USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Springfield > History of the "Old High School" on School Street, Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1828 to 1840 : with a personal history of the teachers : also, the names of 265 pupils, with their history in part : with portraits and a sketch of the building > Part 4
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SETH H. MOSELEY.
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"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
GEORGE T. BOND .- Went to Illinois in 1839 and engaged in the mercantile business. In a few years he returned to Springfield, Mass., and went into business on the "Hill" with the late Walter H. Bowdoin, under the firm name of Bowdoin & Bond. He was agent and superintendent of the Hampden Paint Company from 1852 to 1873. He died Nov. 17, 1886, aged 69 years, 10 months.
JAMES P. EASTMAN .- Clerk with H. & J. Brewer. About the year 1846 he went to New York in the employ of Messrs. Sands, druggists. He died there (N. Y.) in 1848 at the age of 23.
WILLIAM E. TRASK .- Was at Amherst College 1835-36, graduated at the University of the City of New York, 1840. Studied at College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, but did not take a degree or practice. He was at one time a patient at the Hospital for the Insane at Northampton, Mass. ; was discharged April, 1879.
CHARLES STEBBINS, Brooklyn, N. Y .- Went to New York in 1829 as clerk in a grocery house, remaining six years. In 1835 went to Mobile, Ala., where he remained until 1840. From thence he removed to New Orleans, La., where he resided twelve years. After an absence of con- siderable time he returned, remaining four years, until October, 1861. Was in the city when the rebels fired on Fort Sumter, saw the taking possession of the U. S. mint, treasury, custom house, forts, and other U. S. property. Being a staunch Union man, he was with many other stead- fast Union men forced by public opinion to join some mili- tary organization, but never was called into active service. He was advised by a prominent Southerner to go North, and he arranged for him in getting a pass from Gen. D. E. Twiggs which took him to the Ohio river.
WILLIAM W. CHAPMAN .- A cadet at West Point July I, 1833, to July 1, 1837; second lieutenant Second Artil- lery, July 1, 1837. Served in the Florida war 1837-38; first
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lieutenant July 7, 1838, quartermaster in the war with Mex- ico ; captain of staff May II, 1846; brevet major Feb. 23, 1847, for gallantry in the battle of Buena Vista ; aid-de-camp to Brevet Major-General Wool in 1847. He died by his own act Sept. 27, 1859, at Fort Monroe, Va., aged 45. He was a favorite of General Winfield Scott, Commander-in- Chief U. S. Army.
HENRY MORRIS, Wilbraham, Mass .- Went to sea. Ship- ped as a cabin boy at fourteen years of age; master of a vessel in the merchant service before he was twenty-one years old. He was lost at sea in March, 1844, in the ship "Mary Bright," being in his twenty-fifth year.
CALVIN WAIT .- In 1835 he went to Rochester, N. Y. ; in 1839 was in the office of the canal collector ; in 1843 went to Albany, N. Y., and engaged with his brother in the canal forwarding business until 1857. Spent two years in the West. Returned to Rochester, N. Y., in 1860, and in December of that year accepted a position in the post office in that city, where he still remains.
HORACE C. LEE, Springfield, Mass .- Was a dry goods merchant from 1848 to 1857. City clerk and treasurer in 1860. On the opening of the war of the Rebellion he entered the service as colonel of the 27th Regiment Mass. Volunteers. He was mustered in as colonel, with field and staff to date Sept. 20, 1861. He had command of the reg- iment at the battle of New-Berne, N. C., where it met a large loss in killed and wounded. He was taken prisoner at Drury's Bluff, Va., May 16, 1864, paroled at Charleston, S. C., Aug. 3, 1864, and mustered out Sept. 25, 1864. General Lee was a brave and meritorious soldier, and greatly endeared himself to the officers and men under his com- mand. He was postmaster of Springfield, Mass., from Jan. 8, 1872, to Jan. 31, 1884. He died June 22, 1884, in the 62d year of his age.
ELAM O. POTTER .- Was a merchant for several years in New York, where he died July 24, 1880, at the age of 54.
GEN. HORACE C. LEE.
