History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 191

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 191

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During the last few years the library has greatly increased in size and circulation. It contains over seven thousand three hundred books, and seven thou- sand three hundred and forty-five persons have regis- tered their names for cards. It remained in Everett Block until February, 1884, when, having entirely outgrown its limits, it removed to rooms specially fitted up for it in Masonic Block, and affording much more ample accommodations. The present trustees are A. HI. Brainard, chairman ; G. Fred. Gridley, secretary and treasurer ; Sylvanus Cobb, Jr., C. C. Hayes, M.D., H. B. Miner, E. C. Aldrich, E. M. Lancaster, HI. M. Cable, Edmund Davis.

Chicago fire met with a liberal response from Hyde Park. Frequent meetings were held, and upwards of five thousand dollars, in addition to large supplies of clothing, bedding, and necessaries, was contributed. In this noble work the ladies were as usual untiring, Mrs. Dr. Edwards, Mrs. A. H. Brainard, and Miss Nettie Richardson being especially prominent.

The financial panic which swept over the country in the latter part of 1873 fell with excessive weight upon Hyde Park and almost menaced its future ex- istence. The reasons for this result are readily ap- parent. The very methods which had been adopted to cause the town to fill up and build up so fast, the selling of land for a small sum down and a large sum secured by mortgage, rendered it peculiarly open to such a catastrophe as then came upon it. The greater number of its citizens were men of limited means, attracted here by the ease with which property could be acquired, largely upon credit, and by specula- tive hopes. The price of land had become greatly inflated. Parcels subject to inundation at time of high water often sold for ten cents per square foot, and more desirable lots had proportional values. The greater part of the real estate was under mortgage, not a little of it to an amount nearly up to even its inflated valuation. The assessors had yielded to the craze, partly from sharing in it, partly, perhaps, to keep down the percentage of taxation by a high valuation. Then the depression in business and the destruction by fire of several mills caused the aban- donment of a number of productive industries, the consequent removal of many operatives and families to other places, and a great falling off in the demand for residences and for the general commodities of life. All this operated to cause the bottom to fall out of real estate, and a reduction in the apparent value of all property in the town of nearly fifty per cent. This is seen by comparing the assessed valuation of May 1, 1873, to wit: real estate, $6,608,179; per- sonal, $901,636; with the valuation May 1, 1880, namely, real estate, $3,701,250 ; personal, $421,640. This fearful shrinkage discouraged many who had been holding on to their estates by the eyelids as it were. Taxes were suffered to remain unpaid. In 1874 the list of estates advertised for sale for non- payment of taxes comprised two hundred and nine- teen estates, and filled ten and a half columns in the local paper. The interest due on mortgages remain- ing unpaid, they were foreclosed in great numbers, and many thus lost all which they had. But this experi- ence, which brought loss and ruin to very many, was not in its final result a calamity to the town. The

The call for aid to the sufferers from the great ! process of shaking things down to a substantial foun-

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dation was decidedly unpleasant, but the outcome has been beneficial. The estates lost by their unlucky former possessors have become the property of others better able to hold, improve, and beautify them, and the town has thus gained in its outward appearance and the number of its well-to-do citizens. A greater conservatism is manifested in public and private en- terprises, and the present status of the town is one of healthy and well-based prosperity. Its net debt, which in 1873 was $178,766, is now reduced to about $96,000, and by means of the sinking-fund, as now managed, will be entirely liquidated in a few years, and this debt is placed on terms as favorable as those enjoyed by any town or city in the State.

Notwithstanding the pressure of the " hard times," the citizens of Hyde Park were fully awake on Cen- tennial year. They were well represented at the Ex- position both by products and by visitors, and they celebrated the glorious Fourth in the most enthusi- astic manner. The day began with a procession, fol- lowed by a meeting of citizens in the grove, corner of Austin and West Streets, which was presided over by E. R. Walker, chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Here there was singing by chorus, prayer by Rev. P. B. Davis, reading of the Declaration of Independence by G. Fred. Gridley, singing of the Star Spangled Banner by Miss M. C. Pollard, oration by Hamilton A. Hill, and singing of " America" by the audience. At 4 o'clock P.M. union religious services were held in the Congregationalist Church, opened with prayer by Rev. M. T. Alderman, followed by remarks by Theo- dore D. Weld, Rev. P. B. Davis, and Rev. I. H. Gil- bert, and closing with prayer by Rev. Mr. Gilbert. At 7 o'clock p.M. an immense meeting was held in Everett Square, and the new pump, presented to the town by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, of Hyde Park, was dedicated. Mr. Walker presided, and an address was delivered by E. I. Humphrey, which was followed by a fine original poem by Charles F. Gerry. A flag, the gift of N. H. Tucker, was then presented by Miss Nettie B. Richardson, accepted by Mr. Hum- phrey in a brief speech, and run up to the top of the flagstaff amid the cheers of the assembled multitude. A regatta and an exhibition of athletic sports were among the other attractions, and at night a grand dis- play of fireworks closed the stirring observance of the day. The committee charged with the preparation and conduct of the programme embraced upwards of one hundred of the most prominent residents.

