USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Gardner > History of the town of Gardner, Worcester County, Mass., from the incorporation, June 27, 1785, to the present time > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
Contrasted with its small beginning, in the shop of Mr. James M. Comee, the chair business, in thistown, has confess- edly made an enormous advance, out-weighing the aggregate of all other kinds of business done among us, and is the result
1
ביריורירי.
רורו
ירו
יורו
רו
רורון
◌ֻהוּך!
ה
5
רורון
ריזוריר
5
א
רורון
J.
PAINT SHOP OF HEYWOOD BROTHERS & CO.
185
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
of the industry, enterprise and frugality of men, who, begin- ning with little or no pecuniary means, have gone on steadily from year to year, till they have reached their present position of competence and affluence, and in some instances, cosmopoli- tan reputation.
FOUNDRY.
Closely allied to the chair business, of the town, and almost a necessity to its convenience, is the foundry of the Heywood Foundry Company.
This firm began business December 1st, 1876. Their build- ing, is of brick, the main part being two stories in height, with a molding room extending from the main part, whose dimen- sions are eighty by fifty feet, the main building being fifty by fifty feet. The business done here, is making castings for all machines, including railroad castings. The company are also engaged in the manufacture of cooking stoves, of a popular pat- tern. The furnace has a capacity for melting two tons of iron per day, and consumes about eight hundred pounds of coal daily, while four hundred pounds are consumed in running the engine of thirty-five horse power, and in the core works. This foundry is remarkable for the convenience of its location, being situated near the track of the Boston, Barre and Gardner Rail- road, from which there are extended two tracks, one running upon the upper side of the foundry, for the purpose of unload- ing the stock used in the works easily, into the building, on a level with the cars, and the other track, about twelve feet lower. upon the opposite side of the building, for the cars upon which are shipped the manufactured goods.
In the upper story of the main building, is the machine shop of Messrs. McKnight & Carter, whose room has a capacity of fifty by twenty feet. Upon the opposite side, is a carpenter's shop and the office of the company. Capital required in this business is $15,000. The amount of business done annually is $30,000.
24
186
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
TUBS AND PAILS.
There is but one manufactory of this sort in the town, that of A. Bancroft & Co., situated in the southwesterly part of the town. This business was commenced in 1836, by Mr. Amasa Bancroft. The present firm consists of Messrs. Amasa Ban- croft and his son-in-law John C. Bryant, whose partnership was formed in 1865. This firm manufactures annually, ten thousand nests of tubs, of, from two to eight tubs, to the nest, valued at $20,000. The number of pails manufactured, an- · nually, is thirty thousand, valued at $5,000, making the total amount of business per annum $25,000. The number of oper- atives employed by this firm, is eighteen. There is also con- nected with the business of this firm, a saw mill, in which is prepared a portion of the stock, used in the manufacture of tubs and pails. This company deal in lumber prepared by themselves, aside from sawing for others.
MANUFACTURE OF LUMBER.
There are two mills, doing business of this sort, in town, that of Mr. Marcus Wright, in South Gardner, who employs fifteen operatives and whose business is $18,000, annually, with a required capital of $12,000, and a water power of seventy-five horses ; and that of Dr. David Parker, in the westerly part of the town, who employs eight operatives. The capital required is $8000. The amount of business done being $12,000 annually. A water power of fifty horses alone, is used.
MANUFACTORY OF DOLL TOY CARRIAGES, CHAMBER SETS, ETC.
The only firm of this kind, in town, is that of Messrs. Rams- dell & Goodale, who do a business, annually, amounting to $18,000, employing twenty operatives. The capital required is $12,000. Water power, only, is used by this firm.
187
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
MANUFACTURE OF EAVE TROUGHIS, GUTTERS AND CONDUCTORS.
This business is conducted by Messrs. C. O. & E. A. Stone Brothers, their business amounts to about $3,600 a year. Cap- ital invested, $4000.
SPRING BED MANUFACTURER.
Mr. George L. Rawson is the only manufacturer of this article in the town, at the present time.
FURNITURE DEALERS AND UNDERTAKERS.
There are two furniture rooms in this town, that of Mr. S. K. Pierce in South Gardner and that of Mr. E. Alexander at the Centre. Each of these gentlemen is also an undertaker.
MANUFACTURERS OF TIN WARE.
Messrs. Jaquith & Richardson are largely engaged in this business, in this town. This business was formerly con- ducted in Templeton. In 1877, Mr. Richardson, forming a partnership with Mr. Jaquith, of the above named town, they removed the large shop, formerly owned by Messrs. Smith and Jaquith, of Templeton, to its present site, beside the track of the Fitchburg Railroad Company, near their depot in Gardner, where they are now engaged, in an extensive business, consisting of paper stock, metals, manufacture of tin ware, and are also jobbers of wooden, glass and plated ware. The capital invested is $16,000. The amount of business annually, $35,000.
