USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > North Providence > Annals of Centerdale : in the town of North Providence, Rhode Island : its past and present, 1636-1909 > Part 8
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THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH.
Mr. Sweet continued the business about three years, and October 29, 1831, sold the shop to Edwin Capron.
Shortly after Edwin Capron purchased the property he started a livery stable in connection with the shop. Mr. Capron was not a blacksmith by trade, and did not meet the success that a skilled workman might have done; and March 14, 1836, he sold the shop to David Cutting. Mr. Capron, however, retained the livery business, and con- tinued the same with success until his death, in 1889, an account of which will be given in another place.
For some reasons unknown at this time Cutting did not remain long in the place, and October 2 of the following year, 1837, he sold it to Samuel S. Arnold, who remained here until April 17, 1843, when he sold the place to John R. Cozzens. In 1854 Mr. Cozzens demolished the old shop and erected a new one at the same place. Mr. Cozzens came to this place from Boston, Mass., where he learned his trade. He was a typical blacksmith in appear- ance; fully six feet in height, with broad shoulders, and of quick and agile movement.
He always took great interest in athletic sports where strength and agility were required, and often in his young days he would enter wrestling contests, which were popular in those days, to show his strength and agility. He was of a kind and social disposition and popular with his townsmen, generous to a fault with his hard-earned money. His purse string was always found untied at the call of the poor and needy and at the demand of the public welfare. He took active part in the political affairs of the town, but never aspired to any prominent position in the offices of the town, although many times urged to do SO.
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ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
He was a mechanic of more than ordinary ability, and his remarkable vitality and industrious habits persuaded him to stand behind the anvil many years after old age had silently whispered to him to lay down the hammer and let the fire upon the forge be extinguished. Mr. Cozzens died, after a short illness, April 6th, 1897, in the 76th year of his age, and was buried in Mineral Spring cemetery, Pawtucket, with Masonic honors, by Roger Williams Lodge, No. 32, of A. F. & A. M., of Center- dale, of which he was a charter member.
After the death of Mr. Cozzens the shop was sold to William A. Sweet, who in 1900 demolished the old build- ing and erected the present one and leased the same to his brother Herbert Sweet, who still occupies it. Other blacksmith shops have been started here from time to time but in all cases were of but temporary existence.
THE VILLAGE WHEELWRIGHT.
The first wheelwright shop in the village was built by William Sweet, in 1830, on land leased from James Angell, on the west side of Smith street, nearly opposite the junc- tion of Mineral Spring avenue. It was a small one-story building, 18 x 25 feet, and stood with the gable towards the street. Work-benches were arranged upon either side, where two or three men could work, but generally one man was sufficient to do the work of repairs, with an occasional new cart or farm wagon to be built.
Mr. Sweet continued to run the shop until 1845, when he sold the building and the business to Caleb V. Waterman. Caleb V. Waterman was born in Coventry, R. I., and in early life was apprenticed for seven years to Samuel Bray- ton, of Cranston, to learn the wheelwright trade.
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THE VILLAGE WHEELWRIGHT.
CALEB V. WATERMAN.
To learn the trade of wheelwright in those days meant something more than it means to-day, when machinery enters so largely into the manufacture of almost every part of a wagon, for in those days each and every part of a wagon must be sawed or hewn from the log to its required form, and much labor and not a little skill was required to do it. To order a cart or wagon from Caleb Waterman meant many hard days' work with the saw and axe before the parts could be assembled together. Each spoke for the wheels must be split with an axe from well- seasoned cleft oak or walnut wood of straight and perfect grain, then hewn to the required form with a broad-axe, after which they were taken to the work-bench, and under his skillful hand were smoothed and tenoned, to enter
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ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
the hub which had already been encircled with mortised holes true and square. The felloes, or rims, were all sawed by hand from heavy plank in two-spoke sections, and thus every part of the wagon was made in the same slow and laborious manner; and it might be truthfully said that a wagon made after that manner would be like "The deacon's wonderful one-horse shay."
