USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Hyde Park > Memorial sketch of Hyde Park, Mass., for the first twenty years of its corporate existence : also its industries, statistics, and organizations, together with the anniversary addresses delivered by Rev. Perley B. Davis and Rev. Richard J. Barry > Part 5
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pied by the lodge on the fifteenth of February, 1884, and are admirably arranged for Masonic purposes. The furniture in- cludes a fine organ, built by Messrs. Hook & Hastings.
The lodge has now one hundred and forty-seven members, and includes many of the leading business men and officers of the town. Among the names which have appeared on its roll of membership are those of two venerable Masons, James Downing and Timothy Phelps, each of whom had served the old Constellation Lodge, of Dedham, as Worshipful Master. Mr. Downing was made a Mason in 1819; Mr. Phelps in 1821.
Its first chaplain was Rev. Alvan H. Washburn, D. D., who at the time was rector of Christ Church. He was a man of prom- inence in the church, and his untimely death, Dec. 29, 1876, in a railroad disaster at Ashtabula, Ohio, sent a thrill of sorrow through the hearts of many who had known and loved him.
Hyde Park Lodge has a charity fund of good proportions, and its philanthropic work has been constant and effective. One of its pleasant social features has been an annual entertain- ment on Washington's Birthday for the benefit of the wives and families of its members.
Norfolk Royal Arch Chapter commenced its existence May 18, 1870, under a dispensation from the Grand High Priest, Henry Chickering. The chapter was duly consecrated and constituted May 24, 1871. One member is a permanent mem- ber of the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts, Henry S. Bunton, who was elected Deputy Grand High Priest in 1883.
Hyde Park Council of Royal and Select Masters was organ- ized under a dispensation from Charles H. Morris, Most Illustrious Grand Master, dated Oct. 1, 1872, and was chartered and constituted Oct. 6, 1873.
Cyprus Commandery of Knights Templars and the appendant orders, was organized under dispensation from Nicholas Van Slyck, Grand Commander, Oct. 31, 1873.
The name was given in allusion to the island of Cyprus, which was the first asylum of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem after their expulsion from the Holy Land.
Cyprus Commandery was constituted and dedicated Oct. 12, 1874, by the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode
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Island, on which occasion Rev. George S. Noyes delivered an historical address.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. - On the twentieth of February, 1869, Levi F. Warren, Grand Master, assisted by the Board of Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge I. O. O. F. of Massachusetts, instituted Forest Lodge, No. 148, I. O. O. F. The ceremony of institution took place in Masonic Hall, which at that time was over the store now occupied by Putnam & Worden as a grocery store. For the first ten years of its existence, with an average membership of about fifty, the lodge continued to carry on the work and promulgate the principles of Odd Fellowship, but met with no success in acquiring members. During that period the lodge held its meetings in Bragg's Hall, in Masonic Hall, over what was then Gordon Hall, and finally in Pythian Hall, which is the one now occupied by them, and known as Odd Fellows Hall.
During the latter part of the year 1879, under the guidance and through the efforts of D. D. G. M. Samuel Cochran, Odd Fellowship in Hyde Park made a decided move toward its present prosperous condition, and to-day the lodge numbers 181 members, and has a fund of some $4,500. During its existence the lodge has lost three of its charter members by death and four from other causes, so that but two, David Perkins and John R. Thompson, remain. The lodge has also lost eleven of its active members by death. It has disbursed to the dependent relatives of its deceased members, and to members and their families, sick or in distress, upwards of $5,000. Its sick members are now paid five dollars per week for thirteen weeks, and two dollars per week for the remainder of the year, and each succeeding year the same, should sickness continue. The lodge furnishes watchers for the members in case of sickness, pays to the dependent relatives in case of death seventy-five dollars, and is considered by the members thereof, one of the most, if not the most benevolent organiza- tion existing in Hyde Park to-day.
