USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > History of Wakefield (Middlesex County) Massachusetts, compiled by William E. Eaton and History Committee > Part 18
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Throughout the first fifty years the Home has depended on the gener- osity of the townspeople for its support, and it has never been let down. The annual Donation Days, the Membership Drives, and the Spring Luncheons planned and conducted for so many years by the Board and the local clubs have been well known and successful events. Many gifts toward the running expenses and additions to the endowment have been gratefully received. This year, however, there is a change of policy. The Home has been admitted to the Greater Boston Community Fund, as a participating member of the Wakefield Community' Chest.
A contribution which is most gratefully acknowledged at this time is that made by the physicians and clergymen of the town. Medical care beyond measure has been given at any and all times. Religious services are conducted at the Home at least once a month, bringing great spiritual comfort to all who can attend. Other visitors bringing cheer have been welcome at all times.
At present there are 13 members of the Home family living pleasantly
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
and comfortably under the care of the matron, Miss Margaret Johnson, and her assistant, Mrs. MacDonald. In its 50 years of service 60 women have enjoyed its peaceful shelter. Of these two lived at the Home more than twenty years, and several others more than a dozen years. It is a fine record.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Wakefield Council, No. 104, Knights of Columbus was organized and received its charter September 30, 1894, with an enrollment of 75 members. It is purely a Catholic fraternal organization, having standard forms of insurance and social membership; providing mutual aid and assistance to the sick and disabled members; promoting social, educational, charitable and religious activity; and assisting in public and welfare relief and war work.
Its chaplain is Rev. Florence J. Halloran, LL.D., and the Grand Knight is Frederick J. Wheeler.
HARMONY CHAPTER NO. 60, EASTERN STAR
Harmony Chapter No. 60, Order of the Eastern Star was instituted on December 16, 1897, with a charter list of 46 members. First Worthy Matron was Harriet M. Ware. First Worthy Patron was Arthur B. Weld. The present membership is about 300. The Chapter is prominent in the social and fraternal life of the town, and contributes to many charities.
The present Worthy Matron is Mrs. H. Ruth Crocker.
WAKEFIELD COURT NO. 161, M. C. O. F.
The Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters, a fraternal organiza- tion, was granted its first charter on March 12, 1879, in Boston, with a membership of 56 men.
It was founded for "charitable purposes, in the promotion of fraternity, unity and true Christian charity amongst its members and for the purpose of raising and maintaining a fund in order to give substantial assistance in time of sickness and distress."
It wasn't until fifteen years later in April of 1894 that the membership of the organization, originally limited to men, permitted the admittance of women. As the membership grew, charters were granted in the various cities and towns throughout the state.
On December 21, 1898, Wakefield Court No. 161 was instituted with 18 members. Of this number, four charter members remain on the roll, namely; William Bowman, Mrs. Mary Desmond, James Galvin and Michael Hallissey.
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
The adult membership of the Court at the present time numbers 77, and Mrs. Eileen M. Parsons is Chief Ranger for 1944.
A new branch of the Foresters, known as the Juvenile Division, which has just been formed for persons up to sixteen years of age, is proving very popular, there being at the present time 25 members in Wakefield Court. This makes a total of 102 members of the Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters belonging to Wakefield Court.
WILLIAM McKINLEY LODGE 101, KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
This Lodge was instituted February 12, 1902, and has listed as members many prominent citizens and town officials. A few of the charter members are still alive, with a membership record of 42 years. The 1944 membership is 64 with 11 in the armed services.
The first chancellor commander was Dr. James H. Kimball and Henry Sampson is the present chancellor commander.
WAKEFIELD AERIE NO. 842, FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES
The Wakefield Aerie was instituted September 4, 1904 as a beneficial and social organization. Among the national activities to its credit are the 1921 campaign for old age pensions resulting in the National Security Act; the workingmen's compensation laws and adequate widows' pension laws, and the idea of Mother's Day. The Order is now advancing the fight for stabilization of employment.
The Aerie has a membership of 253.
Thomas J. Mckeon is president.
WAHPATUCK TRIBE 54, IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN
The name originated from Chief Wahpatuck, Sachem of the Massa- chusetts Indians, son of Chief Chicatalbut, who died in 1633, a victim of smallpox. Chief Wahpatuck was killed in 1669 while on a raid against the Mohawks. The meaning of the name is "the white water of the waterfall." Wahpatuck Tribe 54 received its charter on the sleep of October 8, 1909 in Grand Army Hall. At the present time, April 1, 1944, it is the largest tribe of Red Men in the state. The Red Men own their wigwam, located at 33 West Water Street, and have a membership of over 250.
