USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Holyoke > Holyoke, past and present, 1745-1895. > Part 5
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LYO NE HOUSE
The Farnum place on Northampton street is one of the old homes which survived the changes which followed the building of the dam, and is still occupied by the daughter of the house, Miss THE OLD HOLYOKE HOUSE. Lydia Farnum. The selling of part of the original farm for building purposes has necessitated the removal of the old
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house further back from Northampton street. "Wayside Home" was not one of the oldest houses, but was always one of the pleasantest. It was occupied by the late Mrs. Elizabeth Newkirk, and here this genuine home-maker con- tributed to the enjoyment of many people during her active life. The agents and officers of the mills found a home in this hospitable house and forgot that they were "only boarders " while in the home of this truly good woman, who in a beautiful and complete sense " did what she could " with cheerfulness and courage. Many who have gone out from Holyoke remember their stay in Wayside Home as among the pleasantest events of their lives.
But the hard times culminating in the panic of 1857 drew on and affected the new town. Some work was stopped and men were idle in the streets. The Hadley Falls Co., which had bought the property of the Hadley Falls Machine Co. and the Hadley Falls Thread Co., had been free in the expenditure of money, the great loss of the first dam began to be felt, and with the financial stress, it became apparent that the company must fail.
In May, 1858, the Supreme Court placed its affairs in the hands of a trustee on petition of its creditors, and on February 10, 1859, the property of the company was sold at public auction for $325,000 to Alfred Smith, of Hartford, who bought for himself and some associates, who were soon incorporated as the Holyoke Water Power Company, of which E. S. Waters is treasurer. This company, with plenty of WAYSIDE HOME." capital for the purpose, made many improvements, lengthened the canals, sold land and leased mill powers to such extent that the little town soon budded into a large manufactur- ing village and, in less than forty years, blossomed into a busy city of more than 35,000 people.
During the first five years after its incorporation as a town, Holyoke's prosperity suffered no check. The popu- lation was 4,631, a gain of 1,386 in those first years. In the town were three cotton mills employing 458 men and 1,035 women. During one year those mills used 2,000,000 pounds of cotton and their product was 13,000,000 yards of
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cloth, the gross value of which was $1,161,178. The beginning of Holyoke's greatest industry-paper making - was in 1853, when the Parsons Paper Co. organized with a nominal capital of $60,000. They manufactured fine writing paper. So rapid was the prosperity of that company, that, in 1856, a second mill was built and the business doubled. In 1857, the Hol- yoke Paper Co. was organized, capital, $300,000 ; they also made fine writing paper. The Lyman Mills started the cotton manufacturing industry in 1854, capital, $1,470,000. The G. W. Prentiss Wire Works were established in 1857. The product was fine wire. A glance at the figures of the census will show the wonderful growth of the town. Within what are now the city limits, in 1845 there were 14 houses. The people in the town in 1850 numbered 3,245 ; in 1855, 4,639 ; in 1860, 4,997 ; in 1865, 5,648 ; in 1870, 10,733 ; in 1875, 16,260; in 1880, 21,915 ; in 1885, 27,895 ; and the census of 1890 gives 35,674. A conservative estimate places the population at this date at 40,000.
When the first rush for the new city commenced, a disturbing element made itself felt. The days were not all quiet, or the nights all peace, unruly spirits were here, and Sunday was their special holiday. They swarmed into the streets and made their presence apparent. The citizens protected themselves against these inroads on their quiet lives, and were not averse to bearing a hand in subjugating their dis- turbers. The business section was on Maple street, almost exclusively, and the "Patch" was approaching the height of its glory, its very palmiest days.
Gallaudet's hall was the scene of the early administration of justice, and the small wooden building, now on John street, was the police court room. It stood just back of the old Second Congregational Church. The brick building where the tools now used in caring for OLD POLICE COURT ROOM. Hampden Park are kept, was the "lock-up," and a sturdy structure it proved itself to be. The gun-powder used for
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blasting was stored here after it ceased to confine the guilty and became a storage house for the Park Commissioners, and July 10, 1880, an explosion occurred which killed young Sullivan and injured a lad named Long, both of whom were in or near the house at the time. Long was pinned beneath a fallen timber and was rescued from his dangerous position by E. P. Ford. Late years the old lock-up has enjoyed retired life in the alley back of Maple street, and not every one knows its history.
