|
|
|
||||||||
History of Leominster, Massachusetts*
Salute to Leominster - published 1975 and much has changed
This is printed on the copy of the article, Salute to Leominster, that I obtained:
* This article was published by the Montachusett Review in its August 13, 1975 Edition. Permission to reproduce the article was obtained from its author, Susan R. Griffith and General Manager Editor Gil Progen.
Topics
The Beginning Industries Other Industries Men of Note Religion Education Politics Library Hospital Disasters Newspapers
The Beginning
The history of Leominster begins with that of Lancaster. The original grant for Lancaster in 1643 included the present towns of Lancaster, Clinton, part of Bolton, Harvard and Sterling. In 1701, the land to the northwest was purchased from Chief Sholan of the Nashua Indians. (note from SueG - Chief Sholan died in 1654 so Leominster was acquired from Lancaster not Chief Sholan. Lancaster was acquired from Chief Sholan in 1642.)
The first settlers to move to this added territory were Gershon and Tamar Houghton, and James Boutell, with their families. Slowly more residents were added, with the White family building in 1732, followed by the Wilders and Carters in 1733. The purchase of this land from the Indians was obviously to their satisfaction, as this area was not harassed by raids, becoming an attractive and safe place to settle.
By 1737, the residents of the New Grant section of Lancaster decided they could govern themselves more cheaply and more conveniently. Their petition to separate was granted by the General Court on July 4, 1740 and Leominster history began.
The origin of the town's name is not definitely known. The most convincing explanation refers to John Prescott, the founder of Lancaster. Prescott originally wanted "his" town named after himself, but his request was denied by the General Court. So he named the new town after the county he came from in England - Lancaster. Ancestors of his had once ruled the shire of Leominster, and Prescott's influence may have convinced the New Grant residents to so name their town. There is no record of any early inhabitant of Leominster having any connection with that English town, and no other explanation has yet surfaced.
The boundaries of Leominster were changed in 1838. Unincorporated land known as No Town, surrounded by Fitchburg, Leominster, Princeton, and Westminster was divided up between the last three towns.
The successful development of Leominster has been a result of the gravitation of many and varied industries to this picturesque community. By the time the Town of Leominster was incorporated in 1740, grist and saw mills were already in operation. These ventures were followed soon after by tanneries, manufacturers of potash and pearlash, and cloth. Another early business, in a lighter vein, was the "manufacture" of gingerbread.
In 1770, what was to become Leominster's largest and most well known industry was introduced. That year, Obadiah Hills began making horn combs by hand. The combmaking industry in the United States got its start in W. Newbury, Mass. Hills learned his trade there, then moved with his skill to Leominster.
By 1880, there were eight comb shops in town, a number which tripled by 1845. By that time the total in Leominster surpassed that of W. Newbury, Mass. This child would become more successful than the parent.
The next seven years, from 1845 - 1852, reflect a tremendous growth in combmaking. The number of employees increased from 146 to 400; the capital invested, from $22,000 to $75,000; and the value of the product, from $77,400 to $250,000. This growth in business, comb and others, stimulated a decade of rapid population increase from 2,069 in 1840 to 3,121 in 1850. The average rise in population previously was only 189 per decade.
As the local, national, and worldwide demand for combs mushroomed, supplies of horn, tortoise shell, and ivory became increasingly harder to obtain. The search for a synthetic replacement for these natural materials began. Celluloid, invented in 1870, filled the bill.
The production of combs in Leominster gradually switched over to the use of celluloid, and the town maintained a predominant position in the industry. In 1925, one of the four largest manufacturers of celluloid in the nation was based in Leominster. The Viscoloid Company, Inc., had Bernard Doyle as its owner and president in the early years of the 20th century. When the company was purchased by Dupont in 1926, the building became the Dupont Doyle Works in his honor.
When plastic first came on the scene, it was used only in the comb industry. Now with 47 percent of the city's 167 industries producing plastics in Leominster, the variety of product is virtually endless.
Other Industries
One of Leominster's greatest assets has been the variety of its businesses and industries. Not dependent on one or two for economic survival, the town's economy was never seriously threatened by the phasing out or failure of a trade as the times and changing tastes altered the success of products over the years.
Soon after the comb business got its start, other new industries were begun. Near the end of the 18th century, an oil mill, saddle maker, paper mill, and a cooper's shop were opened. Other assorted businesses produced bricks, tin ware, stoves, metal pumps, wooden plows, baskets, brooms, straw bonnets, and hair sieves.
Much of the business at this time was accomplished by barter. Leominster products were taken to Boston and traded to dealers there for goods needed by the townspeople.
When factories first invaded the small farming town, they were not a threat to the agricultural community, as they were in other places. The factories were built on the worst land, and the homes of their workers were constructed close by. For a long time the farming and business elements in Leominster coexisted favorably.
