USA > Vermont > Washington County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury, Vermont, 1763-1915 > Part 23
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O. E. Scott, said to have the oldest established business in town, is an optometrist and dealer in jewelry, watches and clocks. His business was organized in 1875, April 18th. His predecessor was E. F. Rand. Mr. Scott has occupied, in times past, the M. O. Evans drug store, George H. Atherton building near dry bridge, Cecil Graves building about thirty- two years, and has occupied a store in the F. L. Knight Block since September 1, 1913.
D. T. Harvey is the proprietor of a livery, feed and sale stable, organized in May, 1903. He was formerly a farmer in District Number 13. He was chairman of the board of selectmen in 1897-1901, and again in 1908. He has served as first village trustee (1913-1914).
M. L. Messer is an optician, having his place of business at 24 Main Street, next door to the millinery parlors of Mrs. M. L. Messer. Mr. Messer's business was established in October, 1914, and Mrs. Messer's in the spring of 1905.
The M. Griffith Estate (Mrs. C. M. Griffith, Miss Griffith and Mrs. Harry Bingham) conducts a harness and saddlery store, organized in 1890, formerly conducted by Mr. Lease. The place of business is now in the Palmer Block, formerly in
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the Post-Office Block. The business is soon to pass into the hands of C. M. Allen who will take it over.
S. C. Wheeler, with Alton G. Wheeler, is a manufacturer of lumber at Colbyville. Their saw mill was formerly run by L. J. Roberts but was purchased by them January 1, 1895. Several years ago the Wheelers purchased the Butler box shop, adjoining the saw mill, from Mr. G. E. Woodard. Here are manufactured the butter print boxes, the invention of George Dumas, a Waterbury man. The Wheelers also operate a portable saw mill in summer situated one and one- half miles from Waterbury Center.
The White Cross Pharmacy does a retail drug business at the corner of Main and Stone Streets. The persons interested are E. R. and J. W. Brisbin and C. D. Vincent. Their pred- ecessors were Moore & Twombley. The business was con- ducted for many years under the firm name of Evans & Bryan.
Charles B. Cheney (now of 107 Warren Avenue, Boston) operated the photograph studio at Waterbury Center from 1900-1910. Mr. Cheney spent over half his time between 1868 to 1895 at Waterbury, as portrait maker and publisher of stereoscopic views. His first work in Waterbury was in the car "Florinda" which he rented of E. R. Ober in 1870-1871. This car stood on the site of the studio erected later by S. B. Maxham, where Mr. Cheney afterwards was located in 1881- 1886. E. R. Ober succeeded Louis L. Pollard at Waterbury in 1869. Mr. Pollard's immediate predecessor was one Rand in the middle 60's.
George J. Burnham is a dealer in boots and shoes and men's furnishings. He has been in this business since November 19, 1886. He had no predecessor and occupies the location in which he started.
A. A. Newcomb, at Waterbury Center, is a dealer in general merchandise and has been since July 1, 1907. His predecessor was James A. Gilmore.
E. E. Campbell does a general insurance and real estate business under the business designation of E. E. Campbell's Agency; the business was organized in Waterbury December I, 1908. The present location in the town is 13 Stowe Street.
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PERIOD 1900-1915
C. C. Holmes, a retail dealer in meats, groceries, fruits and fish, organized business about July 1, 1914, succeeding Ketchum Brothers, and is located on Park Row, near the rail- way station. This market contains a sanitary refrigerating plant and unexposed display cases for meats. There is also a rendering plant for lard, etc.
J. F. Clair is a practitioner of veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry at 10 Union Street. He began practice in Waterbury April 1, 1910.
Mrs. Annie J. Barry is the owner and manager of a variety store, dealing in dry goods, notions, china, glassware, etc. The business was organized in October, 1908; by Mrs. Barry, soon after the death of Mr. Barry, her husband, seven years ago. The present location is in Calkins Block, 14 Main Street. Formerly it was in the two front rooms in Mrs. Barry's home. Today the business requires the whole of the first floor of the building. Originally the business was a 5- and I0-cent store; now it has grown to larger proportions.
Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Picard are dealers in staple groceries and baking products under the name of Picard's Home Bakery. Their predecessors were E. H. Towne, L. H. Smith, R. J. Knowles, and he in turn by Mr. Waterman. The present location is in the Parker Block, South Main Street.
A. W. Miller operates the Waterbury Steam Laundry. The business was organized by his father, E. G. Miller, in the au- tumn of 1901; A. W. Miller conducts operations on Elm Street. A predecessor was J. A. Fife.
Sinclair & Lyon (James A. Sinclair and Jack Lyon) are ' engaged in granite cutting in their sheds on the Central Ver- mont tracks below the Drew Daniels plant. This business was organized February 18, 1915. Their predecessors were Peter Blondin, and Kelly, Sinclair & Brown.
W. H. Sleeper conducts a restaurant on Stowe Street which was organized October 1, 19II. The place is much resorted to by touring parties in search of good, substantial, sustaining food, well cooked and cleanly served. Mr. Sleeper's place was formerly in the corner of Main and Stowe streets.
C. C. Graves conducts a business of general insurance and
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is a dealer in mileages. The persons interested are C. C. Graves and William Park. The business was organized in 1893. Their predecessors were Graves & Cheney. Mr. Graves' places of business are in the Waterbury Bank Block and at his residence.
P. J. Chase is a dealer in art goods, cameras, and supplies, under the firm name of Chase's Art Store. The business was organized October 15, 1909. The present location of the store is on Main Street, opposite the Waterbury Savings Bank and Trust Company.
W. Krinowitz is engaged in tailoring and dealing in clothing and men's furnishings. The business was organized in 1912 and the present location is in the old library building on Main Street, formerly in the Palmer Block.
F. C. Lamb is a dealer in groceries. The business started in December, 1905. His predecessor was Julius H. Daniels. The present location is on the north side of Stowe Street.
The Demeritt Company does a canning business, the prin- cipal product being canned vegetables. The persons inter- ested are R. N. Demeritt, B. R. Demeritt and Roy W. Demeritt. The business was started by B. R. Demeritt and E. F. Palmer, Jr., as the first canning factory built and operated by native Vermonters in the state. The present location is at the eastern end of the village near the Central Vermont tracks. This company also manufactures the holdfast spring clothes pin, variety turnings, etc., and operates the mill for- merly owned by E. W. Huntley.
Brisbin & Brisbin are dealers in drugs, toilet articles, fine candies and confections, etc. The persons interested are E. R. Brisbin and J. W. Brisbin and the business was organ- ized March 29, 1911. The predecessors were C. I. Hatch, then the Palmer Pharmacy, then William Carpenter. The present location is in the old Carpenter Block, at the head of Stowe Street and facing Main.
Edwards & Edwards are engaged in the business of manu- facturing scythe snaths on lower Main Street. The persons interested are R. J. & W. E. Edwards, and the business was organized in July, 19II.
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PERIOD 1900-1915
The Union Granite Company is composed of the following shareholders: G. Chiodi, F. C. Luce, G. Gattoni, U. Prario, V. Fracassi, G. Bianchi, E. Campi, F. Giacomini, A. Bai Rossi, C. Brusa, P. Caranchini, L. Cardazzo, G. Canale, V. Dominioni, G. Bai Rossi, H. Imbruglia, G. Bastai, A. Del Guidici, L. Savoini, F. Gattoni. The business was organized in March, 1909, for the purpose of cutting granite. The loca- tion is in the East side of South Main Street, west of the rail- way tracks.
F. H. Hoglund conducts a photographic studio; besides specializing in portrait work, Mr. Hoglund devotes considera- ble attention to landscape photography of the higher class. The business was organized twenty years ago by E. T. Hous- ton. After some years in Stowe Street, Mr. Houston moved to the present studio in Main Street; he was succeeded by Howard Rockwood and he in turn by F. H. Hoglund.
Smith & Somerville (A. H. Smith and J. F. Somerville) conduct a hardware business on Main Street, at the head of Stowe Street, in one of the oldest business stands in the village. The business was organized in 1888 by the firm's predecessors, Messrs. Harwood & Smith (Charles Harwood and A. H. Smith). Two years later Mr. Somerville bought out the in- terest of Mr. Harwood and the business has since been con- ducted under its present firm name of Smith & Somerville.