The Fire Department of " early Hol- yoke " differed greatly from the disciplined organization of today. With volunteer fire- men and hand-engines, and sparse hydrants, there was an opportunity for much fun, and a fireman's life in the 50's and 60's was really enjoyable. The Hadley Falls Co. purchased a Howard & Davis engine, fash- ioned after the style of the old Hunneman tubs. The "New City " bought a Button engine known as a " Piano Machine." The body of the latter was of mahogany and brass, and it always looked splendid on parade. D. F. Melcher, now " mayor " of OLD LOCK-UP. Mittineague, was the first foreman of No. I. There was great rivalry between the two engines. The Holyoke No. 1, Button machine, was located in a " ten- footer" on the west side of High street, between Lyman and Hampden streets, and Mechanic No. 2 was stationed in the Mt. Tom hose house on "the Flat." The Second Congregational Church spire, which stood where the Marble Block stands, opposite City Hall, was the testing place and the competitive trials for supremacy were many, enthusi- astic and indecisive. The Mt. Tom Hose Co. was organized early in the history of the town. In 1857 and '58, W. B. C. Pearsons was chief engineer, if memory serves, and he was succeeded by Jones S. Davis, Wm. H. Dickinson,
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formerly landlord of Samoset House and better known as "Bill Dick," L. P. Bosworth, W. A. Judd, R. P. Crafts, R. Pattee, O. S. Tuttle, B. F. Mullen, John D. Hardy, E. P. Ford, Barney Bigelow and Chief Lynch. Isaac Osgood, D. E. Kingsbury, T. W. Ordway, C. H. Heywood, and W. S. Loomis were clerks of the department during many years.
December Ist, 1857, the following named persons were approved by the Board of Engineers as firemen : Rufus Mosher, E. D. Shelley, Wallace Warner, Dominick Crosson, Homer M. Crafts, S. C. Couch, R. G. Marsh, John H. Clifford, John R. Baker, V. W. Dowd, J. C. Morrison, E. W. Loomis, Benj. Roberts and O. A. Henry ; January Ist, 1858, Mowry Cook (now of Chicopee), Isaac Prouty, John Prouty, H. K. Bean (killed at Fair Oaks), John Doyle, A. O. Kenney ; in February, 1858, Robert Mitchell, B. F. Makinster, E. Whitaker, Lester Newell, C. H. Roby, T. C. Page, Thos. H. Kelt, John C. Smith, J. A. Cleveland. Ten of the above are now alive, and six reside in Holyoke.
Among the veterans are also : N. W. Quint, M. W. Prentiss, R. T. Prentiss, L. N. Williston, Samuel Snell, C. A. Corser, H. B. Ingraham, G. C. Marsh, John Cleary, T. W. Doyle, W. H. Blake, C. H. Knapp, I. N. Berry, Horace C. Walters, Wm. Bradley, Aaron Baldwin, C. H. Flanders, J. N. Perkins, Robt. Voss, Ernst Kreh, Fred. Kreimendahl, Thos. Buswell, A. J. Ridout, C. H. Richards, J. S. Webber, W. C. Newell, John Merrick, H. J. Sawtelle, W. S. Perkins, E. W. Wellington, O. B. Pier, F. Ebell. Among the names of the assistant engineers are Amos Russell, B. F. Perkins, Richard Pattee, S. B. Fairbanks, J. S. Webber, Milo Chamberlin, S. Snell, W. J. Summer, E. W. Loomis, J. M. Dun- ham, J. D. Hardy, J. R. Donahue and J. W. Davis.
Firemen's musters were frequently attended in those days and many prizes were won by the Holyoke com- panies. The most important fire in the early days was the burning of the " Exchange building" and Hutchins' building on High street in 1870. An incident of this fire was that one of the assistant engineers slept soundly through the noise and racket in a front room opposite the burning buildings. The purchase and location of an engine at South Holyoke caused an upheaval of the body politic known as the "First Fire District," and bitter and rancorous were the speeches made, but the heat soon cooled and South Holyoke had its first fire engine. The burning of the Church of the Precious Blood, at South Holyoke, was an important event in fire annals, destroying nearly a hundred lives and the tinder-box of a wooden church. It was at this fire that Jack Lynch displayed the stuff he was made of, and the courageous deeds of that night did much toward making him chief engineer, an office he has so ably filled for many years. But one engine house is in its former position, that in Ward one. The Hook and Ladder Company was the dude company of those years. The members sometimes appeared at the annual parades
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with "stove-pipe hats" (without dampers), white gloves and canes. Prominent among them were L. M. Tuttle, R. B. Johnson, A. Higgingbottom, A. L. Shumway, C. H. Heywood, Philander Moore and E. P. Ford.
