USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Our county and its people : A history of Hampden County, Massachusetts. Volume 2 > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
We may not pass from the institutional life of the academy without again quoting from Mr. Bates. In his bi-centennial ad- dress, delivered October 6, 1869, on the occasion of the two hun- dredth anniversary of the incorporation of Westfield, alluding to the academy, he said :
"It would be a pleasing retrospect if we were to pass over the first two-thirds of the present century, and record the names of those at whose feet, from time to time, we have sat for guid- ance and for instruction ; if we were to recall those early com- panions, with whom we strayed, and played, and perhaps toiled along the paths of learning-companions dear to us then-of whom we felt, 'very pleasant hast thou been to me, my brother'- but oh, how doubly dear now, as one by one they have faded from our sight, leaving us more and more alone, like a city, which sits solitary, and yet is full of people-in the world, but not of it, among men, yet not of them, and sighing for the unselfish friend- ship of those who made our young hours happy; if we were to estimate the effect which the establishment of the institution has wrought upon the material interests of the town, its moral influ- ence upon the people, and the heightened tone it has given to its intelligence and its virtue ; if we were to consider what a result has been produced upon the world at large, by more than nine thousand people, who have gone out from it, to all parts of the civilized globe. But the topic is too vast for the occasion. I may say, however, in regard to it as a part of the history of the town, that the proximity of other institutions, endowed by enlightened liberality, with ample funds, enabling them to provide more
( 1
428
-
THE TOWN OF WESTFIELD
numerous teachers, more extensive apparatus, and more com- modious boarding accommodations, inaugurated a rivalry against which this almost unendowed institution could poorly struggle. The buildings and grounds, which had come down to us, were ac- cordingly sold. The estate of the academy is invested for in- crease, until by accumulation, augmented as I trust it will be, by future benefactions, it shall again spring forward into a field of usefulness.
"My fellow citizens, I say now, in as full faith as I said to you on the 31st of July, 1857, 'Westfield academy will never die ! It was born to be immortal ! It was incorporated to be and con- tinue a body politic forever'; and if this generation shall pass away with a deluded apathy to its interests, it will find, in a gen- eration perhaps now unborn, friends who will rally around it, with the zeal of its first founders, and rejoice with exceeding great joy, in its returned prosperity."
Mr. Bates proved his faith by his works. Before his death " he deeded to the trustees of the Westfield academy, in aid of its purposes, real estate which he valued approximately at ten thousand dollars. The trustees of the academy, in recent years, have secured the ends for which it was established by using the income of its fund in extending the course of study and in in- creasing the efficiency of the high school; the trustees also ac- tively co-operate with the school committee of the town in the management of the school; hence the history of the academy is in a measure merged with that of the high school. . We turn to its history.
The High School .- The first movement toward the establish- ment of a high school, as appears from the town records, was the appointment of a committee, in 1837, to procure a site and to build a town house and high school building.
When the town house was completed it contained rooms in the first story for a high school, while the second story was a town hall.
Though no arrangement was made by the town for that pur- pose, the academy continued to provide, as heretofore, for the in- struction of those who continued their studies after learning the grammar grades.
( - 429
Rx
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
In 1845, when the state board of education were about to provide a permanent abode for the normal school, the town of- fered to sell the first story and the basement of the town hall to the state for the use of the normal school for the sum of $1,500; but if the board preferred to erect a separate building the town offered to give $500 for that purpose.
Westfield High School
At the April meeting, 1855, the town appropriated $1,000 "for the high school and for fitting up rooms for that purpose."
The school opened in the town hall building the same year. H. E. Daniels was the first principal, Miss H. N. Fletcher (after- wards Mrs. L. R. Norton), the first assistant. These were suc- ceeded by Almon B. and Mrs. Clapp. The succeeding principals were A. H. Bingham, C. D. Hills, E. A. Booth, H. H. Tuttle, A. E. Gibbs, Henry Dame, John Welch and James McLaughlin.
( )
430
THE TOWN OF WESTFIELD
In 1867, as we have seen, the building and grounds of the Westfield academy became those of the high school. The town, in 1889, purchased the Ives property and thus extended the grounds towards the south. In that year the town also voted $26,000 for the reconstruction and enlargement of the high school building. During that year, also, an arrangement to continue for a term of years was completed between the trustees of the academy and the town, by which the income of the acad- emy fund, upon certain conditions, should be used to improve and to extend the work of the high school. In carrying out this arrangement the trustees co-operate with the school committee.