Monterey Encampment, No. 60. A charter was granted to fourteen Odd Fellows, who became charter members of
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Monterey Encampment, No. 60, I. O. O. F. This Encamp- ment was instituted on Feb. 25, 1887, by Francis E. Merriman, Grand Patriarch, and board of officers of the Grand Encamp- ment of Mass. It is allied to and assists the lodge in carry- ing out the principles of Odd Fellowship. Besides the charter members, eighty-six more were admitted on the evening of in- stitution, making one hundred members in all, which has been increased by ten since that time. The Encampment is in a prosperous condition, both financially and numerically, and is considered a success.
Progressive Degree Lodge, No. 34, Daughters of Rebekah. The order has always been esteemed as a valuable auxiliary to the work of Odd Fellowship; consisting as it does exclusively of Odd Fellows and their wives and daughters. Woman's work, or capabilities for certain work, excel in various forms those of men, and the world wide characteristics of this great order call forth in a marked degree the tender and practical sympathies of woman. The fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man is instinctively more in the nature of the one than in the other.
The remaining societies and organizations will be found in the succeeding pages, so far as it has been able to obtain any data in regard to them. In many cases it has been found necessary to abridge the reports, but it is proposed to put the original manuscripts on file in the library of the Historical Society.
Industries .- The following is a brief summary of some of the industries of Hyde Park : -
R. BLEAKIE & Co.'s WOOLEN-MILLS. - This industry grew out of what was originally the Hyde Park Woolen Co., organ- ized and incorporated in 1862. It was erected as a twelve-set mill, for the production of army goods, blankets, and flannels. The first blanket was woven July 13, 1863, by John Bleakie, father of two of the present owners. So successful was the mill that its capacity was increased to twenty-one sets of cards, employing about four hundred operatives.
Early in the morning of June 9, 1873, the mills took fire, and all but the bare walls of the main building, and the chimney,
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was destroyed, involving a loss of some four hundred thousand dollars. The work of rebuilding was at once commenced, but on account of the financial panic and the depression in the woolen business further operations were discontinued. In the fall of 1878, work was again resumed, since which time the mill has been running to its full capacity, employing at the present time about 350 operatives.
COTTON-MILL AT READVILLE. - This is one of the oldest manufacturing plants in the State. A portion of the present wooden building was erected in 1814. It has been constantly in operation since that time, except for a period of about three years during the Civil War.
It was carried on under the name of the Dedham Manufac- turing Co. up to 1867, then under the name of the Smithfield Manufacturing Co. up to April 24, 1879, when it was acquired by Messrs. B. B. & R. Knight, the present owners. The mill has been greatly enlarged at various times since 1864. In its early days, thirteen hours in summer and eleven in winter constituted a working day for its employees, and it produced prints as well as sheetings ; now its product is confined to the latter, and it furnishes employment for some 350 operatives. The late James Downing of this town was connected with this mill for forty-eight years. Readville takes its name from Mr. Read, a former owner.
BRAINARD MILLING MACHINE CO .-- This company was or- ganized and incorporated in 1871. Its first board of officers were Thomas Wigglesworth, President ; Henry Pickering, Treasurer ; Amos H. Brainard, General Supt. and Manager. It had an es- tablished business at the start, having succeeded the Union Vise Co. of Boston, which began business with one man, Mr. A. H. Brainard.
There were six members at the time of organization ; the capital stock being $35,000, and about forty men employed. The products of the first year were valued at about $40,000. The capital stock remains unchanged ; about 70 men employed ; and the value of the products about $80,000 yearly. The com- pany has the same board of officers as at the time of organiza- tion. The works are situated on Business Street.
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PAPER MILLS .- Tileston & Hollingsworth, owners. This in- dustry was established in 1801, by the ancestors of the gentle- men under whom it is now carried on. An interesting account of the original building is given in Clark's History of Dorches- ter, published in 1859. They employ at the present time about seventy-five people, and the value of their products in 1886 was $255,000. The capital employed in the business is $225,000.
