USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Newton : its representative business men and its points of interest > Part 5
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42
REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS MEN.
MISSES H. B. & S. E. PARKER, Periodicals, Stationery, Fancy Goods, Toys, etc., 374 Centre Street, Newton, Mass .- The business carried on by the Misses H. B. & S. E. Parker was established twenty-three years ago, operations having been begun in 1870 by the present proprietors. The in- dividual members of this firm are Miss H. B. Parker, a native of Bath, Me., and Miss S. E. Parker, of Boston, Mass., both of whom are well known and highly respected throughout Newton and vicinity. They occupy spacious and attractively arranged premises at 374 Centre street, and carry a varied assortment of goods, including Periodicals, Stationery, Fancy Goods, Toys, etc. This store is the acknowledged leader in its special line in Newton, and it is generally agreed that those seeking the latest novelties, the largest assortment, the most reliable goods, the lowest prices and the most prompt and courteous attention, cannot possibly do better than to visit this representative establishment. All tastes and all purses are catered to, and all goods-no matter what their cost-are warranted to prove precisely as represented. A circulating library is also conducted at their store, which is well patronized.
ALBERT F. WRIGHT, Pharmacist, Nickerson's Block, West Newton, Mass .- While it is. doubtless true that a literal acceptance of the oft-repeated advice, " patronize none but old estab- lished enterprises," would greatly hinder progress and seriously interfere with business develop- ment, it is also true that in some cases the following of such advice is not only expedient but imperative, that is, to one who appreciates his responsibility, for it is obvious that when purchas- chasing drugs or medicines either in the form of a compound prescription or otherwise, no avoid- able chances should be taken. Hence the extensive patronage given the establishment now carried on by Mr. Albert F. Wright and located in Nickerson's block, West Newton, is only what might legitimately be expected in view of attending circumstances, for this has long been one of the leading pharmacies in this vicinity. This pharmacy was established in 1882 by Mr. H. E. Fleming, with Mr. Wright as first assistant, who continued in this position until 1888, when be succeeded Mr. Fleming as proprietor, and it is therefore natural that the people should prefer to obtain their medical supplies from one who has long since proved himself to be thoroughly compe- tent after 17 years' experience, and keenly attentive to the wants of the public. Besides his large trade in drugs, medicines, etc., he deals extensively in druggists sundries, confectionery, cigars and tobacco, also in musical instruments and musical merchandise. Prompt and careful attention to every caller is assured, employment being given to three efficient assistants. Mr. Wright has a very fine and costly soda fountain, from which is dispensed a beverage in all flavors, not excelled in the state, for Mr. Wright makes a specialty of this department, as announced by his special. circular regarding soda water and syrups.
ALLEN & BARRY, House and Sign Painters, Paints, Oils, Varnishes of every description in. stock, Washington Street, near R. R. Crossing, West Newton .- House Painting is apparently a very simple operation, but like many other apparently simple things it is far more difficult than it appears, that is, it is difficult to attain the best possible results or in other words, to do painting handsomely, durably and at moderate expense. Any one can " make paint stick to a board," as the saying is, but it is quite another matter to make it "stick " for the greatest possible time, especially when exposed to the effects of our New England weather, and as experience is as valu- able to a house painter as to any other skilled mechanic, it is not surprising that Messrs. Allen & Barry should enjoy an enviable reputation for doing durable and otherwise satisfactory work, for- they have been identified with the painting business in West Newton since 1886, having succeeded at that date Mr. C. I. Phillips, who had conducted the business for forty years. The individual members of the present firm are Mr. C. T. Allen, a native of Medfield, Mass., and Mr. D. Barry of West Newton. Their business premises are located on Washington street, near railroad cross- ing, where all necessary facilities are provided for the doing of house and sign painting in all its branches. Messrs. Allen & Barry also deal in paints, oils and varnishes of every description and are prepared to fill both large and small orders at short notice and at the lowest prevailing prices. They employ fifteen skilled and reliable workmen and guarantee that all work in the house and sign painting line that is entrusted to them shall be executed in the best and most satisfactory manner possible. Estimates will be furnished on application for the entire work in their line on private residences or buildings of any kind. The results of their artistic skill are seen in many of the handsome private residences of this city.
WEST NEWTON ENGLISH AND CLASSICAL SCHOOL. ALLEN BROTHERS. INCORPORATED 1855. BOARD OF INSTRUCTORS 1892-3.
NATHANIEL T. ALLEN, B. N. S., Principal, Moral Philosophy,
Natural and Commercial Science.