As the number of industries increased, the economic structure of Leominster changed. In the original farming community, each family was self-sufficient. They bartered their produce for other things they needed. With the influx of so many factor workers, the need for services to supply them with all the necessities of life arose. Butchers, bakers, grocers, began doing for the workers what they could not do for themselves. The change was slow, though, prior to the Industrial Revolution. By 1852 there were only five or six stores in town, and according to David Wilder in "The History of Leominster" published in 1853, "for fifty years past these have been quite as many as were needful."
The spirit of cooperation between the farming and business sector at this time was affirmed by the founding in 1851 of the Leominster Farmers' and Mechanics' Association "to promote the interests of agriculture, and all industrial pursuits, and especially to benefit those engaged therein."
The nineteenth century ushered in a period of accelerating growth for Leominster. By mid century there were five paper mills in town. A custom shoe maker sold wares throughout New England; and was furnished with a new material, patent leather, from local tanneries. A woolen factory and cotton mill supplied raw material for home sewing and a local clothing business. In 1845, a successful piano case maker opened a plant in Leominster. By 1851, they employed 40 people and manufactured $34,000 worth of product.
Other businesses added in the 19th century were carpenter shops, a machine shop, the A.Whitney Carriage Factory (reputed then to be the largest in the world), an axe shop-making the "Leominster Axe" known far and wide, and a barrel maker. The manufacture of tin ware, stoves, bricks, baskets, and brooms was continued, with cast iron ploughs, children's toys, furniture, and leatherboard - used to stiffen boots, shoes, and chairs - were introduced.
The Industrial Revolution had a great effect on the economics of Leominster. More major industries sprang up near the end of the 19th century. Several shirt companies, many makers of piano parts (making 75 percent of the nations's piano cases before the industry ceased in 1935), four firms producing paper boxes added increasing employment and income to the town.
Also initiated in this period were a lumber business, a manufacturer of apple paring machinery, the Union Desk Company producing roller top desks, Sun Enamel Works - finishing furniture, jewelry, etc., a maker of trunk handles, and Wilcox pens. In 1873, the Leominster Gas Light Company began service, followed by the Leominster Electric Light Company in 1888.
With the attendance rise of the railroad, transportation for merchandise extended the market for all goods produced locally. In 1845, a line from Charlestown to Fitchburg through Leominster made the connection with the Boston market and port more readily accessible. In 1847, a charter was granted for the Fitchburg-Worcester R.R., which was in operation by 1850.
The introduction of the railroad also changed the social environment of the townsfolk. The sleepy provincial town became sophisticated, with the entertainment and "worldly pleasures" of Boston only two hours away.
The popluation of Leominster was profoundly affected as the number of industries multiplied. In the decade from 1840 - 1850, 1,052 people were added to the community. From 1870 - 1880, the figure increased by another 1,878; and from 1880 - 1890, by 1,228 to a total of 7,000 residents. The permanence and stability of Leominster's economic base stimulated the growth of home building and ownership, as large single family Victorian homes, many of which are extant today, extended the town's pleasant residential area. As the community shifted more and more from farming to industry, agricultural land was used for private homes.
The economic transition is further evidenced by the rise of banking institutions in the town. In 1864, the First National Bank of Leominster was established, followed in the next year by the Leominster Savings Bank. By 1884, another was added - the Leominster National Bank.
As Leominster flourished during the early years of the 20th century, its population jumped rapidly from 11,000 in 1900 to 20,000 fifteen years later, when it was incorporated as a city. This was the fastest growth period in Leominster history.
The number of industries and population has reached a happy balance, each supporting the other, with the number of residents now [1975] being 35,331. [Population in 1998 - approximately 40,000]
Religion
Five months after its incorporation, Leominster decided to build its first meeting house. The small building was used for both worships and town meetings.
The town's first minister, John Rogers, was ordained in 1743. his teachings became too liberal for the community, though, and he was dismissed in 1758. Francis Gardner [no relation to the host of these web pages] became the next appointee in 1762, and a second meeting house was built.
Religious factions began to split off as dissatisfaction with Gardner and his successors increased. Many religious societies sprang up, and eventually became legally sanctioned religious institutions.
In the 1820's, the Orthodox Congregational Society was founded and became a church, opening its doors with 10 members. The Methodist Episcopal Society began in 1823 and was legally formed in 1828. In 1824, the Baptist Society was founded, and a church was organized in 1837.
The next addition to the religious mix was Catholicism. The first mass was served in a local home by a Worcester priest in 1849, and a building bought for the parishioners in 1857. The year 1874 saw the introduction of the Congregational Church of Christ in North Leominster by residents there who wanted a house of worship closer to home than the Orthodox Church downtown.
The spirit of religous freedom has continued over the years, as 16 churches and synagogues serve the Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish population.