HARDWARE DEALERS.
There are two hardware stores in this town, one of these, is that owned by Mr. George F. Ellsworth, in South Gardner. Mr. Ellsworth commenced business in this place, in 1851, in a shop known as the old Newbury shop, then standing near the house now occupied by Mr. Abram Sawin. At the commence- ment of his business career, Mr. Ellsworth devoted himself exclusively, to the manufacture of chair tools, bits, etc., making
188
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
the manufacture of bits, a specialty, for which, at that time and ever since, there has been a steady and increasing demand all over the country. After working at this business about three years, Mr. Ellsworth began to add, to the goods of his own manufacture, certain other classes, in the same line. His capi- tal being somewhat limited, at that time, he was obliged to govern himself accordingly, in his purchases. In the year 1854, he brought from Boston, in a good sized leather valise, the first invoice of goods, with which he commenced business, the value of which amounted to sixty dollars, consisting of files, gouges, bits, &c. This valise, on account of its unusual weight, served as a matter of astonishment to the baggage smashers who, per- haps, apprehensive that it might contain something of a dan- gerous or explosive nature, lifted it very carefully, depositing it in the baggage car.
The goods contained in this valise were immediately exposed, by Mr. Ellsworth, for sale, and were all sold within a week, when more were immediately ordered. Mr. Ellsworth continued increasing his stock, as fast as his limited accommodations would permit. In 1857 he erected a portion of the store which he now occupies for stoves and tin ware, the size of which was eighteen by twenty-four feet, supposing that this would be suf- ficiently large, for both store and workshop. However, after occupying these quarters for three years, he began to feel that the place was again too straight for him, thereupon he deter- mined to enlarge his building by an addition of eighteen by twenty-four feet, making it double its original size. While in the process of constructing this addition, one of the leading men, of an adjoining town, wondering at the temerity of Mr. Ellsworth, and ignorant of the business capacity of Gardner, inquired of him, if he thought there would be demand enough, for his line of goods, in this town, to warrant his filling such a store. It was, however, only three or four years before his business had again out-grown its accommodations, which were once thought to be enough and to spare, so that, in 1868, Mr. Ellsworth built the store he now occupies, the size of which
-
189
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
is sixty by forty feet, two stories high, with barn attached, which is also forty by sixty feet, nearly one-half of which is used for store room. Thus commencing business, with a stock of goods, all of which could be contained in a medium sized leather valise, Mr. Ellsworth has steadily increased the same till, at the present time, his business equals, if not exceeds, in variety and value, that of any similar store in Worcester County. One department of this business, is hardware ; another crockery, china, plated ware, chandeliers, brackets and table lamps ; the third department contains a well manufactured stock of stoves and tin ware.
The other store is that owned by Mr. Amasa Bancroft, 2d, upon Chestnut Street, who keeps the usual variety of goods found, in similar stores, and employs a number of workmen. Mr. Bancroft has, for several years, been engaged in this busi- ness, very successfully.
MANUFACTURE OF BRICK.
There are two brick manufactories at the present time, in this town. One is that owned and operated by Messrs. H. N. Dyer & Son. The number of bricks made annually by this firm, is six hundred thousand. The other party engaged in this busi- ness, is Mr. Abijah Hinds, whose annual production of bricks, is four hundred thousand, making the number of bricks manu- factured yearly, one million.
GRIST MILL.
The parties engaged in this business are Messrs. Howe Broth- ers. Their mill is situated in the southwesterly part of the town and is the only one in town. They also have a flour and grain store near the depots. Capital invested in their business, is $11,500. Amount of business done annually is $35,000.
MARBLE WORKER.
Mr. Thomas J. Stafford is the only gentleman engaged in the manufacture of monuments, head-stones and tablets in this town, at the present time.
190
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
WHEELWRIGHTS.
The following gentlemen are engaged in the wheelwright business : Messrs. Henry M. Banister and E. Saunders.
BLACKSMITHS.
The town is well supplied with blacksmiths. The following named gentlemen are engaged in this business : Messrs. Fran- eis P. Learned, L. Sawin & Son, J. S. Cox, William W. Cas- well and John Tighe.
HOUSE AND CARRIAGE PAINTERS.
The following gentlemen are engaged in house and carriage painting : William H. Wilder, house painter ; E. H. Totting- ham, carriage and sign painter ; C. S. Knights, house painter ; William Barratt, house painter; J. G. Cashin, chair painter.