Another event in commemoration of that year was a great tree-planting, which took place October 28th, when more than eight hundred and fifty shade trees were set along the streets and avenues of the town.

This was brought about mainly through the efforts of Charles F. Holt, and has been the cause of many more being planted since, and has added greatly to the beauty and comfort of the thoroughfares.

This same year, 1876, is also memorable in the history of the town on account of the great temper- ance reform movement which began here in the spring. The Temperance Reform Club, then formed, during that year and the following held weekly public meetings, at which one of the largest halls was frequently filled to overflowing, and sometimes hun- dreds were unable to gain admittance. The good re- sults of this organization are inestimable. By it many were redeemed from lives of gross indulgence ; many more were stopped in a downward career toward such lives; the subject of temperance and morality was brought home to every thinking mind; and the sentiment thus awakened has placed and kept this town among the foremost in opposition to the encroachments of alcohol, and in support of all restrictive measures. In this connection it will not be amiss to state that the Women's Christian Temperance Union, which has been a power for good in this community, was be- gun here by an organization formed by a few women, April 26, 1876. It became at once auxiliary to the State organization of the Women's Christian Temper- ance Union, and worked under the direction of the na- tional organization. Mrs. William Sturtevant was its first president, and until her death, some four years sub- sequent, was one of its most earnest and efficient mem- bers. Mrs. E. T. Lewis was first secretary. The pre- siding officers since have been Mrs. L. P. Alderman, Mrs. J. B. Richardson, Mrs. J. L. Doty, and Mrs. Jesse Wager, at present in the chair. The work done by this body of devoted women in the promo- tion of Christianity and temperance cannot be detailed here. Mention can only be made of some incidents. When the law entitling women to vote for members of the school committee was passed in this State, the union addressed itself to urging women to avail them selves of the privilege, not only that they might have a voice in the educational interests of their children, but that a large vote might operate towards obtaining woman suffrage on the liquor question. The result of these efforts was that over eighty women qualified and voted. To their efforts also is it owing that Hyde Park was the first town in the State to place temper- ance text-books in the schools for reference and oral instruction. The Union, believing that the most im- portant as well as hopeful branch of its work was among the young, has labored unceasingly in this direction, and a juvenile organization of about three hundred children is now under its charge. Toward

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

the establishment and success of the Temperance Re- form Association it rendered the most efficient aid. It has a standing committee for the dissemination of temperance literature, another to visit and carry aid and consolation to homes resting under the bane of alcoholic indulgence, another to provide for weekly Sunday meetings for the awakening and strengthening of temperance sentiment. The Union has also con- tributed greatly to the large majority here against the licensing of the liquor traffic, by communicating di- rectly with every voter before election, and by the personal solicitations of its members at the polls.

Energetic Lodge, No. 125, I. O. G. T., was insti- tuted by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts March 13, 1882, with fifteen charter members, and has steadily increased, till at the present time it has a membership of over one hundred and twenty-five of | lies in the town, and, as their lodge-name suggests, energetic in every good word and work. The place of meeting, which has been the Odd-Fellows' Hall, is on the point of being changed to Grand Army of | persons. the Republic Hall.

in the State, and it was introduced into Massachu- setts through his efforts. George Manley, by whose energy Energetic Lodge was started, was its first Worthy Secretary.

Star of Hope Section, Cadets of Temperance, is composed of boys and girls from eight to eighteen years of age. Its principal object is to demonstrate the pernicious effects, physiologically, upon the system of indulgence in alcoholic stimulants and narcotics. Meetings are held every Thursday evening in Congre- gational Chapel. R. C. Habberley is Worthy Patron.

