USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Leominster > Leominster, Massachusetts, historical and picturesque > Part 4
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
REV. JULIUS B. ROBINSON, the present pastor, was born in Lebanon, Conn. He graduated at Newton Theological Insti- tute in June, 1873, and was ordained at Milford, Mass., July 2d of the same year. He has since been settled at Fisherville, since re-named Penacook, N. H., at West Springfield, Mass., and in New York city, " Riverside " church, corner Broadway and Eighty-sixth street. His pastorate began Nov. 7th, 1886.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This Society was formed March 27th, 1823, at the residence of Nathan Stratton. John Stratton was chosen clerk, but the church was not legally organized until March 10th, 1828. Its first meeting-house, standing at the corner of Prospect and Harvard streets, and at present used for a dwelling-house, was dedicated in December, 1829, and was used until the Society removed to the house purchased of the Evangelical Society in January 1839. The Society enlarged the last named house in 1849, erecting a steeple, etc. In 1871 the Society sold this house to the Catholic Bishop and removed to its present hand- some church edifice on Main street. This house was erected at a cost of $65000.00, and has a seating capacity of 800. The ministers of this Society, being of the itinerant order, have remained only for short periods, and have, consequently, been somewhat numerous. At first the ministers were circuit preachers and hence there were frequently two or three at a time. The dates of settlement cannot, in many instances, obtained, but we are able to give what is believed to be a com. plete list of ministers who have preached since the Society was established. In explanation it may be said that previous to '46 this church was either on a circuit or was a mission sta- tion. In '23 the first Society was formed by Erastus Otis, who with George Fairbanks, were stationed on the Needham circuit, with which, it is supposed Leominster was connected
REV. E. B. PAYNE.
REV. R. MEREDITH.
REV. J. B. ROBINSON.
REV. C. F. RICE.
REV. R P. STEBBINS.
REV. W. B. TOULMIN.
REV. DANIEL SHEIL.
REV. S. C. KENDALL.
REV. A. F. MASON.
REV. F. A. BALCOM.
REV. G. H. DEBEVOISE.
REV. H. E. COOLEY.
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CHURCHES.
until '34, when it was probably connected with the Marlboro Circuit. In '31 Leominster was probably connected with Lunenburg, in '36 with Fitchburg, and from '36 to '39 with Lunenburg and Marlboro, when it was probably again con- nected with Lunenburg ; in '40 with Marlboro and Fitchburg mission. In '41 it was Leominster and Lunenburg; in '42 Lunenburg and Leominster, in '43 Leominster and Sterling missions, in '44-5 it was a missionary station by itself, and after that a regular station. The list of ministers is as follows : '23, Erastus Otis and George E. Fairbanks. '24, Benjamin Hazel- ton, John C. Risley and Ira M. Bidwell ; '25, John Lindsay Jared Perkins and H. S. Ramsdell ; '26, Joel Steele, Jared Perkins and Leonard B. Griffin ; '27, Abraham D. Merrill, Giles Campbell and Thomas W. Tucker, supernumary ; '28, Ephraim K. Avery, Thos. W. Tucker and Lewis Johnson ; '29, Daniel Fillmore, Isaac Jennison and A. B. Kinsman ; '30, Dan- iel Filmore, and Isaac Jennison ; '31, Jacob Sanborn and San- ford Benton ; '32, Abraham D. Merrill and Samuel Cogg- shall ; '33, Isaac Jennison ; '34, Charles Virgin ; '35, Thomas W. Tucker and Joel Knight ; '36, J. S. Ellis ; '37, Charles Virgin, William P. White and Ebenezer F. Newell, supernum- ary ; '38, Horace Moulton and Ephraim Culver, Jr .; '39, Willard Smith ; '40, Benjamin Paine and Willard Smith, 41, Benjamin Paine and Samuel Heath ; '42, Samuel Heath and William A. Clapp ; '43, Horace Moulton ; '44-5, Thomas H. Mudge ; '46, John C. Ingalls ; '47-8, Z. B. C. Dun- ham; '49-50, Samuel Tupper ; '51-2, Daniel Steele ; 53-4, Zachariah A. Mudge ; '55, Nathan Soule ; '56-7, Cyrus L. Eastman ; '58-9, John Middleton ; '60, Charles Miller ; '61, Jabez W. P. Jordan ; '62, Jabez W. P. Jordan and H. M. Loud ; '63, M. M. Parkhurst ; '64, Jonas M. Bailey ; 65-6, Thomas J. Abbott ; '67-8, Converse L. Macurdy ; '69-70-71, John ·Peter- son ; '72-3, Joseph H. Mansfield ; '74-5-6, Alfred A. Wright ;
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
'77, M. Emory Wright ; '78-9-80, Ebenezer A. Smith ; '81-2-3, William B. Toulmin ; '84, M. H. A. Evans ; '85, Henry Lum- mis ; '86-7, Charles W. Wilder ; '88, Charles F. Rice.
