Arlington Town (part 8 of 8)

When the war broke out West Cambridge was not untrue to its past. A great popular meeting was held on Sunday, April 21, 1861, at which the citizens pledged themselves to support the Government - a pledge that their behavior in the succeeding years did not belie. A company was organized under command of Capt. Albert S. Ingalls. Unfortunately no place could be found for it in a Massachusetts regiment, and, unwilling to wait, many of the men enlisted in the Fortieth New York - the Mozart regiment. This was the only considerable body of West Cambridge men who served together. The other soldiers who went from the town during the war were scattered through many organizations. It is difficult to give the exact number of men who went into the war from We^t Cambridge. Under the loose system that prevailed, some recruits, who were in reality residents here, were credited to other towns, and, in like manner, citizens of other places were set down as coming from West Cambridge. Again, it is hard to distingui.sh between residents and non-residents in the lists of men furnished by the town to the service, and different enumerators might easily disagree. Every quota called for was filled, and more than filled. Counting the soldiers .supplied by the town in all ways, to the .service, the number certainly considerably exceeds three hundred. To mention names among the living would be invidious - the list of the thirty-three dead inscribed on the column that keeps alive their memory is enough to show that West Cambridge paid her part of the price of the redemption of the United States of America.

Whatever the people at home could do was done. The town was liberal in bounties to enlisted men and in aid to their families. The generosity of individual citizens seconded the efforts of the community. The Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society did much throughout the war to .send help and comfort to the men in the hospitals and at the front. It was found, in 186.5, that more than S75,000 had been contributed directly to the Union cause from these various sources. Beside this amount that is certainly known, much that cannot now be traced was given through private channels.

The town in 1866 received, under the will of Hon. James Russell, a large tract of land to be held for the purposes of a public park. It is now known as Russell Park.

The town ceased to bear the name of West Cambridge in 1867. The principal public measures and events during the sixty years that had elapsed since its incorporation have been mentioned. Before proceeding to an account of the town under its new narpe some other matters remain to be spoken of.

We turn fir.st to the history of the several churches - always an important part of the annals of a New England town. As has been above stated. Rev. Thaddeus Fiske was pastor of the Second Parish in Cambridge when it became the First Parish in West Cambridge, and he remained in that office for twenty years more. If he makes less of a figure in the commuuity than his predecessor the reason is to be found not so much in the character of the man as in the changed circumstances of the time. His long pastorate of forty years covered a period when the old. New England church system was powerfully affected by influences from within as well as from without. While the rise of other forms of faith and worship was interfering with the legal and social pre-eminence of the Congregational body, changes of thought and belief were taking place'in its own ranks. Such influences were felt in West Cambridge as everywhere else, and in vain Dr. Fiske set himself against the current of events. He was a true successor of the older race of New England divines and looked with little favor upon any departure from the ancient ways. The ideas that afterwards became known as Unitarian spread among the people, although they received no countenance from the pastor. Steadily the breach widened until at last Dr. Fiske was so far out of touch with many of his prominent parishioners that it became clear that the only course was to sever his relation with his people. He accordingly resigned his office May 8, 1828. The language of the church records shows with what strong feelings of respect and affection the parish regarded the minister whom duty impelled to lay down a trust that he could no longer properly hold. Dr. Fiske continued to live for many years thereafter in the house that he had built in the early days of his ministry very near the present Fiske Place.

To Dr. Fiske succeeded Rev. Dr. Frederick Henry Hedge, then a young man recently out of college. His pastorate extended from 1829 to 1835. He was the first distinctively Unitarian minister of the First Parish. Then came Rev. David Damon, D.D., who took an active part in the management of the Juvenile Library and of the public schools as well as in matters more strictly appertaining to his own parish. He died suddenly June 25, 1843, and, as the inscription on his monument states, was the first to be buried in the new cemetery, consecrated by him but a few days before his death. Rev. William Ware was the next minister; holding the position for a short time - from December, 1843, to August, 1845. Rev. James F. Brown was minister from 1848 until his early death in 1853. Rev. Samuel Abbot Smith was ordained in 1854 and was minister throughout the important years just before and during the war. At the call of duty he went to Virginia at the close of the conflict to preach the gospel. Stricken with fever, he came home to die. His death occurred May 20, 1865, and was much deplored by the whole community, to whom he was endeared by many acts of kindness and goodwill. In 1866 Rev. Charles C. Salter was ordained, and continued in charge of the parish until his resignation, January 31, 1869.

