Amherst Massachusetts

Biography of Albert Parsons

Albert Parsons, born June 1, 1883, in North Amherst, Massachusetts, was a dedicated agricultural expert and dairy farmer. The son of Howard Albert Parsons, he graduated from Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1903 and worked in various agricultural roles, including as head of the Agricultural Department of Kamehameha Schools in Hawaii. After returning to Massachusetts, he focused on cattle farming and managing a milk route. Parsons, an active church member, married Marion Sawyer in 1909 and continued his family’s agricultural legacy.

Biography of George Edward Reed

George Edward Reed, born January 10, 1880, in Brattleboro, Vermont, established a significant presence in the laundry industry as president of the Amherst Laundry Company. He began his career in a Brattleboro laundry, later moving through various Vermont towns before settling in Amherst, where he transformed the cooperative laundry into a modernized operation in 1921. Reed is respected in his field and active in local organizations, including the Odd Fellows and the Amherst Business Men’s Association. He married Maud Allian Crosier in 1902 and has two sons.

Biography of Frederick Bridgman Shaw

Frederick Bridgman Shaw, born April 16, 1876, in South Amherst, Massachusetts, descends from a prominent New England family. His ancestor, Abraham Shaw, immigrated from England in 1636, eventually settling in Dedham. The Shaw lineage is marked by notable figures, including Captain Ebenezer Shaw, a Revolutionary War veteran. Frederick received education from Massachusetts Agricultural College and worked as a telegraph operator before managing his family’s farming and property interests. He actively participated in his community, was a member of the Congregational Church, and married Josie B. Harris, with whom he had five children.

Biography of Herbert Emerson Holden

Herbert Emerson Holden, born June 29, 1880, in Shutesbury, Massachusetts, was a prominent manufacturer of window frames and house furnishings in North Amherst. He descended from Richard Holden, an English immigrant who settled in Massachusetts in 1634. Educated in local schools, Herbert began working at a box factory at age fourteen, eventually opening his own woodworking business and lumber yard. Married in 1905, he fathered seven children and played a vital role in the local economy while being active in the Sons of Veterans.

Biography of Albion Brainard Allen

Albion Brainard Allen, born in Mooers, New York, in 1864, was a prominent builder and civic leader in Amherst, Massachusetts. With a legacy tracing back to early New England settlers, Allen significantly impacted regional development through his construction firm, notably working on many educational and infrastructural projects. He served on local boards, including the School Board and Finance Board, and was a state legislator. Married twice, he had one son, Roger, and remained deeply committed to community welfare throughout his life.

Biography of James Hale Newton

James Hale Newton, a prominent figure in Holyoke, Massachusetts, was an accomplished businessman, educator, and civic leader, regarded as the Grand Old Man of his community. Born in 1832 into a long-established New England family, he pursued an extensive education while working various jobs. Newton played a key role in founding and managing several paper mills and banks, contributing significantly to the region’s prosperity. His dedication to civic affairs included organizing educational and healthcare institutions, reflecting his philanthropic spirit and commitment to community development until his death in 1921.

Biography of Frank Lyman Gold

Frank Lyman Gold, born on June 4, 1884, in Belchertown, Massachusetts, hailed from a prominent New England family with deep historical roots. He pursued education and taught various subjects before joining the U.S. Government’s Ordnance Department during World War I. His diverse career included roles in accounting, contracting, and eventually establishing the Belchertown Motor Sales Company. A respected businessman and community member, Gold was active in local organizations and the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married twice, having four children along with his second wife’s two children.

Biography of Melvil Dewey

Melvil Dewey, born on December 10, 1851, in Adams Center, New York, emerged as a pioneering figure in American librarianship. His passion for books began in childhood, leading him to develop innovative library management practices. Dewey emphasized the importance of libraries in education, advocating for their accessibility to the public. He founded the American Library Association and played a key role in establishing library schools. His decimal classification system became a standard in libraries, marking significant advancements in the field of library science throughout his career.

Biography of Arthur Berkmere Richards

Arthur Berkmere Richards, born May 23, 1864, in Cummington, Connecticut, was a prominent figure in the meat trade and later a dairy farmer in South Amherst, Massachusetts. His ancestry traces back to William Richards, an early American settler. Arthur inherited a thriving meat business and expanded it significantly. He also owned extensive farmland, selling milk directly to customers. A Congregationalist, he had two marriages and children from his first wife, Vesta D. Packard, and second wife, Nettie Minerva Gardner.

Biography of Dwight Morris Billings

Dwight Morris Billings, born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on February 17, 1866, became the treasurer of The Hills Manufacturing Company in Amherst, Massachusetts, a prominent hat producer. His ancestral lineage in America extends back to Richard Billings, 17th-century settler of Hartford. Educated in Connecticut, Billings began his career in New York with C. H. Tenney Company before joining Hills in 1896. He married Lillie Brinkerhoff in 1891, and they had two children, Dwight and Elizabeth. Billings was active in Masonic organizations and his wife was involved in various historical societies.

Biography of Hon. Theodore L. Stiles

Honorable Theodore L. Stiles, born July 12, 1848, in Medway, Ohio, was the only child of Daniel J. and Marie S. Stiles. After his mother’s death, the family moved to Indianapolis, where Stiles pursued higher education at Ohio University and later Amherst College, graduating in 1871. He studied law at Columbia Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1872. Moving west in search of better opportunities, he settled in Tacoma, Washington, where he became a delegate to the constitutional convention and was elected as a supreme court judge.