USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Monson > History of Monson, Massachusetts > Part 11
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The search for ways to improve both the physical well being and mental outlook of the epileptic patient is constantly going forward. Each year new anticonvulsant drugs are tested under strict laboratory control in an effort to find a drug that will be of more benefit to the patient. For the last five years a highly organized course
of training has been in charge of the Direc- tor of Nurses-Miss Bernice Vennert, R. N., where patients have been given a two year course in caring for the crippled children and the aged. Recently the Legislature voted favorably to give a therapeutic stipend for 40 hours per week of work to this group who completed the required training. Other projects for Hospital Housekeepers are func- tioning throughout the hospital. Even the mentally disturbed patients are working in groups and their tendency to be destruc- tive is converted to a useful purpose. Ex- ample: When the hair mattresses come from the sterilizer the hair is in balls. These patients tear the balls apart instead of tearing their clothing. It keeps them busy, interested in building up a good pile of this fluffy hair which is sent to the Indus- trial Room where the hair is again made into mattresses by patients who have been trained to do this work.
Thus one of the first grants of land in Monson - that of David Killian - has grown into the largest single tract of land, and the Monson State Hospital provides employment for more people (746, with a yearly payroll of over $2,500,000) than any other business or institution within the town of Monson.
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Monson State Hospital - Girl Scout Troop No. 465, Court of Awards.
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HISTORY OF MONSON
Public Services
POST OFFICE
The Monson Post Office was established June 24, 1814, and became a Third Class Presidential Office in 1874, a Money Order Office in 1871 and an International Money Order Office in July 1881.
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Postmaster, William P. Stone, Jr., presenting a certificate from the Post Office Department to Charles H. F. Osborne for forty-three years ser- vice to the department. Mr. Osborne, who re- tired in 1955, was then serving as assistant to the postmaster. Left to right: Henry Hale, Sr., Wil- liam P. Stone, Jr., Venanzio Uliana, Charles Os- borne, Thomas Hilliard, Mrs. Osborne, Richard Crowley, Omer Bradway, Earl Cookman, Jr.
For nearly sixty-five years the office was located at various places along Main Street. In 1879 it moved into the Central Block on Main Street. This building burned November 12, 1893, and all of the property with the exception of a few records was destroyed. The office was then housed in the old bank building at the corner of Main and State Streets, and later moved to the Nor- cross building, site of the old Central Block.
In 1923 the office was advanced to Second Class with city delivery. In 1941 the Post Office was moved to its present location in the buildng now owned by Yale H. Brown.
Rural Free Delivery was inaugurated in 1904 with Fay P. Holdridge appointed rural carrier and his father, George L. Holdridge, appointed substitute carrier for route one at a salary of $702 per annum.
Wesley H. Holdridge was appointed car- rier for route two and his father, Wilbur, was the substitute carrier. The salary for route two was $684. The mail was delivered
using two-wheel gigs for transportation.
Other rural carriers have been Arthur Bennett, also of horse and buggy days, who retired in 1928; Alfred Norcross and Henry S. Hale, Sr.
SNOWMOBILE - Omer Bradway and Alfred Nor- cross purchased these vehicles in 1929 for use on their mail routes. Geared low and equipped with apparatus operating on the tractor principle, also with runners in front, the snowmobile was capable of surmounting the toughest going.
Thomas J. Hilliard is now assistant to the postmaster, Konstanty Misiaszek is clerk and Earl R. Cookman, Jr., is substitute clerk. The present rural carriers are Omer E. Bradway and Venanzio D. Uliana, the city carrier is Richard D. Crowley and Leonard L. Villemaire is substitute carrier.
POSTMASTERS
Artemus Wiswell
June 24, 1814
Rufus Flynt
July 29, 1816
Edwin Norcross
January 28, 1836
William Packard
May 24 1841
Austin Fuller
Aug. 22, 1845
Lucius Truesdell
April 10. 1847
Foster Pepper
July 7, 1853
Justus Torrey
June 26, 1858
Elmer G. Miles
June 21, 1861
Daniel G. Potter
Sept. 18, 1866
Myron D. Porter
April 8, 1869
Edwin Towne
June 26, 1869
Rice S. Munn
Dec. 22, 1873
Arthur D. Norcross
Nov. 13, 1880
G. W. Farrington
May 25, 1886
John P. Herlihy Jr. Aug. 12, 1895
George Seymour Jan. 3, 1900
Frederick J. Sullivan Sr.
Sept. 14. 1914
William H. Anderson March 3, 1923
J. Robert Crowley July 1, 1936
William P. Stone Jr.
