USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Our county and its people : A history of Hampden County, Massachusetts. Volume 2 > Part 16
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Oak Grove Cemetery is situated on the old "Bay road," about two miles east of court square. "Its spacious ave- nues and walks, in straight lines and circles, are of solid gravel, while its aquatic and forestry adornments, in which sim- plicity and wildness have not been sacrificed to artistic ornament- ation, are thoroughly gratifying to the sense and taste." The cemetery was consecrated with impressive ceremonies, in charge of Rev. Samuel G. Buckingham, in October, 1885. The beauti- ful arch at the Bay street entrance was built in 1883. The pres- ent officers of the association are Daniel B. Wesson, president; D. A. Folsom, treasurer ; and Jonathan Barnes, clerk.
Super- intendent, James C. Sackett.
Maplewood Cemetery, at Indian Orchard, dates back in its history to the year 1816, when a small tract comprising less than an acre of land was set apart as a burying ground for the people of that locality. An acre of land was added to the plot in 1882, and in the same year the Maplewood cemetery association was organized.
Previous to about three-score years ago nearly every re- ligious society having a house of worship also had a churchyard for the burial of the dead; but after the rise of the recognized cemeteries, old customs were changed and the remains of the dead no longer were laid at rest in the church lot. A few burial places of this class are still in existence and among them men- tion may be made of that in what once was called Cherry lane, near where stood a Baptist church edifice; another is seen near the once-known "Faith chapel," on Sumner avenue; another on
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Allen street, three miles out on the road to Hampden ; and still another on Parker street, between Sixteen Acres and the Lud- low mills.
HOSPITALS
Several years before Springfield became a city the subject of founding a hospital had been discussed in the town, and from old records it is learned that such a proposition received the at- tention of the inhabitants in one or more of the town meetings. Still, nothing was accomplished in. this direction until about the period of the civil war, when sick and wounded soldiers were brought here for rest and treatment. This led to an act of the legislature incorporating a hospital association, Albert D. Briggs, Orick H. Greenleaf and Samuel G. Buckingham being the leading spirits of the enterprise. Ths association, however, was never fully organized and the charter became ineffective.
The Springfield Hospital .- In 1868 Dr. George S. Stebbins, then city physician, in his annual official report recommended the establishment of a city hospital. In the following year the city purchased a tract of land on the Boston road and remodeled the large farm house thereon for hospital occupancy. The grounds comprised about two acres of land, which, with the buildings, cost the city $10,630, with $2,455 additional for fur- nishings. The institution was opened to the public in April, 1870, and was, until the appointment of a board of managers in October of that year, in charge of the city physician and a com- mittee of the city council.
While the hospital itself, even in the early period of its his- tory, was one of the worthy institutions of the city, it was appa- rent that the best interests of the city demanded that the con- duct of its affairs be placed in the hands of a board of managers. The mayor so recommended in his message in 1870, and in ac- cordance therewith a board was constituted, comprising, origi- nally, Eliphalet Trask, James A. Rumrill, Henry S. Lee, George E. Howard, John' A. Hall, H. N. Case, Henry S. Hyde, Abijah W. Chapin and John B. Stebbins. Mr. Trask was the first presi- dent and Mr. Hall the first secretary of the board.
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In 1873 an act of the legislature authorized the city to raise by tax such sum of money as the city council might deem neces- sary for the support of the hospital. From this time until 1879 the institution was conducted by the board of managers without material change in method, but the demand for more room and better accommodations was constantly increasing. In the year mentioned an amended ordinance vested the immediate control of the hospital in a board of trustees, three of whom, it was pro- vided, should be women. This ordinance was a departure com- pared with previous methods, but it proved of great benefit to all interests, having brought several women into the councils of the board and thereby created an added interest in the institution throughout the city.