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HISTORY OF THE
GEORGE SMITH, Springfield, Mass .- Carpenter.
EDWARD C. STEBBINS, Springfield, Mass .- Druggist from 1848 to 1884.
EDWIN TAYLOR, Springfield, Mass .- Died Jan. 21, 1840, aged 24.
NOAH P. WALKER, Springfield, Mass .- Died Sept. 4, 1846, aged 28.
HENRY F. STARKEY, Springfield, Mass .- Clerk. He died Feb. 4, 1845, aged 23.
GILES PEASE, Springfield, Mass .- A farmer.
ERASMUS D. PERRY, Hartford, Conn .- Clerk. Died March 1, 1874, aged 60.
RODERICK STEBBINS, Friendship, Alleghany county, N. Y.
RICHARD BURT, Agawam, Mass .- Farmer. Died Oct. 15, 1872, aged 47.
JACKSON STEBBINS, Dubuque, Iowa .- Died in 1885, aged about 70.
EDMUND BATES .- Was in North Carolina previous to the Rebellion, and entered the Confederate service as an engineer on a blockade runner.
LYMAN FERRE, Bloomington, Ill.
WILLIAM C. RICE .- Went to Texas in 1837.
JAMES T. SHEPARD .- Was clerk in a jewelry store and for several years was employed at United States Armory. He became interested in watch making and went to Roxbury, Mass., in the employ of the old Boston Watch Company. The business was removed to Waltham, Mass., and is now the American Watch Company ; he has been foreman of one of the departments for the last thirty-five years. The daily product of this company is 1600 watches per day, and 2800 men and women are employed.
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JAMES T. SHEPARD.
5I
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
JOSIAH B. CHAPIN .- Was station agent at North Wilbra- ham, Mass., on the opening of the Western Railroad (now the Boston & Albany) in 1840. In 1841 he went to Illinois and engaged in farming on Rock river. The following year he returned to Springfield, Mass., and entered the service of the Western Railroad, filling the positions of agent, conductor, and division superintendent faithfully and with regularity, until his death at Albany, N. Y., Jan. 19, 1889, in his 7Ist year, having been in the service of the company forty-nine years and one month.
JONATHAN C. BOYLSTON .- Went to Worcester, Mass., was a merchant tailor for many years. Now engaged in manufacturing cement drain tile at East Haddam, Conn., where he has resided since 1860.
PETER R. POTTER .- Was engaged in mercantile business in Springfield, Mass., and New York city. On the outbreak of the "gold fever" he went to California. He died at Stockton, Cal., in 1850, aged 31 years.
JOEL D. BARBER, Springfield, Mass .- A well known merchant tailor. Was for three years with Sylvester Clark, tailor ; in 1836 went to New York, remaining one year, when he returned to Springfield ; in 1844 went to Palmer, Mass., where he remained five years, and in 1849 went to New York. In 1861 he returned to Springfield, where he has since been in business.
JAMES WELLS, Springfield, Mass .- Was clerk in the drug store of Rust & Aspinwall, New York city, at the age of thirteen ; with Catlin & Co., Hartford, Conn., in 1842. Returning to this city he entered the service of D. & J. Ames. In 1849 was agent for Connecticut River Railroad Company ; has been the faithful ticket agent for Boston & Albany, and Hartford, New Haven & New York Rail- roads since January, 1856.
WILLIAM STANLEY HATCH .-- Went to Cincinnati, Ohio, remaining until 1859. Then went across the plains with a
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HISTORY OF THE
mule team to Santa Fé, and along the Rio Grande, thence on the old army trail to Fort Massachusetts to Colorado, induced to take that route from meeting " Kit Carson " one day on the plasa at Santa Fé. Was in Colorado in 1860. During the war of the Rebellion, when in Denver, in 1863 he raised a company which was joined to General Brown's regiment, and was sent by General Evans down the Platte to quiet the Indians ; had with them the noted Indian scout "Jim Baker." They garrisoned old Fort St. Vrain, scouted the country for some time, returned to Denver and disbanded. In 1867 he returned to Cincinnati. He now resides at Riverside, Hamilton Co., Ohio.