Caleb Waterman was a man who might be justly called a universal mechanic, since there was no part of a wagon that he could not make and make well. He could forge all of the ironwork, and was equally as good a worker in iron as wood. If necessary he could give assistance to the village butcher, being an expert at that business, as well as his own trade; and if a neighbor needed assistance in the hay-field Caleb Waterman's strong arms and willing hands were ever ready. For many years, or until his death, he served as undertaker, for, strange though it may seem to us, in those days the village wheelwright was generally the village undertaker.
If a neighbor died the wheelwright was expected to make the coffin, provided he had not one already made of the proper size. If one had to be put together after a person died, not much time could be given to the making of an elaborate affair, even though it lay in the skill of the wheelwright to do so. A plain pine box with a coat of stain and, if the time permitted, a single coat of varnish was all that could be given, as well as all that was ex- pected.
In 1861 Mr. Waterman moved the shop to a lot on Water- man avenue and discontinued the wheelwright business and gave his attention to undertaking, and continued the
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THE VILLAGE WHEELWRIGHT.
same until his death, March 29th, 1865. The discon- tinuance of the wheelwright business by Mr. Waterman in 1861 closed the first epoch of the business in this place. Caleb V. Waterman was always held in high esteem by his townsmen, and his sterling worth as a citizen was many times recognized by his appointment to places of honor and trust in the government of the town and State. He was elected senator from North Providence to the General Assembly, April 2, 1851, and served until 1853. After his death, as a public recognition of his worth, the town council named one of the principal thoroughfares of the town Waterman avenue.
In the year 1859 George H. Page and his brother Simon S. Page purchased a tract of land on the south side of Mineral Spring avenue, about seventy feet from the junction of Smith street, and erected thereon a two-story building, 30 x 50 feet, for the manufacturing of wagons and carriages of all kinds.
Many wood-working machines were introduced, and carriages and wagons, both light and heavy, were manu- factured complete, from the turning of the hubs to the trimming of the tops of light buggies. The woodwork was done upon the first floor, the painting and trimming upon the second floor, while the forging of the ironwork was done in the basement, which also held the contrivance which furnished the motive power for running the ma- chinery, which consisted of a combination of gears pro- pelled by horse-power. The enterprise proved a failure, and in 1861 the Messrs. Page made an assignment and the shop was leased to Israel B. Phillips, who continued the business until 1863, when the shop was closed for about a year.
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ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
In 1864 George Thompson re-opened the shop, and the following year took into partnership James E. Bailey; the firm name being known as Bailey & Thompson. Business adversities overtook the firm, and in the spring of 1866 the business was sold out to Marvin Smith, who continued in it until 1868, when he was succeeded by Ethan Thornton. Mr. Thornton conducted the business for about one year, when he was succeeded by Thomas Harris, who remained until 1881, when the shop doors were closed for many years.
Soon after the shop was closed, John R. Cozzens & Son (Charles) opened a small shop near their blacksmith shop, and ran it in a small way in connection with their black- smith business until the death of John R. Cozzens, in 1897, when this shop was discontinued.
January 10, 1894, George W. Harris purchased the land and buildings formally occupied by his brother Thomas and re-opened the old stand that had been closed since 1881. A blacksmith's forge was installed in con- nection with the wheelwright shop for the purpose of forging the ironwork for the wagons and for shoeing of horses. George Harris continued the business until 1906, when he sold out to George P. Willis. October 3. 1908. the land and building was sold and made into tenements.
THE FIRST LIVERY STABLE.
The first livery stable in Centerdale was established by Edwin Capron in the year 1831, and as he was one of the old-time residents of the village, having passed more than 70 years of his life in Centerdale, a brief sketch of his life seems appropriate.
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THE FIRST LIVERY STABLE.
Edwin Capron was the son of Asa and Sally Capron, and was born in Cumberland, R. I., October 16th, 1800. He was a lineal descendant of the sixth generation of Banfield Capron, who came from England about the year 1660. He was twice married, the first time in 1822, to Deborah Angell, daughter of Olney Angell, who was also of good old Puritan stock, being a descendant of the sixth generation of Thomas Angell, mentioned in Chapter II of this work. She died January 24, 1831. In 1836 he
HORSEN & CARRLAGES > "TOLET HY. EDWIN CAPRON.
