Hampshire County MA

John Wright Genealogy

John Wright m. Mary and res. Dunstable. Benjamin2 Wright, son of John1, b. at Dunstable, d. Milford, N. H., res. at Mile Slip (afterwards Milford); m. Betsey Adams of Dunstable (now Nashua). Of their eleven children eight were b. in Mile Slip, and the last three in Milford: Benjamin, b. May 20, 1775; d. Sept. 19, 1777. Benjamin; Betsey; Ira; Joel, 1, b. Jan. 26, 1784; Oliver; Sally; Mary; Lydia; Nehemiah and Gratia. Joel3 Wright, son of Benjamin2, was the fifth minister and third settled pastor of the First Cong. Church of S. See page 409. According to the Milford, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rememberance Sheldon

Remembrance, son of Lieutenant Ebenezer Sheldon, was born October 16, 1717, died April 31, 1787. In 1749 he was sergeant in the French war, in Israel Williams’ company, also in the same company. December 11, 1755, to October 18, 1756, doing scout duty. He was stationed at Colerain, October 19, 1756, to January 23, 1757, and for his services there received five pounds, eighteen shillings, one pence. His name also appears on John Burk’s enlistment roll, ending November 30, 1758, at which time he had charge of a fort in Fall Town. In 1777 he was on the committee of … Read more

Biography of John Charles Ryan

Eminently successful as a grower of tobacco, and with a range of activity in the tobacco field wider than that of almost any other man in the region, John Charles Ryan is well known in Hatfield, Massachusetts, and its vicinity, not only for his agricultural enterprise, but for his public-spirited interest in local affairs. Mr. Ryan is the son of John B. and Mary (Kennedy) Ryan, both of Irish birth, who lived in Hatfield for many years. Michael Ryan, Mr. Ryan’s grandfather, was born in Ireland, but came to America, and died in Hatfield in the eighties at an age … Read more

Edith Marvin Todd Ferguson Thomas of Northampton MA

FERGUSON THOMAS, Edith Marvin Todd9, (Richard S.8, Rufus L.7, Uel6, Oliver5, Abraham4, Jonah3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born March 13, 1883, was twice married, first, March 16, 1909, Donald McHardy, son of(???)Ferguson, who died July 5, 1915. Second, May 10, 1919, Dr. Elmer Ellsworth Thomas, who was in 1920 practicing his profession in Northampton, Mass. Child by Donald McHardy Ferguson: I. Donald McHardy, b. Feb. 20, 1914.

Charles Todd of Lasalle IL

Charles Todd8, (Ira7, Jehiel6, Stephen5, Stephen4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born May 1, 1817, in Northampton, Mass., married Dec. 1, 1850, Eliza A. Leonard, who was born in 1827, died June 6, 1852, in Lasalle, Ill. Charles Todd was associated with his brothers, George and Washington, in the flour milling industry in St. Louis, Mo., which had been his immigrant ancestor, Christopher Todd’s calling at New Haven, Conn., nearly two centuries before. Child: *2011. Fannie E., b. Nov. 16, 1851.

Biography of Denis Andrew Sullivan

DENIS ANDREW SULLIVAN-The name Denis Andrew Sullivan has become familiarized throughout the western part of the State to the proprietors of business generally, to the heads of various institutions, and to home-makers for the large and substantial share that Mr. Sullivan has had in modern construction in both city and country since 1898, when he founded his present contracting firm at Northampton. Mr. Sullivan, who was born’ and bred here, has a thorough understanding of the residential and business requirements in the builder’s calling, and his workmanship invariably has upon it the stamp of reliability and completeness his work everywhere … Read more

Biography of George Eberlein

GEORGE EBERLEIN-For generations the Eberlem family in Germany has maintained the Eberlein Blacksmith Shops, which were founded by one of their forebears in 1788. Every generation has produced one sturdy and efficient blacksmith, who loves his trade and manages the shops so well that their excellent reputation continues. George Eberlein himself began to learn smithing when he was ten years old, and had mastered it by his fourteenth year with German thoroughness, and he has greatly benefited by his knowledge since he came to America. William Eberlein, his grandfather, died in Germany in 5876. His son, William Eberlein, was born … Read more