The meeting-house in which Dr. Fiske preached has been described. In 1840 it was taken down and a larger building erected on the same site. This stood until January 1, 1856, when it was destroyed by an accidental fire. In the same year the present meeting-house was built and was dedicated January 1, 1857.

The early history of the Baptist society has been above given. It was passing through a period of depression when West Cambridge became a separate town. Still, those whose hearts were in the cause held together, maintained their organization, held public services when practicable, and trusted that better days would come. In 1816 the society was incorporated and in the following year a church was established according to the usages of the Baptist denomination. Generous gifts were received from Stephen Cutter, a leading citizen of the town, and, after his death, from his wife, Mary Cutter. It was on land given by her that the growing society built its church in 1828. This building became, as time went on, unsuitable, and the present church was built on the same site in 18.5.3.

From 1794 to 1818 there appears to have been no settled pastor. Rev. Benjamin C. Grafton was minister of the -society from 1818 'until 1828 ; Rev. John Ormsbee from 1824 to 1827 ; Rev. Ebenezer Nelson from 1828 to 1834. From 1834 to 1838 Rev. Appleton Morse, and after him Rev. Cbarles Miller, had charge of the parish. Rev. Timothy G. Tingley was minister for the next seven years and was succeeded by Rev. George J. Carlton, who continued in the position until 1851. Rev. Joseph Barnard, known as an historical writer as well as in more strictly professional fields of labor, came next, remaining for two years. Rev. Samuel B. Swaim, D.D., a man of especial influence in the community, was pastor from 1854 to 1862. Rev. John Duncan followed him in 1863-64, and Rev. Amos Harris became the minister in 1865.

The two parishes already spoken of were for some years the only religious organizations in the town of West Cambridge. The Universalist Society was the next to be established there. If we may judge by the above-quoted obituary notice of Rev. Mr. Cooke, there would seem to have been in his day persons holding tenets similar to those of that denomination. Certain it is, that in the decade preceding 1840, such views were becoming so prevalent as to give serious anxiety to those of the First Parish who held to a difl'erent opinion, as to the probability of that ancient society becoming a Universalist church. However, after an informal organization for several years, the First Universalist Society was regularly established in 1840, and proceeded at once to build its meeting-house, which was dedicated January 20, 1841.

Rev. J. C. Waldo was its first pastor, and remained till 1847. After a short term of service by Rev. Willard Spaulding, Rev. George Hill became the minister, and continued to fill that position from 1850 to 1860. Mr. Hill was prominent in town aflairs and served in 18.54 as representative in the Legislature. For the six succeeding years Rev. William E. Gibbs was minister, and was followed by the Rev. J. W. Keyes.

The establishment of (be Universalist Church was soon followed by that of what is now known as the Pleasant Street Congregational Society. The prime mover in the organization was very appropriately a granddaughter of Rev. Mr. Cooke, Miss Anna Bradsbaw, who lived in his former dwelling-house. It was in 1842 that the informal meetings v/ere begun, from which grew the society. On the 14th day of December of that year a church was duly established, the list of members including the name of Rev. Thaddeus Fiske, the retired minister of the old parish. The site on which the meeting-house was built in 1844 is part of the estate that belonged in the last century

The society had but two ministers during the time of which I am now speaking - Rev. Francis Horton, who occupied the position from 1843 to 18.54, and Rev. Daniel R. Cady, D.D., who became pastor in 18.56.

It is impossible to do more here than mention the names of the West Cambridge pastors. It is clear, from what is remembered or has been recorded, that they were an earnest body of men, true to the duties of their calling, and active in good causes in the community. We find them, for instance, frequently serving as members of the School Committees. Rev. Ebenezer Nelson, of the Baptist church, received in 1834 the unusual honor of a public vote of thanks from the town for his faithful services in that office.

