Springfield Massachusetts

Biography of Charles Bishop Knox

Charles Bishop Knox, deceased, one of Rock Island’s pioneer citizens and a wide awake and conservative business man and politician in his days, was born at Blandford, Massachusetts, June 27, 1818, and died in Rock Island on May 28, 1890. Charles Bishop Knox was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis B. Knox, who was one of the old respected families of Blandford. He acquired a common school education in the public schools of Blandford and Springfield, Massachusetts, and in 1841 came to the City of Rock Island direct from his native state. Having arrived here at this early day … Read more

Biography of Frank Hayden Martin, M. D.

Frank Hayden Martin, M. D. Now practicing medicine and surgery at Lorraine, Ellsworth County, Doctor Martin is widely known to the profession in Kansas, especially through his associations in earlier years with the staff of instruction of the Medical College at Topeka. Few physicians of the state have utilized to a greater degree abundant opportunities for advancement in the science of medicine and surgery. Doctor Martin is of old New England colonial stock. He was born at Gray in the State of Maine March 24, 1852. The Martins came out of England and settled in Massachusetts in colonial times. Doctor … Read more

Biography of Azel A. Packard

While it is unreservedly declared by his host of friends and acquaintances that Azel A. Packard’s life commanded a far-reaching business influence and respect because of the comprehensive knowledge that he possessed concerning the lines of practical enterprise that he had mapped out for successful procedure, he also won and maintained an even greater degree of public good-will and esteem and the friendship of more intimate circles due entirely to his benign and kindly personality. His whole-hearted and well-poised system permeated all his dealings, and progressively regulated and directed his plans and work. A leader in the mercantile activities of … Read more

Agawam Tribe

Agawam Indians (Agawom) (fish-curing [place]), Hewitt. A name of frequent occurrence in south New England and on the Long Island, and by which was designated at least 3 Indian villages or tribes in Massachusetts. The most important was at Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts. The site was sold by the chief in 1638. Its jurisdiction included the land on Newbury River, and the tribe was a part of the Pennacook confederacy. It was almost extinct in 1658, but as late as 1726 there were still 3 families living near Wigwam hill. The second tribe or band of that name had its … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Aldrich, P. Emory

Aldrich, P. Emory, was born in New Salem, Franklin County. His ancestors came from England in 1635, residing at first in Dorchester and Braintree, and afterwards settling in Mendon, Worcester County. After obtaining his early education at the public schools, he fitted for college at the Shelburne Falls Academy, and in private study mastered a collegiate education. He studied law while engaged in teaching at the South, and later attended the Harvard law school. In 1845 he was admitted to the bar in Richmond, Va., but the following year returned to Massachusetts, and after studying for six months with Chapman, … Read more

Biography of James F. Egan

JAMES F. EGAN – Possessed of brains, initiative, energy, and capacity for thorough and profound study, James F. Egan has already made a name for himself as a dependable young lawyer. He has a wide circle of acquaintances whom he has impressed with his quality, and he is constantly extending his clientele. James F. Egan, son of James and Winifred (Tighe) Egan, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, June 20, 1896. His father, a hard-working and reliable brick mason, was born in Ireland, September 4, 1866, and his mother was born there May 3, 1868. James Egan, senior, died in 1922, … Read more

Biography of Thomas C. Malley

THOMAS C. MALLEY. A well equipped lawyer is serving his community well, while he often furthers his own interests. In their tangles and difficulties they come straight to the man they trust, whose clear thinking, wide knowledge, and humanity are put generously at their service. Thomas C. Malley has thus made himself invaluable in his home community of Springfield. Massachusetts. The son of James and Mary A. (Connelly) Malley, he was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, December 11, 1881, where his father was a merchant. His mother came from New Haven. Educated in the public schools of Springfield and in the … Read more

Ashley Family of New Bedford, MA

ASHLEY (New Bedford family). Among the first settlers of Rochester, Mass., and their families appear the names of Joseph Ashley and his wife Elizabeth and their children. There had settled at Springfield as early as 1639 Robert Ashley; and from the fact that many of the early settlers of Springfield were drawn from Roxbury by Pynchon, perhaps Mr. Ashley had been there previously a short time. One Thomas Ashley resided at Cape Ann (Gloucester) in 1639; he was admitted an inhabitant of Boston in 1658, and was probably the Thomas Ashley of Maine, 1654, who, says Savage, may have removed … Read more

Biography of Michael J. Griffin

MICHAEL J. GRIFFIN – Through his training and gifts as an attorney, Mr. Griffin has established a place for himself in general practice at Springfield, where he is held in esteem for his thoroughgoing qualities as a counsellor, and in the courts. He is the son of James J. Griffin, a steam fitter, who was born in Ireland in 1848, and died March 25, 1924, and Catherine T (Osborne) Griffin, who was born in Ireland in 1853. Michael J. Griffin was born August 14, 1888, in Springfield, where he attended the public and high schools. He studied law at home, … Read more

Biography of William Edward Cooney

WILLIAM EDWARD COONEY – Both the hotel and the general real estate interests of Northampton have benefited very materially during the past forty years through Mr. Cooney’s association with a development and management of both departments of activity, as his capable methods have been such as to bring substantial results to the community. In earlier years, an all-round printer of widely recognized ability, Mr. Cooney also observed and shared in the growth and advancement of this part of the State through the newspaper and publishing field, and his family have always been known for thorough workmanship in all their undertakings. … Read more

