USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Lyndeborough > The history of the town of Lyndeborough, New Hampshire,1735-1905 > Part 38
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But as the years went by and more favorable conditions ob- tained in the carrying and handling of farm products, the objects of the order changed, and education, fraternal and social im- provement among the farmers came to the front.
Pinnacle Grange, No. 18, Lyndeborough, was organized by C. C. Shaw, General Deputy of the State Grange, Dec. 26, 1873, and was the first grange organized after the first meeting of the State Grange.
During its existence it has been a powerful factor for good among its members and the people of the town ; possibly no sec- ular organization more so. The following historical sketch was written to be read at the twenty-fifth anniversary of its organi-
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HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
zation, and while it was never intended to be included in the history of the town, it is inserted without further apology : -
Twenty-five years ago the twenty-sixth of last December Pin- nacle Grange was organized by Bro. C. C. Shaw of Milford. It came as a sort of belated Christmas present. Bro. Shaw, how- ever, did not bring it all set up and ready for business, but con- structed it after his arrival.
He took Andy Holt and made him master, and joined to him David G. Dickey, overseer, Henry H. Joslin, steward, John C. Ordway, assistant steward, Edward J. Stephenson, lecturer, John Richardson, chaplain, Martin Whitney, secretary, James. H. Karr, treasurer, George E. Spaulding, gate keeper, Phebe A. Ordway, Ceres, Mary E. Dickey, Flora, Annie F. Fuller, Pomona, and Abby J. Holt, lady assistant steward.
Bro. Shaw looked upon his work when it was done and said it was pretty good, but recommended careful handling until the glue should be set and the parts strongly bound together.
And immediately those outside the gates rose up with a desire to pull it to pieces to see with what material it was stuffed.
The interest in the grange as a farmer's organization first de- veloped in New Hampshire in 1873. The first grange was or- ganized in Exeter in the late summer of that year, and Pinnacle Grange in the closing month, so it appears to be about as vener- able as any of them.
Of those who were foremost in exciting an interest in the Order of Patrons of Husbandry in this state but few are known to the writer of this sketch, but certainly Bro. Shaw labored earnestly night and day in carrying forward the work. Believing most sincerely in its principles he spared neither time nor pains in pushing the work along, and it is probably mostly through his influence that Pinnacle Grange had an existence. It is to be wondered if he built better than he knew on that stormy Decem- ber night.
It is to be regretted that the records of this grange for the first two or three years are so meagre. The first record is dated Dec. 9, 1873, and is as follows : "Met at the Town Hall to see if a Grange could be organized. Chose John Richardson Chairman. Listened to remarks by Eben Thompson. Adjourned to Dec. 18." Nothing is recorded of those who were present, and the historian is unable to tell who Eben Thompson was. From the best in- formation obtainable it is likely that Martin Whitney, James H. Karr, William H. Clark, Moses C. Fuller, David G. Dickey,
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PINNACLE GRANGE
Geo. E. Spaulding, Andy Holt and John Ordway were present, besides the chairman, and it is probable they did not fully com- prehend the order, then in its infancy.
Under date of Dec. 18, is the statement, "Met by adjourn- ment, chose Martin Whitney, Secretary, adjourned to Dec. 20th."
Dec. 20, "Met in the absence of the chairman and chose . Eli C. Curtis, chairman for the evening. Chose a committee to notify Deputy Shaw to come and organize them." That com- mittee was Martin Whitney, Eli C. Curtis, David G. Dickey, Henry Joslin and John C. Ordway. They notified Mr. Shaw to come Dec. 26, at 7.30 o'clock in the evening, and he came as before stated. That he came that stormy December night from Milford, through drifting snow and against piercing winds, shows his devotion to the order.
He found the hall unwarmed and unlighted, but teams were sent hurrying after this one and that, before enough came to fill the chairs. One member who has since been a tower of strength to the order, both in town and elsewhere, said, "The Grange might go to the blue blazes before he would turn out on such a night," and he didn't.