The present Sachem is Fred Fletcher.
SWEDISH SOCIETY ODEN
In the early nineties of the last century, a mild-mannered, and likable Swedish man, Andrew Johnson, approached his fellow countrymen-and
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WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
HISTORY OF
there were a lot of them at the old Wakefield Rattan Shop-and proposed that they form an organization or society for mutual benefit and social times.
With the assistance of such capable men as the late Andrew G. Ander- son, foreman at the rattan shop, well-known Odd Fellow, and for many years a selectman, and Axel Nelson, now deceased, men qualified for organ- ization and leadership, a primary meeting was held on February 8, 1892, with Andrew Johnson temporary chairman. It was then decided to form a Scandinavian Benefit Society. It turned out to be entirely Swedish as there were no Norwegians nor Danes in Wakefield. From 1909 this organi- zation has been known as the Swedish Society Oden.
The society started with 37 members.
For over a third of a century the society has paid sick and death bene- fits to members. besides donating liberally to individuals and institutions. The officers and members have included men of prominence in local affairs, and while the society has not been spectacular during its long career, the organization has kept along in a quiet way, fulfilling fraternal obligations and serving the interests of members and their families.
Women have been admitted to membership and have contributed suc- cessfully to the social end of the society's activities. The present member- ship is 74.
Albert Johnson is the 1944 president.
WAKEFIELD GRANGE NO. 293, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY Organized November 10, 1910
Not only is the Grange the oldest and strongest farm organization in America, but it is the only farmers' fraternity in the world. Bringing to- gether into compact groups the people of the open country, it directs its energies towards four distinct objects: (1) A more prosperous agriculture; (2) a more practical education; (3) a better community life; (4) higher ideals of manhood, womanhood and citizenship. All this is achieved through the helpful development of the individual.
WAKEFIELD LODGE NO. 1276 BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS
Wakefield Lodge No. 1276, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, was instituted May 16, 1912, in the town hall, with a charter membership of 123, under the leadership of its first Exalted Ruler, Col. Edward J. Gihon. Included in its jurisdiction are the towns of Wakefield, Reading, North Reading, Stoneham and Lynnfield.
The early meetings of the lodge were held in Grand Army Hall, but a rapidly expanding membership soon necessitated larger quarters.
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
In 1914 the lodge purchased the spacious residence known as the Fitz Estate, overlooking beautiful Lake Quannapowitt. With Col. Gihon again serving as Exalted Ruler, the new home. was officially dedicated May 20, 1914.
Actively participating in patriotic, civic, and fraternal affairs, the lodge has acquired an outstanding reputation.
The 1944 Exalted Ruler is Charles V. Statuti of North Reading.
ELKS' HOME, MAIN ST., LAKESIDE
THE WAKEFIELD VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION
The idea of a Visiting Nurse Association for Wakefield originated in the mind of the former Mrs. George Burgess, and became a reality with the formation of an organization in June, 1912. Mrs. Burgess was assisted in the details of organizing by the Kosmos Club, and she became its first president. The first considerable money-making effort was an outdoor and indoor fete on the grounds of the former Wakefield Mansion, where the high school now stands.
The purpose of the Association-"to care for the sick of Wakefield in their homes"-has been carried out through the years and the work has steadily expanded. Indeed, so greatly has it expanded, that its activities require a full-time nurse, a second nurse for half-time or more, and a full- time clerk.
The Association has, for many years, maintained a well-baby clinic, with a pediatrician in attendance. To every bi-monthly clinic come babies, to the number of 25 and 50, and their mothers.
The town contributes financially to the maintenance of this community health work by its annual appropriation of $500.
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The Association is a member of the Greater Boston Community Fund organization, through its affiliation as a participating member of the Wake- field Community Chest, and two insurance companies pay regularly for the visits of the nurses to their policyholders.
The business of the Association is carried on by a Board of Directors, which consists of 20 women and two men. Its business is transacted with a proper sense of its importance to the public health of Wakefield.
Mrs. Carlos Monge is the 1944 president.
WAKEFIELD HEBREW LADIES' CHARITABLE SOCIETY
The Wakefield Hebrew Ladies' Charitable Society, with 24 years of uninterrupted, devoted service to its credit, has a notable record of accom- plishment.
