USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Berlin > History of the town of Berlin, Worcester County, Mass. from 1784 to 1959 > Part 15
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Mr. Wheeler is also sales agent for Hudson cars and has a used car yard east of the Town Barns on Carter Street.
Dick's Service Station-a station providing car service and minor repairs, located at the corner of West and Carter Streets, has been in operation since 1928. Clyde E. Rogers operated same between the years 1951 and 1957 when he sold to Benjamin and Edith Spaulding, at which time the name was changed to Ben's Service Station.
169
AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES
Benjamin H. Coolidge operated a garage and filling station on Central Street (Stone's Corner ) of East Berlin between the years 1923 and 1938. The filling station was maintained by Mrs. Bessie Jacobs until 1940.
Van E. Miller had a filling station on Central Street in East Berlin for a short time between 1927 and 1941.
There were gasoline pumps located at all of the stores in Town at one time. In the year 1940 permits were granted to seven stands to store gasoline; but in 1955, the Village Store of South Berlin was the only store maintaining a pump. The pump at the Center General Store was discontinued in 1941; that at the Farm Service Store in 1942; A. Plamondon in 1937; and Cyrus A. Bowen in 1951.
Fuel Oil Service is conducted by Blinky's Oil Service of Crosby Road, Glendon H. Blenkhorn, proprietor. Also Hill's Oil Service of Randall Road, conducted by Carl W. Hill. Wesley J. Guerard, South Street, was for many years a distributor of bottled gas.
Radio and Television
The people of Berlin keep abreast with the times. Not only is it a common practice to have a radio or television in the home, but sales and service stations have been established. Around the year 1950 Maurice O. Wheeler opened the Wheeler Radio and Television Sales & Service Station at his residence on Gates Pond Road. Recently (1956) he has transferred his business to Hudson. Following him, we have the announcement of the Acre Radio & Television Service conducted by Thomas Fielding of Gates Pond Road, a neighbor to Mr. Wheeler.
Insurance and Real Estate
Tatman & Park of Worcester, offering insurance of all kinds, is represented and managed by E. Guy Sawyer and Ellsworth G. Sawyer of Central Street. Bertha C. Bridges of Derby Road carries insurance of all kinds (life-automobile-fire). Ann's Antique Shop and Real Estate business is conducted by Ann Burke of Central Street. The Larkindale Real Estate Agency is conducted by George G. Badger of Boylston Road.
170
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
Germain's Meat Wonderland
In 1954 Paul A. Germain opened a meat market at his resi- dence on Lancaster Road at its junction with Randall Road. His services became so popular that he decided to relocate nearer to the center of Berlin. Whereupon he purchased property on Carter Street opposite the Town Barn and excavated and con- structed a large commodious building in which he housed his modern type supermarket.
Germain's Meat Wonderland was opened to the public on July 23, 1959. Ample parking space is provided and the store carries a complete stock of food and household commodities.
The building also provides a room for a barber shop where Earle Sanford conducts his trade between Monday and Satur- day (except Wednesday).
Mickey's Shop of West Street, operated by George E. Blan- chette, is a place where lawnmowers are sharpened and repaired. It is also a station for servicing and sale of outboard motors.
Recent Industries
Several industrial business projects have been conducted in Berlin within recent years. Among these is the Berlin Remnant Store, which was a storeroom where a stock of remnant goods was displayed for sale. This was located on South Street and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Featherstone, and later by Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Featherstone, between the years 1944 and 1952. Following this date the business was sold to Mrs. Stephanie D. Hopfmann and moved to her residence on Linden Street.
A unique business was that of the Peggy's Doll Clothing Com- pany conducted by Mrs. Margaret Temple of Gates Pond Road between the years 1949 and 1953. The cloth for these doll clothes was received, cut and stamped, ready to be made up. Many of these outfits were taken into homes to be made up. An average production amounted to 500 dozen suits per week. Mrs. Temple continues to make these doll clothes privately.
Another modern production is that of the Nancy York Com-
171
AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES
pany which originated with Ruth Morland in March 1956 at the residence of Natalie Bernardson Wheeler, South Street. This is a process of hand silk-screen printing upon linen towels. The de- sign is in the screen and there is a screen for each color. Only one color is printed at a time, and generally thirty-two impressions are made at one setting, and this must be repeated for each color used in the design. These printed towels are sold to the trade, in- cluding such outlets as R. H. Sterns of Boston, Barnard, Sumner & Putnam of Worcester, and Old Sturbridge Village.