GEORGE COLTON .- At the age of fourteen he entered the drug store of William Sparhawk & Co., opposite Court Square, Springfield. The late Henry Sterns was the silent partner. On the death of Mr. Sparhawk the late Joseph C. Parsons became a partner with Mr. Sterns, the firm being Sterns & Parsons. In a few years Mr. Parsons retired from the business, and it was sold to the late C. L. Covell and Mr. Goodwin of Hartford, Conn., the firm being Covell & Goodwin. In 1840 Mr. Colton went to Boston, Mass., in the employ of William Brown, druggist. In the autumn of 1843 he took charge of a store at the West End, where he is now located.
ABIJAH W. CHAPIN .- Was postmaster of Springfield, Mass., from September, 1853, to April, 1861. A director in Massasoit Insurance Company from 1860 to 1866, presi- dent of same from 1862 until its close in 1866 (owing to the heavy losses met by the great fire in Portland, Me., July 4, 1866, when, on the 17th same month, the company decided to close up their business). He was a corporator of the Five Cents Savings Bank in 1854, a trustee from 1854 to 1870 ; vice-president of same from 1863 to 1870 ; a director of John Hancock National Bank from 1864 to 1876. Was engaged in the insurance business for several years. In April, 1873, he removed to Deerfield, Mass.
ABIJAH W. CHAPIN.
.
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"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
CHARLES W. HUBBARD, Springfield, Mass .- Was a car- penter and builder, firm of Hubbard & Hendrick. He died June 2, 1870, aged 54.
JOSEPH MILLER, Springfield, Mass .- A printer. He died by his own act, Nov. 11, 1873, at the age of 49.
SAMUEL M. OSGOOD, New York City .- Merchant. He died at East Orange, N. J., June 22, 1882, aged 61.
CALVIN S. SHATTUCK .-- Prepared for the Congregational ministry at Oneida Institute, and Auburn and Lane semi- naries, completing his course in 1848. From 1850 to 1860 was at Greenwich, N. Y. Was six years at Emerald Grove, Wis. After the war of the Rebellion was a missionary in the Southwest for five years, his labors being in the con- tiguous corners of Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and the Indian Territory. Since the war was five years at Mill- ville, N. Y., and nine years in Michigan. In 1888 he went to Louisiana to labor especially among the many Northern people settled there. He resides at Amite, Tangipahoa Co., La. He writes : "In returning from school one day, through Prospect street (now High street), I heard most fearful cries from the Card Factory pond; running to where it could be seen I found that a big boy had broken through the weak ice of spring, and was using up his strength in unearthly outcries instead of effective exertions, but just then a man from the factory extended a pole to him, and as he clung to it drew him safely ashore. As the boy rose to his feet the man said, 'There ! don't you ever make such a noise again if you are drowning.'"
OTIS R. POTTER .- At the age of nineteen he went to New York as clerk for John J. Brower, hardware mer- chant. In 1838 he went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he was principal of one of the public schools for three years ; a part of that time he was president of the board of educa- tion. In 1842 he returned to New York and was in the employ of Mr. Tappan, the originator of the trade agency business in the United States. In 1848 he went South,
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HISTORY OF THE
One of the scholars, now a prominent lawyer, spoke his piece, an extract from the speech of Daniel Webster at the laying of the corner-stone of the Bunker Hill Monu- ment at Charlestown, Mass., on the 17th of June, 1825.
Venerable men ! you have come down to us from a former generation. Heaven has bounteously lengthened out your lives that you might behold this joyous day. You are now where you stood fifty years ago, this very hour, with your brothers and your neighbors, shoulder to shoulder, in the strife for your country. Behold, how altered! The same heavens are indeed over your heads, the same ocean rolls at your feet ; but all else, how changed ! You hear now no roar of hostile cannon, you see no mixed volumes of smoke and flame rising from burning Charlestown, the ground strowed with the dead and the dying, the impetuous charge, the steady and successful repulse, the loud call to repeated assault, the summoning of all that is manly to repeated resistance, a thousand bosoms freely and fearlessly bared in an instant to whatever of terror there may be in war and death,-all these you have witnessed but you witness them no more. All is peace.
