History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 193

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 193

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The following is the present list of officers : Henry N. Bates, W. M. ; James F. Mooar, S. W .; Henry F. Howard, J. W .; Henry S. Bunton, Treas. ; Thomas D. Tooker, Sec. ; Charles Sturtevant, Chap- lain ; Melville P. Morrell, Marshal ; Edwin W. Sawyer, S. D. ; Albert E. Bradley, J. D .; Robert Scott, Jr., S. S .; George L. Lang, J. S .; Thomas F. Sumner,

During this period of nearly fourteen years a Chap- ter, Council, and Commandery were organized, and | I. S .; Zorester B. Coes, Organist; David A. Mc- the history of each of the several bodies was one of | Donald, Tyler.

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Norfolk Royal Arch Chapter commenced its ex- istence May 18, 1870, under a dispensation from the Grand High Priest, Henry Chickering. The chap- ter was duly consecrated and constituted May 24, 1871, with twenty-eight charter members. Its sev- eral High Priests have been, viz. : 1871-72, Gama- liel Hodges ; 1873, Sylvanus Cobb, Jr .; 1874-76, Henry S. Bunton ; 1877, Charles C. Nichols ; 1878, William H. Ingersoll ; 1879, Henry C. Chamberlain ; 1880-81, Charles L. Farnsworth ; 1882-83, Moses N. Gage.

Its present officers are Moses N. Gage, M. E. H. P. ; David L. Hodges, E. K. ; Eugene E. Caduc, E. S. ; | E. C .; Moses N. Gage, G .; Melville P. Morrell, C. G. ; Sylvanus Cobb, Jr., Prel. ; Henry N. Bates, S. W .; Charles Sturtevant, J. W. ; Daniel J. Goss, Treas. ; Francis L. Gerald, Rec. ; Edwin C. Aldrich,

Sylvanus Cobb, Jr., Treas. ; Henry S. Bunton, Sec. ; Henry N. Bates, C. of H. ; Charles Sturtevant, P. S. ; Melville P. Morrell, R. A. C .; Philander Harlow, M. 3d V. ; Henry M. Phipps, M. 2d V. ; Edwin C. | St'd B .; Philander Harlow, Sw'd B .; Samuel E. Aldrich, M. Ist V. ; Andrew Cochran, Chaplain ; | Ward, W. ; Benjamin F. Tyler, Henry S. Holtham, Charles L. Farnsworth, S. S .; Henry S. Holtham, Joel F. Godwin, C. of G. ; David A. McDonald, A. and S. J. S .; Edward Roberts, Organist ; David A. Mc- Donald, Tyler.

The present membership of Norfolk Chapter is about eighty. Two of its members are permanent members of the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts, Sylvanus Cobb, Jr., who was elected Grand Scribe in 1880, and Henry S. Bunton, who was elected Deputy Grand High Priest in 1883.

Hyde Park Council of Royal and Select Masters was organized under a dispensation from Charles H. Morris, Most Illustrious Grand Master, dated Oct. 1, 1872, and was chartered and constituted Oct. 6, 1873, with thirty-five charter members.

The following-named persons have held the office of Thrice Illustrious Master : 1873-74, Gamaliel Hodges ; 1875, Fergus A. Easton ; 1876-77, Henry | From this it removed, Oct. 8, 1869, to Bragg's Hall, S. Bunton ; 1878, John F. Ross ; 1879-80, Sylvanus Cobb, Jr. ; 1881, Charles M. Tilly ; 1882, Henry N. Bates.

The present officers are, viz. : David L. Hodges, T. I. M .; Eugene E. Caduc, D. M .; Sylvanus Cobb, Jr., P. C. W. ; Francis L. Gerald, Treas. ; Henry S. Bunton, Rec. ; Moses N. Gage, C. of G .; Charles Sturtevant, C. of C .; Ellis H. Williams, Chaplain ; John F. Ross, Marshal ; Charles L. Farnsworth. Steward ; David A. McDonald, Sent.

The present membership of Hyde Park Council is about sixty.

