USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Our county and its people : A history of Hampden County, Massachusetts. Volume 3 > Part 22
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 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
Roswell Merrick as early as 1808 had a tannery and was sneeeeded by Stephen Tobey and his son Clinton. This industry, which had been very snecessful, was closed in 1870.
The Hampden Cotton company in 1813 erected the mill now owned and operated by Heritage & Hurst. This company in 1829 built a mill on the site where now stands the mill D. W. Ellis & Son. Two mills have been burned on this site. one in
( 276 1
THE TOWN OF MONSON
1839 and one in 1869. Joseph L. Reynolds built the branch mill in 1837. He took into partnership Cyrus W. Holmes, Sr., and they disposed of it to the Hampden Cotton Co., and when that company dissolved, it was purchased by C. W. Holmes & Sons. The mill next passed to Holmes & Ellis, then to C. W. Holmes, Jr., then to S. F. Cushman & Sons, and in December, 1901, was by them sold to Leonard R. Rosenberg.
On the site of the South Straw shop, Joseph L. Reynolds in 1857 ereeted a mill which a few months later was burned. He
A view in South Monson
then rebuilt but never put in machinery, but the building became the nucleus of the straw goods manufacturing operated by Gage & Reynolds, and later by R. M. Reynolds. In the settlement of his estate it was recently acquired by Fred E. Langewald, who equipped it for the manufacture of worsted goods.
The woolen mill at present owned and operated by Ellis, Ricketts & Co. was originally built by Joseph L. Reynolds in 1860 and '61. It was burned in 1867, rebuilt in 1870 and sub- stantially enlarged by its present owners in 1901. The plant is
( )
277
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
now up to date in every respect for the manufacture of the finest woolens.
The Monson granite quarries owned and operated by the W. N. Flynt Granite Co. were first opened by the U. S. government about 1809 to obtain stone for use in building the U. S. armory at Springfield. The government having obtained its supply the quarries remained unworked till 1825, when they came into the possession of Rufus Flynt, who began operations with a gang of five men. Under the management of Wm. N. Flynt and W. K. Flynt and more recently of the W. N. Flynt Granite Co., the industry has grown rapidly and is now one of the most important of its kind of Monson, giving employment to nearly 500 men and sending its granite hewn and unhewn far and wide. Perhaps the industry which has done as much if not more to built up and make Monson prosperous is the straw and felt goods factory now owned and operated by Heiman & Lichten of New York. This was begun by Charles H. Merriek and Rufus Fay in 1838. Under their management it grew rapidly, furnishing not only employ- ment for a large number of men and women in the factory, but also sending out its work into the families of Monson and the surrounding towns. This latter feature has been largely dropped and most of the work is now done in the factory. This industry gives work nearly the year round, on straw in the eolder and felt in the warmer season.
War of 1861-5. The first gun fired at Fort Sumter, April 12. 1861, aroused the patriotism and indignation of the people of Monson as well as that of the whole loyal North. Patriotie meetings were held and enlistments began at onee. A town meeting was ealled April 27, and on May 3 it was voted "That all the residents of Monson who enlist into the U. S. service, shall have their support and that of their families while drilling and preparing for active service from the funds of the town, and when ealled into active service. shall have a good outfit and ten dollars per month and their families sufficient support during such service". The sum of $5,000 was voted to carry the vote into effect under a committee consisting of Hiram Newton, Rufus F. Fay, Riee S. Munn, Sherman Converse. E. W. Sholes,
( 278 -
THE TOWN OF MONSON
E. C. Robinson and J. B. Williams. At a later meeting it was voted to replace this committee by the board of selectmen, of whom Daniel G. Potter was chairman. At a special town meet- ing held May 3 Joseph L. Reynolds offered a resolution which was unanimously adopted, "That the people of this town are unanimous for upholding. supporting and defending the United States government and to that end are ready to respond to the legally constituted authorities of Massachusetts and the United States in the performance of every loyal and patriotie duty". Angust 18, 1862, a bounty of one hundred dollars was offered by the town to soldiers enlisting on its quota, and November 4 it was increased to one hundred and fifty dollars. From the list of 229 subject to military duty we learn that there were already in the service from Monson 84 men, or a little more than one- third of the able-bodied men of the town. From time to time additional bounties were offered, and these not proving sufficient to induce men to enlist to fill the quotas, a draft was resorted to by the government. The draft proved very unpopular and the selectmen were authorized (June 30, 1864,) to procure an agent to enlist or bny men to fill this and subsequent quotas.
