USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Our county and its people : A history of Hampden County, Massachusetts. Volume 3 > Part 25
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
In the Shays rebellion which occurred in the unsettled period between the elose of the revolutionary war and the adop- tion of the federal constitution, the sentiment of Ludlow, in common with that in other towns in the vieinity, was divided, and recruits were furnished to both parties, in perhaps nearly equal numbers. The column of insurgents which demonstrated against Springfieldl, receiving the fire of the government soldiers, made its advance and retreat through Ludlow, and one man from that town -- Isaiah Call -- was killed in South Hadley by a stray shot from a house which the soldiers were passing.
In the war of 1812-15. Ludlow, unlike many of the New England towns, does not appeared to have entered any protest, but furnished its quota of sokliers with unquestioning loyalty, thirteen men from the town having been enrolled, these being their names :
Henry Aeres, Gideon Cotton, Samuel Gates, Chester Ken- dall, Amos Root, Charles F. Wood. Benjamin Ainsworth. Lemuel Gardiner. John Howard. Reuben Parsons, Veranus Shattuck, Gordon B. Wood, Harvey Wood.
( 320 )
THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
The Mexican war, which drew but very lightly from New England, took one man-Joseph Rood-from Ludlow, and he was reported wounded in one of the engagements in which he participated.
The war of the rebellion, 1861-5, found strong and brave hearts in Ludlow, and there was no faltering during the four years of terrible war and sacrifice. Out of a population of 1,200, the town furnished 120 soldiers; probably quite as large a pro- portion of the adult males as entered the service in the revolu-
1
1
Soldiers' Monument-Ludlow
tionary war, of twice as great duration. Of the 120 men from Ludlow in the union armies, sixteen gave their lives-a percent- age considerably above the average. In addition to furnishing more than its quota of soldiers, the town met all the financial requirements of the period with unfaltering devotion. As early as April, 1861, a vote was taken in town meeting appropriating $2,000 as a bounty fund for the promotion of enlistments, and in August, 1862, a bounty of $100 each was voted to the men
21-3
( 321 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
who enlisted upon the town's quota at that time. This spirit of liberality continued during the war, and the people of the town did their full part in connection with all measures for the relief and care of needy soldiers and the families of those absent in their country's service. After the close of the war measures were taken for the erection of an appropriate monument in memory of the town's fallen heroes and a ehaste memorial of Monson granite, located near the Congregational church at Ludlow Center, was dedicated with appropriate exercises during the summer of 1867. The total cost of the monument was $1,025, and it still stands as a fitting embodiment of the patriotie spirit of those trying days.
The early settlers of Ludlow were almost entirely farmers, and there are indications and traditions that the native Indians, or perhaps other and earlier residents, of whom we have not even the legacy of tradition, gave some attention to cultivation of the soil. The remains of rude implements of stone. probably designed for agricultural or domestic use, have been frequently found within the town limits, and it is certain that both before and after the settlement of Springfield by white men the present town of Ludlow was a favorite resort for the red men. While its forests abounded with game, it is probable that the more fertile bits of land along the Chicopee river were rudely tilled by the aborigines. Probably attention was drawn to the location through reports of the Indian operations along the river ; but the early settlers did not find an exceptionally rich field; as is shown by the familiar name of "Stony Hill." doubtless first applied to a distinct elevation. but later adopted to indicate the entire settlement. and in that sense used until the organization of a separate town.
It is recorded of some of these settlers that, while they held title to extensive tracts of Jand, they were still regarded as poor men, and in faet were obliged to practice a rigid exercise of economy in order to secure an adequate living from their aeres. And this has largely been the fortune of their descendants and others who have since relied upon agriculture alone-the re- quirements have been plenty of hard work, careful management
( 1
322
THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
and thrift, in order that satisfactory returns might be secured from the soil. Yet there is no doubt that the qualities thus en- gendered proved in many instances a more valuable heritage to the sons of the town's founders than would have been any legacy of great wealth. Into the broad field of the world's strife these men went with an equipment of energy, industry and frugality which enabled them to meet and overeome obstacles, and win a victor's reward. At the present time there is much more en- couragement for the Ludlow farmer, owing to the nearness of village and city markets to which his produce can be profitably delivered.