Cyprus Commandery of Knights Templar and the Appendant Orders was organized under dispensa- tion from Nicholas Van Slyck, Grand Commander, Oct. 31, 1873.

St. John of Jerusalem after their expulsion from the Holy Land. Cyprus Commandery was constituted and dedicated Oct. 12, 1874, by the Grand Com- mandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, on which occasion Rev. George S. Noyes delivered an historical address. The number of charter members was twenty seven.

Its Eminent Commanders have been, viz .: 1873- 75, Gamaliel Hodges ; 1876-77, Henry C. Chamber- lain ; 1878, Sylvanus Cobb, Jr .; 1879-80, Henry S. Bunton ; 1881-82, George F. Lincoln.

The present officers are, viz. : Stephen B. Balkam,

Its present membership is about sixty.

Independent Order of Odd-Fellows .- In re- sponse to a petition bearing ten signatures, the Grand Lodge granted a charter, and Feb. 20, 1869, Forest Lodge, No. 148, I. O. O. F., was instituted by Grand Master Levi C. Warren and suite of Grand Officers. The charter members were nine in number, viz. : David Perkins, Rufus B. Plummer, George W. Hal- liday, Sidney Winter, John R. Thompson, Fergus A. Easton, William H. Nightingale, George G. Bolton, and Nathaniel Shepard. The lodge held its first meeting in what was then known as Masonic Hall, in the building now occupied by Putnam & Worden, corner of Hyde Park Avenue and River Street. |on Fairmount Avenue, where it remained till January, 1870, when it again changed to the New Masonic Hall, in the late town building, corner of Gordon Avenue and River Street. In 1873 it took up its quarters in Pythias Hall, where it has since remained, the name being changed to Odd-Fellows' Hall. The whole experience of the lodge has been gratifying in respect to its growth in numbers, in social influence, and financially. It was particularly prosperous under the guidance and energetic assistance of Deputy Grand Master Samuel Cochran, a citizen of Hyde Park, a present Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Massachusetts.

Its present active membership is one hundred and seventy-seven, embracing among its members many men of influence and standing in the community, and from whose ranks numerous recipients of municipa

The name was given in allusion to the island of Cyprus, which was the first asylum of the Knights of | honors have been drawn.

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HYDE PARK.

The lodge has some $4000 standing to its credit in safe investments, and lodge furniture, regalia, and paraphernalia to the value of $1500 to $1800 more.

The following persons have held successively the position of Noble Grand since 1880, the time of the adoption of the present constitution and by-laws : Henry P. Bussey, from July, 1880, to January, 1881 ; George L. Eldridge, from January, 1881, to July, 1881; Frederick E. Rollins, from July, 1881, to July, 1882; William W. Fowler, from July, 1882, | to January, 1883; Frank H. Fogg, from January, 1883, to July, 1883 ; Charles S. Butters, from July, 1883, to January, 1884.

The present elective officers are: N. G., William E. Kelley ; V. G., James H. Bell ; R. S., Henry F. Arnold; Treas., Francis L. Gerald ; P. S., Richard F. Boynton ; Trustees, William Price, George L. Eldridge, Frederick E. Rollins.

The appointed officers are : W., Edward J. Price ; C., Edwin L. Slocomb; O. G., Jacob C. Hanscom ; I. G., William Holtham ; R. S. N. G., Frederick E. Rollins ; L. S. N. G., Robert P. Holmes ; R. S. V. G., James O. Buzzell ; L. S. V. G., Douglas Strachan ; R. S. S., Edwin L. Tuckerman ; L. S. S., Henry L. Boss ; Chaplain, George L. Eldridge ; Organist, Frank A. Shuman.

Progressive Degree Lodge, No. 34, Daughters of Rebecca, I. O. O. F., was instituted in Odd-Fellows' Hall, March 8, 1882, by Grand Master Henry W. Clark and suite, of the Grand Lodge of Massachu- setts. It began with thirty-three charter and forty- nine other members, and now has ninety-eight.

