USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume II > Part 33
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
Turning once more to the university: The main building was completed in 1889, and the chemical laboratory a year later. In 1900 the Department of Chemistry was reopened, and the departments of History, Economics and Philosophy added. The Library Building was finished in 1904, but several additions have been made to the structure, and the library itself is one of the most complete within the limits of its purpose in America. In 1914, after a quarter of a century of remarkable achievements, Dr. Hall could say in all accuracy :
Compared with the size of our faculty, the number of departments or our annual budget, we have fitted more men for higher degrees; seen more of them in academic chairs, where they are found in all the leading institutions of the land, including some dozen of presidencies, first and last ; published more original contributions which seek to add to the sum of the world's knowledge; have a larger proportion of members of our faculty starred as of the first rank in Cattell's census of the competent ; has closer personal and often daily contact with students and given more individual help outside of classes ; had more academic freedom . . ; had more autonomy in our departments, each of which is a law to itself ; had less rules and formalities of every kind; had less drudgery of marks and faculty rulings; had a presi- dent who was less a president and more a teacher, good or bad ; spent less time in devising ways and means of seeking contributions from our friends here ; advertised less, and avoided all publicity more . .. .; in these respects we exceed any of the other twenty institutions of the Association of Ameri- can Universities.
Either because the example of Clark University spurred other institutions to an expansion of their curricula, or as a result of natural evolution in
703
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
education, the larger and wealthier universities began to enlarge many of their graduate departments. Clark, without an addition to its endowment fund in twenty years, could not keep the pace it had set. By 1920 Clark had come to the forks of the highway and must choose between the abandonment of its graduate work, or the adoption of graduate research in lines not then furnished by other institutions. The latter fork was taken. Presidents Dr. Hall of the University, and Dr. Sanford of the College, resigned, and the two institutions were merged under the presidency of Dr. Wallace A. Atwood of Harvard University. G. Stanley Hall served as president emeritus until his death in April, 1924. Dr. Atwood proceeded to make the university the first graduate school of geography in the United States and considerably enlarged the departments of Psychology, Economics, History, and International Rela- tions, with the relative elimination or restriction of other departments. Pro- fessor Atwood sacrificed an established position in the world of education to reorganize a fast failing institution, and especially to create a new university subject-geography. Dr. Sanford has written:
Geography as a university subject means, of course, something far dif- ferent from the geography that most of us studied in grammar school- nothing less, in fact, than the whole circuit of man's relation to and depend- ence on the world in which he lives. It was, therefore, with an express com- mission to create such a Graduate School of Geography, and with a definite pledge of adequate financial and other support in so doing, the trustees invited Dr. Atwood to undertake his present duties.
CHAPTER L
Fraternal Orders
There is something about Worcester County and its people that inspires the multiplication and vigorous growth of fraternal organizations. Few sec- tions of like population have more of these societies, and while the most of them are grouped in cities and larger towns, the rural parts still have many, although modern life and particularly the automobile have greatly reduced the number to the strengthening of those in the larger places. The development of the fraternal order in Worcester came mainly during the last century, or more nearly the last seven or eight decades, although Masonic history goes back to 1793. The early settlers had neither need nor leisure for the lodge ; the town church and tavern, often coeval in their appearance upon the stage of development, furnished sufficient outlet for social instincts and activities. Both the church and the tavern were meeting places for those who had put in hard days fighting for a livelihood. There was nowhere else to go when one wearied of the crowded cabin or the none too palatial house. A cynic has said that one could trace the origin of fraternities in New England to the desire to get away from home and family and religion, and points out that most of the first organizations, social, political and fraternal, were born in taverns, and used the "publicks" as lodge rooms. The oldest of the modern fraternities dated mostly from the eighteenth century; and these were fath- ered, and often mothered, by the old tavern which also supplied them with a home. Nor must this ancestry of the Masons, the Odd Fellows and a few others, be sneered at, for the early caravanseries were, second only to the church, the most important, most educative, except the schools, and the most patriotic institutions of their day.
