USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Holyoke > Holyoke, past and present, 1745-1895. > Part 9
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O. Z. E. Charest, doing business under the firm name of Sainte- Marie & Charest, at 350 Main street, is one of the influential French citizens closely identified with the best interests of the city both in private life and official capacity. When business is not too rushing, Mr. Charest will chat with visitors and tell of his starting out in life, his coming to Holyoke ten years ago, his connection with what was then the Holyoke Furniture Company, and his connection with the late Mr. Sainte- Marie. When the latter died his widow thought best to leave her interest in the business with Mr. Charest, who has since carried on the large establishment under the same firm name. The stock includes a most complete line of household furnishings. Orders are taken for every kind of upholstering or any variety of furnishing. Goods are displayed in many different rooms, the entire stock occupy- ing several floors and extra buildings. Special features are the High- land range and Gurney refrigerator, which Mr. Charest puts out as O. Z. E. CHAREST. leaders. Officially, he is a member of the School Board, St. Jean Baptiste and other French societies, always putting forth his best efforts for his countrymen and his adopted city.
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The Lyman & Kellogg Co., dealers in furniture, carpets, draperies, curtains, oil-cloths, stoves and heaters, occupy the entire six floors as well as three floors in adjoining block for their business. The business was begun at 75 Main street by S. T. Lyman & Son, in 1872, employing three men, ten years later moving to a more commodious store at 141 Main street, where the business continued to grow. In 1888, S. T. Lyman withdrew from the firm and the business was continued by C. P. Lyman, until the present stock company was formed May, 1894, uniting the two firms of C. P. Lyman and C. L. Kellogg & Co. By this consolidation the company is enabled to employ thirty to forty men, and to do business at less cost than before. The store at 141 Main street is occu- pied by the stove, plumbing and gas fixture department. The new store, No. 139 Main street, is used for their commodious offices and a show room for desks, side boards, folding beds and tables. The second floor is for display of a large and elegant line of carpets, rugs, mattings and parlor goods, easy chairs in great variety, draperies and curtains. Third floor is rich with chamber suits, both iron and fancy woods. Fourth floor is used for upholstering and storage. Fifth floor, as a shop for working tin, sheet-iron, copper, brass and furnace work. All floors are made easy of access by an elevator, making this establishment one of the most complete in this section and worthy of a larger patronage.
The Hotel Hamilton, formerly Holyoke House, has been and is now the representative hotel of the city. Since its com- pletion in 1878, it has been the best hotel. There have been
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slight fluctuations in its career during different managements, and now, under the care of Mr. George H. Bowker, it is enjoying its most marked prosperity. Its builders had ambitious designs for the house and these have been realized. In 1889, extensive repairs and enlargements were made, giving forty extra rooms, an elegant dance hall and entrance, beside enlarging the post office, which is under the hotel proper, and with which direct communication is had by means of a chute from the hotel office in the main entrance hall, to the main room in the post office. This is the only hotel in the world thus equipped. It was convenient before, for the office was in the same building, but to write a letter and slide it direct to the mailing room is like a fairy tale. The hotel is equally convenient in other ways, having telegraph, telephone, barber shop and news room all under AMILTON one roof. The finishings of the house are of the newest and best. Steel ceilings extend the length of the main corridor and ladies' entrance and over the grand staircase, which is lighted by a light-hued clouded glass window. The side walls have been treated with a stippling brush and made artistic in finish. There are accommodations for 150 guests daily, the dining room having a seating capacity of 300 at one time. Six experienced chefs preside over the delicacies prepared for the table, and those who have enjoyed the hospitality of the house know their ability. The Hamilton has come to be quite a popular place for people giving dinner parties, receptions, etc., for care and attention are always insured, and the details of a social affair are carried out with exactness. The Connecti- cut Board of Water Works, Connecticut Valley Dental Society, HOTEL HAMILTON. Congregational Club of Connecticut, and many other organizations of like character, hold the Hamilton in high estimation as a meeting place. The number of so-called " swell" receptions held here increases each year, as the capabilities of the house and proprietor become better known. The Arlington Club, the leading and only representative organization of Holyoke's four hundred, holds the assemblies and balls here. The house, for the time
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HOUSE OF PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL.
being, is given over to the bright array of society people who always come out to honor the Arlington management.