Throughout the sixty years that followed the incorporation of West Cambridge, farming continued to be the principal industry of the town. Its character changed somewhat as time went on. At first it was general farming, like that now carried on in the towns farther back in the country. But with the growth of Boston, agriculture here became more specialized to supply the demands of the city. It would be hard to say when market-gardening became the distinctive industry of the town. The products of the West Cambridge farms early gained the high reputation in the markets of Boston which they still hold, and are not likely to lose, if we may judge the future by the past. The subject is elsewhere treated by a writer who may surely speak with authority, and I therefore pass it over without that detailed account which its importance would otherwise call for.

In manufactures the town was not conspicuous. Those that existed in the early part of the century have been above mentioned. Such other factories as were built were generally, like their predecessors, situated on the brook that has furnished water-power for the mills of many generations. The saw-factory of Welch & Griffiths, situated just below what is now GroveStreet, was for a long time an important industry. In 1855 the value of the saws manufactured was estimated at $40,000, and thirty-five persons found employment in the establishment. In 1832, at about the same time when the saw factory was started, James Schouler established calico-printing works on the site of Abner Stearns' mill. Here a flourishing industry was carried on for many years. Other manufacturing pursuits were followed - in some cases for a short time only, in other cases for a considerable period. Boots and shoes were made here ; so were hats and caps. It was during this time that several existing manufactures were begun, which will' be spoken of later. The ice business, which makes Spy Pond a scene of activity in the winter, and gives employment to many scores of men, was begun before 1840.

In its political leanings, as has been said, the town began its career with few Federalists and many Democrats. The disproportion increased as the Federal party in the State moved towards its end, until ordiuarily hardly a score of votes were cast for its candidates. During the administrations of John Quincy Adams and the first term of General Jackson the results of elections in the town reflect the chaotic state of parties, and the votes for Congressional and State candidates are hard to reduce to any rule except personal preference. As the Whig party becomes established, political divisions may again be traced. The town was still Democratic, but the minority was a much larger one than it had been in the Federalist times. For instance, in 1836 the Democratic electors received ninety-three votes, the Whigelectors eightysix. In 1840 the numbers were 152 and 128 ; in 1844, 182 and 154. Occasionally a popular Whig candidate carried the town. In 1848 the balance of parties changed, and the Whigs obtained a plurality ; in 1852 the Democrats again carried the election in West Cambridge. In both these years the Free-Soil candidates obtained a considerable vote. The election of 1856 showed a decided change; the new Republican party cast 186 votes, the Whigs 147, and the Democrats 130. The loss of West Cambridge to the Democratic party was a permanent one, although, as had previously been the case with their opponents, they now and then gained a temporary success. In the election of 1860 183 votes were cast for Lincoln, 119 for Douglas, eighty-four for Bell and two for Breckenridge. In 1864 the Lincoln electors received 246 votes ; their opponents 133. In State and C(mgressional elections the relative strength of parties was usually about the same as in the Presidential elections. The people were called upon oftener then than now to choose their officials. Until 1831 the election of State officers took place in the spring, instead of in the fall. Congressional elections took place, as now, in November. Until 1855 the law required for a choice, not a mere plurality, but an absolute majority of the votes cast. Consequently when there were more than two candidates, a series of elections sometimes had to be held before any result was reached.

Before 1857, when West Cambridge was united with Winchester to form a representative district, the town was entitled to send one representative to the Legislature. Occasionally the town voted to send no representative, probably from motives of economy, as in those days legislators were paid by the towns they represented, and not from the State treasury. Samuel Butterfield was the first representative from the town, serving from 1808 to 1811. His immediate successor. Col. Thomas Russell, had by far the longest term of service of any that have filled the place ; he was continuously a member of the Legislature from 1812 to 1827, with the exception of two years when no one was sent from West Cambridge.

A few years ago the Boston Market Gardeners' Association was organized, which has proved a great benefit to the market gardeners of this section. W. W. Rawson was chosen president, and is the present incumbent.

Notwithstanding the magnitude of this business, it is moving back from the city, and we predict that within twenty years very few market gardeners will be found in the towns of Arlington and Belmont.

We will now mention the men and location of their places : Captain George Pierce, place located on Arlington Avenue, and extended to Spy Pond. He was the leading market gardener of fifty years ago, and raised large quantities of early apples, using glass to some extent. Mr. Josiah Crosby was in his employ, and afterwards bought a place on Lake Street. The Pierce place, after the death of Mr. Pierce, was leased for a number of years, and recently a part has been sold to Mr. John Lyons.