REV. CHARLES F. RICE, the present pastor, was born in Chelsea, Mass., April 14th, 1851. He is the son of Rev. Wm. Rice, D. D., of Springfield, Mass., and of Caroline L., daugh- ter of Wm. North, of Lowell. He graduated from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in the class of '72. After graduating, he held for a time the position of Classical Teacher in the Springfield High School. In 1874 he was elected Tutor of Latin in Wesleyan University, where he remained for three years. In the spring of 1875, he joined the New England Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1877, was appointed pastor of the Appleton M. E. Church in Boston, which position he held until April 1880. His subse- quent pastorates have been as follows : 80-82, Wesley Chapel, Salem ; 83-4, Webster ; 85-7, St. Paul's, Lowell. In April, '88, he was appointed pastor of the M. E. Church in Leomin- ster. Aug. 25th, 1875, he married Miriam O. Jacobs, daughter of Horace Jacobs, M. D., of Springfield, Mass., and they have four children, one daughter and three sons.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CHRIST.
On March 24, 1874, several of the members of the Ortho- dox Congregational Church of Leominster, who were residents of the village of North Leominster, met at the house of Geo. . S. Burrage, " to consider the expediency of forming a Congre- gational church in that village." This action was due to a deep feeling that there was need of a local church. As a result of this meeting, and of others which grew out of it, an ecclesiastical council was called to meet in Kendall Hall, May 6th, 1874, to advise concerning the expediency of forming a Congregational Church here. By this council a church was
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CHURCHES.
duly formed and recognized under the name of " The Congre- gational Church of Christ."
The first officers of the church were as follows : Pastor, Rev. Henry E. Cooley ; deacons, Leonard Wood, John Henry Shedd ; clerk, Mrs. Abby G. Boutelle ; treasurer, George Hall; church committee, Timothy Dwight Wood, Mrs. Martha A. Burrage, Mrs. Julia P. Wood, George Hall ; superintendent of Sunday school, Leonard Wood.
The "Congregational Society of North Leominster " was organized April 17th, 1875, with the following officers : clerk, Leonard Wood ; treasurer, George Hall ; executive committee, Newton C. Boutelle, George S. Burrage, John H. Shedd.
For several years after its organization the services of the church were held in Kendall Hall. The church edifice, which stands upon Main street in the village, was dedicated on the 7th of April, 1880, free from all indebtedness. The cost of the building, and its furnishings, was $16,000. The work was done under the supervision of George Hall, Charles Farns- worth and James Skinner, as a building committee. Prominent among the donors toward the building and furnishing of this house were Augustus Whitman and Capt. Leonard Burrage. From Mr. Whitman, at the time of his decease, the Society received a legacy of $5000, and from Mr. Burrage, upon his death in 1888, they received a legacy of $6000. To Mr. Bur- rage the Society is also indebted for the gift of its parsonage and lot, which is situated nearly opposite his late residence, at the upper end of Main street.
REV. HENRY E. COOLEY, the first pastor, was installed Nov. 10th, 1874; he died Feb. 17th, 1877. Other pastors have served as follows : Rev. E. G. Smith, from June 1877 to June 1881 ; Rev. Henry P. Cutting, Nov. 1881 to Sept. 1884; Rev. Newton I. Jones, March 1885 to March 1887. The present officers of the church are ; Pastor, Rev, Frederic A. Balcom ; S
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
deacons, John Henry Shedd, Timothy Dwight Wood ; clerk, Mrs. Abby G. Boutelle ; treasurer, Miss Lucy E. Shedd ; church committee, George Hall, Miss Carrie L. Wood, Mrs. Lucy J. Smith, Miss Lucy E. Shedd ; superintendent of Sun- day school, Newton C. Boutelle. The present' parish officers are as follows : clerk, Alverse D. Lear ; treasurer, George Hall ; executive committee, Newton C. Boutelle, Arthur H. Hall, Abel Wood.
REV. FREDERIC A. BALCOM, the present pastor, was born in Worcester, Mass., January 26th, 1853. He prepared for college at the High School, Grafton, Mass., graduated from Williams College, in 1878; in September of that year he entered Yale Theological Seminary, completing his course of study there in the spring of 1881. He was pastor at West Hartland, Conn., from May 1881 to June 1884 ; at Holden, Mass., from June 1884 to Sept. 1886 ; teacher and preacher at Franconia, N. H., until April, 1887. He became acting pastor of this church July Ist, 1887.
