History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 97

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 97

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It is true there might have been a dam built there before by the Norsemen. Even if' there had been, it must have been washed away during the chances of henvy floods weighted with fallen trees overthrown by cyclones or with masses of ice piled np by the spring melting, as has frequently been done since.

This Graves built the large house in which the Governor and assistants first met in Charlestown. HIe built fortifications for the carly company.

Hollingsworth & Whitney Company .- The Hollings- worth & Whitney Company occupy a site in Water- town which, for fifty years, has been devoted to paper- making purposes. Abont 1839 William May had a mill there, and for him worked Leonard Whitney, Sr., who subsequently bought the property, and associated with him his son, under the firm-name of L. Whitney & Son. Mr. Whitney, sr., retiring, sold out to Thurs- ton Priest, and the firm became Whitney & Priest, who, besides making paper, added to their business the manufacture of paper bags by machinery. In April, 1862, the firm changed. Mr. Priest, retiring, sold out to E. A. Hollingsworth, and the firm became Hollingsworth & Whitney. At this time the plant was small, the water-power very meagre, and business rapidly growing.

This led the firm to consider the making of improve- ments, and in 1867-68 the present building, 60x200, with boiler-house and steam-engine room, was built, to accommodate both branches of the business, and where the production of paper had before been thirty tons per month, it was increased to 120 tons, while the bag department had its facilities doubled. Since the new mill was built, improvements have been made, so that now there is turned out daily eight tons, or 208 tons monthly, and the capacity of the bag department is 2,000,000 daily. Mr. Whitney died July 5, 1881, and Mr. Hollingsworth on January 6, 1882. On the Ist of April, 1882, a corporation was formed under the laws of the Commonwealth, bearing the designation of Hollingsworth & Whitney Company, which now carries on the business.

The works of this company occupy the site of the " ancient grist-mill," the water-mill" of the earliest record, and of many another mill of later date, as, for instance, a chocolate mill which was afterwards mov- ed to Dorchester, and became the Baker Chocolate & Cocoa Mill, now known by its product over the world, an early saw-mill, and others of which there is no dis- tinet record.

The Watertown Mill .-- The Grist Mill .- This was originally a grist-mill, the business being at first the grinding of grists for the farmers who came from near and from afar. It is at present conducted by Perkins & Co., has two runs of stone, with a capacity of grinding 600 bushels of corn a day of ten hours. The corn ground comes from the western prairies, the flour sold comes mostly from Minneapolis, the hay and oats from Maine and the Canadas.

The grist-mill was moved down the "mill creek " to the site it now occupies was afterward moved nearer the river to accommodate a cotton-factory which began in 1805, by occupying the stories above the grist-mill, then the whole of it, which finally gave way to the return of the corn-mill, when that prop- erty was absorbed by the foundry and stove works now belonging to the Walker Pratt Company.

The building of the original mill and dam we have already ascribed with some degree of certainty to Cradock and How. The time was as early as, or earlier than January, 1634, for on this date a grant of land was made to it by the General Court. This was purchased and for some years owned by Thomas Mayhew. The ownership is traced by Dr. Bond to 1710. We can take up the train again in 1789, when John Remington sold to David Jackson. On some future occasion we hope to present in a satisfactory manner this entire history, which is very complicat- ed because of change of owners of fractional por- tions, and change of work done at different periods. The grist-mill holds the first right to the use of water for power. In case of failure of water supply, its wheels must be satisfied first. With change of loca- tion on the ancient Mill Creek, probably the oldest mill creek in the country, this right has now been suspended or alienated. The first duty of the Charles River in Watertown is to grind corn, and no man now knows how or when it was first imposed. The Mill Creek is thought by some to be a natural water- course. No one can disprove it. Prof. Horsford thinks it was built by the Norsemen.

Newspapers .- The Enterprise .- This paper was es- tablished by Samuel S. Gleason, Nov. 5, 1879, under whose management it steadily increased its circula- tion, its size and its influence. The paper is devoted to local interests, is bright, enterprising, and open to all who try to advance the interests of the town. After seven years given to the interests of this paper, Mr. Gleason withdrew from the paper, giving it wholly into the charge of Fred. G. Barker, who had been its printer for nearly its whole existence. Mr.

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Gleason has, for the last few years, given up his time to the real estate business, which he has greatly de- veloped in this place.

Mr. Barker prints several periodicals, employs nine persons on his miscellaneous work. Having taken up printing as a recreation, when a boy in school, he has constantly increased his facilities and his skill, until his office has acquired a reputation for excell- ent work.