Old fashioned Ludlow Mansion
As in the case of most other towns of that period, the first manufacturing establishments were those devoted to wood work- ing-generally saw mills of rude construction and limited capacity. Several of these were established in different parts of the town, where a water privilege could be secured at a minimum of labor and expense. Soon after 1800, Rufus Calkins conducted a chair shop on Higher brook, and while the quantity of his product was not large, its quality is shown in the fact that chairs made by him are still treasured in the town in collections
( )
323
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of antique furniture. He also did a limited amount of spinning of flax and wool, both of which were produced on the farms of the town. Alden's sash and blind shop on Broad brook was for a time one of the noted manufacturing industries of the town. Later it turned out rakes and other agricultural implements. Tar and potash were produced at various places in the town at different times, and much more widely interesting were the Ludlow glass works, a mile north of the Center, where green glass, in bottles and other forms, was made for some few years. Two or three small manufactories of woolen goods were in opera- tions in different parts of the town, and had considerable local reputation. Ludlow City also, at one time, boasted a distillery.
At the falls of Wallamanumps, destined to eelipse all other privileges in the town, business did not begin in earnest until the year 1800 or a little later. Previous to this time a dam had been constructed there, and probably something in the way of a saw mill had been run there, but near the elose of the eighteenth century only one man lived in all that seetion. Attracted by the water power, Abner Putnam came from the eastern part of the state and erected a shop for the manufacture of seythes. The business proved successful, the goods made won a high repu- tation, and the industry was continued for some ten years or more. In 1812 the rights at Wallamanumps were sold by Syl- vester Moody. Abner Putnam and Levi Pease to. Benjamin Jencks of Smithfield. R. I .. who, with Washington Jeneks. Joseph Bueklin, George Wilkinson and Stephen HI. Smith, organized the Springfield Manufacturing company in 1814. Mr. Smith soon disposed of his interest to Samuel Slater, who later became so widely known as a manufacturer of cotton goods. The company at one time owned no less than 1.200 acres of land, and the set- tlement which at once sprung up was known as Jeneksville-a name retained by that portion of the town for much more than half a century.
The business was begun in a modest way in a wooden build- ing on the site of the later mills, but consisted only of the preparation of warps and yarns, which were woven into eloth on hand looms by the families round about. The formal organiza-
( 324 )
THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
tion of the company did not take place until 1821, when work was begun on the stone buildings designed as a permanent plant. The first, 103 by 36 feet, was completed in 1822, and looms were put in operation the next year. In 1826 another mill building, forty feet west of the first, was erected. This was somewhat larger, being 40 by 115 feet. Both of the mills were carefully built, and were considered model structures. It is interesting to know that the machinery was made in the mills, the lower stories being used as machine shops. The company manufactured cotton goods only, the product being principally sheetings. In 1833 the factories were enlarged by an extension to the eastward, and eleven years later the space between the two buildings was closed in, making a continuous mill about 325 feet in length. Meantime, in 1840 a building had been erected at the "upper privilege," which was for six years devoted to the manufacture of gun barrels for the United States government. At the end of that time it was changed to a cotton mill. As showing the custom of the times, it may be mentioned that each of these buildings and additions, when completed, was dedicated with religious exercises.
