USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Needham > History of Needham, Massachusetts, 1711-1911 : including West Needham, now the town of Wellesley, to its separation from Needham in 1881, with some reference to its affairs to 1911 > Part 45
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Wellesley > History of Needham, Massachusetts, 1711-1911 : including West Needham, now the town of Wellesley, to its separation from Needham in 1881, with some reference to its affairs to 1911 > Part 45
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In December, 1909, Charles Dana Burrage of Needham was chosen Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter and in December, 19II, was elected for the third time.
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS
Eliot Lodge Number 58 was instituted at Newton Upper Falls on January 30, 1845, but on May 22 of that year the charter was surrendered, and there was no serious at- tempt to revive it till 1869. The charter was again taken up on February 25, 1870, and when first instituted the lodge met every Wednesday evening in the Parker Building, it then met from 1874 to 1887 in the Odd Fellows Building, where it lost all of its property by the burning of the building on the night of May 12 and 13, 1887. After the fire it held its meetings for years in the Masonic Hall, Kingsbury Block, and then removed to Needham Heights, where it meets in Highland Hall. Within two years of the fire the lodge purchased a fine paraphernalia.
The meetings have been held on Tuesday evenings for a long time, but at different periods on Thursday evenings. In 1890 there were about fifty members, and on December 31, 1910, there were one hundred and four, which in March, 19II, had increased to one hundred and fifteen.
Sincerity Lodge Number 173 of Wellesley and Home Lodge of Newton Upper Falls, both of which are prosperous, were originated by former members of Eliot Lodge. Sincer- ity Lodge was organized on August 9, 1875, and at first met every Monday evening in Waban Hall. In 1908 it had a membership of upward of one hundred, and had a hall especially adapted to its uses in Shattuck's Building.
OTHER SOCIETIES AND ORDERS
Nehoiden Lodge Number 624 Knights of Honor was opened on May 17, 1877, and in 1889 had over forty mem- bers. For years this lodge met in the Odd Fellows Hall on alternate Wednesday evenings. In 1904 the members united with King Philip Lodge at Natick and Nehoiden Lodge ceased to exist.
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
The Ancient Order of United Workmen, Needham Lodge Number 75, was organized January 3, 1887, and had eigh- teen members in 1889. The meetings were semi-monthly on Friday evenings in Masonic Hall. The membership reached two hundred on December 29, 1908.
The United Order of the Golden Cross, Needham Com- mandery Number 327, was organized on November 17, 1887, and in 1908 had ninety-nine members, and met the first and third Mondays of each month in the Masonic Hall, Kingsbury Block.
The Improved Order of Redmen was organized in Need- ham on March 26, 1892, and lasted about two years, meet- ing semi-monthly on Wednesday evenings in Masonic Hall. Saint Elmo Council of the Royal Arcanum was instituted on March 4, 1896, and met semi-monthly on Wednesday evenings in Masonic Hall till it removed to Needham Heights, then Highlandville. There were fifty members of this Council in 1908.
The United Order of the Golden Star has been represented in Needham since July 8, 1900, by Rosemary Commandery Number 10, which has met the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the Masonic Hall, Kingsbury Block, and in 1908 had upward of two hundred members.
Within the past twenty years there have been formed in Needham a number of mutual benefit associations, and other orders and societies for the purpose of insurance, or help in times of trouble, but most of them have never obtained a permanent foothold, or a considerable member- ship. The Anglo-American Lodge Number 75 Sons of Saint George, is composed of Englishmen, and their sons and grandsons, and was organized in Needham on Decem- ber 14, 1881, and its meetings were held in Highland Hall once or twice a month on Wednesdays. It is a mutual benefit order, and those eligible to election to membership must be between the ages of eighteen and fifty, and are required to recognize the existence of a Supreme Being.
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
The members of Lodge Number 75 united with Garfield Lodge in Boston and the meetings in Highlandville ceased.