The Albert Winn place, located between Summer and Mystic Streets, was carried on for a number of years by Mr. Winn, and later by Winn Brothers. Then young Albert died, and George P. Winn leased the place and has conducted it successfully for a number of years, and is the present occupant.

Abbot Allen place, located on Arlington Avenue, was carried on by him a long time, then was conducted by his sons, W. H. and A. Allen. Later W. H. purchased his brother's interest and associated his son Abbot with him in the business, and they are among the most successful. The place of John Fillebrown was purchased by Mr. W. H. Allen in 1890.

A. P. and J. P. Wyman's place, located on Arlington Avenue and Lake Street, was carried on for a number of years ; then divided, the one on Lake Street taken by A. P., and he at one time carried on the largest business in this town. He had, as his assistant, E. N. Pierce, who afterwards married one of Mr. Wyman's daughters and moved to Waltham. The place has since been conducted by Wyman Bros. - Frank and Daniel - they building two green-houses and putting in a large water plant for irrigation. Since the death of Mr. A. P. Wyman the place has fallen to the brothers.

Mr. J. P. Wyman's place, located on Arlington Avenue. He carried it on for a number of years after separating from A. P., after which lie leased it to John Lyons, and it has been run quite successfully by him. He has recently bought part of the place owned by Captain Pierce, formerly carried on by Arthur Pitts, and in earlier times, by Crosby & Dickey. John Lyons has two large green-houses.

Mr. Samuel Butterfield - place on Arlington Avenue and Lake Street - was one of the oldest market gardeners and very successful. He was formerly in business in the Quincy Market. Since his death

Warren Rawson's place is located on Warren Street, extending to Mystic River. He was originally in tlie employ of Albert Winn and purchased this place while there. His funds were limited and he was obliged to work very hard for a number of years. He was one of the first to grow vegetables under glass. Soon after the close of the Rebellion, the business being very successful, his son, Warren W., then seventeen years of age, assumed charge of the help on the place, and, after becoming proficient in the business, purchased his father's entire interest.

Mr. John Fillebrown. Place on Warren Street. He was very successful, but his health failed him, and the last few years he was not able to attend to the business. He died in 1889 and the place was sold to Mr. W. H. Allen.

Josiah Crosby. Place on L.ake Street. At one time Mr. Dickey was associated with Mr. Crosby. Mr. Crosby was a fine market gardener, his place always looked tidy, and every crop was set out by line. He was the improver of the Crosby Corn and Egyptian beet. Since his death, in 18S7, the place has been very successfully managed by his sons, Walter and Charles Crosby.

Davis Locke. Place is located in eastern portion of the town, near Alewife Brook, and is carried on by James Purcell & Sons. Levi Russell bought a portion of the farm of Mr. Locke. Mr. Russell's place is now conducted by his son, Irwin L. Russell. The larger part is located in Somerville.

Chas. Hill. Place situated on Pleasant Street. He is what is called old-fashioned, believing the old way is the best. He never owned a horse and always cultivated his land with a spade and fork.

Geo. Hill. Place located on Pleasant Street. He was a very intelligent market gardener and one of the leading ones of twenty years ago. A reservoir supplies water for irrigation. He raised large quantities of strawberries and took many premiums at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society exhibitions, both for strawberries and vegetables; his place has two large hot-houses for raising lettuce and cucumbers. He died in 1889. His two sons, George and Arthur, succeeded him, both very capable and intelligent young men.

Addison Brooks. Place on Lake Street. He was very active for a long time and did a large business. He sold one of his places to Mr. James Marden, who carried it on about fifteen years, then sold to Mr. W . H. Allen, who is the present owner. Mr. Brooks sold his other place to J. P. Squire and moved to Brockton, Mass., carrying on the same business there.

Mr. Joseph Butterfield, located on Lake Street, bought his place of Samuel Butterfield and was very successful. He died in 1875 and was succeeded by his son Joseph, who continued the business with success.