The Springfield hospital was incorporated December 24, 1883, the original corporate members being Henry M. Phillips, Henry S. Hyde, Dorcas Chapin, Charles Marsh, Lizzie D. Nichols, Henry A. Gould, James A. Rumrill, Julia A. Callender, Lucinda O. Howard, Iranna L. Pomeroy, John Cotton Brooks, William Merrick, Charles H. Southworth, David Allen Reed and Timothy M. Brown. The object of the corporation, according to its by-laws, was to establish and maintain a hospital in the city of Springfield for the purpose of furnishing medical and surgical treatment for persons requiring the same temporarily. Originally the corporation comprised fifty persons, but in 1897 the number was increased to one hundred persons.
The first officers were Henry S. Hyde, president; Timothy M. Brown, clerk; Charles Marsh, treasurer; James A. Rumrill, Henry A. Gould, Lucinda O. Howard, Henry S. Hyde, Lizzie D. Nichols, Julia A. Callender, Charles H. Southworth and David Allen Reed, trustees, with the mayor and president of the com- mon council ex officio members of the board.
Many of the original officiary were long associated with the work of the institution and unselfishly gave their time to the conduct of its affairs; and, did the necessities of the occasion re- quire, they contributed liberally of their means to its mainte- nance. Mr. Hyde, the first president, is still in office and his in- fluence in the affairs of the institution always has been for the general good.
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One of the objects of the corporate body was to provide, as soon as possible, a specially constructed and equipped hospital building, but the most prudent means to accomplish that end was not then apparent, the chief obstacle being the lack of necessary funds. However, before the hospital itself was founded one of the city's foremost men, Chester W. Chapin, who in some prominent manner had been identified with many worthy public enterprises, had contemplated the establishment of a city hos- pital, but he died before the plans were fully matured; and it remained for his widow, Dorcas Chapin, a most estimable woman, to carry out the intentions of her husband. On her death, No- vember 14, 1886, she bequeathed to the corporation the sum of $25,000 for the benefit of the hospital, on condition that a like sum be raised by subscription and that the city convey to the corporation its hospital and equipment. Both conditions were complied with and the corporation found its affairs to be on an excellent financial basis, deriving a fair income from invested funds and receiving an annual appropriation from the city gov- ernment.
Early in 1887 (Jan. 17) William Merrick, whose untimely taking off caused a shock in city business circles, also died, and in his will the hospital corporation was made residuary legatee. All the funds from this source did not become immediately available, but were turned over as soon as the procedure of the court would permit; and when acquired the legacy enriched the cor- poration by more than $98,000. The subscription fund called for under the Chapin will was raised in April, 1887, and amounted to $28,444.96. In October of the same year the city deeded to the corporation the hospital property on the Boston road.
In November, 1887, the Fuller farm of about 35 acres of land on North Chestnut street was purchased by the trustees, and in accordance with plans adopted May 15, 1888, the pres- ent hospital building was erected thereon. On Saturday, May 14, 1889, the building was dedicated with appropriate exercises, and on the following Monday the hospital was opened for the reception of patients.
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Thus permanently established under excellent management, the Springfield hospital at once became one of the most worthy institutions of the city, and one which to-day ranks with the best hospitals in the state. Fortunately for the institution, its trus- tees and officers have been chosen from among the best business men and the most benevolently inclined women of the city, and in every respect its affairs and mangement have been in trust- worthy hands.
So commendable indeed has been the main object of the in- stitution and so earnest have been the endeavors of its officers that the corporation has been the recipient of several splendid bequests and endowments besides those previously mentioned. In 1891 the Margaret H. Lombard bequest of $10,000 was re- ceived and was made to constitute the "Lombard fund for the establishment of free beds." In 1892 the John Lombard fund was received under the will of Catherine H. Lombard. In 1894 the corporation received the Horace Smith bequest of $30,000 for the establishment of free beds. In 1895 Mrs. James A. Rumrill established a free bed with the income of $520 per an- num. In 1898 there was received from the Caroline C. Briggs es- tate the sum of $1,609 ; from the Charles Bill estate, $6,000; and from the Mary J. Baldwin estate, $6,000. In 1899 there was re- ceived from Elizabeth W. and Nathan Adams, $6,300, and from the estate of Angelina Stebbins the sum of $1,000. In 1900 the additional sum of $233.21 was received from Elizabeth W. and Nathan Adams.