Biography of Carlton E. Nay

CARLTON E. NAY, treasurer, secretary and a director of the Monarch Accident Insurance Company of Springfield, Massachusetts, was born in Westford, Vermont, January 11, 1881. His father was Elisha A. Nay, a farmer; and his mother, Lucy (Maxfield) Nay. He attended the public and high schools of Milton, Vermont, and at an early age engaged in business with Swift & Company at Burlington as bookkeeper, where he continued for eight years. He followed this with a period in the mercantile business in Underhill, Vermont, where he was engaged for six years. Afterwards he came to Springfield in 1916, and was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Arthur W. Brown

Sales manager for Tait Brothers, manufacturers of ice cream in Springfield, Massachusetts, (q. v.), was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, March 22, 1876. His father was Frederick Ellsworth Brown, since dead; and his mother Maria MacDonald Brown, a native of Canada. The father was a machinist born in Maine. Arthur W. Brown attended the public schools and the high school in Springfield. His first employment was with Tait Brothers, in 1898, and he has continued in their employ to the present time, advancing steadily in their trust and confidence, and in the responsibilities thrown upon him. He became the sales manager: … Read more

Biography of Charles Frederick Minott

CHARLES FREDERICK MINOTT – The Minotts are an old Massachusetts family who, however unlike most of the original New England settlers, are of predominating Dutch and French origin. To mention only the immediate ancestry we know that the grandfather of Mr. C. F. Minott, of Greenfield, was of French origin, while the grandmother was of Dutch descent. Their children were: 1. Henry. 2. Aaron. 3. Charles. 4. William H. 5. Frank. The grandfather was engaged in the time-honored and old-fashioned trade of welldigging. William Horatio Minott, father of Charles F. Minott, was a native of Jamestown, New York, born in … Read more

Biography of A. Olin Sinclair

A. OLIN SINCLAIR – A man of determined and ambitious character, A. Olin Sinclair early planned the details of his career, and is now executing them with vigor and success. He wanted to be a lawyer. This, he felt, would give scope to his desire to deal with facts and with men, would use all his powers in the solution of human problems, and in the initiation of desirable measures for human betterment. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, June 10, 1894, A. Olin Sinclair is the son of Frederick O. Sinclair, born in Canton, Massachusetts, June 18, 1856, and his wife, … Read more

Biography of George J. Barker, Hon.

Hon. George J. Barker, who became a resident of Lawrence in 1867 and was identified with that city and the state until his death on October 12, 1912, thoroughly earned a right to rank among the finest legal minds of Kansas during the last half century. He was not less a great citizen, especially in his work and devotion to his home community at Lawrence. George J. Barker was born November 6, 1842, near Springfield, Massachusetts, son of Cyrus E. and Eliza (King) Barker. He was of English lineage and of New England stock. When he was seven years of … Read more

Jesse Todd of West Springfield MA

Jesse Todd4, (Benjamin3, Michael2, Christopher1) born Jan. 1, 1735, probably in North Haven, Conn., died Oct. 27, 1819, in Agawam, Mass., married first Nov. 26, 1761, Lydia Cooper. He is mentioned in the Cooper Gen. He married second Feb. 24, 1790, Susannah, dau. of Isaac and Abigail (Hale) Chandler, of Enfield, Ct., born Feb. 3, 1754. He was mentioned in the “Century Sermon” by Rev. Benjamin Trumbull of North Haven, Conn., as having removed to “Springfield in Massachusetts.” He was buried in the cemetery at Agawam, which was originally a part of West Springfield, Mass., which was the town in … Read more

Biography of John Edward Stewart

The business world of New England and the manufacturing stationers’ trade suffered an irretrievable loss in the passing of one of Springfield’s most substantial citizens, John Edward Stewart, president of the printing company which bears his name, a veteran officer of the Civil War, prominent Grand Army man and highly esteemed throughout the community for his personal worth and by his business connections for his high sense of honor and unimpeachable integrity. The city of his adoption and scene of his successful labors could ill afford to part with such a forceful character, loyal friend and kindly neighbor, who was … Read more

Biography of Rev. Linville J. Hall

For over half a century the Rev. Linville J. Hall devoted himself to bringing spiritual consolation to the soul-weary and those fearful of the after-life, for he was blessed with unusual sweetness of spirit and tactful sympathy. At the same time he was effective in the more militant side of a minister’s duties, in condemning evil stirringly and fearlessly wherever he found it, in offering a constructive life program, and in demonstrating by his own life all his preachments. His ministerial activities carried him to many localities throughout the United States, but his last years were passed in his native … Read more

Biography of James Andrew Mahoney

JAMES ANDREW MAHONEY, treasurer of the Eastern States Warehouse and Cold Storage Company of Springfield, is one of its well-known business men. He is the son of the late James Mahoney, who was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1840, was there reared and educated, and upon attaining his majority emigrated to the United States, locating in Loudville, town of Northampton, Massachusetts, where he secured employment in the lead mines. He also resided in Glendale, Easthampton, Massachusetts, for a number of years, and was honored and esteemed by his associates for his excellent characteristics. He was quiet and retiring in disposition, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Harvey Stephenson

Frederick P. Stephenson, a well known resident of Phelps, Ontario county, New York, is descended from a family which for many generations has displayed courage and patriotism in defence of the rights and liberties of their country. Calvin Stephenson, a pioneer settler and a soldier of the revolution, had six sons who took part in the war of 1812: James was taken a prisoner and died near Montreal, Canada; William served gallantly throughout the war, then joined the regular army and lost his life on the western plains; Luther served in the contest at Raisin river and in the battle … Read more