USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Greenfield > A brief history of Greenfield, New Hampshire, 1791-1941 > Part 6
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A disastrous fire occurred in Greenfield May 4, 1901. At three o'clock in the afternoon a spark from a freight engine started a blaze on the roof of a two and a half story building occupied as a general store by John H. Day. A stiff northwest breeze quickly spread the fire to the depot, to the E. C. & W. L. Hopkins' grain storehouse, and to a large building known as the stage barn. Greenfield had no fire depart- ment but help was summoned from Bennington and Francestown to augment the volunteers. Nashua sent a chemical engine by special train. The home of the McCanna family was destroyed and also the house to the south of it, occupied by the station agent and owned by the Boston and Maine Railroad. Water was pumped from the Boston and Maine water tank which had burned to the water line. The tank was located just south of the station agent's house. The neighboring buildings for a distance of nearly a quarter of a mile were repeatedly threatened but were saved by the strenuous efforts of the fire fighters. The fire was finally under control at six o'clock in the evening.
June 30, 1936 witnessed another serious fire. It was discovered about 5:30 P. M. in a hay filled barn connected to the former George S. Peavey place (now owned by Charles R. Hopkins), then the property of Dr. Leroy Miner. Fanned by a high wind, the fire quickly spread to the other buildings on the premises and swept up the street. The home of the late Miss Carrie Gould was slightly damaged; the house owned by Miss Minnie Reynolds was gutted. The fire now crossed the street
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and destroyed the century-old Ramsey Terrace, then the home of Charles R. Hopkins. The barn on the Jarvis Adams place was burned. Sparks were carried to nearby buildings of Miss Ida Fletcher but stren- uous effort saved the house. With the help summoned from all the sur- rounding towns, the fire was brought under control about 9 o'clock.
September 21, 1938 brought to New England a devastating hurri- cane of unprecedented fury. Because this town has no sizeable streams within its borders, it did not suffer as seriously as many others from the flood which occurred at the same time but Greenfield suffered its share of destruction. The loss of standing timber was tremendous. One of the outstanding losses to the town was the leveling of the beautiful pine grove which formed a background for Greenvale Cemetery. The heavy stand of timber bordering the Greenfield-Bennington road and covering the hill called "Top of the World" ( Battles' estate) was felled before the force of the gale. Many other smaller timber lots were ruined and scarcely a home escaped from damage of greater or less extent. For twelve hours Greenfield was completely cut off from the outside world. Not only was telephone, telegraph, and rail service entirely halted, but also all roads leading out of the town were rendered utterly impassable for any vehicle due to water covering the road, serious washouts, and quantities of felled trees across the highways. The town was without any telephone service for six days and it was about six weeks before service was restored to all subscribers. It was seven days before any electric power service was re-established. The Timber Salvage Corpora- tion was formed and financed by the Federal Government to furnish a market for the timber felled by the hurricane. It was possible to either store the timber in ponds or saw it up square edged to prevent damage by bark beetles. The Corporation was formed to hold the timber and market it in an orderly manner without depressing the price. Logs were placed in Otter Lake, Hogback Pond, Mud Pond and a dry site was set up on the old Fair Grounds for storage.
STEPHENSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY By Lucy A. Brooks
The Hillsborough County History informs us that there was in Greenfield in 1885 a complete Sunday School library and a small cir- culating library. Just where the books were kept or who had them in charge, no one can tell.
At the annual meeting of the town in March 1894 the following vote was taken, "A Public Library shall be established under the control of three trustees elected by ballot." Walter E. Harvey was elected for one year, Dr. N. F. Cheever for two years, and Clarence M. Gipson for three years. "The trustees to have entire custody and management of
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Stephenson Memorial Library
the library and all property of the town relating thereto. Voted to ac- cept the provisions of Chapter VII section 21-26 of the Public Statutes, thereby agreeing to raise and appropriate twenty-five dollars annually for the support and maintenance of a library."
One end of the large room in the basement of the school building was equipped with bookcases and a table for a delivery desk. Miss Annie McCanna was installed as the first librarian which position she held for eleven years. The following interesting article appeared in the Town Report in 1896: "During the year we have obtained the books from the State of New Hampshire and these with a few left us by Silas Winn together with those purchased with the year's appropriation, brings the total number of books now in the library to 479 volumes. During the year there have been no books lost or badly damaged, there were issued 166 cards, average number of books per week 39. We be- lieve the usefulness of the library has been demonstrated. Will you continue its usefulness by an adequate appropriation for new books each year? Signed N. F. Cheever, C. M. Gipson, Trustees."