Thus far the company had apparently been prosperous, its business had grown to large proportions, and it enjoyed the con- fidence of the community in a marked degree. The townspeople were glad to loan their money to the corporation, and there was no hesitation in the acceptance of notes when the company pre- ferred to pay in that way rather than in cash. It was a sad disaster to the town, therefore, when in 1848 the Springfield Manufacturing company was declared insolvent and went out of business. The property passed into the hands of Wood & Mer- ritt, a New York city firm, by whom it was managed until 1856. It was for a number of years leased to George H. Deane, by whom the stone mills were fitted up for the manufacture of jute goods, while the building at the upper privilege was used for the manu- facture of wadding. At the expiration of the lease Mr. Deane purchased the property and organized the Ludlow Mills com- pany. The present Ludlow Manufacturing company was organ- ized in 1868, and for thirty-three years has carried on the manu-
( )
325
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
facture of jute goods, twine, bagging. cte., with unvarying success.
The business of the company. in a large measure, has been the life of the town during these years. With the development of the industry new mills have been built from time to time, what is known as Mill No. 4. having been erected in 1878. It was ten years later that No. 5 mill was built, in 1888; but since that time great and frequent additions have been made to the company's plant. No. 6 mill was built in 1889, and two years later the original No. 2 mill was razed and a fine brick structure was ereeted in its place. In the fall of 1894 work was begun on Mill No. 7, known as " the new shop. " and in 1895 the remaining stone mill No. 1, was replaced with a modern brick building. No. 8 mill was built in 1901, giving the company a fine plant of eight briek mill buildings, modern in construction, fitted with improved machinery, and forming altogether a very complete and expen- sive establishment. These buildings are supplemented by an office building, well appointed. constructed in 1900. In June of the same year work was begun on a fine dam across the Chico- pee river at Red Bridge, which was completed sixteen months later, giving the company a fine addition to its water power. This dam is 300 feet in length. and rises to a height of 47 feet above the bed of the river.
But while the company has been thus prospering and enlarg- ing its capacity. it has not been indifferent to the higher welfare of the community nestling in the vicinity of its factories, as will be evidenced by a brief résumé of the important measures with which it has been identified. One of the first movements to attraet attention was that for the establishment of an orphan boys' school, in 1881. About the same time, or even earlier, two or three extra rooms in the company's buildings were fitted up and set apart for school purposes, until such time as a school house should be built ; this result being attained in 1882. when "the Landlow Manufacturing company" school house was erected. giving temporary accommodation to the children of "Jeneks- ville." In 1885 a musie teacher was provided for the village schools: in 1886 a sewing-school was established, and 1887 a
( )
326
THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
cooking school. The latter movement is being supplemented at the present time by the preparation of beautiful and convenient rooms, provided with a competent instructor, where lectures on hygiene and a cooking-school will be maintained for the benefit of the women employed by the company, as well as of others interested in the subject matter.
In 1888 a savings bank was incorporated in the interest of the employes of the company's mills primarily, though not exclusively for their benefit. This bank is open daily as well as
Hubbard Memorial Library
two evenings each week, and has at present approximately $125,000 in deposits. George D. Green is the president, and George A, Birnie, treasurer.
A Masonie Hall was built in 1892.
The Hubbard Memorial Library building delightfully situated at the junction of North and East streets, opposite the company's office, is one of the town's most attractive structures. It was erected in 1889, and in the spring of the following year was presented to the town by the widow and children
( )
327
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of Charles T. Hubbard. For many years the treasurer and guiding spirit of the Ludlow Manufacturing company. The movement of which this fine buikling of brick and red sandstones is the logieal outcome was inaugurated by the company in 1881, under the direction of Mr. Hubbard, when a small library, with reading room and social room in connection, was opened in "the old Tav- ern house," for the benefit of the employes. At its beginning the library consisted of about 400 volumes while the reading room boasted a half-dozen magazines. Now, in its elegant new home, the library consists of about 5,000 well-selected volumes, while the reading room is supplied with all the leading and popular magazines of the day.
The Ludlow Manufacturing company is capitalized at $750,000, and the officers ( 1901) are as follows: President, R. H. Weld : treasurer, Charles W. Hubbard ; selling agent, Cranmore N. Wallace. all of Boston. John E. Stevens of Ludlow is the company's resident agent.
