USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Nashua > History of the city of Nashua, N.H. > Part 107
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Granite lodge, number I, I. O. O. F., was instituted Sept. 11, 1843, and it was chartered Sept. 16, 1844. The charter members were O. D. Murray, C. T. Ridgway, David Philbrick, Charles T. Gill, Edward P. Emerson, Edwin P. Hill and others. David Philbrick was the first noble grand. It has had over one thousand members. It was first located in the old Exchange building, afterwards it occupied a part of Noyes block, then in Telegraph building, in Goodrich building and finally, when the I. O. O. F. temple was built, it removed into that magnificent building where it has lodge room accommodations second to none in the country. Pennichuck lodge, number 44, I. O. O. F., was chartered Aug. 18, 1859. Its charter members were Leonard C. Farwell, Samuel K. Wellman, Edward P. Emerson, Franklin Munroe, John M. Sanborn, Jacob D. March, Ezra Davis and C. C. C. Hill.
Olive Branch lodge, number 1, Daughters of Rebekah, was instituted Nov. 16, 1886. Its charter members were George E. Bagley, Norman E. Bragg, Arthur M. Davis, George E. Danforth, Menzel P. French, Charles A. Goldthwait and others.
Nashoonon encampment, number 1, was instituted May 9, 1844, and was chartered Aug. 15, 1848. Its charter members were David Philbrick, Rev. C. L. Arnold, O. D. Murray, C. T. Ridgway, B. D. Bingham, Jon. A. Hosmer and others. This is the oldest encampment in the state.
Indian Head encampment, number 20, was chartered Jan. 14, 1873. Prominent among its charter members were Benjamin Fletcher, Albert Beard, William S. Atwood, H. F. Dane, A. P. Hendrick and W. E. Taggart.
Patriarchs Militant, Canton A, number 9, was chartered under this title May 29, 1890. Odd Fellows who were prominent in securing its institution were Jason E. Tolles, Charles H. Dunlap, William M. Wilkins, Horace S. Ashley, James H. Reed and John A. Fisher and others. This has been a very popular and active body and at present has a membership of over one hundred. Mem- bers of the two encampments had, previous to the date of the charter of the canton, maintained an organization as a uniformed rank since Oct. 7, 1879. R. M. Blanchard was the first captain. Even before that date they had drilled as a military company. They attended the dedication of the Odd Fellows temple in Boston, with M. G. Wilson as captain. They were the first company of uniformed Odd Fellows in Boston.
The needs of the Odd Fellows of Nashua demanding better accommodations, a number of Odd Fellows, who realized the success which had attended the efforts of the Masons in building the Masonic temple, called a meeting of the Odd Fellows of Nashua and formed a corporation under the
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statutes. This corporation was chartered Feb. 9, 1891, with a capital stock of $75,000. It was organized with J. W. Howard, president; Frederick Eaton, treasurer; George E. Danforth, clerk. The directors immediately took the matter in hand and secured one of the best corner lots on Main street. With the support of the fraternity behind them, the building soon became an assured thing.
The laying of the corner stone of the Odd Fellows building with imposing ceremonies occurred May 14, 1891. The procession consisted of various cantons and lodges from the adjacent towns and from many distant places. It was under the marshalship of Gen. Charles W. Stevens. The build- ings along the line of march were profusely decorated, and the city had the appearance of a fete day. The ceremonies were performed according to the ritual of the order by Canton A, number 9. An oration was delivered by ex-congressman O. C. Moore, which presented a picture of the city as it will appear with its new building contrasted with its appearance half a century ago. It was listened to with marked attention by a vast throng which filled the contiguous streets. A banquet to over six hundred in the Gilman card shop on Pearson avenue was served at six o'clock. A grand ball at the Nashua theatre in the evening concluded the festivities of a most eventful day in the annals of Nashua. The dedication was a memorable event. April 26, 1892, is a marked day in the history of the order, and initiated a new era in Odd Fellowship for Nashua. Favored by a beautiful day, and at a time of year when all nature was propitious, the beautiful building was consecrated to the work of benevolence and good deeds of the noble order of Odd Fellows.
