USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Holyoke > Holyoke, past and present, 1745-1895. > Part 7
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James Phillips, the present Commander of Kilpatrick Post, was born in Winslow, Maine, July 21, 1842. Enlisted in Co. H, 19th Maine Vols., and was mustered, with his regiment, into the service of the United States, August 25, 1862, at Bath, Maine. On arriving at Washington this regiment occupied the forts south and east of the city till Sept. 30, when it went to the front and was assigned to the famous 2d Corps, which was commanded later by General Hancock. From that time till the surrender of Lee this regiment has an enviable record. December 11, 1862, in company with the 19th and 20th Mass., they crossed the river and entered the city of Fredericksburg, in the face of a
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JAMES PHILLIPS.
W. H. ABBOTT.
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heavy fire from the enemy, and from this time till the close of the war it participated in all campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. By general orders this regiment has inscribed on its colors eighteen general engagements, including Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, siege of Petersburg and Appomattox. Mr. Phillips became a member of Kilpatrick Post in May, 1882, being elected Commander in 1894 and re-elected for 1895.
W. H. Abbott, the youngest of the past Commanders to enlist, entered service when fifteen years of age, in Co. I, 29th Ohio, and has always maintained his interest in military matters.
A. M. Cain enlisted in Co. E, 37th Regiment Mass. Vols., August 9, 1862. His regiment was assigned to a brigade in the Sixth Corps, in the Army of the Potomac, and was with them in the battle of Fredericksburg under Generals Burnside and Hooker, and went to New York at the time of the draft. He was at Gettysburg before going to New York. Going into the field again from New York with his regiment, was in the battle of the Wilderness, where he was wounded through the shoulder, and was sent to a hospital in Philadelphia. Recovering, he joined his regiment and was in the battle of Winchester, under General Sheridan, where he was wounded. Went the second time to a Philadelphia hospital. Recovering from this wound, joined his regiment in time to be at the fall of Petersburg and Richmond, and at the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. Coming home, was mustered out of the service June 21, 1865.
Colonel Embury P. Clark, when eighteen years of age, enlisted in the 46th Mass., Co. B, October 15, 1862. He served until July 25, 1863, when he was mustered out. His great aptitude for military life was always a marked characteristic, and in 1868 he was elected captain and rose rapidly, is now colonel of 2d Regt. M. V. M., and has held many positions of public trust.
Harry Crosby, Co. K, 17th Maine, 3d Corps, served three years with the Army of the Potomac, went West and was in General Hooker's command when the consolidation was made, and has been prominent in post and city life since his return to citizen's duties.
George Herbert Smith, M. D., is a native of Chicopee. After a thorough course of study in the common and high schools he entered Weslyan Academy at Wilbraham, and graduated in 1861, and the same year commenced study of medicine with Dr. R. T. Chaffee, of Hartford, Conn. In September, 1862, he enlisted as private in the 25th Regiment Conn. Vols., and in January, 1863, he was detailed on special service, and was quarter-master sergeant in the Ambulance Corps. In April he returned to his regiment and was assigned duty as surgeon's assistant. Dr. Smith was with the Army of the Gulf during the campaign of 1863, and rendered valuable service at the battles of Irish
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A. M. CAIN.
EMBURY P. CLARK.
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Bend, Franklin and Donaldsonville and the siege of Port Hudson. On June 19, 1863, he was taken prisoner while at Linwood Hospital, but during the day the enemy was beaten back and he was released. He returned to his regiment and August 26, 1863, was mustered out of service. Dr. Smith has held, and now holds important positions in municipal affairs.
P. J. Gilligan came to South Hadley Falls in October, 1858, went into the Glasgow Mill, where he was employed when President Lincoln called for 300,000 more. He enlisted August 20, in Co. H, 52d Mass. Inf., and was discharged August 14, 1864, at Greenfield, Mass. He afterward enlisted in Co. K, IoIst New York Infantry, and was at Appomattox when Lee surrendered to General Grant.
Dwight Ogden Judd was born at Huntsburgh, Ohio, December 15, 1843; enlisted May, 1861, in the 10th ; slightly wounded in the left breast by a spent ball at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862 ; was wounded at Salem Heights, Va., May 11, 1863 ; was wounded and lost little finger on left hand at battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864 ; rejoined the regiment at Cold Harbor, June, 1864, and was not absent from his regiment except when wounded or detailed on guard duty.