As near as ean be aseertained, Monson furnished 280 men for the service and at its elose had to its credit 18 men over ant above its quotas as called for by the state and national govern- ments.
Three of the above, viz. : Capt. S. C. Warriner, 36th Mass. Vols., Capt. George H. Howe, 57th Mass. Vols., killed at the explosion of Burnside's mine JJuly 30, 1864, and Lient. George L. Dixon, second lientenant 46th Mass. Vols., were officers.
Monson raised, appropriated and expended for her soldiers and their families the sun of $30,408.36 during the war, exchi- sive of state aid, which was refunded.
In 1864 there was a deficiency in the treasury, owing to the extraordinary demands upon it to meet the war expenses and seven of Monson's heavy tax-payers advanced the necessary funds. November 9, 1865, the town voted to reimburse these individuals.
During the war Monson was generous to its soldiers and their families, and since has appropriated all the money the
( )
279
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
veterans have asked for and when the memorial town hall was built, provided excellent quarters for Marcus Keep post of the G. A. R.
There was no occasion for the town to take action during the Spanish-American war of 1898, as there were patriotic young men more than sufficient ready and willing to enlist. Monson has been well represented by her sons both in the Cuban and Philippine campaigns.
During the latter part of the civil war and the years im- mediately succeeding Monson enjoyed an era of unexampled prosperity. The laborer, the farmer, the merchant and the man- ufaeturer all reaped a bountiful harvest. It is true that gold sold as high as 2.65 or even higher; flour 18 or 20 dollars a barrel ; meal 2.65 per hundred weight ; sugar 3 lbs. for a dollar; cottons 60 eents a yard; labor $2.25 per day, and other things in proportion ; vet prudent persons with the limited demands of the time were able to have a goodly margin for profit.
Incidents. October 4. 1869. Monson was visited by the most remarkable flood in its history. It had rained quite steadily for two days, and on the third day in the afternoon it seemed as if the flood gates of the heavens had given away. Every bridge and every dam on the stream was washed away; the roads were badly gullied and many of them impassable. One mill was one- third undermined and another partially so. The factories and houses on the banks of the stream had their basements and cellars flooded. The meadows were flooded and wreckage of wood, timber, boards and pig-stys were floating on the surface. This flood damaged the town between sixty and seventy thousand dollars. making no reckoning of individual losses.
As the dark day of May 13. 1780, was long remembered, so will that of September 6, 1881. On this date the sun rose as a great ball of fire and by 7:30 a. m. was entirely obscured. The sky had a ghastly appearance, vegetation had the appearance of thick coat of green paint. The peculiar light eaused in many people a strained feeling through the temples, attended with more or less pain. Some complained of faintness and a few actually swooned. Lights were needed by 10:30 a. m. and before
280 1
THE TOWN OF MONSON
noon the factories, stores and private houses were lighted up as at night. The flames of a kerosene lamp had a peculiar bluish, brimstone look. The white dress of a little girl appeared to have a sulphurous hue. Bells sounded unusually loud. The baro- meter at noon was 29.80, the thermometer 76° and the hygrometer indicated 92 per cent. of moisture. Fowls walked around in a dazed way and then went to roost. Dew fell at midday, red flowers seemed of a salmon color. About 1:30 p. m. it began to
Congregational Church and Soldiers' Monument
grow lighter and continued to do so till at evening the smoke had all cleared away.
The fall of 1883 was remarkable for its brilliant sun glows as the sun was setting, and on August 10, at about 2 o'clock p. m., two distinct shocks of an earthquake were felt; the vibra- tion was from west to east and sufficient to open doors.
July 4, 1884, will be remembered as the red letter day of Monson. The occasion was the dedication of the beautiful
( )
281
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
soldiers' monument, erected by Cyrus W. Hohnes, Sr .. to com- memorate the patriotism and valor of the soldiers of Monson, who on land and sea upheld the cause of national unity, 1861- 1865. The monument stands 46 feet high and is surmounted by a granite soldier at parade rest. Its cost was $6,500. Ou either side are patriotic inseriptions and the monument is intended not only to honor the brave volunteers of the civil war, but also to be an object lesson in patriotie love of country to the coming generations.
Governor Joshua L. Chamberlain, of Maine, delivered the address. Gov. George D. Robinson and staff, department com-
Monson-The Memorial Town Hall
mander John D. Billings and staff, Battery B of Woreester and two companies 2d Mass. infantry, also the Grand Army posts of Western. Mass .. were present, as well as the people of Monson and large delegations from all the surrounding towns. A monstrous tent was imported from Boston and more than 3.000 persons sat down to a repast within it. The cost of the day was about $2,500, and was paid from a subscription fund raised by the citizens of Monson. Dr. G. E. Fuller was president of the day and A. A. Gage was grand marshal.