Founded by 19 local women of the Jewish faith in July, 1920, as a chartered organization, its main purpose, as its name implies, is to provide aid to the needy and to render assistance in the maintenance of health, relief and cultural standards on a non-sectarian basis.
It fills a social as well as cultural need in the community. Today, with a membership of 40 women, which includes members from the adjacent communities of Melrose, Stoneham, Reading and Lynnfield, its benefac- tions, locally, nationally, and abroad, are as manifold as they are numerous.
Its members, both as a group and individually, are active participants in civilian defense, boxes for service men, Red Cross and war bond sales.
The society will continue to uphold and improve its standards to meet the demand of the community and of its people.
Mrs. Barnet Gersin is honorary president, and Mrs. David Berman is president.
WAKEFIELD FIREMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
Organized January 15, 1895, this association has consistently rendered a beneficial service to all firemen. Members of the fire department are liable, in the discharge of their duty, to many casualties to which citizens generally are not exposed. This called for the formation of this Associa- tion for the purpose of mutual aid and assistance. Townspeople, at the annual ball, have been generous in response, and year by year, have, with the firemen themselves, seen the wisdom of the creation of this Association and its successful career. The 1944 president is Daniel J. Sullivan.
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
WAKEFIELD POLICE RELIEF ASSOCIATION, INC.
This association was organized in 1924, and acting under a well- planned constitution, has a good record of service to members of the Police Department. Four funds have been created: namely, a death fund con- sisting of 40% of regular dues and of admission fees; a disability fund, consisting of 50% of dues and fees; an expense fund of 10% of dues, fees and fines, and a special fund for donations, bequests, and proceeds of all social activities; transferable to other funds by vote of the Directors. Death benefits are limited to $1,000; and disability payments to $15 per week. The association has prospered and its entertainments and other public activities have been well supported by citizens of the town.
Raymond J. Bean is the 1944 president.
THE ITALIAN ORDER OF COLUMBIAN PIONEERS
This Order was organized May, 1931.
Its purposes are :
To spread among the Italian people the spirit of that great Italian, Christopher Columbus.
To be proud of their heritage and work together for the common good.
To work in harmony with all other Italian organizations in Wakefield for the Americanization, naturalization and unification of all classes of Italians.
To acquaint them, as American citizens, with the affairs of government.
SONS OF ITALY
William Paca Lodge, No. 1734, Sons of Italy, was organized and incor- porated in 1933. The Order of the Sons of Italy is a patriotic organization whose purpose is to encourage naturalization of its members and to acquaint them with the important matter of state and national govern- ments. Thousands of its members are in the armed forces.
WILDLIFE RESTORATION CLUB
The Wakefield Wildlife Restoration Club was organized by a group of local sportsmen in 1937 for the purpose of stocking local covers with pheasants and rabbits, and also streams in the vicinity with brook and rainbow trout.
Many of the charter members belonged to the old Quannapowitt Sportsman's Association. Joseph Curley was elected first president and was succeeded by Harvey Evans, who served for three terms. Florence McAuliffe is now beginning his second year as president of the organiza- tion.
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
Dr. Frank Woodbury, chairman for many years of the old Q. S. A., is carrying on the same work and office for the new club. Robert Fletcher has done remarkable work as head of the game distribution committee.
The State Fish and Game Department, in co-operation with the Wild- life Club, each year stocks nearby streams with thousands of legal size trout. When the Wildlife Club was organized, game had practically dis- appeared from the local woods and meadows, but through its restocking program, good hunting may now be enjoyed by sportsmen.
WAKEFIELD CIRCLE FLORENCE CRITTENTON LEAGUE
The Wakefield Circle of the Florence Crittenton League was organized June 18, 1937, with Mrs. C. Lawrence Macurda president, followed by Mrs. Hiram A. Tobey in 1940-42.
The Circle is affiliated with The Boston Florence Crittenton League of Compassion, and is one of 25 Circles of Greater Boston with a membership of 2500 representative women.
The League has three departments: the Maternity Home and Hos- pital in Brighton, the Welcome House, a study house for delinquent girls, in Jamaica Plain, and the Educational Department of the League.
Mrs. Ferdinand Gianfranchi is the 1944 president.