HARNESS MAKERS.
There are two harness shops in town, that of George R. Godfrey, who is also a dealer in robes, trunks, etc., and that of Roderic L. Bent, whose business is chiefly making and repairing harnesses.
CARPENTERS.
The first carpenter, of any prominence, in this town, was Joseph Bacon, whose skill evinces itself in the bill of lumber which he prepared for the construction of the first meeting- house, as will be seen by reference to the chapter on ecelesias- tical history, in this work. At present there are two contractors engaged in this business in this town, Mr. B. F. Mason and Mr. M. M. Favor.
MASONS.
Messrs. Harris & Coleman are the only masons in this town. Mr. Harris carried on this business for a long time alone, until within a few years, he has been associated with Mr. Coleman. The faithfulness of Mr. Harris' work, is everywhere apparent throughout the town.
191
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
JEWELERS.
There are three jewelers in this town, Messrs. Henry L. Graham, Henry E. Woodberry and J. F. Cook.
CIVIL ENGINEERS AND SURVEYORS OF LAND.
Mr. Aaron Greenwood has, for many years, been engaged as a surveyor of land in this, and other towns. Mr. Charles J. Day is employed as engineer, by the Boston, Barre and Gard- ner Railroad Company. This gentleman has an office in this town, and is the maker of the maps, which accompany this work.
PIIOTOGRAPHERS.
There are two photographic rooms in this town, that of Mr. Warren P. Allen, established in 1865, and that of Mr. William A. Cowee, established December 1st, 1874. Both of these gentlemen have pleasant and attractive rooms and an encourag- ing patronage. Mr. Allen does a large business in photograph- ing chairs, for the different firms in town, while Mr. Cowee makes a specialty of stereoscopic views. The negatives of the views accompanying this work, were taken by Mr. Cowee.
ENGRAVER OF WOOD AND METALS.
Mr. Henry L. Murdock is a skillful engraver of wood and metals. His art is well appreciated by his patrons, who are numerous.
FLORICULTURE.
This branch of industry, was established, in 1874, by Mr. Henry L. Murdock. His plant house now covers eleven hun- dred and twenty feet, aside from a space of five hundred square feet, used for germinating plants, in the spring. The arrange- ments for conducting this business are very convenient, and show much taste on the part of the proprietor. Mr. Murdock cultivates a great variety of plants, for both the wholesale and retail market. It is complimentary to the citizens of the town, that such an industry is so well encouraged.
192
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
DEALERS IN COAL AND LUMBER.
The first car load of coal, for consumption in this town, was introduced in 1860, by Mr. Ezra Osgood and was retailed by him at $12.50 per ton. There has been a gradual increase from year to year in the consumption of coal, till at the present time, the amount sold by Mr. Osgood alone, is four thousand tons annually, at a valuation of between $30,000 and $35,000. Mr. Osgood is also engaged in the sale of lumber, his business in this department amounting to $5,000, annually. Mr. Chester B. Kendall is also engaged in the same business. He sells annually, fifteen hundred tons of coal and five hundred cords of wood. Amount of business annually, $12,000.
DRY GOODS AND GROCERIES.
The first store, at the Centre of the town, was that kept by Mr. Jonathan Prescott, as far back as 1793. This store stood upon the site now occupied by the hay scales, in front of the Central House. Subsequently, Mr. Prescott built the house now owned by Mr. Francis Richardson, connected with which, was a store and barn. This store was, afterwards, owned by Messrs. B. F. Heywood, Walter Heywood and Gen. Moses Wood. These gentlemen then built a store, on what is now the corner of Elm and Pearl streets, near the curve in the stone fence of Mr. Levi Heywood, just north of his house. This store was afterwards moved to Spring Street, where it now forms the Crystal Lake Hotel. Originally, there was a store, at South Gardner, where stands the hotel, owned by Mr. Adams Noyes.
The following parties are engaged in the business of dry goods and groceries. Their names are here given, with the amounts of capital invested, and business done annually : S. W. A. Stevens & Son, dry goods and groceries, capital, $6,500 ; amount of business, $30,000; William Whittemore & Son, dry goods and groceries, capital $6,000, amount of business $25,000; Milo Hartwell, flour, grain and groceries, capital
--
CLOTHINGSTORE
FIRST NATIONAL BANK,
HISTORY OF GARDNER. 193
$1,500, amount of business, $15,000; Gardner Sovereigns Co- operative Association, groceries, capital, $1,800, business, $24,- 000; S. S. Lane, groceries, capital, $3,000; E. A. Lusk, gro- ceries, capital, $600 ; William L. Shattuck, groceries, capital, $1,200 ; Frank Conant, dry goods and groceries, capital, $5,000 ; Thomas Glasheen, groceries, capital, $1,100 ; John Byron, gro- ceries, capital, $1,000.