Daniel E. Kingsbury, aged 35, was captain of Co. P. J. GILLIGAN. B, 46th Mass., enlisted October 15, 1862, expiration of service July 29, 1863, was first Commander of the local post and was identified with G. A. R. matters locally, while he lived here.
A. N. Ricker, Ist Maine Cavalry, received a gunshot wound at Middletown, Va., May 24, 1862 ; he was taken prisoner the same day and was paroled September 12, 1862. He was formally exchanged in December, 1862. Was
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DWIGHT O. JUDD.
W. S. LOOMIS.
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W. H. H. STEBBINS.
P. A. STREETER.
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also wounded at Deep Bottom, and in the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, he was lying in a rifle pit under a shower of balls, when a rifle ball just bruised his right arm, cut the knuckles of both hands and struck his left leg, and then fell into his hand.
W. H. H. Stebbins enlisted when twenty-one years of age, in Co. C, 21st Mass., August 23, 1861, and his service expired August 30, 1864, a long and honorable record.
P. A. Streeter entered the service April 26, 1861, in Co. E, 2d Vermont Vols., for three years. Regiment organized at Burlington. Mustered into the state service May 17, and United States service June 20; June 24 was ordered to Washington. Participated in the first battle of Bull Run. Campaigned in the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, and was captured July 21, and was the first soldier in Libby prison; exchanged January 3, 1862, and joined his regiment at Camp Griffith, near Lewinsville, Virginia. March 13, 1862, he was assigned to the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 4th Corps of the Army of the Potomac, and participated in the Yorktown and Peninsular campaigns. In May he was transferred to the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 6th Corps. August 16, left Harrison's Landing for Alexandria. Was in the engagements at Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. In June, 1863, moved in the Gettysburg campaign, but during the battle was detailed to the wagon train. August 14, regiment went to New York and Poughkeepsie to quell draft riots, returning September 13. Campaigned with 6th Corps to Mine Run, thence encamped at Brandy Station. May 4, 1864, moved in the Wilderness and Spottsylvania campaigns to Cold Harbor. June 16, crossed over in front of Petersburg ; June 19, left for Vermont on expiration of service. The regiment was in the most important actions of the war. This brigade had more men killed in battle than any other brigade. Was honorably mustered out June 29, 1864, at Brattleboro, Vt. Mr. Streeter received a gun shot wound in the face, May 12, 1864.
The Holyoke Lodge, No. 134, I. O. O. F., was organized September 27, 1849, by R. W. G. Master Samuel Wells, of Northampton.
Holyoke Council, Select and Royal Masters, was organized under dispensation September 22, 1873.
Mt. Tom Lodge, F. and A. M., organized April 5, 1850, and worked under a dispensation until December 12 of the same year, when it received its charter from the Grand Lodge. The lodge has held a leading position for many years because of its excellence in Masonic work, and its officers have taken pride in sustaining its reputation.
Mt. Holyoke Royal Arch Chapter, incorporated September, 1865.
The Connecticut Valley Lodge, Knights of Pythias, was instituted in Holyoke, March 17, 1870, by Mystus Lodge, Springfield. It has prospered and is one of the strongest in the State.
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The Societe Saint Jean-Baptiste is the oldest of French societies, and one of the oldest organizations of like character in the city. It was first organized April 11, 1872, with these charter members : Achille Monty, Dr. R. G. Moorehead, Edouard Laroche, Pierre Monat, L. P. Lavallee, Herode Simon, F. X. Brochu, Jean-Bte. Bernier, Ed. Robert, Alexis Regneauld, Ed. Villeneuve, Chas. Aubertin, Elie Villeneuve, P. P. Pepin, Pierre Loiselle, Pierre Adam, Prudent Monty, Joseph Lacoste, Olivier Loiselle, R. Mainville, Fabien Bruneau, Jos. Villeneuve, Didace Sainte-Marie. The society was reorganized January 4, 1887, Henry B. Pierce certifying that P. Bonvouloir, D. Proulx, O. Z. E. Charest, M. M. Mitivier, J. B. Martineau, A. Benoit, F. Menard, E. Gagne, E. Cadieux, E. Coulombe, and G. Ducharme and their associates were legally organized and made an existing corporation for the purposes for which societies SOCIETY EMBLEM. under this name are usually sustained. It is a very flourishing organization.
Three representative Irish societies are the Robert Emmet Literary Association, St. Jerome Temperance, and Ancient Order of Hibernians. The Emmet Society was organized in 1870, the object being to elevate the position of the Irish race. The present membership is 220, the meetings being held in Holyoke National Bank block.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians was organized in 1871. It is for benevolent purposes only. The present membership is 200, and the Society has always been foremost in supporting all measures relating to its special line of efforts. The meetings are held in the Society's building, corner of Front and John streets.