Gas and Electric Light .- The Newton and Water- town Gas Light Company has one of the best gas and electric light plants in this State. It is situated on Water Street, Watertown. The company was organ- ized March 18, 1854, with a capital of $200,000. The officers of the company are : President, Joseph N. Bacon ; treasurer and clerk, Francis Murdock; direc- tors, Joseph N. Bacon, George C. Lord, William Claflin, Francis Murdock, C. C. Walworth, Charles M. Seaver, John K. Stickney, H. L. Hovey, Abraham Avery ; general superintendent, Waldo A. Learned. The office of the company is located at No. 421 Cen- tre Street, Newton, and both Watertown and Newton are well supplied with light.

They now consume about 4000 tons of coal, in place of the 400 of the first year, have about sixty miles of pipe, produce about 44,000,000 feet of gas, and are rapidly extending their means of lighting by arc and ineandescent electric lights.

Express Business .- T. P. Emerson bought out the express business of F. E. White in 1867, employing at first four men and six horses. He now employs nine men and twenty-six horses.

J. H. Critchett & Sons, do a large express and teaming business.

There are also Allen's Railroad Express, Ken- ney's Express and Nally's Express. The heavy business of the town requires large freighting and teaming facilities, which are at hand.

Livery Stables .- Horses for driving ean be had in almost any number, of Briggs E. Potter, who bought out G. B. Stockwell in 1885, and by purchasing and enlarging his buildings, has increased his number of horses, from eleven of his own with eight boarders, to twenty-three of his own with thirty boarders. Gen- tlemen are finding that through him a kind of co- operative horse-keeping is both more economical and more convenient than having a stable on their own premises. Telephones make it as easy to order one's horse from Potter's stable, as from his own in his back yard, where its presence is sometimes not desir- able.

F. K. Hubbard a few years since bonght out Mr. Kelley, and manages his business in a way to win the confidence of the publie. An attractive line of car- riages tempt people to drive, and his prices are reasonable for the teams furnished. The interests of the community are conserved by this centralization of this industry to a single location.

Machine-Shops .- There are the machine-shops of the

Empire Laundry Machinery Company, machine shops for their own use and their own repairs in the Walker Pratt Manufacturing Company's works, and in the large paper-mills of the Hollingsworth & Whitney Paper Company, and also within the grounds of the Etna Mills Corporation, where Mr. Mayall's inven- tive and ingenious mind finds scope in the frequent changes and adaptations required in that factory. So, of course there are machine-shops within the arsenal grounds. The public, however, have recourse to only one machine-shop for general work in this place. This was started in 1886 on Patten Street, near the railroad, by Matthew Pryor. His principal business is the manufacture of small hardware and small nov- elties, steam fittings, and general jobbing, door-stops, saw sharpeners for carpenters, parts of electric cloeks and the like. General repairs of lawn-mowers, sewing- machines, hicyeles, in fact, almost anything which an ingenious man or boy can make, will not be turn- ed away. This shop, although small, has quite a va- riety of machine tools, for it is crowded with ma- chinery which is propelled by a small steam-engine on the premises. Mr. Pryor has gradually increased his business as his ingenuity and good nature have come to be appreciated ; his shop is always a good in- dustrial school for boys wishing to learn, and, if your historian is able to judge, is worthy of much larger patronage, a larger shop, with more extensive business.

Ross' Carriage and Wagon Factory .- On Spring Street, near Main Street, is now located the carriage factory of John Ross, which is known for its thorough and substantial work. lleavy express wagons or the lightest pleasure vehicles have been made. Dr. Hosmer's carriage, fitted for protection in bad weather, was made here. So was Dr. Mead's. Mr. Ross does both the iron-work and also the wood- work and the painting and finishing at his shop. He employs four men. Mr. Ross bought out Mr. George Finneley in 1867. Mr. Ross made for the town the hook-and-ladder truck which has seen some service, and promises to do much more. In contrast with this may be mentioned a buggy which he built, that, when complete and ready for use, weighed only thirty-seven pounds.

Boots and Shoes .- Shoe Manufacture .- No large manufactories have ever been carried on in town. Little but custom work and repairs have been at- tempted here. Among those engaged in this business should be mentioned Mr. A. D. Drew, who generally supplies foot-wear for any customer who has the means and the courage to onee give him his measure. Although he expects more pay for his boots and shoes at the start, it has been found in the end by some of our shrewdest investors to cost less in the end to be kept whole-footed.