JAMES T. ALLEN, R. P. I., Associate Principal, Classics, Mathematics and Ancient History.
HUGO K. A. SCHMIDT, German University, Modern Languages, Chemistry and Physics.
SARAH C. ALLEN, F. N. I., Natural Science and Language.
LUCY E. ALLEN, Smith College, Classics, History and English Literature.
CHARLES M. LAMPREY, Dartmouth College, Classics and Athletics.
ELIZABETH G. HARRINGTON,
Assistants in English Department.
LOUISE J. EARLE, B. N. S.,
ROSA S. ALLEN, Oratory.
SARAH E. JEWETT, Normal Art School, Mechanical, Free Hand Drawing and Painting.
ERNST REGESTEIN, Piano and Orchestral Music.
JENNIE C. ALLEN, Piano.
JOSEPH HAYES, Flute and Clarinet.
CHARLES E. HASTINGS, Banjo and Guitar.
JOSEPH A. ALLEN, Principal of Industrial Dept., Medfield.
The chief public institution of West Newton is the West Newton English and Classical School, whose history is worthy of a brief glance. When Judge Abraham Fuller died, in 1794, he left a bequest of £300 " for the purpose of laying the foundations of an academy in Newton." Through delays in settling the estate, the years passed away until 1832 before the building was erected, and in the following two years the school was taught by Master Perkins. The town then decided to abandon it ; and after a period of disuse Master Seth Davis established his school therein and continued it for two years. At a later day, when it became necessary to give up the leased build- ing at Lexington in which the State Normal School for girls was domiciled, Horace Mann rushed into the office of Hon. Josiah Quincy, Jr., at Boston, saying : " A chance for the highest seat in the Kingdom of Heaven for only fifteen hundred dollars! " Mr. Quincy rejoined : " That's cheap. enough. How is it to be earned? " Mann briskly replied : " We've got to move from Lexington. There isn't room enough. And I've found a building-the Fuller Academy of Newton-that can be had for that sum." Remarking that Mr. Mann's deed to him of a seat in the Kingdom of Heaven was almost as good as an actual possession thereof, Mr. Quincy drew his check for the amount, and gave the building to Horace Mann for the interest of education in this Common- wealth. Here, then, was the first Normal School building owned by an American state and the first permanent normal school for girls in the world. Mr. Quincy made it a condition that when the property ceased to be used by the state, it should revert to Horace Mann; and when the Normal School was moved to Framingham, in 1853, Mr. Mann took the building and sold it to Nathaniel T. Allen, who had been for some years at the head of the Model or Experimental School here in connection with the Normal School. At the solicitation of Charles Sumner, Theodore Parker, Horace Mann, George C. Emerson, Samuel J. May, Rev. Dr. Thomas Hill, Dr. Samuel G. Howe and other gentlemen, Mr. Allen and the venerable Cyrus Pierce opened in the old building a private school for boys and girls as an academy and training school for college. The instruc- tion is based on the principles of Froebel and Pestalozzi, and aims symmetrically to develop the body, mind, heart and will. Here the first pure kindergarten in Massachusetts and in the United States was established in 1864 under the management of Mrs. Louise Pollock, now of Washington, D. C. The pupils* of the West Newton English and Classical School have come from all the states and territories of the United States, and almost every country of the world. Among the former students have been Professors John Trowbridge of Harvard College, John Rice of Annapolis and Webster Wells of the Institute of Technology ; Hon. Parker C. Chandler, Judges John Davis of
44
REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS MEN OF WEST NEWTON.
Washington, D. C., Robert R. Bishop, Francis Tiffany, Esq. ; Dr. Frank S. Billings ; William H. Dall, the explorer of Alaska; Joseph T. Clarke, the explorer of Assos; Joseph P. Davis, ex-chief engineer of Boston ; Helen Ayres, Alice Curtis and Henry Ryder, the artists, together with many prominent business men of our country. Over a hundred of the students have come from foreign countries, five hundred from states outside of Massachusetts, and one thousand from Massachu- setts towns outside of Newton. An adjunct of the school is a snug little artificial pond, covering 5,000 square feet and surrounded by fences and bath-houses. It is used as a swimming school, where many have acquired this useful art. The old academy building still stands, at the corner of Washington and Highland streets, and after graduating nearly four thousand men and women, who have by its lessons met the world at an advantage, the busy hum of coming lessons may still be heard from its old-fashioned rooms, still under guidance of the Allen Brothers, their daughters and some ten other assistants.
*Pupils connected with school December, 1892, have come from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachu- setts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Omaha, Montana, Oregon and California, New Brunswick, Canada, Nicaragua, C. A., Columbia, S. A., Spain and Italy.