The religious societies of the town claim more ex- tended mention.

First Baptist Church .- This was the first church organized in town, and antedates by several years the town incorporation. In the year 1856, when " the twenty Associates" commenced the erection of the first houses here which constituted the nucleus of Hyde Park settlement, Rev. Mr. Patterson, pastor of the East Dedham Baptist Church, came over and preached occasionally at five o'clock on Sunday in the boarding-house on the corner of Fairmount Avenue and Brush Hill road. Sometimes pastors from Bos- ton came out and preached in the grove then crown- ing a hill between the present Baptist meeting-house and the New York and New England Railroad.

In the year 1858 it was thought that the time had fully come when a Baptist Church should be organ- ized and assume the responsibility of sustaining pub- lic worship. Accordingly, on the 9th day of Sep- tember, in the house of L. B. Hanaford, Esq., on Fairmount Avenue, ten members of Baptist Churches elsewhere met and formally organized what is now the First Baptist Church in Hyde Park. One of the members having built Fairmount Hall midway Fair- mount Hill, the church hired and dedicated to the worship of God the second floor hall.

In 1861 the church commenced the erection of a Two other associations for the promotion of tem- perance have an assured existence here. chapel on the avenue between Pierce and Davison Streets, and finished it in 1862, at a cost of about two thousand five hundred dollars. In 1868 in- creased church accommodations became necessary. A building committee was appointed, and limited to the expenditure of twenty thousand dollars for a new house, which was completed in November, 1870. It both sexes, representatives of many of the best fami- | is cruciform in style, brick walls to the top of the vestries, which are ample in size for all church pur- poses, and supplied with modern conveniences. The auditorium has a seating capacity of seven hundred

The first Worthy Chief Templar of this lodge, Daniel F. Wood, is the oldest member of the order | ate has been successively filled by Revs. C. A. Skin- ner, W. H. S. Ventres, I. H. Gilbert, D. C. Eddy, D.D., and Gorham Easterbrook. The membership of the church, originally only ten, is now three hun- dred and seventy-four.

Rev. G. R. Darrow was the first pastor, settled in 1863, but resigned in 1864. Since then the pastor-

Episcopal Church .- The first service of the Prot- estant Episcopal Church was conducted by Rev. Samuel B. Babcock, rector of St. Paul's Church, Dedham, in Union Hall, near the New York Central Railroad depot, Oct. 10, 1858, at one of the "union meetings," at that time supported by adherents of all denominations. After a while the Episcopalians transferred their place of meeting to Lyman Hall, near the Boston and Providence Railroad, where ser- vices were held every Sunday morning, the various clergymen officiating being furnished and paid by the Southern District Association. When there was no clergyman forthcoming, services were read generally by Mr. Lyman. A Sunday-school, which soon grew to a membership of sixty-five, was established, mainly through the exertions of Rev. John W. Nott, who was at that time passing a vacation here. For some time the family of A. H. Brainard constituted the entire number of communicants, the congregation being made up of those who only had a preference for that form of worship. Mr. Brainard also fur- nished a portion of the choir and all the instru-

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mental music, which latter consisted of a small melo- deon, which its owner " shouldered" to and from the place of meeting every Sunday. This instrument also assisted in the services of several other religious societies, which borrowed it in turn until able to ac- quire something more pretentious. If still in exist- ence, as it was a few years ago, it will undoubtedly be freely at the service of any other infant congregation to help out the music if necessary.

The present parish was organized Nov. 8, 1860, under the name of Christ Church, with the following officers : Wardens, A. H. Brainard and G. H. Nott; | Vestrymen, L. Bickford, J. Pratt, S. Fennell, and W. H. Hoogs ; Treasurer, S. A. Bradbury ; Clerk, J. M. R. Story. Rev. A. H. Washburn took charge of In January, 1867, the church and society extended a call to Rev. Perley B. Davis, who was then settled the parish in March, 1861, was elected its rector in January, 1862, and so continued till early in 1866, | over the church at Sharon, Mass., who accepted, and was installed April 10th following, and who has con- tinued as pastor of the society to this day.