Mr. Drew began in 1849, on the corner of Pleasant and Galen Streets. He was alone for one year, then moved into the upper part of a building that stood where the post-oflice now is, where he had three men

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for three years. Then he oce upied a building where Lunt & Co.'s dry-goods store now is. About 1856 he moved into the building on the corner of Galen and Mt. Auburn Streets, where he employed five men. He had also at the same time a small shop in Newton. In ISCI he moved across Galen Street to the opposite corner, where Mr. Sheridan was his apprentice. Dur- ing the war he moved up-stairs, and employed seven men. Here he did the largest business of his life, too large to be entirely profitable, although it includ- ed such jobs as, for instance, thirty-three pairs of cavalry boots at $30 per pair; and boots for uearly every man in Company K, just before the close of the war. IIe, himself, enlisted in May, 1865, but did not have occasion to leave Camp White, which was pitched on Main Street, just beyond the West School- house.

Mr. Drew served in the old Fire Department, of which for some years he was chief, and where his name will ever be preserved.

lle has done good work enough for the preserva- tion and safety of our homes, for temperance and good order, to say nothing of the stores of good boots and shoes which he has made, to merit an old age of honor and repose.

Painters .- Among the active business men of the past fifty years may be mentioned Henry Russell, painter. lle began in Brighton, but became estab- lished in this town in 1847. Ile employed in his business of painting, glazing and papering houses, sometimes as many as thirty men. Many in all the surrounding towns were familiar with his work, which was done according to agreement, with en- ergy and faithfulness, He was chairman of the parish committee of the First l'arish for many years, serving with equal energy and faithfulness till his dleath, in 1889.

John Page has for many years followed with credit the same business which his son George A. Page now follows, occupying the old Barrett building on Beacon Square.

CHAPTER XXXV.

WATERTOWN-(Continued).

SOCIETIES, PHYSICIANS, &C.

AMONG the societies organized in town for work of various kinds, social and benevolent, may be named the following :

FREEMASONRY IN WATERTOWN.1-The first Ma- sonic body organized in Watertown was Meridian Lodge, chartered Dec. 11, 1797, having a jurisdiction embracing towns between Boston and Coneord, and concerning the carly history of which little is posi-

tively known. The late Leonard Whitney, sr., of this town, was a member, and related that in the troub- lous times of Masonry it was customary to vary the place of meetings from town to town, members driv- ing to the appointed place, carrying guns with them to ward off possible danger. Mr. Whitney at that time resided near the Acton Powder-mill. He, with Asa Stone, Asa Pratt, Mr. Dana, and others who were early members of Pequossette Lodge, used to delight in talking over the experiences of the Anti-Masonie period. Meridian Lodge lost its original eharter and lodge furnishings by fire, and after several removals became established permanently in Natick, where it has fine lodge-rooms and a large membership, being at the present time one of the leading and best-working lodges of the State.

For many years Watertown had no Masonie lodge prior to the coming of William Webster, as principal of the High School, from Lexington. He had recently taken the degrees in Pettee's Lodge (so-called because its meetings were held in Worshipful Brother Pettee's house), in West Cambridge, and with the assistance of old-time Masons obtained a charter for Pequossette Lodge. He left Watertown several years later, taught school in Rye, New York, and died in that State four or five years ago. He was the first Master of Pequos- sette Lodge, and the first one of its Past-Masters to die. The original officers and members of l'equos- sette Lodge were as follows: William Webster, W. M. ; Daniel H. Marshall, S. W .; Joseph B. Keyes, J. W .; Henry Derby, Treas .; Warren J. Lindley, Sec. ; Henry C. Vose, Chaplain ; George Marsh, Marshal ; Isaac Watts, S. D. ; George K. Hooper, J. D .; Alfred Ilowes, S. S .; Adolph Lewando, J. S .; Asa Stone, Tyler. Members-Asa Pratt, Daniel Howard, Charles Wilkins, Sewall HIiscoek, J. H. Clarke, Robert Mur- ray, David B. Horn, Samuel Richardson, Daniel Marshall, George Hill, William Nichols, Horace Clark, William B. Fowle, Jr., Leonard Whitney and George A. Hicks.

The preliminary meeting was held in Constitution Hall, Dana Block, December 17, 1856. At the next meeting, January 13, 1857, the name was changed to Masonic Hall, and the Grand Lodge dispensation was received and accepted.