The Ludlow Cordage company. a separate branch of the business, was incorporated in 1893 with a capital stock of $100,000, and is officered by Edward Brooks as president, and Cranmore N. Wallace as treasurer and selling agent, the offices being at Boston. The product of the company is manila and binders' twine.
During the eighteenth century the organization of a new town or independent distriet meant the establishment of an orthodox church as the first indispensable feature of town life- if the church had not preceded the independence of the munic- ipality, as was often the case. The history of Ludlow forms no exception to the general rule, and we find that the first action taken in town (then district meeting. after that of organization, was the appointment of a committee "to hire Mr. Pelatiah Chapin." Mr. Chapin was a preacher. and the committee were successful in engaging his services. Such meetings as were held must for some years have been conducted at the houses of the settlers. At the same time a committee was appointed to locate the center of the town. in order that the site might be set apart for the erection of a church. Here began the series of discourag-
( )
328
Ludlow Hotel and Street View
-
-
--
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ing experiences which for son decades were to make the religious life of the town anything but a pleasant and successful experi- enee. The committee was unable to carry out its task and was discharged by vote of the town. A second committee, comprising some of the original members, was more successful ; but the exact center of the town. when located, is said to have occupied a swamp, rendering it unvailable for the desired purpose. The location was accordingly varied sufficiently to give a desirable site. The village which subsequently grew up about the chosen spot has very appropriately retained to the present, time the name of Indlow C'enter.
During the war of the revolution there was little opportunity to engage in even so laudable an undertaking as the building of a meeting-house : but after the close of the war in 1783. we find the town voting on the 23d of October that "the building commit- tee proeure a sufficient quantity of rum for raising the meeting- house frame." In a little less than a year the structure was sufficiently advanced to shelter a town meeting, but it was a rude affair, with only rough boards on the sides, and without floors, doors or windows. It appears to have been as late as 1797 before these deficiencies were fully supplied. The house as finally com- pleted was used until 1840, when a second church was built, but was destroyed by fire in 1859. During the latter year the present church edifice was erected, supplemented a little later by the neat chapel standing nearly opposite.
But if the matter of securing a suitable building languished in the early years of the town, the settling of satisfactory pastors was an even more difficult problem. No permanent settlement was made until 1793, though several clergymen "supplied" during the time, the records showing such service by Rev. Pelatiah Chapin. Rev. Mr. Davenport, Rev. M. Hutchings. Rev. David Haskell (called to become regular pastor but deelined), Rev. Stephen Fuller. Rev. Allen Pratt. Rev. William Stone, and Rev. Aaron Woodward. On June 1. 1793, the town voted to eall Rev. Antipas Steward. a graduate of Harvard, and in November fol- lowinghe was ordained as the first settled pastor of the town. His compensation was fixed at $60 and thirty cords of wood annually.
330 )
THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
The pastorate was continued for ten years, but it was not suc- cessful, serious dissensions marking its later portion. Mr. Stew- ard was dissmissed in 1803, and then followed sixteen years of unsettled condition. During much of this time clergymen from other denominations occupied the pulpit. Rev. Laban Thurber, a Baptist, supplied the church during 1805 and 1806, and Rev. Abner Phelps in 1808. Then came two Methodist clergymen- Rev. Elijah Hedding, a presiding elder, in 1811, and Rev. Alex- ander McLean from 1813 to 1816. Denominational interests then asserted themselves, and the subsequent pastors have been of the Congregational faith, their names and periods of service having been as follows: Rev. Ebenezer Burt Wright, 1819-35; Rev. David R. Austin, associate and full pastor, 1833-35; Rev. Alonzo Sanderson, 1839-43; Rev. Jeremy W. Tnek, 1843-59; Rev. Warren Mayo, 1860-62; Rev. Chester Bridgman, 1864-6; Rev. Chester L. Cushman, 1866-74; Rev. Samuel V. McDuffee. 1875- 82; Rev. Myron P. Dickey, 1883-92; Rev. Edward P. Allen, 1893-4; Rev. Everett D. Francis, 1895, the present pastor.