Biography of Hinsdale Smith

Among the many families that can boast of long and honorable connection with the history of the New England States, especially Massachusetts, none is more worthy of mention than the Smith family. The name has appeared conspicuously in association with public and private affairs through more than three centuries. (I) Richard Smith, immigrant ancestor, was born in England in 1617. He testified in September, 1684, that he was sixty-seven years old, that he came from Martha’s Vineyard with his vessels, and did some work for his brother-in-law, Matthias Treat. He was admitted a freeman in Wethersfield in 1669. He received … Read more

Biography of Frank Edward Dow

FRANK EDWARD DOW, M. D. – Dow is one of the oldest family names known in England. It goes back to the beginning of the use of family names. The American family traces its ancestry back to: (I) John Dow, who died at Tylner, Norfolk County, England, in July, 1581, and mentioned in his will two brothers, William and Thomas, and three children, Thomas, John and Edith. (II) Thomas Dow was born in Tylner, and lived afterward in Runham, Norfolk. He married Margaret (surname unknown) and had children: Henry, of further mention; Christopher; and two daughters. (III) Henry Dow, son … Read more

Biography of Frank Lyman Gold

FRANK LYMAN GOLD-A man of wide and varied activities, each of which he has carried on successfully after he had gained full knowledge of the field of business into which he was entering, the story of Frank Lyman Gold is full of interest. (I) He belongs to a notable old New England family, whose founder was Joseph Gold, born in London, England, who came to America when he was nineteen years old. According to family records, he served for seven years in the Revolutionary War, lived for a time in Northbury, Connecticut, and died in Roxbury, Vermont, in 1829. He … Read more

Biography of Henry Edgar Maynard

HENRY EDGAR MAYNARD – The Maynards of this country can point with pride to a name of great antiquity. The name Manard or Maynard, appears in the Rolls of Battle Abbey, as among the Normans who came to England with William the Conqueror. John Maynard was appointed Governor of Breast Castle, in Brittany, July 28, 1352, by Edward, Prince of Wales. Sir Henry Maynard, the sixth in descent from John Maynard, mentioned above, was sheriff of Essex County, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth. His son William, was created “Lord of Wicklow” in Ireland, May 30, 1520, by King James … Read more

Biography of John Timothy Powers

JOHN TIMOTHY POWERS is one of the prominent business men, public officials and citizens of Florence, a suburb of Northampton, Hampshire County’s capital. He is a leader in educational, recreational, political and fraternal circles. He has served as alderman from the Seventh Ward, and is a member of the Florence Recreation Commission. His business is groceries and provisions. John Timothy Powers was born in Florence, the son of John Powers, who was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1828, and died on August so, 1898. John Powers came to the United States when nineteen years old, settled in Hatfield, Hampshire County, … Read more

Lyman Todd of Chesterfield MA

Lyman Todd8, (Asa A.7, Lyman6, Asa5, Gershom4, Gershom3, Michael2, Christopher1) born Sept. 10, 1856 in Chesterfield, Mass., died July 16, 1897, married Sept. 10, 1882, Mary Pease, who later married her husbands brother, Monroe Todd. Children: 2354. Vera Aymice, b. June 29, 1884, d. June 1902. *2352. Bertha Mary, b. May 9, 1886. 2353. Orman Lyman, b. Sept. 2, 1889, living in Springfield, Mass., in 1919. 2354. Elmer Leroy, b. March 27, 1892, m. April 14, 1917, Alta Viola, daughter of Albert and Ella (Fox) Creassy, who was born Oct. 13, 1890 in Zoar, Mass. In 1919 he was managing … Read more