The Waterbury Inn, an attractive hotel and resort for many touring parties and permanent guests, was built in 1864 on the site of the old Washington House and Pride home, at the corner of Main Street and Park Row. Its present proprietor is W. F. Davis and the persons interested are E. D. & W. F. Davis. Their predecessors were Ben Barrett and John C. Farrar. Numerous facilities for enjoyment and comfort are afforded by the new casino attached to the hotel. The place is resorted to largely by Canadian guests.
O. L. Ayers conducts a hardware, plumbing and heating business, organized November 1, 1901. His first location was in the Parker Block, now occupied by Chase's Art Store. He purchased from James Hattie the blacksmith shop on the
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present location in Elm Street, remodeled it and made addi- tions suitable for his present needs.
W. H. O'Brien is the proprietor of the combination store and deals in tobacco, cigars, candies, fruit and soda. Mr. O'Brien also conducts the barber shop at his place of business in Park Row, which he opened February 3, 1910. His pred- ecessor as barber and the keeper of a pool room was Jesse Morse. Mr. O'Brien began business as a barber in April, 1899; he occupied premises in the old Post-Office Block, sold out to Frederic Towne and removed to Burlington in March, 1907, but returned to Waterbury February 3, 1910.
H. J. Ennis, also a barber, conducts a shop and pool room, three doors above the bank on Main Street, which he bought July 6, 1915, of A. E. Douglass.
J. H. Ring is engaged in business as the agent for the Ver- mont Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and is also a substitute carrier on the R. F. D. route. His predecessor was the late W. E. Marshall, who lived on the village farm now owned by Mr. Ring.
The Winooski Valley Creamery is owned by A. G. & G. F. Braley of Fairhaven, Massachusetts. The local manager is E. G. Grant. The business is that of separating cream and doing a general creamery trade. Their predecessor was the Winooski Valley Creamery Association. The business was organized July 1, 1915.
Dow Brothers (L. W. & E. E. Dow) carry on a wholesale and retail meat and provision business at Waterbury Center. The business was organized April 1, 1915, and was formerly in the hands of L. W. Dow who conducted it alone for six years. The firm supplies local markets with pork products at wholesale.
V. L. Perkins & Company are engaged in the business of undertaking and dealing in furniture. The business was organized in October, 1907, and their predecessor was W. J. Boyce. Their location is in Main Street, near the Methodist Church.
Parker Brothers do a dry goods, clothing, boot and shoe business, organized in April, 1906. The persons interested are
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PERIOD 1900-1915
Barkette T. and Marshall T. Parker. The founders of the firm were Thomas M. Parker and his son, Wilbert T. Parker. In 1909 Thomas M. Parker sold out his interest to his sons mentioned above who, in 19II after the death of Wilbert T. Parker, became the proprietors of the business.
Cooley-Wright Manufacturing Company operates a machine shop and foundry as successors to Cooley Manufacturing Company, organized in 1882. The persons interested are William T. Cooley, E. A. Cooley, Ralph W. Putnam and William Theriault. Their locations are at Waterbury Center and in Foundry Street in the village.
J. A. Foster is a dealer in groceries at 115 South Main Street. The business was organized in 1910.
V. K. Ducas conducts a candy and confectionery store and ice cream parlor in Stowe Street. The business is carried on under the business designation of the Concord Candy Kitchen and was founded April 1, 1914. Mr. Ducas is a native Greek from Laconia. He came to America in 1893 and married Miss Petras, a compatriote from the province of Arcadia, Greece.
L. J. Roberts is a dealer in lumber, laths and shingles, and enjoys the distinction of succeeding to a business nearly one hundred years old. His place of business is at the falls on Waterbury River four miles from the village. His immediate predecessors were Randall & Roberts.
The Drew Daniels Company owns and operates a granite cutting plant in Foundry Street, formerly operated by Drew Daniels, and organized January 14, 1901. The persons in- terested are: W. H. B. Perry, M. A. Perry, R. B. Perry, A. S. Perry, C. C. Graves and C. W. Clark.
Mrs. A. B. Cooley Greene opened a millinery store in parlors over the old post-office in the Opera House Block in February, 1898. From there she removed to the Davis Block in 1902; thence to her present location opposite the Inn in 1913. Mrs. Greene has her residence in the same building with her millinery parlors.