The following signed the rolls as charter members :
Andy Holt David G. Dickey
Henry Joslin
John C. Ordway
John Richardson
Edward J. Stephenson
James H. Karr
Martin Whitney
George E. Spalding
Moses C. Fuller
Olney P. Butler
C. Henry Holt
Eli C. Curtis
David Holt
William H. Clark
Nathaniel T. McIntire
Artemas Woodward
Jane D. Joslin
Abbie J. Holt
Phebe J. Ord way
Mary E. Dickey
Annie E. Fuller
Abbie J. Spalding
Hattie E. Holt
Clara F. Karr
Nancy E. Whitney
Betsey A. Curtis
Nancy E. Woodward
The records of the first year simply show the grange in process of development. David C. Grant was elected master for 1874. In the records of the meetings of this first year, the worthy secretary signs his name in a fine, small hand, and in unexpected places, but in the record of the second election of officers, he gives almost half a page to his signature with many a twirl and flourish, as much as to say, "Hurrah ! That im- portant matter is well over."
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HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
Martin Whitney was the next master, serving until 1877, when Andy Holt was again elected. In 1878 it was again Martin Whitney, master. This taking turns seems to show the popularity of these two brothers in the order.
The name of Benjamin G. Herrick, a new member, begins to appear in the records about this time and he was chosen master . in 1879, holding the office four years, or until 1883. There was a period of depression in grange interest during that time, and it is probable that Pinnacle Grange would have surrendered its charter if it had not been for his perseverence and determina- tion that the grange in Lyndeborough should live.
Jacob A. Woodward succeeded Bro. Herrick in the master's chair, serving two years and was succeeded by Eli C. Curtis, in 1885. Bro. Curtis was one of the charter members, and served two years. In 1887 and 1888, Jacob A. Woodward was again master. In 1889, David G. Dickey was master, and was re- elected in 1890 but declined to accept the office; Andy Holt was then chosen. William C. Wilder was master in 1891 and 1892. William T. Bowen in 1893. Charles H. Senter in 1894 and 1895.
In 1896, John H. Goodrich, who had served faithfully and acceptably as secretary for seventeen years, was promoted to the master's chair. Willie F. Herrick succeeded Bro. Good- rich in 1897 and 1898, and in 1899, Sister S. Kate Swinington was chosen master, being the first sister of the order to fill that position in Pinnacle Grange. William C. Wilder was the master in 1900, George P. Bradford in 1901, and Charles L. Perham in 1902, 1903 and 1904. L. Nute Woodward is the master for 1905.
The dates for holding the meetings have been changed many times. Some of the years an attempt was made to arrange the meetings so that the patrons could come and go by the light of the moon, a great convenience for those living some distance from the grange hall. At present its meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.
It is inferred from the records that in the first years of its existence Pinnacle Grange did not do the work of the degrees, and in the opening and closing of its meetings in the best of form. But in the process of time, however, a spirit of emula- tion was developed. The ritual was studied with a view to a better understanding of the precepts of the order. Grange discipline was more strictly enforced, and Pinnacle Grange
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was soon second to none in the order in its efficiency and ex- cellence of initiatory work.
From 1876 until 1880 may be called the transition period of the grange in Lyndeborough and in fact throughout the state. It was a time of much depression in the order. The financial element had been discounted, and the social and educational features so prominent now, had not then been thought impor- tant, and believing that " there was nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and make his soul enjoy good in his labor," and finding also a very slim attendance at the meetings, and little or no interest in the work of the order, this significant record begins to appear : "Voted to have an oyster supper at our next meeting," and " voted to have a feast at our next meeting and invite our friends" until it would appear that oysters and friends were part of the programme of every meeting. One of the charter members told the writer that this supper business nearly wrecked the grange. And yet at the present time some hold to the opinion that if you wish to get out a large attendance at any particular meeting you must appeal to the stomach instead of the mind, and as a matter of fact, the same is true of other organizations besides the grange.
The debates of Pinnacle Grange have always been character- ized by an originality of thought, a freshness and breeziness which would compare favorably with any grange in the land. Many of the brothers and sisters early developed a talent for debate. In the earlier years of the grange the subjects dis- cussed pertained almost wholly to the farm and household, but later took a wider range and included almost every thing from political economy to pie. Questions of education, questions of state and national policy have been formulated and intelligently discussed. Young members have been encouraged to join in these exercises and to become accustomed to speak in public.
During the decade from 1880 to 1890 Pinnacle Grange was in the zenith of its influence and prosperity. It was through its influence during that time that the town hall at the centre was enlarged and remodeled, giving the order a larger, lighter and more convenient home. A " fair " was held, which netted a sum of money larger probably than that made by any other fair in town, before or since. The proceeds were used to purchase a piano for the hall. Its membership and average attendance were greater than ever before in its history. Its installations at-
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HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
tracted patrons from about every grange in this part of the state.