MEAT MARKETS.
The town is supplied at the present time, with three meat markets. One kept by Mr. C. W. Morse, who has been in the business, in this town, twenty-nine years ; another kept by Mr. Alvin Matthews, and a third at South Gardner, kept by Roder- ie P. Adams.
DRY GOODS.
Stratton Brothers, dry goods, millinery, dressmaking and carpets, capital invested, $15,000, business, $50,000; William J. Drenning, dry goods, capital invested, $2,500.
MILLINERY.
The following are the millinery establishments in this town : Mrs. M. E. Priest, Mrs. H. J. Hunt, Mrs. A. R. Jaquith, Mrs. P. A. Adams.
TOYS AND FANCY GOODS.
Edwin H. Cady and Albert E. Robbins are dealers in toys and fancy goods. The former also conducts a sewing ma- chine agency, and the latter has established a circulating library in the West Village.
CLOTHING STORES.
H. L. Ballard, capital invested, $6,500 ; J. L. Alger, Jr., capital invested, $4,000 ; H. A. Farnsworth & Co., capital in- vested, $4,000.
MERCHANT TAILORS.
There are but two gentlemen engaged in this business in town, Mr. Jonathan L. Alger and Mr. G. W. Black.
25
194
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
DEALERS IN BOOTS AND SHOES.
Josiah J. Dunn, capital invested, $3,000; F. Blodgett; Eli Hunting, capital invested, $3,500; J. K. Axtell, capital in- vested, $3,000.
DRUGS AND MEDICINES.
G. W. Garland, M. D., capital invested, $3,500 ; J. Emerson, M. D., capital invested, $2,500; L. W. Brown & Son, capital invested, $3,500.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF GARDNER.
The First National Bank of Gardner was established in 1864, with a capital of $100,000, chiefly subscribed by the citizens of Gardner. The first meeting was held on the 25th of February, 1865, at the Lower Town Hall. Mr. Charles Heywood was chosen chairman, and Mr. Francis Richardson clerk, of the meeting. The following named gentlemen constituted the first board of directors : Levi H. Sawin, Seth Heywood, C. S. Greenwood, Levi Heywood, John Edgell, S. W. A Stevens, Francis Richardson, Amasa Bancroft, of Gardner, John F. Woodward of Hubbardston, Joel Merriam of Westminster, Edwin Sawyer of Templeton. Mr. Amasa Bancroft was chosen first president of the bank, and Mr. John D. Edgell the first and to the present time, the only cashier. March 27th, 1876, Mr. Volney W. Howe was chosen assistant cashier. In 1875, the capital stock was increased to $150,000.
The dividends of this bank, from its commencement to July, 1876, were ten per cent. per annum, when they dropped to eight per cent., payable semi-annually. The amount of bills now in circulation is $102,600. The average amount of deposits, about $100,000 for the six months, ending January 1st, 1878. In 1868 the stockholders erected the building, which the bank now occupies. In 1872, Mr. Charles Heywood was chosen pres- ident, in place of Mr. Amasa Bancroft, which position he now holds. The following named gentlemen are the present board of directors : Francis Richardson, Levi Heywood, Henry C.
195
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
Hill, Seth Heywood, John Edgell, Philander Derby, Charles Heywood, Augustus Knowlton, Roderic L. Bent, Thos. Green- wood and Charles W. Conant. Under the wise and judicious management of its presidents and board of directors, this bank has, from the beginning, enjoyed more than the average amount of prosperity, there having been but few losses, so that to-day it stands strong, in the confidence of the community.
GARDNER SAVINGS BANK.
The Gardner Savings Bank was organized June 22d, 1868. Mr. Francis Richardson was chosen first secretary, Mr. Charles Heywood was elected first president and Mr. John D. Edgell treasurer. Upon the first week, after the opening of the bank, the deposits amounted to $4,328.50. The first of January, 1878, the deposits, in the bank, amounted to $613,613.78. The amount of money deposited, since the organization of the bank is $1,291,413.58. Number of deposits since organization, 25,- 330. Mr. Henry C. Hill was chosen president of this bank. in place of Mr. Charles Heywood, June 26th, 1876. Mr. Hill died February 13th, 1878, having served the bank, as its pres- ident, for nearly two years, with great faithfulness and financial ability. The presidency is now vacant. June 23d, 1877. Mr. Volney W. Howe was chosen secretary. The loans of this bank upon real estate, are mostly in Gardner. The bank has been fortunate, not having met with any losses. It stands strong and secure, in the confidence of the community, and is of great as- sistance to the growth of the town.
