Pittsfield Massachusetts Genealogy

Ancestors of John Richardson Bronson of Attleboro, MA

JOHN RICHARDSON BRONSON, M. D., who for over half a century was one of the best known practitioners of medicine in southern Massachusetts and part of Rhode Island, and who for upward of fifty years was a resident of Attleboro, was a native of Connecticut, born in the town of Middlebury, New Haven county, June 5, 1829, son of Garry and Maria (Richardson) Bronson.

The Bronson family was early planted in the New World. John Bronson (early of record as Brownson and Brunson) was early at Hartford. He is believed, though not certainly known, to have been one of the company who came in 1636 with Mr. Hooker, of whose church he was a member. He was a soldier in the Pequot battle of 1637. He is not named among the proprietors of Hartford in the land division of 1639; but is mentioned in the same year in the list of settlers, who by the “towne’s courtesie” had liberty “to fetch woods and keepe swine or cowes on the common.” His house lot was in the “soldiers’ field,” so called, in the north part of the old village of Hartford, on the “Neck Road” (supposed to have been given for service in the Pequot war), where he lived in 1640. He moved, about 1641 to Tunxis (Farmington) He was deputy from Farmington in May, 1651, and at several subsequent sessions, and the “constable of Farmington” in 1652. He was one of the seven pillars at the organization of the Farmington Church in 1652. His name is on the list of freemen of Farmington in 1669. He died Nov. 28, 1680.

Soule Family of New Bedford Massachusetts

SOULE (New Bedford family). The family bearing this name at New Bedford, Mass., is a branch of the Old Plymouth family, descending from George Soule, one of the “Mayflower” Pilgrims and a signer of the compact in 1620. The present head of the family is the Hon. Rufus Albertson Soule, citizen soldier, now collector of the port of New Bedford, who for many years has been a conspicuous figure in the business and political life of that place, a public servant of high and honorable service, one who as man, citizen and neighbor enjoys that popularity that comes to but few.

Biography of Joseph Raymond Hampson

JOSEPH RAYMOND HAMPSON – The work in which Joseph Raymond Hampson is engaged is eminently vital and important to the welfare of the people and the progress of the civic body. Mr. Hampson has had wide experience in this general field and has executed many large and important contracts, both for private individuals and for the United States Government. His outstanding success in these various achievements has given his name unusual recognition for a man still looking forward to many years of useful and progressive activity. He is a son of Louis and Viola (Lasher) Hampson, former residents of New … Read more

Biography of F. Emmett Dwyer

F. EMMETT DWYER, progressive and outstanding professional man of Pittsfield, and one who has gained general recognition in the work of undertaking and funeral directing, in which for the past six years and more he has been active, stands at the head of a long established business, of which his father was the founder. Mr. Dwyer has demonstrated his large natural ability, and in his forward looking spirit the people feel that he is giving to his work sincere and devoted attention. Mr. Dwyer is a native of Chatham, New York, a son of Simon P. and Katherine (McNamee) Dwyer. … Read more

Biography of Lawrence F. Lyons

LAWRENCE F. LYONS, a member of an old New England family, gifted in his chosen profession of the law, interested in various lines of fraternal and organized advance, and a veteran of the World War, is a thoroughly representative figure in the progress of the day. With interests centering in Pittsfield, he is gaining an enviable reputation in Western Massachusetts, and his friends consider his future one of great promise. Mr. Lyons is a son of Thomas and Mary (McCarthy) Lyons, and the Lyons family has for many generations been prominent in the Connecticut River Valley in the village of … Read more

Biography of Harry G. West

HARRY G. WEST – With an ardent patriot of the American Revolution as his ancestor, who invested his all from the sale of his farm in wagons loaded with food to help feed General Washington’s army, Harry G. West, of Pittsfield, can point with pride to Abet West, whose name and fame are emblazoned high in the annals of the family, who have been residents of Pittsfield for one hundred and twenty-five years. Abel West was born in Vernon, Connecticut, in 1747. He had arrived at early manhood when the Revolutionary War broke out. As was his wont on the … Read more

Biography of Henry Seeley Taylor

HENRY SEELEY TAYLOR – Thirty-three years have passed since the death of Henry Seeley Taylor caused universal sorrow in the city of Pittsfield, yet many residents of the present day recall his fine face and distinguished figure, both in the clothing store of which he was long the head, and in his activities as a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. As a business man Mr. Taylor was above reproach, his kindly courtesy and considerate interest in his customers having been only the outgrowth and evidence of an integrity which governed every act of his life. Friend of all, … Read more

Biography of Mann, Stillman

Mann, Stillman proprietor of the Russell House. Mr. Mann erected the stone part of his hotel in the summer of 1877; it is 25×48 feet, and three stories high. There is also a wooden addition, 26×68 feet. The hotel cost $7,000. Capacity is about seventy-five guests. He first came to Russell in April 1871, with the Northwestern Colony from Eastern Wisconsin; at that time there was only a section house in the place. He, in company with H. W. Tusten, built a small shanty, and both families lived in that until other arrangements could be made. Mrs. Mann first began … Read more

Biography of Alfred Chester Dale

ALFRED CHESTER DALE – Having come from South Dakota to Massachusetts a little more than twenty-five years ago, when he was thirteen years of age, Alfred Chester Dale, of Pittsfield, is today secretary of the Dale Brothers’ Laundry, Inc., whose branch in that city is only one of five which the corporation operates in this State. The remarkable expansion of the Dale Brothers’ business covers a wide range of territory in two States and in four counties, not to mention the overlapping of much of the contiguous area. Mr. Dale was born in Wilmot, South Dakota, April 17, 1882, and … Read more

Electa Todd Carley of Pittsfield MA

CARLEY, Electa Todd7, (Justus6, Asa5, Gershom4, Gershom3, Michael2, Christopher1) born Nov. 9, 1812, married about 1833, Samuel Carley. They lived many years in and near Pittsfield, Mass. Children: I. Samuel. II. Eugene.

