History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 152

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 152

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single cylinder, then the double cylinder and air- chamber, which was first used in 1825.1

Fire-Engines .- The first fire-engine in Brockton was purchased by subscription in 1827, and was owned by a private company. The following is a copy of the original subscription paper :

" This proposes a method for obtaining a fire engine, to be kept near the road betwixt the Old Meeting House and Mr. Whitman's office, for the use of the inhabitants of North Bridgewater who are liable to suffer loss hy fire. And to accomplish said objeet, twenty-three shares, valued at twenty dollars each, are offered to those who mnay feel interested to become proprietors thereof. Each subseriber will annex to his name how many shares he takes, and if less than one, what part. And we, the subscribers, do severally feel under obliga- tions to pay, agreeably to our subscription, to the proprietors, treasurer, or agent duly authorized by a majority of proprietors to receive their money, and to procure their engine.

"North Bridgewater, February 10, 1827."

No. of

Shares. Subscribers' names.

No. of Shares.

Eliah Whitman. .One.

Eliphalet Kingman .. One-half.

Nathan Perry.

Bela Keith. ...

Edward Southworth.

Ephraim Howard .....

Silas Packard.

66 William Faxon.

Jabez Field ..

Nathan Jones ..

David Paekard .. 66

John Wales.

John Paekard ..

David Ames.

Nathaniel H. Cross

Rosseter Jones

Charles Packard

Mieah Faxon ..

Nathan Hayward.

Azor Paekard ...... One-quarter.

Arza Leonard.

Josiah W. Kingman.

Azel Wood.

Benjamin Stoddard ...

Lemuel Freneh.

16 John Crafts

Zibeon Freneh

66 Thomas Wales. Three-quarters.

Perez Crocker.

John Battles

Nath. B. Harlow .. One-quarter. Sidney Perkins ...

This engine was called the "Union, No. 1," and was a bucket-tub to be filled by hand. The machine passed out of the proprietors' hands to the town, on condition that the town would put the engine in per- fect order, and keep it in order for use at fires. They also furnished a hook-and-ladder carriage, with fire- hooks, ladders, chains, etc.

The above constituted all the facilities for extin- guishing fires previous to 1845. At that date the town, finding the alarms of fire growing more numer- ous as new buildings were crected, and were so ncar together, " voted to procure two new and improved suction fire-engines." This vote passed Feb. 9, 1846. The town appropriated one thousand dollars, provided the citizens would subscribe one thousand dollars more. The subscription was promptly raised, and Benjamin Kingman and Amasa Edson appointed a committee to purchase the machines. Previous to this time the management at fires was under the direction of " fire wards" appointed by the town.

The two new engines were manufactured by Messrs.

1 The first firo-engino in use in this country was imported from Holland for the eity of New York, in December, 1731.

T N

Benjamin Kingman

Hiram Atherton.

N 5

T. Ja

ch re

Subscribers' names.

729

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

T. & E. Thayer, costing seven hundred and fifty dol- lars each, and were completed and received Feb. 6. 1847. One of them was called " Protector," and was kept in the Centre Village; the other, called ·· Enterprise," was located at Campello.

The " fire department" of 1865 was organized by an act of incorporation by the Legislature of Massa- chusetts, March 1S, 1846, and at the time of the receipt of the two new engines consisted of the fol- lowing : one old engine, the " Union," Capt. Henry L. Bryant ; "Protector, No. 3," Capt. B. P. Lucas, -motto, ". We will endeavor ;" " Enterprise, No. 2," Capt. Aaron B. Drake,-motto, " Always ready ;" one hook-and-ladder carriage, with the fixtures, and one old and two new engine-houses.

In 1850 the town purchased a large engine of John Agnew, of Philadelphia, Pa., costing seventeen hun- dred dollars, which was called the "Protector, No. 3." The old engine of that name was changed to " Relief, No. 4,"-motto, " Our aim, the public good." In May, 1853, a new machine was purchased by private subscription, by the name of "Independence, No. 5," -motto, "Still live." About the same time, the " Relief Engine, No. 4," was sold to the town of Randolph, and located at South Randolph. In the fall of 1853 a new engine was purchased of L. But- ton & Co., of Waterford, N. Y., named " Mayflower, No. 4," which name was changed to " Columbian, No. 5,"-motto, " On the alert."

In the spring of 1861 the town voted to sell " Pro- tector, No. 3," which was done during the year, by exchange with William Jeffers, of Pawtucket, for one of his engines, using the same name and number. In 1854 " Enterprise Engine, No. 2," was transferred to the " West Shares," or Northwest Bridgewater, and the name changed to " Niagara, No. 6." During that year a new engine was purchased of L. Button & Co., of Waterford, N. Y., to take the place of the old engine, adopting the same name, and was located at Campello. In 1865 the " Niagara Engine" was sold to go to South Easton, and a new engine was purchased at Charlestown, named " Hancock, No. 1."