The year 1868 saw the completion of the Summer Hotel at Ingleside, which was projected and carried on to success by Jones S. Davis. On the Fourth of July, the building was opened with a grand celebration, for Mr. Davis
M
EIRCE
INGLESIDE HOTEL.
knew just how to do it. Judge W. B. C. Pearsons read the Declaration of Independence, Rev. J. L. R. Trask gave the address and there were recitations and music. One poem was written for the occasion by Rev. Dr. Peet, then rector of the St. Paul's Church. The music was rendered by Messrs. T. B. Flanders, Pearsons and Newton, assisted by Misses Hooker, Davis, Wards, Prentiss, Ely and others. The hotel was burned July 25, 1875.
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THE CITY OF HOLYOKE.
HE act to establish the city of Holyoke passed the House of Representatives March 28, 1873, the Senate April 4, 1873, and was signed by the Governor, W. B. Washburn, April 7. The first city government was organized in January, 1874, and the first officers of the city were : Mayor, W. B. C. Pearsons ; City Clerk, Edwin A. Ramsey ; Clerk of Council, C. W. Rider ; Messenger, John H. Clifford ; Treasurer, Charles W. Ranlet ; Superintendent of Streets, Daniel O'Connell ; Engineer, Thomas W. Mann ; Solicitor, Edward W. Chapin ; Physician, Charles O. Carpenter ; Assessors, Amos Henderson, James E. Delaney, I John E. Chase ; Collector, Amos Andrew ; Overseers of the Poor, the Mayor, President of Council, W. A. Judd, J. F. Sullivan, Robert Huebler ; Mayor, chairman ; Sullivan, secretary ; Judd, Almoner. Water Commissioners, J. P. Buckland, Dennis Higgins, J. G. Smith ; Chief-of-police, William G. Ham ; Police Court, Joseph P. Buckland, stand- ing justice, W. B. C. Pearsons and Porter Underwood, special judges. Judge Pearsons 1 0 was re-elected Mayor until 1877, when R. P. Crafts took the municipal government in HOLYOKE CONDITA A D. 1850. A TA hand. He was succeeded by Hon. William Whiting, ex-Congressman from the Eleventh District. The following Mayors have presided over the city government : R. P. Crafts, William Ruddy, F. P. Goodall, James E. Delaney, Dr. James J. O'Connor, J. F. Sullivan, CITY SEAL. M. J. Griffin, the present postmaster, Dennie L. Farr, Marciene H. Whitcomb and Henry A. Chase, who is the present Mayor.
The administration of municipal affairs is vested in a Mayor, Board of Aldermen, and Common Council. Election is held on the first Tuesday in December of each year, and the government is formally organized on the first Monday of the following January. The Board of Aldermen is composed of seven members, one from each ward, and the Common Council of three from each ward. The following are the present officers :
Hon. Henry A. Chase was born at Nashua, New Hampshire, and came to Holyoke in 1848. Since 1861 he has been engaged in the lumber business, and is located at 210 Main street. Mr. Chase is a graduate of the Holyoke High School, and an unusually well informed and progressive citizen. Besides his large business connection he has been prominent in political life, having served as Alderman for two terms, and as County Commissioner six years. At the city election, December 4th, he was elected Mayor for the year commencing January 1, 1895, and it is safe to
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CITY HALL.
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say that the duties of that difficult position will be well performed, and that the citizens will have reason to be thankful, at close of the year, that they entrusted the guidance of the city to such able hands. Mayor Chase is always interested in public matters and the general welfare, and is secretary and treasurer of the Holyoke Public Library, and president of the Forestdale Cemetery Association.
Pierre Bonvouloir was born at Sainte Brigide in the year 1854. He began business in this city in 1875, being located at 103 High street, where he has a full and complete line of groceries and provi- sions, and does a flourishing business. He has been honored by his fellow citizens by election to the City Council, to the School Com- mittee, and was City Treasurer for three years, and acquitted himself in these various positions with equal honor to himself and his constitu- ents. Mr. Bonvouloir is a member of the Societe St. Jean Baptiste, Union Cana- dienne, Le Chasseurs Club, HENRY A. CHASE. Knights of Columbus, and is secretary and treasurer of the City Co-operative Bank, and is active in the social and business life of the city, always mani- festing interest in whatever affects the welfare of Holyoke.
PIERRE BONVOULOIR.
Edward A. Kane was born in Ware, Mass., in the year 1870, but came to Holyoke early in life and attended our public schools, being a graduate of the High School. Mr. Kane has always been prominent in public and political matters, taking a live interest in the welfare of the city. December 4, 1894, he was the popular candidate for City Clerk, and was elected by a large majority. His administration of the office is bound to be popular, as he brings to it the necessary experience and a comprehension of what is demanded. Mr Kane is a member of St. Jerome's T. A. B. Society, Park
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Lyceum and Court Paper City, A. O. F., and is active in the exercise of society and general social duties.
