USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Our county and its people : A history of Hampden County, Massachusetts. Volume 3 > Part 23
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order office in July, 1881. For nearly 65 years the office was located at various places along North Main street, but in 1879 it was moved into Central block on Main street. This building was burned November 12. 1893, and all of the office property, with the exception of a few records, was destroyed. The office was then placed in the Bank bloek, on the corner of Main and Washington streets, its present location.
Since the office was organized the postmasters have been as follows :
Artemus Wiswell, June 24, 1814; Rufus Flynt, July 29, 1816: Edwin Norcross, January 28, 1836: Win, N. Packard, May 25, 1841; Austin Fuller, August 22, 1845; Lncins E. Trnesdell, April 10. 1847; Foster Pepper. February 17. 1849; Timothy F. Packard, January 3, 1850; Foster Pepper, July 7, 1853; Joshua Traey. June 26, 1858; Elmer B. Miles, June 21, 1861; Daniel G. Potter, September 28, 1866; Myron D. Porter, April 8, 1869; Edwin E. Towne, June 22, 1869; Rice S. Munn, December 22, 1873; Arthur D. Norcross, November 13, 1880; G. W. Farring- ton, May 25, 1886; John P. Herlihy, Jr., August 12, 1895; Geo. H. Seymour, January 3, 1900.
The Fire Department was organized May 2, 1887, and since that time on frequent occasions has demonstrated its efficiency and usefulness as an element of municipal life. At first the apparatus comprised two chemical engines and one hose wagon ; the equipment in 1901 comprises two chemical engines, one hook and ladder truck, three hose carriages, and one "hand tub", an hundred years old, yet still serviceable. In connection with the water supply system and its twenty-one fire hydrants and a pressure of 140 pounds to the square inch the local department appears well prepared for any emergency. The officers are David B. Needham, chief engineer; Lyman C. Flynt, 1st assist- ant, and E. P. Donovan, 2d assistant and clerk.
The Water Works. By an act of the legislature, passed April 21, 1894, the town of Monson was authorized to supply itself with water for domestic purposes and fire protection and to issue bonds to pay for the same. On May 17 of the same year the town accepted the act and proceeded to choose three water
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commissioners and appropriated sixty-five thousand dollars to build the works. A. D. Noreross. E. F. Morris and R. M. Rey- nolds were the first commissioners.
The water supply is obtained from a ground well 80 feet in diameter and 25 feet deep, situated about two miles east of the village and at an elevation of 322 feet above Main street. High pressure and ample supply of very pure water were obtained. Much care was exercised in the construction of the system and the best of materials and fixtures were used. Bonds to the amount of $59,000 were issued to cover the cost of construction. The total length of mains at the present time is about 12 miles; service taps. 200; fire hydrants. 91.
Libraries. The first library formed in Monson, of which records have been preserved, was that called the Social Library company, organized JJanuary 1. 1796. This library was kept in the house of Jonathan Torrey. who was the librarian and one of the prime movers in the enterprise. Squire Torrey lived in the southwest part of the town in a house since burned, but which was located on the road between the residenees of Zina Harris and Henry Bradway. The library was owned by thirty- one persons. The names of Torrey. Goodwin. Ellis, Fuller, Cady. Bennett. Pease, Osborn. Shaw, Butler. Firmin, Bedortha and Orcutt appear as right owners in the library, and if we judge by the titles of the 235 volumes in their catalogue they were sound in theology and possessed of cultivated literary tastes. Here are a few titles : Josephus. 4 vols .; Burgh's Dignity of Human Nature: Blair's Sermons, 2 vols. : Cases of Conscience; Edward's History of the Reformation : Harvey's Meditations; Afflicted Man's Companion : Zion's Pilgrim: Henry on Prayer; American Biography. This library after 56 years of service was divided among the rightful owners in 1852. The constitu- tion, by-laws and catalogues of the old library were presented to the Monson free library and R. R. association by Wm. G. Button, the grandson of Squire Torrey.
The second library formed in Monson was named "The Augmenting Social Library association" and was located in the center of the town. It was organized in August. 1800, and was
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a joint stock association, at first with twelve but later eighteen proprietors. Rufus Flynt was the librarian and Dr. Ede Whitaker, Capt. Gad Colton, Joel Norcross, Stephen Morton and Col. Abner Brown were shareholders.
The next library in town was the academy library, known as the Flynt and Packard library in honor of the men who gave $500 each as a permanent fund, the income to be expended in the purchase of books. This library was organized about 1835 and was and is for the benefit of Monson academy. There was
Lyon Memorial Library
also an agrienltural library in town owned by the farmers who contributed five dollars each for the purchase of books. This consisted of 84 volumes.