David Puffer, about forty years ago, purchased the place on Broadway where he is now located. He has four sons - one, Warren, associated with him in market gardening ; the other three compose the firm of Puffer Bros., marketmen.

J. P. Squire's place is located at Lake Street and Arlington Avenue. About twenty years ago Mr. Squire began cultivating his laud near his homestead, and since that time has purchased several other places and cultivated them as market-gardens. His business is quite extensive, and at present is under the direction of Eugene O'Niel.

Walter Russell purchased his place of Mr. Flanders and for a time carried on quite an extensive business. He subsequently sold part of his land to W. W. Rawson.

Mr. Sprague's place, corner of Medford Street and Warren, was sold to Cyrus Wood, who carried it on about fifteen years. It was then sold to a land company.

J. F. Whittemore carried on the place owned by W. H. Whittemore, his brother. It was recently purchased by Mr. G. D. Moore, who later leased it to Mr. C. A. Learned, who was formerly in the employ of Mr. W. W. Rawson. Mr. J. F. Whittemore, about 1883, moved to Florida, where he is engaged in the same business to some extent.

Mr. John Pierce's place, at the Foot of the Rocks, carried on a small business in vegetables and fruitgrowing. Since the death of Mr. Pierce the place has been leased.

The Elbridge Farmer place, near the Foot of the Rocks, is now carried on by his son, E. S. Farmer, who learned the business while in the employ of Mr. Varnum Frost, of Belmont.

The B. & H. J. Locke place is situated on Arlington Avenue. [Upon the death of Benjamin, a few years since, H. J. succeeded to the business, and still conducts it.

Cyrus Cutter place, located on Summer Street, was one of the oldest in the business. He was succeeded by his sons, Cyrus and A. P. Cyrus' sons succeed him as Cutter Brothers.

The Stephen Scymes place, on Mystic Street, is one of the oldest in the town. Mr. Frank Frost, of Belmont, son of Henry Frost, is the present occupant.

The Aaron Dixon place, in the eastern part of the town, was a very sandy farm. Mr. Dixon was succeeded by his son Porter, who sold the farm to Asa Durgin, who carried it on for four years, when it was purchased by the Catholic Church for a cemetery.

Mr. N. C. Frost was associated with Mr. David Fisher, who owned a place in Winchester, which he carried on in connection with those owned by Mr. Frost in Belmont. Mr. Fisher sold his interests in Winchester, and purchased the Ephraim Tufts place, which he also carried on with Mr. Frost, Mr. Fisher living in Arlington and Mr. Frost in Belmont. Mr. Fisher married Mr. Frost's sister.

Belmont. - Mr. Joe Wellington is a prominent market gardener of Belmont. He has occupied his present place about twenty years, having succeeded his father.

M. W. Marsh is the oldest inhabitant in Belmont who has pursued farming as an avocation. He was ninety years of age August 7, 1890. Small fruits have been one of his specialties as well as apples.

George Prentice, whose farm is ori the Highlands, is one of the oldest farmers iu this town. His products have been chiefly milk and vegetables. His farm is now under the control of his son, whose products are fruit, vegetables and milk. He has about three hundred hot-bed sash, insuring early vegetables.

Jonathan Frost was one of the earliest farmers in this town. Upon his death, about thirty years ago, he left four sons, viz. : Warren S., Varnum, Artemas F. and Herbert F., all of whom are now successful gardeners and have pursued this business from boyhood. Seth Frost and son Newell C, were also farmers here. Sylvester Frost has been in the business about twenty years. He is a son of Isaac Frost.

Willard Hill was a son of Joseph Hill. He occupied his father's farm about five years and then became a member of the firm of Winn Ricker & Co.

Nathan Robbina, now dead, once sold produce for Abbott Allen, father of Henry. His vehicle was a two-wheel tip-cart, and his market was Charlestown Square.

Isaac Lock, who died fifty years ago, was father of George Lock. George died in 1870. He was the father of Edwin, Isaac and W. H. Lock. The three latter died in 1889. The sons of W. H. are in business in Quincy Market. This was a maiket-gardening family, and the old estate on Pleasant Street is very valuable.

Charles Winn, Sr., came from VVoburn about 1850, and was a good gardener. He died a few years ago. His son, Charles Wiun, now occupies the place.