Thus, in the aggregate, the hospital corporation has received from all sources since 1886 the splendid sum of $248,264.86, of which amount $33,952.59 were raised by popular subscription. The present hospital property represents a value of $112,711.91; the Merrick building a value of $18,130.48; the laboratory, $435, and the furnishings in all departments, $4,887.30.
The officers of the corporation for the year 1901 are as fol- lows : Henry S. Hyde, president ; C. H. Beckwith, clerk; W. F. Callender, treasurer ; Henry S. Hyde, Henry A. Gould,.James A. Rumrill, Henry M. Phillips, Robert W. Day, W. F. Callen- der, Chester W. Bliss, Mrs. C. A. Nichols, Mrs. Charles Van
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Vlack, Mrs. Samuel Bowles, Mrs. Gideon Wells, Andrew B. Wal- lace, Lewis F. Carr, Mrs. James T. Abbe, Mrs. Charles E. Stick- ney, with the mayor and president of the common council, both ex officio, trustees. The personnel of the committee on aids and charities is as follows : Mrs. H. A. Gould, Mrs. James D. Saf- ford, Mrs. Frederick Harris, Mrs. R. W. Day, Mrs. E. B. Hed- den, Mrs. R. F. Hawkins, Mrs. W. H. Wesson, Mrs. F. B. Doten, Mrs. Chester W. Bliss, Mrs. Henry F. Trask, Mrs. Austin E. Smith, Mrs. E. S. Brewer, Mrs. F. A. Bill and Mrs. A. B. Wal- lace.
The House of Mercy Hospital was founded in 1896, when Bishop Beaven purchased the Allis property on Carew street and remodeled the building for a new occupancy. The hospital was formally opened July 19, 1898, in the old Allis house, and in the same year the work of erecting a new building was begun under the personal supervision of the bishop and his . faithful co- workers, the corner-stone ceremonies being held in October. In due season the structure was finished and dedicated, and at once was given in charge of the good sisters of Providence, through whose splendid work the three great hospitals in Holyoke, Wor- cester and Springfield have been founded and maintained.
The Mercy hospital, as commonly known, is one of Spring- field's noblest charities, and one which the people have learned to appreciate according to its worth. When the institution was founded its business affairs were placed in the hands of the Mercy hospital corporation, the present officers of which are as follows : President, Rt. Rev. Thomas D. Beaven; secretary, Rev. Thomas Smyth; treasurer, Mother Mary of Providence ; executive committee, Rt. Rev. Thomas D. Beaven, Rev. Thomas Smyth, Mrs. Ann Mara, John McFethries, Mother Mary of Providence, and Mrs. James B. Carroll.
Hampden Homoeopathic Hospital .- On January 29, 1900, at the solicitation of Dr. John H. Carmichael, Daniel B. and Cyn- thia M. Wesson donated their elegant residence, No. 132 High street, for a homoeopathic hospital. The munificent gift was accepted by the representatives of homoeopathy in the county, and before May 1 following the sum of $10,000 had been raised
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to remodel the interior of the building into a modern hospital, fully equipped for the very best kind of professional work and supplied with all kinds of medical and surgical apparatus.
On May 1 the institution was regularly incorporated under the name above mentioned, the corporators being Daniel B. Wes- son, George B. Holbrook, A. N. Mayo, A. W. Damon, C. C. Lewis, E. P. Chapin, Oscar H. Greenleaf, H. E. Marsh, Lewis J. Powers, Henry Beebe, W. E. Wright, H. C. Rowley, William W. Mc- Clench, Dr. John H. Carmichael, Henry H. Bowman and War- ner F. Sturtevant.
