Pittsfield Massachusetts

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 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 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 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 Frederic H. Rhodes

FREDERIC H. RHODES – From junior clerk to president of a large insurance concern, and owing his promotion to nothing else but inherent capacity and gifts of an exceptionally high kind coupled with energy, perseverance and tenacity in following a certain guiding line, such is in brief the career of Frederic H. Rhodes, president of the Berkshire Life Insurance Company of No. 7 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Frederic H. Rhodes is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was born July 14, 1878, a son of Robert M. and Mary S. (Witherspoon) Rhodes. He received his education in the public … Read more

Biography of James Wilson

JAMES WILSON – Representing one of the extensive woolen manufactories in the United States is James Wilson, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. As president of this organization which today is doing business under the title of James & E. H. Wilson, Inc., he is handling large responsibilities. The location of this factory is on the Housatonic River below Pontoosuc Lake, and in the early settlement of the town this same site was occupied by an iron forge. In 1856 this property was purchased by the Taconic Manufacturing Company, who built a mill and began the manufacture of union cassimeres. This business continued … 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 Jacob Newton Butler, M.D.

Jacob Newton Butler, M.D., of Lempster, N.H., one of the best known physicians in this part of Sullivan County, was born in Lyndeboro, Hillsborough County, this State, February 6, 1821, son of Jacob and Sarah (Blanchard) Butler. His great-grandfather, William Butler, came, it is said, from England, and settled in Essex County, Massachusetts. He married, so we are informed, Sarah Perkins, and had seven children, three sons and four daughters. The three sons enlisted in the War for Independence, and one never came back. One was taken prisoner and carried to Halifax, N.S., where he died of small-pox. The other … Read more

Biography of Charles Wesley Noble

CHARLES WESLEY NOBLE was born at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, October 31, 1874, son of J. Wesley Noble who died May 31, 1917, and who was president of the firm of Noble, Milne Company, Incorporated. He attended the public schools of his native place and then became an apprentice in the craft of plumbing and heating, and is treasurer of the firm founded by his father, who was a Civil War veteran. Mr. Noble is fraternally associated with the Mystic Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; the Sons of Veterans; and the Park Club. Charles W. Noble married Ada Frances Moulton. They are … 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

Biography of John B. Cummings

JOHN B. CUMMINGS, of Pittsfield, in legal circles in Western Massachusetts, holds a prominent position and with wide experience in various affairs added to large natural ability, he has risen to noteworthy rank in his profession. Mr. Cummings’ public service has given his name more than passing significance to the city, county and State, and he is one of the outstanding men of the day in Pittsfield. He is a son of Peter and Julia (Reagan) Cummings, both now deceased, his father a blacksmith by occupation. John B. Cummings was bow in Pittsfield February 17, 1878. His education was begun … Read more

Biography of Dr. John Baptiste Philip Sainte-Marie

City physician of Pittsfield, who was reelected to that office in 1924, he is a native of Chicago, Illinois, son of Elie Andrew and Rose Anna (Cyr) Sainte-Marie. When John Baptist Philip was two and one-half years old, the family moved to the city of Montreal, Canada. He was given a finished classical education at the Jesuits’ College of Quebec, and then entered the medical department of La Val University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1896 with the degree of M. D. Dr. Sainte-Marie was appointed house physician, at different times, of three hospitals in Montreal. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frank Ray Walker

Walker, Frank Ray; architect; born, Pittsfield, Mass., Sept. 29, 1877; son of Frank and Helen Theresa Rauous Walker; educated, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; post graduate work in design; pursued study of architecture in France and Italy, 1903-1904; Walker & Weeks, architects; member Cleveland Engineering Society, Chamber of Commerce, Cleveland Chapter, American Institute, M. I. T., Alumni Ass ‘n, Northern Ohio; member Hermit, Athletic, M. I. T. Clubs, New York City; East End Tennis Club, Cleveland Y. M. C. A.

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Edward Horatio Foster

Dr. Edward Horatio Foster, formerly a well-known medical practitioner of Concord, was born October 13, 1839, in Canterbury, N.H., son of David M. and Sarah (Bradley) Foster. He is a direct descendant of Reginald Foster, who settled in Ipswich, Mass., in 1635. His grandfather, Asa Foster, served in the French and Indian War, and under General Pepperell was at the capture of Louisburg. During the Revolutionary War Asa was one of General Arnold’s body-guard at the time of the General’s desertion. When he died in Canterbury in 1862, he was ninety-six years old. His son, David M. Foster, a native … Read more

Biography of Harry Joseph Jeffway

Few men engaged in the electrical construction and contracting business in this part of the State have been trained in so practical and, indeed, in so high grade a school of experience in electrical work as Harry Joseph Jeffway, who not only has an established repute for unrivalled excellence in his Easthampton business, but who throughout the World War was on duty at submarine bases of the greatest responsibility as an electrician, afterwards also continuing in related lines for the United States Government in the shipyards. Mr. Jeffway is an expert in all matters electrical; he has built up an … Read more

Soule Family of New Bedford Massachusetts

Rufus A. Soule

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 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

Biographical Sketch of Dennis J. Killeen

DENNIS J. KILLEEN – Dentistry has now for a long time been recognized as a scientific profession which requires for its skillful and legitimate practice, prolonged and thorough theoretical studies, which to a very large extent coincide with the medical curriculum, followed by a period of practical training in dental clinics under the eyes of professors and teachers. Fortunately nearly all of the States of our Union have now enacted laws insisting on and protecting the rights and interests of a profession, which while of overwhelming importance to the public health and working efficiency of the individual citizen, is still … Read more

Biography of John Leo McLaughlin

JOHN LEO McLAUGHLIN – There is a man in Pittsfield who is the living exponent of the principle put into practical use in that city, to wit: That a cooperative coal yard can be run successfully over a course of years, secure good coal for its customers, pay dividends to its shareholders and a patronage refund to its consumers, and at the same time disabuse the general public’s mind of the idea that such a scheme of business cannot be made to pay. The man who has demonstrated the above salient facts is John Leo McLaughlin, manager of the Pittsfield … 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