Free Masonry was the first of fraternal movements to become rooted in America. It was introduced from England, where in 1617 the first lodge was instituted. The Grand Lodge, in Great Britain, came into existence a century later, and until 1724 only one degree had become established. Boston, as the
MASONIC HOME AND HOSPITAL, CHARLTON
Photo by Paul IV. Savage
705
FRATERNAL ORDERS
seat of government when the Massachusetts Colony was made a province, was the home of royal appointees as governors and their retinues who brought with them their own social habits and customs. Societies and clubs were formed in which they were joined by residents who had sufficient wealth and leisure. The first heard of Free Masonry in our country is just prior to 1730, the year in which His Grace, the Duke of Norfolk, Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of England, deputed on June 5, 1730, Brother Daniel Coxe, a justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, as the "Pro- vincial Grand Master of the Province of New York, New Jersey, and Penn- sylvania in America." There seems to have been a lodge meeting irregularly in Philadelphia before the appointment of Brother Coxe. Franklin referred in his Pennsylvania Gazette, of December 8, 1730, to the "several lodges of Free Masons erected in this Province." Coxe, supposedly, issued to the St. John's Lodge of Philadelphia a charter some time before 1733. The St. John's of Boston very surely was chartered in 1733, becoming the center of the organization in New England. There was but little growth made by these early lodges, possibly because their purpose was misunderstood, and the organization frowned upon both here and abroad; neither was the time at hand when fraternal organizations were greatly needed in the community. During the Revolution, there were many traveling lodges formed, and prior to this period, at least forty-nine charters had been granted between 1746 and 1764 to lodges with British troops, and some of the Americans, who were stationed in various parts of the country. Masonry, at this time, almost became exclusively a military order. After the Revolution, members of these military lodges sought to revive the order which had been greatly reduced in numbers by the breaking up of the Colonial troops and the return of the British soldiers to their homes. There seem to have been few lodges estab- lished in Massachusetts until after the government of the State had been per- fected, and the loosely connected Colonies or states had been joined into the United States of America. Evidently to celebrate these events, lodges sprang up in many sections of New England, and from 1795 to 1800 marks the begin- ning of many of the fraternities.
Masonic history in Massachusetts, as indicated, begins with St. John's Lodge, of Boston, when Henry Price, claiming authority from the Grand Lodge of England, as Provincial Grand Master of New England, opened a Provincial Grand Lodge, July 30, 1733. St. John's held sway over Masonry in New England until about 1752, when St. Andrew's Lodge was formed without warrant or charter, a not unusual procedure in that day. It received a charter, in 1760, from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, which widened the breach its organization had caused. In 1769 St. Andrew's united with several
Wor. 45
706
WORCESTER COUNTY
military lodges to form the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, with the noted Joseph Warren as "Grand Master of Massachusetts, in Boston, New Eng- land, and Within One Hundred Miles of the Same." Paul Revere later was Grand Master. The death of Warren on Bunker Hill, led to the declaration of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge of its independency and sovereignty, thus becoming the first Independent Grand Lodge of Masons in America. In 1792 the Grand Lodge for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was formed by the union of St. John's and the Massachusetts Grand lodges, and since that time the history of the craft in the State has been marked by little dis- sension.
The history of fraternal orders in Worcester County covers so many and such a variety of organizations, that little more than the naming of frater- nities in the cities and some of the larger towns will be attempted, with occa sional brief explanations of the origin and purposes of these orders. If space has been given to Masonry it is mainly because this is the oldest of the fra- ternal orders and its annals illustrate the origin and development of other lodges in this part of Massachusetts. The older histories of Worcester, city and county, Nutt's History of Worcester (1919), and Crane's History of Worcester County (1924), have devoted many pages to this subject, espe- cially Charles Nutt. Crane will be used as the basis of this chapter.