The first movement in town to establish a free library was made March 27, 1877, when Dr. G. E. Fuller, A. A. Gage, Charles Fowler, R. S. Munn, S. F. Cushman, Charles H. Merriek. C. W. Holmes, Jr., W. K. Flynt, Charles Hammond, EL. D., E. F. Morris, W. J. MeElwain, Geo. H. Newton, Rev. C. B. Sumner, Frank E. Morris, Rev. James Tufts and B. A. Day, associated
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themselves together for the purpose of forming a free library for the town of Monson. There were numerous meetings and consultations as to the best course to adopt. and as a result it was decided to obtain a charter, which was done March 1. 1878. Officers were elected and a library was opened with 753 volumes. Of these two hundred and five were purchased with the town appropriation ; two hundred and six were contributed by the Book club: eighty-four were contributed by the Farmers' agri- cultural library, and two hundred and fifty-eight were obtained as the result of a canvass of the village. The library was opened free to the public. JJune 17, 1878.
The beautiful Memorial library building, the generous gift of Mrs. Carrie R. Dale in memory of her father. the late Horatio Lyon, was erected in 1881-2 at a cost of $35.000, and was dedi- cated March 28, 1882, with impressive ceremonies. When com- pleted the institution was endowed with a permanent fund of $20,000, given for that purpose by Mrs. Lyon: and this fund has been since increased by a bequest of $10,000 in the will of Sophia B. Holmes, and an equal sum from the estate of Nancy M. Lyon. The present permanent fund aggregates $40,000, from which, with $300 annually appropriated by the town, the trustees of the library have ample means for the maintenance and in- erease of one of the noblest institutions of the town. On the shelves of the library are more than 7,600 volumes or books.
The officers of the association are Dr. George E. Fuller, president : E. F. Morris, vice-president : T. L. Cushman, treas- urer ; F. E. Morris, secretary : Nellie A. Squier, librarian. The board of directors comprises B. A. Day, Dr. C. W. Jackson, Dr. F. W. Ellis, Lyman C. Flynt and Arthur D. Noreross.
Hospital for 'Epileptics. The Massachusetts Hospital for epilepties was established by an act of the legislature in 1895. The buildings wore erected on the site of the state primary school at Monson, for the accommodation of about 100 men and the same number of women. In 1899 and 1900 further buildings were constructed so that the total number treated is about 400. These buildings are on the cottage plan, separated by a number of hundred feet from each other and yet not too far apart to be served by a central heating plant.
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The buildings for the accommodation of patients are all brick except two cottages which are old buildings remodeled. One of these cottages is on a distant hill about a mile from the main institution and is, of course, separated from the common supply of heat and water. It is, however, beautifully located and will serve as a nueleus for a farm or colony group, while the question of water supply and drainage can be conveniently handled. In the main group the water supply is abundant and of the very best quality, giving a pressure of 100 pounds at the boiler-house.
The State Hospital for Epileptics
It is estimated that there are at least 1,200 institution cases available when accommodation can be provided for them. About one-half of all the cases will be classed as insane, while the larger portion of the other half are practically insane a large part of the year. It is the plan to provide congenial surroundings and hope-inspiring treatment for such other cases of epilepties as may apply for admission. It is known that there are several hundred such cases as these, very many of them now without satisfactory homes.
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A boot and shoe manufactory is worked to advantage with the patients' labor. A large portion of all the footwear is here made, and all cobbling is done in this shop. A large workroom covering an area of 6,000 square feet and serving the double purpose of industrial room and assembly room, is also provided. The patients are housed largely in dormitories caring for from 3 to 25 persons in a room.
A convenient infirmary has been built in which 20 men and 20 women are provided for in four distinet wards. There is also a medical center comprising a dispensary, laboratory, and oper- ating room in the same building. A diet kitehen and aecom- modations for photography and electrical treatment are also furnished. Two large rooms in the basement are given up to hydrotherapeutie treatment.
Monson National Bank. The Monson bank was incorporated under the state law March 28, 1854, with a capital of $150,000, and was reorganized under the national banking aet, August 25, 1864, being the first national bank in the county east of Spring- field. Austin Fuller, Albert Norcross and William N. Flynt were the original incorporators. On April 10, 1854, William N. Flynt was elected president, and on the 21st of the same month Jonathan R. Flynt, of Tolland, Conn., was elected cashier. The first board of directors was as follows: Horatio Lyon, Joseph L. Reynolds, John W. Foster, Jacob B. Merrick. Cyrus W. Holmes, William N. Flynt and Warren Fuller.