This was delivered by one who admired heroism.
CASABIANCA.
The boy stood on the burning deck Whence all but him had fled ; The flame that lit the battle's wreck Shone round him o'er the dead.
The flames rolled on, he would not go Without his father's word; That father, faint in death below, His voice no longer heard.
He called aloud : " Say, father, say If yet my task is done ! " He knew not that the chieftain lay Unconscious of his son.
" Speak, father !" once again he cried, " If I may yet be gone !" And but the booming shots replied,- And fast the flames rolled on.
Upon his brow he felt their breath, And in his waving hair, And looked from that lone post of death, In still yet brave despair.
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL." 85
And shouted but once more aloud, "My father ! must I stay ?" While o'er him fast, through sail and shroud, The wreathing fires made way .- Mrs. Hemans.
This piece was spoken by several patriotic youths at various times.
WARREN'S ADDRESS AT BUNKER HILL.
Stand ! the ground's your own, my braves ! Will ye give it up to slaves ? Will ye look for greener graves? Hope ye mercy still ? What's the mercy despots feel ?
Hear it in that battle peal ! Read it on yon bristling steel ! Ask it-ye who will.
Fear ye foes who kill for hire ? Will ye to your homes retire ? Look behind you ! they're afire ! And, before you, see Who have done it !- From the vale On they come !- and will ye quail ? Leaden rain and iron hail Let their welcome be !
In the God of battles trust ! Die we may,-and die we must ;- But, O ! where can dust to dust Be consigned so well As where Heaven its dews shall shed On the martyred patriot's bed, And the rocks shall raise their head, Of his deeds to tell !- J. Pierpont.
This was spoken by a boy of modest mien and bearing. SEVEN AGES; OR THE PROGRESS OF HUMAN LIFE.
All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players : They have their exits, and their entrances ; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages ! at first, the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms ; And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school, And then the lover,
9
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HISTORY OF THE
traveling in Louisiana and other Southern states for sev- eral months. Returning to New York he went into the mercantile agency business, the firm being O. R. Potter & Co. In 1858 they dissolved partnership and sold out to Kil- lop & Wood. He subsequently engaged in the insurance business, in which he remained until his death, which occurred at Brooklyn, N. Y., Jan. 5, 1867, at the age of 54. One of his esteemed friends writes : " He was by birth a typical New Englander ; a staunch abolitionist in the days when it took backbone and grit to be one. He was liberal in general lines of thought and warmly interested in all philanthropic schemes. Socially he was of genial disposi- tion and of hospitable tendencies, an admirer of simplicity and straightforwardness of speech. While not belonging to any church he had a strong tendency to Unitarianism. He was for many years a member of the New England Club in New York city."
WILLIAM H. BARBER, Springfield, Mass .- Employed at U. S. Armory from 1837 to 1861. From 1862 was U. S. inspector at Windsor, Vt., Norwich, Middletown, and New Haven, Conn., until the close of the war of the Rebellion. Afterwards was hotel clerk until 1887.
WARREN MILLS, Springfield, Mass .- A prominent con- tractor and builder for nearly forty years.
JAMES KIRKHAM, Springfield, Mass .- Clerk with Henry Sargeant, jeweler, from 1837 to 1845. Firm of Woodworth & Kirkham from 1845 to 1851. In business on his own account from 1852 to 1858 ; a part of the time his brother was a partner. President of Pynchon Bank from 1857 to 1862 ; president of First National Bank from its organiza- tion in 1863. An able financier. A member of the com- mon council and its president in 1856. An alderman in 1883. A director in the Mutual Fire Assurance Company, Street Railway Company of this city, and City Library Association, and treasurer of Oak Grove cemetery.
JAMES KIRKHAM.
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HISTORY OF THE
GEORGE SMITH, Springfield, Mass .- Carpenter.
EDWARD C. STEBBINS, Springfield, Mass .- Druggist from 1848 to 1884.