The House of Providence, a name familiar for many years to the sick and suffering of Holyoke, carried on its chari- table work in brick dwelling houses on Dwight street until, through the efforts of Rev. P. J. Harkins, more than any other, the fine new edifice was completed and placed at the dis- posal of the Sisters, under the direction of the Reverend Mother. The dedication took place last October, the 3d, these exercises being delayed somewhat by the absence of Bishop Beaven, who was in Europe, so the house had many occupants when the exer- cises took place. The building is most com- pletely fitted, the wards being small and so more desirable, for one patient cannot be depressed by a large number of fellow- sufferers. The building faces the south, long corridors extend the length of the building and from these open the private rooms and wards, all pleasant and well lighted. The Ladies of Charity, a band of prominent Catholic women, render assist- ance in numerous practical ways and form a valuable accessory to the work of the Sisters.
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The Griffith, Axtell & Cady Printing Company is a familiar name to a large number outside the city of Holyoke, and is connected with fine printing and embossing. The moving spirit of the establishment is Mr. J. Eveleth Griffith, who was born in Washington, D. C., in 1860. His business life began in 1875, and in 1879 he established a job printing office of his own. Later he made several ventures in weekly journalism and started the Daily Journal, which bade fair to be a success and develop a bright future for the boy of twenty. He was seized, however, with the Western fever, and selling out his Washington interests he went West and travelled over the country for two or three years, gaining ex- perience which has ever since been valuable. In July, 1882, he went to Springfield, Massachusetts, and here began the development of that faculty for artistic printing which has since gained Mr. Griffith fame. The following year he came to Holyoke, accepting a position with Clark W. Bryan & Co., and after working there three years returned to Springfield as a partner in the firm of Wells, Rafter & Co. The firm sent out a strikingly beautiful embossed card announcing the change in the firm. The card attracted instant attention. Six months later he removed to Holyoke and individually opened a new job office which was a success from the first. In fact, business grew so fast that larger quarters became necessary, and in 1888 these were secured and C. S. Axtell taken into part- nership. In 1890, further enlargements were made and the Griffith, Axtell & Cady Company incorporated under the JAMES EVELETH GRIFFITH. laws of Massachusetts. Since that time both Mr. Axtell and Mr. Cady have disposed of their interests. The work of Mr. Griffith, both as a printer and embosser, is noted for purity and simplicity of design combined with striking
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effectiveness of execution. Yet everywhere a keen appreciation of the character of the job is shown, color, paper and type all being in perfect harmony and yet perfectly adapted to the job, though mere smoothness is never attained at the expense of strength.
John F. Sheehan was born in South Manchester, Conn., in 1864, and graduated from the public schools of that place, and at Springfield, Mass., afterward learning the trade of a moulder, at which business he was employed by the Dean Steam Pump Company. He has been a resident of this city for many years, coming here while yet a young man, and it is safe to say that no one is better known and few, if any, more popular among the working people. He is President of the Massachusetts Division of the American Federation of Labor, Treasurer in the Royal Arcanum, and member of the Foresters, Park Lyceum, and numerous other societies. He is also a member of the 1895 Legislature. Twelve years ago Mr. Sheehan, then but eighteen years of age, was one of the promotors of a lodge of the Knights of Labor, and was made its secretary. He was also charter member of the Holyoke Iron Moulders' Union, and its first secretary. The Central Labor Union of Holyoke, representing over twenty trades, was due largely to the efforts of Mr. Sheehan, and he is the man always looked to as leader and adviser. Up to the time of his going to Boston, he followed his trade as iron moulder, working day and night to properly conduct his own work and still help on the cause of working men and the Federation of JOHN F. SHEEHAN. Labor Unions, for in his official capacity, Mr. Sheehan's advice is much sought and his opinions justly valued. A hard worker himself, he knows the meaning of honest efforts in others, and encourages it by example and principle.