( 282 )
THE TOWN OF MONSON
The Memorial Town Hall. The annual town meeting of 1884 was unusually important as a proposition was made at that time by R. M. Reynolds to donate to the town a very desirable site for a memorial town hall, and also with his brother Theodore to donate to the town $5,000 each to the building fund. His father, Joseph L. Reynolds, also offered a like sum for the same object; the only conditions being that the town erect the building of granite or other indestructable material and appropriate not less than $20,000 for its construction. The proposition was accepted and R. M. Reynolds, Cyrus W. Holmes, Jr., S. F. Cushman, Dr. G. E. Fuller, A. D. Ellis, J. C. Aldrich and A. A. Gage were ap- pointed a committee to secure plans and erect the building. It was stipulated that the building should be of granite and one which would be a credit to the town and an honor to the patriot soldiers in whose memory it was designed to built. On November 4, 1884, the town voted an additional $5,000 to complete and furnish the structure. The first town meeting was held in the finished building August 15, 1885, when the report of the build- ing committee was accepted and a vote of thanks extended to them and to the contractors, the Flynt building and construction company.
Water Supply. The town (February 10, 1894,) appointed a committee to examine into the matter of water supply for fire and domestic purposes. On May 17 of the same year the town accepted the report of the committee and also the special act of the legislature, entitled an act to supply the town of Monson with water.
On May 31, A. D. Norcross, E. F. Morris and R. M. Rey- nolds were elected water commissioners and the town voted to issue bonds in the sum of $65,000 to meet the necessary cost of constructing the system. Work was begun at once and was com- pleted early in the following year. The gravity system was adopted, and in quantity and quality every requirement has been fulfilled.
An electric street railway was opened to Monson and the first car was run over the road January 16, 1900. The connec- tion between Palmer and Indian Orchard was completed in the
283 ( )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
early fall of 1901. The steam railroad from Palmer south through Monson was constructed and opened for traffic in 1850.
The first half of the 19th century produced the men and the business enterprises which in later years made Monson the leading town of Hampden county. in proportion to its popula- tion, in the number of its men of large means. The ample fortunes accumulated and estates left by Horatio Lyon, Joseph L. Reynolds, the Holmes (Cyrus W. Sr., and Jr.). Solomon F. Cushman and Dwight W. Ellis sufficiently attest the truth of this statement. The financial reverses of 1837, '57, '77 and '93 gave ample opportunity to test the material of which Monson's manufacturers were made. The generosity and public-spirited- ness of such men as these has added materially to the prosperity and welfare of the town and has made possible the Lyon Memo- rial library building with its 8,000 volumes and $40,000 endow- ment fund, the soldiers' monument erected by Cyrus W. Holmes. Sr. : the memorial town hall, so largely aided in construction by the Reynolds; the Congregational and Universalist churches, aided, respectively, by Horatio Lyon and D. W. Ellis; the park and memorial fountain, by Win. N. Flynt, and a second memo- rial fountain by Solomon F. Cushman.
COMPARATIVE STATISTICS, 1861 AND 1901.
1861, school appropriation, $1,800; 1901, school appropria- tion $12.307.
1861, number of polls, 636; 1901, number of polls, 1,082.
1861, value personal estate. $329,000; 1901, value personal estate, $501,711.
1861, value real estate, $690.000: 1901, value real estate, $1,258,300.
1861, tax rate per $1,000 was $6.09 : 1901, tax rate per $1,000 was $14.20.
1861, number of houses, 413: 1901, number of houses, 699.
1861, number of horses, 307; 1901, number of horses, 488.
1861, number of cows, 725; 1901, number of cows, 893.
1861, number of sheep. 590;1901, number of sheep, 27.
In 1861 the following persons and firms paid more than $50 taxes : David N. Coburn, $62.25; Wm. N. Flynt. $57.34; Warren
( )
284
Lyon Memorial Library
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Fuller, $90: Cyrus W. Holmes, Sr., $65.49: Monson Woolen Afg. Co., $121.50; Dea. A. W. Porter, $60.33: Monson & Brim- field Mfg. Co., $91.39: llampden Cotton Mfg. Co., $209.71; Joseph L. Reynolds, $175.20.
