USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 97
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
in with its narrow valleys by the stern and sterile mountain ranges which cover full three-fourths of its total area, its people have partaken largely of the natural characteristics of their surroundings; and yet, though obliged from the beginning to battle for the bread of their daily life with hardships unending, and against obstacles never yet quite surmounted, they never forgot, nor failed to foster from their scanty means, the cause of education for their children. The first settlers were men entirely without other re- sources than their hard hands and sinewy strength. They brought with them, one might almost say upon their backs, all their worldly possessions; their wives bearing their infants in their arms, while a train of from two to half a dozen sons and daughters made up the complement of each fam- ily. But they brought their Bible also, and the New Testament, the " Na- tional Reader," well-thumbed pages of "Webster's Elementary Spelling Book," and an old edition of the "New England Primer "-said to have been the first school-book printed in America. Nor was there wanting an old copy of Lindley Murray.
In 1822 the first family settled in town; in 1826 came two or three set- tlers bringing large families of children, and the next year the first school was taught in the corner bed-room of Thomas Wheeler's house, and paid for by the voluntary contributions of parents whose children attended. This was a primitive educational institution, but it paved the way for the neat school-houses that now furnish most excellent privileges to the many young people of this town.
The first school teacher was Rhoda Rowell; all schools were taught in private houses until some time during the year 1831. In 1830 the town was divided into two districts for school purposes; the sum of $40 being raised for the support of the schools for the year. In 1831 a school-house was erected in district No. 1, at a cost of about $150. This stood on the west side of the river at the junction of the river road and the Cates Hill road, and was a well-constructed building, a credit alike to the people and the times. It was destroyed by fire three or four years afterwards. In this house, during the winter of 1831, Amos Mann, the first male teacher, taught the first public school, and was paid $20 for the winter's school. The scholars numbered some forty boys and girls, the majority being from twelve to twenty years old. In the words of some of those pupils. now gray-haired citizens, "Amos Mann, the master that winter, kept the best school I ever attended." The school teachers' wages were very low; females only receiving from $1 to $2 per week with board. Mr. Mann at first in- dignantly spurned the offer of $11 per month, but finally accepted it.
Another building soon replaced the one destroyed. In 1840 district No. 3 was formed, comprising the whole of the town east of the Androscoggin, and about the same time provided a small, unpretending, but conveniently- arranged building for its educational interests. In 1844 or 1845, a school-
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
house was built in No. 2. This was sold in 1884, and was converted into the stable now standing next to the book-store of George L. Vincent. The money raised in this district in 1831 and 1832 was $18.10.
District No. 4 (Berlin Mills) was formed about 1853. This is almost ex- clusively within the limits and on the lands of the lumber corporation. For several years the schools occupied a large room adjacent to the Berlin Mills Co. 'sstore. A commodious school building was afterwards erected at a cost of $1,000, and accommodated two teachers and two departments. No. 5, on Cates Hill, was located about the same time as No. 4. A few years later No. 6 (Jericho) was formed, but no school-house was ever built there. The number of scholars in the district for the year 1875-1876 was 173. District No. 1, twenty three; No. 2, forty-five; No. 3, sixteen; No. +, seventy-two; No. 5, nine; No. 6, eight.
The Cole school-house in district No. 2 was built in 1879, at a cost of $2,000, and opened with two teachers and two departments.
District No. 3 was abolished in 1885. The scholars of this district are conveyed to the High School building at the expense of the town.
Berlin High School."-With the old district system and the school- houses of the last generation, the course of education in Berlin was nearly the same as in Northern New England generally. But the wonderful water power of the town began to be developed, the solid granite founda- tions, by degrees, came to be appreciated as the most reliable situations for dams and mill-sites, and the population began to increase. With brighter prospects for the future, the people awakened to the necessity for larger edu- cational facilities. The little old, red school-house at the " Falls " was mentioned, derisively, as "the college," and was finally converted into a cow-stable. The community at the Mills was constituted a new district to be known as district No. 4. The Berlin Mills Co. for a long time furnished a room for the school, and finally built, in 1873, a very respectable school- house for the accommodation of this part of the town. H. Winslow and W. W. Brown were both liberal in their support of the schools.
