Pittsfield Massachusetts Genealogy

Soule Family of New Bedford Massachusetts

The Soule family of New Bedford, Massachusetts, traces its lineage to George Soule, a Mayflower Pilgrim. Currently led by Hon. Rufus Albertson Soule, this family’s history is marked by significant contributions to local governance and business, particularly in shipbuilding and shoe manufacturing. Their legacy includes participation in the Civil War, with four brothers serving. Rufus Soule’s prominent roles in the community and service as a state senator reflect the family’s longstanding commitment to civic duty and public service, enriching New Bedford’s heritage.

Ancestors of John Richardson Bronson of Attleboro, MA

John Richardson Bronson, M.D., born June 5, 1829, in Middlebury, Connecticut, was a distinguished physician in southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, residing in Attleboro for over fifty years. The Bronson lineage traces back to early New England settlers, including John Bronson, a soldier in the Pequot War. Dr. Bronson, who graduated from Berkshire Medical College in 1852, served as a field surgeon during the Civil War and remained engaged in community affairs until his death on May 9, 1900. He married Catherine Wheelock and had five children.

Grinnell Family of New Bedford, MA

The Grinnell family, with roots tracing back to the early 17th century in Rhode Island, has played a significant role in the history of New Bedford, MA. Notable members include Capt. Cornelius Grinnell, a Revolutionary War patriot and merchant, and his son Joseph, a U.S. Congressman. The family continued to thrive in business, particularly in the manufacturing of fire protection equipment, chiefly attributed to Frederick Grinnell’s innovations. Throughout generations, the Grinnells have exemplified civic engagement and entrepreneurial spirit within their community.

Biography of Henry Harrison Edwards

Henry Harrison Edwards, born on July 28, 1840, in Laconia, N.H., was a skilled watchmaker who eventually settled in Allenstown. He was educated locally and trained as a watchmaker, gaining experience at the Waltham Watch Factory and other locations. Edwards married Helen P. Otterson in 1877, and they had a daughter, Pauline, who has since passed. His father, Nathaniel Edwards, was a shoemaker and local politician who contributed to his community, while his mother, Rachel, remains active in Laconia at eighty-four.

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Edward Horatio Foster

Dr. Edward Horatio Foster, born on October 13, 1839, in Canterbury, N.H., was a prominent medical practitioner in Concord. A descendant of early settlers, his lineage includes a grandfather who fought in both the French and Indian Wars and the Revolutionary War. After graduating from Bowdoin College in 1866, Foster practiced in various locations before settling in Concord in 1872. He was politically independent and held leadership roles in several companies. Dr. Foster was married twice and had three children, passing away on April 5, 1897.

Biography of Jacob Newton Butler, M.D.

Jacob Newton Butler, M.D., born on February 6, 1821, in Lyndeboro, N.H., became a distinguished physician in Lempster, N.H. He studied medicine at Berkshire Medical College and started his practice in 1843. Coming from a lineage of patriots, Butler’s grandfather fought in the Revolution, while his father was a War of 1812 veteran and a prominent local farmer. Dr. Butler was a community leader, serving on the School Board and supporting the temperance movement. He married Harriet Moore and had one son, George Arthur, who pursued a successful career in civil engineering.

Biographical Sketch of P. H. Monahan

P. H. Monahan, born on February 19, 1837, in County Galway, Ireland, emigrated to America at thirteen, settling in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, before moving to Arcola. He significantly contributed to the broom corn industry and served in the town council. Monahan married Hannah Quirk and had four children, including current mayor Thomas. A respected figure in Arcola for nearly fifty years, he is remembered as an influential and esteemed citizen, despite losing his parents early in life.

Biographical Sketch of Allen, Thomas

Thomas Allen, born October 19, 1849, in St. Louis, Missouri, was a prominent American landscape and animal painter. He studied art at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Düsseldorf and in France, returning to exhibit successfully in New York. Allen became an associate of the National Academy of Design and was active in several art organizations. He had two marriages, fathering two children, and was involved in the Boston art community, serving as president of the Paint and Clay Club and a patron of the Metropolitan Museum.

Biography of Frank Levi Root

Frank Levi Root, born on May 21, 1865, in Cedar County, Iowa, has been a prominent figure in Oketo, Kansas, for thirty years. A successful agriculturist, he owns 800 acres in Marshall County and manages the Oketo Elevator. Root served as mayor for a decade, overseeing significant street improvements and the establishment of an electric plant. Politically active as a Republican, he is involved in various civic organizations. He married Amanda Ballon in 1884 and has two children, Myrtle and Glenn.