In 1865 the fire department of Brockton consisted of "Hancock Engine, No. 1," Capt. Isaac H. Hart- well, located at the " West Shares,"-motto, " Our aim, the public good ;" " Enterprise Engine, No. 2," Capt. William Stevens, located at Campello,-motto, " Always ready ;" " Protector Engine, No. 3," Capt. Henry B. Packard, located in the Centre Village,- motto, " We will endeavor ;" "Columbian Engine, No. 5," Capt. E. Z. Stevens, also located in the Centre Village,-motto, " On the alert ;" and one hook-and-ladder carriage and three engine-houses.

On Saturday, the 21st of October, 1865, the fire companies made a trial of fire-engines for a silver trumpet. " Protector" took the prize, playing hori- zontally two hundred and twenty feet.

The fire department, as constituted in 1884, con- sists of three steam fire engines, with fifteen men each, three extinguishers, one hook-and-ladder com- pany, and one hand-engine.

The board of engineers are Davis R. Eldred, as- sisted by Nehemiah S. Holmes, Charles Eaton, Zenas L. Marston, and Alexander Fanning. Nehemiah S. Holmes, clerk.

The fire department of Brockton has ever had a good reputation for efficiency, and when it is considered how many wooden buildings are compactly located, the city has been remarkably fortunate in not having many conflagrations.

Fire-Alarm .- The city has an excellent system of fire-alarms through its territory, which facilitates the getting to fires at the earliest possible moment.

Brockton Special Fire Police .- This is an or- ganization of persons appointed by the mayor and aldermen, whose duty it shall be, as soon as an alarm of fire is given, to repair to the spot designated by the fire-alarm, and take charge of the personal prop- erty in and around the burning buildings, subject to orders from the chief engineer.

This is a very valuable aid to the fire department, and prevents depredation and all sorts of mischief.

The force for 1883 was as follows :

David Eldred, captain ; Thomas W. Kennedy, first assistant ; Arthur P. Alden, second assistant ; Alden W. Skinner, clerk and treasurer ; Clarence Gill, David Glover, and Michael O. Neal. Members, Wil- liam Brett, John Dean, George F. Tinkham, Alex- ander Fraser, John S. Perry, E. J. Hartford, Oliver L. Joy. Rufus E. Packard, Elmer L. Fellows, Charles N. Hudson, Melvin F. Packard, Jason H. Raymond, J. Emery Merchant.

Railroads .- March 25, 1845, the Legislature of Massachusetts granted a charter to Messrs. Artemas Hale, Nahum Stetson, Aaron Hobart, Solomon Ager, Benjamin B. Howard, Dwelly Fobes, Edward South- worth, Benjamin Kingman, Henry Blanchard, Eben- ezer Alden, Royal Turner, and David Blanchard, and their associates and successors, to build a railroad from the Old Colony Railroad at South Braintree, running through Randolph, Stoughton, and Brockton, to Bridgewater, to connect with the Middleboro' and Bridgewater Railroad, under the name of the " Ran- dolph and Bridgewater Railroad Corporation." The road was finished and commenced running cars to Brockton in 1846. Previous to this the " Fall River

730

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Branch Railroad" had been in existence for some time from Myrick's Station, on the " Taunton Branch Rail- road," to Fall River. Another short road was char- tered to run from Bridgewater to Myrick's Station, to connect with the " Fall River Branch Railroad," thus making a continuous route from the Old Colony Road at South Braintree to Fall River, and three different corporations. These were united in one, under the name of the " Fall River Railroad Corporation," by which it was known until by an act of the Legisla- turc, March 25, 1854, the " Old Colony Railroad Company" and the " Fall River Railroad Company" were made into one corporation, under the name of the " Old Colony and Fall River Railroad Corpora- tion." The road has since changed its name, upon the completion of the road to Newport, to " Old Colony and Newport Railway Company." The city has now direct communication with Boston, Fall River, Newport, Middleboro', and towns on Cape Cod, and also to Fairhaven. Mr. Joseph O. Ben- nett was the first station agent at the Centre, who was succeeded by George W. Bryant, Calvin Keith, and J. Herman French, who is now the superin- tendent.

There is another depot at Campello, one and a half miles south of the Centre. Varanes Wales was the first station agent, and he was succeeded by Isaac T. Packard and Nelson J. Foss.

