USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston (its past and present) and prospects for the future, with sketches of prominent men > Part 22
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of the century, about ninety-five years of age.
Thomas Cains, glass manufacturer, arrived in South Boston in 1812, and soon afterward started the Phoenix glass works at the foot of B Street. No resident of the district was held in higher esteem than he, and his home was one of the handsomest in the district. He had five daughters and two sons, of whom Joseph and William Cains are the only ones now living .. Susan Cains married William Johnston, who afterward was a member of the firm of Cains; Harriet Cains married Joseph Storey; Mary Cains married John Kelly; Rebecca Cains married Andrew Riley, and Annie Cains mar- ried Benjamin Means. William Cains, one of the sons, attended the Hawes school in its early days, and entered his father's business in 1832.
THOMPSON BAXTER
Thompson Baxter, born in Boston, March 12, 1815, moved to South
229
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Boston five years later. He attended the old Hawes school, graduating with the class of 1827, and then secured a position in the Columbia National Bank, first as clerk and later as bookkeeper, where he remained a great many years. He was a member of the Hawes Unitarian Congregational church, and occupied many church offices. He was a trustee of the Hawes fund, and one of South Boston's most estimable citizens. He was a member of Bethesda lodge, No. 30, I. O. O. F., the Hawes School Association, Bernice Rebekah Lodge and Mt. Washington Encampment, I. O. O. F. For many years he lived at 27 G Street, where he died, May 28, 1900, mourned by all who knew him.
South Boston has also had many remarkable women, not the least important of whom was Miss Mary Baxter, sister of Thompson Baxter, and grand-daughter of Abraham Gould, one of the pioneer settlers of South Boston. lady and a beautiful character.
MISS MARY BAXTER.
She was an accomplished For several years she kept a private school on E Street, between Broadway and Silver Street. She died about 1891.
Mrs. Mary S. Peavey, born in Hollis, Me., May 16, 1795, died in South Boston, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. W. Tower, II Atlan- tic Street, in June, 1901, at the age of 106. Mrs. Peavey, in her girlhood days, attended school at Tuftonboro, N. H. Here she met and married Mr. M. D. Peavey, and in 1845, on the death of her husband, she removed to South Boston. Up to within a few years of her death she spent much of the sum- mer season at her old home.
Mention must be made of E. H. Brainerd, who for many years manufac- tured carriages at the corner of Sixth MRS MAPY S. PEAVEY. Street and Dorchester Avenue; of Sumner Crosby, who occupied many positions of public trust in the Common Council, the Legislature and the Senate; Otis D. Dana,
230
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
wholesale hardwarc dealer ; Benjamin Dean, who once represented the district in Congress; Henry A. Drake, for whom the Drake school was named, and who was a son of Jeremy Drake, another well known citizen ; Josiah Dunham, senior and junior ; William H. Harding, once master of the Lawrence school ; Dr. Samuel G. Howe, of the Perkins Institution for the Blind ; Benjamin James, a full account of whose usefulness as a citizen is recorded elsewhere in this volume; George B. James, son of Benjamin, well known in the newspaper world; Vincent LaForme, a member of the Pulaski Guards in 1846, commissioner of public institutions in 1889, 1890 and 1891 ; William McCullough, the first florist in South Boston, who had charge of the Public Gardens in 1847; Dr. Liberty D. Packard, once a member of the school committee ; John Souther, head of the Globe Iron works; Gilbert Wait, for whom . Wait's hall was named ; Hon. Patrick A. Collins, who began his long, eventful and excellent career in public life as a member of the Legislature from South Boston; David Clapp ; Capt. Michael J. Driscoll ; Edward B. Rankin, the well known and able newspaper writer; James Milligan, Ezra Perkins and Samuel R. Spinney, a well known State Street broker, member of the Board of Aldermen and afterwards Police Commissioner ; John J. McClusky, for many years bass soloist of the Cathedral choir and remarkable for his excellent character, lovable disposition and many acts of charity ; Capt. William Drew, who lived at the corner of E Street and Broad- way ; William Dorr; Solon Jenkins, deacon of the Baptist church, in the seventies ; Stephen Glover, a well known sea captain, who had two sons who also followed the sea; Rev. Joseph Clinch, for twenty-seven years pastor of St. Matthew's Episcopal church and chaplain of the House of Correction ; Dr. Fogg, a leading physician of the district ; Rev. William A. Blenkinsop, for many years pastor of St. Peter and Paul's church; Rev. T. J. Mahoney, of St. Augustine's chapel, a man of fine character ; John H. Keating, a soldier in the Civil War, who, while a member of the Forty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, planted the state standard at Sherburn, North Carolina, the first flag to be placed on the top of the breastworks of the enemy in that memorable conflict.