ROYAL ARCANUM
Wakefield Council No. 2385 of the Royal Arcanum was instituted June 9, 1941, at Odd Fellows' Hall, with 54 charter members. The Coun- cil received its charter September 26, 1941, when 26 candidates received the Royal Arcanum degree, an audience of 170 persons being present.
The Royal Arcanum is a fraternal benefit association. Its purposes are fraternal union; aid to its members and their dependents; the educa- tion socially, morally and intellectually of its members; assisting the widows and orphans of deceased members and establishing a fund for the relief of sick and distressed members.
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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Cemeteries
The Two Early Burial Grounds - Lakeside Cemetery - Forest Glade Cemetery - Jewish Burial Ground
The first Burying Ground was on the northerly side of Church Street. With the erection of the first town house in this location, the remains of the early settlers were removed to the north side of the pres- ent First Parish (Congregational) Meeting House. The first male burial
SHRINE AT FOREST GLADE CEMETERY, MONTROSE (In center of Catholic section)
was probably Rev. Henry Green, the first minister who died in 1648. Next came Francis Smith in 1651, Jeremiah Swayne in 1658, Zachariah Fitch and Rev. Samuel Haugh in 1652.
The second Burying Ground, known as the Old Burial Ground, and situated on Church Street on the shore of Lake Quannapowitt, was laid out in 1688 and there have been a few interments in recent years in old family lots.
In 1846, because of the need of a new burial location, land was ac- quired on the westerly shore of Lake Quannapowitt by the Proprietors
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
of Lakeside Cemetery, an organized corporation made up of local persons. This cemetery, although privately owned, meets present requirement extensions, by purchase, having greatly enlarged the originally laid out cemetery of eighteen acres.
In 1859 a Jewish Cemetery was laid out between Beacon Street and Lakeside Avenue, by the Temple Adath Israel Society of Boston. The principal owner of this cemetery is now the Congregation Adath Israel, also of Boston, who by recent purchases have extended its property out to North Avenue.
A demand for a large, public burying ground was met in 1899 when the town acquired land on the northerly side of Lowell Street, in the northeast section of the town, and here was established the Forest Glade Cemetery, which has been self-supporting up to the present time. This cemetery is developing rapidly and the receipts for 1943 were for per- petual care, $2663; from sale of lots and graves, $2162, and other receipts $1610; a total of $6435. In 1942 receipts were $4800. A section of this cemetery has been reserved for the interment of those of Catholic faith. Heretofore, the Catholic Cemetery in Stoneham had been, and is still being used.
LAKESIDE CEMETERY MEMORIAL CHAPEL Erected in 1932
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CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
national and State Activities
Post Office - Selective Service - Rationing Board - U. S. Employment Office - District Health Office - State Armory -Camp Curtis Guild
WAKEFIELD POST OFFICE
In the early days mail and Boston papers were brought to town by individuals, who, on returning home, picked up the Reading mail at the toll house in Charlestown, or at a Charlestown or Boston store or tavern, and left it at some central store for distribution to those who called for it.
In 1812 the first regular post office was established in a small building . on Main Street, at or near the site of the recently demolished Brown's Block. John Rayner was the first postmaster, followed by Burrage Yale, Eli A. Yale, Charles H. Stearns, Lilley Eaton, Samuel Kingman, John W. Locke, Alstead W. Brownell, Charles B. Bowman, Thomas Hickey, Stanley B. Dearborn, Thomas G. O'Connell, Frank H. Hackett, Felix Pasqualino and Eugene J. Sullivan, the present postmaster.
In 1852, or soon after Kingman's appointment, he built the block, still standing on the corner of Main and Albion Streets, (now Bourdon's Block) and here he established the post office.
The first "free delivery" was by Kingman, as the story goes. He often went to the post office on Sunday morning, took certain mail, placed it in his hat, and would then proceed to the corner on Main Street, and give out the mail to those going to church who lived in the south and east parts of the town. He then proceeded to the Universalist Church, and gave out mail to the people coming from the north district. Mrs. Essie King- man Pottle is the proud possessor of Grandfather Kingman's old hat. The post office was later moved to the brick block at the corner of Main Street and Richardson Avenue; then to the building now occupied by the Wake- field Municipal Light Department; then to the new United States Govern- ment Post Office on Main Street erected in 1936. The first money order was issued July 7, 1874.
!
Rural free delivery came in 1900, and parcel post in 1912 with two mail deliveries daily. The postal service now has fourteen carriers.