Leonard Huntley is the local blacksmith and wheelwright at Waterbury Center. The business was established in 1862,
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and Mr. Huntley's predecessor was George Wilson. Formerly Mr. Huntley was interested with O. W. Davis in the Waterbury Nursery. Davis sold his interest to Albert Lyon and the business was conducted under the firm name of Huntley & Lyon until 1881, when Mr. Lyon died. Meanwhile Mr. Huntley continued his business as blacksmith and wheelwright as he does today.
H. L. Morse conducts a coal and wood business organized in 1896. The coal sheds are near the Central Vermont freight station and the wood yard is at his residence in Winooski Street.
The F. C. Luce Company conducts a department store at 23 Stowe Street. The business was organized March I, 1891. The owner is F. C. Luce. His predecessors were C. E. Richardson and Richardson & Fullerton. Mr. Luce carries a large stock of dry goods, notions, clothing, hats and caps, boots and shoes, haberdashery and outfittings generally.
WINOOSKI LODGE, No. 49, F. AND A. M.
Winooski Lodge, No. 49, F. and A. M., held its initial meeting for organization on May II, 1859, having received a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Vermont on the fifth day of the same month, with Horace M. Bruce, Joseph Somerville and L. L. Durant named as the three principal officers of the new lodge.
At this meeting, which was probably held at the home of Horace M. Bruce, the following officers were elected and ap- pointed: John Poor, treasurer; John F. Henry, secretary; W. W. Henry, S. D .; A. J. Brown, J. D .; G. W. Atkins, tyler; N. K. Brown, S. S .; L. F. Warner, J. S.
A committee, composed of J. F. Henry, W. W. Henry and L. L. Durant, was appointed to draft by-laws to govern the lodge. The first two petitions for membership ever presented before Winooski Lodge were presented at this meeting, those of C. F. Stone and B. F. Dewey.
On January 12, A. D. 1860, the charter was issued to Winooski Lodge by the Grand Lodge of Vermont, with the following appearing as charter members: H. M. Bruce,
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PERIOD 1900-1915
L. L. Durant, Gersham Rice, W. W. Henry, Amos Crosby, N. K. Brown, L. F. Warner, G. W. Atkins, Joseph Somerville, John Poor, A. J. Brown, E. B. Johnson, and J. F. Henry.
At the date of this writing, only one of the charter members is living, N. K. Brown, now residing in Burlington.
Such was the inception of Winooski Lodge, No. 49, although Masonry began its organized existence here as early as 1821, when a charter was issued to King David Lodge, No. 55. This lodge held its meetings in Stowe and Waterbury until 1831, after which there are no records of its existence.
This fact is due to the strong anti-Masonic agitation which spread over the country at this period, by reason of the mysteri- ous disappearance of a Mr. Morgan, who, it was claimed, had been put to death by the Masonic fraternity as a penalty for publishing a book exposing the secrets of Masonry.
Between the years 1837 and 1844, on account of the anti- Masonic feeling, the Grand Lodge of Vermont convened only in secret, and then only the three principal officers were present. During this period, Henry F. Janes, father of the late Doctor Henry Janes, was elected to Congress on the anti-Masonic ticket.
It is only fair to state, however, that this charge against Masonry was never substantiated in any degree whatever. It has been declared that Morgan was seen years after in a for- eign country, where he had fled for reasons of his own.
It is sad to relate, however, that even to the present day, we find those who still hold an antipathy against the Masonic fraternity by reason of this incident, and withhold their support from this noble and humane organization. No institution was ever raised on a better principle or more solid foundation, nor were ever more excellent rules and useful maxims laid down than are inculcated in the several Masonic lectures.
On June 24, 1909, Winooski Lodge held its fiftieth anniver- sary at Waterbury, at which time an interesting résumé was given of its early history.
The first Masonic hall occupied by the lodge was in the upper story of what is now the Smith and Somerville Building, at the head of Stowe Street, and was dedicated on July 12,
18
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY, VERMONT
1860. Later it moved to the upper rooms of the J. F. Henry Building on Park Row, the lower part of which is now occupied by W. H. O'Brien and Wallace M. Green. Several years later it was again moved to more commodious quarters in the Opera House Block on Stowe Street, which it has since occupied.