In September, 1890, the new building was ready; a larger faculty had been carefully selected, and a more extended course of study had been prepared by the incoming principal. The school entered upon a new era of usefulness.
During the year the rear wing-the old academy-was burned. It was replaced by a brick wing adapted to the needs of the school.
The studies of the high school are now largely elective, fur- nishing opportunity for individual culture and for special prep- aration for future work. The studies are grouped under the following heads: College preparatory, Latin scientific, modern language, English and business course.
Herbert W. Kittredge was appointed principal in 1890. As the result of his thorough teaching, careful administration and tireless energy, and the loyal co-operation of competent teach- ers in the several departments, the school has reached the fore- most rank in the high schools of the state. The principal in- structs in Greek and college English. The teachers of other de- partments are : D. M. Cole, sciences ; George W. Miner, business branches ; Sara M. Kneil, English and civics; Lucy Jane Dow, Latin; Elizabeth F. Atwood, stenography and typewriting; Grace Crafts Alden, mathematics; Caroline Barhauer, modern languages ; Margaret B. Randal, English, history and elocution ; Sterrie A. Weaver, music ; Marion E. Hurlbut, drawing.
The Atheneum .- In 1864 Samuel Mather, Hiram Harrison and Cutler Laflin, their associates and successors, were incor-
431
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
porated under the name of Westfield atheneum. Mr. Mather save $10.000 as a permanent fund for the maintenance of the library, and is designated on the revords as the "founder of the institution." Mr. Harrison gave about the same amount in the form of land, and the building which he ervered upon it, ou Main street. Ten thousand dollars were raised by subscription for the purchase of books. The donors were Heury T. Morgan. 83,500; Cutler Ladin and Charles Jessup. $1.000 each : William G. Bates, Heury J. Bush, Edwant B. Gillett. George L. Lafin and Samuel Fowier. $500 each. Smaller sums were donated by
other parties Recently the legacy of Addison. C. Rand. 85.000. and that of Faymy B. Rates $1.000, and donations from orders. cf less amount, kave been wrenni.
sar $1.000.
May 10, 1886, by the joint action of the directors and the Towa she Khvary was made free. Number of volumes in the I brary February, 1902. 18.8.0: number of wymiar pat
THIS HAS
THE TOWN OF WESTFIELD
First Congregational church. We have already outlined its his- tory. We may add that within a few years a commodious parish house has been added to the church building, furnishing accom- modations for the large Sabbath school and for the social gatlı- erings of the various organizations connected with the church. The present membership is 450.
In 1856 a colony of sixty-three from the First church was organized as the Second Congregational church. In 1862 the present church building was erected. A convenient chapel has since been added. The present membership is 434. The follow- ing is a list of the pastors, with the date of entering upon their duties : Francis Homes, 1856; Joel S. Bingham, 1856; George Bowler, 1863; Henry Hopkins, 1865; Lyman H. Blake, 1882; William E. Gordon, the present pastor, 1899.
The first Baptist church organized in Westfield was at the West Farms (Wyben). This church prospered for many years, but after a time it was evident that a strong church could not be maintained so far from the center of population. Services, how- ever, were maintained until 1871, when the church was disor- ganized, the members uniting with the Central Baptist church. Since that time various clergymen from Westfield have held services on Sunday afternoons in a mission chapel.
The "First Baptist church" of Westfield was organized in 1784. Five years later a building was erected near the old county bridge. In 1795 the church became divided and disorganized. The revival of 1806 infused new life. Services were resumed. The little band failed to maintain services from 1810 to 1819. Then Rev. David Wright became the pastor, and through his earnest efforts the membership was increased to 203 in 1826. This church erected its second house of worship on Main street, near the bridge over Little river.
On May 23, 1833, the Central Baptist church was organized, with Rev. David Wright as pastor. This was the beginning of a new era for the Baptists of Westfield. A church building was at once erected on the corner of Elm and Church streets. The church grew and in a few years absorbed the Baptist interests of Westfield. In 1867-8, the church having outgrown its accom-
28-2
( )
433
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
modations, the present house of worship, during the pastorate of Rev. John Jennings, was erected. In 1898 Mrs. G. I. Hays pur- chased the brick building, built by A. B. Whitman, and pre- sented it to the church, thus supplying a want long felt for kin- dergarten rooms and furnishing admirable opportunities for so- cial gatherings. The church has recently provided a new par- sonage. The following pastors have served the church: Andrew
Corner of Elm and Main Street, Westfield
The building at the left is the old Methodist church, long since abandoned
M. Smith, David Wright, Charles Van Loan, Farondia Bester, Alfred Colburn, John Alden, William Carpenter, John R. Beau- mis, John Jennings, E. M. Gerome, W. H. Eaton, H. P. Smith and R. B. Esten. W. S. Ayres is now the pastor.