May 10, 1947
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HISTORY OF MONSON
RAILROADS
The Western Railroad, later known as the Boston and Albany Railroad, which runs through the northwestern corner of Monson was opened in 1839. In order to use this new mode of transportation, it was necessary to transport passengers and freight to Pal- mer by team.
STATE LINE STATION
The section of the New London, Willi- mantic and Paimer Railroad Company which connected Stafford to Palmer was opened on September 20, 1850, and the familiar brick station on Washington Street was erected in 1857. This company operated the line until January 5, 1859, when it was taken over by Trustees for the Bondholders who ran it until March 30, 1861. On that date it was sold to the New London Northern who ran it for about ten years.
The Central Vermont Railway operated this line under lease from June 25, 1873, until December 17, 1951 at which time they
OLD TRESTLE
purchased the line from the New London Northern.
The industrial importance of this rail- way through the center of town was stressed in that chapter. It heralded the beginning of Monson's greatest industrial era.
RAILROAD STATION
The railroad was an important event in the lives of people as well, for up to now travel had been limited to the distance a horse and carriage could carry one. The railroad opened a whole new territory to explore. Excursions were planned to New London, Block Island and other exciting places. The trains were used extensively during the summer months to carry special cars filled with picnickers bound for a day's outing at State Line Pond.
During these important years of the railroad , four passenger pick-up stations were maintained. In addition to the Main Station on Washington Street, smaller ones were located at North Monson near the C. F. Church factory site, at the corner of Lower Hampden Road and Elm Street, and near the State Line Crossing.
With the advent of the automobile, few- er people used the trains and passenger service was discontinued in the smaller towns. Trucks are now competing with the railroads for the freight business and the Central Vermont discontinued its freight agent in Monson in 1959. The station was taken down in February 1960.
MAIN ST. TROLLEY
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HISTORY OF MONSON
ELECTRICITY
The Palmer Electric Company was in- corporated June 15, 1887, for the purpose of "Manufacturing and furnishing light, heat and power by electricity" in the town of Pal- mer.
At the 1887 Town Meeting in Monson, seven hundred dollars was appropriated for the introduction of electric lights to the vil- lage on condition that $400 be subscribed by the townspeople. The May 20, 1887, issue of The Palmer Journal states that this amount had been raised, but editorials in subsequent issues lead us to believe that the plans were not carried out.
George C. Flynt and other civic-minded citizens worked diligently and on January 6, 1893, the Palmer Electric Company changed its corporate name to the Palmer and Monson Electric Company and extended service to the town of Monson.
On January 19, 1894, the Central Massa- chusetts Electric Company was incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and at a stockholders' meet- ing on February 1, 1894, it was voted to purchase the Palmer and Monson Electric Company.
On February 9, 1951, the Central Massachusetts Electric Company was merged into the Worcester County Electric Company who now supply us with light and power.
TELEPHONES
The introduction of telephones into Western Massachusetts spread rapidly after the issuance of a patent to Alexander Gra- ham Bell in 1876.
The first mention of a telephone line into Monson appears in the March 27, 1880,
TELEPHONE SWITCHBOARD
issue of The Palmer Journal: "The telephone lines from the freight office of the New Lon- don Northern Railroad in Palmer to Monson is now complete and works finely, making it easy to talk with a person in Monson as it is with one in the same room."
TELEPHONE BUILDING
This line was soon extended to Ware ac- cording to the April 10th issue : "On Wednes- day evening through connection was made between Monson and Ware, communication being carried on without any difficulty, while music at Monson was heard and en- joyed at the freight office in Palmer."
These lines were private installations of the New London Northern Railroad.
The Central Massachusetts Telephone Co. opened an office in Palmer on May 1, 1881, with twenty-one phones in Palmer and seventeen in Monson. At this time, Monson, Palmer and Three Rivers were all on the same circuit. The territory covered by this company extended from Springfield to Bos- ton, with the exception of the larger towns. They owned the old Franklin Telegraph line over which their messages were conveyed.
The May 28, 1881, issue of The Palmer Journal reported a second wire to Monson had been installed to accomodate increased business. A wire had also been run to the State Primary School.
The Massachusetts Telephone Co. bought out the Central Massachusetts Telephone Co. in 1881, which the following year merged with the Hampden Telephone Co. to form the Bay State Telephone Co. The New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. formed Octo- ber 19, 1883, succeeded the Bay State Tele- phone Co. The Palmer exchange was as- signed to the Western Division.