Its first Noble Grand was William Price ; Mrs. Carrie F. Arnold at present holds that office. It meets at Odd-Fellows' Hall, first and third Wednesday evenings in each month.

Ambassadress Lodge, No. 5, Union Order of In- dependent Odd-Ladies, was instituted in Odd-Fellows' Hall, Feb. 9, 1880, by the late Mrs. Eliza A. Hamlin, then Right Worthy Lady Governess of the Govern- ment Lodge. It started with fourteen charter mem- bers, and now numbers forty-seven. One member only, Mrs. Emma S. Christopher, has been removed by death. The first presiding officer of the lodge was Mrs. S. J. Boynton ; the present one is Mrs. S. J. Fowler. It meets alternate Tuesday afternoons at Odd-Fellows' Hall.

The following secret orders of mutual life insurance societies are established in the town :

each month. Its present membership is one hundred and thirty-one.

Neponset Council, No. 136, Royal Arcanum, was organized Aug. 6, 1878. It meets in Neponset Hall, alternate Monday evenings. Its present membership is one hundred.

Golden Rule Commandery, No. 53, United Order of the Golden Cross, was organized April 2, 1879. It meets at Neponset Hall on first and third Thurs- day evenings. Its present membership is thirty-four.

Fairmount Council, No. 149, American Legion of Honor, was organized April 7, 1881. It meets in Odd-Fellows' Hall, second and fourth Thursday evenings. Its present membership is sixty-five.

Riverside Lodge, No. 33, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was organized Oct. 31, 1881; meets in Neponset Hall, first and third Tuesdays, and has a membership of sixty-two.

St. John's Court, No. 23, Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters, was organized Dec. 14, 1881; meets in Odd-Fellows' Hall on second Mondays of each month, and has a membership of fifty.

Hyde Park Council, No. 66, Order of United Friends, was organized March 28, 1883; meets in Grand Army of the Republic Hall, first and third Thursdays of each month, and has a membership of sixty-three.

The subjoined includes the remaining orders and associations :

Timothy Ingraham Post, No. 121, Department of Massachusetts, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized March 24, 1870, with the name of H. A. Darling Post. Its present membership is one hundred and thirty-five. It meets in Grand Army of the Republic Hall, on first Mondays of each month from April to October, and on first and third Mondays from October to April. George G. Bailey, Jr., commander.

Timothy Ingraham Woman's Relief Corps, No. 35, Dept. Mass., organized Feb. 18, 1884, with forty- four charter members. Mrs. Helen Bryant, presi- dent. Meets at Grand Army of the Republic Hall.

Young Men's Lyceum, organized April 8, 1883, meets in Lyric Hall, on alternate Thursdays; mem- bership, forty-four.

There has just been incorporated a water company, composed of citizens of the town, who propose to soon furnish an ample supply of pure water for domestic and other uses, and thus provide for a want which has been greatly felt.

Hyde Park Lodge, No. 437, Knights of Honor, The writer has purposely avoided the ungrateful task of selecting from among his contemporaries was organized Jan. 31, 1877. It meets in Neponset Hall on the second, fourth, and fifth Wednesdays of names of citizens for special mention or honor.

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Where particular reference has been made to indi- viduals, it has been in consequence of their connection with events which fell within the scope of this me- moir. Hyde Park contains at least its fair propor- tion of men and women whose abilities and achieve- ments will leave an indelible mark after them, but it will devolve upon some future historian to commemo- rate them. Our successors are our only just biogra- phers.

It only remains now to refer to the town's repre- sentatives and local government.

Hyde Park did not become entitled to a representa- tive in the General Court until 1877. Charles F. Gerry served in that capacity during that year, it being the last year of his residence here. His suc- cessor was William J. Stuart, who served during 1878 and 1879. Hobart M. Cable followed him, and held the position during 1880-83. Henry C. Stark is the present representative.