THE FIRST LIVERY STABLE.
married for his second wife Emeline Wright, who survived him and died December 31, 1891. He was a man much respected among his neighbors; was upright and honorable in all transactions; always a temperate man in the use of ardent spirits. He was of a social and genial nature, always having a pleasant word for everyone. He was a man fully six feet in height, and exceedingly lithe and agile in
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ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
his movements. To show his agility in his old age, it will be interesting to say that at times when he would meet a few of his young acquaintances engaged in playful sports he would say, "Let me see if any one of you can jump from the ground and strike your heels together three times before alighting again." After many vain attempts they would give it up, when he would step forward and do the feat with so much ease and grace as to make the younger ones feel ashamed; at the same time he would exclaim, with a cheerful laugh, "How is that for a man seventy-five years old?"
He brought up a large family of children, three girls and six boys, all of whom inherited to a greater or less degree the lithesome agility of the father, but none his equal. He died July 22, 1889, in the eighty-ninth year of his age.
His early life was spent in the cotton mills at Centerdale, and elsewhere, where he learned the art of cotton manu- facturing, which will be spoken of later. Desiring a change of vocation, he in 1831 purchased the blacksmith- ing business, in Centerdale, of Brown Sweet. Not being a practical blacksmith, he started the livery business near by, anticipating that he could attend to that and at the same time have an oversight over the blacksmith shop. In March, 1836, he disposed of the business to David Cutting and moved to Thompson, Conn., and entered into the cotton manufacturing business. He, however, was not successful in this venture, and in 1840 sold out and returned to Centerdale and repurchased the livery stable. He continued the business at the same place until his death, which occurred July 22, 1889. He at that time had nearly completed his eighty-ninth year.
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THE FIRST LIVERY STABLE.
Two or three attempts have been made to re-establish the livery business here, but the invasion of the steam and electric cars has made the livery stable unprofitable, except when carried on in connection with some other business.
Thus the death of Edwin Capron marked the decline of the independent livery stable in Centerdale.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE VILLAGE BUTCHER.
PREVIOUS to 1824 there was no resident butcher or marketman in Centerdale; for, in the early days of the country the farmer depended almost entirely upon the products of the farm to supply his daily wants. Not only the products of the garden, but his fuel and clothing, also his supply of meat, came from the farm.
Occasionally a farmer would have an ox or a cow not needed, and with the assistance of his neighbors the cow would be slaughtered and the quarters hung up in the cellar to be kept cool; ice not being in general use in those days. If there was danger of the meat spoiling before it could be consumed by his own household, he would lend a portion of it to his neighbors, and when they had an opportunity the loan would be returned from their over- stock of fresh meat.
One of the seasons always looked forward to with much interest on a farm in those days was the annual hog- killing day. This generally occurred late in the fall after the corn had been harvested and fed to the pigs to get them in a proper condition for the killing. Upon an appointed day the neighboring farmers would drive their hogs to a convenient place, usually to the farm most centrally located, where arrangements had previously been made; the platform erected and scalding-vat placed.
The place selected was generally in the orchard or under a large tree with low spreading branches to suspend the dressed hogs upon. The day was looked forward to as a
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THE VILLAGE BUTCHER.
kind of holiday by the young people, although there was plenty of hard work to be done.
The farmer's wife, assisted by her good neighbors, was expected to prepare a feast for the men at noon-time, which always consisted of hog's pluck smothered in onions. Potatoes, turnips, squash, and other garden vegetables were served, together with the old-fashioned corn-meal pudding sweetened with molasses. Cider was generally the drink furnished, and it is doubtful if the elaborate feasts furnished in the city banquet halls of the present day are partaken with a better relish.
For several days now the farmer's household saw busy times. The different parts of the hog must be prepared for future use. The hams must be cured and hung in a barrel or in the fire-place over a smoke from a slow corn-cob fire; the pork cut in long strips and placed with a plenty of salt in a barrel kept for the purpose, and it was no unusual boast to tell how many generations the same pork-barrel had done service in the family. The year's supply of lard must be carefully rendered, and the pole again hung to hold the long row of links of savory sausages.