The May 1907 Telephone Topics con-
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HISTORY OF MONSON
tains this item about Monson: "The Monson Exchange has the best farmers' line de- velopment of any Exchange in the Western Division. Every single highway leading from the center of town has a telephone line run- ning out several miles. Miss Nellie R. Par- ker, who has operated this exchange for several years at her residence, (234 Main Street) has been quite ill and will probably have to give up the business."
Three months later the following item appeared: "The Monson Exchange moved from Parkers' home to the larger rooms far- ther uptown in Heimann and Lichten's Building near the bank. As soon as the new three-position board arrives and has been installed, Monson will have as nice a tele- phone exchange as many places of several times its number of inhabitants."
Monson's central office moved to the
second floor of the Norcross Block in June, 1912, and later to the second floor of the Bank Building.
In keeping with the modernization poli- cy of the telephone company, land on Main Street was purchased from the Monson Home for Aged People, Inc. The house located thereon was destroyed to make way for a new dial office building. The conversion to the dial system took place in March, 1955.
At that time Dorothy Dalton was the Chief Operator, assisted by Dorothy Sulli- van, Supervisor; Elizabeth O'Brien, Shirley Roberts, Marie Beaulieu, Eleanor Antog- noni, Eunice Thorin, Charlotte Finnerty, Ruth Elliott, Margaret Meurisse, Doris Man- ley, Marilyn Manley, Joan Shields and Joan Hoy. Many of these operators accepted the offer of the company to work at the Palmer or Springfield Exchanges.
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HISTORY OF MONSON
Early Home Sites
Some of the houses pictured have hand hewn beams, wooden pegs, hand made laths, shakes and hand made metal nails.
Since Brimfield was a parent town, shall we start at that bound ? Turning to the right, there is a small, close to the ground, gambrel roof house with central chimney and a secret hiding place next to it.
This was built circa 1720, and it is thought to have been a posting place for change of horses.
Early families : Nichols, Buffington, Locke and John Miller from 1877-1908; now owned by Miss Emily Woods.
The Dr. Joseph Grout house, built around 1750. Later Parley S. Anderson, ancestor of one of our present druggists, Bert P. Ander- son ; purchased by Ralph Carew and lived in by Holridges and Flemings. It is now being restored by the present owner Charles Pierce.
The home of John Robbins and his moth- er. This is known as the William Beebe house built around 1800. Owned by William Beebe and later by his son Mark. It is located at the corner of Beebe and Reed Roads.
On East Hill Road we come to the early home of Ezra King, built in 1715, and the barn in 1716.
Early deed gives evidence that John Keep bought this from Ezra King, when Ezra wanted to move so as to be near his Gristmill on Elbow brook. Later, in 1755 it was con- veyed to Jabez Keep.
The ell part of the house was added in 1860 by Parley Anderson, and the barn was torn down in 1880. A new one was built in the same year, using some of the sound tim- bers of the first one. William and Wilbur Holdridge occupied the house until 1916 and then sold to Warren R. Goodrich, who in turn sold to Peter and Joann Griswold in 1960. Another and smaller house built by Ezra was taken down in 1879.
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HISTORY OF MONSON
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"On June 19, 1906, a large black bear was killed. It was in the afternoon when Mrs. Holdridge sent word to Mrs. O. E. Bradway Sr. that there was a black bear in the mead- ow. Mr. Bradway came with his gun. He, together with Fred and Harry Beckwith, Wilber Holdridge and Mr. Pease set out for the pasture with their guns. The bear was killed, a tin plate nailed onto the tree from which it was shot. The tree was blown over in a storm in 1913.
The present home of Omer E. Bradway is located on what is known as the John Acher- son grant. There have been arrow heads, small pieces of china and silverware found in this area. Below is a picture showing a few of articles found.
There is a story of the days when the Achersons lived there. The father was killed, and the small boy was "bound out" to Simeon Keep. Later it was sold by Mr. Keep for the boy. There is a deed in possession of one of his descendants noting the same.
Another picture showing 'treasures' taken from the area where an "old" house has been. According to 1855 map it could have been the home of a Puffer family. Earl Cookman and family having built a new house, and fixing the lawn, discovered the foundation of a former house or barn. Below is a picture of some of the articles that have been dug up.
The "ell part" toward the west is the old part. 1855 map shows B. Church living there. This was the home of Ira Bradway and son
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HISTORY OF MONSON
William. Wm. Wright lived there and Joseph Sunter in 1890. Other occupants have been the Lintons, Teales and Repaskys. Present owners and living there are Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hladky, East Hill. Circa: 1800.
The home of Edward Sutcliffe, known earlier as the old Daniel Fosket place was purchased in 1848 by Matthew Sutcliffe, grandfather of Edward. Circa 1750-1770.
