his declining years, was in the enjoyment of well-earned wealth, and such had been his character from boyhood that he was held in equally high regard in business circles and among his intimate friends, and was esteemed alike as an intelli- gent and influential citizen, aud as a friendly, whole- souled Christian gentleman.

ELI ROBBINS.

Mr. Eli Robbins was born in West Cambridge (now Arlington), Mass., September 22, 1821. He was not a strong child, but being healthy and self-reliant, he soon mastered the rudiments of such knowledge as was convenient to his circumstances, and began his bus- iness career at an early age, by providing a horse and wagon for himself, and purchasing poultry of the neighboring farmers, which he dressed with bis own hands, and carried to Boston for customers. Three years later, in 1839, Eli followed his brother Amos to Fulton Market, New York City, at first as an em- ployee ; but in 1841 they entered into partnership under the firm-name of A. & E. Robbins, which has since become familiar to all frequenters of the streets of New York. It was a small beginning-two country boys, aged eighteen and twenty-one, with a capital of two hundred and thirty-six dollars each. But they had an advantage in the superior style in which they dressed their poultry, and they were not ashamed to work. Add to this their determination not to specu- late nor run in debt, and the result might easily have been predicted. They soon distanced all competitors, and for more than forty years have stood at the ac- knowledged head of that line of business in the United States, thus affording a uotable instance of conspicuous success obtained solely by honorable en- terprise and strict integrity.

On the 13th of May, 1845, Mr. Robbins married Miss Maria C. Farmer, of his native town, a young lady with whom he had been acquainted from child- hood aud whose subsequent devotedness, as wife and mother, amply justified the prophetic foregleam of his youthful affections. The abundant means which her husband furnished enabled her also to gratify every hospitable impulse and refined taste. Their first home in Brooklyn was on Washington Street, where two dear children came to work their mission of love- Warren, born Sept. 21, 1846, and Clinton, Dec. 27, 1848. The birth of these children was a joy which could only be adequately measured by the terrible grief that followed their early departure-Clinton died April 26, 1864, and Warren, Nov. 12, 1869.

Eli Robbins, was, by nature and early training, in- clined to economy and careful in his investments ; yet he was not indifferent to any worthy cause. His bene- tactions to private families and individuals were so secret and unostentatious, that none but those who were the recipients of it can compute the sums which he annually bestowed among them. In religión he was a Universalist. On removing to Brooklyn, while yet a young man, he became a member of the first Universalist Society, and remained ever after loyal to that form of Christian faith. This furnishes the key to his whole moral character. He never sought for novelty, nor shrank from the dictates of duty. He had the two things which made men strong-an in- telligent conscience, and the quiet courage to obey it. True courage is not noisy ; it does not find its expres-

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

sions in defiant manners, or vapory speech; but it does consist in a quiet determination to do right, because it is right, and in traveling in a straight, though unpopular pathway. With such a conscience, and with such a conrage, Eli Robbins entered upon the career which lay before him and followed it suc- cessfully to the end. The end came while he was yet far from being an old man-he died on the morning of June 21, 1883, in the 62d year of his age, leaving as the result of his life, a character for business integrity against which no word of suspicion was ever breathed, and a competency-the reward of honorable efforts. His will, which was written ten years before his death, disposes of some three hundred thousand dollars in various bequests ; among which are the legacies to the Church of Our Father, located in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y; the Brooklyn Orphan Asylum of the same city ; the Blind Asylum, of New York ; the Unitarian and Universalist churches at Arlington, Mass., and his native town, to which his body was taken for interment.

It is fitting and proper to add, in connection with the above, that Mrs. Maria C. Robbins, his widow, has about completed arrangements for the erection of a substantial stone structure to be located in Arlington, Mass., the native place of herself and her late hus- band, and intended for a Public Library, and reading- room, which is to be known as the "Eli Robbins Memorial Library Building."

JOHN P. SQUIRE.

John P. Squire, the son of Peter and Esther Squire, was born in the town of Weathersfield, Windsor County, Vermont, on the 8th day of May, 1819. His father was a farmer. The years of his boyhood were spent at his home, attending the public schools, and working on the farm.

On the 1st day of May, 1835, he entered the employ- ment of a Mr. Orvis, the village store-keeper, at West Windsor, Vermont, and remained with him until the winter of 1837, when he attended the academy at Unity, New Hampshire, of which the Rev. A. A. Miner was then principal. He taught school at Cav- endish during a part of the winter of 1837-38. On the 19th of March, 1838, he came to Boston, entered the employ of Nathan Robbins, in Faneuil Hall Mar- ket, and continned with him until May 1, 1842, when he formed a co-partnership with Francis Russell, and carried on the provision business at No. 25 Faneuil Hall Market, under the style of Russell & Squire, until the year 1847, when the co-partnership was dis- solved.