BOSTON BLOWER COMPANY. - This business was organized May 1, 1877, and incorporated June 1, 1880, in Boston, under the laws of this State, with a capital of $20,000, employing then about five men. Its first board of officers were W. S. Eaton, Jr., Presi- dent ; Francis Parsons, Treasurer ; and the same two with W. S. Eaton, Directors. The works were removed to Hyde Park in the summer of 1883, and established at their present location, corner of Glenwood Avenue and Business Street, where they employ from eighty to ninety hands. The capital stock is now $60,000, and the present board of officers, W. S. Eaton, Jr., President and Treasurer ; E. E. Gillette, Secretary ; the same two, with W. S. Eaton, Directors ; James McKay, Supt.
MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS, JOHN T. ROBINSON & Co. (J. R. FAIRBANKS). - This firm makes a specialty of the manufac- ture of " Paper Box Machinery," and employs from thirty-five to forty men. Their business was started in 1874, on West River Street, near B. & P. R. R. bridge ; but the firm have recently erected and entered into occupancy of a neat brick shop, located at the southerly junction of West River and Business Street. The building adds to the attraction of that part of the town.
JOHN JOHNSTON'S CARRIAGE MANUFACTORY. - This busi- ness was begun by Mr. Johnston in 1866, in a small way, but one workman being then employed ; the product of the busi- ness the first year being about $1,500. At the present time, an average of fifteen men are employed, and the annual value of the products about $20,000. The place of business has always been at its present site on West River Street, near Boston & Providence Railroad bridge.
R. L. FRAMPTON'S MOROCCO WORKS. - Mr. Frampton be- gun this business in Boston in 1870, on a capital of about
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$4,000. His factory there being burned in 1885, he then transferred his business to its present location in Hyde Park. At that time forty-five men were employed, which number is now increased to fifty. The capital now employed in the busi- ness is $25,000, and the value of its products, $125,000.
HOOD & REYNOLDS, DENTAL MANUFACTORY .- This industry originally had its works in Boston, but in July, 1884, removed them to their present site in Hyde Park, still retaining their head- quarters in Boston. The capital stock employed in Hyde Park branch for then and now being $5,000. Number of hands em- ployed, twelve. Total value of products for 1885 and 1887, $12,000 each. These figures are for business done at Hyde Park alone.
CLEMENT B. TOWER & CO., PLYMOUTH ROCK GELATINE. - This is a new enterprise, having begun business in January of the present year, employing one man.
THE HYDE PARK WATER Co. was organized and incorpo- rated in 1884, the board of officers at the time of organization and at the present time being as follows :- Directors ; Robert Bleakie, President ; Benj. F. Radford, Wm. J. Stuart, Waldo F. Ward, Andrew Washburn, John S. Bleakie, David Perkins ; Clerk and Treasurer, C. F. Allen ; Superintendent, Albert S. Adams. The company has 22.35 miles of mains, the number of water takers at the present time being 1,005.
THE HYDE PARK SAVINGS BANK was organized April 20, 1871, and incorporated March 8, 1871. The first board of officers were as follows :- Charles F. Gerry, President ; Henry S. Bunton, Treasurer ; Board of Investment ; Charles F. Gerry, Martin L. Whitcher, Benj. F. Leach, Ezra G. Perkins, Henry Blasdale.
The following named have been presiding officers :- Charles F. Gerry, Henry Grew, Isaac J. Brown, Robert Bleakie. Pres- ent board of officers : Robert Bleakie, President ; Henry S. Bunton, Treasurer ; Board of Investment; Robt. Bleakie, Wm. J. Stuart, David Perkins, Benj. F. Radford, Sidney C. Putman. The amount of deposits received during first year, $15,593.29 ; deposits received during last year, $139,913.52; amount of deposits at the present time, $232,207.94.
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The bank was opened for the reception of deposits in the selectmen's room, town hall, June 17, 1871.
On the first of September following, rooms were occupied in Neponset Block, where the business of the bank was transacted until that building was destroyed by fire, May 5, 1874. Tem- porary quarters were then provided in the town offices, Everett Block. The Bank Building was erected in 1875, and the rooms in the same, which are now used, were leased from and after Jan. 1, 1876.