William N. Flynt served as president until October, 1859, at which time Jonathan R. Flynt was elected to fill that office, and Edward C. Robinson was elected eashier. Jonathan R. Flynt died July 31, 1860, and on August 13 of the same year Jacob B. Merrick was elected president to fill the vaeaney eaused by his death. October 21, 1861. JJohn Wyles, of Brimfield, was elected president, and served in that capacity until January, 1871, when Cyrus W. Holmes succeeded him. Mr. Holmes ae- ceptably filled the position until his death April 20, 1891, having served as president for twenty years. On May 4, 1891, Rice M. Reynolds was elected president. and held the office until his death April 3. 1898. On April 20, 1898. Solomon F. Cushman
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was elected president, and served until his death, May 26, 1900. On June 3, 1900, Dr. George E. Fuller was elected president, and now serves in that capacity.
On March 1, 1864, E. C. Robinson resigned as cashier, and on March 30 Edward F. Morris was elected to fill the vacancy, and is the present cashier of the bank.
The present board of directors is as follows: Edward F. Morris. George E. Fuller, Lyman C. Flynt, Frank E. Morris, Arthur D. Norcross, Edward D. Cushman and Charles W. King.
This institution has always been managed in a conservative way, and has been very successful. The opportunities for large profits in a town the size of Monson are few, and while the de- posits in this institution have always been small, the stockholders have had no reason to be dissatisfied with their holdings. For a long term of years the bank paid a semi-annual dividend of 5%, and for a still further term 4% semi-annually, besides the stock- holders taxes, making the dividend net. Since 1897 the divi- dends have been at the rate of 3% net semi-annually. The bank now has a capital of $150,000 and a surplus of about $87,000.
Monson Savings Bank. The date of incorporation of the Monson Savings bank was March 29, 1872. The bank opened its doors for business June 1, 1872.
The incorporators were William N. Flynt, Cyrus W. Holmes. Jr., Timothy F. Packard, Charles H. Merrick, Alfred Norcross, Rice M. Reynolds, Rice S. Munn, Edwin E. Towne, Rufus F. Fay and Daniel G. Potter. On May 8, 1872, the fol- lowing were added as members of the corporation : Dwight W. Ellis, Edward F. Morris, Solomon F. Cushman, Jacob L. Brad- way, Charles Carpenter and Rodolphus Homer. Of the original incorporators there are but two survivors, Edwin E. Towne and Edward F. Morris.
The first board of trustees comprised C. W. Holmes, Jr., Alfred Norcross, S. F. Cushman, R. M. Reynolds, D. W. Ellis, R. F. Fay and E. E. Towne.
On May 4, 1872, Charles H. Merrick was elected president. Edward F. Morris was elected treasurer on May 20, 1872.
Mr. Merrick served as president until May, 1885, when R. S. Munn was chosen his successor. Mr. Munn served until his
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death February 15. 1890. On May 7. 1890. C. W. Holmes, Jr., was elected president, and hell the office until his death in May, 1891. On May 6, 1891. S. F. Cushman was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Holmes, and served until May 31. 1893, at which time Edward F. Morris was elected president. He is still in office. ,On May 31, 1893, Frank E. Morris was elected as treasurer, and now holds the office.
The present board of trustees is as follows: Edward F. Morris, Frank E. Morris, Arthur D. Noreross, Lyman C. Flynt, George H. Foskit, Perlin W. Soule, Fred W. Ellis, Edward D. Cushman. Carlos M. Gage, Wesley A. Squier, Rufus P. Cush- man, Rufus Fay and George C. Flynt.
The bank has grown constantly since ils organization and has paid its depositors interest in regular semi-annual dividends of from seven to four per cent, per annum; has always been prosperous, never met with any serious reverses, and is an insti- tution of which Monson has reason to be proud.
The deposits are now $1.193.000, and the .surplus over $90,000.
In 1892-3 a new building was erected, and the same was occupied the first day of June. 1893, on the twenty-first anni- versary of the opening of the institution.