LADIES' CHARITABLE SOCIETY
According to Dr. Noyes's diary the "Ladies' Charitable Society" was organized at the "Point", on July 3, 1833, and another society, with the same name, in East Needham on July 18 which held a meeting at the house of the Rev. Daniel Kimball on the 3Ist. There seems to be nothing more in the Doctor's diary about the society at the "Point" and no one appears to know of it, but the East Needham Society continued for several years, perhaps more than ten, the members meeting once a month, sometimes oftener, at the homes of the principal citizens. Mrs. Noyes, and others whom the writer has known, were members of the Ladies' Charitable Society, and in 1847-9, when the Rev. Mr. Dall was here, the women of the First Parish had an organization of which Mrs. Noyes was the secretary. Whether this later society was a forerunner of the Ladies' Aid Society, or chiefly charitable, is not clear. It probably was the Ladies' Charitable Society previously referred to.
NEEDHAM WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE LEAGUE
Needham has for years been a stronghold of Woman Suffrage, and as early as June 12, 1873, the "Needham Woman Suffrage Club" was formed at the residence of Mrs. Eliza W. La Croix, and by the end of that year thirty- seven women and thirteen men had signed as members, assenting to its constitution and by-laws. In June, 1874, the first anniversary was celebrated in the grounds of the fine estate of Edward La Croix, which property Mr. La Croix had developed from a tract of woodland, and where he had built a spacious house. The place is now the resi- dence of Charles D. Burrage, and is known as "Twin Oaks". At this picnic of the suffragists there were two hundred
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
guests, and Lucy Stone and other friends of the cause spoke. The writer remembers hearing William Lloyd Garrison, the elder, speak at this picnic, or at another one under the auspices of the suffragists. In 1887 the name was changed to League to conform to that of similar organizations, and has continued active to the present time. This Women's Suffrage League is very dear to some of the best women in Needham, and its foundress, Mrs. La Croix, a bright, cheerful woman, much given to hospitality, is affectionately remembered by many. This League at one time had one hundred members.
NEEDHAM NATIONALIST CLUB
The Needham Nationalist Club was another advanced organization, which met at a private house, once a month, usually on a Monday evening, from 1891 to 1893, when it was given up. Charles Atherton Hicks was a leader in this club, and it included some of the most intelligent people in Needham, who discussed the great economic and social questions of the day, and listened to papers and addresses by strangers.
SOCIAL AND LITERARY UNION
The Social and Literary Union was organized by the young people on January 27, 1880, although its first president, Charles Atherton Hicks, does not appear to have been elected until February 10. Early in 1881 this association numbered about seventy, including several from Grant- ville. It met at the homes of the members at least once a month, sometimes oftener, and the musical and literary programmes were excellent. Several successful entertain- ments in behalf of good causes were given in Parker Hall, and for two years the Union was most flourishing, and continued till about 1884. George Kuhn Clarke and Isaac R. Stearns were presidents, succeeding Mr. Hicks, and both
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
served two terms. Mr. Stearns was for years a leader in the social life of the town, and was an accomplished stage- manager, whose services were in demand whenever an entertainment was contemplated. Robert E. Denfeld, principal of the East High School, was a prominent member of the Social and Literary Union, and his brother, Louis E. Denfeld, master of the West High School, also contributed to its success. Just before the Civil War there had been a Union Literary Association in East Needham, and this had divided into two distinct societies.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF HIGHLANDVILLE
On November II, 1880, several active members of the Methodist Church met to form a Young Men's Christian Association; George Clews was chosen to preside, and W. S. Russell acted as secretary. This was not the first meeting, as a committee then reported, but it is the earliest on record. On the 13th the Association was organized by the choice of Joseph B. Thorpe as president, George Clews vice-president, W. S. Russell secretary and Charles Thorpe treasurer, and these officers were continued during the two years that the Association was active, with the excep- tion of Mr. Russell, who was succeeded on October II, 1881, by Oliver Crisp. At the meeting on November 13, 1880, it was voted to open a reading-room and to keep it open each week day evening. At a meeting on the 23d the membership fee was fixed at a dollar, and a subscription list was started to raise the necessary money, some of the members having loaned enough to obtain supplies. The reading-room was opened at 6.30 P.M., on the 24th, Oliver Crisp in charge, and during the remainder of Novem- ber fifty-nine persons visited the room, the number increas- ing the following month to more than sixty in a single week. The reading-room was the same later occupied by the branch of the Needham Free Public Library, and was in Low's Block at the corner of Highland Avenue and West Street.
