Biography of Robert James Decker

ROBERT JAMES DECKER – When we think of tobacco in its various forms, as cigars, cigarettes or “the pipe that sootheth,” we are apt to think of the Orient, of far and distant lands like Egypt, Greece, Bosnia, or on our Western Hemisphere of Havana, Porto Rico, or of our own product of Virginia, famous the world over. That there is a considerable amount of the fragrant weed grown in our Northern States and distributed by a large industry is a fact known not so widely as it deserves. Among the packers and growers of tobacco in Massachusetts, an important … Read more

Biography of Dr. John Hallam Roberts

DR. JOHN HALLAM ROBERTS – A man of fine education and scientific in the practice of his profession, that of a veterinarian, Dr. Roberts is one of the highly esteemed residents of Northampton, Massachusetts. His forebears are from English stock. Edward Roberts, the great-grandfather of Dr. Roberts, was born in England. He came to the province of Quebec, Canada, in 1816, and his wife’s name was Hallam. His son, Samuel Roberts, was born in England in 1800, and died in Canada in the province of Quebec, in 1898, aged ninety-eight years. He was the eldest child of his parents, and … 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

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.

Biographical Sketch of John Wesley Ewing

JOHN WESLEY EWING, well known in the vicinity of Northampton, is a successful farmer, carrying on the home farm on which his father and grandfather lived and worked for so many years. He is the son of Alexander Mathew and Esther Ann (McCandless) Ewing, and brother of Harold Butler Ewing (q. v.), in connection with whose sketch a full account of Mr. Ewing’s father and grandfather are given. John Wesley Ewing was born in the town of Northampton, December 22, 1887, and was educated in the local public schools. He early became familiar with the duties and responsibilities of farm … Read more

Mabel Juliana Todd Allen of Greenfield MA

ALLEN, Mabel Juliana Todd9, (John R.8, Iru S.7, Justus6, Asa5, Gershom4, Gershom3, Michael2, Christopher1) born Oct. 12, 1878, at the old farm in Northampton, Mass., married July 6, 1905, Amos Mason Allen, who was born in April 1865, in Shelburne, Mass. He is a carriage and automobile painter. In 1920 he was master painter for the Boston and Maine R. R. Co., at their shop in East Deerfield, Mass. They lived in Greenfield, Mass. Children: I. Howard Amos, b. Sept. 19, 1906. II. Agnes Elizabeth, b. May 5, 1908. III. Ethel Irene, b. Aug. 7, 1909. IV. Ruth Evelyn, b. … Read more

Biography of Samuel Arthur Eyre

SAMUEL ARTHUR EYRE – In both his civics and his industrial relationships with Northampton, Mr. Eyre has fulfilled the anticipation’s of his constituency and of his colleagues; and in his devotion to city official duties and those of mill overseership, he has won the confidence and good will of all with whom he is associated. He is the son of Harry Eyre, who was born in England, January 3, 1862, and Inez (Clark) Eyre, who was born in Northampton, June 23, 1867. Harry Eyre came to Northampton in 1886, where, prominent in Republican party affairs, he has served as secretary … Read more

Biography of Marion Knox Case

MARION KNOX CASE – The family name of Case is found as far back as the book of the Hundred Rolls in the thirteenth century. It is supposed to have been derived from the Latin word cass, meaning house or cottage. The Case family has a long record of good work and accomplishment both in England and America. Marion Knox Case has followed in the footsteps of his forefathers, and is a thorough-going business man, who has made a success of his undertakings. The founder of the Case family in America was John Case, who emigrated from England in 1635 … Read more

David Peck Todd of Amherst MA

David Peck Todd7, (Sereno E.6, Josiah5, Abner4, Ithamar3, Michael2, Christopher1) born March 19, 1854, married March 5, 1880, Mabel, only child of Eben Jenks and Mary Alden (Wilder) Loomis, who was born Nov. 10, 1856, in Cambridge, Mass. He is a graduate of Amherst College and a descendant of the celebrated divine, Jonathan Edwards. After graduation he was appointed to a position at the Naval Observatory, Washington, D. C. He was afterwards appointed Prof. of Astronomy and Director of the Observatory at Amherst, Mass., and also Prof. of Astronomy and Higher Mathematies at Smith College, Northampton, Mass. He received the … Read more

Jehiel Todd of Toddville NY

Jehiel Todd6, (Stephen5, Stephen4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born Nov. 3, 1761, died Jan. 28, 1843, in Toddville, N. Y., married in 1781, Hannah, daughter of Glover and Lydia (Allen) Street, who was born Oct. 1, 1758, died July 21, 1836. He was born and lived for some time in Wallingford, Conn. Glover Street, was son of Samuel and Keziah (Munson) Street; Samuel was son of Lieut. Samuel and Hannah (Glover) Street; Lieut. Samuel was a son of Rev. Samuel and Anna (Miles) Street; Rev. Samuel Street was son of Rev. Nicholas and(???)(Poole) Street. Keziah Munson was a daughter of Caleb … Read more

