ALLEN CHURCHILL WARNER-Away back in the days when Britain was a savage country the name Warner appears. In these days there were some tribes who lived in the southwestern part of what is now England, and who were more cultured than the savage races who surrounded them. These civilized peoples had to be constantly on the alert against the barbarians, and it was necessary for them to have outposts to guard against sudden attack These outposts, selected for their quick mentality and physical ability, were called “warners.” Since then the name has been well known in England and America, and one of the members of the family now living in New England is Allen Churchill Warner. He is a successful business man there.
Mr. Warner’s forebears have lived in Massachusetts for many years. The Warners were early emigrants from England to America, and have been prominent in politics and in the professions, and in other honorable callings. The immigrant ancestor of this line came from England to Massachusetts in 1637 and settled at Ipswich. The grandfather of Allen Churchill Warner was Job Warner, who amassed a competency by farming. His property was located in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, where he lived to a ripe old age. He married Rhoda Miller, and their children were: Lorenzo, Ernest, William J., of further mention; Elvira, Cordelia, Luthera and Nancy.
William J. Warner followed in the footsteps of his father in his younger days, and was a tiller of the soil. He was born in Williamsburg in 1812, and after making a success of his farming endeavors he decided to take up other pursuits, and so moved to Florence, Massachusetts, about 1866, and engaged in the contracting and building business. He also was interested in his town’s advancement, and did good work as city councilman. He was a church-going man, and was active in the affairs of the Congregational Church. He married Ruth Whiting, of Ellington, Connecticut, daughter of David Whiting, who lived to the advanced age of ninety-seven years. The children of William J. and Ruth (Whiting) Warner were: Emily Viola, who married Joseph Edward Allen; Allen Churchill, of further mention; and Luther H.
Allen Churchill Warner was born in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, September 13, 1858, but was brought to Florence, Massachusetts, while still in his early youth, when his parents moved to that city. He was educated in the public schools of the latter town, and after learning the trade of carpenter he branched out to make his own living. He was successful at his trade and worked at it continuously, augmenting it with work as a contractor. With the exception of two or three years spent in the employ of the Corticelli Silk Company he spent all his time as a carpenter and contractor until 1903. In that year he saw an opportunity to expand his activities and went into the wood and coal business, and has engaged in it since, with great success. Mr. Warner has also been active in politics, and the people of his city showed their confidence in him by electing him to the City Council. He is also active in fraternal circles, and is a member of Nonotuck Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Northampton; a member of the Congregational Church, and of the Men’s Club of that church.
Mr. Warner married, April 26, 1882, Nellie M. Cunningham, daughter of James and Mary Cunningham. Mr. and Mrs. Warner’s children were: t. Howard A., who married and had children: Helen Louise and Ruth Elizabeth; he died in 1922. 2. William J., who married Minnie Kohler, and their children are Janet and Allen Churchill.