Sidney S. Rogers, of the Crocker Manufacturing Co., was the first young man in Holyoke to feel the need of an organized band of young men, and was the first to express a want and put in operation a plan for supplying it. With this in mind Mr. Rogers one day made his way to Mr. J. H. Wylie's store and said "Why can we not have a Young Men's Christian Association in this city?" The next Sunday the young men of the Evangelical Churches met and conferred together. The permanent organization was effected October 7, 1885. The first rooms occupied were in Tilley's Block, 235 High street, and in Shumway's Block, 295 High street. March 1, 1886, the Association moved to II Suffolk street. The next important step was the securing of E. T. Bates of Stoneham, Mass., for general secretary. Tuesday, May 18, 1886, the first real home of the Association was started in the W. C. T. O. building just completed at 345 High street, and here the Association remained until the new building was completed in 1892.
In connection with this great work of erecting this fine building, Mr. Bates' efforts should always have grate-
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E. T. BATES.
GEORGE H. HALE.
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ful recognition. Without neglecting active phases of the association, he threw great energy and perseverance into the preparation of the plans of the new building and the execution of them, and when everything was in fine condition Mr. Bates left Holyoke to become state secretary of Connecticut. He was succeeded by George H. Hale, the pushing, enterprising secretary from North- ampton. He is assisted by George I. Par- ker. The one sad memory in connection with this handsome new edifice was the death of George Merrick, who was an active member of the Y. M. C. A. and a most exemplary young man, whose death resulted from the blow given by a falling iron stringer at the corner-stone laying. A tablet in the hall of the building commemorates the event. The nearest approach in design to the new building is to be found in the Y. M. C. A. building in Providence, R. I., which at first sight would impress one as the same style YTICA of architecture, although it differs in many ways. The building, which is of so much value to the city, cost, including the build- ing site, $125,000.
In April, 1891, the first steps were taken to start a Boys' Club in Holyoke. Subscriptions were solicited and by fall nearly $1,000 had been pledged. Quarters YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION BUILDING. were secured in the old M. E. Church and James Lawrence Dudley, of Washington, D. C., was engaged to take charge of the work. Mr. Dudley arrived in Holyoke January 12, 1892, and three weeks later the club opened for the reception of members. Three hundred were
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received, and twice as many turned away. From this evening until June 1, over 100 boys were present every evening. During the last two years the work has increased greatly in usefulness, as well as members. Over 3,500 boys have been kept off the streets, and while the influence exerted over a great many may have been slight, the change in many has been remarkable. Over $700 has been put in the bank ; over 6,000 deposits have been made ; more than 1,500
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BOYS' CLUB.
hot baths are given away every winter. Books and games of every description and variety, classes in manual training, drawing, and physical culture, and occasional talks and entertainments are the main attractions.
This work has always been successful in reaching the class it aims to help, because the cost of its maintenance has been borne only by those whose circumstances would allow it ; its privileges are absolutely gratis, to those boys it desires to reach, be they well-dressed or ragged, good, bad or indifferent. A charge, however so moderate, would help the work but little financially, and would exclude the very class they want to help, namely, those who cannot help
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themselves. "There's lots of room at the top," but it is not with those who have reached that point that the Boys' Club has to deal, but with those at the bottom, who are striving to better their condition. It is far more sensible, and of much more avail, to instill manly qualities in a boy, and to caution him in regard to the effects of drinking, smoking and bad companions, before he reaches that age when he is earning money, and " that money's his, and he'll do with it what he pleases," etc. It is not surprising that the Holyoke Boys' Club has been successful. It has merely filled a long felt want. Its present membership is 930, and the weekly attendance is over 600. Visitors are always welcome and made to feel at home.
The Young Women's Association was organized in May, 1888, to provide for the young women of Holyoke a pleasant, home- like place in which to spend their evenings. It was believed that there must be some young women in our midst without attrac- tive city homes, and many more, who, leav- ing their distant homes and coming to our city to earn a living, could but find their evenings in boarding houses in every good sense dull and unprofitable. To such per- sons the cosy rooms of the Association have
YOUNG WOMEN'S CLUB.
proved a second home. The Association was organized in the parlors of the old Y. M. C. A. building, but a permanent home for the institution was found immediately in Tilley's block, where the Association remained until September, 1893, when the generous terms offered by the Women's Union Temperance Organization induced it to
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move into the larger rooms on the third floor of the W. U. T. O. building, No. 347 High street. The first reception held in May, 1888, at the rooms in Tilley's block, was well attended and in a short time there were over one hundred members. The educational classes soon formed, have proved a very important feature. There have been classes in penmanship, arithmetic, history, literature, grammar, physiology, reading, music, calisthenics, painting, fancy work, dress cutting, and plain sewing. Also a class in sewing for girls between the ages of eight and twelve has met Satur- day afternoons. These classes have been well attended.