when he became rector of Grace Church, in Cleve- land, Ohio. During the early part of his ministration a church edifice was erected largely through the efforts of Gordon H. Nott, the same now used by the society, on the corner of River and Maple Streets. This is of Gothic style of architecture, with a seating ca- pacity of about 300. While it was in process of construction worship was held in Bragg's Hall, on Fairmount Avenue. The building was consecrated Dec. 1, 1863, by Right Rev. Manton Eastburn, bishop of the diocese, assisted by several other di- vines. Mr. Washburn's connection with the parish was of great benefit to it, and his resignation deeply deplored. He was succeeded, April, 1867, by Rev. Wm. H. Collins, who officiated as rector till his resig- nation, July 21, 1869. His successor, Nov. 16, 1869, was Rev. John W. Birchmore, who remained till May 15, 1872. In October, 1872, Rev. Robert Scott was unanimously elected rector.

In the summer of 1874 the Rev. R. B. Van Kleeck, D.D., was chosen rector. He was a man well known and highly esteemed by clergy and laity in all parts of the country, and the five years of his rectorship form a memorable period in the history of the parish.

During the year 1879-80 the Rev. F. H. Horsfield was minister in charge of the congregation. He was succeeded in the autumn of 1880 by the Rev. Edward A. Rand, who with unremitting devotion to duty con- tinued as minister in charge until Whitsunday, 1882.

He was succeeded by the Rev. John T. Magrath, who officiated for the first time on Trinity Sunday, 1882, and immediately entered upon the duties of the rectorship. Since Jan. 20, 1884, the sittings have been free.

were first held in Hyde Park in December, 1860, in Bragg's Hall.

The place of meeting was soon changed to Lyman Hall, where, for a few months, the services were con- ducted by Rev. L. R. Eastman, afterwards, with only occasional clerical aid, by the brethren, until Dec. 1, 1862, when Rev. Hiram Carlton commenced minis- terial labors, which was continued till October, 1864.

On May 7, 1863, an ecclesiastical council organized here a church of ten members, of which Sylvester Phelps and Thomas Hammond were elected deacons. Rev. R. Manning Chipman was the officiating clergy- man from Dec. 1, 1864, to Nov. 30, 1866, the ser- vices being held during this time in Bragg's Hall.

Measures were now taken for the erection of a parsonage and church edifice. A lot of land at the junction of Fairmount Avenue and Everett Square, extending through to Oak Street, was presented to the society by the Real Estate and Building Com- pany, and a parsonage fronting on Oak Street, and costing about five thousand dollars, was built, and occupied by the pastor the following September.

On Jan. 31, 1868, the corner-stone of the church edifice was laid with appropriate exercises, and on Oc- tober 15th following the church was publicly dedicated to the worship of God, the pastor preaching the ser- mon. The building is a Gothic structure, costing seventeen thousand dollars, and had a seating capacity of four hundred and sixty-two. By the untiring efforts of the ladies of the congregation it was fur- nished with an organ, bell, carpet, and cushions at an expense of nearly five thousand dollars. For the better accommodation of the Sunday-school and social meetings, in the autumn of 1874 a chapel was erected adjoining the church, capable of seating three hun- dred people. This was built by voluntary subscrip- tion, presented to the society, and dedicated Jan. 1, 1875.

On Sunday, Sept. 7, 1879, by the efforts of Mr. Edward Kimball, the church-debt raiser, the debt of twelve thousand five hundred dollars, which had rested very heavily upon the society, was raised by pledges from the congregation, and in December, 1880, the debt was fully paid. April 16, 1880, seven members were dismissed from the church to form a nucleus for the church at Clarendon Hill. Owing to the increase in numbers of the congrega-

Congregational Church .- Congregational services | tion and the Sunday-school during the two years en-

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

suing, it was decided to enlarge both church and chapel, at a cost of ten thousand dollars, and, the requisite amount having been pledged, work was begun in October, 1883. The church was so re- modeled as to furnish seven hundred and sixty-nine sittings, including the choir-seats. The chapel was made thirty-five feet longer, a portion being fitted for class-rooms and library. Thirteen cathedral glass windows for the church were donated by J. P. Hig- gins, and a large double front window, representing St. Paul and the Good Shepherd, was a gift from the Young Ladies' Aid Society. The enlarged church was rededicated Feb. 26, 1884, and the chapel the next evening.

The condition of the church is very prosperous, it having a membership of four hundred and eighty, of whom seventy-two were received during the first year. The Sunday-school membership is five hundred and fifty, with an average attendance of three hundred and seventy-five for the year.