One business related to clothing was that of the Berlin Clean- ers operated by Harold M. Warbin of West Street. Harold had been in the trade since 1952, and advertised under the slogan "If it can be cleaned-we do it." "We also repair shoes."
An industry of "no mean standard" is that of the Artcraft Woven Label operated by Frank W. Potas of Randall Road. He began operations in a new cement block building in 1947. He now (1956) has four looms in operation with an output (depend- ing on the various sizes of labels) of 10,000 to 50,000 labels per day (of eight hours). The pattern design (in the Jack Card) is furnished by the customer.
In conclusion, it should be noted that Berlin is a rural residen- tial community. Although at times it is classified as an agricul- tural town, records show that only about ten per cent of the dwellers are engaged in pure agriculture (or farming). The fol- lowing list will show the ratio:
Year
Dwellings
Farmers
1935
271
40
1942
283
38
1955
377
25
The majority of those residing in the Town are engaged in other industries as their principal source of income; yet their employment, as a rule, is not in the Town of Berlin, but in the neighboring industrial and commercial centers of Clinton, Hud- son, Marlboro, and Westboro; also in the cities of Worcester and Boston. Here they apply their various trades, professions, or abilities.
CHAPTER VIII
SOCIAL INTERESTS
The social life of the community of Berlin was confined to that fragment of time and energy that remained after provision had been made for shelter, food, clothing, and rest for the family. During the early days of the Town's history (1779-1812) their social life was principally associated with the Sunday services. For they practiced the rule that "Six days shalt thou labour ... and rest the seventh day."
This custom was diversified with an occasional party in the evening-after the chores were completed and preferably after the harvesting season. Gradually the relation of the earning time and recreation time have shifted so that the day is divided into three parts. That is, eight hours for earning, eight hours for sleep and the remaining eight hours for recreation or social life.
Social life has become a necessary factor within every gather- ing or organization. Thus, we observe that the church, school, patriotic, business or recreative organizations have their social aspect, and these assemblies have become so numerous that, since 1952, there has been printed and distributed a Community Cal- endar listing the various meetings day by day and hour by hour. To enumerate all of these meetings would require a volume so we must confine our records to the more general gatherings.
Among these early places of congregating was "Ye Jones' Inn," built in 1749; followed by "Howe's Tavern," built in 1803. In the year 1779 the First Meeting House of the South Parish of Bolton was erected. Besides the weekly Sunday meeting for worship, there was the annual town meeting, which occasion was observed as a holiday with a mid-day feast. In Mrs. Sarah Howe's diary of May 25, 1819, she describes the preparation for Election Day and the Election Ball, and relates that two pigs were prepared
172
173
SOCIAL INTERESTS
for roasting, two legs of veal, and one loin. Twenty-eight pounds of flour were used in making the Election Cake, besides a loaf and pound cake. Seventeen couples participated in the ball.
The annual muster, or regimental training, was a great occa- sion in those old days. Every town in Worcester County had its militia. These companies came together in some central town of the group, and were followed by all the old military officers, idle men and boys, big and little, belonging to the towns in the military association. Horse-jockeys, showmen, and peddlers crowded the procession on all the roads and filled the place of muster with life and din. The military drill and evolutions thrilled the boys with wonder, while the veterans who had "seen service" criticized the "awkward squads." These were as much of a gala day as the Firemen's Muster of our modern day.
The Berlin Lyceum
The social life of Berlin took on a more intellectual aspect in the form of the Berlin Lyceum. The first Lyceum was organized on November 28, 1831. This was a favorable response to a notice posted at Howe's Tavern on Tuesday of November the 22nd, which read: "Persons desirous of forming a Lyceum are re- quested to meet at the Town House in Berlin on Monday the 28th instant at 6 o'clock P.M. for the purpose of organizing and making the necessary choice of officers.
Signed-
John Bartlett, Merrick Houghton,
Asa Sawyer, and William A. Howe Thirty-seven men signed the constitution during the first year and paid their annual fee of twenty-five cents. The objects of the Lyceum were the improvement of its members in useful knowledge, and the advancement of education in the community. This was to be accomplished by readings, discussions, debates, and dissertations. Subjects were debated with great zeal and zest on such questions as: "Ought the Indians to be forcibly removed beyond the Mississippi?", "Are females capable of as high a de- gree of mental improvement as males?", "Ought the privilege of acquiring an education be shared equally by male and female?",
174
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
"Ought the rights of citizenship to be longer withheld from the females?"