Many of the old residents recall Josiah Stearns, first master of the Lawrence school, who afterward occupied a similar position in the Norcross school ; Levi Walbridge, who was in the furniture business on new Washington Street and Ezra Perkins, who carried on a cooperage business corner of C and Fifth Streets.
CHAPTER XXIX.
INDUSTRIES OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
Industrial activity gradually lessens - Once leading manufactories obliged to close up or more to other fields - Causes - South Boston iron works - Adams' printing press and machine shops-Iron foundries - Globe locomotive works - The chain factory - Washburn's wire works - Brooks' ship yard - Glass making establish- ments - Dunham's rope works - Downer's kerosene oil works - The brick yard and other places.
S OUTH Boston, during its less than one hundred years of existence, has passed through many industrial epocs. At first but little attention was given, by the founders of the district, to the building of mills and factories, their desire being rather to make a residental section. From the outset, however, business enterprises were estab- lished, and fifty years after annexation there was no busier community in the entire country than South Boston.
Before and for a short time after the Civil War there was the greatest activity in industrial circles in the peninsula, and the entire country looked to South Boston for the most powerful guns, the swiftest vessels, the best of machinery, and the finest of glass and fancy ware. Thousands of men were employed, the din and clatter of the workmen's hammer were heard throughout the district, and the youth of the day loved to watch the chain making on Third Street, or the cast- ing of guns in Alger's, or the launching of some big ship on the South Boston shore.
But soon there came a change. It was evident that such work was to leave this territory. The unavoidable expense of shipping coal and iron from the south and west soon compelled the manufacturers to change their location. It was impossible to compete with firms in a similar line of business elsewhere in the United States, and by 1880 there was nothing of the former clang of the hammer or anvil, and the old manufactories gradually disappeared.
More than one hundred thriving and busy workshops could easily be mentioned in a list of the leading manufactories of the nineteenth century, but space will not allow it. A few of the most important will, therefore, have to be sufficient.
South Boston Iron Works. This establishment was one of the first, and probably the greatest foundry that was ever located in South Boston. Its original location, corner of what is now E and Second Streets, was the first for any foundry in New England. Cyrus Alger, in 1809, formed a partnership with Gen. Winslow and erected that first building. In a few years Gen. Winslow retired in favor of his son, and
232
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
then Mr. Alger started in for himself, erecting a foundry on Fourth Street, near the bridge.
During the war of 1812, when Mr. T. H. Perkins was associated with him, Mr. Alger fulfilled many contracts with the government for guns and cannon balls. In other lines he did a big business, which in- creased so rapidly that he soon had to enlarge his plant. Mr. Alger purchased all the territory west of the Turnpike, from the North Free Bridge to a point opposite where now is Fifth Street, including all the flats in front of the sea wall, to the channel, or low water mark.
-
-
ALGER'S EXTERIOR FROM THE SOUTH BRIDGE, 1850.
After this purchase Mr. Alger repaired the sea wall and gradually filled up the flats, having in mind that immense plant which he suc- ceeded in establishing a few years later.
In 1827, associating with George C. Thacher, William H. Howard and Caleb Reed, the latter as treasurer, Mr. Alger formed the South Boston Iron Company, improved his property, built a wharf and erected a new foundry building. Other shops were started in the vicinity, the land was improved and the entire flats inside of the commissioners' line, and west of Foundry Street, were filled in.
So rapidly did the Alger plant grow that by 1850 the South Boston Iron Works was the largest in the country. It consisted of a large brick gun-shop, a moulding and casting building, a pattern and cleaning shop, with several other necessary buildings.
233
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
ALGER'S FOUNDRY, EXTERIOR.
ALGER'S FOUNDRY INTERIOR. CASTING GUNS.
234
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
One of the most expert and practical metallurgists in the United States, Mr. Alger succeeded in purifying cast-iron so as to give it triple the strength of ordinary cast-iron, the process consisting of removing the impurities from the metal while it was in a fluid state, and causing it to be much more dense.
For this specialty he received large contracts from the government for large cannon and mortars, his guns standing greater tests than any other manufactured in the country. The mortar gun "Columbiad," the largest gun ever cast in America up to 1850, was made under his personal supervision. He made great improvements in the manufac- ture of bombs, cast iron chilled rolls, by which the part, subject to the most wear, was chilled hard.
Not only in iron work did he excel. The first perfect bronze cannon ever made for the United States Ordnance Department was made by him, and another for the State of Massachusetts.