Methodism began in Westfield in 1794. The town then was included in what was then called the Granville circuit, and was
( )
434
THE TOWN OF WESTFIELD
a part of the New York conference. Services were first held in that part of the town now called Mundale, then known as Hoop- hole. In 1812 the first sermon was preached at the center, by Thomas Thorpe, and a class was formed. The first meeting-house was built at Hoophole, also called West Parish and Mundale. In 1830 the town purchased a site and in 1833 the building on Main street was dedicated. In 1836 it became an independent church with Rev. Paul Townsend as first pastor. As a circuit it has had the services of the most distinguished preachers of early Method- ism, such as David Kilbourn, Erastus Otis, Jefferson Hascall, Thomas W. Tucker, Jonathan D. Bridge and others.
Revs. Smith, B. McLouth, Ephraim Scott, Jefferson Has- call were successors of Mr. Townsend. In 1843, under Mr. Hascall, a splendid church building was erected on Elm street. So strong and prosperous had the society become that the New England annual conference was held in Westfield, in 1841. Dr. Hascall was succeeded by Drs. Mark Trafton, H. V. Degen, Miner Raymond, J. B. Hatch, G. F. Cox, J. H. Twombly (twice), Wil- liam Butler, Gilbert Haven (afterwards bishop), I. J. P. Collyer, D. E. Chapin, George Bowler, Hills, Henry W. Warren (now bishop), Daniel Richards, W. G. H. Lewis, J. H. Mansfield, George Whitaker, J. S. Barrows, S. L. Gracey, F. Woods (twice), J. A. Cass, E. A. Titus, J. M. Leonard, Charles Young, L. H. Dorchester, Frederic N. Upham and John D. Pickles, the pres- ent pastor. The church has been characterized by strength and aggressiveness. During the second pastorate of Dr. Twombly, the present large and beautiful church edifice was erected. It was dedicated in 1875.
Methodism has had more than a hundred years' history in that part of the town known as Mundale. If our limits allowed it would be a pleasure to note the labors of those who from time to time have been its pastors. Rev. John Evans is the present pastor.
The Universalist church was organized in 1853. Rev. D. H. Plumb was the first pastor. In 1889, the present church build- ing on Elm street was erected. The pastor of this church, Rev. Lucy A. Milton, has recently resigned.
( )
435
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The Episcopal church was organized in 1860. Services were held for some years in the Universalist chapel and later in a hall and in the Universalist church. In 1873, the parish was incorporated under its present name, "The Church of the Atonement." In 1875, it was accepted into the Episcopal dio- cese of Massachusetts. We note the names of the rectors: Rev. J. Mines, Rev. Andrew Mackie, Rev. J. F. Winkley, Rev. B. F. Cooley, Henry Sheridan, Rev. Mr. Parker, Rev. H. N. Cunning- ham, Allen C. Prescott, Rev. Henry Tarrant, Rev. N. S. Board- man and Frederick A. Wright, who became rector of the church in 1899, and has recently been compelled by ill-health to resign.
The Second Advent church began as a mission church in 1866. Here Rev. H. L. Hastings and wife labored. In 1869, Mr. Hastings organized a church. Services were held for a time in the Universalist chapel on Chapel street, later in the old Baptist church, corner of Elm and Church streets. In 1874, the present chapel on School street was erected. The ten settled pastors have been : Revs. E. S. Owen, George L. Teeple, James Hem- menway, William C. Stewart, S. G. Mathewson, J. E. Cross, John C. St. John, M. E. Andrews, George M. Little and Allan H. Bissell, recently installed.
If our limits permitted, we should insert the admirable his- tory of St. Mary's church, found in the "History of the Catholic Church," written by Rev. J. J. McCoy. We shall use parts of it.
It is not clear when the first mass was said in Westfield. Father Fitlon speaks of visiting Westfield as a missionary, between 1828 and 1830. Father John Brady of Hartford, was in Westfield during the building of the canal, caring for the Catholic workmen. Later, during the building of railroads, services were again held. John Healy was here in 1840, and about the same time William Sullivan, William Callinan and John O'Neil. This same O'Neil was drowned in Southwick ponds while bringing up the last boat that ever came up the old canal.