Daniel W. Kenney, reporter of the Holyoke Transcript, was born in Waterford, Ireland, in 1858, and graduated from the Mount Sion Christian Brothers School at that place. He has been at his present business in this city since 1886, and outside of his excellent record in his chosen profession, has done much in public life, being prominent in Democratic politics, and now serving his fellow citizens as City Auditor. In 1888 he was clerk of several committees ; clerk of Council 1889, 1894, 1895 ; probation officer 1889, 1890 ; and last fall received 1, 100 votes in the Democratic caucuses for City Clerk, being a candidate in opposition to the present incumbent, E. A. Kane. Besides his official and political prominence, Mr. Kenney is a mem- ber of several social and fraternal societies, among which are the A. O. U. W., being Master Workman of Mt. Holyoke Lodge, and Knights of Colum- EDWARD A. KANE. bus, in which he is last Past Grand Knight in Holyoke Council. His characteristics are unselfish interest in whatever he undertakes and thorough honesty in every line of activity.
Christopher T. Callahan, attorney at law, was born in Boston, Mass., February 18, 1868. His education was completed by a course at the Unionville, Conn., High School. In 1889 he was admitted to practice law at the Hampden County Bar, and the following year opened an office at 206 High street, where he has an extensive practice. In 1889 he was clerk on several committees, and was City Solicitor in 1891 and in 1895. In 1889 he was the candidate of his party for Representative from the 3d Hampden district, but the district being Republican he was defeated. Mr. Callahan has a large social connection, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and Court Paper City, A. O. F.
The Fire Commission of Holyoke, which has done good and effective work, was first appointed by Mayor Griffin in 1891, and consisted of seven members. It was soon
DANIEL W. KENNEY.
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demonstrated that it was too large for the purpose, and being unwieldy, more effective and quicker work could be done by a smaller number. Mayor Farr, 1892, appointed a commission of three, which has proved adequate and satisfactory. The work of the commission is to regulate the expenditure of money and to assist in maintaining the discipline of the fire department. The influence has been excellent in regulating various affairs of the department, in providing better equipment and educating the public up to the needs of that branch of the municipal service, of which Holyoke is justly proud. The immu- nity from serious fires which this city enjoys is the envy of other and even much larger cities. The present members of the commission are :
Charles L. Newcomb, chairman of the board, is well and favorably known as superintendent of the Deane Steam Pump Company. His knowledge of hydraulics and apparatus pertaining to the distribution of water and steam makes him a very valuable man on the board. He was a member of the old commission. He has been a resident of the city since 1881, and has held the position of superintendent of the Deane concern since he came to Holyoke. He has been elected to the Common Coun- cil three years, and served one year on CHARLES L. NEWCOMB. the Board of Aldermen. He declined a re-election. He was born in Willing- ton, Conn., and attended the public school there, graduating from the Worces- ter Polytechnic Institute. He has always been engaged in the study of hydraulics. Mr. Newcomb can trace his ancestry back to the landing of the VAL MOQUIN. Pilgrims, and is a direct descendant of Gov. Bradford, the first Governor of Massachusetts. He is prominent in Masonic circles and is vice-president of the Holyoke Co-operative Bank.
Val Moquin has resided in Holyoke since 1868, and in this twenty-five years' sojourn among us he has been
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actively engaged in business, in which he has been very successful. He has identified himself with the progress of the city in many ways. He early saw the future greatness of Holyoke, and by judicious investments has become one of our largest real estate owners. In French social circles he is prominent and influential, and is the best known man of our French-speaking population. He has given his aid to some of our public institutions, and he is a director in the French Co-operative Bank, and also in the People's and Holyoke Savings Banks. He has always been a member of the St. Jean Baptiste Society since he came to Holyoke, and has held many offices in that organ- ization. He received an appointment from Mayor Griffin upon the old Fire Commission, and after the abolishment of that commission by the Common Council, he was asked by Mayor Farr as a special favor to serve on the new com- mission, to which he assented only upon condition that he be assigned a short term.