EDWIN TAYLOR, Springfield, Mass .- Died Jan. 21, 1840, aged 24.
NOAH P. WALKER, Springfield, Mass .- Died Sept. 4, 1846, aged 28.
HENRY F. STARKEY, Springfield, Mass .- Clerk. He died Feb. 4, 1845, aged 23.
GILES PEASE, Springfield, Mass .- A farmer.
ERASMUS D. PERRY, Hartford, Conn .- Clerk. Died March 1, 1874, aged 60.
RODERICK STEBBINS, Friendship, Alleghany county, N. Y.
RICHARD BURT, Agawam, Mass .- Farmer. Died Oct. 15, 1872, aged 47.
JACKSON STEBBINS, Dubuque, Iowa .- Died in 1885, aged about 70.
EDMUND BATES .- Was in North Carolina previous to the Rebellion, and entered the Confederate service as an engineer on a blockade runner.
LYMAN FERRE, Bloomington, Ill.
WILLIAM C. RICE .- Went to Texas in 1837.
JAMES T. SHEPARD .- Was clerk in a jewelry store and for several years was employed at United States Armory. He became interested in watch making and went to Roxbury, Mass., in the employ of the old Boston Watch Company. The business was removed to Waltham, Mass., and is now the American Watch Company ; he has been foreman of one of the departments for the last thirty-five years. The daily product of this company is 1600 watches per day, and 2800 men and women are employed.
JAMES T. SHEPARD.
55
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
SAMUEL R. NEWELL, Springfield, Mass .- Firm of New- ell Brothers Manufacturing Company. In 1838 clerk in the jobbing house of Bowles & Childs, Hartford, Conn .; in 1843 engaged in the rubber store of Ames & Newell, New York, his brother, Nelson C. Newell, being a partner. The brothers in a few years went to Longmeadow, Mass., and began the making of buttons with the late Dimond Chandler. Afterwards they bought out Mr. Chandler. About 1861 they removed their business to Springfield. Samuel R. Newell was, with his brother, half owner in the Dickinson Hard Rubber Company and president of the same. He died Dec. 4, 1878, aged 56.
NELSON C. NEWELL, Springfield, Mass .- Firm of Newell Brothers Manufacturing Company. Was among the first to engage in the manufacture of India rubber at Naugatuck, Conn., also the first of the button manufacturers in this vicinity. He is president and treasurer of Newell Brothers Manufacturing Company, a director in the City National Bank, and in the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. Was member of the common council in 1871 and 1872. A successful manufacturer and an estimable citizen.
ELI H. PATCH, Springfield, Mass .- Boarding stables. Member of the common council in 1862, 1863, and 1869, alderman in 1873.
N. DENSLOW GAY, Springfield, Mass .- Was in the hat and fur business in this city for many years; removed to Worcester, Mass., and engaged in the flour and grain trade. Now resides in this city.
DELIUS ALLIN, Middletown, Conn .- Was in the tool department at the U. S. Armory, Springfield, Mass., for several years. He went South and for several years pre- vious to the war of the Rebellion was master armorer at the U. S. Arsenal at Charleston, S. C., and since and at present with Russell Manufacturing Company at Middle- town, Conn.
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HISTORY OF THE
M. L. SYKES, New York City .- Was clerk for Jonathan Bangs, on the Hill, for about two years, and nearly one year with F. M. Carew & Co., and one year with D. & J. Ames at their paper mill at Chicopee Falls, Mass. He began railway business on the New Haven, Hartford & Springfield Railroad in 1844. During its construction between Springfield and Hartford was engaged by William Beckwith division engineer and served in the engineer corps, Frederick Harbach being resident engineer of the whole line, and Capt. John Childe chief engineer. Mr. Sykes was for a short time engaged with the engineers under Mr. Beckwith in field work upon the Connecticut River Railroad between Springfield and Cabotville, now Chicopee. He held the position of general clerk to Mr. Harbach, resident engineer, with office duties at Spring- field, and as pay-master on the work. Soon after the open- ing of the road to Hartford, where it connected with the Hartford & New Haven Railroad (which was laid with strap rail and ran some of the old style English coaches), he was transferred to the freight office under R. N. Dowd, agent at New Haven, and then to the general offices of the company at Hartford, and became clerk to the president, Charles F. Pond, and successively to general superintend- ents Amasa Stone, Jr., E. H. Brodhead, and Chief Engin- eer T. Willis Pratt. In those early days of railroads we have the facts that one clerk at headquarters on a railroad sixty-two miles long performed the duties not only of the general office work, but also acted as a reserve for station agents when absent for cause, spare conductor, auditor of station reports, and pay-master of the road, all of which and various other duties he performed and remained with the company until 1853, passing through various grades up to the post of superintendent.