The hospital building contains thirty beds and is admirably arranged for its new occupancy. The surrounding grounds are ample and contain a grove and several fine springs. In connec- tion with the management of the institution there is an excellent nurse's training school. In every respect the hospital fills a long felt want in the city, especially in homoeopathic circles, and during the brief period of its existence it has gained rapidly in popularity and usefulness.
The object of the institution is to care for the sick, and all physicians and surgeons, of whatever school, have such free ac- cess to its benefits as is consistent with its somewhat limited size and accommodations. Any physician in good standing is allowed the privileges of the hospital, and subject to the rules of the cor- poration may treat private patients therein. Patients of this class are expected to pay a moderate fee for the use of the sur- gery, and admissions are made on application to the matron, or through their own physician.
The present officers of the corporation are as follows; Presi- dent, Lewis J. Powers ; first vice-president, Edward P. Chapin ; second vice-president, H. C. Rowley ; secretary, William W. Mc- Clench ; treasurer, Henry H. Bowman ; trustees, Mrs. O. B. Ire- land, Dr. Clarice J. Parsons, Annie L. Bailey, Harriet S. Rowley, Fred C. Wright, Mrs. John H. Carmichael, Mrs. F. H. Page, Daniel B. Wesson, W. C. Newell, George M. Holbrook and Phil- lip C. Powers. Executive committee, Dr. John H. Carmichael, chairman, Dr. O. W. Roberts and Dr. F. M. Bennitt. Medical and surgical staff, Drs. O. W. Roberts, Plum Brown, F. M. Ben-
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nitt and Clara M. Sweet. Consulting physicians, Drs. George G. Shelton (New York), George H. Smith (Holyoke), J. P. Sutherland (Boston) and A. M. Cushing (Springfield ). Assist- ant physicians, Drs. Clarice J. Parsons, James M. Gates and Alice E. Rowe. Surgeon-in-chief, Dr. John H. Carmichael. Assistant surgeons, Drs. Robert F. Hovey, James B. Comins, Harry W. Green and Seth A. Lewis. Consulting surgeons, Drs. Sidney F. Wilcox (New York), Nathaniel Emerson (Boston). Oculist and aurist, Dr. George Rhoads. Rhynologist and
Pynchon Street School, Springfield
laryngologist, Dr. Charles Chapman. Bacteriologist and path- ologist, Dr. Harry W. Green. Electro therapeutist, Dr. Clarice J. Parsons. Anaesthetists, Drs. James M. Gates and Alice E. Rowe. Dental surgeon, Dr. C. S. Hurlbut.
The King's Daughters and Sons Hospital, located at No. 12 Brace street, in the extreme south part of the city and in the de- lightful vicinity of Forest park, is one of the newest charitable institutions of Springfield. The hospital was incorporated April 26, 1900, and is maintained largely through the benevolent
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work of women. The house accommodations are small, yet the care of patients is as carefully provided for as in any of the larger similar institutions of the city. The corporation has not finished the first year of its history, but its present condition indicates a future of usefulness and progress. The present offi- cers are Mrs. Mary P. Flagg, president; Mrs. Hattie A. Powers, clerk ; Mrs. F. C. Woodstock, treasurer.
Springfield Home for Friendless Women and Children .- This, the oldest eleemosynary institution of the city, dates its history from 1865, when an act of incorporation was passed by the legislature, naming Rachel C. Merriam, Charlotte Barnes, Caroline L. Rice, and their associates, as corporators, and au- thorizing them to establish and maintain a temporary home for destitute and friendless women and children. Originally the corporation was authorized to hold real and personal property to the amount of $20,000, but by subsequent supplementary acts the amount was increased, and now the corporation may hold property to the value of $200,000.
In 1865 the managers purchased, at a cost of $4,500, a house and lot in William street, where the home began its history, but after five years a separate house for children (the property be- ing located on Buckingham street) was purchased. The build- ing was improved and made ready for immediate occupancy, and the people gave generously in response to appeals for financial aid in behalf of the institutions. Since that time two homes have been supported, and ever have been in prudent hands. For several years the legislature made annual appropriations of $2,000 for the benefit of the homes, but in 1872 these contribu- tions were discontinued. Now the homes are supported chiefly by the city churches and the interest from invested funds. The permanent fund at this time amounts to almost $140,000. About $15,000 are required for annual maintenance.