Biography of John Archie Grosier

JOHN ARCHIE CROSIER – The practical everyday history and proceedings of the district court of Hampshire County is the field of activity in which Mr. Crosier has been engaged as clerk since 1904, and during which period he has been a witness of the many remarkable changes that have taken place in the legal personnel and procedure. The most familiar leading figure in this long-established court, and one of the most erudite men in the profession as regards the local judicial customs and usages, Mr. Crosier is an official held in regard and honor in county and State by his … Read more

Biography of Edward Louis O’Brien

EDWARD LOUIS O’BRIEN – of Northampton’s younger members of the bar who have established themselves under the successful auspices of a high regard for the profession and a thorough training for its practice, Mr. O’Brien, whose earlier plans as a practitioner were temporarily interrupted by his World War activities, has entered upon a field of broad prospect, and one in which his capabilities are measuring up to the demands of the hour. His interests in Northampton and its advancement are those of the active, loyal and progressive citizen, who is prompt to share in the civic issues of the times. … Read more

Biography of George Herbert Burnham

GEORGE HERBERT BURNHAM – Walter Le Veutre came to England at the time of the Conquest, in 1066, in the train of his cousin-german, Earl Warren, sonin-law of William the Conqueror. He was lord of the Saxon village of Burnham and others, and from Burnham, where he lived, he was known as De Bumham. He took his surname from this town. The name is often spelled Burnam, Bernam, and Barnham, as well as Burnham, and in the old Anglo-Saxon, Beornham, Byrnhom, and in other forms. In the old Norse the name is Bjorn, which in Anglo-Saxon is Beorn, and Burn … 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 Arthur Berkmere Richards

ARTHUR BERKMERE RICHARDS, inheritor of a vast meat trade, and in later years a dairy farmer at Amherst, Massachusetts, was born in Cummington, Connecticut, May 23, 1864. The name he bears is one of the names of Welsh origin widely known and prominent in the United States, which originated in making a surname from the possessive form of the father’s name. It signifies Richard’s son. At least seventeen different coats-of-arms belong to the different branches of the family. A manor at Caernwyck, Marioneth County, Wales, was inherited by Sir Richard Richards, president of the House of Lords, and Lord Chief … Read more

Harriet Todd Richardson Buck of Hartwick NY

RICHARDSON BUCK, Harriet Todd8, (Lemuel7, Jehiel6, Stephen5, Stephen4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born March 18, 1805, in Northampton, Mass., she was twice married, first, Feb. 27, 1823, Anson Richardson, who was born June 22, 1797, in Conn., died April 26, 1834, in Hartwick, Otsego County, N. Y. Married second, June 29, 1839, Homer C. Buck, who was born March 23, 1807. Children by Anson Richardson: I. Jane Maria, b. 1824, d. 1829. II. Dewitt Clinton, b. 1825, d. 1828. III. Hiram Hale, b. 1827, d. 1828. IV. Sarah S., b. Nov. 21, 1829. V. Mary E., b. Dec. 7, 1831. Child … Read more

Ancestors of Alexander Holmes of Kingston, MA

The family of Alexander Holmes of Kingston, MA is one of long and honorable standing in New England, and there the branch is represented by the family of the late Alexander Holmes, who for years was president of the Old Colony and Fall River Railroad. Across the water in old England the Holmes family history reaches back to the year 1066, when one John Holmes, the founder of the Holmes family, is credited with being a volunteer in the army of William, Duke of Normandy.

Josephine Bonapart Todd Howard of Leeds MA

HOWARD, Josephine Bonapart Todd8, (Iru S.7, Justus6, Asa5, Gershom4, Gershom3, Michael2, Christopher1) born Feb. 12, 1853 at the old homestead in Roberts Meadow, Northampton, Mass., married June 7, 1876, William S., son of Joseph and Menerva (Pelton) Howard. He has worked most of his life in different departments of the silk thread business, having held positions with the Nonotuck Silk Company, manufacturers of “Corticelli” spool silk, and with Belding Brothers, but they have lived the greater portion of their lives at their homestead in Leeds, Mass., where they now (1919) reside. Children: I. Pearl Evelyn, b. July 25, 1880, d. … Read more

Biography of Daniel Lynch

DANIEL LYNCH – Among Northampton’s most useful and practical citizens, Daniel Lynch, expert brick mason, contractor and builder, has performed a work of permanent value to the material interests of the city in the course of the quarter of a century that he has been engaged in business on his own account; and the city and its neighborhood have profited in the result of good workmanship. Honest dealing and sound common sense have invariably characterized his enterprises as a builder, as well as his sterling counsel in matters relating to civic economics and community betterment. Of his industrious and zealous … Read more

Biography of John Francis Mariz

JOHN FRANCIS MARIZ – A man who by his devotion to his business in real estate matters has made his name and methods very favorably and popularly known throughout the western part of the State, as representing reliability of the highest type, John Francis Mariz, long established in Northampton, is an all-round business man who thoroughly knows his territory and his patrons. From the outset of his career he has made it a point to carry on business in the public interest, and that principle has been maintained by him in all his valued associations with civic and community projects. … Read more