Mr. Morton, whose residence is upon Spring Lane, is among Belmont's reputable gardeners. Mr. Morton's advent into the business of market-gardening was made about the year 1855. He was employed successively by one Adams, of Winter Hill, Somerville ; Warren Rawson, then West t!arabridge ; George Hill, Arlington ; Charles Winn and Joseph Hill, of Belmont. He then bought the farm tilled by Edward Phillibrown. He had for many years the enviable reputation of succeeding in keeping celery later in the winter season than any other farmer. His son Edward succeeds him.

Henry Y. and Amos Hill, brothers, were marketgardeners from boyhood, both born in Belmont. The farm of Amos is now carried on by his son, Amos Edwin. The farm of Henry is leased, in part, to Warren Eustice.

William Richardson, now eighty years old, has spent the last forty years in market-gardening, and many of the devices in machinery that he originated aie now used by the trade.

William Hill was the first to raise cucumber-plants under glass to set out in the open field. He was also the first to introduce Boston market celery. He was a deep thinker, and many of the modes of operation that are in vogue to-day in the business were first practiced by him. He was born in Belmont.

Warren Eustice, born in Vermont, came to West Cambridge (now Belmont) when quite young; is now seventy years old and vigorous. Market-gardening all his life, his operations in pig-raising have engaged much of his time. In 1861 he brought the first Chester White pig that came into Massachusetts. In 1870 he bought a Yorkshire boar that was imported by Colonel Hoe, of printing-press fame, and crossed upon his Chester White stock, and this is the stock that is now known as the Eustice strain of Yorkshire pig.

Hittinger Brothers are successors of their father, who raised fruit principally. The sons, in addition to fruit, are also engaged in market-gardening. They built several large green-houses, and are growing lettuce and cucumbers extensively.

P. Schahan, located near Fresh Pond, is very successful in growing lettuce in green-houses. Mr. Schahan first introduced the use of roffea for tying vegetables. Large quantities are now used.

Henry Richardson, situated near Fresh Pond, has several large green-houses, used for growirg lettuce, and was among the first to use them for that purpose.

C. H. Slade, located in the southern part of Belmont, was formerly associated with William Cook, and hired the Brown and Stone places ; afterwards Mr. Slade carried on the business and bought the Stone estate, which he now occupies, and has been quite successful. He has built two green-houses, raises quantities of currants and is a breeder of swine.

Biographical James Russell

James Russell was born January 14, 1788, in that part of Charlestown that now forms the city of Somerville. His father, James Russell, was a respected and substantial citizen, and the family had been long established in Middlesex County. He was graduated from Harvard College, in the class of 1811. Among his classmates were several who afterwards attained marked distinction, of whom, perhaps, the most noted was Edward Everett. After completing his college course he began the study of the law in the office of Hon. William Austin, of Charlestown, at that time a leading member of the bar. He was admitted to the bar in 1814, and entered upon the practice of his profession in West Cambridge - a place with which his family connections were numerous and close, and here he made his home for the rest of his life.

For many years Mr. Russell attended to nearly all the legal business, not merely of his fellow-townsmen, but of many people in neighboring towns; for his reputation as a sound and sagacious counsellor was wide-spread. He lived in days before his profession had become specialized, and his practice was a varied one. With a knowledge of the law he combined a native good judgment which made him a wise adviser, and his known uprightness held public confidence. By a discriminating judgment he joined a sympathetic and generous disposition. To many of those with whom he was brought into business relations he gave needed assistance at critical times, and liis outside charities were numerous and unpretentious. The frequent tokens of appreciation and gratitude tliat came to him in his later years were but the legitimate results of his own acts.