During the forenoon the local bodies were busy escorting visiting lodges and fraters to the various places of entertainment. In the afternoon a procession of over one thousand Odd Fellows in line proceeded from the old lodge rooms to the new edifice where the work was performed in full form by Granite lodge, number 1, Rufus S. Bruce, N. G. The music was furnished by the Ariel quartette, E. O. Wood, J. M. Blakey, G. E. Danforth and H. L. Sanderson. A bountiful and elaborate banquet was served in the City Hall at six o'clock, Tanner of Haverhill being the caterer. H. S. Ashley was chairman of the banquet committee. Gen. C. W. Stevens sat at the head of the table, with the governor, H. A. Tuttle, at his right hand, who with other eminent guests graced the occasion. Over four hundred plates were laid. This most joyous and ever to be remembered day terminated with a dance and that apartment, which is to be the scene of many future happy and gladsome gatherings, was tested to its fullest capacity.
The Knights of Pythias have three subordinate lodges here :- Nashua lodge, number 5, instituted May 9, 1870; Evening Star lodge, number 35, instituted March 4, 1890; and Rathbone Sisters, Nashua Star Temple, number 4, besides the uniformed rank, S. S. Davis division, number 2. The secret order has had a flourishing existence. The late S. S. Davis was at one time the senior national grand officer.
There are many other societies, a mere enumeration of which will suffice to show to what extent our citizens believe in a combination of effort.
Improved Order of Red Men, Independent Order of Good Templars, Patrons of Husbandry, Ancient Order of Foresters, American Legion of Honor, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Daughters of Liberty, Knights and Ladies of Honor, Knights of Honor, Order of United American Mechanics, Brotherhood of Engineers, Order of United Friends, Order of the World, United Order of the Golden Cross, United Order of the Pilgrim Fathers, Circle Montcalm, Union St. Jean Baptiste, Ligue Du Sacre Coeur, Knights of Columbus and others.
The societies are of comparitively late origin, and have achieved success. They have a secret ritualistic work, in which the general public is not interested, but the social atmosphere which sur- rounds that work begets a spirit of goodfellowship, which has wrought the citizens together in other undertakings, and has tended to make us more one people in strife with the outer world. Certain of these societies have kindly responded to the invitation of the writer to furnish data in regard to themselves.
John G. Foster post, number 7, G. A. R., was chartered Feb. 24, 1868. It owes its existence in a large measure, if to any one person more than another, to the efforts of the late Col. George Bowers. He was its first commander. The charter members were Col. George Bowers, Capt. Henry B. Ather- ton, Maj. Timothy B. Crowley, Col. Dana W. King, Maj. Richard O. Greenleaf, Tyler M. Shattuck, Elmer A. Haskins, Noah T. Joy, Moses E. Wilkins and Elijah R. Wilkins. Matthew T. Benton was the department commander at that time.
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Its first meeting was held in Beasom building, and then in succession it occupied the third floor of old Exchange building, the attic floor of the City Hall, the third floor of the County building, the third floor of Laton building on Railroad square, and in 1894 it acquired the Park street chapel, where it has now exceptionally fine quarters. Its membership is now over two hundred veterans. It has been distinguished by having had three of its members department commanders. Alvin S. Eaton, Col. George Bowers and Col. Frank G. Noyes have served in that capacity with credit to themselves and to the post.
One of the most important events in its history was the erection of the soldiers' monument. It is to the credit of the organization that such a monument graces one of the public squares of our city. The idea was first conceived in the hall of the post, a committee was appointed to ask the assistance of the city in the furtherance of the plan. For a great many years previous to any definite action being taken, by the post, this question had been stirring the minds of the veterans. The matter was carried before the city government, and an appropriation of $12,000 was secured. A building com- mittee of five from the city government, with Charles H. Burke, mayor, chairman, and three from the post, Col. Frank G. Noyes, Gen. Charles W. Stevens and Dr. Royal B. Prescott was appointed. This committee advertised for plans, and thirty-six were submitted, from which a choice was to be made. Those selected were by T. M. Perry, and the contract was awarded to Frederick & Field of Quincy, Mass. The corner stone was laid by the grand lodge of the state of New Hampshire, George W. Currier, M. W. G. M., May 30, 1889. On the afternoon of that day a procession-Milton A. Taylor, chief marshal-was formed on Main street and marched to Abbot square. The procession consisted of a battalion of the militia under command of Maj. Jason E. Tolles, companies I and C, the Nashua High School cadets, Sons of Veterans, two steamers, Pennichuck hose, and Union Hook and Ladder companies of the Nashua fire department, Canton A, P. M., Knights of the Sherwood Forest, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Union St. Jean Baptiste society, St. George commandery, K. T., Trinity commandery, K. T., of Manchester, Mt. Horeb commandery, K. T., of Concord, grand commandery, grand lodge, A. F. and A. M., city government in carriages. The exercises consisted of opening address by the mayor, Capt. E. M. Shaw spoke in behalf of the post. The formal cere- mony on the part of the grand lodge was performed. Col. F. G. Noyes delivered an eloquent oration, kindled the memories of the surviving veterans, and touched the heart of the large audience which had crowded into the square, where many of the boys of '62 had spoken a last good-bye to their friends and begun their journey to the front. Benediction by Rev. H. B. Smith, R. W. grand chap- lain, closed the service. The architect of the monument was T. M. Perry of Quincy, Mass. The model of the bronze sailor was made by S. J. O'Kelley, sculptor, of Boston, and that of the soldier was by C. Buberl, sculptor, of New York. Among the various articles deposited under the corner- stone was a list of Nashua's 1,355 soldiers and sailors who served in the War of the Rebellion.