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Nine newspapers, or magazines, had been presented by the members, and twelve more were subscribed for, which number was increased from time to time. Early in 1881 the "boy problem" confronted the Association, and in May it was voted to admit none under fifteen years, and in October the number was limited to three each evening, but boys of twelve were then allowed to have admission tickets. In November the age limit was again made fifteen years. On May 27, 1882, the Association voted to accept the Constitution sent by the State Secretary of the Y. M. C. A., but on November II voted to close the reading-room at the end of the year. The Association was formed with a desire to help the young men and boys, and was continued for two years at much self-sacrifice on the part of the mem- bers, who took turns in looking after the reading-room. A strawberry festival was held by the Y. M. C. A. on June 20, 1882, in the vestry of the Methodist Church, and one half of the net proceeds were given to the Church. The numerous meetings of the Association were mostly at private houses, but occasionally at the reading-room, and in the spring of 1881 two, or more, meetings were in Advent Christian Hall. When the Association was first formed there was much consideration of the project to unite with a society, or circulating library then in the village, or to establish a library, and this was not entirely abandoned till it came to an end. From the records it does not appear what was the result of an effort to have a stereopticon, pre- sumably for illustrated lectures. In addition to the officers, already mentioned, George L. Kennedy, William Humber- stone and William Scotton were active, and these few men took all of the responsibility and did the work.
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NEEDHAM IMPROVEMENT SOCIETIES
From 1883 to 1885 there was an Improvement Society, which accomplished something toward making the centre of the town attractive, and a similar organization existed
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
in the late nineties. There is a vigorous society at Needham Heights, until lately Highlandville, dating from 1893, which has done much to promote "Village Improvement".
CHAUTAUQUA LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC CIRCLE
Vincent Circle of the Chautauqua was formed in Need- ham on August 18, 1884, and held its last recorded meet- ing on June 2, 1890. The class was usually about twenty- five, and the courses outlined were faithfully pursued, the members meeting alternate weeks at private houses to answer the roll-calls, and to read choice selections from literature. In 1889 a study of Concord, and of the writers whose residence in that town has made it famous, was a feature. Some persons continued their connection with Vincent Circle for six years, others took only a portion of the subjects, and a number of the students were present at Lake View on July 18, 1888, when they received diplomas.
THE TEA AND TOAST CLUB
The Tea and Toast Club was formed in 1886 and met at the houses of its members once a month during the entire year. This club was of a literary character, and consisted of sixteen ladies, whose annual party, designated "Gentle- men's Night", was a social event at which on one or more occasions every man entitled to attend was present. This somewhat exclusive club was active till about 1900, and is in existence in 1911.
MONDAY CLUB
The Monday Club was organized in October, 1899, and has met alternate Mondays from October to May, inclusive, at the homes of the members, no meeting having been post- poned, or lacking a quorum, in twelve years. The member- ship consists of thirty-four ladies, and there has been a waiting list. The purpose of the club was the study of
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
literature, but since joining the State Federation of Women's Clubs in 1904, the scope has been much enlarged, and the consideration of public questions included. One or more essays prepared by members are read at each meeting, usually presenting the result of the writer's study of an author, or of some foreign land, or relating to art, or to an economic or social question. Reports from the State Feder- ation, and extracts from current publications touching matters of public interest are also read.
UNITARIAN CLUB
The Unitarian Club was formed in February, 1905, and is connected with the First Parish, meeting in its vestry, and contributing to its expenses. This club had a member- ship of over sixty in 1908, and meets once a month from October to June. The meetings are given to sociability, and to listening to papers on various themes, as well as to general discussion. The Unitarian Club has a series of dances each winter, and occasionally has a dramatic enter- tainment. In some particulars this club is the successor of the Unity Club, which was organized about ten years earlier under the auspices of the First Parish, but as a non- sectarian literary society. For some reason the Unity Club barely survived four seasons, although the papers read before it were exceptionally good, and while the Uni- tarians were in the majority, Deacon Sutton of the First Baptist Church was at one time the president, and the non- sectarian character was carefully preserved. The name, intended to signify brotherhood and fellowship, appears to have been regarded with suspicion in certain quarters. Why the Unity Club failed and the Men's League succeeded is an interesting question, as in a general way the resem- blance is marked.