The Morning Star Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized on March II, 1793, with Isaiah Thomas as Worshipful Master. It soon became a factor in civic activities, Masonic rites being observed at many civic cere- monies. The Masonic Hall was at No. 19 Pearl Street for almost fifty years, whence it moved to the Masonic Temple on Ionic Avenue. The second Masonic body to be organized in Worcester was Montacute Lodge, which was warranted on June 9, 1859, with William A. Smith as Worshipful Master. Other lodges are the Athelstan Lodge, chartered June 13, 1866, with Henry Goddard, Worshipful Master, and Quinsigamond Lodge, warranted Sep- tember 15, 1871, with Henry C. Wadsworth as Worshipful Master. Royal Arch Masonry in Worcester dates from October 24, 1824, when a charter was granted to Isaiah Thomas and thirteen other Masons to institute a Royal Arch chapter in Worcester, to take rank from September 18, 1823. The first meeting was held on November 26, 1823, when the original officers of Worcester Chapter were inducted. They were headed by Benjamin Chapin, as High Priest. Place of meetings was the Healy Hall. The Anti-Masonic period, from 1827 until probably the end of the next decade, was a trying one for all Masonic bodies throughout the country, and probably Worcester lodges were dormant, or functioned weakly, during that period. The chapter held no meetings between October 4, 1827, and February 12, 1846, when petition for reorganization was signed by sixteen men. On March 10, 1846,
707
FRATERNAL ORDERS
a new charter was granted, ranking from September 18, 1823, and appoint- ing Albert Case as High Priest. First meeting was held in Dr. John Green's hall, No. 244 Main Street, but for ten years, from October, 1846, Dr. B. F. Heywood's hall, at No. 267 Main Street was used. The Masonic Hall was in the Post Office Building from June 14, 1867, until September, 1914, when the Masonic Temple was ready for use. The original charter of 1824 was revoked by the Grand Chapter in 1840, but was restored eventually. It was lost until 1865, during which time the organization functioned under a char- ter of 1846, and then, until 1915, under both charters, the 1846 charter being cancelled at that time. Eureka Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, was granted dispensation in 1870, upon petition of forty-four Royal Arch Masons of Worcester. Thomas E. St. John was appointed High Priest. The first regu- lar convocation was held on December 29, 1870, in Masonic Hall on Pearl Street. The charter from the Grand Chapter bears date of May 25, 1871. The first by-laws were adopted two days earlier. Henry H. Flint was Tyler of the chapter for forty years, 1874-1914.
Hiram Council, Royal and Select Masters, held its first meeting, under warrant, on October 25, 1825, in Wilkinsonville Hall in Sutton, and was chartered December 13, 1826, with Walton Felch as Thrice Illustrious Mas- ter. The council became submerged in the Anti-Masonic storm, and its charter and properties were supposedly stolen. There were no meetings between August, 1828, and March, 1858, but then, with resumption of meet- ings, their meeting place was changed from Sutton to Worcester. On May 6, 1858, the charter was restored, and the stolen properties were restored a few years later. For forty-seven years, from 1867, the meetings of the council were held in Masonic Hall, removal to the Masonic Temple taking place in 1914.
The Worcester County Commandery of Knights Templar was consti- tuted in the Abbott Hotel at Holden, on December 17, 1824, under dispensa- tion. Charter was received June 16, 1825. In 1831 the Encampment removed to Worcester, and held meetings until 1833, from which time for a decade it was unable to battle against the Anti-Masonic movement. Meetings were resumed, in Sutton, in January, 1845, and in Worcester later in that year. From 1867 until 1914 the Masonic Hall was used, but Masonic Temple has since been headquarters of the Commandery, which changed to that status by order of the General Grand Encampment. The one hundredth anniversary was celebrated in 1925.
Worcester Lodge of Perfection, Scottish Rite Masons, was instituted in 1863, with Rev. John W. Dadmun as Thrice Potent Master. Goddard Coun- cil, Princes of Jerusalem, was chartered in 1870, with Henry G. Willson as Sovereign Prince. The Lawrence Chapter of Rose Croix was chartered in
708
WORCESTER COUNTY
1870, with Rev. Thomas E. St. John as Most Worshipful Master. The Aletheia Grotto, No. 13, Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, was organized in March, 1904, by Fred A. Blake and others. Charles W. Mann, Grand Monarch, presided at the meeting on April 13, 1904, when Fred A. Blake was inducted as Monarch of the local body. There were eighty-three charter members.
The Stella Chapter, No. 3, Order of the Eastern Star, began its activities in 1869, and chartered on January II, 1871. There were eight charter members. Adelia L. Pond became the first Worshipful Matron, and the first regular meeting was held on January 4, 1871. Stella Chapter is next to the oldest (Springfield) in the State, and for many years has had the largest membership. The first Grand Patron was Daniel Seagrave.
Movement to build a Masonic Temple gathered force in 1910, and a Building Committee headed by Herbert P. Bagley carried through ways and means so successfully that on September 3, 1914, the Masonic Temple, which "for architectural beauty stands first among the beautiful buildings of the city" was dedicated. The Temple, which is on Ionic Avenue, has since been the headquarters of almost all Masonic labor in Worcester since that time. Masonic organized charities of general character have centered in the Worcester Masonic Charity and Educational Association for almost three decades. This association was formed on April 4, 1896, with Henry Brannan as president. Its scope has been wide and substantial.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows-In point of origin, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows was second only to Masonry, of the larger orders, to become established in America. It is a direct descendant of a lodge of the order founded in Manchester, England, in 1812, whose main purpose as stated in its charter was, "to render assistance to every brother who may apply through sickness, distress or otherwise, if he be well attached to the Queen and government, and faithful to the order." The organization in the United States is independent of the English society. The Grand Lodge of the United States, which is composed of Past Noble Grands of the sub- ordinate bodies, has the sole jurisdiction over the lodges in this country. The objects of the American organization were the "relief of the brethren, the interment of the dead and the care of their widows and orphans." To these purposes, in later years, were added "the giving of unsectarian religious instruction and the elevation of human character." The first lodge in America was the Washington Number I, instituted in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1820. Since then the number of orders in this country has multiplied rapidly and there are about 50,000 members in Massachusetts alone.