MANUFACTURES
The W. N. Flynt Granite Company. The quarries owned by this company are situated on a hill one mile north of Monson village and cover an area of 300 acres. The working face is 1,000 feet long and parts are 40 feet high. The stone is of two distinet shades, light and dark, and free from iron. The quarry was first opened by the U. S. government to obtain stone for the armory in Springfield. Rufus Flynt acquired it in 1824 and was suceceded by his son, Wm. N. Flynt. in 1836. There is a spur track 2 miles long connecting the quarry with the Central Vermont railroad. The shipments of stone in the present year have amounted to 75,000 tons, valued at $200.000. For eight months of the year the company employs from 400 to 500 men and the pay roll for the same time was $110.000. The firm name
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sinee 1884 has been the W. N. Flynt Granite Co. The firm was then composed of Wm. N. Flynt, and his four sons, Wm. K., Rufus, Lyman C. and Geo. C. Flynt, of whom only the last two now survive. The present officers are Lyman C. Flynt, presi- dent ; George C. Flynt, superintendent and treasurer, and M. F. Moore, general manager.
D. W. Ellis & Son. This business was established in 1873 by D. W. Ellis, who ereeted the present mill building. The
Flynt Fountain
mill has been in continuous operation sinee that year, and has four sets of machinery and gives employment to about 75 men, with an annual pay roll of $25,000.
Ladies' eloakings and dress goods have been the produet for the past few years. About 120,000 yards of 6-4 goods were manufactured in 1900, in which about 350,000 pounds of grease wool was used. The firm is composed of A. D. Ellis and W. J. Rieketts' estate.
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Ellis, Ricketts & Co. The property of this firm was pur- chased by D. W. Ellis & Son of the Reynolds estate in November, 1900, and is employed in the manufacture of ladies' cloakings and dress goods. It is a 5 set mill and gives employment to about 85 hands. The firm name is Ellis, Ricketts & Co., and is com- posed of A. D. Ellis. W. J. Ricketts' estate and A. E. Shaw.
The S. F. Cushman & Sons Woolen Mill. The site this mill now ocenpies was used as early as 1800 by Asa Gates for a card- ing and finishing mill and was one of the earliest wool carding industries started in this country. On March 6. 1816, he deeded the property to the Monson Woolen Mfg. Co. and it was changed into a two-set woolen mill. The property was deeded a few years later to the Hampden Cotton Mfg. Co., and on September 3. 1824, it was deeded to Horatio Lyon. Joel Norcross, Jomm Wyles, and Charles Fay. They again incorporated the Monson Woolen Mfg. Co. on November 29, 1825. On September 30, 1870, the property was sold to Horatio Lyon. On November 30, 1877, the business passed into the hands of S. F. Cushman. The property at the present time is owned by his sons, R. P .. S. F., T. L. and R. H. Cushman, who conduct the business under the firm name of S. F. Cushman & Sons. The mill has been twice destroyed by fire. The present building is of briek and was erected in 1886. It contains 5 sets of modern machinery. The mill has made in years past broadeloth, satinets, eassimeres, and doeskins. At present the mill employs about 85 operatives (about evenly divided between men and women) with an annual pay roll of $40.000. The present manufactures are kerseys and cloakings.
Heimann & Lichten, straw goods and felt hat manufactur- ers. This firm consists of Julius Heimann and M. C. Lichten, who purchased the plant in August, 1890. They are the succes- sors of Merrick, Fay & Co., who established the straw goods industry here in 1841. The present owners have enlarged the factory to nearly double its former capacity. The straw goods are manufactured in the colder and the felt goods in the warmer part of the year. They employ from 250 to 350 men and women, about two-thirds of the employees being women. The gross
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value of the annual output is about $500,000. The cost of the raw material used cach year is about $260,000, and consists of straw braids imported from China, Japan, Italy and Germany, and felt of domestic manufacture. The annual pay roll is more than $125.000.
Heritage d' IFirst, woolen manufacturers. The firm consists of Charles Heritage and Edwin Hirst, and they operate what is called the "Old Cotton," built in 1814 by the Hampden Cotton Manufacturing company. This mill was enlarged by the addi- tion of a weave shed with 40 broad looms, by R. M. & Theodore Reynolds. It has been used as a woolen mill since 1846, and was acquired in 1901 by its present owners. The firm employs 110 operatives, two-thirds men and one-third women. The an- nual pay roll is $45,000, and the production 260,000 yards. The mill has 5 sets of cards and 42 broad looms.
Fred A. Langewald, manufacturer of worsteds. Mr. Lange- wald was a former superintendent of the woolen mills of R. M. & Theodore Reynolds, and when in the settlement of their cstates the several mills were sold, he purchased the straw goods factory and has converted it into a worsted mill. He already has twelve broad looms in place. His machinery is all new and up to date, and with his thorough knowledge of the business and personal supervision his success is assured. He expects to employ about forty operatives divided nearly equally between the sexes.