Many social and civic questions were debated. Among these were: "Ought the government to aid the Colonization Society to establish the colored people in Africa?", "Can the people of colour be raised to an equality with the whites in this country?", "Ought the general government immediately to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia?", "Ought Abolition Societies to be encouraged?", "Does the profits of the use of tobacco counter- balance the evils from the use of the same?", "Ought the traffic in ardent spirits to be abolished by law?", "Does the newspaper press, as now conducted, advance good morals?", "Ought capital punishment to be abolished?"
To assist the members of the Lyceum in securing data for their debates, discussions, and lectures, a library was established in 1837, supported by subscriptions from the members. The last entry in the minutes of this Lyceum was made on December 28, 1841. Prominent among its members were Josiah Bride (principal of the Berlin Academy), ministers-Robert F. Walcott, David R. Lampson, Abraham C. Baldwin, Michael Burdett, Eben S. Clarke, and Robert Carver. Also, Dr. J. L. G. Thompson, Amory Carter, Dexter Fay, Daniel Holder, Pliny S. Southwick, William A. Howe, O. B. Sawyer, and Oliver Fosgate.
This organization was followed by a similar group in the South Berlin Lyceum, conducted in the South Berlin Schoolhouse. This group carried on until the outbreak of the Civil War. Their method of procedure was similar to that of the former, although they permitted ladies to take part in their discussions. Notable among its workers were: E. C. Shattuck, Solomon Jones, Na- thaniel Wheeler, Lyman Morse, Amasa A. Whitcomb, and Wil- liam Bassett. The Lyceum filled an important place at a time when public entertainments were rare.
Berlin Total Abstinence Society
Evidently the debates and discussions in the Lyceum on the temperance question resulted in the organization of The Berlin Total Abstinence Society which dated back to 1855. This organ- ization had for its purpose the promotion of the cause of tem-
175
SOCIAL INTERESTS
perance. The ministers and a host of interested citizens partici- pated in their gatherings. Public meetings were held on the third Sunday evening of each month, rotating among the three churches of the Town and, on special occasions they were held in the Town Hall with a well-filled house. The program consisted of music, singing, recitations, and addresses or lectures directed to educate the public on the moral and practical need of prohibition.
During the more active years of the Society, a program was arranged for the ensuing year. A typical program appeared in the Clinton Courant of November 3, 1900, as follows:
December Congregational Christian Endeavor
January
Rev. George F. Pratt of Natick
February
Good Citizenship
March
Unitarian Y.P.R.U.
April
The Lyman School for Boys
May Union Sunday School Temperance Concert
June Epworth League of Methodist Church
July
Annual Meeting
This form of monthly meeting was continued until the time of the ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment, which became operative on January 16, 1926. In substance, this Article XVIII read as follows: "The manufacture, sale, or transportation of in- toxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the ex- portation thereof from the United States and all territory sub- ject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited."
Following the enactment of this article, the interest in the Total Abstinence Society waned. A period of lethargy emerged. Some of the more pronounced advocates of a temperance pro- gram had passed from the active stage of life. Others became indifferent, and a group of modernists interpreted the Preamble of the Constitution-"to secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity" to mean that the individual has the priv- ilege of doing as he pleases in these matters. Consequently, the program of the Temperance Society in Berlin died with the re- peal of Prohibition, which became effective December 5, 1933.
176
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
John B. Gough
One of the outstanding factors in molding public opinion on the temperance question in Berlin was the personality of John B. Gough. His first visit to Berlin was soon after his reformation in Worcester in 1842, when he told a moving tale of his own experience.
He married Mary Elizabeth Whitcomb on November 23, 1843. She was the daughter of Luke Whitcomb of Bolton, who married Hannah, the widow of Welcome Barnes, in 1834 (Mary being fourteen years and five months of age at the time). They took up their abode on Derby Road, in the brick mansion which is now the residence of John L. Nutting.
The Gough's resided and maintained "Hillside" in Boylston, a farm estate supervised for the purpose of aiding those who de- sired to break the habit of intoxication. For many years there- after Mr. Gough customarily gave a lecture at the church in Berlin in payment of his debt of gratitude for the strong, wise, and loving helpmate who stood by his side in the battle of life and helped so valiantly in his winning it. There is on file a ticket inscribed "Lecture by John B. Gough, Berlin, January 4th, 1884."