SOUTH BOSTON IRON FOUNDRY. 1875.
In 1829, with several capitalists of Halifax, Mr. Alger built the first smelting fur-
nace in the British Provinces, the machinery for which was made at the South Boston works.
Mr. Alger was the first employer in South Boston to introduce the ten hour system in his works, and in many other ways he endeared himself to his employees.
Adam's Printing Press and Machine Shops .- For many years this establishment was one of the leading shops in the district, and employed hundreds of men. It was located just north of the Alger foundry, in the vicinity of what is now Engine 15. This firm turned out, in large quantities, printing presses, book machinery, sugar mills, steam engines and steam boilers. It was this firm that first invented the famous Adams press, the conception of Isaac Adams, which has so revolution- ized printing. The Adams works were established in 1836 by Seth Adams, the well known sugar refiner (brother of Isaac).
Fulton Iron Foundry .- George C. Thacher, previously associated with Mr. Alger, originated the Fulton Company, and with him were Thomas Thacher, his brother, and William G. Billings. In 1836 the corporation was formed and the works were built on Foundry Street, between what is now the Broadway Bridge and Federal Street Bridge. A year after starting, the works were enlarged, and again in 1842.
235
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Still the business increased until it was a close second to the famous Alger foundry. The land occupied by the company extended over three acres, with excellent water facilities, and every conceivable apparatus for iron castings. Large castings for the steamer Saranac were made by the Fulton Company, and their contracts for work were from all sections of the United States.
Globe Locomotive Works .- At the corner of First and A Streets, this business was first started in 1846, by Messrs. Lyman and Souther. In 1849, the latter purchased the former's interest and conducted the business under the name of the Globe Works, until May, 1851. In that year, business having increased, the plant formerly occupied by Jabez Coney, on Foundry Street, was leased, and in both places together more than three hundred men were employed. Mr. Souther had associ- ated with him in 1852 and 1853, Joseph R. Anderson, during which period the works constructed the large borer for the tunnelling of Hoosac Mountain. The weight of this borer was more than one hundred tons and was the admiration of all who examined it.
In 1853 the establishment on A Street was greatly enlarged, and the following year a stock company was organized with John Souther as president and D. N. Pickering, treasurer. For many years there- after the company turned out $350,000 worth of machinery annually, such as locomotives, excavators, sugar mills, stationary engines, boilers and general machinery.
Coney's Foundry .- This foundry was in business from 1837 until 1850, when, owing to the illness of Mr. Coney, it was suspended and the shop closed. The two biggest contracts of this concern were the building of the iron steamer McLean, for the United States, in 1843, and five years later Mr. Coney contracted with the United States government to build the machinery for the war steamer Saranac, the hull of which was built at the navy yard in Portsmouth. N. H.
Harrison Loring Works .- Harrison Loring served his apprentice- ship with Jabez Coney, and in 1847 commenced the manufacture of machinery on his own account. He was first located on West First Street, where he built the machinery for the steamer City of Boston, remodelled the machinery of the United States steamship John Han- cock, and also built the screw propeller Enoch Train. In later years, removing to City Point, he had a large establishment on East First Street, near L Street, where he built several vessels for the United States government, notably the cruiser Marblehead, lighthouse stations and government tugs.
Union Works. - Next to the South Boston Iron Works was the establishment of the Union Works, of which Seth Willmarth was pro- prietor. Mr. Willmarth was in business but a few years, increasing steadily, until he made a contract for thirty locomotives for the Erie Railroad, and there being some difficulty about the payment for the same, he was obliged to suspend.
236
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Bay State Iron Company .- The " rolling mill " was an establish- ment where hundreds of men were employed during South Boston's palmiest days. Many of the present generation remember the large establishment on East First Street, between I and K Streets. For nearly half a century it did a flourishing business, and ceased opera- tions in the eighties.
Ralph Crooker, who had been superintendent of the Boston Iron Company, started this establishment about 1840, and associated with him was John H. Reed, as treasurer. Railroad iron for tracks, and the like, was the principal article manufactured and the work was of a superior quality. For many years, so rushing was the business, that the works were going night and day. The process of rolling the steel was most interesting to strangers, hence the name "rolling mill."
Cotton and Hill's Chain Factory .- Corner of F and Third Streets was the large establishment of Cotton & Hill, where ship chains, and in fact, chains of all kinds, were rolled out. As the schoolboy passed the door he gazed in with wide open eyes as the big chain was taken from the furnace, red-hot, and hammered and tempered.