Mr. Squire continued the business alone, at the same place, until the year 1855, when he formed a new co-partnership with Hiland Lockwood and Edward Kimball, under the name of John P. Squire & Co. The firm-name and business have continued until the present time, and the changes in the partners have

been as follows: the retirement of Edward D. Kim- ball in the year 1866; the admission of W. W. Kim- ball in the same year, and his retirement in 1873; the admission of his sons, George W. and Frank O. Squire, in the year 1873; the death of Hiland Lockwood in the year 1874 ; the retirement of George W. Squire in the year 1876; and the admission of Fred F. Squire, the youngest son, January 1, 1884-leaving the firm to-day composed of John P., Frank O. and Fred F. Squire. In 1855 Mr. Squire bought a small tract of land in East Cambridge and built a slaughter-house. Since that time the business has grown to such an extent that the firm of John P. Squire & Co. has to- day one of the largest and best-equipped packing- houses in the country, and stands third in the list of hog-packers in the United States.

In 1843 he married Kate Green Orvis, daughter of his old employer. Eleven children were born of this marriage, ten of whom are now living, as follows: George W., Jennie C., Frank O., Minnie E., John A., Kate I., Nannie K., Fred F., Nellie G. and Bessie E. Squire. One son, Charles, died in infancy.

In 1848 he moved to West Cambridge, now called Arlington, where he has ever since lived.

Mr. Squire joined the Mercantile Library Associa - tion when he first came to Boston, and spent a good deal of his leisure time in reading, of which he was very fond.

The position which he holds to-day in commercial circles is due to his untiring industry, undaunted courage and marked ability.

WARREN W. RAWSON.

Warren W. Rawson, son of Warren Rawson, was born in West Cambridge (now Arlington), January 23, 1847. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, also at the Cotting Academy and at a commercial college in Boston. He pursued his studies with diligence and attention, and succeeded in procuring an education which well qualified him for his subsequent successful business career. At the age of seventeen he began work with his father, who was a leading market gardener. He studied the science of the business, nature and plants, soil best adapted to them, etc., and was successful. When twenty-two years old he purchased half of his father's farm and three years later purchased the re- mainder. He also owns a place corner Medford and Warren Streets, purchased about ten years ago of Mr. W. H. Whittemore. His residence, a fine one, and hot-houses are located on this place. Mr. Raw- son has advanced rapidly in the business. He was the first to build hot-houses to any extent in this town, and the first to put in an irrigating plant for outside purposes. He was also the first to use steam in heating green-houses, and the first to use electric light in bringing forward plants. He found that this light hastened the growth of plants about fifteen per cent., particularly in the winter season.

John P. Squire

M.N Pawson

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MELROSE.

His place embraces one hundred acres. He em- ploys sixty-five men and twenty-five horses; uses three thousand cords of manure each year, beside fertilizers, and is the most extensive market gardener ia this part of the country. He is the leading pro- ducer of celery, and also has a large seed store at 34 South Market Street, Boston. He grows large quanti- ties of seeds to supply the market gardeners, and has been instrumental in introducing many new kinds o' vegetables.

Mr. Rawson is an energetic, public-spirited man. and occupies many prominent positions. He is pres- ident of the Middlesex Agricultural Society of Con- cord ; president of the Market Gardeners' Association of Boston ; member of the State Board of Agriculture and one of the Executive Committee of that board : member of the Board of Control of the Massachusetts Experiment Station at Amherst; president of the Brackett Club, which was instrumental in electing J. Q. A. Brackett Governor in 1889; chairman of the Republican Town Committee and a member of the School Committee-now serving his third term of three years each. He is a parliamentarian of ability and often officiates as moderator of the town-meet- ings. He is a well-known lecturer on agriculture ; is the author of a work entitled "Success in Market Gardening," and also of a work on celery culture. In the spring of 1890 he was appointed, by the Gov- ernor, chairman of the Gypsy Moth Commission. Mr. Rawson is a man of large executive ability, and has filled the various positions to which he has been called with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the public.

February 20, 1868, Mr. Rawson united in marriage with Helen M. Mair and their family consisted of two children, only one of whom (Mabel) survives. His wife died May 4, 1872. He married his present wife, Sarah E. Mair, September 21, 1874, and their family consisted of three children, two of whom (Alice and Herbert) survive.

CHAPTER XV.

MELROSE.

BY ELBRIDGE H. GOSS.

EARLY HISTORY .- The choosing of selectmen and other officers at annual town-meetings was first adopted by Massachusetts; and to Charlestown-of which Melrose was originally a part-belongs the honor of establishing the first "Board of Selectmen," in 1635, six years after its settlement. Dorchester, two years before, had tried a plan which approached this idea, but the inhabitants of Charlestown matured and consummated it, and adopted an order, the origi- nal of which is still preserved, with its signatures,

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 47

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