Biography of Thomas Patrick Hennelly

THOMAS PATRICK HENNELLY, advancing in the forefront with his profession in Western Massachusetts, specializing in its surgical department, and allying his methods with those of up-to-date discovery and incentive, is a surgeon and physician of widely recognized talents and ability. Established in his practice at Pittsfield for a period of sixteen years, the repute of his skill is not confined to this section, and among honors that have come to him are those of association with some of the foremost medical fraternities of State and Nation. Thomas Patrick Hennelly was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, March 18, 1882, the son of … Read more

Biography of Hugh J. Downey

HUGH J. DOWNEY – With enlarging zones of practice wherein Dr. Downey has made his abilities as a physician and his value as a citizen evident and welcome for the pact decade, he has likewise established a wide range of enduring friendships because of an optimistic personality and his advanced methods and usages of the profession, at his medical office and home in Pittsfield. He is a son of Hugh J. and Sarah (McCann) Downey. Hugh J. Downey was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, December 5, 1882, and the family removed to Adams, Berkshire County, during Mr. Downey’s childhood. He … 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 Hugh Beverly Roney

HUGH BEVERLY RONEY, M. D., a progressive and successful physician of Pittsfield, whose preparations for his profession were made in leading educational institutions and whose success well appraises his ability, is interested in local and general progress, and in his profession he has attained an enviable position. He is a son of Gifford and Victoria (Lott) Roney, the father now deceased, the mother a resident of Pittsfield. Hugh Beverly Roney was born at Colborne, Canada, January 20, 1886. He received his early education in the public schools of his birthplace and spent two years in the high schools of Newburgh, … Read more

Biography of William Edward Staples

WILLIAM EDWARD STAPLES – The same energetic characteristics that were the means of conquering all hardships that apparently stood in the path of Mr. Staples’ career during the earlier part of his life have proven the dominant feature of his activities, and have accompanied him throughout an interesting course both of service and of leadership in the business and the political world. He is conceded to be one of the Western Massachusetts captains of industry and of civic advancement, who, beginning life with but few advantages of a material kind, overcame all difficulties by sheer hard work, pluck, and native … Read more

Biography of Charles V. D. Siegel

CHARLES V. D. SIEGEL – The city of Springfield, with its population of over 162,000, has need for many lawyers. Charles V. D. Siegel represents one of the younger members of the profession, having not yet reached his twenty-eighth year, and having been in actual practice for a period not exceeding five years. In this short time, however, he has shown marked ability for the work, and the future holds much promise for him. Charles V. D. Siegel was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, March 5, 1898, and is a son of Morris Siegel, born in East Prussia, and his wife, … Read more

Biography of Robert W. Adam

ROBERT W. ADAM – No name in Western Massachusetts represents more faithful service to the people or more honorable activities in a position of large trust than does that of the late Robert W. Adam, of Pittsfield, who served as treasurer of the Berkshire County Savings Bank for a period of forty-six years. This man of brilliant mentality and devoted spirit was one of the most accessible men of his time, always meeting rich or poor alike with the cordiality of the true brother of mankind, while at the same time his courtly manner and distinguished presence marked him as … Read more

Biography of Melvin Harvey Walker, Jr., M.D.

MELVIN HARVEY WALKER, JR., M. D, has been a medical practitioner in Pittsfield for nearly a decade. He is a native of Westboro, born October 21, 1886, son of Melvin H. and Ann (Moses) Walker; his father being a manufacturer in Westboro; and the mother now deceased. The son Melvin took the usual courses in the grammar grades and was prepared for college in the Westboro High School and Phillips Academy, Andover. He was graduated from Yale University in the class of 1909 with the degree of B. A.; graduated from Harvard Medical School in the class of 1915 with … Read more

Biography of Fred M. Myers

FRED M. MYERS – The large service to his profession that Mr. Myers has rendered during his practice of the law, which has been for the most part at Pittsfield, has requited him with such returns as satisfactory clientage, and thorough and skillful performance of duty secure for their devotee. As a general practitioner, and in his present popular partnership, Mr. Myers is accorded place with the advancing group of attorneys in this part of the State who grace and honor their profession with unvarying maintenance of established high standards. He is a son of Henry W. and Jennie M. … Read more

Biography of Charles Hulbert Wilson

CHARLES HULBERT WILSON – A man of character who has had a thorough business training under the tutelage of his able father is Charles H. Wilson, of Pittsfield. From the time ha entered his father’s woolen manufactory he has shown ability and a liking for his work and has risen rapidly from one position to another until he is now shouldering the responsibilities of the offices of treasurer and vice-president. The concern is now doing business under the title of James & E. H. Wilson, Inc., and are manufacturers of woolen materials (for details of the business see biography of … Read more