Washburn's Wire Works .- On Dorchester Avenue was the wire works, devoted entirely to the making of wire in all shapes and sizes. The hammering of the iron into bars and drawing it into wire was done to the amazement of onlookers. Henry S. Washburn was the founder of the business, and he sold out to Naylor & Co., who conducted it many years.
Alger and Reed's Forge .- Here were forged large anchors and other big work, and the establishment was located side of the wire works, near Broadway. Cyrus Alger was one of the promoters of this place, and it was conducted under the firm name of Alger & Reed until Mr. Alger's death, when Edward Reed undertook to run it, but it soon passed into the hands of Francis Alger.
SHIPBUILDING.
Lot Wheelwright is said to have been the first shipbuilder in South Boston. He was building ships at the foot of Dorchester Street as early as 1818. It was not until 1822, however, that this began to be one of the leading industries of the district.
Capt. Noah Brooks came to South Boston, and in 1822 set up at the foot of F Street, and for many years did a big business in this line. His vessels were renowned, and sailed to all ports of the world. He employed a large number of men. Soon E. and H. Briggs affiliated with Mr. Brooks and the company built many ships. In 1847 the partnership was dissolved, Messrs. Briggs removing to the Point, and on East First Street, near K Street, built ships for more than a score of years. Among the largest of the vessels they built were the Newton, 450 tons; Reliance, 450 tons; Oxenbridge, 580 tons; Mary Glover, 650 tons; Berkshire, 650 tons; Southern Cross, 1000 tons ;
237
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Northern Light. 1050 tons; Cape Cod, 850 tons; Winged Arrow, 1150 tons; Meteor, 1150 tons; Golden Light, 1150 tons; John Land, 1150 tons: Bonita, 1150 tons; Cyclone, 1150 tons; Boston Light, 1180 tons; Star Light, IISo tons ; Grace Darling, 1240 tons; Cossack, 600 tons: Vitula, IIS5 tons; Mameluke, 1300 tons; Fair Wind, 1300 tons; Alarm, 1200 tons; Joseph Peabody, 1200 tons, and the Asa Eldridge, I 300 tons.
As mentioned before, Harrison Loring was also in the shipbuilding business, in fact was the last one to build ships in South Boston.
-
SHIP BUILDING IN 1835.
Early in the century there were shipyards near the Turnpike, a short distance from the South Bridge. Then there was one on the south shore, foot of G Street.
GLASS MAKING.
Thomas Cains was the pioneer glass manufacturer of flint and ground glass in the United States. In 1811 he started the Phoenix Glass Works at the foot of B Street, where now would be the corner of B and First Streets. He soon removed to the opposite corner and ex- tended his works and did a big business. After removing from the first location, Andrew Jones moved in and conducted a similar business, and there was interesting rivalry between the two for a few years, but finally Mr. Jones had to succumb. Mr. Cains had things, in this line,
238
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
all his own way for several years, but soon there was a spirited com- petition. William Cains, his son, was soon associated with him, and also a son-in-law, William Johnston. Mr. William Cains and Mr. Johnston conducted the business a few years, but on the death of Mr. Johnston, in 1857, the elder Cains again took up the reins and continued until his death in 1866. William Cains then conducted the business until 1870, when he retired to private life.
The Mt. Washington Glass Works was on Second, near Dorchester Streets, and for many years was conducted by Luther Russell. Later Jarvis and Cormerais had the business and scores of men were employed.
PHOENIX GLASS WORKS
The American Flint Glass Works was on Second Street, owned by P. F. Slane. In April, 1843, he commenced business in the old glass- house of the South Boston Glass Company and gradually he developed and extended the business. His establishment was destroyed by fire in 1852, but he rebuilt, yet in 1853 it was again destroyed. Nothing daunted, he again rebuilt and spread his works until they covered 87,500 square feet.
The Suffolk Glass Works .- This establishment, at the foot of Mercer Street, is probably the best known to the present generation. It was started by Joshua Jenkins, who conducted it for fifteen years,
239
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
and it changed hands several times afterward. The old building, after remaining unused for many years, was burned in 1900.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Josiah Dunham's ropewalk, between Fourth and Fifth Streets, near C Street, was one of South Boston's thriving industries in the early days, employed several hundred men, and turned out a variety of rope for ships and general purposes.
Then there was Burton's ropewalk on Quincy Street, afterward named Bowen Street, between D and E Streets. This was started about 1840.
The Boston Cordage Com- pany started business, corner of V and Sixth Streets, in 1887, but by 1896, owing to lack of business the establishment was closed.
The Norway Iron Works was built about 1845, and Mr. English had control for many years. It did a thriving busi- ness for forty years manufac- turing all kinds of machinery and wire.