The Branch Mill, Leonard R. Rosenberg, proprietor. This mill, erected by Joseph L. Reynolds in 1837, has recently been purchased by Mr. Rosenberg, of Wales, who will operate it for the manufacture of friezes, meltons and repellants. Employ- ment will be given to about 60 wage earners in the proportion of two-thirds men and one-third women. The estimated produc- tion is 200,000 yards per annum, and the annual pay roll $22,000.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
The Congregational church was organized June 23, 1762, with a membership of twenty-four; most of whom were received by letter from the church at Brimfield. Previous to the organiza- tion services were held at the homes of the people. Shortly after
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the incorporation of the town, by order of the general court, a tax of a penny an acre was laid on all the land of the town for the purpose of erecting a meeting house. The site selected for the building was on an elevation a little southwest of the present church editice.
The same council which assisted in the organization and dedication of the church also ordained and installed as pastor Mr. Abishai Sabin, then a recent graduate of Yale college.
On November 16, 1803, in the pastorate of Rev. Jesse Ives, the second meeting house was dedicated, the former house having become unsuitable for services. This house was built on the same site, at a cost of three thousand dollars, all of which was raised by voluntary subseriptions with the exception of three hundred dollars which was given by the town.
This meeting house was used for services for sixty-eight years. It was then sold and removed. and the present com- modious and attractive building was ereeted, and dedicated June 18. 1873. The cost of the house and furnishings was about forty thousand dollars. A total of 1,593 persons have been re- ceived into church membership since its organization. The elose affiliation of the church and the academy has naturally drawn within its fellowship students representing many foreign eoun- tries. It has sent forth as christian workers and missionaries a notable company of men and women, among them Rev. James L. Merrick, eleven years a missionary in Persia; Rev. Gilbert Rockway. a missionary to the Indians: Rev. Samuel Robbins Brown, D. D., a devoted missionary for many years in China and Japan. Many others might be mentioned who have conse- erated their lives to missionary work at home and abroad. A former pastor. Rev. F. S. HIateh is at present a field secretary under the auspices of the Young People's Society of Christian endeavor in India. In 1820 the Sabbath school was organized and seven years later the Ladies' praying cirele was formed.
The following is a list of the ministers since the organiza- tion of the church, and the date of the installation of each : Rev. Abishai Sabin. June 23, 17623 Rev. Jesse Ives. June 23, 1772; Rev. Alfred Ely, D. D., December 17, 1806; Rev. Samuel
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C. Bartlett, D. D., August 2, 1843; Rev. Charles B. Kittredge, October 21, 1846; Rev. Theron G. Colton, March 28, 1855; Rev. Charles B. Sumner, January 2, 1868; Rev. E. Ifoyt Byington, D. D., June 23, 1880; Rev. F. S. Hatch, November 30, 1887 ; Rev. N. Miller Pratt, May 29, 1901.
The life of the church has always been active and vigorous, and during the pastorates of Dr. Ely and his immediate succes- sors the church occupied a commanding position among the churches of the denomination in Western Massachusetts.
Methodist Episcopal Church. The introduction of Meth- odism into Monson was made in the summer of 1825. Horace Moulton and two other students at Monson academy, held meet- ings at the north and south villages, and in the fall at the center village. In November, 1825, Rev. Joel W. MeKee, stationed on the Brookfield cirenit, came to Monson and organized a elass. This was the first organization of Methodism in town. Horaee Moulton, a Methodist who afterwards joined New England con- ference, was made elass leader, and he put all his strength and influenee into the work. The rallying point was the Methodist chapel at South Monson, built in 1826. The chapel was 20x40 feet in size and cost $500. It was primitive in fashion, being unfinished, and having only rough benches for seats. It was dedicated free of debt.
In 1847-8 a new era began, for the church under the pastor's leadership secured a more permanent hold on the community. The desire for a new meeting house was being agitated, and in 1849, (Rev. Mr. Olds, pastor,) the structure was built, where it now stands, and was dedieated in October, 1850. It was enlarged to its present size in 1860.
For more than fifty years this edifice has served as the place of worship and church home for the Methodists of Monson. Many are the names of those who have gone out from the church to do noble work in life, among them being Rev. Horace Monl- ton, Mosely Dwight, Sela Stocking, W. A. Broman. J. W. Dad- mun, M. Vinton, Francis Ward, K. D. Nettleton, Albert Squier, lIenry Rogers and Henry Ward.
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