Truly these were busy times for the farmer's wife as well as the whole household, for each had their particular part to attend to. Thus were most of the wants of the farmer supplied from the products of his own farm and he was not wholly dependent upon the weekly visits of the butcher's cart.
After the introduction of the cotton mill and other industries, bringing together many people engaged in other walks of life, it presented an opportunity for some one to establish a meat market in the place.
Asa Steere, then a young man, was quick to see the opportunity, and in 1824 established the first slaughter-
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ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
house and meat business in Centerdale. At the time he started in business here he had but a few hard-earned dollars he had saved from his meagre wages as a farmer boy or at such other work as he could find to do. He had but little or no education, but he possessed a clear mind and robust health and a determination to get along in the world. Ready and quick to take advantage of every opportunity to better himself, and a faculty to meet an emergency with a quick perception of just what to do to attain success.
In those days all cattle, sheep, and hogs were purchased on the hoof and slaughtered by the local butcher; as no dressed meat was brought from the west as is now done. The cattle were driven or shipped cast, alive, to Brighton, Mass., that for many years being the principal cattle market for the cast. It was the custom for the butcher to make periodical visits to Brighton, and, after securing a sufficient number, to drive them overland to their destina- tion. A no small undertaking to drive a herd of strange cattle over strange roads for fifty, and in some cases one hundred, miles or more without mishap.
Sometimes a drover or cattle dealer would make a tour of the country towns over the public highways, driving a large herd of cattle, sheep, or hogs before him, when the butchers could make their selection without journeying to Brighton. But the modern method of transporting dressed meat from the west, on quickly-moving trains, almost to the door of the marketman has long since done away with the familiar sights of those days.
Asa Steere continued in the meat business until 1861, always doing a thriving business. His market and slaugh- ter-house were located on the west side of Steere street,
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THE VILLAGE BUTCHER.
about 150 feet from Smith street. In 1828 he built and occupied the house now standing on the east corner of Smith and Steere streets for his homestead place; the house standing nearly on the same spot where the first schoolhouse was built. In 1861, after nearly forty years of active business life, and having accumulated a small fortune, he retired from the business, selling the same to Frederick M. Aldrich.
ASA STEERE.
Asa Steere, or Major Steere, as he was generally called, being the pioneer butcher and marketman of Centerdale, a brief account of the man, who can justly be called one of the prominent and leading men of the town, seems appro- priate and interesting.
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ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
He was born in Glocester, R. I., April 19th, 1800, of poor parents, and, like many boys of his time, enjoyed little or no advantages to get an education. Early in life, while yet a small boy, he was thrown upon his own resources to get a living as best he could; he worked as a farmer boy in his younger days, and his work in the open air caused him to mature into a strong and robust man. Nature favored him with a very commanding presence, being fully six feet in height and of large frame and portly build, weighing upwards of 260 or 270 pounds; and his general bearing was that of a man of dignity and refine- ment. He was open-hearted, very cordial and genial in his manner, exceedingly popular with the general public, and was many times honored with public office by his townsmen; and without doubt but few men in Providence county were better known than Major Steere.
When a young man he became interested in military affairs and joined the Greene Artillery Company, at that time forming a part of the Twelfth Regiment of Rhode Island Militia. In 1826 he was appointed ensign, and in 1827 was promoted to first lieutenant, holding the position until the following year, when he received a com- mission of captain. In 1829 he was promoted to major of the Twelfth Regiment, holding that office until 1831, when he resigned from active military duties. He always retained the title of Major, and was universally known and addressed as Major Steere. He took great interest in sporting events and was a familiar figure upon the race track when racing events were popular at the old Wash- ington Trotting Park, and was often called upon to offici- ate in the judges' stand. He married Susan Burlingame, daughter of Owen and Elizabeth Burlingame, of Glocester,
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THE VILLAGE BUTCHER.
in whom he found a willing helpmate. Three daughters were born to them. After retiring from business in 1861 he lived as a man of leisure until May 6, 1882, when he died, at the age of eighty-two years, honored and respected by all who knew him.