In 1901 the following persons and firms paid more than $150 in taxes: Cushman's Ilome mill. $849; Branch mill, $231; S. Fred Cushman. $156: Hattie Cushman, $175; A. D. Ellis, $349: Dr. F. W. Ellis, $301; D. W. Ellis & Sons, $961; Mrs. Win. N. Flynt. $177; W. N. Flynt Granite Co., $760. Dr. G. E. Fuller, $185: Esther Holmes, $1.116; Ileritage & Hirst, $482; Heiman & Lichten, $378: Monson Savings Bank, $248; Morris & Hyde, trustees, $177 ; 11. D. Moulton, $215; Mark Noble, $191; estate Theo. Reynolds, $1,235: Joseph Reynolds, $153.
Educational. The first record of an appropriation for school purposes in Monson, appears in the records of a "Des- triet" meeting held March 19, 1765, as follows: "Voted to raise Ten Pounds for Schooling." At the same meeting it was voted that Lieut. Thomas Stebbins and others be a committee "to divide the Destrict for Schooling.'
At a meeting held October 29 of the same year it was "Voted that every Destrict Provide there own Schooling."
At a meeting held August 24. 1767. an appropriation of £15 was made for the support of schools. In 1768 this was in- ereased to £20. The records of the meeting held in 1768 state that "a motion to new regulate the districts." and another "to choose a committee seasonably to provide schoolmasters for the several divisions or districts in 'Ye' Monson" were "voted in the negative."
In 1770. £25 were voted for the support of schools.
In 1771. the effort "to new settle the school districts" was successful, and a committee consisting of Joseph Colton and others divided the town into nine distriets. For several years the appropriations were only from £25 to $35. At times the portion of money belonging to a distriet was given to a certain person to be "schooled ont." A number of such votes appear in the records.
During the revolutionary war the appropriation went up to £100, but in 1791 it dropped to £60. This fluctuation was
( 286 )
THE TOWN OF MONSON
due to the low value of paper money during the war. About the beginning of the nineteenth century the town regularly ap- propriated about $500 for schools, and also made an effort to go beyond the requirements of the state in regard to education. This effort resulted in the establishing of Monson academy.
For many years the name of the Rev. Alfred Ely is closely identified with school work. He examined the teachers, visited the sehools and introduced the reading of the bible and the study of the catechism into the schools. For all this work he received no compensation whatever. Later on Rev. Charles Hammond, LL. D., did much for the schools. His work is seen chiefly in the abolishing of the old distriet system. Rev. James Tufts took up the work where Mr. Hammond laid it down, and for over forty years he labored untiringly for the improvement of the school system. His last efforts were towards forming a superintendeney district. This work was accomplished in a distriet formed by the union of Monson with Brimfield.
Monson Academy, one of the time-honored institutions of this part of the state and one in which the town justly takes great pride, was founded June 21, 1804. The act of incorpora- tion, secured by eager and whole-souled men from Monson and eight neighboring towns, was passed by the general eourt on that date, and on the 23d of October, 1806, an academy build- ing, ereeted by the generous citizens of the town, was formally dedicated. In the following November the academy began its active career with 21 pupils.
Massachusetts was the first state to aid schools in the work of fitting candidates for college. From the sale of public lands in the district of Maine she granted endowments to academies already planted in every county of the state and gave to some liberal grants of land in Maine. It seemed fitting to establish another institution of learning in the territory that lay between Westfield academy and Leicester academy, the latter being in Worcester county. The town of Brimfield, with a population of 1,200, and Monson, with 1,300, entered into a spirited contest for the honor. The choice fell on Monson, together with a gift from the state legislature of a half-township of land in Maine.
( )
287
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Of individuals named in the aet and considered as founders, there were fifteen, the list being headed by Rev. John Willard of Stafford. Conn. One name, that of Abner Brown, a repre- sentative to the general court, should be remembered for his zeal and efficient ageney in securing the aet from the legislature. Against tremendous opposition in that body he guided the bill with great shrewdness and wisdom.
-
The Old Academy
The general purpose of the founders was to establish a school where students should secure "as good an education as the best schools in the largest towns would be likely to provide." The specific aim was to fit young men for college. The citizens of the town, enthusiastic in the purpose of reserving the aid granted by the state absolutely for the running expenses of the school. subscribed $4.000 for the building and the preparation of the ground. The people had good reason to be proud of their
( 288 )
THE TOWN OF MONSON
seminary for at that day it was surpassed in spaciousness and finish by no other edifice erected for learning in Western Massa- chusetts.