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The music and art of early Holyoke were looked after by competent people, Judge W. B. C. Pearsons being a leader. Thomas M. Shepherd interested himself in pushing the artistic instincts of the new city and induced the people to educate themselves to appreciate the best in art.
"The first time I ever saw Judge Pearsons," said a well-known High street man the other day, "was in Belchertown. He was leading an orchestra, and he was a dandy, I can tell you. Dressed in a black suit, white vest and white gloves, the Judge was worth looking at, and he conducted the orchestra with the ease of an old leader. He was hand- some as a picture. His musicians came, I think, from Northampton mostly, and they went about the country giving concerts. It was later than this that Judge Pearsons commenced leading the Second Congrega- tional choir. He had the musical talent of the place carefully gathered together and made the most of it. There were singers in those days, I tell you," said the man who remembered the past but enjoyed the present.
Among the musicians of today there has been a determined effort to produce a better style of music in a better way. During the last ten years a change has been making rapid advances, both audience and musicians insisting on listening to and producing more thoughtful com- positions. This is due to the singers, most of them volunteer, who have given their time and talents freely to produce this excellent result. Holyoke has never put forth any musical claims, it has been modest and in better taste not to, but, today, it is doubtful if a manufacturing city with a population corresponding to the size of ours can justly claim any- thing like the advance made by Holyoke in matters musical.
William Churchill Hammond, whom Holyoke is proud to claim as her own, by right of adoption, has become a leader in the musical WILLIAM CHURCHILL HAMMOND. life of the city. A fine musician himself, Mr. Hammond has shown the true missionary spirit by carefully cultivating appreciation of the best music in the minds of Holyoke people. This he has done by giving a series of free public
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organ recitals, by the organization and, more than that, the keeping together, of a volunteer choir, led by a fine quartette, the training of a children's choir, and in a quiet, effective personal influence, always bearing on the bring- ing out of the highest musical taste. Mr. Hammond is much more than a musician, he is a Christian gentleman of the conscientious type which recognizes the importance of giving the best of himself to the work in hand. The support and encouragement afforded by the Second Congregational Church have greatly aided Mr. Hammond in his efforts, opening the church for the afternoon and evening recitals, the total number of these being 127, which have been entirely free to the public. The singers of the city have given their services also, Mrs. Mary Shumway-Parsons, Will Allyn, Mr. and Mrs. I. Sawyer, Mr. and Mrs. E. N. White, Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Weiser, Mr. George Parsons, Arthur Newell. Organist G. H. Bemis rendered valuable assistance at the last recital. Members of the choir and others have lent their aid in helping increase the interest in these recitals.
The American music system, successfully in operation in many schools of this commonwealth and outside this state, is the product of the joint efforts of our superintendent of schools, E L. Kirtland, and Professor Zuchtmann, vocal instructor in the public schools. Mr. Kirtland comes of a musical family, it would be strange indeed if he could not sing, that being a family accomplishment. He has gone beyond the line of per- sonal accomplishment and has given to the public a system whose genuine merits at once brought it into favor. The authors have given years of thought and experience to the work. It begins at the foundation of all vocal culture by first teaching how to breathe and properly develop the muscles of the throat and vocal organs, thus securing a correct speaking MISS RAE CORSER. tone, which prolonged produces a musical tone, while through accent, rhythm and time are developed. Step by step the pupil intelligently masters the entire course.
Miss Rae Corser, daughter of C. A. Corser, is one of the young singers of Holyoke likely to make a shining mark in the musical world. She has a contralto voice of unusual power, compass and sweetness, which is being
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cultivated under the instruction of the celebrated Madame Marchesi, of Paris. Miss Corser will remain abroad for two years at least, as her ambition, Grand Opera singing, will require long and careful preparation.