The first Masonic funeral, held by Winooski Lodge, was that of Sylvester Flagg, who had been a member of the fraternity only a few months. The services were held in the Congregational Church, but not without considerable opposi- tion by some of the church members, there being considerable anti-Masonic feeling even at that date. At the present time, there are five ministers of the Gospel who are enthusiastic members of this lodge.
We find that this great fraternity, which had its inception for the uplift of humanity, was one of the first to place its ban on the use of intoxicating liquors. As early as 1864 their use was considered an offense against the teachings of Masonry, and cases are on record where charges were preferred, the offender found guilty, and reprimanded or suspended.
The history of the lodge would not be complete without the name of William Deal, a familiar person on the streets of Waterbury, who was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason August 30, 1859, making him the oldest living member in town.
Following is a list of the Masters of Winooski Lodge, No. 49, to date: H. M. Bruce, W. W. Henry, N. K. Brown, B. H. Dewey, E. A. Newcomb, M. E. Smilie, E. W. Huntley, Seaver Howard, U. H. Hammon, W. B. Clark, G. S. Blaisdell, G. H. Dale, E. E. Foss, D. D. Grout, L. C. Moody, C. C. Graves, F. B. Kellogg, J. F. Somerville, E. A. Stanley, E. E. Campbell, G. C. Scott and H. H. Fullerton.
CAPITULAR OR CHAPTER MASONRY IN WATERBURY
The first chapter meeting of Royal Arch Masons was held in Waterbury on February 16, 1870, under a dispensation issued February 5, 1870, by Charles A. Miles, Grand High Priest of Vermont, upon the petition of Emory Town, M. C. Stewart, Warren Skinner, A. J. Brown, Collins Blakely, H. C. Fay,
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PERIOD 1900-1915
J. L. Farr, H. M. Bruce, Joseph Somerville and A. J. Lawborn. At this meeting the following officers were elected :
Emory Town, M. E. H. P .; Warren Skinner, E. K .; M. C. Stewart, E. S .; A. J. Brown, C. H .; Collins Blakely, P. S .; H. C. Fay, R. A. C .; H. M. Bruce, M. Ist V .; J. L. Farr, M. 2d V .; Joseph Somerville, M. 3d V .; Ira W. Sayles, tyler; A. J. Brown, treasurer, and J. L. Farr, secretary.
At this meeting the petitions presented for membership were as follows: E. K. Smith, William Deal, G. W. Atkins, M. E. Smilie and E. A. Newcomb.
The chapter continued to work under the dispensation until the following June, when they received their charter, issued by the Grand Chapter of Vermont.
Following is a list of the Excellent High Priests of Waterbury Chapter: Collins Blakely, E. A. Newcomb, C. F. Clough, W. D. Hall, E. G. Hooker, W. B. Clark, L. C. Moody, E. W. Huntley, E. E. Foss, and E. A. Stanley.
Paul Dillingham Lodge, No. 31, Knights of Pythias, was organized March 31, 1905. The roster of chief officers since then is: 1905, F. W. Arnold, C. C .; H. W. Carr, V. C. 1906, A. E. Edwards, C. C .; W. H. Sleeper, V. C. 1907, F. W. Arnold, C. C .; F. D. Backus, V. C. 1908, J. R. Arkley, C. C .; Lawrence Wright, V. C. 1909, E. E. Campbell, C. C .; W. H. Sleeper, V. C. 1910, F. C. Luce, C. C .; F. D. Backus, V. C. 19II, W. H. Fullerton, C. C .; B. A. Lavelle, V. C. 1912, H. H. Fullerton, C. C .; S. E. Ruggles, V. C. 1913, E. E. Campbell, C. C .; N. N. Vassor, V. C. 1914, N. N. Vas- sor, C. C .; George Howland, V. C. 1915, B. D. Edwards, C. C .; L. A. Willard, V. C.
The Modern Woodmen, local organization, was established November 9, 1908. The election of officers is held annually. The trustees for 1915 are H. F. Whitcomb, W. C. Lyon and C. A. Gibbs. The venerable consul is E. C. Harvey, and the worthy adviser is W. F. Shontell.