Some time previous to the establishment of the library in 1894, Rev. Amzi Jones left his estate to the town to be used toward a library build- ing. One thousand dollars was available from the Jones estate and in 1908 by the will of Albe Stephenson the town received $5000. It was Mr. Stephenson's wish that the place where he lived during his early years in Greenfield be purchased if possible and a library built on the site.
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Walter L. Hopkins, Fred B. Brooks, and George S. Burnham were appointed to carry out Mr. Stephenson's wishes as far as possible. A store and post office, with living quarters on the second floor, had been the home of Mr. Stephenson. Jesse Stephenson, father of Albe Stephen- son, was postmaster here for several years. The committee purchased not only the store building but also the adjacent house on the corner owned by Lewis P. Wilson. All buildings were removed and Stephen- son Memorial Library was erected. The combined legacies of Rev. Amzi Jones and Mr. Albe Stephenson furnished sufficient funds for the land and the building. Mr. Charles H. Hopkins, John Hardy, and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Conant provided the interior furnishings. In the Spring of 1909 the library was opened to the public. Lucy A. Brooks was the first librarian and served five years. Miss Clara Lowe, followed by Mae Hulet and later by Lura M. Hopkins, carried on the work for the next five years. At the end of this period Lucy Brooks again became librarian and still holds the position. At present there are nearly 6000 volumes in the library with an average circulation of 6300 yearly.
Grateful ackowledgement is expressed for the fine collections of books given by Deacon A. N. Hardy, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Merrill, Fred- erick Merrill, Rev. Harold B. Hunting, Mrs. Arthur Varnum, Mrs. Wil- liam Hall, Mrs. Emma Gipson, and others. In 1919 Mrs. David Ramsey bequeathed $500 for a trust fund. In 1924 Mary Walker created a fund of $1000 to be known as the John and Mary Butler fund in memory of her mother and father. In 1937 Mrs. Emma Gipson gave $10,000. These splendid gifts with the yearly appropriation from the town make it possible for this small community to enjoy the privileges of a modern library.
LAWYERS AND DOCTORS
General James Miller, after he had passed his bar examinations, came to Greenfield in 1804 and began his practice of law. He occupied the house now owned by Eliot D. Hutchinson and had his office in a small building located between the Library and the home of Walter L. Hopkins. This little building has had a varied history. It has been moved and is now used as a garage by Mr. Hopkins. General Miller's wife and infant son are buried in the church cemetery. He removed from Greenfield in 1808.
In 1824 Ezra Prescott came here from Francestown to continue his practice of law. He occupied the same office as had General Miller.
Dr. Samuel Fitch, who came to Greenfield in 1800, seems to have been the town's first physician. He practiced medicine here for most of
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his lifetime. He died in 1857 and is buried in the church cemetery.
Dr. John Ramsey was born in Greenfield and carried on his pro- fession here for nearly fifty years. He lived in the house now owned by Charles R. Hopkins. He was an excellent physician for his time and was greatly beloved by his fellow townsmen. He died in 1864 and also lies in the church cemetery.
Dr. James S. Burtt came here in 1842 and lived in the northwest part of the town (Henry J. Holt place) and practiced medicine for about thirty years. He is buried in the church cemetery.
Dr. John LeBosquet, Dr. Willard Chase, and Dr. Isaac N. Danforth practiced in Greenfield a few years each between 1850 and 1870. Dr. LeBosquet was also a minister at the same time he practiced medicine.
Nathaniel Spofford lived in the house on the state road at the South Greenfield four corners. He was an old time herb doctor and also a veterinary.
Dr. Samuel H. Partridge, M. D., came to Greenfield in 1870 as pastor of the Congregational church. Nine years previously he had qual- ified as a physician and for twenty-three years he practiced medicine, at the same time supplying the pulpit. Dr. Partridge built for his home the house now owned by Donald W. Hopkins. His death in 1884 was deeply mourned by the people to whom he had ministered spiritually and physically. He rests in the Greenvale Cemetery.
Dr. Nathaniel Fremont Cheever came to Greenfield in May 1884, shortly after the death of Dr. Samuel Partridge. Dr. Cheever was born in Walden, Vermont, August 6, 1856, the son of Samuel G. Cheever. The family soon moved to Nashua where Dr. Cheever attended school. His further education was obtained at the University of Michigan, College of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, and the University of Vermont where he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1883. He later did post graduate work at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Cheever began his practice of medicine in Derby Line, Vermont. In May 1884 he came to Greenfield where he practiced his profession until February 1941 with the exception of about three years, when he prac- ticed in Marlboro, Harrisville, and Chesham. Declining health forced him to retire from active practice after rounding out more than fifty years of conscientious and faithful service to Greenfield and surrounding towns.