From the first the sisters have been loyal to the interests of Pinnacle Grange and earnest in its work. If it were not for the principle of "opening wide the door" to them, the order would undoubtedly have been a failure. In its literary work, in its music, in its banquets Pinnacle Grange would have been an "arid, barren waste " without them.
The limits of this sketch forbid recording the names of those who have filled the minor offices in the grange. Some of them were promoted to the master's chair, and, as a rule, all have en- deavored to discharge their duties faithfully.
Mention has already been made of the proficiency in debate of some of the members. A man once said to another, " I have a friend over there that I want to introduce you to ; I think he will interest you, he's a mighty good talker.". The other replied, "I don't think I care to meet him; it's a mighty good listener I want to strike." It is doubtful if any of our debaters would care to talk to empty chairs or an inattentive audience, and in being good, sympathetic listeners the majority of the members have exemplified its principles, with how much hope and faith is not known, but certainly with charity and fidelity.
The grange choir has always been a prominent feature, and was for many years under the direction of Bro. E. C. Curtis, or some member of his family. Bro. B. G. Herrick, bass, Bro. E. C. Curtis, tenor, Sister Phebe A. Ordway, contralto, and Sister Betsey A. Curtis, soprano, composed the choir in the early days of the grange.
It seems a much longer time to say a "quarter of a century " than to say " twenty-five years," and in comparison with the age of Lyndeborough as a town, it is but a small fraction, and yet the twilight of the past begins to obscure the early scenes and incidents of Pinnacle Grange life. Against the fading light some figures stand in sharper outline. The memory of the faces of some of the brothers and sisters who have taken the wonderful step over the line into the unknown, which to some means rest, and to others only the beginning of activities that shall never end, comes to us this day.
The influence of Pinnacle Grange has modified the home life of many of the families of the town, mid green leaves and sum- mer showers or when the light in the window casts a shining halo over the snowdrifts.
Do not think that its life has been like a river gently flowing
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PINNACLE GRANGE
between flowering banks: Sometimes the wind blew strong from down stream, and sudden flaws came from every quarter, and lively chop seas were raised, but with a little smaller at- tendance at some of the meetings and a little larger at others, a little more spirited debate, and all was again calm and serene.
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CHAPTER XXI.
STORES AND MERCHANTS.
STORE AT LYNDEBOROUGH, BY J. A. WOODWARD.
The old store-house, as it was called, stood directly opposite the town hall. 'It was a large, square, two-storied structure, with a long " ell" at the south in which was kept the store. It was said to have been built by one of the Goulds, either George or Maj. Daniel (most probably the latter), some time previous to the year 1800. At the time it was destroyed by fire it was said to be one of the oldest houses in town.
Maj. Daniel Gould was the first storekeeper of whom there is any tradition. Whether or not there was any store here before his day, it is not now possible to determine, but it would seem as if there must have been. But from the time he sold out, or went out of business, until the year 1831 it is a matter of tradi- tion mostly.
Rev. Frank G. Clark in his historical address mentions Daniel Gould, John Ordway, Nathan Wheeler and Jonathan and William Clark as merchants at the centre. It would seem that these must have " kept store " previously to 1831.
In 1831 Samuel T. Manahan came to Lyndeborough and bought the store property. It was first the firm of Manahan & Tubbs. Where this Mr. Tubbs came from or what became of him is unknown to the writer. His stay was brief, for in the latter part of that same year Mr. Manahan became sole proprie- tor. In 1835 he sold out to a man named John J. Martin. In 1836 Oliver Bixby bought out Martin and was in trade until 1838. In the latter year Jacob Hildreth, a brother of Jotham, formed a partnership with a Mr. Duncklee, under the firm name of Hildreth & Duncklee. They bought out Bixby. Duncklee soon sold his interest to Charles French, a son of Isaac P. French.
In 1843 James G. Woodward bought the store, and the next year sold it to Anson Woodward and Daniel Woodward, Jr. James and Anson were brothers, sons of Ephraim Putnam Woodward. In 1844 Daniel Woodward, Jr., became sole pro- prietor, and kept the store until 1847. In that year he swapped the store-house property with his father and moved to the old
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LYNDEBOROUGH CENTRE, FROM BOUTWELL WINDMILL.