The officers and managers of the corporation for 1901 are as follows : Mrs. William C. Warren, president ; Mary L. Jacobs and Mrs. William G. Breck, vice-presidents ; Mrs. J. H. Car- michael, clerk ; Mrs. George H. Carter, treasurer; Mrs. George W. Tapley, corresponding secretary ; Henry S. Lee and George
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W. Tapley, auditors. The board of managers comprises Mrs. Wm. G. Breck, Mrs. George Church, Mrs. David P. Smith, Mrs. George W. Tapley, Mary L. Jacobs, Mrs. Charles Hall, Mrs. Henry S. Hyde, Mrs. Harlan P. Stone, Mrs. Charles A. Nichols, Mrs. O. S. Greenleaf, Elizabeth M. Ames, Mrs. Homer G. Gil- more, Mrs. Wm. C. Warren, Mrs. Charles P. Nichols, Mrs. Azel A. Packard, Mrs. George H. Carter, Amy B. Alexander, Mrs. John H. Carmichael, Mrs. Ferguson R. Mellows, Mary M. At- water, Mrs. Charles E. Stickney, Mrs. Silas Kenyon, Mrs. James D. Safford, Mrs. Charles Shaw, Mrs. Bradley D. Rising, Mrs. Edmund E. Charles, Mrs. E. L. Janes, Mrs. Orthello K. Merrill, Mrs. Joseph T. Herrick, Mrs. Elijah Belding. Advisory com- mittee, Gurdon Bill, Henry S. Lee, George W. Tapley, Rev. John C. Brooks, Harlan P. Stone, R. W. Ellis, H. H. Skinner. Board of physicians, Drs. Marshall Calkins, Frederick .W. Chapin, George L. Woods, Cheney H. Calkins, .Wm. H. Pomeroy, Sarah M. Wilbur, Mary Blake.
Springfield Home for Aged Women .- In the early part of the year 1884 a movement was begun in Springfield in behalf of a home for aged women. One of the most earnest advocates of the cause was the late Dr. Thomas L. Chapman, through whom the late Marvin Chapin (who for many years had been a promi- nent factor in city history) became likewise interested in the project. The early informal meetings of friends of the work were held in Mr. Chapin's residence, and there the preliminaries were discussed and the plans were matured. Among the other persons prominently identified with the early history of the in- stitution were Mrs. Chester W. Chapin and Miss Frances Lom- bard.
The home was regularly incorporated under the laws of the state, and the articles of association were signed September 3 of that year. The original incorporators were Marvin Chapin, Thomas L. Chapman, Orick H. Greenleaf, Homer Merriam, David Allen Reed, Mrs. I. Newton Bullens, Henry S. Lee, J. Augustus Robinson, Wm. P. Draper, Wm. H. Chapin, Gratia R. Reed, Edward C. Rogers, Eliza B. Rogers, Harriet S. C. Birnie, Wm. L. Smith, Caroline L. Smith, Theo. F. Breck, Helen C.
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Breck, Thomas W. Bishop, Mary D. Chapman, Angelina Steb- bins, Mrs. James D. Brewer, Frances Lombard, Margaret H. Lombard, M. Lucretia Smith, Mary A. Bill, Harriet E. Dutton, Elizabeth D. Nichols, Annie L. Brooks, Sadie E. Haywood, Mary Ames, Jeannie G. Ireland, Rebecca A. Gordon, Harriet B. Hitch- cock, Horace Smith, Gurdon Bill, Mrs. J. M. Thompson, Eliza- beth M. Ames, Mrs. Chester W. Chapin, Frank R. Young, Isa- bel S. Young, William Birnie ..