The first mass definitely remembered was in the town hall, November, 1851. About one hundred and fifty were present. For some time the Catholics gathered in some one of their houses
( 436 )
THE TOWN OF WESTFIELD
whenever the priest visited them. On Sundays, if no priest could be with them, they still assembled and said the rosary and the litanies in common.
James Phillips was an earnest worker. His Protestant friends aided him in securing a church building by purchasing a site in 1853. The vigil of Christ was held in the new building the next year, though the walls were yet unplastered. Father Blenkinsop of Chicopee had charge at this joyful opening of the church.
In 1854, during the time of intense "Know Nothing" excite- ment, some of the "baser sort" of the town's people gathered and moved toward the new church, threatening to burn it. Catholics gathered in its defence. Hiram Hull, a leading man of the town, met the mob, and by a few well-timed and decisive words, turned them away from the church. Dr. McCoy adds : "The Catholics were never afterwards molested. On the con- trary, there has been no time in the church's history, when Prot- estant neighbors have failed, by kind word and generous help, to encourage all the good that the Catholic hearts and minds could plan."
In 1855, in the month of June, Bp. Fitzpatrick of Boston attended the first confirmation. John Healey, the first to be buried in the Catholic cemetery, was present to see his four chil- dren confirmed, though he was in the last stages of consumption.
Westfield was for a time a mission of Springfield. In 1862, Rev. M. X. Carroll became the first resident pastor. He was followed in 1868 by Father Miglionico. In 1874, Rev. Thomas Smythe became pastor, a man much respected by all classes. He had large influence in town affairs.
March, 1881, the church was destroyed by fire. The com- modious brick church, now so serviceable, was dedicated by Bishop O'Reilly March 1, 1885. Father Smythe very much en- larged the grounds of the church. One of his latest purchases was the land opposite the church, on which now stand the con- vent and the new parochial school.
Father Donahue succeeded Father Smythe in 1891. His pastorate, thus far, has been eminently successful. On the
( )
437
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
church books are recorded between six and seven hundred mar- riages and nearly four thousand baptisms.
INDUSTRIES
Westfield for more than one hundred and fifty years was a farming town. Its extensive alluvial meadow lands made it a leading agricultural town. Citizens are now living who re- member the beginnings of other industries that now absorb so large a proportion of the capital and the labor of its. people ; yet the amount of grass, corn, tobacco and other crops is still large.
The whips made in Westfield have spread its name widely. The strands for lashes were first cut on flat tables. The Shakers of Lebanon, New York, were the first to cut strands from horse- hides by "stripping," a handicraft practiced with wonderful skill by cutters in Westfield.
The manufacture of whips seems to have been begun, in a very simple and rude way, in Westfield, nearly a century ago. Tradition has it that Joseph Jokes, as early as 1808, made whips with hickory stocks, to which, by a loop or "keeper," a lash was fastened. Soon improvements were made by boiling the wood in a preparation of colored oils. The stocks of the "twisted whips," as they were called, were made of white oak or other wood of tough fibre, and covered with black sheepskin sewed on. The stock of the first plaited whip made in Westfield is said to have been made in the cabinet shop of Erastus Grant, by D. L. Farnham, by gluing together pieces of rattan around a whale- bone centre. The plaiting machines for covering stocks, as they are now covered, were first introduced from Germany and Eng- land ; though they were greatly improved by the ingenuity of New England men. The first plaiting machines were barrel ma- chines. They might be called hand-braiding machines.
The plaiting was afterwards done by machines that were worked with a crank. Sixty years ago, these were also run by water. Improvements in the plaiting machines have made it possible to run them with great rapidity. A machine will cover with its fine weaving from six to ten stocks in an hour. There
( 438 )
THE TOWN OF WESTFIELD
are some thirty-three firms or companies in Westfield engaged in the manufacture of whips, besides a considerable number of manufacturers of parts of whips. Two million dollars worth of whips are annually sold. Approximately one-half of this amount is received by the United States whip company, the largest in the world. The Pomeroy and Van Deusen company is reckoned
The old-fashioned plaiting machine
the second in size. Hiram Hull did much to promote the earlier development of this industry.
We name some of the more important industries that, to- gether with the manufacture of whips, go far to make Westfield a manufacturing town :
American Cycle company, opened in 1897 as the Lozier Man- ufacturing company ; organized in 1900 under its present name.