The French and Irish residents have helped form the local taste in music, mainly through the influence of the churches. The Church of the Precious Blood, Perpetual Help, Sacred Heart, St. Jerome's, The Rosary, and their respective organists have labored faithfully in the good cause. The Potvin, Prew and Laporte families, the earliest French residents here, have assisted in this as well as all other matters relating to the best interests of the city. Gilbert Potvin came here in 1864. He was enterprising and later became one of the largest contractors. Nicholas Proulx, or Prew, as the name is now spelled, and the Laportes came later and speedily became influential in church and out.
Art has seen its bright and dark days. The first organized effort having as its object the promotion of and better understanding of art, was in November, 1881, when, under the management of Thomas Shepherd, a society was formed, its members subscribing to the follow- ing : "We, the undersigned, hereby agree to form an art class with Prof. J. Wells Champney, of New York, as instructor. The term to consist of twelve lessons, one every Tuesday, commencing November 15. The expenses of the term shall be equally paid by each member in advance, or, if desirable, half in advance and remainder when course is half completed. The Art class shall be limited to twenty-five members. A committee shall be chosen that is herewith authorized to transact all the business of the class .- T. M. SHEPHERD, Manager."
PAST COMMANDER DR. G. H. SMITH. (This cut arrived too late for insertion in the proper place.)
The members were : Wm. A. Prentiss, Fred H. Newton, Leila T. Newton, Mrs. B. F. Hosford, Mrs. Sarah M. Fullerton, W. A. Chase, Jessie and Carrie Chase, Tina C. Morrill, James S. Newton, Lily F. Flagg, Fannie A. Parmelee, Mrs. Bott,
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MONUMENTAL WORKS OF H. M. COOK.
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Nannie Homans, Agnes R. Allyn, Laura M. Newton, Susie Newton, Hattie M. Webber, Ray S. Whiting, Mary L. Whitten, Edith C. Lamb, Carrie Wiers, H. E. Leonard, Mrs. C. W. Rider, Susie H. Kimball.
H. M. Cook's monumental works on Railroad street have con- stantly an exhibition of beautiful stone and marble work which never fails to attract attention. The force of cutters always busy turns out the finest results. Quincy, Westerley, Scotch, Swede, Barre granite and marbles are worked up into artistic effects, all kinds of stone-work in monumental and for other purposes being produced in large quanti- ties. The work is sent to all parts of the country. The heavy work is done in Quincy, where Mr. Cook has connection with extensive works. The personal care and oversight of the proprietor are given to the business and this insures general satisfaction.
Dr. J. J. O'Connor, one of Holyoke's beloved physicians, is the only one of the city's mayors whose life history is closed. He was early identified with the history of the town, coming here in 1866 after graduating from Harvard, as city and town physician, and was elected mayor in 1885, serving two terms. Dr. O'Connor was very popular with all grades of society. His ability was unquestioned. He served acceptably as member of the State Board of Lunacy and Charity, and was vice-president of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He erected the block of brick houses at the corner of Maple and Dwight streets known as the O'Connor block, and which is now taken care of by his widow, who, with her family, lives in one of them. Dr. O'Connor's death, which took place in 1888, at the age of 45 years, was deeply regretted by all who knew him.
Dwight Ives was born in Holyoke, in 1837. He comes from one DR. J. J. O'CONNOR. of the old families of the town, the home-farm lying back of Northampton street, among fertile fields. In addition to his large farming interests, Mr. Ives has carried on a milk route, and now lives at 469 Northampton street, having
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left the farm, though it is still under his supervision. He has seen the wonderful progress of his native city, and his intimate knowledge of its needs brought him before the public first as councilman. Then he was elected representative to the Legislature in 1894, and was re-elected in 1895. Mr. Ives is an able, unassuming man.
The new Grace Chapel, a branch of the Second Congrega- tional Church,has accepted plans for a new building which came too late for insertion with the churches. The new home for Grace Branch is to be on the south corner of Race and Cabot streets. The lot is 108 feet on Cabot street and 55 feet on Race street. There will be a dry and light room that may be used for reading room or any other useful branch of the growing work. This room is separated from a large hall about 35 by 45 feet which occupies the space beneath the auditorium. Here are to be facilities for dining or amusement room. This receives light from Cabot street and from the ten foot light space on the side parallel with Cabot street. It may be approached by two or three different stair-ways. At the rear of this on the inside corner of the building is the coal and boiler room. Next to that toward Cabot street, is the kitchen with a sink and place for range. Between the kitchen and Cabot street is a stairway and pantry.