Education
From the onset, Leominster was responsible for its schools. The residents built, staffed, and paid an equal amount of money on schools throughout the community.
The first move to set up local education was a vote in 1747 to pay 10 pounds to a school master. In two years 35 pounds was allocated to build the first school, for males only, near the meeting hours. In 1752, ten percent of that sum was all that was raised to build the "female" school. Three years later a writing school was established at the school house.
In 1766 the town was sued by the state for not keeping a grammar school. In those days, all those who could read had a right to go to grammar school, and the town was obliged to supply one. The next year the town voted to divide into three sections for education, supplying 40 pounds for staff and supplies, and 66 pounds for the construction of four new school houses. And the town now had its grammar school.
During the Revolution, taxes were so high that little money was raised for education. In 1792, the town divided again, this time into seven wards for more localized education. As the population grew, the wards increased in numbers as did the school houses.
By 1915, eleven large schools, including a high school, served the town with $85,000 then being appropriated for education. St. Cecilia's Parochial School educated those Catholic students their enrolled.
Currently Leominster educates its children with 14 public schools, including two junior highs, a high school, and a trade school. In addition there are now four parochial schools.
Politics
Leominster's town meetings established all local rules, regulations, taxes, and services. In 1774, however, the residents saw the need to become involved in the larger affairs of the Massachusetts Colony, since "clouds and darkness were round about them" (Wilder), Feeling that it was in its own best interest to remain informed on the colonies' impending struggle with England, Leominster sent its first respresentative, Israel Nichols, to the General Court.
Previous to this action, the town had done its share in protecting itself and the larger community. Thirty six men were sent to fight during the French and Indian Wars.
When Boston was suffering hardships of unjust British laws, an address to the resident of that city was sent by Leominster, indicating its sympathy for their oppression. Issued on March 3, 1766 it read "We must, we can and we will be free. We cannot part with our creation right. We are obliged forever to assert it as it is our glory to be in subjection to that Supreme Power that formed us free." This may have been the earliest expression of independence sentiments by a township in the colony.
In 1774 Leominster formed a Committee of Correspondence that established an intelligence network among the adjacent towns. This way, communities in north central Massachusetts would be informed of proceedings as the displeasure with British rule increased, and plans to break away were formed.
After the closing of the Port of Boston on August 27, 1774, the Committee issued a strong directive:
- that citizens should do all to recover just rights and privileges,
- that all should enlighten their neighbors as to the threat of America becoming a "slave" of Britain,
- that Leominster should do what it could to help relieve the citizens of Boston who were suffering the most from the closing of the port.
When peaceful means failed to correct the situation, Leominster entered the War of Indepence against Britain. A total of 300 from the area served in the Revolution. November 29, 1776 the town voted 1,200 pounds in payment for their soldiers.
When Congress saw the need for a standing army with longer enlistment as the war progressed, Leominster voted 500 pounds for salaries and enlisted its share of men. In 1780, when the House of Representatives asked each town to contribute beef or funds to pay for the army, Leominster gave its share of 7,200 pounds of beef, as well as paying 334 lbs. over its quota.
After the war, Leominster's farmers suffered the depression and devalution of currency that followed. It took $4,000 in Bills of Credit of the U.S. in 1780 to equal $100 worth of gold or silver in 1777. Taxes rose. Many towns became dissatisfied with the General Court, but Leominster stood by it.
In 1778, passage of the Constitution came to a vote. With Leominster voting "yes", adoption fo the U.S. Constitution passed.
When the Embargo of 1808 was instituted by Washington, the town petitioned President Jefferson to rescind it as it was injuries to the local economy.
During the War of 1812, a company of artillery from Leominster went to South Boston to protect the port, since the British had threatened to destroy the American coast from Main to Georgia.
Leominster sent 404 men, more than its quota, to fight on the Union side during the Civil War. More information on the town's involvement in this conflict is scarce, since there was no local paper at that time, and the town reports are scanty.
In 1867 the Soldiers' Monument was erected in the center of Leominster. On this Quincy granite obelisk are the names Gettysburg, Port Hudson, Ball's Bluff, and Knoxville, signifying the important battles in which Leominster soldiers had participated up to that time.
Library
In 1763, a Social Library began. The interest was keen as approximately 100 books were collected from a population of only 743. The pleasure of books and conversation being among the few entertainments of the time, many different organizations sprouted across the community. In 1848 all these societies came together to form the Public Library. Money to build the facility was raised by the women of Leominster, and the first librarian, Francis Tinker, was appointed in 1856.
The Library collection was moved into its present building in 1910, an addition to which vastly increased its capacity in 1966. Over 70,000 volumes, film and record libraries are now available to the public.
A museum collection of geological and antiquarian specimens were added to the Public Library in 1880. The collection was begin in 1871 by interested people and funded by donations. Among the first items collected were a mirror once owned by Reverence John Rogers; a parasol carried by the wife of the second minister, Francis Gardner; and a rebel canteen. The collection has been recently moved to the Historical Society, which was founded in 1906 to preserve Leominster history.