( )
439
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Employs from 400 to 800 men. Annual product, 30,000 wheels. About one-third of these exported in 1901.
Automobiles-E. J. Moore Manufacturing Co. is arranging to employ 100 men.
Loomis Manufacturing Co .- Opened in 1899; can fill but a tithe of its orders for automobiles.
RON FOUNDRY
STOVE WORKS
The First Foundry of H. B. Smith & Co., Westfield
As established in A. D. 1853, on the line of the Farmington canal, which then extended from New Haven, Conn. to Northampton, Mass. The canal was practically closed to travel before 1850, though not filled up until many years later. This building was built and probably pictured before the canal closed. H. B. Smith began in it in 1853.
Casket Handles and Trimmings-American Casket Co. em- ploys fifteen to twenty-five hands.
Textile Manufacturing Co .- Incorporated 1880. Capital stock $100,000. Employs about sixty hands.
( 440 )
THE TOWN OF WESTFIELD
Cigars-There are several cigar manufacturers. The an- nual output is about ten millions of cigars
The tobacco packers of Westfield handle about $750,000 worth of tobacco annually.
Westfield Brickyard-Six to ten millions of bricks annually.
Wm. Warren Thread Works-Spool cotton and thread of every description. One hundred and fifty hands.
Foster Machine Co-Incorporated 1891. Fifty to eighty hands. Produce annually from seventy-five to one hundred cane and tube winding machines, having twenty to one hundred spindles each.
Bryant Box Co .- Incorporated 1892. Paper and cigar boxes. Value of annual output, $25,000.
A. E. Ensign Box Co .- Fine cigar boxes. Established over fifty years.
Planet Co .- Manufacturers canvas goods, bags, awnings, coverings.
Organ Pipe Factory-Employs twenty men, and uses 24,- 000 lbs. of lead, 1,400 lbs. of tin, and 40,000 lbs. of zinc annually.
The H. B. Smith Co .- The foundation of this company was laid in Westfield, in 1853, by Henry B. and Edwin Smith, brothers, the owners of a small foundry producing iron fences mainly. In 1860, they began the manufacture of boilers. In- corporated in 1878. About five hundred hands now employed, and about seventy-five tons of iron melted per day in making boilers, radiators, cottage heaters, etc., for steam and water heating.
Church Organs .- The church organs built by Emmons Howard have received deserved recognition in the wide appre- ciation of his large organ exhibited at the exposition at Buffalo in 1901.
The Westfield Marble and Sandstone Co. is producing from its quarry a highly ornamental marble, which is coming into wide use.
PAPER MANUFACTURE
The first attempt to manufacture paper was made at Spring- dale, as the locality is now called, by the brothers Augustus E.,
( 441 1
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Charles A., and Alexander C. Jessup. They made paper by hand, dipping square sieves into a vat of pulp.
The Columbian Photo Paper Co. now owns the premises. Incorporated in 1890. It is said to be the only mill in the country in which paper is made from rags and completely fin- ished for the photographer. Capacity, one ton per day.
Crane Brothers' Mills-Upper and Lower-Produce fine ledger, Japanese and other linen papers. The excellence of the product has secured a world-wide reputation. Three tons of paper per day are produced.
BANKS
First National-Organized 1864 by consolidating the First National Bank, capital $150,000, with the Westfield Bank, capital
THAVENSMITH, BOSTEN.
The old Hampden Bank
From an old lithograph; showing also the house of Mrs. Messer, who conducted a fancy goods store, corner of Elm and Main streets
$100,000. The Westfield Bank was organized in 1851. Capital, $250,000 ; surplus, $120,000.
Hampden National-Incorporated 1825. Became a national bank in 1865. Capital, $150,000; surplus, $100,000.
Co-operative Bank-Incorporated 1881. Authorized capi- tal, $1,000,000.
( 442 )
Crane's Pond
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Savings Banks-Woronoco and Westfield, each having be- · tween one and two millions deposits.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS
Noble Hospital-Incorporated 1893. During the five years since the building was opened, seven hundred patients have re- ceived treatment.
Shurtleff Mission-Cares for the children of the poor and destitute. Incorporated 1895. The charter requires that those having charge of the children shall "foster in their minds the spirit and teachings of the gospel."
Space forbids notice of various other associations, charit- able, literary and religious connected with the churches, or main- tained independently.
The Young Men's Christian association was incorporated March 10, 1891. The corner-stone of the present convenient building standing on a lot costing $10,000, was laid Oct. 15, 1900.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.