A higher standard of scholarship began to be required in teachers. District No. 2 at the Falls, and No. 4 at the Mills, occasionally united for High School purposes, each reserving a part of their money for that object. Under this plan several pupils partially fitted for college. In 1881 the Falls district erected a new school-house, -a good one for the times, -sell- ing the old one, it is said, for $5 for a stable. About this time the subject of a town High School began to agitate the public mind, and a meeting was called April 25, 1883, to consider the propriety of the undertaking. At this meeting it was voted to establish a town High School, and Jesse Tuttle, Henry F. Marston, E. E. Fernald, J. W. Parker, Andrew J. How-
By II. F. Wardwell, M. D.
BERLIN HIGH SCHOOL.
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
ard, and Jacob Dresser, were appointed a committee, -one being from each school district of said town, -to act in conjunction with the Superintend- ing School Committee, to select a suitable site, ascertain the cost of it, also to consider the style and size of the building required, the probable cost, and any other matters that they might deem proper in the premises, and report at an adjourned session of this meeting. At the adjourned meeting May 12. 1583, R. N. Chamberlin, for the committee on site for a High School building, reported that they had been offered one and one-half acres of land on proposed new street from Fibreville to Berlin Mills village. one acre to be donated for that purpose by Sullivan D. Green and one-half acre by Berlin Mills Co. It was voted, unanimously, to accept the site offered, with thanks to the doners for their generous gift. On account of the difficutly of making appropriations at special meetings, the whole sub- ject was deferred till the next annual meeting.
At the annual meeting, March 11, 1884, it was voted to appropriate $7.000 for the purpose of building a town High School house; the whole plan, style, construction and arrangement of the same to be in the power and at the direction of a building committee to be appointed at this meet- ing. to superintend the construction. The following gentlemen were appointed committeemen: Franklin Wheeler, James W. Parker. Gardi- ner (. Paine. It was now reasonably sure that we should have a High School house before the expiration of another school year, and it was voted, on motion of Dr. H. F. Wardwell, that 8400 of the money appropri- ated for schools this year be reserved for a term of High School. Dr. II. F. Wardwell, Dr. F. A. Colby and R. N. Chamberlin, Esq .. were elected a High School committee. Two rooms in the new school-house being com- pleted in February, 1885. the High School was opened with Holman A. Drew, A. B., as principal, and Miss Adria W. Dresser as assistant. The school continued under the same management through the spring term of this year. At the annual meeting in 1885 it was voted to abolish the district system and adopt the town system: also voted on motion of S. E. Paine to appropriate $4,000 more to complete the High School house. Mr. Drew having resigned his position as principal after the spring term of 1885, the fall term opened with Irving Stearns. A. M . principal, Adria W. Dresser, teacher of grammar school, Althea L. Sawyer, teacher of inter- mediate. The Board of Education elected for 1s55 were as follows: A. K. Cole. H. F. Wardwell, M. D .. F. D. . Bartlett.
Our schools having now been fairly working for two years on a good systematized plan, all are doing much more and better work than could have been done by the old mixed system. Our.course of study is extensive. and embraces two distinct schedules: an English course and a classical course. It is optional which course the pupil pursues. The English course is rich in language, mathematics and sciences, and will give any scholar
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
a good fitting for the active business enterprises of the day. The classical course includes Latin, Greek and the higher mathematics, and will fit pupils for entrance to our best colleges without restrictions.
From these small beginnings we have much satisfaction in saying at the close of the spring term of 1887 our first class graduated. Though the class was small, consisting of only six, still they graduated with honor and credit to themselves and their friends. Three of them will enter college this year. With our beautiful school-house, an able corps of teachers, and a good system of education fairly inaugurated. we deem it safe to predict. that the future history of Berlin schools will be one of brilliancy.
The thanks of the community are due to the friends of education gen- erally for these favorable results, but, more especially to the building com- mittee Franklin Wheeler, G. C. Paine, and J. W. Parker, also to Berlin Mills Co., A. K. Cole, R. N. Chamberlin, W. I. Davis, Dr. H. F. Ward- well. F. D. Bartlett, S. E. Paine, Sullivan D. Green, and many more who did equally well. May our future success be proof that our foundations are as firm as our everlasting hills.
CHAPTER XCVIII.
Early Roads and Bridges-First Church Organization-Unusual Phenomena -- Hotels-Burial Places-Societies -- Berlin Mills-Forest Fibre Company-Glen Manufacturing Company-White Mountain Pulp and Paper Company-Physicians-Lawyers-Mercantile and Business Houses, 1887-Report of Selectmen, 1887.