The first initiates were George W. Harrington, Luke Perkins and Miles Pratt, February 13, 1857. At the next meeting William W. Russell and John K. Stickney were the first admitted members. The latter is now an honorary member.

May 8, 1857, Robert L. Davis and James W. Magee were given the third degree. Mr. Davis has retained active membership and a lively interest in the lodge ever since, and has contributed more than any other individual member to the success of the lodge.

After working one year under dispensation, in ae- cordance with Masonic custom, Pequossette Lodge was duly constituted, December 23, 1857, with im- pressive ceremonies, by Grand Master John T. Heard,

1 By Alberto F. Haynes.

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and at the close about sixty members and guests were provided with a "bountiful and luxurious " repast, as the records state, at the Spring Hotel, Samuel Batch- elder, mine host, being a member of the lodge.

The first death was that of Daniel Marshall, who was buried with Masonic honors, September 3, 1858. The first public installation was held December 29, 1858. October 14, 1864, the lodge attended the lay- ing of the corner-stone of the new Masonic Temple, Boston. December 23, 1864, a public installation was held in the town hall.

The first meeting in the new hall, Noyes' Block, was held September 8, 1870, and the hall was dedi- cated October 5, 1870, an address being delivered in the town hall by Wor. Bro. John B. Goodrich.

January 9, 1890, the lodge occupied, for the first time, its new and spacious rooms in the Otis building, of which it holds a ten years' lease. These quarters have been dedicated to Freemasonry, and were ar- ranged especially to meet the needs of Pequossette Lodge.

The total membership has exceeded 300. The present membership is about 140. The largest num- ber of members admitted in one year was 24, in 1863. Of the early members, Robert L. Davis is now alone, ont of 33 admitted to January, 1858; and of the 151 admitted during the first ten years, less than 30 re- main. Among those taking membership or degrees were Rev. Dr. Luther T. Townsend, of Watertown ; the late Rev. Bradford K. Peirce, of Newtou, editor of Zion's Herald; James S. Allison, Jonas Chenery, of Belmont; George K. Snow, Joseph Crafts, George Sleeper, and a large number of the active business men and influential citizens of the town.

List of Past Masters: William Webster, 1858-59; Robert L. Davis, 1860-61, 1870-71; William J. Un- derwood, 1862; Thomas N. Hooper, 1863-64; Joseph Sanger, jr., 1865; John B. Goodrich, 1866; William H. Clark, 1867; Charles W. Stone, 1868-69; Charles T. Perkins, 1872; Charles Brigham, 1873-74; Samuel F. Stearns, 1875-76; Robert F. Horne, 1877-78; Charles H. Bradlee, 1879; Benjamin H. Dow, 1880- 81; Isaac Harrington, 1882-83; George II. Tarlton, 1884-85; George G. Davidson, 1886; Alberto F. Haynes, 1887-88.

The officers at present are as follows : Herbert H. Sawyer, W. M .; Frederick E. Critebett, S. W .; Ben- jamin W. Brown, J. W. ; Charles W. Stone, Treasurer ; George F. Robinson, Secretary; Rev. William H. Savage, Chaplain ; Robert L. Davis, Marshal ; Charles F. Bustin, S. D .; John M. Johnson, J. D. ; James H. Fraser, I. S .; Freeman H. Edgcomb, Tyler. The Treasurer has held the office for twenty years, and the Tyler for twenty-five years.

While Pequossette Lodge has been established only thirty-three years, it is older than any other secret society of this town, although at present there are a dozen or more of these, founded mainly as in- surance organizations. The Masonic Lodge has held

a steady, even tenor, and is to-day better situated and enjoying a greater degree of prosperity than ever be- fore. Its record is naturally of an individualized character, representing the social and fraternal phase of men who have left, or are making, their imprint on our growing community. Its regular meeting is held the second Thursday in each month, and there are Saturday evening gatherings of a distinctively social nature in the lodge apartments.

ODD-FELLOWS.1-Lafayette Lodge, No. 31, Inde- pendent Order of Odd-Fellows, was instituted and charter granted the 26th of January, 1844. The lodge prospered until 1850, and iu 1852 the charter was surrendered. Nothing was done until April 1, 1863, when the charter was returned and the lodge reiu- stated, since which time it has continually prospered, and has met with considerable success, the member- ship now being 13S. There have been and are now enrolled upon the books the names of men who have been prominent and closely connected with Water- town. It has initiated over 400 men into its ranks, and has the honor of being the mother of three lodges. Of its work little can be said, as the order of Odd-Fellows is a secret organization. But suffice it to say that in all its history there has never been a brother injured or harmed by it, but, ou the contrary, many have been benefited by it, and that must mean that it has helped to make better men, better citizens and a better town. Upon the roll-books are the names of Thomas L. French, just deceased, and William H. Iugraham, who have the honor of being members for over forty years, a record which all Odd- Fellows feel proud of. The objects of the order are clearly defined and embodied iu these few words, viz. : To visit the sick, to relieve the distressed, to bury the dead and to educate the orphan. This, so far as he can, every Odd-Fellow tries to perform. Officers for 1890 : H. H. Powell, N. G .; J. W. New- comb, Per. Sec.

THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.2- The Young Men's Christian Association of Water- town was organized in March, 1887, having for its object the promotion of the spiritual, social, intellec- tual and physical welfare of young men.

Reoms were secured in W. HI. Lymau's new block, then in process of erection, and a lease taken for three years.

The rooms were opened, in a fitting manner, on Sep- temher 3d, of the same year, with a consecration ser- vice in the morning, after which they were opeu to inspection of the public. At 12 M. an address was delivered in the Town Hall by Rev. L. W. Munhall, D.D., and a reception to the public in the evening, when refreshments were served to 800 people.

Mr. George S. Turner was elected the first presi- dent of the association, and served three years. Fred. G. Barker was elected in 1890. The president has been

1 By Charles H. Rollins.

2 By James E, Norcross.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

ably supported by an carnest corps of young men, and the Association has prospered, and been the means, by the blessing of God, of doing much good for the young men of the town.

Mr. II. L. Peabody, of Haverhill, Mass., was the first general secretary, and since January 20, 1890, Mr. J. E. Norcross, of Watertown, has been the gen- eral secretary. The Executive Committee, alive to the needs of the young men, rented new quarters in the Otis Block and moved into them July 1, 1890.

The unceasing demands of the Association were thus met for a time and great encouragement given to prosecute the work.

The four rooms thus secured are a reading-room, where may be found a choice collection of reading matter, open to young men from 9.30 A.M. to 9.30 p.M .; a lecture room, with an office for the General Secretary, in which are held the various services of the Association, also lectures and practical talks; a small room to be used as a study and library ; and a room to be devoted to boys' work.

The Association has a flourishing Ladies' Auxil- iary connected with it, under the leadership of its president, Mrs. Alfred Turner; also an orchestra, which contributes a great deal to the attractiveness of the Association's services and socials.

The finances have been ably managed, and the close of each year has found a balance in the hands of the treasurer.

The membership of the Association is, October, 1890, 250; and the officers at present are as follows : President, Fred. G. Barker ; Vice-Presidents, F. G. Barker, II. S. Wood, T. G. Banks; Rec. Secretary, B. M. Shaw ; Cor. Secretary, W. L. Rockwell; Treas- urer, S. Henry Coombs; Gen'l Secretary, Jas. E. Noreross.

" THE SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF THE SICK" was organized in the year 1816, during the pastorate of the Rev. Richard Rosewell Eliot, when all the towns-people worshipped in one meeting-house. A severe epidemic had visited the town, after which it was thought wise to have articles on hand for loaning in enses of sickness and also to have a fund which could be drawn upon in cases of need. For those days this was a new departure, and deserves the merit of originality. The following was its first appeal : " Donations in money, old garments, bedding, articles suitable to be made up for children, nourishment for the sick, and fuel, will be gratefully received by the directors and appropriated according to their best judgment." Its officers for the years 1816-1817 were: Mrs. Eliakim Morse, president ; Miss Caroline How- ard, vice-president; Miss Martha Robbins, secretary ; Mrs. N. Bemis, jr., treasurer.

Its directors were ; Mrs. R. R. Eliot, Mrs. Luke Bemis, Mrs. Isaac Dana, Mrs. Stearns, Mrs. A. Blake. Mrs. Jonathan Stone, jr., Mrs. Robbins, Mrs. Abijab White, Mrs. Gay, Mrs. Bigelow, Miss Katherine Hunt, Mis4 H. L. Coolidge.

One hundred and six of the principal ladies in town became members of the society, each paying the annual fee of one dollar.

During the years that have passed since, many have made substantial gifts to the society, and some of the older inhabitants at their deaths have left small lega- cies to be added to its funds. Among these gifts we may mention that of Lydia Maria Child, which is a pleasant reminder of her tender memory for the peo- ple among whom she passed a portion of her earlier life with her brother, Dr. Francis.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 97

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