Amos Bobbins

Amos Bobbins was born in West Cambridge (now Arlington), Massachusetts, December 28,1817, and received a limited education in the public schools of the time and locality. At the age of fourteen he became a poultry buyer and dresser for his brother Nathan, who had been for some time established in Faneuil Hall Market in Boston. At the age of sixteen Amos Robbins removed to Boston, and was employed in his brother's business there until 1836. It was at this time that Simeon Hoyden, who kept the Tremont House in Boston, and had a high appreciation of these industrious young men, became proprietor ofthe Astor House, New York City, and remarked to Nathan, the eldest, the dearth of first-class poultry in Fulton Market in th.at city, and suggested that there was a fine opening for some New England man, who would attend to business and keep out of bad C(imj)any. This was exactly what the Robbins boys knew how to do, - accordingly, in 1836 Amos Robbins went to New York and secured a stand in Fulton Market in that city, consisting of some planks laid over two saw benches; the business was conducted on a very moderate scale to what it is at present ; and the receipts of all the dealers in Fulton Market at that time would hardly equal what some single firms in that busy centre now take in and send out daily. In 1839 he was joined by his brother Eli, who was associated with him in his dealings in poultry and game, and in 1841 they formed tlie firm of A. &E. Robbins, which became and continued to be the largest receivers and shippers of poultry, game, etc., in the country. At the death of his brother Eli, the latter's nephew, Milton Robbins, son of Mr. Amos Robbins, became a member of the firm, wliich was changed to A. & M. Robbins. The gains of the firm of A. & E. Robbins were the reward of years of plodding and successful traflic, and resulted in a competency for the brothers.

Mr. Amos Robbins was married at the age of twenty to Miss Adelia Martliug, of Tarrytown, New Y'ork, who has borne two sons and two daughters who were reared and married, but who died in early womanhood. Mr. Robbins, in his declining years, was^in the enjoyment of well-earned wealth, and such had been his character from boyhood that he was held in equally high regard in business circles and among his intimate friends, and was esteemed alike as an intelligent and influential citizen, and as a friendly, wholesouled Christian gentleman.

Eli Bobbins

Mr. Eli Robbins was born in West Cambridge (now Arlington), Mass., September 22, 1821. He was not a strong child, but being healthy and self-reliant, he soon mastered the rudiments of such knowledge as was convenient to his circumstances, and began his business career at an early age, by providing a horse and wagon for himself, and purchasing poultry of the neighboring farmers, which he dressed with his own bands, and carried to Boston for customers. Three years later, in 1839, Eli followed his brother Amos to Fulton Market, New York City, at first as an employee ; but in 1841 they entered into partnership under the firm-name of A. & E. Robbins, which has since become familiar to all frequenters ofthe streets of New York. It was a small beginning - two country boys, aged eighteen and twenty-one, with a capital of two hundred and thirty-six dollars each. But they had an advantage in the superior style in which they dressed their poultry, and they were not ashamed to work. Add to this their determination not to speculate nor run in debt, and the result might easily have been predicted. They soon distanced all competitors, and for more than forty years have stood at the acknowledged head of that line of business in the United States, thus aflbrding a notable instance of conspicuous success oljtained solely by honorable enterprise and strict integrity.

On the 13th of May, 1845, Mr. Robbins married Miss Maria C. Farmer, of his native town, a young lady with whom he had been acquainted from childhood and whose subsequent devotedness, as wife and mother, amply justified the prophetic foregleam of his youthful affections. The abundant means which her husband furnished enabled her also to gratify every hospitable impulse and refined taste. Their first home in Brooklyn was on Washington Street, where two dear cliildren came to work their mission of love - Warren, born Sept. 21, 1846, and Clinton, Dec. 27, 1848. The birth of these children was a joy which could only be adequately measured by the terrible grief that followed their early departure - Clinton died April 26, 1864, and Warren, Nov. 12, 1869.

Eli Robbins, was, by nature and early training, inclined to economy and careful in his investments ; yet he was not indiflerent to any worthy cause. His benefactions to private families and individuals were so secret and unostentatious, that none but those who were the recipients of it can compute the sums which he annually bestowed among them. In religion he was a Universalist. On removing to Brooklyn, while yet a young man, he became a member of the first Universalist Society, and remained ever after loyal to that form of Christian faith. This furnishes the key to his whole moral character. He never sought for novelty, nor shrank from the dictates of duty. He had the two things which made men strong - an intelligent conscience, and the quiet courage to obey it. True courage is not noisy ; it does not find its expres- sions in defiant manners, or vapory speech ; but it does consist in a quiet determination to do riglit, because it is right, and in traveling in a straight, though unpopular pathway. With such a conscience; and with such a courage, Eli Bobbins entered upon the career which lay before him and followed it successfully to the end. The end came while he was yet far from being an old man - he died on the morning of June 21,1883, in the 62d year of his age, leaving as the result of his life, a character for business integrity against which no word of suspicion was ever breathed, and a competency - the reward of honorable efforts. His will, which was written ten years before his death, disposes of some three hundred thousand dollars in various bequests ; among which are the legacies to the Church of Our Father, located in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y ; the Brooklyn Orphan Asylum oi the same city ; the Blind Asylum, of New York ; the Unitarian and Universalist churches at Arlington, Mass., and his native town, to which his body was taken for interment.