CHAPTER V.
EDUCATIONAL.
N his excellent sketch of the Public Schools, Dr. C. C. Field, who was for over forty years a member of the School Board, writes : "At this distant period, it is difficult to conceive, how great must have been the undertaking for them, (referring to the early settlers of Leominster,) to provide christian ministration and secular education for themselves and their children, while they were subduing the forests and culti- vating the newly cleared fields for the mainten_ ance of their families. Neither can we easily comprehend how much the present prosperity of our schools may depend upon the excellent school system, which, with unusual wisdom and fore- sight, they established from the beginning. Leominster is one of the few towns in the State, that was never divided into legal ' School Districts.' The town always managed its school affairs in its corporate capacity, built and located all the school- houses, and divided the money raised for the support of schools among the several schools as equally as circumstances would allow, after the subject had been considered and reported upon by a committee chosen for that purpose." The town, also, has
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
often been in advance of the State in matters of management and instruction in her Schools. In 1803 a " School Commit- tee " was chosen, and the teachers required to keep registers, similar to those now used. In this Leominster anticipated State action by a quarter of a century. It is not within the scope of this work to give a history of the Schools. Of the past it is sufficient to say this ; Money has always been voted freely ; the general management has been committed to wise and faithful servants ; in matters of grading, instruction and supervision Leominster has led, but seldom followed. For all this, she is largely indebted to the clear head and earnest devo- tion of Dr. C. C. Field, whose words, in substance, well de- scribe the present of her schools ; "And now, with our excel- lent system of conducting school affairs, with the High School maintained for the benefit of all the inhabitants, having two departments, five teachers and more than one hundred pupils, with the Grammar and Primary schools in the center, and the North Village, classified according to the scholars' attainments, and with mixed schools in the outskirts of the town, all with comfortable and commodious school rooms, furnished with every necessary apparatus, now we say, if the children of the present generation fail to acquire a good education, the fault must be theirs and their parents' and not because the town fails in any degree to supply all necessary means and facili- ties."
DR. CALEB CLESSON FIELD.
No sketch of the Public Schools would be at all complete that did not mention with honor the name of Dr. C. C. Field. To his sustained interest, watchful care and excellent judgment, the town is very largely indebted for its efficient school system ; and especially for those progressive ideas of school manage- ment and instruction, for which Leominster has always been noted. That the system has been, in many ways, improved of
DR. CALEB CLESSON FIELD.
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EDUCATIONAL.
late, is only another way of saying, that the seeds which he planted and cultivated with so much care, have fruited since his death. There is a permanent element of eager progress and wise conservatism, in the spirit of school management here, of which Dr. Field is the author, and, of which record should be made to his lasting honor.
Caleb Clesson Field was born in Northfield, Mass., May 27th, 1810; he graduated at Amherst College with honor in the summer of 1833. After graduating he taught for some time in Concord, Mass., with marked success. In 1835 he began the study of medicine at a private school in Boston, but in June of the next year was compelled to leave the school on account of his health. He remained at his home in Northfield until 1837, studying with Dr. Dean of Greenfield. He then spent five months with the celebrated Dr. Twitchell of Keene, N. H. After this he attended a course of lectures at Dart- mouth Medical School, where he received the degree of M. D. in 1837. Dr. Field came to Leominster in the same year and began the practice of his profession, which he continued with the growing favor of the community until his death, May, 1881.
Dr. Field was twice chosen to represent the town at the "General Court " and did faithful and honorable service there, especially as a member of the Committee on Education. In May, 1881, reduced in strength by the winter's work and especially by the severe requirements of his profession in the early spring, Dr. Field took a sudden cold which led to pneu- monia, of which he died after a brief illness of five days. He was married three times. Only one of his children is living at the present time. When Dr. Field became a resident of Leom- inster, the Educational pulse of the State was just showing increasing strength, owing to the fresh, pure blood infused into the system by Horace Mann and others. The Board of
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
Education was formed and broad ideas of Universal Educa- tion were taking on form and flesh. In 1838 Dr. Field was elected a member of the School Committee, a position which he held for over forty-three years, serving much of the time as its chairman.