ARLY Roads and Bridges .- The first road was the old military road, made about 1812 " through the woods " by way of West Milan to the Connecticut. This is still a public thoroughfare. The first town highway was petitioned for in June, 1830, by Thomas Green and Thomas Wheeler. This was five miles and three-quarters long, and was laid June 30, on the west side of the river from the Milan line to the line of Shelburne Addition. The road is now the principal one of the town. Be- fore this the travelled road passed from the junction of Glen Manufactur- ing Company's road back of E. W. Scribner's residence, crossed Dead river below Green's mill, passing on to the great island. It then crossed the canal to the main land back of Dr. Wardwell's house, on to the rear of the Cath- olic church, and over the hill to Berlin Mills nearly as high up as the road in front of the High School building.
The first bridge across the Androscoggin was built about 1854, on trestles, from the old Greenlief Coffin place to Benjamin Coffin's farm.
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
Opposition was made to this by H. Winslow & Co., as it obstructed the course of their logs down the river. They sent a party from the mill to tear it up by force, but were met by equally resolute men who prevented this act. The subject was then brought into town meeting, and after several years the bridge was taken down, and a new bridge built about one mile farther down the river, and a highway laid out to cross it April 6, 1858.
First Church Organization and "Parsonage."-According to Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Blodgett there was an early religious society in Berlin and Milan. Benjamin Bean was the active power of this. Rev. Abel Heath, one of the pioneer circuit-riders of the Methodist church, who visited the scattered settlements of the Androscoggin valley, located here about two years, living in a small frame parsonage of kitchen, bedroom, and "buttery " built for him near Daniel Davis's.
Unusual Phenomena .- Thomas J. Wheeler in looking over an old mem- orandum book found these records: "Red night. Jan. 24, 1837." "Big snow storm, 11 inches, June 11, 1842." The first phenomenon was of such a nature as to be long held by the memory of those who witnessed it. There appeared to be something in the air which caused the snow to as- sume a blood-red color for several hours during the first part of the night.
J. S. Lary says that he drove the first horse, up the river- road in 1819, that was ever driven in this part of the country.
The first house with ornamental outside work was the one now occu- pied by E. W. Scribner, which was built by Richard Wheeler, the frame being raised July 3, 1849.
A "Crooked" Mill .- About 1849 T. H. Hutchinson built a curious mill on the "rips " just below Berlin bridge. Every bend, brace, and other part of machinery or attachment that could be formed from a "natural crook " of timber was formed from one. Even in the boxing around the wheels, in the gates, etc., etc., the same queer whim prevailed, and during its construction the surrounding forests were diligently searched for this peculiar material. The power was produced by an under-shot water-wheel, with not over three or four feet of "head." It contained an " up-and-down " saw, which local tradition says " went up one day and down the next." The mill became a source of annoyance to the large mill below, and was purchased by its owners and torn down.
Wolves were plenty until about 1840, and bears are now numerous. S. D. Blodgett and Cyrus Wheeler killed ten bears in 1885, for which they re- ceived $100 bounty. Two bears were killed in the town in 1886.
Hotels .- The first public house in town was the Berlin Falls House, built by Amos Green in 1831 as a private residence, and opened by James H. Hall as a hotel about 1850, when the railroad excitement and mill build- ing called for accommodations for the numerous persons desiring entertain-
53
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
ment. He sold his interest to John Chandler after a brief residence. Mr. Chandler was here for some years; he was followed as landlord by Merrill C. Forist, who built the Mt. Forist House. Daniel Green then obtained the property by the foreclosure of a mortgage, and it has since been his honie. The old " bar" has been converted into an alcove library, and nothing re- mains to indicate that it was ever an inn.
The Cascade House .- Henry F. Marston built a house in 1877, which he occupied for a year, then made an addition of several rooms, and opened it as the Whirling Eddy House, changing the name to Cascade House after a while. This he now conducts.
Mt. Forist House .- Merrill C. Forist purchased the premises of the pres- ent Wilson House in 1866, and moved into the small cottage which then stood there. He at once made large additions for hotel purposes, and opened the " Mt. Forist House," which he conducted until his death in 1879, to the satisfaction of the public. S. F. Leighton and H. F. Marston then successively conducted it for a short time, then Mrs. Forist took charge of it until February, 1885. In December, 1884, she sold the property to A. S. Jewett, of Shelburne, who, after a brief service as land- lord, leased it to Joseph Chapman. He soon sold his lease to F. W. Foster, who much improved the house and changed the name to Wilson House. He in turn sold to Frank Tibbetts, the present landlord.