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
NEW CENTURY CLUB
On May 5, 1909, three hundred ladies met in Bourne Hall to form a New Century Club, and that day one hundred and thirty-five paid the admission fee of two dollars. Mrs. Edith B. Greeley was chosen president, and Isabelle P. Boyd secretary. There had been elaborate preparation for this event, and prominent representatives of the Federa- tion of Women's Clubs were present and made addresses. By the first of December the number of members had in- creased to two hundred and ten.
ALBION CRICKET CLUB
Needham has had good teams that have made creditable records in base ball, foot ball and other sports, but its cricket players have given the town its chief prominence in athletics. The Albion Cricket Club existed from 1867 to 1897, with occasional periods of inactivity, and some of its members were noted wherever there was interest in this game. James Dring had been a skilful player in Eng- land, as had William Gorse and Thomas Beach.
Among other players entitled to mention, as prominent more than thirty years ago, are Thomas and Stephen Lester, Robert Bennett, Charles Banner, the latter an expert bowler, now living in California. Many of these men were excellent cricketers when past middle life, and never lost their fondness for this game.
The four Thorpe brothers, John, Thomas, Joseph B. and Charles, were all actively interested in cricket, and played well. Charles was remarkable, considering that he had but one hand, and often made many runs. During two active seasons this club never met defeat. Their grounds were first on the Kimball estate, on the north side of Great Plain Avenue, then they had the field opposite the Avery School, later George Otis Kingsbury's field, and finally
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
land on High Street, where they had a club house. Many seasons have brought laurels to the Needham cricket players, which in some years have been gained in the Dominion of Canada, as well as in the States, and in 1908 with half of the cricket season over the players from Needham Heights were "still in the lead for the season's honors", and at the close ranked as third. This prominence was in spite of the fact that there were one, or more, contesting clubs that con- tained. "imported material". In the latter year the name of Frank W. Gorse appears among the "bowling stars".
ORGANIZATIONS FOR AMUSEMENT
For forty years, or more, Needham has been rich in amateur actors, some of whom excelled, and there have been a succession of dramatic clubs, as well as tennis clubs, a Rod and Gun Club, and various "teams" devoted to sports. The drama received a great impetus during the seventies and early eighties from the presence in town of Isaac R. Stearns, and, before Needham became suburban, a play excited much interest, and a large attendance was assured.
In 1901 a Golf Club was formed, and the grounds of the town water reservation, formerly the Colburn farm, were secured. This attractive territory of about forty acres commands fine distant views, and seemed an ideal place for golf, and for two years the club flourished, although it never had one hundred members, and twice that number were necessary if the grounds were to be kept in good order. During two winters the club had a series of dances, and in the pleasant season many enjoyed the golf. Early in 1903 it became evident that there were not enough persons who had leisure for the game, and were ready to pay assess- ments sufficient to warrant incurring considerable expense, and consequently the grounds soon became unfit, and the construction of the railroad through this land in 1905 has rendered a revival of this club impracticable.
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
TEMPERANCE AND TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES
On May 4, 1829, which was before the Temperance Society was formed, the town voted "to put the law in force re- specting Idlers and tavern hanters", and the next spring decreed that the surveyors of highways "Should provide no Spiritous liquers, at the expense of the town in working out their highway taxes". In 1837 Mr. Kimball, William Flagg, William Clark, Leonard Battle (Battelle) and Josiah B. Lyon were a committee of the town to "put in force the licence law against all those who violate the Same." In 1845 Capt. Reuben Ware made an attempt to have the town "prevent the sale of Intoxicating drink in town, the ensuing year", but the article was dismissed. In 1854 the town in- structed its selectmen to enforce the "Liquor Law", but be- came much dissatisfied with the official "Liquor Agent", and the "adulterated articles" with which he had been supplied.1
In 1870 the town voted that "no person shall be allowed to sell Ale, Porter, Strong beer, or Lager beer in this Town". A similar vote was passed the next year by 48 to 4. In 1882 the town voted 105 to 87 in favor of licensing the sale of intoxicating liquor, and in 1884 by 159 to 108, but for many years the vote has been largely against it.