The bank shared in the embarrassments to which the major- ity of Massachusetts savings banks were subjected, as the
L BARTA Čo iston
GREW SCHOOL.
(From photograph by W. H. Barritt.)
result of protracted business stagnation and depression. For two years, in common with many others, it was placed by the State Commissioners under the restrictions of the " Stay Law." By this means one of our most useful local institutions was preserved, although at the date of resumption, June 15, 1880, the amount of the deposits had dwindled to about thirty thou- sand dollars. Since that time, under wise and conservative management, the Hyde Park Savings Bank has prospered, and has received a full measure of the confidence and patronage of the citizens of the town.
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THE HYDE PARK CO-OPERATIVE BANK was organized March 17, 1886; receiving its charter March 26, 1886, the bank began business May 5, 1886. Amount of authorized capital, $1,000,000. First board of officers being as follows : -
Andrew Washburn, President ; Robert W. Karnan, Vice- President ; John Mackrille, Treasurer; Thomas E. Faunce, Secre- tary ; Charles F. Jenney, Attorney ; also a board of directors and three auditors.
First annual report : -
Number of members, 81 ; shares, 397 ; capital, $3,756 ; loans on real estate $3,400.
Present board of officers :- Andrew Washburn, President ; Richard M. Johnson, Vice-President; Thomas E. Faunce, Secre- tary and Treasurer.
Members at the present time, 148; capital, $11,384.87 ;. loans on real estate, $9,550.00.
HYDE PARK ASSOCIATES. - This is a private association organized Jan. 1, 1887, having for its object both pecuniary and social purposes. Its members are assessed regularly each month, and the proceeds thereof invested in real estate in Hyde Park, with a view to the benefit of the town as well as the members.
HYDE PARK BAND. - The Hyde Park Band was organized July 4, 1869, under the leadership of Mr. H. G. O. Sears, hold- ing its first meetings in the small hall of Hamblin's Block, on Walnut Street. Their place of meeting has been changed from time to time, now occupying rooms in Plummer's building on Central Park Avenue. The band has had numerous leaders, among whom may be mentioned Messrs. E. S. Churchill, Charles H. Blair, and Henry F. Arnold, the latter being the present leader. Of the organizers Wm. U. Fairbairn, Benjamin E. Phillips, and Henry F. Arnold are the only ones now resident in Hyde Park.
NORFOLK COUNTY GAZETTE, Samuel R. Moseley, editor .- On Feb. 26, 1870, the Dedham Gasette, established in Dedham in 1813, and the Hyde Park Journal, established in Hyde Park in 1868, were united under the name of the Norfolk County
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Gasette, Hildreth & Getchell, editors, and the place of publica- tion fixed at Hyde Park. A few years later Mr. Hildreth re- tired, and Getchell and Moseley carried on the paper until Jan. 13, 1877, when Mr. Getchell was succeeded by Mr. Moseley, the present editor and proprietor.
It is the oldest paper in the country, and has numbered among its contributors many of the most eminent men in this section of the State.
HYDE PARK TIMES, H. L. Johnson, editor. - This paper issued its first number June 9, 1883, with E. S. Hathaway, editor. It soon passed into the hands of Hunt & Chamber- lain, and again into those of Herbert E. Hunt. Subsequently Asa W. Chamberlain edited the paper for a short time. In the fall of 1886, J. S. Browning purchased the paper. In July, 1887, the paper again changed hands, being purchased by H. L. Johnson, under whose management it still remains. It is at present quartered in the Y. M. C. A. Building.
REVEILLE. - This paper is published to promote the cause of temperance. The first series was issued January, 1887. Second series, December, 1887. R. C. Habberley, editor and publisher.
ASSOCIATION REVIEW. - This paper was started for the pur- pose of helping the work of the Y. M. C. A., and keeping be- fore the public and the members the work being done and what they desire to do. First publication, Dec. 1, 1887. W. F. Mitchell, business manager ; E. A. Pierce, editor.