The Clarendon Congregational Church was or- ganized April 19, 1880, with fifteen members. Rev. S. D. Hosmer was then its acting pastor, and con- tinued ministerial labors there till May, 1882. He was followed by Rev. A. H. Johnson, the present pastor. The membership is now twenty-seven.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- June 28, 1857, the residents of Fairmount, then numbering twenty- seven families, met at the house of A. P. Blake, and organized the Fairmount Sabbath-school, with Daniel Warren as its superintendent. During the following summer preaching services were held every Sunday afternoon at Mr. Blake's house, and in the fall the Hyde Park and Fairmount Religious Society was formed, which was a strictly union society, and held its meetings in the hall of the Hartford & Erie depot building. The Sabbath-school was held there also, and a prayer-meeting, which became very interesting and effective. During the spring and summer of 1858 the society met in a new building in Fairmount owned by Messrs. Pierce and Higgins; but in the fall of that year, the Baptist element forming a sepa- rate organization and remaining there, the remainder of the society returned to the depot hall. July 6, 1859, the Hyde Park and Fairmount Religious So- ciety dissolved, but the Methodist members continued holding meetings till September 4th, when these also were discontinued, the Sabbath-school alone contin- uing, and meeting at the house of Mr. Warren. This school was then only sixteen in number, having been greatly depleted by the departure of many to join the Baptist and Episcopal schools. It gradually increased, however, till, in 1861, it numbered fifty-nine mem- ! and a large addition made to the membership.

bers, when it was again reduced to thirty-two on the formation of the Orthodox and Universalist societies, but during the following year it rose to the number of sixty-eight. In the winter of 1863-64 preaching services were held one evening each week in Benton's Hall, at which the pulpit was filled by different cler- gymen, and from April 17, 1864, till the following spring Rev. C. S. Sewell supplied this meeting and one at Jamaica Plain, one-half of each Sunday in either place, after which the desk was for a time again left vacant. During the most of this period and until June 2, 1867, the Sabbath-school held its sessions at the house of its superintendent, Mr. War- ren, whose interest in it had from its start been con- stant and unwavering, and to whose unremitting efforts a great part of its growth was due. Among the means employed by him to promote its vitality were a series of social entertainments, called " super- | intendent's parties," at one of which the proposition was made and adopted which resulted in the organ- ization of the Methodist society, Feb. 10, 1867, with a membership of twenty-eight, and the appointment of Rev. N. T. Whittaker as its pastor. On the 2d of June, 1867, the Sabbath-school, then called the Warren Fairmount Sabbath-School, was presented to the Methodist Church, though not by its beloved superintendent, who had looked forward to participa- tion in the event with intense interest, but who had passed to his heavenly reward on the 26th of the pre- vious May. The school brought with itself to the society six hundred and eighty books and a small sum of money.

From this time to the present the history of the society has been one of uninterrupted growth in every respect. As its increase in numbers necessitated, it from time to time changed its place of meetings in quest of more commodious quarters, removing to Union Hall in 1869, and to Neponset Hall in 1871, where it remained till the completion of its church building. In 1871 it erected a parsonage. Ground was formally broken for laying the foundation of the church edifice, June 2, 1873, by Mrs. Mary S. Warren, the pioneer Methodist of Hyde Park; the corner-stone was laid Oct. 28, 1873, with exercises conducted by former pastors, and an address by Bishop Wiley. The auditorium was completed and dedicated | Nov. 19, 1874, with appropriate exercises, and a sermon by Rev. H. W. Warren, D.D., the vestries having been dedicated December 31st preceding, the sermon being preached by Dr. B. K. Pierce, editor of Zion's Herald. During the following winter there was a great religious interest manifested in the society,

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The following have been the pastors : 1867-68, Rev. N. T. Whitaker; 1869, Rev. George Prentice ; 1870-71, Rev. E. S. Best; 1872, Rev. E. A. Man- ning; 1873-75, Rev. George W. Mansfield; 1876-77, Rev. J. S. Whedon; 1877-78, Rev. H. J. Fox ; 1879-81, Rev. W. N. Richardson ; 1882-83, Rev. Jesse Wagner, the present incumbent. The present condition of the society is exceedingly flourishing ; its membership is two hundred and ninety, that of its Sunday-school three hundred and fifty.

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 191

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534