Burial Places-The first death was that of a child (name and age un- known) of "Laskey " Jackson which died January 4, 1826. The first burials were made on the lots of the settlers, and the first we have record of a public burial place is September 15, 1834, when "at a town meeting. the voters agreed to purchase a certain tract of land of Allen Peabody on the east side of the river for a perpetual burying-ground and have it fenced, and have said piece of ground contain forty two square rods, that is to say, seven rods on the road and run six rods back from the road, and give said Peabody two dollars for said piece of land; and said voters agreed to give Fletcher I. Bean the sum of fifteen dollars and twenty-five cents to fence said piece of land with good cedar posts and merchantable boards, with a good gate well hung, all to be done in a workmanlike manner." This is now the "old burying-ground," and is opposite the R. H Wheeler place.
The good health of the people did not demand rapid additions to this burial place; but in process of time a new cemetery was deemed necessary, and action was taken by the town about 1873 to provide one. A commit- tee was chosen, of which M. C. Forist was chairman, to select a site and locate a proper cemetery. They chose a location on the east side of the Androscoggin about one-fourth of a mile south of the old grounds. This is a good selection, and by suitable adornments and labor can be made one of the most beautiful " cities of the dead " in the county.
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
The Catholic society purchased, in the spring of 1887, a lot above the Berlin bridge for a cemetery.
Societies .- Knights of Pythias .- Coos Lodge, No. 25, was organized March 11, 1885, with these charter members: F. D. Bartlett. W. A. Boothby, A. A. Bridges. F. A. Cobb, F. A. Colby, G. L. Coté, Abner K. Cole, C. C. Gerrish, W. H. Gerrish, James M. Lavin. Edward B. Marston. H. E. Oleson. G. E. Oswell, H. U Oleson, L. B. Paine, Sam. E. Paine, J. W. Parker. H. C. Rowell. L. A. Rowell. F. W. Rowell, E. W. Scribner. F. L. Wilson. First officers: Chan. Com., W. H. Gerrish; Vice-Com., H. E. Oleson: Prelate, F. D. Bartlett: M. at A., F. A. Cobb; M. of Ex., W. A. Boothby ; M. of F .. L. B. Paine; K. of R. and S., J. M. Lavin: I. G., F. R. Oleson: O. G., George E. Oswell. Pythian Hall, where the regular meetings are held every Thursday evening, is in the upper story of the Gerrish store. Berlin Falls, and is a model one for beauty, arrangement, and convenience. Present membership about sixty. Present officers: Chan. Com , F. D. Bartlett: Vice-Com., Hiram Rowell: M. of F., Lorin A. Dresser: M. of Ex .. Lowell Paine; K. of R. and S., E. M. Abbott: M. at A., George L. Vincent; Prelate. J. M. Lavin: I. G., George Rowell; O. G., I. G. Marshall; S. P. Chan .. H. E. Oleson: D. D. G. C., H. E. Oleson. The Past Chancellors are William H. Gerrish and Charles C. Gerrish.
Endowment Rank, Knights of Pythias, No. 805, was organized June 13, 1887, with thirteen members. F. A. Colby, Pres .; W. A. Boothby, V. P .; L. A. Dresser, Sect. ; F. A. Colby, M. D., Ex .- Surgeon.
Union Veterans' Union. - U. S. Grant Post, No. 1, was chartered Sep- tember 14, 1886, with twenty-four charter members, among them Sulli- van D. Green, H. F. Wardwell, Edward M. Abbott, George L. Vincent, C. W. Delliber. This organization includes only soldiers who actually did service for three months or more in the field. The officers are, Colonel. George L. Vincent: Lient .- Col., E. M. Abbott; Major, - Burnett: Adju- tant, Jesse Tuttle; Q. M. and Department Mustering Officer, C. W. Delli- ber; Chaplain, Almon Brown; Officer of the Guard. Joseph Pero: Senti- nels, E. Thurlow, A. O. Harriman. Col. Vincent is Department Inspector. No meetings are now held. as promises made by the National Post have not been fulfilled. It is to be hoped that this organization will not be suffered to die, for any society having for its objects the perpetuation of the valor of the soldiers of the Union army, and the inculcation of patriotism deserves a long and prosperous existence.
Knights of Labor .- This body has a large membership, and holds its meetings in the Knights of Labor Hall, in the rear of Hodgdon & Crowell's hardware store in Berlin Falls.