Among the other industries and manufactories may be men- tioned, American Tool and Machine Company ; Glover & Wil- comb's curled hair factory ; John Scott, wool scouring ; Kenyon's chemical works; Readville Rubber Company ; R. H. Gray & Co., shoddy ; S. Z. Leslie & Co.'s Novelty Wood Works ; J. N. Bullard, grist mill ; People's Ice Co., C. E. Davenport & Co., and John W. Smith, ice cutters and dealers ; C. L. Farnsworth's bakery ; Isaac Bullard's pianoforte manu- factory, and others, concerning which particulars have not been received in time for this publication.
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As has been previously mentioned, about two hundred acres, or one-fourteenth of the area of the town, is embraced in streets ; of these some twenty-five miles of highways have been accepted and are under the care and supervision of the surveyors ; the remainder are private ways. No street less than forty feet in width is accepted.
In 1884 the selectmen began the system of grading the streets, and laying sidewalks, and for the past two years the sum of $20,000 each year has been appropriated for the purpose of carrying forward permanent improvements. During the past winter, after a long and trying contest, the town has been pro- vided with seventy-five electric lights, with a good prospect of soon increasing this number to one hundred. The subject of horse-railroads is just now agitating the public mind, there be- ing petitions from two companies awaiting the action of our town officers.
Thanks to the Centennial-tree planting, our avenues are be- ginning to be well shaded by thrifty forest trees. They are for the most part thickly studded with residences, which, being of so recent construction, are all of modern style, are kept in re- markably good repair, and present a very attractive appearance. They are the homes of hundreds whose daily avocations are pur- sued in the adjacent city of Boston.
The two lines of railway, furnishing in the aggregate forty- five trains each way, to and from the city, provide every facility for this manner of living, and being through lines, the conven- ience of access to any desired point is unsurpassed. The ama- teur culture of pears and grapes is almost universal, and quite successful.
The principal other buildings of a quasi-public character are the Bank Building, owned by A. H. Holway ; Neponset Block, owned by I. J. Brown, both on Everett Square ; Masonic Hall Block, owned by J. S. Conant, and Everett Block, owned by the East Boston Savings Bank, both on River Street, the latter now containing the town offices. Oct. 29, 1868, the Everett House, a pretty and comfortable building, standing on the corner of the square, was opened to the public as a hotel. During the twelve years it was kept open it served as the temporary home
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of many families now domiciled in homes of their own in the town, and the recollections of their sojourn there are doubtless fraught with pleasant memories. The Willard House, on Gordon Avenue, was first opened Jan. 22, 1873. It is now called the Lincoln House, and about two years ago was remod- elled and let in apartments.
We have purposely avoided the ungrateful task of selecting from among our contemporaries names of citizens for special mention or honor. Where particular reference has been made to individuals, it has been in consequence of their connection with events which fell within the scope of this sketch.
Hyde Park contains at least its fair proportion of men and women whose abilities and achievements will leave an indelible mark after them, but it will devolve upon some future historian to commemorate them.
Hyde Park has now passed through the somewhat boisterous, turbulent, and doubtful period of adolescence, and stands upon the threshold of a long life of promise and vigor. Favored in its location, strong in its resources, proud of its institutions and its people, it looks to the future with hope and confidence.
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THE HERMIT AT WORK - INTERIOR VIEW OF HIS HUT. (Cut loaned by Mr. S. R. Moseley.)
James Gatly, the Hermit of Hyde Park, was born in Cheshire, England, in 1810, of reported wealthy parents ; in early life he developed a great liking for the study of ornithol- ogy, and became a skilful taxidermist. He finally decided to come to America, much against the wishes of all friends, and after various trying experiences, finally settled in Grew's Woods, where he built a hut and spent his time in preparing a large collection of birds, beasts, and reptiles. He died February 2, 1875, sixty-five years of age, and his collection was sold to many local and distant purchasers.
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TOWN STATISTICS.