During the year 1845 a charter was applied for, to build a branch road from Stoughton to North Bridge- water (now Brockton), with a capital of two hundred thousand dollars.

Brockton Gas-Light Company .- During the year 1858 several of the citizens in the thickest settled portions of the town began to discuss the sub- ject of a better means of lighting the stores, factories, and dwelling-houses ; or, in other words, the people wanted more light, and as is always the case when people wish for light it can be had. For this pur- pose a few public-spirited individuals were called together July 22, 1859, to sec what measures it was thought best to adopt. Subscription papers were opened, and stock taken to the amount of twelve thou- sand dollars, divided into shares of one hundred dol- lars each. A company was organized Sept. 5, 1859, with the following officers : William F. Brett, presi- dent ; David F. Studley, treasurer ; Noah Chesman, H. W. Robinson, and Jonas R. Perkins, Esq., direc- tors.

The present officers are Noah Chesman, president ; Henry W. Robinson, treasurer ; Jonas R. Perkins, clerk ; David Brayton, superintendent. Office on Montello, near School Street.

The Edison Electric Illuminating Company .- This company organized March 5, 1883, with a eap- ital of oue Imindred thousand dollars, for the purpose of conducting business in Brockton. The following is the list of officers : President, Charles G. White, of Boston ; Clerk and Treasurer, William L. Garri- son ; Directors, George P. Denny, James P. Tolman, Frank J. Coburn, Calvin B. Preseott, and F. G. White ; Manager, W. J. Jenks.

On Monday evening, Oct. 1, 1883, at quarter-past six o'clock P.M., the above system of lighting was successfully introduced into the city of Brockton, and has now become one of the principal institutions of the city. The reputation of Brockton is second to none in introducing the best and newest of all im- provements and in sustaining all well-directed enter- prises. That there is a growing feeling in favor of electricity in Brockton is evident by the increased demand for its introduction into private houses and stores, and that it will come into general use we have no doubt.

The central station or headquarters of this com- pany is at the corner of Montello and Lincoln Streets, where the company are provided with a commodious brick building and steam-power of the most approved kind.

Jenny Electric Light and Power Company, of Brockton, organized May 2, 1884, capital fifty thou- sand dollars, located at the corner of Montello and Crescent Strects. George E. Keith, president ; Henry E. Lincoln, clerk and treasurer ; George E. Keith, Henry E. Lincoln, Ziba C. Keith, Col. John J. Whipple, directors. Works in a building one hun- dred by thirty-five feet, on Montello, south of Cres- cent Street.

Lights have been placed on the streets by this com- pany within a few weeks, and have proved highly satisfactory. There are a large number of prominent firms who have signified their intention to use this light.

Brockton Street Railway Company. - This corporation was duly organized Jan. 8, 1881, with the following officers : George F. Hall, Henry Towle, and Fred. Nourse, of Boston, Charles R. Ford and Ziba C. Keith, of Brockton, directors. George F. Hall was elected president, and Fred. Nourse clerk. The capital stock was forty thousand dollars.

The cars ran over the road for the first time on Wednesday, July 6, 1881, and commenced regular trips from the beginning, being well patronized. Cars were decorated on the occasion of opening of the road, which at first extended from Clifton Avenue, near the southerly boundary of the town in Campello,

730A

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

through the main thoroughfare of the city as far as the manufactory of Enos H. Reynolds, at the north end. Trips were made every twenty minutes. At first six box and three open cars, and thirty-nine horses, were required to run the road in a proper manner.

At the commencement of running the horse-cars, there was a line of large omnibuses running from Campello to Brockton, which the railroad company purchased, including the horses, coaches, harness, etc., belonging to Pendar & Rogers. The company also leased the stable of the proprietors for five years for the purposes of the new railroad. Horace B. Rogers immediately took the management of the road as superintendent, for which position he was admira- bly qualified, and under whose direction the road has proved a success. In the early part of 1884, the people of East Stoughton wishing for accommodations and convenient connection with Brockton, the company ex- tended their track to the Randolph line, thus making a complete line from Randolph, through the main streets of East Stoughton and Brockton to West Bridgewater. This corporation is very judiciously managed, and has proved remunerative to the stock- holders, and tends very much to equalizc the different sections of the city, by opening up the vacant lands, and adding to the growth of the same.

North Bridgewater Board of Trade .- This was an organization having for its object the following : " In order to promote the efficiency and extend the use- fulness of the business men of North Bridgewater, and in order to secure unity and harmony of action in reference to any initiated or prospective enterprises affecting its welfare, and especially in order to afford a fund of counsel to secure the proper consideration of all questions pertaining to the financial, commercial, and industrial interests of our community, this asso- ciation on this 29th day of March, 1871, is hereby formed." Meetings were held in Mercantile Building.