The first officers of the corporation were, president, Marvin Chapin ; vice-president, Thomas Luce Chapman; treasurer, Henry S. Lee ; clerk, Frank R. Young; finance committee, Mar- vin Chapin (chairman), Horace Smith, Wm. L. Smith.
The corporation purchased a house and lot at the corner of Main and William streets, which was made the first home of the association. The building was remodeled and furnished largely through the liberality of Marvin Chapin. The home was opened for inmates November 22, 1886, which date marks the beginning of its history in the boundless field of charitable work ; and from that time it has been recognized as one of the worthy institutions of the city, and one in which the benevolent people have taken a most kindly interest. In the course of time, however, the in- creasing popularity of the home resulted in a severe tax upon its capacity and the managers began looking for a new loca- tion and hoping for a much larger building. Having received several considerable donations of money and having been given assurances of necessary help in building a larger home, the cor- poration purchased from John Olmsted his splendid residence property on Chestnut street, the consideration paid therefor be- ing merely nominal when compared with the real value of the lands.
The house on the land, being unsuitable for the purposes of the home, was removed, and in its place was erected the present elegant structure, with a capacity for thirty inmates. It was completed and occupied May 31, 1900, and was formally dedi- cated in the following fall.
According to the published statement of the board of man- agers, this home is not designed to be a boarding house, nor to
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be altogether free to its inmates, but it is intended for the accom- modation of these three classes of women over 65 years of age: "Those who have some relative who cannot conveniently receive them into his or her family, and who desires and prefers to pay for their support in an institution of this kind; those whose sup- port will be assumed wholly, or in part, by the church to which they belong; and those who have some means of their own, but not enough to maintain themselves without help, during their declining years."
The Industrial House Charities of Springfield was origi- nally organized in 1883 and was incorporated in 1895. The cor- porators were Mina C. Hall, Jane E. Law, Harriet N. Hosley, Elizabeth O. Bailey, Mary E. Heywood, Martha M. Mills, Emma C. Bugbee, Emma M. Downing, Ednah D. Tobey and Sarah B. Stone. The object of this organization is to aid the poor of the city and help the destitute to provide for themselves. For its truly benevolent purposes the corporation has provided a com- fortable home building on Bliss street. It is supported by the charitable contributions of citizens, the earnings of its inmates and the interest derived from invested funds. It is a worthy charity, deserving the earnest consideration of the public.
The board of officers and managers for 1901 is as follows : President, Mrs. Charles Hosley; vice-president, Mrs. Frederic S. Bailey ; clerk, pro tem., Mrs. David Allen Reed; treasurer, Martha M. Mills; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Ernest D. Bug- bee ; advisory board, G. F. Adams, Arthur B. West, Charles H. Barrows, James B. Kirkham, Andrew B. Wallace; auditor, G. F. Adams; managers, Mrs. Charles D. Hosley, Mrs. Silas N. Hey- wood, Mrs. Frederic S. Bailey, Mrs. Charles A. Stone, Emma L. Holbrook, Addie Clark, Mrs. David A. Reed, Mrs. Fordis C. Parker, Martha M. Mills, Mrs. Frank G. Tobey, Mrs. Wm. P. Draper, Carrie Emory, Mrs. Ernest D. Bugbee, Mrs. Wm. T. Parker, Mrs. W. O. Collins.
The Young Men's Christian Association-This association of christian workers in Springfield, now comprising one corpora- tion with four branches, traces its history back to the year 1852, when the first formal organization was effected, although early
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in its work certain questions regarding membership gave rise to much discussion and soon accomplished the downfall of the insti- tution. No secretary's record of transactions has been pre- served, and little is known of early association history, but it may be said that the Springfield organization was third in point of seniority among the associations of America. In 1854 and 1855 H. A. Chapin was president, and at that time rooms in Blake's building, opposite court square, were occupied. In 1854 the association was represented by H. A. Robinson at the first inter- national convention assembled in Buffalo, N. Y., but the next year it passed out of existence.
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