The main floor of the building is reached by going up about nine steps, and will probably be accessible by two, possibly three, entrances. On Race street will be the room, 20 by 25 feet, serviceable for primary room on Sunday, and DWIGHT IVES. possibly for a kindergarten during the week. East of this is the auditorium, from which the primary room is separated by sliding doors. The pulpit will be in one corner, probably the south-east, with a choir gallery behind it and the organ space in the rear of the choir. The main
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SPELD PHOTO ENG. CO.
THE NEW GRACE CHAPEL.
Accepted Design for the Parochial School yor Tev. Charles Crever, Pastor. of the Church of the Frecious Blood Mass Holyoke Geof? To. Aldermart, Arckt. 271 70th Street 1. HolyokeMass
floor will have a seating capacity of 162 with the seats arranged in the circular form. There will be a curved gallery over the rear of the room which will add about 150 to the seating capacity. At the rear of the organ space will be a small room serviceable for the pastor's study with steps leading to the choir gallery. Between this room and the Cabot street entrance is a room 15 by 22 feet which may be used as a church parlor and for a Bible class on the Sabbath. This also opens into the auditorium by sliding doors or a wooden screen that will roll up around a cylinder at the top of the room. In this way the three rooms and the gallery of the main floor are practically available for public exercises with a seating capacity of from 450 to 500. Up stairs are two rooms 9 by 13 and 10 by 20, with three class rooms in front of them, and overlooking the platform.
Rev. Dr. E. A. Reed and his supporters in the church have been the means of getting this branch of the Second Congregational Church in good working order. The city has also known Dr. Reed's influence in important matters outside his regular church work. He has been a powerful friend of the City Hospital. When the Holyoke Society of Fine Arts was organized in 1890, he became president and proved of great assistance in furthering the ends of the organization, namely, the cultivation of artistic taste and appreciation among Holyoke people. The Horticultural Society has felt his influence and practical aid. The doctor's interest has never lagged either as exhibitor or friend of the society, and in June, 1895, the success of this organized body of flower-lovers reached its height in the annual flower show held the 13th and 14th of the month. The future of Grace Mission, branch or whatever name it is best known by, points to the early establishment of a church under the leadership of Rev. A. W. Remington, the present pastor of the chapel.
The Parochial School, used in connection with the Precious Blood Church, is a commodious building 80 by 96 feet, of brick, and three stories high. It has twelve recitation rooms, 28 by 32 feet each, also five small class-rooms, 17 by 12 feet. The heating and ventilating system is of the best, and was inspected by the school committee and invited guests when the building was opened November 7, 1894. On this occasion, Rev. C. Crevier welcomed the guests and enjoyed showing his fine building to them.
The southern extremity of the city, Springdale, is a purely German product. The centre of interest there is Turn Hall, founded by a few German families who bought lots there, and in consequence of some differences between the members of the Bridge Street Hall, organized their own social society. This property includes about $20,000, and supports a fine gymnasium where children from three years old and upwards receive physical training. William Krug is employed to give instruction in German and English language. There is a sick benefit and a $50.00 funeral
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fund for society members. The gymnasium property alone is valued at $10,000. The Turners never returned from a Turnfest without taking prizes, and in competition with the entire United States, at Chicago and Milwaukee in 1893, were equally successful. When the river rises in the spring, then the residents look alive, for the water has a fashion of becoming sociable and comes uncomfortably near the houses. In April, 1895, there was six and eight feet
SPRINGDALE DURING FRESHET OF APRIL, 1895,
of water over the electric car track extending from South Holyoke to Springdale, and the cellar of the house at the corner of Main and Vernon streets had a foot and a half of water in it. One house at the bend of Main street was flooded up to the casings of the first floor windows.
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HOLYOKE PUBLIC LIBRARY
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