Circa: 1800. The 1855 map shows the name of Wm. King living there. Other names mentioned that are thought to have lived there are: Ansel Shaw, the late Mrs. Maude Fitzpatrick nee Alberty was born there. Cooney, Byron Moon, Snow, Welch, Jurczyk and the present owners, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Misiaszek and family. (This house will be taken down as a new one has been built.)
Here it may be of interest to note that buildings were moved, even in those days. Beyond the Misiasek home on the right side of the road, was a home owned by James Pendergast. As the story goes, the house was moved and re-assembled at the place where James Kane now lives on the Upper Stafford Road. Several yoke of oxen were used.
This place was purchased by Homer Squier in 1913. Previous owner was Alonzo Weldon who possessed it for about 37 years. He got it from William Grout, and it was at one time owned by Henry Beckwith.
Water supply for the buildings is from a well in the mowing of Samuel Koran, 875 feet away. A stone at the well with the ini- tials B.W.G. may denote the date it was dug. The lot was bought from Rufus Steb- bin's parents, Warren and Lucy, and was known as the "still lot." At one time there was a legal still about one hundred and twenty-five feet south west from the well.
The house was remodeled in 1935 and a room added to the North West corner, and to the kitchen on the North east side, to match an addition that had been put on when the original roof on the main part was shin- gled with "shakes."
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Originally the Munn Place and later the home of Edson Walker and his descendants until bought by Samuel Koran. Built circa 1760-1790.
Miss Eliza Walker who was born there is still very active and interested in current af- fairs. Her present home is on Washington Street and until last year drove her own car.
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HISTORY OF MONSON
As this area is in the section of early settlement, it might be well to mention, that the Stebbins Place was always in that family until bought by Harold Blodgett. The house is not the original and the barn was built by Warren and Lucy Stebbins.
In 1789 Diana Walker and Jonas Moul- ton were married and lived in this house. A deed in possession of the owner relates that the house was moved "from the edge of Bradway's Garden" to its present site, be- cause of road re-location. It was owned by Towar Moulton and he passed it down to his daughter Bessie; Mrs. Guy Pelton.
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The Irving Bradway House on Moulton Hill Excerpts
"Abel Bradway, son of William Bradway, married and lived for awhile at Smithfield, N. J., decided to strike out and find a new home.
Mounted on horseback and carrying all of their earthly possessions in saddlebags; the young couple traversed a wilderness trail that finally brought them to Moulton Hill. Abel built himself a small house, and a few years later erected the house which his de- scendants occupy today.
The large central chimney and fireplace in each room was in the center of the house.
Thirty years ago-1934-the chimney was removed and the house was remodeled.
The attic still contains relics of early times. Among these are large and small spinning wheels, looms, candle molds, lan- terns, clothes, books and an Ancient Cheese press, which was used as recently as 1929 to make Thanksgiving and Christmas cheeses.
In the living room is a very old set of dishes, an Adam Clock, canteen and musket used by Rodney in Civil War; a six ft. rifle which Amon Bradway, son of Abel, used for hunting. Tradition has it that Amon, born in Monson in 1811 was a noted hunter and his favorite hunting ground was the Mt. in Brimfield, now called Steerage Rock." Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Felton remodeled in 1953-John Scott bought it in 1954.
Presently owned by Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hickey
This is one of the early houses to be built in Monson. It is gambrel roof, near to the ground and of early construction. There is some conjecture as to whether it housed a store, or whether the store was in a small cabin by itself.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Barber. Built circa 1790-1800. Earlier the home of David and Jerusha Bradway. About 1900 a family by the name of Lannigan lived there and later Mr. Michael Kaminski bought it and lived there for some years. David and Jerusha were great-grandparents of Winnie Bradway Bliss of Pease Ave.
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HISTORY OF MONSON
This place is the home of Mrs. Paul Lobik on Moulton Hill, and was built around 1795 and at that time lived in by Daniel Moulton.
Mr. Moulton would collect the bones avail- able, and the rancid ones were ground into fertilizer, and the better ones were steamed and made into bone meal.
Back to the Wales Road, in the area known as Conant's Dam is a small house which has, until the 1930's been in the Conant family. It was purchased by the Senecal family. The back part of the house or ell was a part of the old grist mill. A brother, Seneca Conant, lived across the way in the house where Thomas Smart lives. He spent his latter days with the late Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Squier of Moulton Hill.
Returning to Brimfield Road to the north, we find on King road the home of Clarence Holmes. The house has been enlarged, but features of the original still remain. It was
in this house that the first Town Meeting was held.