John B. Gough was buried in Hope Cemetery of Worcester and his monument bears the following inscription: For 37 years, the light and crown of his home at "Hillside" finished in a mo- ment, while yet speaking at Frankford, Pa., his message of 43 years, and called to higher service, February 18, 1886. But his widow, Mary Elizabeth Gough, continued to do favors for the Berlin community, as well as for others, until she "Awoke in His likeness" on April 22, 1891.
The Belmont House, a tavern, which stood on the site of the residence of Ellsworth G. Sawyer on Central Street, was de- stroyed by fire in 1883. Mrs. Gough bought the property and built a house thereon, to be used for a parsonage, declaring that she was "determined that liquor should never be sold there again." The Unitarian Society bought the property from the Gough estate in 1891 and it was occupied as the parsonage until 1917, when purchased by Mr. E. Guy Sawyer.
177
SOCIAL INTERESTS
It is attributed that Mrs. Gough gave the new bell of 1899 to the Church.
Women's Christian Temperance Union
Concurrent with the Total Abstinence Society was the Wom- en's Christian Temperance Union which was organized on Octo- ber 27, 1879 by Mrs. Emma Molloy with twenty-nine members. Its procedure was demonstrated when, early in its history it secured over two hundred signatures to a petition to the Select- men asking that they endeavor to enforce the law against the illegal sale of liquor. They also circulated various temperance petitions and sent delegates to county, state, and national con- ventions. These white ribbon (symbol of their membership) ladies worked with the various church and temperance organiza- tions in carrying out their public programs.
Among the prominent members of the Union were: Mrs. L. W. Brewer, Mrs. Bertha Cole, Mrs. Clara S. Eager, Mrs. Sarah H. Dudley, Mrs. Laura A. Taylor, Mrs. Adelaide R. C. Parmenter, Mrs. Carrie L. Woodward, and Mrs. Ella A. Hebard. All of these laid down their lives and labors among men, and since they were the backbone of the temperance movement in Berlin, due honor should be recorded for them. Their cause faded with the decline and death of the Temperance Society.
A little historical review of Berlin temperance social action might be opportune. There are those modern "jesters" who get a great "kick" out of the mere statement that the First Meeting- house of Berlin was raised, in 1779, with "spike poles, rum and cider." And, in addition, that the Parish (a political unit) voted eight hundred pounds and instructed the Building Committee to use what was necessary for the raising of the Meetinghouse. This meetinghouse was a place of public assembly, as well as a place of public worship. It will be noted that no mention is made of "rum and Cider" in connection with the erection of the second meetinghouse of 1826; and, furthermore, it was not used for town meetings. These were held in private homes and school- houses until a separate town-house was built. The consensus of opinion was that a house of worship should not be defiled by the profanity and tobacco "squirts" of the indifferent.
178
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
Formerly Berlin had a Liquor Agent to dispense the "ardent spirits" to the thirsty public. The report for the year 1856 showed that the "Liquor purchased" amounted to $328.14, and the amount received from sales was $251.64, leaving a balance of $113.20 on hand.
Given under the Selectmen's report of March 3, 1856
Selectmen Oliver Smith J. E. Sawyer E. S. Moore
The Liquor Agent's report to the Town of Berlin, March 6, 1865 Dr. to mdse. sold Feb. 15th, 1864 to Feb. 15th, 1865 $227.58 Cr. by cash paid for mdse.
Feb. 15, 1864-Feb. 15, 1865
$179.72
Cr. by Agent's salary
25.00
Cr. by re-assessment on license
4.16
Cr. by errors on last year's account
1.16
Cr. by postage .06
Cr. by cash to balance
16.98
$227.58
Respectfully submitted, L. GOTT, Agent
Evidently Dr. Gott didn't think the business paid for his troubles, so the next year we find Riley Smith had the Agency. Mr. Smith kept store at the corner of Carter and Highland Streets (where Hal Rayner now resides). His report is more enlightening than the previous ones. The report follows:
Feb. 15, 1866, the Town of Berlin had on hand as capital:
51/2 gals. Rum
$13.92
2 Brandy
7.85
11/2 Whiskey
6.03
21/2 Alcohol
10.86
3
qts. Gin
3.85
45 bottles Porter
11.25
$ 53.76
The Town bought during the year:
6 gals. Alcohol
26.62
10 Gin
46.20
36
66 B. Whiskey
136.50
59
Med. Rum
148.65
11/2
Cog. Brandy
18.00
Anly.