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STORES AND MERCHANTS
farm over the mountain, and Daniel Woodward, Sr., came to the centre, but not to keep store. . The stock in trade was sold to David Hawes, but of him there is no record, and a few months was the extent of time he was in business. In 1848 Oliver Bixby, who had returned to Lyndeborough again, took the business, renting the store of Mr. Woodward. In 1850 the firm of Herrick & Donnel was formed and bought out Bixby. This firm was composed of William J. Herrick and James S. Donnel.
After Herrick & Donnel was the protective union store, a sort of co-operative concern which had a brief existence, and then William J. Herrick again became proprietor. He was engaged in trade at the center longer probably than any of his predecessors, but in the early sixties he closed out his stock in trade and removed to the west.
William W. Curtis then bought the land and buildings and opened the store, which he kept until the buildings were de- stroyed by fire, May 13, 1870.
Some time after this Martin Whitney opened a small store in the carpenter shop of Josiah Wheeler. When this was closed the center was without a store for a time, or until Thomas A. Wil- liams opened one in the old Bixby house. He sold to E. K. Warren, the present owner. The store at the "middle of the town " was never a source of much profit to its owner. The long distance which merchandise had to be hauled by team was a severe handicap to successful competition with the stores of Wilton, Milford and Nashua, and although there was a good assortment of those things which a country store generally carries in stock, the well-to-do farmers found it convenient to buy by the quantity of the dealers lower down the country. This explains the frequent change of ownership.
Sometime between 1850 and 1855, Levi Joslin kept the village store. The time is not positively determined, but like most of. the other tradesmen at the center, his career as merchant there was brief.
MERCHANTS AT SOUTH LYNDEBOROUGH, BY REV. D. DONOVAN.
Our caption is in the above form, because we are tolerably certain that the persons named were merchants in the place ; but are not certain that the names which we are about to give include all who engaged in trade here.
The first merchant in South Lyndeborough, by general con-
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HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
sent, was Mr. William Holt, who came here from Greenfield about 1830. He at first kept a grocery store in what had been the old dwelling house of Ephraim Putnam, 3rd., the father of Captain Eleazer. This house stood near where Mr. William P. Steele's now stands, and had been moved away previous to the erection of the latter. It was moved across the highway to the location now occupied by Tarbell's store. Mr. Holt had kept store there but a short time, when he moved it across the street again near where the railroad station now stands, whence it was moved to the spot which it now occupies as the dwelling of Mr. Ward N. Cheever. Mr. Holt, after its removal, built the house and store combined, which are now serving as the post office and store of Roy N. Putnam, and the grocery store of Walter S. Tarbell. Mr. Albert Hardy, who also came from Greenfield, was Mr. Holt's partner in trade until 1835, when the business was sold to Mr. Lewis Cram.
The firm of Cram & Daniels then became the successors of Holt & Hardy. But they continued the business only a short time, after which Mr. Cram left town and went west.
The next occupant of the store was the firm of Hardy & Stephenson. Mr. Hardy's home was the place now owned by Mr. E. H. Putnam. He married Rebecca, daughter of Mr. Thomas Bradford, and was a leading merchant, and also post- master in this part of the town. He was chorister at the Baptist church, and a public-spirited, well-to-do citizen. He removed to Amherst and engaged in trade there; and went thence to Nashua. On his departure from Amherst, the handsome gift of a thousand dollars was received from him. His last will bequeathed a share of the residue of his estate to the Baptist church nearest his home at his decease. He died in Nashua. But the executor of his will long withheld the legacy, and appears never to have intended the payment of it. Having ยท almost accidentally learned of this situation, the Rev. W. H. Eaton, D.D., ferreted out the attempted knavery ; and the church, finally, after litigation, secured some benefit, though less than it would have received had the will been legally and honestly executed.
Mr. Hardy's partner in Lyndeborough was the late Mr. Jonathan Stephenson, whose home was on the ancestral farm, including the Stephenson Hill, on the spot now occupied by his son, Mr. Willis Stephenson. The late Mr. Stephenson was an honored citizen for many years, having filled many offices in
STREET AT SOUTH LYNDEBOROUGH, LOOKING SOUTH.
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STORES AND MERCHANTS
the town and served several years as town clerk. He passed away in November, 1903, in his 97th year.
The successor of the firm of Hardy & Stephenson was Mr. Robert Burns Wallace. He came from New Ipswich and bought the store. He remained here but two years.