Frederick M. Aldrich, the successor to Asa Steere in the meat business, continued the same at the old stand until 1872, when he removed to what was then known as Railroad Hall building, which he erected for the purpose. In 1877 he sold one-half interest in the business to George G. Cozzens, who remained with him for about two years, when they dissolved partnership, each retaining one-half of the business. In 1881 Mr. Aldrich desired to emigrate to Colorado, and disposed of his interest to William A. Sweet who in 1893 sold out to his son Fred A. Sweet, who continued in the business until 1906, when he retired from active business.
After the death of Asa Steere the homestead estate was sold to Stephen A. Kelley in 1884, who immediately set to work to renovate the old market and to re-establish the meat business at the old stand. Mr. Kelley being a young man, conducted the business upon modern meth- ods, and soon commanded a large trade, and ere long he had acquired a comfortable competence. In 1895 he retired from business and disposed of the several routes to different parties from other sections of the town. The old market and slaughter-house have since been sold to Frank C. Angell, who removed the building, and it is now used for other purposes.
Several parties have from time to time entered into the business field, but remained so short a time that it would not be of sufficient interest to attempt to follow out their career.
CHAPTER XV.
THE FIRST STORE .- THE POST-OFFICE.
T HE first store in Centerdale was established by James and Richard Anthony (proprietors of the cotton mill), at the junction of Smith street and Waterman avenue, in a small one-story building which was torn down in 1892.
It was the custom in the early days of the cotton in- dustry for the company, or proprietors of the mill, to conduct what was then called a factory store, where the employees could purchase such things as their everyday wants required. To obtain them from Providence was then quite an undertaking, for although the town was but five miles away, the conveniences for traveling were very limited, and a visit to the city twice a year was about all the average person would expect or could afford; besides, those who worked in the mill had but little leisure time to waste going to and from the city, which would consume the greater part of the day; for their time was fully occupied in the mill, where they were expected to be at work as early as half-past four o'clock in the morning and remain until eight o'clock in the evening, with thirty minutes for each of the three daily meals.
Pay-day came but seldom, although once in four weeks was supposed to be the settling time; but many of the operatives could get a settlement but once a year, and then their store account was often sufficient to dispose of the year's carnings.
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THE FIRST STORE.
Not very long after the Anthonys started the store a young man entered their employ as clerk, or salesman, by the name of Luther Carpenter.
LUTHER CARPENTER.
With the coming of Luther Carpenter to Centerdale began the career of one of the most successful men, from a business standpoint, that Centerdale has had.
He owed his success to his correct habits, strict attention to business, his perseverance and tireless energy. Possess- ing a fair education, he was endowed with sound ideas of business methods, besides having the tact and shrewdness in driving a bargain of a New England Yankee. He was of an amiable disposition, very slow to anger, and markedly fond of children, so much so that older and apparently more important customers were often obliged
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ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
to wait until the wants of the children were attended to. After serving as clerk for a time for the Anthonys he married Mary Anthony, daughter of James, one of the proprietors of the store, who soon afte turned the store over to Carpenter. The business under his management increased to such an extent that more room was needed than the little one-story building afforded.
In 1842 Mr. Carpenter purchased a lot at the corner of Smith street and Mineral Spring avenue, and in 1847 erected a building, into which he moved, which at the time was considered a model store of its kind. The arrangement of the store fully exemplified the advance ideas he had as to the manner of conducting a country store or variety store, this being the title painted upon the sign over the door. And variety store it certainly was, for there were few articles required in the everyday life of man or beast that could not be found in the store of Luther Carpen- ter.
He continued in business until his death, which came suddenly, from heart failure, October 7th, 1886. He was in the eighty-sixth year of his age and always had enjoyed most excellent health, seldom if ever being confined to the house from sickness, and but few gray hairs could be found in the luxurious growth of dark brown hair. Not- withstanding his advanced age, he retained his mental faculties to the hour of his death. His judgment in busi- ness transactions was as clear and sound as that of the average young man of thirty or thirty-five years.
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