Biographical Sketch of William Erastus Cushing

William Erastus Cushing was born in Cleveland on September 23, 1853. He was the son of Henry Kirke and Betsy Maria Williams Cushing. Cushing graduated with an A.B. from Western Reserve College in 1875 and earned his LL.B. from Harvard Law School in 1878. He married Carolyn J. Kellogg in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on June 4, 1884. Cushing served on the Ohio State Board of Commissioners on Uniform Laws and was a member of the law firm Cushing Siddall Lamb, as well as a trustee for University School and Adelbert College.

Biographical Sketch of Frank Ray Walker

Frank Ray Walker, born on September 29, 1877, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, was an accomplished architect. He studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and furthered his education in design in France and Italy from 1903 to 1904. Walker was affiliated with Walker Weeks Architects and held memberships in various organizations, including the Cleveland Engineering Society and the American Institute of Architects. His involvement extended to alumni associations and clubs, such as the M.I.T. Alumni Association and the East End Tennis Club in Cleveland.

Electa Todd Carley of Pittsfield MA

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 William Edward Staples

William Edward Staples, born in Adams on March 31, 1866, emerged from humble beginnings to become a prominent figure in Western Massachusetts’s business and political spheres. Orphaned early, he worked in cotton mills before joining the Stanley Company, where he honed his skills in electrical engineering. Staples served as superintendent of Pittsfield’s pumping station and was elected to the State Legislature, demonstrating his leadership in various committees. A dedicated Democrat and community leader, he also contributed to local organizations and raised eleven children, ensuring their educational opportunities.

Biography of Thomas Patrick Hennelly

Thomas Patrick Hennelly, born on March 18, 1882, in Waltham, Massachusetts, is a prominent surgeon based in Pittsfield, where he has practiced for over sixteen years. A graduate of Tufts College and Harvard Medical School, Hennelly has held notable positions, including a member of the Pittsfield Board of Health and various medical fraternities. He served on the Medical Advisory Board during World War I and has numerous affiliations with hospitals and insurance companies. Married in 1914 to Helen Elizabeth Wickham, they have five children.

Biography of Alfred Chester Dale

Alfred Chester Dale, born on April 17, 1882, in Wilmot, South Dakota, moved to Massachusetts at thirteen, where he became the secretary of Dale Brothers Laundry, Inc. He played a pivotal role in the company’s growth, which expanded from Springfield to several locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Establishing a branch in Pittsfield in 1920, Dale built a successful enterprise employing twenty-five individuals. He is also active in fraternal organizations and married Grace N. Shipman, linking him to a prominent New England family.

Biography of George A. Prediger

George A. Prediger, born on July 5, 1865, in Pittsfield, distinguished himself in law over his 36-year career. A graduate of Pittsfield High School and Muhlenburg College, he studied law under prominent jurist E. M. Wood. Admitted to the bar in 1888, he practiced initially with Wood before establishing his own office in 1894. Well-respected in Western Massachusetts, he declined political office, focusing instead on public welfare. Prediger married Laura M. Butz in 1893, and they had four children, though two passed away young.

Biography of James Wilson

James Wilson, a prominent figure in woolen manufacturing, became president of James E. H. Wilson, Inc. in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. His partnership began with Michael Glennon in 1880, reviving the Taconic Mills, originally built in 1856. Wilson successfully expanded the business, producing significant quantities of woolen fabric and military supplies during World War I. Born in 1848, Wilson was engaged in local business and civic duties, including serving as a director and holding various positions in the community. He married Harriet Denning Strong, with whom he had three children.

Biography of Edward Heath Wilson

Edward Heath Wilson, born on December 9, 1846, in Pittsfield, was a distinguished businessman who passed away on November 23, 1923. He began his career at the Pittsfield Woolen Company and later moved to New York City, where he established himself as a wool broker. In 1902, he partnered with his brother to form James E. H. Wilson, Inc. He served as vice-president until his death, leaving a legacy in the woolen manufacturing industry. Wilson was married to Ellen Elizabeth Thompson but had no children.

Biography of Joseph Raymond Hampson

Joseph Raymond Hampson, born on February 5, 1890, in Tivolo, New York, has made significant contributions to engineering and construction. Despite limited formal education, he advanced rapidly in his career, working for notable firms and managing projects worth millions, including substantial government contracts during World War I. In 1919, he founded the J. R. Hampson Company, which completed notable constructions in Pittsfield. A community leader, he is involved in various organizations and is married to Clara Browne with one daughter, Elizabeth.