ALLEN SWIMMING SCHOOL AND BATHING POND, Surface, 5,000 Square Feet, Main En- trance, Washington Street, Opposite Greenough, Rear Entrance from Temple Street, West Newton, Mass .- The importance of being able to swim is so self-evident and so great that there is no chance for argument on the subject, and there is no doubt that every person who is not too weak or too crippled would know how to swim by practical experience were it not for the popular opinion that learning to swim is difficult and dangerous. From one point of view this opinion may be regarded as absolutely sound, for the great majority of people do find it very difficult to learn to swim with- out expert instruction, and every year there are many persons drowned while so doing. But the difficulty and danger of becoming a swimmer depend entirely upon circumstances, and it may be said without the least reservation that by making use of the facilities afforded at the Allen Swim- ming School and Bathing Pond, any one who is physically competent can learn to swim without incurring the slightest danger and with perfect ease and certainty. By "physically competent" we don't mean being fully up to the average in health and strength, for many an invalid and many a weak person have learned to swim under efficient instruction and have profited greatly in more ways than one, but in writing about an institution doing so important a work as does the Allen Swimming School we do our best to avoid making any assertion that can be misunderstood, and hence we wish to make it plain that some health and some strength are essential to the attainment of the best results, although absolute safety is ensured to every patron. The following brief de- scription of the pond and the methods of the management will go far to show how fully one is justified in highly commending the school in every respect: "Use is made of a beautiful artificial pond on the estate of James T. Allen, Esq., ranging in depth from two to six feet. The pond is fed by natural springs and a fresh water brook, therefore it is always clean and pure, and the water is constantly changing. The pond is heated by boiler, and the water can be kept at any desired temperature. A principal feature of this bath is the absolute safety with which even the youngest person can swim or bathe. Not only is the deep water separated from the shallow, mak- it impossible for children to go beyond their depth, but also one or two assistants are always present to guard against younger persons staying too long in the water. Great success has been attained in teaching the art of swimming by means of a mechanical arrangement, by which the teacher supports and controls the movements of the learner in the water while giving instruction from the shore, thus giving him confidence and enabling him to master the 'art.'"' The enter- prise is under the management of Mr. A. R. Coe, whose office is at the pond and whose residence is on Warren Ave. The patronage is by no means confined to residents of this city, for the pond is but nine miles from Boston on the Boston & Albany Railroad, and the fare varies from less than ten to seventeen cents, according to the number of tickets bought. Electric cars run from Wal- tham and Newton every 15 minutes and should be left at Houghton's corner, that being the near- · est point they approach the school. Hundreds have learned to swim here, and it is practically certain that thousands more will in the future, for its popularity is steadily increasing, and an ex- amination of the following list of hours and of prices will afford conclusive evidence that this con- stant growth in popularity is but the natural result of intelligent efforts to accommodate the pub-
45
REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS MEN OF WEST NEWTON.
lic in every reascnable way. Pond open daily, Sundays excepted. Hours, for men and boys, 8.30 to 11.00 A. M., 4.30 to 6.00 P. M .; for women and girls, 1.00 to 4.00 P. M .; other hours by ar- rangement. Swimming lessons : The "art" guaranteed, children 12 or under, $5; adults, $6; single lessons, $.75 ; payable in advance. Terms : Family coupon tickets, 100 baths, $5; coupon tickets, 50 baths, $3; punch tickets, 25 baths, $1.75 ; punch tickets, 10 baths, $.75; single bath (with suit and towel), $.25; single bath, $.10. Patrons may provide themselves with suits and towels, or these articles may be furnished at reasonable rates.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WEST NEWTON .- The First National Bank of West Newton is one of the most energetic, successful and popular institutions of the kind in this part of the state. No one familiar with record and the present standing of the bank will take exceptions to the above statement, for the institution has ever been conducted on progressive and yet properly conservative principles, and it enjoys that solid popularity which is the inevitable consequence of a policy which is governed by strictly legitimate methods, and at the same time refuses no just and reason- able accommodation. The First National Bank solicits the deposits of corporations, business firms and individuals, gives careful consideration to the interests of small as well as of large depositors, and is prompt and thorough in the execution of all commissions with which it may be entrusted. Its financial condition will bear the closest investigation as is indicated by the follow- ing report, issued July 18, 1892 :
REPORT of the Condition of the First National Bank of West Newton, at Newton, in the State of Massachusetts, at the close of business, July 12th, 1892:
RESOURCES.