Dennis J. Landers came up from the South twenty-nine years ago and settled in this city, working first in the mills. He learned the trade of brick DENNIS J. LANDERS. mason with the late Lewis Bosworth. When Mr. Bosworth died Mr. Landers bought out the business, taking his brother as partner, and when his brother died Mr. Landers took the entire business and has since carried it on successfully. He has served the city as a member of the fire department and as Alderman, and has been director on the Westfield road. JOHN HILDRETH. He was appointed to the Fire Commission this year (1895) by Mayor H. A. Chase and attends to its duties faithfully. John Hildreth, who received the appointment of secretary of the Fire Commission, has a record to be proud
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of. He was a member of the old board, and was called to his present position by a unanimous vote of the three members of the board. Upon him devolves the task of keeping the records of all the transactions of the board. He is the only salaried officer. He was born at Bradford, England, in 1851, was educated in the schools of that city, came to Holyoke in 1875, and for ten years was superintendent of the finishing department of the Farr Alpaca Company. He served two years as Alderman from the Seventh Ward, and he created such an impression by his sincere and disinterested labors that he became CHIEF known as " Honest John " Hildreth. He served two terms in the General Court of Massachusetts. His insight into the Commonwealth laws while a member of the Legislature led to his preparing himself by a thorough course of study for the law, and he was admitted to the bar a few years ago. In church matters he is very prominent. He was on the Building Committee of the Y. M. C. A., and was very instrumental in raising funds for the fine structure erected by the Association. He was also secretary of our Board of Trade.
The fire department is complete in every respect, and consists of a chief, John T. Lynch, five assistant engineers, superintendent of fire alarm, fourteen drivers, five engineers of steamers, five stokers, one tillerman, three hook and ladder permanent men, one hundred and fifty-two call men and twenty substi- tutes. The above are distributed into ten companies, fully equipped, viz. : three hose, four steamers, and three hook and ladder companies.
Ashley and Wright Ponds, situated within the corporation limits and but three miles and a half from the City Hall, are the chief sources of a water supply which is one of the best in New England. The works, completed in the summer of 1873, are constructed in the most thorough and substantial manner ; the supply CHIEF LYNCH. was still further increased in 1884 by the turning of several mountain brooks into the main pipe. In 1891 a new reservoir and dam was finished near the Whiting Street brook, at a cost of $75,000 to $100,000. The area of flowage is 115 acres and the water shed comprises 1,000 acres. The present board of Water Commissioners are as follows : Charles D. Colson, book-keeper and paymaster of the Whitmore Manufacturing Co., was born at Lowell, Mass.,
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in the year 1846, and his early education in the schools of that city concluded with a course at the High School. He has been in the business life of Holyoke since 1875, and is a citizen well known in official circles, in business, and socially. For three years he served his fellow citizens as an Alderman, and for two years was a member of the Com- mon Council, being president of this latter body one year of the time. He was appointed on the Board of Water Commissioners January, 1892. Mr. Colson is a member of Oberlin Lodge, and Encampment, I. O. O. F., of Lowell, Red Men, Royal Arcanum, and Knights of Honor, also is quartermaster of the Second Regiment, M. V. M.
James J. Curran is one among the enterprising citizens of Holyoke who received his education at the public
CHARLES D. COLSON.
JAMES J. CURRAN.
schools, and has found time, aside from that devoted to his private business as a druggist at 466 Main street, to devote himself quite largely to the public service. He has been a member of the Board of Aldermen, is now serving his second term on the Board of Water Commissioners, of which body he is also treasurer, and was one of the Board of Fire Commissioners. Mr. Curran is an active, progressive citizen, and understands thoroughly the needs of the city and its inhabitants, and is at the same time successful in his business vocation, enjoying a first-class and reliable patronage in his drug stores on Main and Dwight streets.
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Martin P. Conway was born in Ireland, November 20, 1858, but came to this country when about seven years of age. He secured his education in the public schools of Scranton, Penn., which was supplemented by a course in a business college. He has been a dealer in pianos, organs and general musical merchandise in this city, at 305 High street, for about thirteen years, and his business extends throughout Western Massachusetts. Mr. Conway is active in social as well as business life, and is a member of several societies. His abilities have been recognized by his fellow citizens in the line of public service, he having been an Alderman two terms, the last term being president of the Board. Also one of the Water Commissioners for three years past, and chairman two of the three years.
MARTIN P. CONWAY.
JOHN D. HARDY.
John D. Hardy was born at Greenfield, New Hampshire, in the year 1832. He began business in this city as a machinist and carpenter in 1861, but has been in the service of the city for many years, being now Superintendent of the Water Works, a position he has held for thirteen years, satisfactorily to all concerned. He was also Chief Engineer of the Fire Department for three years. Mr. Hardy is devoted to the duties which bring him in contact with citizens of every section and class in our cosmopolitan city, and except a short time spent in California, has lived here continuously, and was a member of the committee which transferred the town business over to the city of Holyoke.
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