From the fact that Methodist clergymen supplied the pulpit of the only church in the town for several years during the early part of the ninteenth century, it will readily be inferred that some of the leading men of the town were identified with that faith. As early as 1793 the beginnings of Methodism were planted among the settlers. Prior to that time George Pickering and George Roberts, itinerant Methodist preachers, had visited the town, and in the year named Samuel Frost, familiarly called "Master Frost," opened his house for the preaching of the then new religion. Nathaniel Chapin, Uriah Clough, and Joel Far- num were the first to respond, and in 1795 "riders" from Wil- braham gave stated supply, which continued for some years. Among the treasured names of this period are those of Menzies Rayner, Lemuel Smith, Zadoc Priest, Daniel Ostrander and Laban Clark. In 1802 Rev. Henry Eames established a "class" at Samnel Frost's, with David Orcutt as class-leader. Rev. Augustin Jocelyn, the next circuit rider, made Sunday appoint- ments for Ludlow, and gave much of his time there. Thus the faith was spread, gradually, until 1828, when through the efforts
( )
331
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of Rev. Wilbur Fisk, D. D., then principal of Wesleyan academy at Wilbraham, a church building 40 by 50 feet was ereeted and dedicated. The structure was remodeled in 1858. and with minor improvements in later years it still does service for the denomina- tion in whose interests it was ereeted. The building is located near the Congregational church at the "Center." and it is pleasing to learn that the best of feeling has existed between the two bodies each extending courtesies to the other as occasion rendered possible such expressions of Christian regard. The full list of regular pastors of the Methodist church is as follows: Rev. Wilbur Fisk, 1826; Rev. Isaae Jennison, 1827 ; Rev. Aaron Wait, 1829 : Rev. Samuel Davis, 1830-31 ; Rev. Salmon Hull, 1832 : Rev. Paul Townsend. 1833: Rev. Charles D. Rogers, 1834; Rev. Amasa Taylor. 1835: Rev. Philo Hawks, 1836-7; Rev. Charles Virgin, 1838: Rev. James Nichols, 1839-40; Rev. William Campbell, 1841: Rev. John W. Dadmun, 1841-2; Rev. William A. Clapp, 1843; Rev. William Fleming, 1844; Rev. Asa Barnes, 1845; Rev. Ephraim Scott, 1846; Rev. Luther B. Clark, 1847; Rev. John Caldwell, 1848-9; Rev. Moses Stoddard, 1850-51: Rev. James W. Mowry. 1852-3; Rev. Kinsman Atkinson, 1854-5; Rev. Nathan A. Soule, 1856; Rev. Franklin Fisk, 1857-8; Rev. George Prentice, 1859-60; Rev. William G. Leonard. 1861; Rev. Daniel K. Banister. 1862-3; Rev. William J. Pomphret, 1864-6; Rev. Levin 1. Bosworth. 1867-8; Rev. Jonas M. Clark, 1869; Rev. John W. Lee, 1870; Rev. John W. Merrill, D. D., 1871-2; Rev. Alfred Noon. 1873-4; Rev. N. H. Martin, 1875-7; Rev. Charles HI. Vinton, 1878-9; Rev. Alfred C. Godfrey, 1879-80; Rev. W. HI. Adams. 1881-3: Rev. Daniel Atkins, 1884-6; Rev. William Ferguson, 1887-8; Rev. W. H. Adams, 1889-90; Rev. G. W. Simonson, 1893-4; Rev. N. M. Caton. 1897-8; Rev. F. H. Wheeler. 1899-1900: Rey. E. B. Marshall, 1901.