During these nine years, however, he left the road for a short time in 1851 at the desire of the late Chester W. Chapin and took the superintendency of the Connecticut River Railroad after Mr. Chapin became president of that
M. L. SYKES.
57
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
company. Owing to his desire to return to the Hartford & New Haven Railroad he resigned his office upon the Connecticut River road and returned to his old position upon the Hartford & New Haven. During the interval of a change, in 1853 or 1854, he was for a short time in the employ of the late D. L. Harris and A. D. Briggs, the emi- nent bridge builders.
He was superintendent of the Morris & Essex Rail- road in New Jersey, and resigned the office in 1854 to take charge of the Hudson River Railroad as superin- tendent under Hon. Edwin D. Morgan, president, where he remained until 1857, having been promoted from the grade of superintendent to that of vice-president, at which time he resigned and went to Chicago as superintendent and vice- president of the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad, remain- ing there three years.
In 1860 he left the Chicago & Milwaukee and accepted the position of vice-president of the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad, and remained with the company five years, leaving it while filling the office of president, in 1865, to return to New York as vice- president of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Rail- road, where he served from July, 1865, until January, 1867. He went to Cleveland, O., in January, 1867, as vice-presi- dent of the Cleveland, Painesville & Ashtabula Railroad, under Amasa Stone, Jr., president.
In July, 1867, he resigned from the Cleveland, Paines- ville & Ashtabula and again returned to New York, having accepted the office of second vice-president of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway under Hon. William B. Ogden, president. His connection with this company has now continued twenty-two years as follows : Second vice-presi- dent from July 22, 1867, to June 30, 1870, vice-president from June 30, 1870, to June 30, 1873, and vice-president, secretary, and treasurer since June 30, 1873, which offices he now holds. In connection with this company he is also the vice-president, treasurer, and assistant secretary of the
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HISTORY OF THE
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway Com- pany in New York, and an officer of several minor railway companies comprised within the systems of the Chicago & Northwestern and the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway Companies. He was born in Springfield, Mass., March 26, 1826.
President Sykes is possessed of great executive ability, and in the management of the various roads which have come under his supervision he has given his large expe- rience without stint, and has discharged the duties imposed upon him with fidelity and great care. He has the single purpose of serving the interest of the public, but is not unmindful of that watchfulness necessary to keep and better the service of the various companies which he repre- sents, bringing the most satisfactory results to both the stockholders and the public.
LINVILLE J. HALL .- When about fifteen years of age he entered the printing office of the Springfield (Mass.) Gazette, then published by Josiah Taylor. In 1844 he was a com- positor on the Daily Republican, then established by Samuel Bowles, Sen. Afterwards he was a compositor on Zion's Herald, Boston, Mass. From thence he went to Cabotville, now Chicopee, Mass., and was employed on the Cabotville Chronicle. He was a printer for about twelve years. While engaged in Hartford, Conn., upon John C. Fremont's report of the Rocky Mountains and California in 1848, he was seized with the spirit of adventure, and in November joined the organization of the Hartford Mining and Trading Company. In Feb., 1849, he left East River, New York, in the ship "Henry Lee," for voyage to California via Cape Horn. The ship was well provisioned and freighted with merchandise. The company had a paid up capital, including the ship, of $37,000. During the voyage of seven months he printed a book of eighty-eight pages containing a description of scenes aboard ship and along shore, which he distributed to the one hundred and thirty
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