FIRST BOARD OF TOWN OFFICERS IN 1868. - Selectmen and Surveyors of Highways, Overseers of Poor and Assessors - Henry Grew, Zenas Allen, Wil- liam J. Stuart, Martin L. Whitcher, Benjamin F. Radford; Town Clerk - Charles W. Turner ; Treasurer - Henry S. Adams; Auditors - Henry C. Adams, Enoch P. Davis, Cotton C. Bradbury ; School Committee - Perley B. Davis, N. T. Whittaker, Amos Webster, W. H. S. Ventres, W. H. Collins, William A. Bullard ; Collector - H. A. Rich; Constables - Henry C. Adams, S. S. Bunker, Henry A. Rich, Nathaniel Hibbard, James L. Vialle ; Pound Keeper - Henry A. Rich ; Field Drivers - John Bennet, Geo. W. Noyes, Chas. E. Bunker; Fire Wards - Fergus A. Easton, Geo. B. Parrott, Enoch P. Davis.
BOARD OF TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1887 .- Selectmen and Surveyors of High- ways - James D. McAvoy, D. W. C. Rogers, Melville P. Morrell ; Assessors - George Sanford, Henry F. Arnold, George W. Chapman ; Board of Health - George F. Downes, Willard O. Hurd, Edward H. Baxter; Overseers of the Poor - Joel F. Goodwin, John Terry, Charles Lewis; Town Clerk - Henry B. Terry; Town Treasurer - Henry S. Bunton; Collector - George Sanford ; School Committee -Charles G. Chick, Andrew Washburn, Edmund Davis, James E. Cotter, Benjamin C. Vose, George M. Fellows; Sinking Fund Commissioners - Henry Blasdale, William J. Stuart, Henry Grew ; Auditors - Asa J. Adams, Wallace D. Lovell, John H. Russell; Trustees of the Public Library- David C. Marr, G. Fred Gridley, Henry B. Miner, Charles F. Jenney, Charles C. Hayes, Edmund Davis, Amos H. Brainard, Galen L. Stone, Frank B. Rich ; Constables - George Sanford, William F. Curtis, Charles E. Jenney, Charles Jacobs, Patrick J. Donlan, Benjamin Fogg, Cyrus Gorman, Daniel O'Connell, John R. Bond; Sealer of Weights and Measures - David M. Hodsdon ; Fire Department - Rinaldo Williams, Robert Scott, Jr., John H. McKenna.
SELECTMEN AND SURVEYORS OF HIGHWAYS FROM 1868 TO 1888. - Henry Grew, William J. Stuart, Benjamin F. Radford, Zenas Allen, Martin L. Whitcher, David L. Davis, Alpheus P. Blake, Geo. E. Sherman, Rinaldo Williams, J. Ellery Piper, Gamaliel Hodges, E. G. Perkins, J. D. McAvoy, Nathaniel Shepard, L. J. Bird, Francis Boyd, Edwin R. Walker, George Sanford, Charles L. Farnsworth, Amos H. Brainard, D. W. C. Rogers, David Perkins, Charles H. Colby, Stephen B. Balkam, Henry C. Stark, Waldo F. Ward, Samuel Cochrane, Isaac Bullard, John H. Tuckerman, Hobart M. Cable, M. P. Morrell.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FROM 1868 TO 1888. - Rev. Perley B. Davis, Rev. N. T. Whittaker, Rev. W. H. S. Ventres, Rev. W. H. Collins, Rev. Amos Webster, William A. Bullard, Benjamin C. Vose, W. S. Everett, M. D., H. R. Cheney, O. T. Gray, M. L. Whittaker, W. H. H. Andrews, John D. Sherman, Richard L. Gay, Theodore D. Weld, Hobart M. Cable, Rev. Robert Scott, R. W. Husted, Rev. William J. Cochran, E. M. Lancaster, Waldo F. Ward, H. C. Chamberlain, Rev. Francis C. Williams, Andrew Washburn, Edmund Davis, Henry Hyde Smith, Charles G. Chick, E. I. Humphrey, Henry S. Bunton, Edwin R. Walker, George M. Fellows, R. M. Johnson, Rev. John T. Magrath, James E. Cotter.
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