At a meeting held on Wednesday evening, April 5, 1871, the following officers were clected : Ellis Packard, president ; Henry W. Robinson, Albert Keith, vice-presidents; Ira Copeland, secretary ; George E. Bryant, treasurer; Directors, Oakes S. Soule, E. L. Thayer, Edward Southworth, Jr., Rufus P. Kingman, Enos H. Reynolds, Eben G. Rhodes, Charles F. Porter, Nelson J. Foss, Edward Crocker, Charles R. Ford, William W. Cross, Davis S. Packard.

Independent Order of Good Templars .- FRA- TERNAL LODGE, No. 24.1-Many of the earliest efforts

in the temperance cause were according to the methods of the Independent Order of Good Templars. Every representative of the Good Templar ideal is an apostle of temperance ideas and principles, and their influence is more widely felt than that of most any other order.

This lodge was constituted Sept. 22, 1860, by the Grand Temple of the Independent Order of Good Templars of the State of Massachusetts, who granted unto the following members to be a lodge, located at North Bridgewater (now Brockton), under the name of Fraternal Lodge, No. 24 :

Charter Members .- Isaac T. Packard, George R. Whitney, Clement Ells, C. F. Sylvester, C. G. Keeney, Charles W. Gardner, H. F. Perkins, D. T. Soper, L. Preston Howard, John W. Porter, Robert Clifford, H. C. R. Sherman, Isaac Littlefield, Elizabeth F. Gardner, Catharine P. Cobb, Elizabeth Pierce, L. W. Harmon, A. P. Kingman, Charles N. Pierce, Ephraim Bailey, Hannah Bailey, Jennie Bryant, John Filoon.

Officers .- Isaac T. Packard, W. C. T .; Catharine P. Cobb, W. V. T .; H. C. R. Sherman, Chap .; C. F. Sylvester, Sec .; Hannah Bailey, A. S .; C. G. Kenney, F. S .; A. P. Kingman, Treas. ; Charles W. Gardner, Mar .; Maria Fletcher, D. M .; Jennie Bryant, J. G .; John W. Porter, O. G. ; Lydia Fuller, R. H. S .; Hattie E. Dealing, L. H. S .; George R. Whitney, P. W. C. T.

A new charter was granted and a new lodge con- stituted May 20, 1867, with the following member- ship: Rufus L. Thatcher, Alpheus Holmes, H. H. Filoon, Benjamin P. Lucas, Frank Hervey, N. W. Stoddard, O. B. Hervey, R. L. Thatcher, Jr., Pauline B. Whitney, Wealthy Packard, Catherine P. Cobb, George R. Whitney, Joseph M. Hyde, Julia Hyde, Charles W. Gardner, Betsy Copeland, Abigail Holmes, Hannah Bailey, E. S. Fletcher, M. K. Hayward, George M. Copeland, Nelson Marble, Elizabeth F. Gardner, L. E. Packard, George B. Dunbar, W. Lithgow, G. W. S .; E. S. Mitchell, G. W. C. T.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Brockton as a City-The Inauguration of the First Municipal Government of the City-Inauguration Proceedings-City Charter-City Seal-Wards of the City-City Government and Officers.

Brockton as a City .- In the history of Brockton we have given the incorporation of the original town of Bridgewater, the incorporation of the Nortlı

1 Since printing the matter in reference to this lodge on page 706, the above data have been obtained.

730в

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Parish, as well as the incorporation of the town of North Bridgewater, and, as this town and Broekton are now in common, it is proper to give a brief account of the present municipality known as the eity of Brockton.

From 1821 to 1870 the territory within the limits of Brockton was known as North Bridgewater. During the year 1870 a large number of the citizens began to consider the expediency of a change of name, substituting a shorter name, and one not so easily eonfounded with other localities similar in their pronunciation. The reasons given were many,-some very good, others of but little account. In the early part of 1871 various names were suggested as being appropriate, among which was the Pilgrim name of " Winslow." At an informal meeting of the friends of a proposition for changing the name, held in the seleetmen's room Monday evening, Jan. 23, 1871, several names were suggested, and one or two ballots were taken. The following were among the many proposed : Standish, Madison, Pyrola, Oriole, Lang- don, Gaston, Aberdale, Alden, Montello, and Norwood, a decided preference being given to the last mentioned. This meeting ended without definite aetion.