Loans and discounts, $247.091 42
Overdrafts, secured and unsecured, 85 60
U.S. Bonds to secure circulation,
25,000 00
Stocks, securities, claims, etc., 4,251 33
Due from approved reserve agents, 54 977 78
Banking-house, furniture, and fixtures,
900 00
Current expenses and taxes paid,
1,640 09
Premiums on U. S. Bonds,
3,750 00
Checks and other cash items,
2,050 78
Bills of other banks,
1.628 00
Fractional paper currency, nickels and cents,
108 54
Specie,
8,463 36
Legal-tender notes,
6,510 00
Redemption fund with U. S. Treasurer (5 per cent. of circulation),
1,125 00
Total,
$357,581 80
LIABILITIES.
Capital stock paid in,
$100,000 00 5,000 00
Surplus fund,
Undivided profits,
6,413 68
National Bank notes outstanding,
22.500 00
Individual deposits subject to check,
217 463 16
Demand certificates of deposit,
4,553 00
Certified checks, 902 05
Provided towards taxes,
750 00
Total, $357,581 89
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, SS .:
1, Edward P. Hatch, Cashier of the above-named bank, do solemnly swear that the above statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. EDWARD P. HATCH, Cashier.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18th day of July. 1892.
ISAAC F. KINGSBURY, Notary Public.
CORRECT-Attest :
JAMES H. NICKERSON, EDWARD B. WILSON. ALFRED D. BARBOUR,
Directors.
A general banking business is done, including all the services incidental to the reception of deposits, collection of drafts, and discounting of approved commercial paper, and we need hardly add that the institution is an important factor in West Newton's commercial prosperity. The officers and directors include the following well-known business men : J. H. Nickerson, president; A. R. Mitchell, vice-president ; Edward P. Hatch, cashier ; directors, J. H. Nickerson, A. R. Mitchell, B. F. Houghton, Prescott C. Bridgham, F. E. Crockett, A. L. Barbour, Edw. W. Cate, Chas. A. Potter, E. B. Wilson.
THE WEST NEWTON SAVINGS BANK. Incorporated 1887. West Newton .- A well-man- aged savings bank is a truly co-operative institution, although not generally classed as such, for all its profits are divided among the depositors ; and the officers and employees are really but agents of that portion of the community which deposits in the bank. The state supervision is strict and intelligent and the trustees of such a bank are always chosen from the most experienced and reliable business men of the section in which it is situated. Such is the case with the West Newton Savings Bank, as will be seen by the following list : Austin R. Mitchell, president ; James H. Nickerson, treasurer ; Alfred L. Barbour, clerk ; trustees, Austin R. Mitchell, Benj. F. Hough- ton , Dwight Chester, Edward L. Pickard, Prescott C. Bridgham, Samuel Barnard, Fred. E. Crock- ett, Alfred L. Barbour, Edward W. Cate, Adams K. Tolman, C. F. Eddy, F. E. Hunter ; com- mittee of investment, Austin R. Mitchell, Edward L. Pickard, Dwight Chester, Samuel Barnard, Fred. E. Crockett. Considering the standing of the above gentlemen it is not surprising that the bank should have stood high in the confidence of the public from the first, and that its facilities should already have been largely availed of, although it was not incorporated until 1887. The bank is open for business daily from 8.30 A. M. to 11 A. M. and from 1.30 to 4 P. M., and deposits commence drawing interest on the first days of January, April, July and October.
6
REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS MEN OF WEST NEWTON.
F. M. DUTCH, Dealer in Beef, Mutton, Lamb, Pork, Lard, Hams, Poultry, Game, Fruits, Veg- etables, &c., Washington, Cor. Chestnut Street .- It is by no means always the ease that the most prominent establishments in a city or town are of the greatest importance to the majority of the residents, for it is obvious that even the most extensive factory, although exerting a powerful influence in promoting the prosperity of a town, may still be less directly beneficial to the inhabi- tants as a whole than a well managed retail store at which they can buy dependable goods at bottom prices. Hence we need not apologize for calling the favorable attention of our readers to the meat market carried on by Mr. F. M. Dutch, at the corner of Washington and Chestnut streets, for here may be found a fine assortment of beef, mutton, lamb, pork, lard, hams, poultry, game, fruits, vegetables, etc., especially selected for family use and offered at prices as low as the lowest. The business was founded in 1885 by Mr. Edward Fisher, who was succeeded by the present proprietor. Mr. F. M. Dutch is a native of Searsport, Me. He is an ex-member of the City Council, and is so well known throughout this section as to certainly need no introduction to our West Newton readers. The premises occupied cover an area of 1,200 square feet, being fitted up with every convenienee requisite for the proper handling of the goods and the filling of orders, the latter being delivered by messenger, or telephone No. 53-3 will be promptly attended to. Mr. Dutch does an extensive retail business, requiring the services of six thoroughly competent assist- ants, and goods bought from him may be depended upon to prove as represented in every way. Mr. Duteh is prominent in Odd Fellows' eircles, having served two terms as N. G. of Newton Lodge, No. 92, and is present D. D. G. M. of Elliot Lodge, No. 58.