With the larger rooms in the present home of the Association came larger opportunities for usefulness, and the Association grew in numbers and interest. During the last year there have been added an employment department, a noon rest, and a directory to give information to new comers in regard to lodging and boarding places. Receptions are given the last Friday evening of each month, to which members and friends are cordially invited.
The Holyoke Canoe Club's honorable history extends over a period dating from 1885. The first enthusiastic canoeists occupied a small shanty-like building, until the present house was built in 1885. It stands back of the steamboat landing a short distance up the bank and easy approach is made to the water by means of the regulation inclined plane. The capacity is fifty canoes and the club membership is limited to fifty. Among the craft are some rapid sailers. The first president was George Lewis. Frank Metcalf now holds that position and is one of the younger, but daring sailors. He has been called and deserves the name of amphibious more than once for his plucky exploits on the picturesque Connecticut, and closely follows Christian F. Schuster, the present holder of the club prize. The Holyoke canoe house is used only as a rendezvous from which the paddle up the river is started.
On the South Hadley Falls side were a band of equally energetic canoeists, and before organization was effected they occupied the old engine house, and here Lewis H. Lamb, whose enthusiasm has been unfaltering from the earliest days, commenced putting in telling strokes for the welfare of the club, and whose zeal has known no abate- ment up to the present day. Mr. Lamb was chosen first president and has found no rival so far. As the wealth of the young men interested increased they determined to build themselves a home, and the first small shanty has become the L part of what is now the Redcliffe canoe house. The year 1890 saw the beginning of the new house, and in 1891 the building was increased to the present size. Howard Smith, Charles Davenport and Lewis Lamb were the first canoe owners, and Edward and Will Lamb, with those already named, were in the first organization. The officers then were : Captain, Lewis H. Lamb ; first lieutenant, Edward Towne ; second lieutenant, Charles H. Davenport ; purser and clerk, Charles H. Davenport ; trustees, Thomas Humeston, J. and W. G. Lamb. The present
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CAPTAIN METCALF.
CAPTAIN LAMB.
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F
CANOE CLUB HOUSE.
RED CLIFF BOAT HOUSE.
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RIO VISTA
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SYTONEHA LODGE.
membership is twenty-five and there are fifteen canoes. The name of the club was taken from the red sandstone cliff. The club broke ground this spring for an addition to its club house. The house will be extended eighteen feet and will be made two stories high, instead of one as at present. It will be fifty feet long and will make room for twelve more canoes.
Under the general laws of the canoe association and sometimes through the influence of private individuals,
SANS SOUCI CLUB HOUSE.
various lodges have sprung up along the banks. The most picturesquely situated of these is the Rio Vista, perched high on a vantage ground among rocks and ferns, almost perpendicular from the river's flow. Edward Towne is the very popular president of this lodge, where a large proportion of the good times are enjoyed.
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The Sytoneha Lodge, just back from the river on a bluff of modest pretensions, has been the scene of many a merry revel, and since the new piano has been put in is likely to be more popular than ever. The membership, limited to fifteen, is always filled. Messrs. Edward Towne, Burt Syms, Frederic H. Newton and Lewis F. Hayward were the projectors. Richard L. Wycoff is president. It was organized in the spring of 1889, and the house was built at that time.
The youngest of all the lodges was built last spring, and the party having it in charge has chosen the name We-Wo-Ka.
"The Chimes" is the sightly villa owned by Messrs. Ladd and Metcalf, is near Sans Souci, and from its tower the race bulletin has been displayed.
That intrepid canoeist, Christian F. Schuster, has his own little home, called " Ferncliff," a lodge charmingly situated and very popular. Here the visitor may watch Mr. Schuster's staunch, speedy canoe, sometimes rigged with sails and the club totem, riding at anchor near his residence.