The monument was dedicated Oct. 15, 1889. A procession which eclipsed all prior processions in the history of Nashua, under the marshalship of Col. E. J. Copp, was formed on Main and adjacent streets. It was composed of eleven companies from the state militia, Manchester and Nashua High School companies, Amoskeag Veterans, state officials, Gov. David H. Goodell, John G. Foster post number 7, John G. Foster post, number 163, of Framingham, Mass., and thirty-seven other posts from various places in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, Sons of Veterans, A. O. H., U. St. Jean Baptiste society, city government, invited guests, consisting of distinguished veterans, and the New Hampshire delegation in congress. The ritualistic dedicatory exercises of the G. A. R. were per- formed by post number 7, under lead of Deputy Commander James F. Grimes of Hillsborough. Gen. Charles H. Burns of Wilton delivered the oration in a most impressive way, and brought forth very beautifully the lessons which the monument teaches.
Among the various organizations of this city there is one, which, from the benevolent work it has done and the patriotism it has inculcated, fully deserves recognition. This is the Woman's Relief corps, number 30, auxiliary to post number 7. Corps 30 was instituted April 2, 1885, with a mem- bership of fifty-five. Its first president was Mrs. Nancy W. Moore. Much depends at the beginning of a society upon the choice of officers. In this respect Mrs. Moore was eminently fitted for the place as will be seen from the fact that at the end of the year the membership had increased to one hundred and twenty-four members. For several years it remained the largest in the department, and has always been among the first in the efficiency of its work and especially in the amount given for
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charity. During the first ten years it expended for relief $1,911.83. Since then $315.56, making a total since organization of $2,227.39. It contributed largely to the furnishing of the Soldiers' Home at Tilton. Mrs. Moore in 1888 was elected department president of New Hampshire, and in her annual report spoke of the necessity of a soldiers' home in this state and recommended that, if the project for one which was on foot should materialize, the various corps of the department should furnish it. Through her influence a fair was held at the Shirley Hill house in August, 1889, for the benefit of a soldiers' home, the proceeds to be given to John G. Foster corps 30 for that purpose. The fair realized ninety-one dollars and to this was added the sum raised by the corps from the pub- lication of a newspaper. As a result the Nashua corps soon had two hundred and twenty-seven dol- lars toward furnishing the home, part of which was raised before the site for the soldiers' home had been selected. The reception room and office were entirely furnished by the corps at an expense of about four hundred and fifty dollars. Generous contributions were made for this purpose to the corps by residents of Nashua. The corps also materially contributed for the relief of the Johnstown suf- ferers, opening headquarters at City Hall, where, assisted by the citizens, it prepared clothing and packed boxes which were sent to Johnstown at an estimated value of about $2,coo. The corps also furnished a room at the Emergency hospital.
Its presidents have been Mrs. Nancy W. Moore, Mrs. Sarah E. Runnells, Miss Kate M. Thayer, Mrs. Anna T. Olmstead, Mrs. M. Augusta Graham, Mrs. Helen S. Willoughby and Mrs. Etta M. Chase, the latter being president this year.
The corps now numbers two hundred and thirteen members. As each Memorial Day comes they keep in sacred remembrance the deeds of our dead heroes by placing upon their graves the flowers of spring, and are ever ready to assist in caring for the helpless and needy ones left by them.
