Part 6 (1/2)

THE BOARD OF HEALTH, appointed annually by the council, looks after the health of the town, with authority to carry out such sanitary regulations as may be deemed wise and expedient. The Board of Health for the present year consists of Dr. T. C. Quick, Chairman, and Councilmen John H. Wells and Elmer I. Crump.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT of the village was organized in 1898. The officers are a chief engineer and three fire wardens, one from each ward, and a captain of the fire company. The equipment for fighting fires consists of one fifty-five and two twenty-five gallon chemical engines of the most approved pattern and one fully equipped hook and ladder truck. The larger engine is kept in the central part of the village while the two smaller ones are stationed at East Falls Church and West End respectively. The officers are Chief Engineer, Dr. J. B. Gould; Fire Wardens--1st ward, Geo. T. Mankin; 2d ward, Edgar A. Kimball; 3d ward, D. B. Patterson.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Mrs. Emma Garner.]

THE VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY, an important factor in the growth and development of the village, was organized about twenty years ago. The chief object of the society has been the improvement and adornment of the streets and the fine shade trees which emborder the village thoroughfares everywhere attest the fidelity of its members to the object in view. In addition to the work of this character the society has aided in various other ways in the work of improving the village besides furnis.h.i.+ng social entertainments for its members and friends.

About fifteen hundred dollars have been raised by the society and disbursed to excellent advantage in securing substantial benefits to the public weal.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Mr. E. C. Hough]

The Village Improvement Society was organized in the fall of 1885, the first officers being Mr. W. H. Doolittle, President; Rev. D. H. Riddle, Vice-President; Mr. S. V. Proudfit, Secretary and Mr. A. P. Eastman, Treasurer.

This society was modeled after the famous Laurel Hill Society of Stockbridge, Ma.s.s., and from a pamphlet published some years ago setting forth its object we learn that its funds have been expended on roads, sidewalks and street lamps, for a survey of the corporation, a piano for the public school and other improvements at the school, for taking the census and for Arbor Day expenses--a total expenditure up to that time of about eight hundred dollars. The greater part of the money raised by the society is from voluntary dues or the proceeds of lectures or other entertainments. The funds raised in this manner are generally expended through the town council or in conjunction with appropriations made by that body.

The first observance of Arbor Day in the State was by the Falls Church Village Improvement Society, when in 1892 this society inst.i.tuted the observance of the day by the public school. Since that date the society has defrayed all Arbor Day expenses.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Major M. S. Hopkins]

By an ordinance of the town adopted February 8, 1904, the third Friday in April of each year is designated as Arbor Day, to be observed under the auspices of the Village Improvement Society for the planting of such trees, plants or shrubs as it may desire.

The officers of the Village Improvement Society for the present year are as follows:

President, M. E. Church; Vice-President, Franklin n.o.ble, D. D.; Secretary, Miss Belle Merrifield; Treasurer, George W. Hawxhurst; a.s.sistant Secretary, Dr. George B. Fadeley.

The meetings are held on the first Monday of each month, except July and August, at the homes of the different members.

On these occasions after the adjournment of the business meeting, a literary and musical programme is provided by the hostess of the evening. Aside from the matter of business, the social part of these gatherings is a distinct feature of the society, which serves to keep alive the interest of its members, bringing together congenial friends and giving ”new-comers” an opportunity to become acquainted with their neighbors.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Mr. S. H. Thornburg]

PIONEER BUSINESS MEN. Among the most prominent business men of Falls Church who located here about the time the place was incorporated as a town, or soon thereafter, may be mentioned Mr. M. E. Church. Mr. Church is a native of Vermont, and upon settling here engaged in the drug business; he now conducts a successful real estate, loan and insurance business. He is also connected with other important commercial interests, and has been an indefatigable worker in promoting the welfare of the village.

Mr. George W. Mankin, a native of this State, was one of the early settlers in the village. He conducted a general merchandise business for a long period of years, but at present is engaged in the drug business with his son Mr. Geo. T. Mankin, under the firm name of George T. Mankin & Co. Mr. Mankin has established as high reputation as a business man and citizen as had his brother Mr. Charles Mankin, the well known dry goods merchant, but recently deceased.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Mr. Nathan Banks]

Mr. Wm. M. Ellison, whose father was one of the early northern settlers in this community, is a successful lawyer and real estate broker. Mr.

Ellison stands high as a business man and citizen, having served his town as a councilman for many years past and as mayor of the town for several terms. He was recently re-elected councilman from the West End ward.

Among other prominent merchants who early settled here are Mr. J. W.

Brown, dealer in hardware and general merchandise, and Mr. George Gaither, dealer in groceries.

Mr. Isaac Crossman, who came here from Pennsylvania soon after the civil war, purchased for farming purposes a large block of land which is now situated almost in the center of the village. The price paid was about forty dollars per acre. A large part of this land has been divided into town lots and sold. To indicate the increase in real estate values since the war, the land of this Crossman property lying nearest the northern boundary of the village sells for one thousand dollars and upward per acre.

[Ill.u.s.tration: James A. d.i.c.kinson, M. D.]

FEW OLD HOUSES. Practically all the houses of the village are modern, but there are a few old buildings of historic interest. Among these is the Lawton house, at one time the residence of General Lawton. This house was the headquarters of General Longstreet when the place was in possession of the Confederates soon after the first battle of Mana.s.sas.

What was once known as the Star Tavern, now a grocery store, is a relic of by-gone days. It flourished in the days before the railroad came, and was a favorite stopping place for travelers over the road from the mountains leading past its doors to the then important mart, Alexandria.

The place was kept during the civil war by W. H. Erwin, father of our townsmen Messrs. Walter, George and Munson Erwin.