In deeds at Springfield, Vol. 14, Page 136 where Samuel King for one hundred pounds "paid by my son, Samuel King, husbandman, conveys land in Monson, easterly part of Dis- trict on a Hill called King's Hill and adjoin- ing East on the road, north on Josiah Keep, west on Capt. Hitchcock, and South on land that was originally Thomas King's, it being my home-lot where I now live, bounded, be- gin a large stone set up in Thomas King's North line, 260 rods to the road aforesaid, thence running north to Josiah Keep's south line, thence west on said Keep's south line and in the south line of Richard Bishop land 260 rods to Capt. Hitchcock's N. E. corner then south in Capt. Hitchcock's line to first mentioned bounds, containing 176 Acres."
Signed December 28, 1769
Built in 1799-Colonial architecture by Abel Goodell. Later lived in by the Carpenter family. Charles, Joseph, C. Walter Carpen- ter, Alice Carpenter Vaill and Ernest Car- penter who now lives on the Boston Road.
A porch was added which is the only struc- tural change. At the time of C. Walter living there, he carried on both fruit and dairy projects. Mrs. Lilla Carpenter is still living there.
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HISTORY OF MONSON
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On the Carpenter Road to the South, is the home of Arthur Richardson. He purchased this house from Charles Anderson who had earlier purchased it from Arthur Howe, whose grandfather Asa King built the large section in 1820. The small part, using large timbers and plaster was constructed in or about 1795. At one time it was the home of the Reverend Jesse Ives.
Originally the John Keep grant, settling here in 1720
The first house on the site burned in 1797 and the present one built in 1798. This was owned by Simeon, Simeon, Jr., and his daughter Lucy who married Charles Carpen- ter, father of Joseph and Daniel. It was con- veyed to Joseph, who felt it was too small for him so he exchanged with his brother Daniel.
Miss Alice Carpenter, granddaughter of Daniel, is still living and was long a well liked teacher in our public schools.
This was purchased by O. C. McCray in 1902 and sold by his estate in 1926 to the late Clarence Richardson, father of the pres- ent owner, Arthur Richardson. This is locat- ed at the top of McCray's Hill on Carpenter Rd.
Presently owned by C. C. McCray and lived in by Irving Crosby, a direct descend- ant of the Norman Crosby's of Silver St.
Jonathon Flynt purchased it in 1785; sold to Asa Gates in 1794; becoming the property of Calvin S. Pease in 1869. It was passed to his daughter Alice in 1903 and to her son Carlos McCray in 1950. It was moved to low- er State Street when a larger house was built.
This was the birthplace of Fanny Gates Bradford, well liked house mother at Monson Academy.
Fanny Gates Bradford lived to celebrate her 100th birthday.
OTHER EARLY HOME JOSEPH BUTLER HOUSE
The house next to Butler Cemetery was owned by Deacon Joseph Butler-who around 1795, as that is the year in which he gave the cemetery plot to the town. Other names listed in connection with this are Jo- seph Stimson, Joshua Fuller, Jr., Anna But- ler, Daniel Mixter, Azariah Butler.
Purchased in the late 1950's by William Boyd. He has renovated it. Its early owner was Munroe Poole, a railroad man from West Springfield. Mrs. Poole moved to the Edwin Hobson house at the corner of Hamp- den Rd. and Butler Road.
WILLIAM NORCROSS HOME
William Norcross home. Built around 1775, showing features of Luther Carter Style. The inside hinges on the doors are of longer than usual length to give greater strength. The "look out" on the top was probably used to watch for Indians. It may have been a Tavern and Trading Post. It later became a boarding house for the employees of the S. F. Cushman & Sons; Heiman & Lichten; Adam Neidzerwicki; Victor Coteau; Donald Dixon and now owned by the Harold Wade Est.
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HISTORY OF MONSON
William Norcross, 1790-1800 .- It may have been used for a caretaker's cottage for the Tavern. Later became property of Cha- pins, Cushmans, Heiman and Lichten and now the Kearns.
Built circa 1790-1800. The names of Gid- dings and Spaulding are found in early pa- pers. Ellen Chapin owned it Oct. 14, 1887. Solomon Cushman Est. conveyed to Hannah C. Sheriffs Aug. 1912. Present owner is Edna Sheriffs.
Along side of "Chiccuppee" Brook, and facing Chestnut Street, is a small white house which dates back to 1734.
The original hand hewn beams for the ceiling and some of the original floors and doors are still there.
The following are some of the ownership dates :
John King 1846 Charles Stebbins 1854
Lewis King 1847
Daniel Fosket 1852
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