The principal town offices are now held by the fol- lowing gentlemen :

Selectmen, H. C. Stark, D. W. C. Rogers, Samuel Cochran ; Assessors, J. F. Goodwin, George Sanford, Charles Haley ; Treasurer, Henry S. Bunton ; Col- lector, George Sanford ; Town Clerk, Henry B. Terry ; School Committee, Andrew Washburn, C. G. Chick, H. S. Bunton, R. M. Johnson, G. M. Fellows, H. M. Cable.

The present valuation of the town is $4,855,402.

Hyde Park has now passed through the somewhat boisterous, turbulent, and doubtful period of adoles- cence, and stands upon the threshold of a long life of promise and vigor. Favored in its location, strong in its resources, proud of its institutions and its people, it looks to the future with hope and confidence.

The writer must express his acknowledgment of the ready assistance afforded him by several, and particu- larly by Mr. Henry A. Rich, who placed in his hands a mass of valuable papers gathered during the last twenty-eight years with a view to their use in the preparation of an extended history of Hyde Park, which Mr. Rich proposes to have prepared at an early date. Without these the foregoing sketch would have been, necessarily, much more incomplete.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ROBERT BLEAKIE.

Robert Bleakie was born Aug. 1, 1833, at Ruther- glen, near Glasgow, Scotland, and is the eldest of the four children of John and Mary Maxwell Bleakie.

In 1836 the elder Bleakie moved to Hawick, Scot- land, where he followed his profession, that of an over- seer of woolen weavers, for the prominent firm of Dixon & Laing. Robert received the first of his school education in an institution under the manage- ment of the Presbyterian Church, and at the age of eleven years entered the employ of the above firm as a bobbin-boy, and in a year's time became a weaver under his father.

In 1847 his father engaged to go to America, in the employ of the famous Salisbury Mills, of Salisbury and Amesbury, Mass., for the purpose of starting the first fancy woolen looms in the country. Less than one year later the family followed, under the care of Robert, who was employed in the mills as a weaver until 1850, when the family moved to East Green- wich, R. I., where he followed his trade until 1852, when he, in his turn, was called to take charge of the weaving department of the very successful Elm Street Woolen-Mills, in Providence, R. I., and while living in that city he completed his school education at night schools. Here he continued until 1859, when he was engaged as superintendent of the Harrison Mills, at Franklin, N. J. Two years later he accepted a simi- lar position in a large woolen-mill in Rhode Island, where he remained until he went into business for himself, starting a one-set woolen-mill, in 1861, at Tolland, Conn.

While considering, in 1864, a proposition to go into business with Messrs. Chapin & Downes, of Providence, R. I., he received what seemed an ad- vantageous offer, to take the superintendence of the woolen company's mills at Hyde Park, which he ac- cepted, and in this place he has since made his home, except for a short interval, during which he resided in Amesbury, Mass. After the destruction of the mills at Hyde Park by fire, in June, 1873, Mr. Bleakie assisted in the management of several other mills controlled by the same owners.

Early in 1876 he invited his brother, John S., and his friend, Charles Fred. Allen, to become his partners in the woolen business, and they commenced operations under the firm-name of Robert Bleakie & Co., in a six-set mill at Sabattus, in the town of Webster, Me., on the 1st day of February. Before the end of the year they hired an eight-set mill at Amesbury, Mass., and afterwards bought both, and operated them in connection with the woolen-mill in Hyde Park, which was purchased by the firm in 1878, and supplied with fourteen sets of machinery. The business at Sabattus, Me., had increased to eleven sets in 1882, making the whole number thirty-three under one private management, with headquarters at

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HYDE PARK.

Hyde Park, and doing an annual business of more than a million dollars.

Mr. Bleakie was twice married. Of five children three survive,-two daughters and a son.

As a citizen, he has always taken an active interest in national, State, and local affairs, although he has never been persuaded to accept public office. He has | always commanded the confidence of his fellow-citi- zens. He is a member of the Masonic order, and for several years has been the president of the Hyde Park Savings-Bank.

WILLIAM J. STUART.