In his profession Dr. C. Caleb Field was highly esteemed by his brethren and served the community with skill and suc- cess. In his work for the Schools he wisely blended three things ; an earnest love for the cause of education, a hearty welcome for all progress, and a firm holding on to that which is good. He was a friend to the teachers and loved the schools as if they were his own. He kept himself well in- formed of every advance in educational matters, and worked constantly, yet wisely for the best things. His educational ideas were never old, because they were always growing. The Schools of Leominster will always bear the marks of his wise oversight. As our modern · life makes larger and larger demands on the individual, and the system of Public Instruc- tion becomes more comprehensive, Special Supervision must and does take the place of the old way. But in the years before this was possible, any town was most fortunate, if, among her citizens there was one, who had the will and the ability to do for her Public Schools what Dr. Field did for the Schools of Leominster. The service was long, wise and faithful.
As a man, Dr. Field was highly esteemed in the commun- ity. His character grew in breadth and strength to the end. He left a lasting impression for good upon the town.
JAMES BENNETT.
In this connection, also, should be mentioned the name of James Bennett, Esq. His is an honorable name in Leomin- ster, and especially in relation to her system of public instruc- tion. A faithful member of the Leominster School Committee for many years, Mr. Bennett was, to the end of life, an earnest
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EDUCATIONAL
and devoted friend of education. His time, his influence, his help in every way, was freely given to increase the efficiency of the Public Schools. In this field, as well as others, he did excellent and lasting work.
James Bennett was born in Lunenburg in 1805. He received his education in the Public Schools, in which, at a later period, he was a teacher, both in his native town and else- where. Not far from the year 1830 Mr. Bennett came to Leominster and was for a time employed in making combs, which was then the leading industry of the town. Some years later he began the insurance business, largely in consequence of an injury to his hand, received while engraving combs. He continued this business, until he was forced to give up all work on account of failing health.
From 1856 to 1880 Mr. Bennett was largely identified with the public interests of the town. In the Fall of the year first named, he was elected to represent the town at the "General Court." He served two terms with credit to himself and honor to the town. He was one of the first, if not the first, to be honored by a re-election. It was during his term in the Legis- lature, that Mr. Bennett was chosen a member of the Leomin- ster School Committee-a position which he held for the next thirteen years. In many ways Mr. Bennett was well fitted for this office. His interest in the Schools was constant. He did not limit his labors. So far as he was able, and his ability exceeded that of most men, who do not make teaching a pro- fession, he gave the teachers direct aid as well as encourage- ment. He did his work well and faithfully. In connection with the Public Library, also, Mr. Bennett did most efficient work for the town. It is enough to say that he found the Library a small collection of books of small value ; but when he left the committee in 1880, on account of the growing in- firmities of age, the library numbered 8000 volumes, had a
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
home of its own, and a fine reading room department attached. Of the labors necessary to bring this about Mr. Bennett bore his full share. He was an active, wise and influential member of the Committee. He had excellent qualifications for this work, and freely gave of his time to this service.
Mr. Bennett was also a great lover of history. He col- lected and left for use much valuable material for a local his- tory of the different wars, for which Leominster furnished men. In many ways he had the tastes and instincts of a scholar, although he lacked the training of the schools. It is not possible here to give a full record of all his service, or of his fervent patriotism and quick interest in every good cause. It is enough to say, that Mr. Bennett lived a useful and worthy life, honorable to himself and helpful to the community. As a friend, a citizen and a man his character will bear close scru- tiny. The better he is known the more he will be honored.
PRESENT ORGANIZATION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The present Superintendent of Schools is Mr. I. Freeman Hall. The School Committee for 1888-9, are, Edward M. Rockwell, (Chairman,) George M. Powers, (Secretary,) Francis C. Bowen, Charles C. Foster, Henrietta M. Gates and Joel D .. Miller. The teachers are as follows :
FIELD HIGH SCHOOL.
Joel D. Miller, (Principal) ; Henry S. Streeter, Sarah E. Richardson, Abby P. Churchill.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
Field School-Annie E. Kenefick, Sarah E. Brown, Annie Conlin, Hattie E. Nichols, Mabel Prevear, Angie Cogswell.
Bennett School-Laura H. Robbins, Marea B. Lewis.
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EDUCATIONAL.
Plerce School-Flora E. Kendall, Helen J. Bunce.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
Field School-Ellen E. Pitts, Helen B. Pierce, Carrie L. Willard, Harriet E. Pierce.
Bennett School-Josie A. Davis, Mattie A. Cole.
Pierce School-Bella G. O'Neil, Gertrude Rhoades.
UNGRADED SCHOOLS.
No. 2, Maple Avenue-Lizzie Reynolds.
No. 3, Main Street, North Leominster-Lulu Allen.