The Mentor Lodge, No. 51, of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted in Waterbury, March 28, 1893. The two leading officers since that date were: 1893, first noble grand, W. F. Minard, first vice grand, C. D. Robinson. Then
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY, VERMONT
followed in 1894, W. F. Minard, F. C. Luce; 1895, F. C. Luce, O. E. Scott; 1896, J. K. Fullerton, Frank Carpenter; 1897, Frank Carpenter, J. A. Foster; 1898, J. A. Foster, E. F. Savage; 1899, E. F. Savage, W. J. Boyce; 1900-1901, W. J. Boyce, E. W. Chesley; 1902, E. W. Chesley, E. E. Joslyn; 1903, E. E. Joslyn, James Hattie; 1904, C. C. Graves, W. B. Clark; 1905, W. B. Clark, J. F. Shipman; 1906, J. F. Ship- man, E. E. Campbell; 1907, E. E. Campbell, W. J. Red- mond; 1908, W. J. Redmond, E. G. Miller; 1909, E. G. Miller, Henry Marshall; 1910, E. G. Miller, G. O. Russell; 19II, G. O. Russell, R. J. Knowles; 1912, R. J. Knowles, Henry Marshall; 1913, R. J. Knowles, E. W. Chesley; 1914, E. W. Chesley, J. H. Ather; 1915, J. H. Ather, M. L. Messer.
The Alhambra Encampment, No. 20, was instituted October 18, 1894. W. F. Minard was made chief patriarch and continued for 1895 and 1896. Others holding that office were: D. C. Turner, 1897; W. F. Minard, 1898; J. A. Foster, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902; W. B. Clark, 1903; E. F. Savage, 1904; W. J. Boyce, 1905; E. E. Joslyn, 1906; C. C. Graves, 1907; E. E. Campbell, 1908, 1909; E. W. Chesley, 1910, 1911; E. E. Campbell, 1912; G. S. Blaisdell, 1913; G. F. Averill, 1914; R. J. Knowles, 1915.
J. A. Foster was grand patriarch of the Grand Encampment of the State of Vermont for 1914, also grand representative to the Sovereign Lodge at San Francisco.
The Emerald Rebekah Lodge, No. 33, was instituted April 30, 1895. The roll of officers has included: Noble grands, Mrs. Alma Moody, 1895; Mrs. Alma Moody, 1896; Mrs. R. Crossett, 1897; Mrs. Nina Robinson, 1898; Mrs. E. Farrar; vice grand, Mrs. J. Shipman, 1900; no officers, 1901 and 1902; noble grand, Mrs. J. Shipman, vice grand, Mrs. Jesse Foster, 1903; Mrs. J. Shipman, Mrs. Nellie Bates, 1904; Mrs. Nellie Bates, Mrs. E. E. Campbell, 1905; Mrs. E. E. Campbell, Mrs. J. Fife, 1906; Mrs. J. Fife, Mrs. W. J. Boyce, 1907; Mrs. W. J. Boyce, Mrs. Emma Turner, 1908; Mrs. Emma Turner, Mrs. J. Hattie, 1909; Mrs. J. Hattie, Mrs. Helen Somerville, 1910; Mrs. Helen Somerville, Mrs. O. L. Ayers, 1911; Mrs.
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PERIOD 1900-1915
O. L. Ayers, Mrs. R. J. Knowles, 1912; Mrs. R. J. Knowles, Mrs. G. Russell, 1913; Mrs. G. Russell, Mrs. C. Sargent, 1914; Mrs. C. Sargent, Mrs. H. Marshall, 1915.
FIRE RECORD
The first concerted action at systematic fire fighting was taken in 1855 when the selectmen duly laid out one square mile as a fire district. This area afterwards formed the chartered site of Waterbury Village and included most of the so-called River Village and a part of Mill Village. By volun- tary subscription a medium sized engine and a limited supply of hose were bought. It was not until the extensive fire of 1858 that a larger and better engine and additional appliances were purchased. The old engine house gave place to a new one in 1871.
It is said that the first building burned in Waterbury was a tan shop of Cephas Wells, situated opposite the old Fireman's Hall (date not given). The first district school building burned in 1810 and the dwelling house of D. C. Deming in 1816.
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