3.53
Com. 27.21
179
SOCIAL INTERESTS
Exp. 8.50
2 books
2.00
2 Brass Faucetts
1.50
Paid for License
25.00
Paid Agent's salary
25.00 $468.71
$522.47
Town Received:
Cash on Sales
$506.30
Liquor on hand:
7 gals. Rum
21.28
1
3 pts. Gin
5.90
"
"
4.90
1
3
Alcohol
6.00
32 bottles Porter
8.00
1 gal. 3 pts. Brandy
4.25
1 qt. 1 pt. Cog. Brandy
5.00
2 Books
2.00
2 Faucetts
1.50
$565.13
Less Expenses
522.47
Net Gain
$ 42.66
RILEY SMITH, Agent
Following the period of Liquor Agents, the Town incorporated a system of local option by which they placed an article in the Annual Town Warrant "To bring their ballots, Yes or No in answer to the question-Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?"
Under the Warrant of 1880 (Article 17) members of the W.C.T.U. petitioned the Town "To see if the Town will in- struct the Selectmen or Agent to suppress the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors in the Town of Berlin." The vote on the motion was seventeen to four in the affirmative. The following year (1881) under Article 16, "To hear from the Selectmen in relation to the suppression of the illegal sale of intoxicating drinks as instructed at the last annual meeting." Evidently the Selectmen were not prepared to give a favorable report, so it was voted "to pass over the article." Then, the following year, the Town accepted a verbal report on Article 16 (1882) "To
1
1 Whiskey
180
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
hear the report of the committee chosen for the suppression of the illegal sale of intoxicating drink."
The next year (1883) Article 13: "To bring in their ballots of YES and NO to the question-Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town," brought forth a vote of fifty-one no and two yes. The records for March (1885) show that Charles F. Hale was paid $8.00 for seizing liquors.
The custom of inserting the article on "liquor license" in the Annual Town Warrant was followed until, and including, the Warrant of March 2, 1914; after which it was transferred to Article 1, being placed on the ballot for the election of Town Officers. The following figures will show the license vote over a period of years:
Yes
No
1905
7
80
1909
0
79
1910
3
73
1913
6
64
1923
24
105
The liquor question was dropped from the Town Warrant during the period of Prohibition (1926-1933). In the State Election of November 6, 1928, Berlin cast her vote on the follow- ing "Questions of Policy":
"Shall the representatives from this district be instructed to vote for resolutions requesting the President and Congress to take action for the repeal of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the U. S. known as the prohibition amendment?"
Yes 79
No 288
"Shall the Senator from this district be instructed to vote for a resolution requesting Congress to take action for the repeal of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the U. S. known as the prohibition amendment?
Yes 79 No 294
The next change on the subject was in the Special State Election of June 13, 1933, after the repeal of the eighteenth Amendment, which was a YES or NO vote on the following question: "Shall licenses be granted in this town for the sale therein of wines and malt beverages?" The vote stood YES 47-NO 138.
181
SOCIAL INTERESTS
The ballot for the State Election subsequent to the year 1942 presented the following three phases of the question:
(A) Shall licenses be granted in this town for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages (whiskey, rum, gin, malt beverages, wines, and all other alcoholic beverages) ?
(B) Shall licenses be granted in this town for the sale therein of wines and malt beverages (wines and beer, ale and all other malt beverages)?
(C) Shall licenses be granted in this town for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages in packages, so called, not to be drunk on the premises?
A tabulation of the vote on these questions will present the trend of public opinion in a changing social order.
State Election
A
B
C
Nov. 3, 1942
Yes
87
91
81
No
241
228
225
Nov. 4, 1952
Yes
181
182
228
No
402
393
364
Nov. 2, 1954
Yes
180
182
210
No
363
349
315
Nov. 6, 1956
Yes
194
202
251
No
435
419
388
Farmers' and Mechanics' Club-Grange-Tuesday Club
The social life in Berlin acquired more of a community interest after the men returned from service in the Civil War. The Farm- ers' and Mechanics' Club was organized in 1868 and continued until 1892. At the monthly meetings in the winter, agricultural subjects were discussed, while in the summer, field meetings were held at the various farms. The annual "fair and cattle show" was an institution long to be remembered. It was a gala day for the Town. Old residents and people from surrounding towns were present in large numbers. A marked and interesting feature of the show was the exhibition of fruits, flowers and artistic work in the Town Hall. Dinner was provided, at a moderate charge, in Central Hall of the Church; or, weather permitting, in a tent on the Common. After dinner speeches were always in order, and all the exercises were enlivened by the Berlin, or some other, brass band. The youngsters, with an al-
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