The Methodists appear to have been first in taking an in- terest in religions matters at Jeneksville, and their itinerants visited the factory village as early as 1828. Rev. Mr. Foster, principal of the academy at Wilbraham, was probably the first preacher. In 1831 a considerable revival occurred. and services were held in a room fitted up for the purpose in one of the fae-
( 332 )
THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
tory buildings. These were continued with more or less regu- larity for several years, until 1841. when Rev. B. F. Lombard became pastor of the little parish, continuing during the follow- ing year. In 1845 efforts were made to secure the erection of a church, and the following year the present building was completed and dedicated. It was designed for the joint use of Methodists and Congregationalists ; but a question of privileges arising soon after, the Methodists withdrew and a little later erected a building for themselves. The Congregationalists also organized a church and settled a pastor, and the two societies were just getting into working condition when the failure of the manufacturing company in 1848 broke all plans for that community. Both houses of worship were soon closed, and the little Methodist church, heavily mortgaged, was sold for a nomi- nal sum and removed to Warren, where it was remodeled and again went into service as "a Methodist meeting-house." In 1857 Wilbraham academy again came to the rescue in the person of one of its students, W. H. Daniels, who conducted a successful revival, and Methodist pastors were assigned to the parish until 1863. Four years of inertia then followed, when a union church was organized, which has since that time been supplied with clergymen representing both denominations, the list of those who have served as pastors at the village from the first religious organization being as follows, the letter indicating the preacher's denomination : Rev. B. F. Lombard (M.), 1841-2; Rev. Daniel E. Chapin (M.), 1846; Rev. David Sherman (M.), 1847; Rev. Z. A. Mndge (M.), 1848; Rev. William Hall (C.), 1848; Rev. W. H. Daniels (M.), 1857; Rev. David K. Merrill (M.), 1858; Rev. L. R. S. Brewster (M.), 1859; Rev. George E. Chapman (M.), 1860-61; Rev. John Noon (M.), 1862; Rev. J. A. Kibbe (M.), 1863; Rev. A. Gardner (C.), 1868; Rev. H. E. Crocker (M.), 1872; Rev. J. A. DeForest (M.), 1873; Rev. Timothy Lyman (C.), 1874; Rev. C. L. Cushman (C.), 1878-9; Rev. John P. Coyle (C.), 1882-5; Rev. Edward P. Day (C.), 1886-90; Rev. Abram J. Quick (C.), 1891-6; Rev. William A. Thomas (C.), 1897-9. For the last two years the pastorate has been vacant.
( 333 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
In the way of societies fraternal, beneficial and social- the town has enjoyed its full share. For most of the time during the past half-century an efficient temperance organization has existed in budlow, reflecting the earnest and continued senti- ment of the community, which has ever been in the direction of sobriety and right living. The Sons of Temperance, Good Templars, and other orders have thus had representation. Among the present societies of the town the following, with the officers for 1901, may be mentioned : Ludlow Grange, No. 179, Patrons of Husbandry, organized in 1889. Master, C. B Bennett ; lecturer, Mrs. Bertha Taylor; secretary, Mrs. Lizzie C. Chapman. Court Indian Leap, No. 58, Foresters of America, organized in 1891. Chief ranger, John Duffy; treasurer, James Patterson; recording seeretary, Robert Stuart. Romona Cirele, No. 277, Companions of the Forest, organized in 1895. Chief, Miss Theresa Coyne: treasurer, Miss Sadie White. Brigham Lodge, A. F. and A. M., instituted in 1892. W. M., Albert H. Halford; secretary, George Elphinstone; treasurer, Walter Bennet. Burns Social Club .- President, George Eliphinstone ; secretary, James R. Sterling ; treasurer, James D. Wilson. Lud- low Athletic and Recreation Association, incorporated in 1896. President, Robert Kyle; secretary, George Elphinstone; treas- urer, James Patterson.
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.