Of the purely local charities, and one which stands at the head because of its success, is the Nashua Protestant Home for Aged Women. This institution was incorporated by a special act of the legislature June 2, 1877, Mrs. A. M. Stevens, Mrs. Fannie W. Sawyer, Mrs. J. N. Beasom, Miss Sarah W. Kendall and others were the incorporators. Its name shows the exact purpose of incorpo- ration. It has been supported by donations, bequests, and funds obtained from dinners, fairs and entertainments. Owing to the excellent way that its finances have been managed by the treasurer, Miss Kendall, it now has a property not far from $25,000, mostly in real estate. It first occupied a house on Chestnut street, afterwards on Kinsley street, but in 1892 it built a very commodious and comfortable building in the rear of the Kinsley street house, on Walnut street. Twenty-nine aged women have taken advantage of this institution, and have been enabled to spend their last days con- tentedly and comfortably.
Independent Order of Good Templars, Harmony lodge number III, was chartered June 17, 1874. Among the grantees appear the names of James M. Wilkins, J. E. Walker, George H. Rollins, Henry. L. Redfield, Warren G. Howe, Rufus D. Andrews, and others.
Patrons of Husbandry, Nashua Grange, number 13, was chartered March 17, 1886, but it has had an organization since Dec. 22, 1873.
United Order of the Golden Cross has two subordinate bodies located here: Merrimack River commandery, number 43, was established through the endeavors of C. A. Batchelder, Dr. C. S. Col- lins, N. S. Whitman, C. W. Murch, P. F. Eaton, F. V. Marshall and others in August, 1879.
Nashua commandery, number 98, was chartered April 23, 1880. Prominent charter members being Dr. E. F. McQuesten, T. H. Pinkham, N. O. Prescott, M. F. Sprague, C. C. Cameron and R. M. Sawyer. The national grand treasurer, John D. Swain, for many years past has been a resident of our city.
United Order of Pilgrim Fathers, Governor Wentworth colony, was established Nov. 4, 1886, with Frank G. Thurston, George E. Wheat, Dr. C. S. Rounsevel, Edward W. Dowd, B. A. Pease, Elmer W. Eaton and others as charter members.
Knights of Honor of the World, Centennial lodge, number 251, was granted a charter Sept. 5, 1876. As charter members appear, among the names of others, the following well-known citizens : Dr. G. W. Currier, E. S. Knight, R. M. Blanchard, C. B. Jackman, Charles H. Collins, and the late S. S. Davis.
Knights and Ladies of Honor, No. 350, was created Aug. 31, 1880. J. F. Barnes, G. W. Moore, B. B. Otis, J. P. Howe, Americus Shattuck, A. S. Clark appear with others as grantees.
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In the line of charities, and in a field that has not been pre-empted by the good people of Nashua, lies the work of an organization of young ladies known as the Good Cheer society. Their work is to visit the sick, and to comfort those unfortunates by carrying them fruit, flowers and delicacies, by words of good cheer, by bright smiles and sympathetic looks, and by expressions of confidence in their return of health. This beautiful idea was originated by Mrs. B. A. Pease (nee Flagg), Mrs. Eliza- beth Buddy (nee Spalding), now of Texas, Mrs. E. M. Gilman (nee Wallace), now of Springfield, Mass., and Miss Elizabeth Flather. Their first meeting was held in the fall of 1883, at the house of Miss May Wallace (Mrs. E. M. Gilman), and, besides the above there were present Miss Jane E. Thayer, Miss Helen Lane, Miss Fanny J. Lane (now Mrs. C. F. Coburn of Lowell, Mass., ) Miss Clara Stetson (now Mrs. H. C. Parker of Woburn, Mass., ) Miss Munn and Miss Gorman. The original officers were Miss Spalding, president ; Miss Flagg, vice-president; Miss Stetson, secretary and treasurer.
The society has since increased its membership to twenty-five at which number it is limited.
These young ladies, who were eminently fitted to their mission, began their good work and they, and their successors, have carried it on unremittingly. A proper recognition of this very commend- able charity has been accorded them, and they have persisted in what to many might seem to be a disagreeable task, but which to them has been a pleasure, and they have been rewarded with an appreciation on the part of those to whom they have been, in fact, ministering angels.
This charity has been sustained by the young ladies by the proceeds of lawn parties, teas, danc- ing parties, dramatic entertainments, etc., which they have very ingeniously managed. On the morning of Jan. 1, 1886, these young ladies issued a woman's edition of The telegraph, realizing a handsome sum from the sales and advertisements. They have extended their work by contributing to the poor, as well as the sick, the necessities of life. They have also acquired a fund. At the estab- lishment of the Emergency hospital on Spring street they furnished two rooms.