On November 12, 1884, Dr. Cheever married Helen May Spear, daughter of William T. Spear of Nashua. Two children were born of this union, Winifred H. Cheever, a teacher in West Springfield, Massa- chusetts, and Harold D. Cheever, an attorney in Wilton, New Hamp- shire. Dr. Cheever was a member of the American Medical Association.
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Past President of the Hillsboro County Medical Association, a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a Past Worthy Master of Greenfield Grange, a Past Worthy Master of Hillsboro Pomona Grange, and a member of the State and National Grange. He served his town as Town Clerk and member of the School Board and in 1909-11 was Greenfield's representative to the General Court. He also served for eighteen years as Medical Examiner for the Greenfield and Hancock schools. He was an active member of the Greenfield Congregational Church.
Dr. Cheever was a familiar and well loved figure for half a century as he went about the town either in the pursuance of his professional duties or in participating in community activities. He gave generously of his time and strength to the town and its people. Greenfield mourns the passing of Dr. Cheever on June 15, 1941.
Dr. Clarence P. Curley came here from Vermont and practiced dur- ing Dr. Cheever's absence from 1896 to 1899. Dr. Curley went from Greenfield to Provincetown, Massachusetts.
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION June 17, 1891
The Centennial celebration commenced at 6 A. M. with a national salute fired by the Lyndeboro Artillery Company accompanied by the ringing of bells. The parade which formed at 9:30 was made up of a platoon of Nashua police, Greenfield police, Chief Marshal and two Aides in costume, Peterborough Cadet Band, Lafayette Artillery of Lyndeboro, carriages containing officials of the day, townspeople and visitors in costume, Francestown stage coach, Greenfield Cornet Band, a platoon of Peterborough Cavalry, floats, Greenfield Boys' Drum Corps, the school board, and all the school children.
At 10:30 from a stand erected for the occasion on the north side of the common, the following program was given:
Address of Welcome-D. W. Burnham, President of the Day.
Prayer-Rev. G. W. Ruland.
Selection-Greenfield Choir.
Historical Address-Deacon John Fletcher.
Selection-Greenfield Choir.
The clock in the belfry had been newly installed. The necessary funds were provided through the efforts of the school children and
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through the generosity of former residents. Immediately after the fore- going speaking program the dedication took place as follows:
Selection-Fadette Ladies Orchestra of Boston, Massachusetts.
Prayer-Rev. A. C. Hurd of Francestown.
Presentation of the Clock-Charles P. Hopkins, aged twelve.
Response in Behalf of the Town-Miss Julia Stearns.
Poem-read by Nellie Frye and composed by Miss Abbie Partridge of Peterborough, formerly of Greenfield.
As the clock struck twelve the children presented flags and the Lynde- boro Artillery squad fired a salute of thirteen guns.
Songs by the children and a selection by the Greenfield Cornet Band completed the dedication ceremonies.
The Address of the Day was delivered by G. E. Bales, Esq., of Wilton.
The dinner was served in the Town Hall for 300 by D. L. Page & Company, Caterers of Lowell, Massachusetts.
At one o'clock the program was resumed with a concert by the Peterborough Cadet Band from the bandstand.
The people now assembled in the church to enjoy speeches and music. Two original poems which were written for the occasion were read, one composed by Mrs. Ephraim Holt and the other by Miss Oriana P. Fitch.
In the evening a children's program preceded a dance held in the school hall. The music was furnished by the Fadette Ladies Orchestra of Boston, Massachusetts.
One of the interesting features of the celebration was the Anti- quarian Exhibit held in the school hall. The streets of the village, with its homes and stores gaily decorated, presented a festive appearance to the visitors and returning sons and daughters of Greenfield as they gathered for the Centennial Celebration.
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PROGRAM SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION JULY 19, 1941
1:00 P. M. Parade
2:00 P. M. Band Concert The New Hampshire W.P.A. Band
3:00 P. M. Speaking Program Governor Robert O. Blood Senator William Weston, Master of Ceremonies Judge Chester B. Jordan Saxton Fletcher
6:00 P. M. Supper Dance
Exhibition of pictures of the town at Stephenson Memorial Library.
Special services in the Congregational Church on Sunday, July 20.
Marjorie L. Aiken, Chairman, Malcolm H. Atherton, Treasurer, Henrietta M. Hopkins, Florence S. Adams, Arthur E. Dunn,
General Committee.
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