The present post office was dedicated on the evening of January 27,
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
1937, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, and preceded by a ban- quet, the dedicatory exercises being attended by over 200 citizens and guests. Frederick W. Bliss was master of ceremonies. Among the speak- ers were Edward M. Bridge, architect of the building; representatives of the postal department of the federal government, and Frank H. Hackett, a former postmaster. Active in negotiations with the federal government were Albert W. Rockwood, Postmaster Eugene J. Sullivan, Dr. Curtis L. Sopher and the late Harris M. Dolbeare. William Blanchard, president of the Chamber of Commerce, was chairman of the Dedication Committee.
WAKEFIELD POST OFFICE BUILDING Main Street and Yale Avenue, in Upper Wakefield Square
SELECTIVE SERVICE BOARD NO. 149
This is a board charged with the registration and classification of Wakefield and Reading men from 18 to 45 years of age for the various branches of the armed forces of the United States. The Board was ap- pointed by President Roosevelt, as recommended by Governor Saltonstall. and held its organization meeting on October 15, 1940. The Board per- sonnel is made up of Lieutenant Colonel John H. McMahon, Major Samuel H. Brooks, Walter F. Carley and Ervine E. Laughton of Wake
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field and Ernest E. Gallant of Reading; Chester L. Fuller is the chief clerk and his first assistant is· Mary E. Morgan. It is an inspiring, yet a sadden- ing sight to see the Wakefield youths from time to time, assembled in groups at the Lafayette building, to entrain for Boston for physical exam- ination and induction and then leaving for training camps. These groups are given a blessing by local ministers and send-offs by town officials, relatives and friends. The local Red Cross Canteen is always on hand with refreshments. On one occasion a group was accompanied to the train by the Reading High School Band.
WAR PRICE AND RATIONING BOARD
War was declared December 7, 1941.
The Office of Price Administration was created in Washington, and is commonly referred to as the OPA. The Federal Government called upon the Governors on January 7, 1942, to set up machinery for the ration- ing of tires, which was the beginning of rationing in this country during World War II. The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Orrin J. Hale, as authorized by Governor Leverett Saltonstall, appointed the three original members of the Wakefield War Price and Rationing Board, then . called the Tire Rationing Board. The members were Postmaster Eugene J. Sullivan, Chairman; Francis J. Smith and V. Richard Fazio. In August, 1942, Chairman Sullivan resigned on account of increased postal duties. V. Richard Fazio was then appointed General Chairman.
During the latter part of 1942 the duties of the Wakefield War Price and Rationing Board increased so much that the membership on the Board was increased to twelve. It was divided into four different panels, namely: tire, bicycle and gasoline panel; food panel; fuel panel and price control panel; each panel having a membership of three. The office personnel was increased from one clerk to seven paid clerks.
All Board members, including the General Chairman, are unpaid volunteer workers who have devoted hours of their time to the war effort. It will be noted that a single agency, the Office of Price Administration under which the Wakefield War Price and Rationing Board operates, was responsible for three key fronts in the war against inflation. These include the stabilization of prices, the control of rents, and the administration of rationing. The emergency price control act (January 30, 1942) gave OPA authorization to control prices and rents, and prescribed penalties by putting limitations on its power to control farm prices and products produced from them.
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
Rationing of tires, automobiles, and typewriters also began in the spring of 1942. Rent control in twenty "defense-rental" areas was author- ized on March 2, 1942. The town of Wakefield was included in this area.
The Victory Fund Drive of December, 1942, yielded thirteen billion dollars. The payroll savings plan for bond purchases had the support of about twelve million people in April, 1942, and of twenty-seven million by June, 1943. The Second War Loan Drive in April, 1943, raised eighteen and one-half billion dollars and the Third War Loan, September, 1943, produced nearly nineteen billion dollars. Wakefield's quota for the Fourth War Loan Drive in February, 1944, was set at one million dollars, and on the last day of the drive it was exceeded by $174,242.
Consumer credit restorations were denied May 6, 1942, by requiring prompt payment of charge accounts and further discouraging installment buying. The General Maximum Price Regulation issued by OPA April 28, 1942, froze prices of almost all commodities at the highest prices charged by each seller during 1942 and the ceilings over 62% of the cost of living. Fresh vegetable prices were frozen in the spring of 1943 and shortly afterwards dollars and cents ceilings were placed on pork at retail.
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