William J. Stuart, son of Arthur and Agnes (Mason) Stuart, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., March 15, 1828. He comes from the noted Stuarts of Scot- | land, through a Scotch-Irish branch. His father was prominently connected with railroading in the United States from its earliest days, being employed on the Pottsville Railroad, in Pennsylvania, one of the first adventures of this now greatly multiplied means of travel. About 1835 he came to Boston, and became what is now called assistant superintendent or general manager of the Boston and Worcester Railroad, and thus William received the educational advantages of the justly-celebrated public schools of Boston, sup- plemented by two years' attendance at Marshall S. Rice's private school at Newton. When he was four- teen years old he was indentured to learn the trade of coppersmith with Hinckley & Drury (predecessors of Boston Locomotive-Works). Serving until he was of age, he became master of all the details of the business, but, wishing a short change of avocation, he went to Pennsylvania, and passed one season with a company of civil engineers on a railroad in the Le- high Valley. Returning to Boston, the next year he engaged in business for himself as a coppersmith in South Boston, on the site ever since occupied by him for the same purpose. Since the establishment of his business, which was then largely devoted to locomo- tive work, there have been three radical changes in the character of his products. From locomotive work he changed to sugar-works for Cuban plantations. About 1860 this trade was superseded by steamboat work for Loring, the ship-builder, and during the Rebellion was entirely employed on government ves- sels. He made the copper-work of the first two gun- boats (small ones) ordered by the government, and also for, among numerous others, the "Nahant" and " Canonicus," and put all of the copper-work into Commodore Farragut's celebrated flag-ship " Hart- ford." When the war closed and government work

ceased, Mr. Stuart for some years was engaged on sugar machinery and brewery fittings, but now makes a specialty of radiators for house-warming. He has been content with a profitable business of moderate extent, has never tried to do a rushing business, and has had no desire to change from the even tenor of his regular avocation. Although burned out three times, he has, on each occasion, at once rebuilt, and, as before mentioned, carries on his business to-day where he first started. Mr. Stuart married, May 23, 1853, Sarah M., daughter of the distinguished Dr. Leroy Sunderland. She was a woman of more than ordinary attractions and character. She died July 26, 1871. On Oct. 4, 1874, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth G. Daniels, daughter of Edward and Ruth (Snow) Barber.

Mr. Stuart became a resident of Fairmount in the spring of 1858, and the next year became a land- owner here, and erected his present residence. He was one of the incorporators of the town of Hyde Park, was elected one of its first board of selectmen, was its second representative to the Legislature, serv- ing two years (1878-79), and is now one of the three commissioners of the sinking fund of the town. He has ever been active in public affairs, is a thoroughly genial and pleasant social companion, and has many friends. He is an advanced thinker, and holds the most liberal and progressive views in politics, religion, and other questions of the day. Originally Free-Soil, he has been a Radical Republican since 1856. Pos- sessed of a fine amount of property, the reward of his diligence and attention to business, he is one of the best representatives of the town of his adoption, and to whose welfare he has given so much of his service, and holds a high place in the regards of his townsmen.

MAJ. ANDREW WASHBURN.

Andrew Washburn, son of Joshua and Sylvia (Mosman) Washburn, was born at Newton, Mass., Ang. 23, 1830. He is a scion of the highly distinguished Washburn family, which has held so many prominent positions in civil, military, and professional affairs. Governor Emory Washburn once informed Andrew that his great-grandfather and Andrew's grandfather was the same person.

Joshua Washburn was born in Natick about 1800. He removed to Newton about 1820, where he mar- ried Sylvia Mosman, a native of Weston, Mass., but of Scotch ancestry. He purchased a large farm, on which he has resided for over sixty years, combining the avocation of merchant with that of agriculturist. His present homestead lies in the centre of Auburn-