John Root Todd of Northampton MA

John Root Todd8, (Iru S.7, Justus6, Asa5, Gershom4, Gershom3, Michael2, Christopher1) born Oct. 3, 1847, in Northampton, Mass., at the old homestead where he also died Aug. 30, 1891, married Oct. 17, 1871, Agnes Mary, daughter of George and Jane Eliza (Norton) Hammond, who was born Feb. 19, 1848, and in 1919, is living with her youngest daughter. He was born, lived all his life and died at the old homestead in Roberts Meadow, Northampton, Mass. The farm was bequeathed him by his father in 1882, on which he lived an honest and quiet farmers life. He was elected to … Read more

Biography of Albert Parsons

ALBERT PARSONS, expert in agriculture, cattle raiser, and dairy farmer of North Amherst, Massachusetts, was born June 1, 1883, in North Amherst, the son ‘ of Howard Albert Parsons. The family name of Parsons is derived from the Latin word persona, a mask. In early times actors wore a mask of wood to project their voices, a suggestion of the speaking-trumpet and telephone of later years. The actor came to be called after the mask he wore dramatis personae. The word had a two-fold meaning. In ecclesiastical language it was referable to a man of dignity, and bestowed upon one … Read more

Biography of John William Kenney, D.D.S.

JOHN WILLIAM KENNEY, D. D. S. – The profession of dentistry has a thorough and capable exponent at Northampton in Dr. Kenney who with his present-day methods and valued experience is accounted one of the foremost men in his line in this part of the State, where he has been in successful practice since 1902. He has the highest regard of the public in their appreciation of his skill, as well as of dental offices and laboratory that are unrivaled in the excellence of their equipment. Four generations of this branch of the family have now resided in Massachusetts, his … Read more

Biography of Perley Oscar Folsom

PERLEY OSCAR FOLSOM, active in business and politics at Cushman, Massachusetts, in the town of Amherst, was born in Marshfield, Vermont, March 28, 1882. The name he bears appears first in history in the first half of the fourteenth century. John Foulsham, of Foulsham, was prior of a Carmelite Monastery in Warwick, England. He was a prominent ecclesiastic; and his brother, Richard Foulsham, was even more prominent. The word foule (fowl) signified bird, and the country seat of Foulsham probably took its name from its being the home (ham) of many foules (birds). (I) The first traceable ancestor of the … Read more

Biography of Albert Henry Warren Stimson

ALBERT HENRY WARREN STIMSON – After a rich experience in the business world, Albert Henry Warren Stimson, of Northampton Massachusetts, since 1909 has followed farming and become not only one of the prosperous farmers of the vicinity but a man active in community affairs and highly regarded by all his fellow citizens. He is the descendant of a very old New England family, which traces back to early Colonial days. (I) The surname Stimson is in its origin identical with Stephenson, Stevenson and Stimpson, and in its various forms is common in England and Scotland and of very ancient usage. … Read more

Biography of Reese James Richards

Mr. Richards’ long experience in the jewelry business has culminated in one of the most popular and well-equipped jewelry establishments at Northampton, and in this part of the State; and to bring about its gradual and substantial development he has added the results of investigation and training that have been lifelong. His interest in the broadening of civic affairs has always been a most active feature of his Northampton citizenship; and he has held office that has been productive of progressive results to the community. Mr. Richards is the son of William T. Richards, who who was born in England … Read more

Biography of Homer Crane Bliss

The ancient prestige of the Bliss family is shared in full by Homer Crane Bliss, of Florence, Massachusetts, assistant treasurer of the Corticelli Silk Company. Mr. Bliss was born in Springport, Michigan, April 30, 1868. His father was George Porter Bliss and his mother Susan V. (Crane) Bliss. The first of the name of whom there is any trustworthy record was Thomas Bliss, of Belstone Parish, in the county of Devonshire, England. Thomas and George, his sons, and Thomas, a nephew, the eldest son of the first Thomas Bliss, and a son of Jonathan Bliss, came to America and are … Read more