POST OFFICES.
For quite a number of years after the incorporation of the town, there was no regularly established post office within its limits. The citizens in various parts of the town, received their mail and posted their letters in the adjoining towns, nearest to their places of residence. After some years, a post office was established at South Gardner, the mail being brought to that place, by the stage, that ran between Brattleboro' and Boston. In the Centre of the town, there was no post office
196
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
until about the year 1827, at which time, a small office was established in a private residence, the few letters, which came to this part of the town, being brought from the office at South Gardner. So few were these letters, they could be placed in a small frame, with a glass door, where they were retained, by strips of tape, for the inspection of all visitors.
As indicative of the steady growth of the town, in popula- tion and business, we give the following statistics regarding the post offices, in Gardner and South Gardner : The post office, in Gardner, has, since January 8th, 1873, been under the charge of Miss Sarah E. Richardson, who has efficiently con- ducted its affairs, to the general satisfaction of the public. During the year 1877, there were sold, at this office, eighty-five thousand postage stamps, sixteen thousand postal cards and eighteen thousand stamped envelopes and newspaper wrappers. The gross receipts, at this office, in 1867, were $1,628.94, the salary and expenses, $770, and the net revenue to the post office department, $558.94, while for the year 1877, the gross receipts were $2,817.59, salary and expenses, $1,250 and the net revenue $1,567.59, showing that the gross receipts, in ten years, at this office, have more than doubled, and that the net income, to the government, has nearly trebled.
The South Gardner post office has, for several years, been in charge of S. W. A. Stevens, Esq., who has, for many years, conducted a successful grocery and dry goods business, in this place, and is eminently satisfactory to the public, in the capacity of postmaster. The gross receipts at this office for 1867, were $677.68, salary and expenses, $400, and the net revenue, $277 .- 68. In 1877, the gross receipts were $1,183.79, the salary and expenses $711.89 and net revenue to the government, $471.90. These figures, so far as the nature of the case permits, are one of the indications of growth in the town.
PRINTING.
About the middle of October, 1868, Mr. A. G. Bushnell, formerly of Templeton, opened the first printing office in this
197
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
town. His office, occupied one room only, in the third story of the new Bank building. Here he worked, unaided by any one, till the following spring, when, his business having sufli- ciently increased to warrant it, he employed one assistant. During the spring of 1869, the project, of establishing a weekly newspaper, was agitated. For the purpose of encouraging and organizing this important enterprise, Mr. Charles Heywood became associated with Mr. Bushnell, in business, at that time, under the firm name of A. G. Bushnell & Co., each member furnishing one-half of the capital. It was, however, under- stood, that Mr. Heywood would not be actively engaged in the business. This relation still continues.
The prospectus for a weekly paper, to be called the Gardner News, was issued, immediately, without a single subscriber being previously secured, or a dollar of patronage solicited, in advance. The first number of this paper, made its appearance on the morning of July 3d, 1869. It was a sheet of four pages, whose dimensions were twenty-two by thirty-two inches, and contained twenty-four columns. The subscription was two dol- lars per annum. The News had, upon its first issue, three hundred and fifty subscribers. The following is the first edito- rial, which we insert here to show that the editor began his enterprise, with hopefulness and courage, also that the reader may see how well he has endeavored to redeem his pledges :-
" In presenting to our patrons this, the first number of our paper, it may be expected that something should be said in regard to the course we mean to pursue. We cannot make great promises for the future, yet it will be our aim to furnish our readers from week to week, with fresh and reliable local news and items of interest, and also the general news of the day. In our selections of miscellaneous articles, we shall en- deavor to give those not readily accessible to the majority of our subscribers, and which shall not have reached them through the columns of the daily press. Since the issue of our pro- spectus, the question, ' What will be the politics of your paper ?' has been asked us very many times. In reply we have only to
198
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
say that we shall not advocate the ideas and principles of any particular party. Whatever we publish will be entirely inde- pendent, and, we hope, from time to time, to furnish our read- ers with well written articles on the various interesting topics of the day.
"The project of a weekly local paper in this vicinity, is a new one ; it has not been very long in contemplation. We are starting at a time of the year when there is a scareity of inter- esting local news. Our arrangements for collecting local infor- mation, are, as yet, but partially perfected. But we wish our patrons to feel that we are in earnest, and shall labor for the success of this enterprise. We ask their co-operation and en- couragement, and with them, we feel that we can issue a sheet which will be readable and acceptable to this community."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.