The first president of the corporation was Rev. Dr. John Willard of Stafford, Conn., a graduate of Harvard in 1751, and a brother of the president of that college. Dr. Simeon Colton, a graduate of Yale, 1806, was the first principal. He served for one year, but afterwards returned and was principal for nine successive years.
-
Monson Academy
A charity fund, to aid candidates for the ministry, was established in 1825, chiefly through the exertions of Dr. Alfred Ely, pastor of the Congregational church in Monson. Among other staunch benefactors of the institution in many ways stand pre-eminent the names of Joel Norcross, Rufus Flynt, Timothy Packard. Amos Norcross, Deacon Royal Merrick and Deacon Haskell.
19-3
( 289 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The institution has had a long line of able teachers, many of them having become distinguished here and in other schools. Among others of prominence there may be specially mentioned Richard S. Storrs, Jr., Rev. James Tufts and Rey. Charles Hammond. Of pupils who have attended the academy much might be said for they muimber more than 7,000. More than 600 entered college and of these more than 200 became clergy- men. Many missionaries have gone from the institution to all parts of the world. In 1829 there came to Monson two students from Greece, one of whom became the famed Professor Sophoeles.
China and Japan have often been represented at Monson. In 1847 three Chinese boys entered the academy. Yung Wing, trained in Monson, died possessed of international reputation as an educator. The late Ilenry Barnard, one of America's greatest authorities on educational matters, also was a student at the academy.
The buildings are new and stand in a prominent location in the town. The present academy building was ereeted through the liberality of many of the alumni and other friends. A total of more than $20,000 was raised by popular subscription under the efforts of William N. Flynt, an indefatigable worker for the institution.
In 1887 the Trustees secured a large building, formerly owned by Dr. Hammond, for a dormitory and boarding hall. This building. now named Hammond hall, had previously been refitted for a boys' private school. In 1899, through the gen- erosity of Esther R. Holmes, there was built for the academy a spacious and very serviceable gymnasium. It is called the Holmes gymnasium in memory of the donor's father, Cyrus W. ITolmes, Jr.
At present. besides the principal, there are seven instructors in the academy. The board of trustees consists of fifteen mem- bers as follows :
Edward F. Morris, Monson : Mareus P. Knowlton, LL. D., Springfield : Rev. Payson W. Lyman, Fall River: Prof. William 1. Cowles. Amherst ; Frederick W. Ellis, M. D., Monson ; Henry A. King, Springfield; Rev. Franklin S. Hateh. Monson ; Wilson
( 290 )
THE TOWN OF MONSON
M. Tucker, Monson : William H. Hall, A. M., West Hartford, Conn .; Perlin W. Soule, Monson ; Rev. Charles A. Dinsmore, South Boston; Lyman C. Flynt. Monson; Arthur D. Norcross, Monson; Thaddeus L. Cushman, Monson; James H. Tufts, Ph. D., Chicago, Ill.
Three of the above mentioned trustees, Edward F. Morris, Frederick W. Ellis, M. D., and Wilson N. Tucker, constitute the prudential committee, a committee entrusted with the immediate direction of affairs in the academy. The office of treasurer is held by Thaddeus L. Cushman.
Holmes' Gymnasium, Monson
The subscriptions for the first academy building, erected in 1806, were given wholly by residents of Monson, amounting to $3,330. The funds from the sale of the half-township in Maine amounted to about $10,000. The educational or charity fund for ministerial candidates aggregated $6,238. At the present time it amounts to more than $11,000. The library fund, orig- inally of $500, the joint donation of Rufus Flynt, and Timothy
( )
291
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Packard, given at first for prizes, but later appropriated by the donors for a library, now amounts to $1,100. The Persian scholarship of $2,000 was the bequest of Rev. James Merrick, missionary to Persia, and now amounts to more than $4,300. The income may be given to one or divided between two members of the senior class. There are three prizes open to the competi- tion of students. One arises from the income of the Dewey fund of $500 established by Mrs. Hadassah Dewey and provides $20 each year for excellence in declamation, the amount to be
Monson Academy
divided equally between two students, a boy and a girl. Another prize is ereated from the income from a fund of $500 established by the elass of 1882, to be presented to the senior student who shall write the best English essay. A prize of $15 for the greatest progress made in algebra, was founded in 1901 by Dr. Hassett, of Lee.
Postoffice. The Monson postoffice was established June 24, 1814, and became a third elass presidential office in December, 1874, a money order office in 1871 and an international money
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.