No. 4, Prospect Hill, North Leominster-Mary A. Railey. No. 5, Central Street-May Willard.
No. 6, Pleasant Street-Nellie G. Woodbury.
No. 15, Cross Street-Sarah A. Going.
No. 16, Birch Street-Helen E. Heywood.
SPECIAL TEACHERS.
Martha D. Brown, (Singing.) Henry S. Streeter, (Drawing).
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Sketches of E. M. Rockwell (chairman), Geo. M. Powers (Secretary), and Mr. C. C. Foster will be found in connection with the account of the business in which each is engaged ; and of J. D. Miller in connection with the High School.
FRANCIS C. BOWEN, was born in Stoneham, Mass., Jan. 31, 1834. He was educated in the Public Schools of his native town and Leominster. At the age of 18 he.came to Leominster and entered the employ of his uncle, Manson D. Haws. Some years later he entered into company with Mr Haws, in the manufacture of Ladies Shoes, and continued a member of the firm for nine years. After leaving this busi-
9
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
ness, Mr. Bowen purchased the farm adjoining the family es- tate inherited by his wife and located almost in the village of North Leominster on the road towards Shirley. He has given special attention to the dairy business, furnishing butter for the Quincy Market, Boston. He is now serving his third year as a member of the School Committee.
In 1876 and 1877, Mr. Bowen represented the town in the Legislature. He has often been solicited to let his name be used for other town offices, but has refused permission. He was for many years the active and efficient Superintendent of the Unitarian Sunday School, and has always taken special interest in the affairs of that Society.
MRS. HENRIETTA M. GATES was born in Westminster, Mass., and educated in the Schools of that town and of Leom- inster. For seven years or more she was a teacher in the Pub- lic Schools of the State, teaching in Westminster, Gardner and Leominster. In 1857 she was married to Mr. Jonas W. Gates of Leominster, and has since made her home here.
In the Spring of 1880 Mrs. Gates was elected a member of the Library Committee and has served most of the time since as its Secretary and Treasurer. She was chosen a member of the School Board at the April Meeting in 1880 and is now serving in her third term on both these Committees. She gives valuable and conscientious service.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
ISAAC FREEMAN HALL, the present Superintendent of Schools, was born in Dennis, Mass., April 23, 1847. He received his education at Bridgewater Normal School, Phillips Academy, Andover and Dartmouth College, although he did not take the full College course.
Choosing teaching as a profession, it was Mr. Hall's good fortune to be Master of one of the Grammar Schools of Quincy,
E. M. ROCKWELL.
F. C. BOWEN.
HENRIETTA M. GATES.
G. M. POWERS.
C. C. FOSTER.
I. FREEMAN HALL.
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EDUCATIONAL.
Mass., while Col. Parker was Superintendent. From him he learned whatever of good the so-called "Quincy Method" con- tained. In 1880 Mr. Hall was elected Superintendent of Schools for Dedham, Mass., and began work there in Septem- ber of that year. After a successful service of nearly five years, he resigned to take charge of the Schools of Leomin- ster. June 13, 1872 he married Miss Amelia G. Mead of Quincy, Mass. They have four children, one son and three daughters.
TEACHERS.
In selecting the names of teachers for brief mention in this place, length of service has been made the basis of choice.
MISS SARAH E. RICHARDSON is a native of Leominster and received her education in the Public Schools and by private instruction in the modern languages, from native teachers. She has taught in Leominster a large part of the time for the past twenty years or more. She began teaching in No. 2, and was for some five years a teacher in one of the primary schools in Gardner Hall. After this she was for a time assistant in the Clinton High School.
In 1876 Miss Richardson was elected assistant in the Field High School ; a position which she has filled and still fills to the entire acceptance of all concerned. During this time she has been absent from the school some three years on account of severe sickness.
MRS. ELLA M. WILDER, who was for so many years the successful principal of the Second Department of the High School, is a native of Lancaster and received her education there and in Leominster. In 1865 she began teaching, in what is called No. 5. After three years service in this and other schools, she was elected as principal of the Second Department of the High School in 1863. This position she filled with eminent ability until the summer of 1886, when she
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
resigned to enter the Dry Goods business. She was one of Leominster's most successful teachers.
MRS. SARAH E. BROWN is a native of Lynn and received her education in the Public Schools of that city. Most of her long service as a teacher has been in the schools of this town, where she began work in what was then called No. 8, (now called the Bennett School,) something more than thirty years ago. Since then she has taught in the different grades of the Public Schools with continued and sustained success. For fourteen years past she has been principal of the A. and B. Grammar grades in the Field School.
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