The first Temperance meeting in Needham was held in the West Meeting-house on January 3, 1828. The Needham Temperance Society was formed on April 8, 1830, as the result of a largely attended meeting held at the almshouse one week before. The officers for 1831 were the Rev. Daniel Kimball president, Benjamin Slack, Esq., vice-president, Dr. Josiah Noyes secretary, Moses Garfield, Jonathan Ellis, Dea. Hezekiah Fuller, William A. Kingsbury and Isaiah Fisk directors. It was the custom of the society to observe Independence Day, and on July 5, 1830, the Rev. Mr. Kimball gave an address in the First Church. This patriotic meeting was devoted in part to the subject of
1 Dexter Kingsbury was the Liquor Agent for 1862-5, Isaac Clapp 1867.
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
temperance, and Mr. Kimball's address was printed that year by H. & W. H. Mann, printers of Dedham, and is a pamphlet of sixteen pages. In 1831 the constitution and names of the members of the society appeared in a pamphlet of seven pages, printed by the Politician & Advocate Press of Dedham. The by-laws consisted of eight articles, and seventy-four men and one hundred and thirty-five women, mostly of the West Parish, belonged to the Temperance Society. Besides the regular quarterly meetings there were temperance lectures, and on January 20, 1834, a Tem- perance Convention was held at the house of Mr. Kimball. Needham was prominently represented by delegates in the Norfolk County Temperance Society, and Mr. Kimball and Dr. Noyes contended incessantly against the evil which was much in evidence in Needham, as in hundreds of other towns, but the society was several years old before the First Parish ceased to supply its choir with liquor, and no funeral or auction was then complete without it. The expenditures by the town for spirit and sugar when the poor were auctioned off at the tavern each November had ended, as the town had acquired an almshouse, but drink was furnished by the town at the burials of its charges. In 1814 the town could not repair the little Sawmill Bridge, or do any work, without "spirit and Sugar". About 1840 the Washingtonian movement reached Needham, and there were mass meetings, with much enthusiasm, resulting in a great reformation. At a meeting held in the First Church, a banner, the gift of Mr. Moses Kimball, was for- mally presented to the local Temperance Society by Adelaide Phillips, then a little girl, who stood on one of the window seats, that all might see her. There were picnics and con- certs, and Edgar K. Whitaker of Needham and the Rev. Edwin Thompson, a Universalist minister of Walpole, were active in the cause in our town.1 On December 19,
1 While the Washingtonian crusade was at its height a large number signed the pledge, including the late Jeremiah Kingsbury, who lived where Mrs. Arthur
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
1857, the Nehoiden Division Sons of Temperance Number 15 was organized by William N. Eayrs, and is in 1911 one of the oldest temperance societies in Massachusetts. It originally met in Nehoiden Hall, at the old Centre, and since October 3, 1867, in Highland Hall, above the store at Needham Heights.1
About 1883 the meetings were held in the vestry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of the twelve charter mem- bers but two are now living in Needham: - Cyrus W. Jones and John E. Richards. The Division has had over two thousand members, and they are now scattered through twenty States. Its fiftieth anniversary was appropriately observed, and Messrs. Jones and Richards were present. Early in 1858 Mr. Eayrs formed the juvenile Nehoiden Band of Hope, which had picnics and concerts, besides regular meetings in Nehoiden Hall. The Band flourished for about five years, when Mr. Eayrs left town. In 1866 the Union Temperance Band was organized, and consisted of the Unitarian, Baptist, Orthodox and Methodist Sunday Schools. The Band has met the third Sundays of January,
Whitaker now (1911) resides. Mr. Kingsbury was brought into the hall to sign by his neighbor "Deacon" Newell Smith. Some will recall the peculiarities of the old blacksmith, Isaac H. Greenwood, who had a defect in his palate, and almost invariably began a remark with the appropriate words "toe te toe". Mr. Kings- bury had a similar eccentricity, and as he left the hall with Mr. Smith he said, "Fact fact Deacon we will have a little toddy in haying time".
1 Nehoiden Hall was built in 1844 by George Revere, who from 1830 to 1870 lived where George Kuhn Clarke does, and it was a large hall with a store, kept by Mr. Revere, beneath it. In this hall many dances and festivals were held, as well as political and Civil War meetings, including those connected with recruiting. Enlistments took place under the old oak to the south, which with its companion tree, the Greenwood oak, antedates the town.
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