It is fitting and proper to add, in connection with the above, that Mrs. Maria C. Bobbins, his widow, has about completed arrangements for the erection of a substantial stone structure to be located in Arlington, Mass., the native place of herself and her late husband, and intended for a Public Library, and readingroom, which is to be known as the " Eli Robbing Memorial Library Building."

John P. Squire, the son of Peter and Esther Squirei was born in the town of Weathersfield, Windsor County, Vermont, on the 8th day of May, 1819. His father was a farmer. The years of his boyhood were spent at his home, attending the public schools, and working on the farm.

On the 1st day of May, 1835, he entered the employment of a Mr. Orvis, the village store-keeper, at West Windsor, Vermont, and remained with him until the winter of 1837, when he attended the academy at Unity, New Hampshire, of which the Rev. A. A. Miner was then principal. He taught school at Cavendish during a part of the winter of 1837-38. On the 19th of March, 1838, he came to Boston, entered the employ of Nathan Robbins, in Faneuil Hall Market, and continued with him until May 1, 1842, when he formed a co-partnership with P^rancis Russell, and carried on the provision business at No. 25 Faneuil Hall Market, under the style of Russell & Squire, until the year 1847, when the co-partnership was dissolved.

Mr. Squire continued the business alone, at the same place, until the year 1855, when he formed a new co-partnership with Hiland Lockwood and Edward Kimball, under the name of John P. Squire & Co. The firm-name and business have continued until the present time, and the changes in the partners have been as follows : the retirement of Edward D. Kimball in the year 1866 ; the admission of W. W. Kimball in the same year, and his retirement in 1873; the admission of his sons, George W. and Frank O. Squire, in the year 1873 ; the death of Hiland Lockwood in the year 1874 ; the retirement of George W. Squire in the year 1876 ; and the admission of Fred F. Squire, the youngest son, January 1, 1884 - leaving the firm to-day composed of John P., Frank O. and Fred F. Squire, la 1855 Mr. Squire bought a small tract of land in East Cambridge and built a slaughter-house. Since that time the business has grown to such an extent that the firm of John P. Squire & Co. has today one of the largest and best-equipped packinghouses in the country, and stands third in the list of hog-packers in the United States.

In 1843 he married Kate Green Orvis, daughter of his old employer. Eleven children were born of this marriage, ten of whom are now living, as follows: George W., Jennie C, Frank O., Minnie E., John A., Kate I., Nannie K., Fred F., Nellie G. and Bessie E. Squire. One son, Charles, died in infancy.

Mr. Squire joined the Mercantile Library Association when he first came to Boston, and spent a good deal of his leisure time in reading, of which he was very fond.

Warren W. Rawson

Warren W. Rawson, son of Warren Rawson, was born in West Cambridge (now Arlington), January 23, 1847. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, also at the Cotting Academy and at a commercial college in Boston. He pursued his studies with diligence and attention, and succeeded in procuring an education which well qualified him for his subsequent successful business career. At the age of seventeen he began work with his father, who was a leading market gardener. He studied the .science of the business, nature and plants, soil best adapted to them, etc., and was successful. When twenty-two years old he purchased half of his father's farm and three years later purchased the remainder. He also owns a place corner Medford and Warren Streets, purchased about ten years ago of Mr. W. H. Whittemore. His residence, a fine one, and hot-houses are located on this place. Mr. Rawson has advanced rapidly in the business. He was the first to build hot-houses to any extent in this town, and the first to put in an irrigating plant for outside purpo.ses. He was also the first to use steam in heating green-houses, and the first to use electric light in bringing forward plants. He found that this light hastened the growth of plants about fifteen per cent., particularly in the winter season.