Men of Note
-
James Gordon Carter, a 19th century educator, made great strides in public education in the state. The teacher's college movement was begun by him. He campaigned for the certification of teachers, increased state aid for schools, and a state university system. Carter was successful in obtaining laws that required the state to support secondary schools.
-
Johnny (Chapman) Appleseed is a well known folk personality and orchardist who introduced the apple across the country.
-
Sam Wilder traveled to Hawaii where he founded sugar cane plantations, Hawaiian railroad and steamship lines, and became president of the Hawaiian Senate.
-
Alvah Crocker built the B&M Railroad and the paper industry in the Montachusett area, and was a member of the state legislature.
-
In the 20th century David I. Walsh became a State legislator, Lt. Governor and then Governor of Massachusetts, and a U.S. Senator.
-
Bernard W. Doyle, president of Viscoloid and vice president of Dupont in Leominster, was mayor of the city and a generous benefactor.
-
Joseph Foster introduced injection molding which revolutionized the plastics industry in the 1930's.
-
Theodore Joslin was secretary to President Hoover.
Hospital
Leominster has been served by its own hospital since 1912. In that year, an 11 room house on Blossom Street opened its doors as the Leominster Hospital. This facility was used until 1923 when a 73-bed hospital was built at the present site on Hospital Road. Between 1923 and '58 these facilities were expanded and improved by new construction.
In 1961 a new wing was completed. The reknowned Leominster Hospital School of Nursing is on the grounds. A Medical Building now stands adjacent to the Hospital and makes it easy for the physicians who have offices there attend their patients in the hospital and keep up their private practice.
Many fires plagued Leominster's early days. The most destructive was the Great Fire of 1873. Destroyed in the fire were the Union Comb Shop, the Steinway Piano Factory, the Harwood Leatherboard Mill, the Lockery Shop, the Hotel, the Arlington Piano Factory and more. $100,000 in 1873 dollars was the extent of the loss. It took many years to recover.
The hurricane of September 21, 1938 hit Leominster at 4 p.m. 2,500 homes were damaged, church spires toppled, factory floors caved in. One third of the shade trees were uprooted. 800 electric and telephone poles were downed. $1 million worth of damage was done to the trees in the reservoir alone. The casualty list was small, with one death due to heart attack during the storm. One child was killed by a falling tree the next day.
Newspapers
Local news and notices were first printed in Leominster from October 1795 - 1797 in the "Rural Repository". None of the first papers lasted too long, as the next paper, "Political Focus", was published from June 1798 - November 1799; followed by "The Telescope", from January 1800 - 1802. The "Political Recorder" made a try in 1809, but lived for only one year.
The most successful newspaper in the town was the "Leominster Enterprise", founded in 1872. The paper served the community for over 100 years until it merged with the "Fitchburg Sentinel" on September 1, 1973.
Over the years, Leominster has retained its pleasant suburban atmosphere surrounding its industrial core. It has remained, and will continue to be a beautiful place to live and work. The spirit of cooperation and industry which guided Leominster's successful and distinquished past will usher in into the future.
David Ignatius WALSH, 1872-1947
A Senator from Massachusetts; born in Leominster, Worcester County, Mass., November 11, 1872; attended the public schools; graduated from Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass., in 1893 and from Boston University Law School in 1897; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice at Fitchburg, Mass., in 1897, later practicing in Boston; member, State house of representatives 1900-1901; lieutenant governor of Massachusetts 1913 and Governor 1914-1915; delegate at large to the Massachusetts constitutional convention in 1917 and 1918; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1919, to March 3, 1925; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1924; resumed the practice of law in Boston; elected to the United States Senate in 1926 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Henry Cabot Lodge and took his seat December 6, 1926; reelected in 1928, 1934, and again in 1940 for the term ending January 3, 1947; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1946; chairman, Committee on Education and Labor (Seventy-third and Seventy-fourth Congresses), Committee on Naval Affairs (Seventy-fourth through Seventy-seventh and Seventy-ninth Congresses); retired from political activities and resided in Clinton, Mass., until his death; died in Boston, Mass., June 11, 1947; interment in St. John’s Cemetery, Clinton, Mass.
Bibliography
DAB; Flannagan, John H., Jr. “The Disillusionment of a Progressive: U.S. Senator David I. Walsh and the League of Nations Issue, 1918-1920.” New England Quarterly 41 (December 1968): 483-504; Wayman, Dorothy G. David Walsh: Citizen Patriot. Milwaukee: Bruce Publishing Company, 1952.
Worcester County, MA GenWeb Project
Sue's Genealogy Garden in New
England
Copyright © 1998-2000 by Sue Gardner.
All rights reserved.