709
FRATERNAL ORDERS
Blackstone Lodge of Odd Fellows came into existence in 1845, and Clin- ton Lodge in 1846, but Worcester seems to have been the first in the county to organize. Quinsigamond Lodge, No. 43, it is said, owes its inception to Joseph W. Coburn, of Boston. Deputation from the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows came to Worcester on May 1, 1844, and then instituted Quinsiga- mond Lodge, No. 43, installing James Murray as the first Noble Grand. The ceremonies were conducted in Masonic Hall. The lodge reported a strength of twenty-six members in 1844, but since that time about 2,200 members have been initiated or admitted, and cards in clearance have been granted to mem- bers to assist in forming lodges in Milford, Grafton, Westborough, Barre, West Boylston, Spencer, North Brookfield, and other places in Worcester County. The other organizations of Odd Fellows in the city are as follows : Worcester Lodge, No. 56, which was chartered on February 6, 1845, and had a strength of sixty-five members in first year, but suffered a dormant period from 1854 to 1870, when another charter was granted, with Sam V. Stone as Noble Grand; Central Lodge, which was instituted September 17, 1874, with seven charter members, and Nathan Taylor as Noble Grand ; Ridgely Lodge, No. 112, instituted September 19, 1882, with twenty-three charter members, and which grew to be "one of the best lodges in Massachusetts"; Thule Lodge, instituted May 25, 1900, with Sven E. Hansen as Noble Grand; Wachusett Encampment, No. 10, instituted April 30, 1845, but subsequently lapsed, making reinstatement on October 20, 1869, necessary ; Mount Vernon Encampment, instituted September 27, 1877; Naomi Rebekah Lodge, insti- tuted May 9, 1872; Queen Esther Lodge, on February 3, 1881; Utopia Lodge, on October 16, 1891 ; and Idun Rebekah Lodge, on March 31, 1905. The Canton of Worcester, Patriarchs Militant, was instituted on December 12, 1885, with William F. Bancroft as Commandant. Until 1906 the body was known officially as Grand Canton Worcester, No. 3. Other Odd Fellows lodges of Worcester include the Manchester Unity Loyal Bay State Lodge, No. 6793, instituted in 1886; Loyal Harmony Lodge; Loyal Hawthorne Lodge, No. 62; North Star Lodge, No. 1372, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows; Household of Ruth, No. 27, instituted in 1874.
The Odd Fellows Building, on Main Street, was erected in 1906, at a cost of about $110,000. Corner stone was laid on January 6, 1906, and the building was dedicated on November 8, 1906. It was said that there was no finer Odd Fellows building in the State. The Odd Fellows Home, an insti- tution for the whole of the State, was erected in Worcester by the Grand Lodge. A site of eleven acres was donated by Thomas H. Dodge, of Worces- ter, in 1889, the corner stone was laid October 8, 1890; and the first building dedicated June 22, 1892. In 1903 another building of equal size was erected, giving the Grand Lodge accommodation for one hundred and ten persons.
710
WORCESTER COUNTY
Improved Order of Red Men-Certain fraternal organizations, although less than a hundred years old in their modern form, are of ancient origin. Such a one is the Improved Order of Red Men which dates back to a secret Revolutionary society known as the Sons of Liberty founded in 1764. Descending through the Tamina of from 1771 to 1810, it was reorganized as the Red Men at Philadelphia in 1813. It was mainly political and, as such, not fitted to survive. In 1833 at Baltimore, Maryland, it was again reorgan- ized with politics eliminated with the motto "Freedom, Friendship and Char- ity." The period from 1880 to 1895 marked its greatest growth ; it now hav- ing a membership in this country of half a million. The Red Men have a general interest in that they have tried in their title, officers and ceremonials to preserve many of the names and ideas of the aboriginal American. The endeavor is also made to perpetuate the history and traditions of the Indian. The degree of Pocahontas is the feminine section of the order.