W. H. FRENCH & CO., Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Sanitary Engineers ; all work promptly attended to and warranted satisfactory ; Judson's Building, opposite Railroad Station, West Newton .- There is no line of business in which long and varied experience is of more value than in that of the plumber, for it is only by such experience that knowledge is gained of what to do and how to do it so as to secure the best possible results at the least possible expense. The inexperienced man knows but one or two ways of doing a job and if the conditions be unfavorable his work is sure to be unsatisfactory or to cost a great deal more than it would if done in another way, and as it is but rarely that two jobs (especially of repairing) are done under the same con- ditions, it follows that money can generally be saved as well as first-class work assured by placing orders with a thoroughly experienced plumber. There are many such in Newton and vieinity, but not one better qualified to do the best work at reasonable rates than is Mr. W. H. French, doing business under the style of W. H. Freneh & Co., in Judson's building on Chestnut street, opposite Railroad Station. He was born in Fall River, Mass., and is thoroughly familiar with every detail of the plumbing and gas fitting trade, having had 35 years' experience, 9 years in Boston as foreman of one firm and by a business there for himself. He has been identified with his business here in West Newton since 1876, and has since that date kept fully up to the times and gained an enviable reputation as a plumber, gas fitter and sanitary engineer, who uses the most improved appliances, does work in accordance with the most approved methods, and is uniformly moderate in his charges. Mr. French employs four reliable assistants and is prepared to fill all orders, large or small, at short notice, repairing being given especially prompt attention. All important work is given personal supervision and no trouble is spared to insure complete satisfaction to every customer. His shop is connected by telephone.
WM. E. GLOVER, Fish Dealer. Telephone connection. Fresh and Smoked Fish, Oysters, Clams, Etc. West Newton .- There is no doubt that fish is one of the most wholesome of foods, and indeed it is agreed by all physicians who have investigated the subject that the people as a whole would be healthier, happier and longer-lived if they ate more fish than they now do. Health, happiness and long life are about the most desirable things which ean be promised to anyone and if they are to be secured by following so simple and agreeable a prescription as this, there ought to be a great and sudden boom in the fish business. But in all seriousness, the use of fish is to be encouraged from a health point of view, and Mr. Wm. E. Glover is certainly doing his best to encourage it by furnishing fish of all seasonable kinds and of excellent quality at priees within the means of all. He has been identified with his present business here in West Newton since 1879, and now occupies premises at 1267 Washington street. Mr. Glover, who is a native of Quincy, Mass., is well known throughout this vicinity as a reliable and thoroughly progressive business man. He employs two capable assistants, and deals not only in all the common varieties of fish, but also in smoked fish, oysters, elams, etc., and is prepared to fill large and small orders at short notice and to guarantee everything sold to prove just as represented.
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REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS MEN OF WEST NEWTON.
WEST NEWTON & BOSTON EXPRESS, George W. French, Proprietor; West Newton, Mass. -One of the best known and most reliable express companies in this section is that known as the West Newton & Boston Express, of which Mr. Geo. W. French is proprietor. This enterprise was founded 26 years ago and has been ably conducted from its inception, and is now one of the most convenient and thoroughly reliable suburban expresses running into Boston. There are two deliveries daily, onc leaving West Newton at 9 A. M. and the other Boston at 1 P. M. Order boxes will be found at all the grocery stores and at the depot in West Newton, while the Boston offices are located at 13 Faneuil Hall Market (north side), also 34 Court square, 91 Kilby street, 11 Harrison avenue, and orders sent to any of these localities will be promptly attended to. Mr. French employs a sufficiently large force of men and teams, and all expressing is done in the most careful and intelligent manner by men who are trustworthy and experienced, and who are competent to handle the most valuable or delicate articles in a thoroughly satisfactory manner. Mr. French gives close personal attention to every detail of his rapidly growing business, and is therefore in a position to offer the most reliable express service to be found in West Newton. We would therefore advise all our West Newton readers who have goods they wish transported to Boston, or from Boston to West Newton, to employ the West Newton & Boston Express.
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