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

dale (Ward 4, Newton), which occupies the greater setts, and was employed as construction clerk, assist- ant master pyrotechnist and master of pyrotechnics, part of his former estate. He is now hale and vig- orous at the age of nearly eighty-five. A man of | and to take charge of the laboratories at the arsenal decided principles, he was one of the very earliest to espouse the cause of freedom for the slave side by side with Jackson, Phillips, Weld, and Garrison, when even a suspicion of abolitionism meant almost social ostracism, and placed its supporters at the mercy of lawless mobs. Often when he was attending anti- slavery meetings Mrs. Washburn would pass the hours at home in terror, fearing never to see him alive. He was never an office-seeker, and shrunk from all such positions, excepting those connected with town affairs, which he discharged, as became a good citizen, with the same sound practical sense that characterized him in his private affairs. He has been for years a member of the Orthodox Congregational Church, and was at one time parish clerk of the Second Church of Newton. Mrs. Joshua Washburn died in 1865, aged sixty-five. Of their six children, of whom Andrew is third child and second son, four now survive.

Andrew was fitted for college at Newton by Rev. Dr. Gilbert, and at Grantville (Wellesley Hills) by Rev. Mr. Adams. He entered the class of 1848 at Middlebury College, Vermont, and after two years passed from the sophomore class of that college into the junior class at Harvard, a fact which speaks well

at Watertown. Here he remained until the close of the war. Resigning these offices, he then went to Richmond, Va., for the Freedmen's Aid Society of Boston, as superintendent of its schools, and was appointed to the same position for white schools by the American Union Commission of New York. Soon after arriving at Richmond he received the appoint- ment of inspector of schools for the State of Virginia under the Freedmen's Bureau, with headquarters at Richmond. He was a member of the City Council, and drafted the bill organizing the schools under the new order, and was made the first city superintend- ent. Afterwards, in connection with Dr. Sears, agent of the Peabody Fund, he established the Rich- mond Normal School, and was its principal five years. For two years during the same period Maj. Washburn was clerk of the Hustings Court, with seven deputies and clerks, and had all the responsibility of the crim- inal business of the city, and of all courts of record, probate, etc. He was also appointed United States pension agent, and twice commissioned as such, and was offered a third commission, which was declined. As an evidence of the high valuation placed upon Maj. Washburn's services, we give the following letter from Hon. Columbus Delano, Secretary of the In- terior :

for his proficiency at that time. He was graduated from Harvard University in 1852, and at once engaged " DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, " WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 25, 1875. " Dear Sir,-I am advised by your letter of the 7th that you decline a reappointment as Pension Agent at Richmond, Va. in teaching, which profession he followed in high schools and academies for about eight years. In 1861, Maj. Washburn was resident superintendent of the Massachusetts State School for Feeble-Minded at "I take pleasure in expressing my satisfaction with your administration, because it has always been marked with fidelity to the public interests, and I trust that the conduct of your suc- cessor will be equally satisfactory to the Pension Office and to this Department. South Boston. This position he resigned to take a commission of first lieutenant in the Fourteenth Regi- ment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (afterwards First Heavy Artillery), and was quartermaster and " With a sincere desire for your future prosperity and suc- cess, I am, commissary of the regiment. From Fort Warren, where the regiment was organized, it was ordered to " Very truly yours, (Signed) " C. DELANO. Washington, and there was kept for some months as " HON. ANDREW WASHIBURN, " Pension Agent, " Richmond, Va." part of the defensive forces of that city. It was sent to the front, however, and Mr. Washburn with it participated in the second battle of Bull Run, after He was one of the executive committee of the National Council of the Union League, an organiza- tion numbering at that time many thousand members in the Southern States, and was president of the Virginia State Council of the same order. He was president of the Richmond Colored Normal School Association for seven or eight years. which engagement they again were placed on the defensive force of Washington. Mr. Washburn was commissioned major Jan. 16, 1862, and served as regimental and brigade quartermaster, regimental and brigade chief of ordnance, and also served on the staff of Maj .- Gen. A. W. Whipple as chief of ordnance and artillery. His period of service in the Army of The public schools of Richmond have stood to the present as established, and have never taken one the Potomac was about two years, mostly in Wash- ington and vicinity. Ile then returned to Massachu- | retrograding step. This city is the only place in the

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 193

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