The importance of having a woman's club in Nashua had been for some time considered, and on May 29, 1896, Mrs. E. F. McQuesten invited to her home a limited number of interested women to take some action in the matter. The outcome of this meeting was the organization of The Nashaway Woman's club with the following officers: President, Mrs. O. C. Moore; first vice-president, Mrs. Enoch Powell; second vice-president, Mrs. E. F. McQuesten; secretary, Mrs. Albert N. Flinn; treasurer, Miss Lucy F. Thayer ; directors, Mrs. John F. Stark, Mrs. John H. Barr, Mrs. S. S. Whithed, Mrs. J. A. Spalding, Mrs. Frank H. McQuesten, Mrs. Edward F. Knight.
The first year's work has exceeded the expectations of its most sanguine members. The classes in art, literature, current events and music have been most interesting and instructive. The very efficient chairman of each class has put a great deal of time and thought into the work of preparing programmes for the meetings, and their efforts were crowned with great success. The amount of talent developed in the membership has been most gratifying. The club since its inception has been so successful that it promises growth and the widening of its influence as the years go by.
Among the many clubs supported by gentlemen, there is but one-the Guards club-whose long continued existence and whose large membership warrants its appearance as an historical fact. When the state militia was organized in 1878, a company was raised in Nashua, with Col. E. J. Copp as its first captain, which company was known as the Nashua City Guards. This was company F, Second regiment, N. H. N. G. It was composed of young men who were in the front rank socially and in a business way. This company achieved distinction and many of its members became promi- nent in the military affairs of the state. Its first captain became colonel of the regiment, and its second captain became the adjutant-general of the state (Gen. A. D. Ayling), Col. Jason E. Tolles became colonel of the regiment, Maj. W. H. Cheever, Maj. F. L. Kimball, Col. Charles H. Dunlap of the governor's staff, and Capt. C. A. Roby were also members of this company. Ties were formed in the drill room and on the muster field which the boys were loath to discontinue when the term of their enlistment expired in 1883. So that in that year, Jason E. Tolles, Charles H. Dunlap, Frank L. Kim- ball, Charles A. Roby, Elmer W. Eaton, Frank O. Ray and others organized a social club. From this nucleus the present association sprung. It first occupied a single room in the Laton building on Railroad square. Men who had no connection with the old company were admitted. The next year well appointed rooms in the old Beasom building became their home. This building was completely destroyed by fire in February, 1886, and the club lost everything that it possessed. For a few
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months it occupied temporarily the rooms of the old Historical society on the third floor of Tele- graph building. Upon the erection of Howard building quarters were there provided for it. The entire third floor of Ayer's building was leased in 1891 and arranged as the club desired, and the rooms were finished and furnished as befitted a club of its character. It increased rapidly in mem- bership and the military spirit was lost by the larger number of its non-military members.
In 1894 the very appropriate, but rather cumbersome name which had adorned the club-The Nashua City Guards Veteran association-was shortened into its present cognomen. Under this title the jolly times which had permeated the life of the old company were not lost to sight. Its mainte- nance has demonstrated the fact that our business men believe in the maxim that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." The building of a club house has been seriously discussed, and will be a reality in the not distant future.
Chief among the literary societies and one that has made an impress upon the community which warrants a permanent record made for it is the Fortnightly club, which is an organization for literary and social improvement and which was established in February, 1887. It includes many of the lead- ing professional men of Nashua, its principal newspaper editors, its prominent teachers, a good number of business men, and many ladies. The membership is limited to one hundred.
The meetings of the club are usually held in private parlors on Monday evenings of every other week during the winter season. Its exercises consist in the reading of original papers on popular themes, in familiar discussion of the subjects treated, and in other entertainments, chiefly musical.
The excellence of its programme has been a subject of frequent remark. They cover a wide range of topics, some of them requiring much learning and patient research. While nearly a third of the subjects are distinctively literary, many are social and practical, a good number scientific, some educational, others historic-relating especially to local history-and others devoted to the fine arts and to observations in travel. Three papers generally are presented at each meeting ; the principal one treating broadly of the subject for the evening, the other two considering special topics relating to the foregoing. The discussions frequently are animated and are participated in by many of the members. The records of the club present much that is interesting and instructive.
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