Subordinate Association, No. 67 .- Protective Mutual Relief Associa- tion was organized under a charter granted July 10, 1883. Charter mem- bers: F. A. Colby, M. D., A. K. Cole, N. J. Marshall, B. S. Morgan, G.
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
L. Coté, J. M. Lavin, J. W. Green, Ada H. Colby, W. H. Gerrish, Fannie C. E. Green, H. E. Oleson. Directors, A. K. Cole, J. M. Lavin, H. E. Oleson; F.A.Colby, M. D., Examining Surgeon. These have held office from organization. F. A. Colby was first clerk, and was succeeded by H. E. Oleson, the present incumbent. The association has meetings only when called by the directors.
Young Ladies' Circulating Library .- This was founded at Berlin Mills, January 15, 1879 with twenty-five volumes. It has now a hand- some, well-selected stock of between 600 and 700. Mrs. H. E. Oleson, librarian. It is kept over Berlin Mills Company's offices.
A Scandinavian library and reading-room has been established this year over Berlin Mills Company's offices. This is designed to contain the works of the best Scandinavian authors, and the leading Scandinavian periodicals. H. E. Oleson is entitled to much of the credit of this enter- prise.
Two French benevolent societies -- "St. John the Baptiste," Oliver Lambert, president, and "St. Joseph Society." J. O. Poilbert, president- are in active operation with good memberships.
The Berlin Literary Club was organized in June, 1883. Its object is "for the general improvement of its members, either in literary, musical, or dramatic culture." Meetings are held weekly at the houses of members. Its officers are president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, prompter, and critic. Many of the leading people in town have been members of the club, which has done, and is doing, a good work in its special field.
Berlin Mills .- The opening of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence R. R. to Berlin threw the great advantages of the enormous water power of the Androscoggin river into practical availability, and those wise financiers and far seeing business men to whom this railroad owed its existence at once took measures to utilize the falls in the manufacture of lumber. J. B. Brown, Josiah S. Little, Nathan Winslow and Hezekiah Winslow, all of Portland, under firm-name of H. Winslow & Co., erected a mill, in 1852, on the Thomas Green privilege at the head of the falls. This mill contained one gang and two single saws, with a capacity of production of from 6.000,000 to 8,000.000 feet of lumber per annum. The river at this point has a fall of seventeen feet, with an estimated power of 20,000 horses, only a fraction of which has as yet been utilized. In 1855, another gang saw was added. The mill was in good operation and had established a demand for its lumber, when the disastrous and widely-sweeping panic of 1857 overwhelmed the business world and carried many large lumbering firms to destruction. Through skillful management and judicious care H. Winslow & Co. weathered the storm, although conducting business for some years at a loss of thousands of dollars. This was the critical period of the prosperity of the mills, and, once passed, nothing but success has
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
since attended its progress. In 1858 a single saw and a grist-mill were introduced, and, in 1860, the first rotary saw was placed in position From that time to the present many changes have been made, numerous build- ings erected, and machinery added, until the plant to day is one of the largest in Northeastern New England. Its present production is 140,000 feet of long lumber per day, 30,000 shingles. 10,000 clapboards, 60,000 laths. 10,000 pickets, etc. There are four circular saws, a gang and a band saw, three shingle machines, two clapboard machines, lath and picket saws, etc., etc. To attend to the labor the services of from 350 to 375 men are required. The mam building is 225 feet by 60 feet in size: but with the out-buildings, blacksmith and repair shops, offices, store, houses of operatives, etc., etc., a flourishing village has sprung up, with a beautiful church and parsonage. In the winter season from 300 to 400 men are employed in the logging operations in the woods on the upper river.
In 1866 the Berlin Mills Company was formed, the members of the company being J. B. Brown, Mrs. Little, and Messrs. Clemens. Brigham and Warren. In 1868 J. B. Brown sold his interest to William W. Brown, subsequently the interest of Clemens, Brigham and Warren was purchased by William W. Brown and Lewis T. Brown, and that of the Little heirs was transferred to A. I. C. Davis. William W. Brown has shown him- self possessed of rare business powers, and stands prominently among the lumber manufacturers of the age. He has taken a fatherly interest in the progress of Berlin, and his financial assistance is always to be relied upon in furtherance of any movement to advance or improve the condition of its people. Lewis T. Brown was for many years the superintendent, and formed an extensive acquaintance in Coös county, and probably no one in this section ever stood higher in the esteem of the leading men. He died in 1886.
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