Quinsigamond Tribe, No. 7, which was chartered on December II, 1880, was the first tribe of Red Men instituted in Worcester. Iroquois Tribe, No. 8, was organized on February 9, 1883 ; Massasoit Tribe, No. 6, was chartered on April 28, 1887; Cherokee Tribe was organized by Frank Ensworth, on February 28, 1889; Pakachoag Tribe, No. 18, came into existence on May 20, 1909; Sagatobscot Tribe, No. 59, on May 25, 19II; and Mishe Mokwa Tribe, No. 70, on June 21, 1912. Colonel Timothy Bigelow Company, No. 2, Red Men's League, was organized on June 28, 1911, by Iroquois Tribe.
The Councils of the Degree of Pocahontas functioning in Worcester are : Weetamoe, No. 3, instituted on March 25, 1887, with Hannah Whitten as Prophetess ; the Osceola Council, No. 4, organized March 31, 1900, with Jennie L. Spooner, as Prophetess ; Mosag Council, No. 28, chartered October 28, 1911 ; Miscoe Council, No. 35, instituted June 12, 1912.
Knights of Pythias-The Knights of Pythias, so-called from the famous friendship of Damon for Pythias, instituted the first lodge, the Wash- ington No. I, at the National Capital, February 19, 1864, under the leader- ship of Justus Henry Rathbone. The official declaration was for "toleration in religion, obedience in law, and loyalty in government." It was several years before the Knights secured a place in Massachusetts, one of the first lodges being that of Lowell, instituted in 1869.
The lodges of the Knights of Pythias in Worcester are as follows: Blake Lodge, No. 48, instituted in 1871; Damascus Lodge, No. 50, instituted in same year ; Regulus Lodge, No. 71 ; the Worcester Lodge, No. 106, instituted January I, 1903; Freedom Lodge, No. 121, instituted in 1895; Rathbone Lodge, No. 171, instituted March 3, 1909. Section 3810, Insurance Depart-
7II
FRATERNAL ORDERS
ment, was organized in 1878. Other units are the Bay State Company, No. 3, Uniformed Rank; Worcester Company, No. 7, Uniformed Rank; Daugh- ters of Regulus, organized in 1887 ; Alpha Temple, No. 5, Worcester Temple, No. 25, and Blake Temple, No. 58, Pythian Sisters. Pythian charities center in the Worcester Knights of Pythias Charitable and Educational Association, which was organized on June 30, 1914, by members of the several Worcester lodges, with Charles E. Lockwood as president. The Francis H. Dewey property, at 114 Main Street, was purchased on August 31, 1914.
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks-The Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks was formed in New York City from the "Jolly Corks," a convivial fraternity. The first Grand Lodge was instituted in 1871, with the power to organize local lodges in cities of 5,000 inhabitants or over. Boston had the first Grand Lodge of the fraternity. The lodge has always been eager to secure a home building in the city in which they have been formed, and the total values of its property in the United States, approaches $12,000,000 ; the membership numbers about 1,000,000. The first lodge of Elks in Worcester, No. 243, received its charter in 1892 and meets at the Elks' Home, as does the Elks Ladies' Association. Quinsigamond Lodge, No. 173, Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World, is of more modern origin.
Knights of Columbus-Although the Knights of Columbus is pri- marily a fraternal benefit society, from its inception it has fostered and exercised the broader spirit of fraternity which signalizes the history of the order as a record of service to the Catholic Hierarchy, to the country, and to our fellowmen. It was one of the great welfare agencies of the World War, commended by the American Government and the pope. The society was first chartered by the State of Connecticut, on March 29, 1882. The first Worcester Council of the Knights of Columbus, was initiated in February, 1894, under the name Alhambra Council, with Mark F. Cosgrove as the first Grand Knight. In 1914 the Council acquired the building at No. 10 Elm Street vacated by the Young Men's Christian Association, and what was formerly Association Hall has since been Alhambra Hall. There are also Columbus Hall and Benedict Hall on other floors of the same building. The realty is held by the Knights of Columbus Religious, Educational and Benev- olent Association, which was organized primarily for charitable purposes, with John F. McGrath as first president. The Knights of Columbus head- quarters are also used by other Catholic organizations: by the Daughters of Isabella ; by the St. Ann's and St. Paul's branches of the Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Association ; and by Court McCafferty, Catholic Foresters.
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.