SUFFOLK GLASS WORKS
Downer's Kerosene Oil Works was on First, near B Street, and was a hustling, lively place, until the great syndicate bought up all the oil places in the country. Jenney's Oil Works, corner of First and B Streets, has been in that location many years and is yet doing a big business.
Gerrish's brick yard on Broadway, between B and C Streets, covered a large tract of land and the kilns turned out thousands of bricks a week. Harris's brick yard was also a busy place. Osgood's brick yard was another establishment.
Some of the largest manufacturing establishments of the nineteenth century have been mentioned. But old residents remember just as distinctly the Mattapan Works, corner of A and Second Streets, where Putnam, Whittemore & Co. manufactured steam engines and planing machines; Thomas Earl's soap factory on the Turnpike where he made hard and soft soap ; Howard's brass and copper foundry on Foundry Street, near the railroad crossing, where were to be had all kinds of brass, composition and copper castings ; Brainerd's wagon factory corner of the Turnpike and Fourth Street ; the Cuba Iron Company, the Suffolk Lead Works, the Plough Factory, Stevens, Ingalls & Co.'s brass foundry and P. A. Sylvester's machine shop.
CHAPTER XXX.
STATISTICS OF A CENTURY.
Population at various periods since annexation - Population, by precincts, 1895 and 1900 - Real and personal estate valuations, tax, and number of polls at various. . periods since 1835 - Representatives in the State government - Representation in the Board of Aldermen from beginning of the city.
The population of South Boston at various periods since annexa tion was as follows : -
1810,
354
1845,
10,020
1865,
29,363
1885,
61,534
1825,
1,986
1850,
13,309
1870,
39,215
1890,
66,791
1835,
5,595
1855,
16,912
1875,
54,147
1895,
67,913
1840,
6,176
1860,
24,92 I
1880,
56,369
1900,
67,809
Population, by precincts, showing losses and gains, 1895-1900 :-
WARD 13.
1895.
1900.
WARD 14,
1895.
1900.
Precinct
I
3,678
3,279
Precinct
I
3,209
3,804
2
4,230
2,945
2
2,572
2,707
3
2,777
2,588
3
1,652
1,800
4
2,965
2,839
4
2,057
1,984
5
2,829
2,928
5
2,238
2,738
6
2,697
2,295
6
2,333
2,356
7
2,82I
2,88 3
7
2,855
3,342
8
2,903
3,078
8
2,270
2,722
Total,
24,900
22,835
Total,
19,186
21,453.
WARD 15.
1895.
1900.
Precinct
I
2,409
2,109
2
2,340
3,07 I
3
2,537
2,794
+
2,345
2,040
5
2,33I
2,123
6
2,172
2,12I
7
2,244
2,923
8
2,245
2,519
Total,
18,623
19,700
241
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
The following table, showing the value of real estate, personal estate. total valuation, tax, and number of polls, is very interesting, and indicates the stages of growth : -
Years.
Real Estate. Personal Estate. Total Valuation.
Tax.
Polls.
IS35
$506,200
$115.500
$621,700
$7,131 49
734
IS40
753.400
155.500
908,900
11,583 40
1,027
I845
2,900.000
567,800
3,467,800
22,460 46
1,796
IS50
4.542.000
762,600
5,304,600
39,810 40
2,160
IS55
6,280,600
1,695,000
7.975,600
65,300 12
2,592
*IS70
23, 191.300
5.616,900
28,So8, 200
440,765 46
5,578
*IS75
43.346.600
5.581,500
48,928, 100
670,314 97
14,562
ISSO
26.996.800
4,014,500
31,011,300
456,171 76
13,769
1885
29,036. 100
2,625,300
31,661,400
405,265 92
17,230
1890
35.439.700
2,444,300
37.884,000
503,857 20
18, IOI
1895
37.702.300
2,264,600
39,966,900
511,576 32
19,194
+1900
42.727.600
3,837,000
46,564,600
684,499 62
IS,457
* The figures for 1870 and 1875 show the valuation and tax of wards 7 and 12, entire. A portion of ward 7, and included in these figures, was in the city proper, across the bridge. It was impossible to procure exact valuation for South Boston for these years.
+ In Igco a portion of ward 16 was in South Boston. Figures given here are of wards 13. 14 and 15 only.
Representatives in the State government in the last quarter century were as follows :
1875 .- Senator Hugh J. Toland, 6th Suffolk ; Representatives Thomas F. Fitzgerald, John B. Martin and James T. Mahony, ward 7; and Representatives Richard Pope and Thomas Johnson, ward 12.
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