Chicopee Massachusetts

Descendants of Elder Nutter of Dover, MA

Isaac Newton Nutter

The Nutter family of East Bridgewater, descended from Elder Hatevil Nutter, who emigrated from England in 1633, played a significant role in early New Hampshire history. Elder Nutter was a prominent figure, serving as a ruling elder and holding various land grants. His lineage includes notable descendants such as Isaac Newton Nutter, who contributed to local development and banking, and his sons, Richard Winslow and Charles Latham Nutter, who continued the family legacy in public service and business.

Biography of Charles Gilkey

Charles Gilkey, born September 29, 1826, in Plainfield, N.H., was a notable figure in Cornish, originally working as a gunsmith. He came from a family with deep roots in the area, with his grandfather leasing land for almost a millennium. Educated in Plainfield, Gilkey excelled in mechanical woodcarving and manufactured guns during the Civil War. Active in local politics, he held various community roles and prioritized independent voting. Married to Laura A., his historic home still stands, preserving family relics, including a timeworn pork-packing barrel.

Biography of Hon. Zenas Ferry Moody

Zenas Ferry Moody, born May 27, 1832, in Granby, Massachusetts, became the ex-Governor of Oregon, reflecting strong New England Revolutionary heritage. He moved to Oregon in 1851, contributing significantly to U.S. surveys and engaging in various business ventures, including the establishment of transportation lines. A prominent figure in the Republican Party, Moody was elected governor in 1882, known for his executive ability and business acumen. After his governorship, he focused on banking and business in The Dalles, exemplifying success in both public and private sectors.

Biography of Charles S. Ferry

Charles S. Ferry established the lumber firm Charles S. Ferry Son in 1886, significantly contributing to the growth of Pittsfield by supplying essential materials for local construction. Born in 1825 in Chicopee, Massachusetts, Ferry became a notable lumber dealer and planing mill proprietor. After his death in 1899, his sons, Charles K. and Fred G. Ferry, successfully took over, maintaining the firm’s reputation. Operating on an 85,000-square-foot site, the business continues to thrive, adapting modern methods to serve a large local and regional clientele.

Biography of Patrick M. Moriarty, M.D.

Dr. Patrick M. Moriarty, born March 17, 1891, in Bondsville, began his medical career in Springfield before establishing a successful practice in Chicopee. A graduate of Georgetown University, he served as a first lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps during World War I, providing crucial medical support in France and Germany. Active in various medical societies, Dr. Moriarty is highly respected by peers and the community alike. He married Elizabeth Bowen in 1915 and has four children: Barbara, Clarissa, Robert, and Katherine.

Biography of Charles S. Browning

Charles S. Browning, born on July 7, 1854, in Chicopee, Massachusetts, was a prominent druggist and civic leader in Ludlow. After starting his career at 16 with his brothers in Connecticut, he established the Browning drug store in Ludlow in 1880, gaining recognition as a successful pharmacist. He served as town treasurer for over twenty years and was involved in local banking. Browning was also a Mason and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married twice, first to Carrie H. Crowningshield and then to her niece, Edith H. Crowningshield.

Biography of Charles P. La Riviere

Charles P. La Riviere, born in St. Albans, Vermont, on April 20, 1877, has served as Chicopee’s city clerk since 1922. He grew up in Chicopee, where he pursued various occupations, including work in drafting and as a business owner. La Riviere is actively involved in community organizations and local governance, and has held positions such as trustee at the Chicopee Falls Savings Bank and financial secretary for the Foresters of America. He married Corinne L. Maynard in 1899 and they have two children.

Biography of Harry Joshua Tait

Harry Joshua Tait, born on August 27, 1867, in Chicopee, Massachusetts, became the president of Tait Brothers, a prominent ice cream manufacturing company. After a brief stint in farming and market gardening, he joined his brother George in the family’s milk business. Expanding the enterprise, they ventured into ice cream production in 1898, establishing multiple plants and delivery routes across New England. Tait oversaw significant growth, employing over 250 people, and played a pivotal role in the firm’s incorporation in 1922. He was married to Susan Blanche Hare and had five children.

Biography of George Gibert Tait

George Gibert Tait, born on November 5, 1872, in Chicopee, Massachusetts, is the vice-president of Tait Brothers, a prominent Springfield dairy business. He began his career under his uncle in the milk industry, advancing through various roles. A dedicated Republican, he actively participated in political and community affairs, serving on the board of licensed commissioners until 1924. Tait was also involved in several fraternal organizations. He married Julia W. Dowd in 1921, who passed away in 1923, leaving him with cherished family ties.

Biography of Frank Decatur Tait

Frank D. Tait, born in 1871 in Chicopee, Massachusetts, played a significant role in establishing the Tait Brothers milk business alongside his brother George. His family, descending from Scottish immigrants, has been integral to Springfield’s economic growth. Tait’s early career began at the Springfield Street Railway, but he later ventured into real estate before co-founding the successful dairy firm in 1893. Under his leadership, Tait Brothers expanded to become a renowned producer of milk and ice cream in New England. He married Pauline Julia Heubisch and had six children.

Biography of George P. Dion

George P. Dion, an architect from Chicopee, Massachusetts, boasts over forty years of experience, making him the city’s oldest practicing architect. Renowned for his significant contributions, including the Church of the Assumption, which opened in 1925, Dion’s work reflects artistic excellence and functionality. Born in 1871 to French-Canadian parents, he started in carpentry before transitioning to architecture in 1910. His portfolio includes schools and various public buildings. A community leader, Dion’s legacy is woven into Chicopee’s architectural fabric.