As canoeing grows in popularity there will be additional lodges on the banks of the Connecticut until quite a settlement is formed of the very attractive places of resort, and younger generations will perpetuate the sport of American antiquity. And
" In the glory of the sunset, In the purple mists of the evening,"
will the canoes of the future
" Sail into the fiery sunset, Sail into the purple vapors, Sail into the mists of evening."
The Holyoke Daily Transcript is an evolution of the old Hampden Freeman, Mirror, and later the Weekly Transcript. It was established in 1863, was a weekly for nine years. In April, 1872, the first number of the semi- weekly (Wednesday) edition was issued.
The extinct Holyoke News was founded April 13, 1878, by Hon. W. H. Phillips. The Hampden Freeman, started in 1849, by William L. Morgan, changed to Holyoke Freeman, then to Holyoke Mirror, The New City Weekly Times, 1849, and Independent, 1854, are all wrecks along the shores of journalism, and enjoyed a brief existence. Another News, the Morning News, this time, fluctuated under the leadership of Corbett and " Billy " Spear, for a brief time and faded away. The present publications are : Transcript, W. G. Dwight, editor and
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proprietor, daily and weekly ; Holyoke Daily Democrat, P. J. Kennedy, editor ; The Holyoke Daily Free Press, Republican, politically, the youngest paper in the city, first published June 18, 1893, editor, John H. Skinner ; advertising department, J. D. Ryan.
Le Defenseur, a weekly paper devoted to the interests of French people, 1884, published by Roy Brothers, is issued Friday and is the only French paper in the city.
The Holyoke Rundschau, a German paper published every Friday by the German-American Publishing Co., L. G. Heinritz, principal owner, also appears Saturday under the name of New England Rundschau, eight pages.
FREE PRESS
The Hadley Falls Bank was the pioneer institution in this city, organized May 24, 1851, twenty-three years before the city was organized, and only one year after the town was set off from West Springfield. C. B. Rising was first president. H. P. Terry was chosen cashier in 1864, and has retained his posi- tion ever since. C. W. Ranlet has held an equally long and honorable term as president. The HADLEY FALLS BANK 10 bank was reor- ganized as Had- ley Falls Na- tional Bank, April 3, 1865, and has pursued the honorable policy of redeeming TEN DOLLARS its bills, even after all obligation, under the new the beaver ) HOLYOKE organization, had ceased to exist. Some of the plates used in making the old bills are in existence, preserved among other mementos of the former organization. The ten dollar note as shown, bears the illustration of the dam with Mt. Tom in the background, this being taken from one of the first pictures of the dam without the apron.
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The Holyoke National Bank organized in 1872. William Whiting, first president ; R. B. Johnson, president now; William Twing, cashier.
The Holyoke Savings Bank, incorporated March, 1872. The first deposit was made May 20, 1872. Amount, $30.00. Mechanico
J. G. Mackintosh & Co., bankers, established in 1876. Was succeeded by The Manufacturers' Trust Co.,
March 25, 1895.
The Home National Bank was incor- porated February, 1884. Capital stock, $250,000. President, J. H. Newton ; cashier, Fred F. Partridge.
Park National Bank, organized February 20, 1892. E. L. Munn, president ; Geo. W. Parker, cashier.
Mechanics Savings Bank, 13 Dwight street. Lemuel Sears, president ; E. W. Chapin, secretary ; C. B. Prescott, treasurer.
People's Saving Bank. President, Will iam Skinner ; treasurer, Frank H. Chamber- lain ; secretary, A. L. Greene.
The increase of business done by the Holyoke Post-Office is only one of the LETTER CARRIERS. unfailing signs of the prosperity of the city. Mail was first distributed from the Ireland Parish Post-Office, on Northampton street, and later was moved to the New City. C. B. Prescott acted as postmaster for thirty-one years, and was appointed by Abraham Lincoln. When Mr. Prescott assumed control, he was assisted by one clerk. In 1873, when Webster Bean entered the office, there were three clerks. From 1873 to 1883 the business doubled, and from 1883 to 1893, more than doubled. Postmaster M. J. Griffin is assisted by Mr.
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SPELO. PHOTO . ENG. CO.
M. J. GRIFFIN.
Bean. There are seventeen carriers, three substitutes, seven clerks, one special delivery carrier, and janitor. The receipts of the office during the past year were $490,000. The present carrier system was organized in 1882. This spring (1895), the delivery of letters was further facilitated by the inauguration of a mounted carrier for the suburbs, and letter carrier Thomas, senior, was given a horse-back ride each day. The grey first used proved unfaithful to his mission, and Mr. Thomas now strides a trim mustang on his round.
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