Next came Mr. Peter Smith from Nashua and engaged in trade. He continued here, however, but a short time.
Mr. Gilman P. Fletcher of Greenfield carried on the grocery business for a few years. He sold both his store and stock to Mr. J. H. Tarbell, who was then keeping the hotel, called the " Forest House." Mr. Tarbell combined with his tavern a grocery store, and also kept the post office under the same roof. Thus he continued in business more than ten years. He subsequently built a new store and conducted business in it for a few years. The new building stood on land west of the freight house of the B. & M. R. R., near the west crossing.
This new store Mr. Tarbell sold to Mr. William W. Young, who came from Chelsea, Mass., about 1857. Mr. Young con- tinued in trade about seventeen years, when the railroad came through our village. His store was in the way of the proposed railroad track, and the R. R. company bought him out. He then returned to Chelsea, where he died.
The building was sold by the R. R. Company, and was moved back from the railroad. The original builder of it, Mr. J. H. Tarbell, bought it, moved it, remodeled it and made it his home during the remainder of his life. It remains still the property of his granddaughter, Mrs. Minnie (Stacey) Hadley.
The former grocery store of Messrs. Hardy & Stephenson and others was afterwards used for a few years as a shop in which to shave hoops. Mr. Hezekiah D. Davis carried on the business and kept a few men in his employ. Some of our residents re- member well when the shavings were carried across the high- way and piled up near the Baptist meeting-house, almost as high as the house, on ground now covered by the R. R. track and the platform.
The next occupant of this store was Mr. George W. Holt. He had spent several years away, and about 1861 returned to his native place and engaged in the grocery trade at that stand. His health failed and he passed away in 1862, at the age of 36. Mr. J. H. Tarbell settled his estate and closed out his business as grocer.
The settling of Mr. Holt's business seemed to Mr. Tarbell
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HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
to require him to resume mercantile life again, first on ac- count of the sale of Mr. Holt's goods and later on his own account. He therefore commenced trade again about 1863. His son, Charles F., served as clerk for a few years, and was afterwards taken into partnership, thus constituting the firm of J. H. Tarbell & Son. This arrangement continued several years, after which, Mr. C. F. Tarbell, by purchase, became sole proprietor.
Mr. Charles F. Tarbell carried on the trade for several years, assisted more or less by his father. In 1878 he sold his store to his uncle, J. A. Tarbell, and devoted his attention to farming, on the place now owned by Mr. Andy Holt.
Mr. Joseph A. Tarbell had been engaged for a number of years in the manufacture and sale of flavoring extracts. He had done quite an extensive business in that line, which he sold out to his brother-in-law, Mr. Fred B. Richards, in 1878. He then bought the grocery store and carried it on about two years, soon after which he removed to Hancock.
Mr. Charles F. Tarbell again bought the store, about 1880. He continued in it as long as he lived. He died Feb. 24, 1888, in the forty-fourth year of his age.
After the death of Mr. Tarbell the store passed into the posses- sion of the elder of his two sons, Walter S. Tarbell, as a part of his share of his father's estate. He has carried on the business since 1888. He employed R. N. Putnam several years, after which his brother, Charles H., entered his employ, and has served till the present month, December, 1904. Thus, for more than forty years, though the store has a number of times changed owners, it has borne the same name, " Tarbell's store."
Among other traders in the place we name Mr. John J. Martin, for a time in business at the centre of the town, and also first landlord at the hotel. He was a shoemaker, and kept confec- tionery and other articles for sale, while employed at the bench in his shoe shop. The date is uncertain, though probably about 1840. His store and shoe shop were in the house owned by the late Charles M. Butler.
Another person who kept a small store and did a limited busi- ness here was Mr. Charles Henry Holt. He was a carpenter, born in Milford, came to Lyndeborough in 1852, and the same year married Mary A. Wheeler, daughter of Jonas Wheeler. When W. W. Young removed from town, where he had been postmaster many years, Mr. Holt succeeded him.
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The post office was then located in the basement of his house, built by Jonas Wheeler, where he also kept a small stock of sta- tionery, confectionery, cutlery, fishing tackle, patent medicines, etc. He owned the place afterwards purchased by Capt. McIntire of Hyde Park, Mass., and now owned by Mr. Lawrence of Cam- bridge, Mass., as a summer residence. He died Jan. 31, 1897, having served more than twenty-four years as postmaster at South Lyndeborough.
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