The next move was a petition signed by nearly two hundred and fifty persons in favor of a change, headed by the name of Hon. Edward Southworth, Jr., and asking for a publie meeting, which was held in Mur- ray Hall, Friday evening, Jan. 27, 1871, for a discus- sion of the whole subject. The town voted February 8th to petition the Legislature to change the name to Standish, as follows :

" To the Hon. Senate and House of Representatives of the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court assembled :

" The undersigned, in obedience to a vote passed at a town- meeting, held on the 8th day of February, 1871, respectfully petition your honorable body to change the corporate name of our town from North Bridgewater to Standish, and, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

" NELSON J. Foss,

" ISAAC KINGMAN, " HENRY A. FORD,

" Seleetmen of North Bridgewater.

" No. BRIDGEWATER, Feb. 13, 1871."

A numerously-signed petition was also presented to the Committee on Towns of the Legislature, by Welcome H. Wales, Esq., then the representative of the town, in aid of the above petition, as follows :

" To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives :

" The undersigned logal voters of the town of North Bridge- water endorse the action of the town at a logal meeting hold on the 8th of February, instant, in voting to petition the Logisla- ture to change the name of the town.

" CHARLES C. BIXBY & 802 OTHERS."

And afterwards, on the 20th of March, the town reconsidered the vote, and substituted the name of "Stanton," by a vote of 136 for Stanton and 77 for "Standish." A publie hearing was held before the legislative committee Mareh 16, 1871, and at that time it seemed as though the name of " Standish" would be adopted. But at a meeting of the commit- tee held later a new name was suggested, and a mcet- ing was ealled to aet upon a new name. This meet- ing was held Mareh 20, 1871, and the following article (9th) was taken up and aeted upon as follows :

"To see if the Town will vote to substitute, in the petition already presented to the Legislature for 'Standish,' some more simple and desirable name as the name of the Town."

" Voted, That it is the Sense of the Town to Substitute the name of 'Stanton' for 'Standish' as the corporate name of the Town."

" Voted, To instruct our Representative to present to the committee of the Legislature on Towns a copy of the previous Vote."

This action suggested another name, and the fol- lowing petition was brought to the attention of the committee :

" To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives :

"The undersigned, Legal Voters of the Town of North Bridgewater, respectfully pray your honorable body to substi- tute the name of 'Amburg' in place of Stanton, in the petition already presented to the Legislature for a change in the Corpor- ate name of North Bridgewater.

"L. D. HERVEY & 926 OTHERS."

A hearing was had, with all these petitions and the original petition of the seleetmen, by vote of the town before them, and, after all parties had been heard, they took the view that as the town had originally voted for "Standish," they thought a petition from a eor- porate body in public town-meeting, duly notified, was of more weight than a lot of petitions handed around for signatures, and therefore reported a bill, of which the following is a copy :

" COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

"In the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

" An aet to Change the Name of the Town of North Bridge- water.

" Bo it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assombled, and hy authority of tho same, as fol- lows:

"SECTION 1. The town of North Bridgewater shall take the name of Standish.

"SECT. 2. This shall not take offect unloss accopted by a ma- jority of tho legal voters of said town, present and voting thereon by ballot, at a special meeting held upon notice given at least sevon days bofore the tiuio of said mocting, and the polls shall bo opened at nino o'clock in tho forenoon of said day, and shall not be elosed before four o'clock in the afternoon of said day, nor romain opon longer than six o'clock in the aftornoon of said day.

"SECT. 3. It shall bo tho duty of tho seloctmon of said town to certify and roturn as soon as may bo the number of ballots

731

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

in favor of the acceptance of this act, and the number of bal- lots against the acceptance of the same, to the Secretary of the Commonwealth ; and if it shall appear that a majority of such ballots is in favor of the acceptance of this act, the Secretary shall immediately issue and publish his certificate declaring this act to have been duly accepted.

"SECT. 4. Said meeting shall be held within ninety days from the passage of this act.

"SECT. 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

" House of Representatives, " April 18, 1871.

" Passed to he enacted.

" HARVEY JEWELL, Speaker. " In Senate, April IS, 1871.

" Passed to he enacted. .

" HORACE H. COOLIDGE, President. " April 19, 1871.

·· Approved.

" WILLIAM CLAFLIN."

The citizens of the town were not a little surprised at the result of the committee's conclusions. How- ever, at a town-meeting held on Tuesday, May 9, 1871. the number of votes passed upon the accept- ance or rejection of the act, entitled "An Act to change the name of the Town of North Bridgewater," was SS7, of which 460 were for acceptance and 427 for rejection.

We next find a movement to have the name of the town changed to Brockton, and this time it was suc- cessful.

Here follows a copy of the petition to the General Court of Massachusetts by the selectmen of the town by a special vote of the town :

" To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General Court assembled :

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 152

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1706

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706