Hampden county, 1636-1936, Volume III, Part 2

Author: Johnson, Clifton, 1865-1940
Publication date: 1936
Publisher: New York, The American historical Society, Inc.
Number of Pages: 770

USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Hampden county, 1636-1936, Volume III > Part 2

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Justice Dillon is a Republican in politics and was formerly a leader for many years in local party councils. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention of 1912 that re-nominated President Taft and was always known for his efforts to advance the party's best interests, particularly in the se- lection of candidates best fitted for office. Justice Dillon was also active over a long period in affairs of the Royal Arcanum, of which he was Grand Regent in 1915-16 and in which he was elected a member of the Supreme Council of the Order. He is a charter member of Palmer Council, Knights of Columbus, and has served as First Grand Knight and District Deputy. In addition to these connections, he is a member of the Hampden County Bar Association and a member of St. Thomas' Roman Catholic Church at Palmer.

On June 9, 1903, at Springfield, David F. Dillon married Frances C. Simpson, daugh- ter of William and Jane (Smith) Simpson. Her father was a well-known cigar manu- facturer of that city. Justice and Mrs. Dil- lon have four children : I. Elizabeth Simp- son, who was graduated from the College of New Rochelle, New York, in 1926, and took post-graduate work at the University of Southern California in 1927. She married Harry E. Williams, a native of New York City, now of Pasadena, California, who is a member of the Dunning Silk Company there, and they have one son, Harry E., Jr. 2. William Simpson, who completed his educa- tion at Williston Academy and is now man- ager of the American Oil Company in Palmer. He was married June 25, 1935, to Mary Cecelia Haggerty of Springfield. 3.

INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY RECORDS

Jane Simpson and 4. Margaret Simpson, twins. The former is a member of the class of 1936 at Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, and the latter was grad- uated from Springfield Hospital School of Nursing in 1935.

HAROLD JAMES BURDICK -- Associ- ate Justice of the District Court of Eastern Hampden County, Harold James Burdick has an established reputation in this part of Massachusetts as a lawyer. He maintains a branch office in Springfield, although his main offices are located in Palmer, where he serves a large clientele. He resides in Mon- son, where he was born, and is active in its community life. The paternal side of his family has been closely identified with Mon- son for several generations; his father and grandfather holding places in the affections and memories of the citizens approaching the unique.

To begin with the Colonial past, the American progenitor of the Burdick family was Robert Burdick who was living in New- port, Rhode Island, as early as 1652, but re- moved to Westerly in that same State, in 1660. He was a member of a land company formed at Newport, Rhode Island, in 1660, to purchase and settle a tract of land in the southwestern part of the Colony of Rhode Island, now embracing the towns of West- erly, Hopkinton, Charlestown, Richmond and Kingston. This region was in conflict between Rhode Island and Massachusetts, but the Newport land company purchased it from the Indian owners and prepared for settlement by sending a party to occupy and hold the lands. A warning to the settlers was unheeded and thereupon Governor John Endicott sent a force of deputies and con- stables to expel or arrest them." Three lead- ers, one of whom was Robert Burdick, were arrested, and two, Robert Burdick and To- bias Saunders, were taken to Boston for

trial. During the trial Burdick refused to acknowledge in any manner the jurisdiction .of Massachusetts by showing his Rhode Island deeds, paying fine or giving bond, so he was sent to prison where he remained nearly two years. The incident nearly caused a war between the two colonies and the dispute was finally decided by King Charles II in favor of Rhode Island: Robert .Burdick was one of the twenty-four incor- porators of Westerly, held various town offices and served in the Assembly. He was a deacon in the Sabbatarian (Seventh Day .Baptists) Church. Robert Burdick married Ruth, daughter of Samuel Hubbard, at New- port, in 1655. She, according to Backus "History of The New England Baptists" was the first white child born in Springfield, Massachusetts. Her father was one of the seven seceders from the Newport First Bap- tist Church who founded the denomination of Sabbatarians, now called "Seventh Day Baptists." Robert Burdick died in 1692, leaving ten married children.

The great-grandfather of Harold James Burdick was a citizen of Cumberland, Rhode Island, where his son, George Washington Burdick, was born, July 14, 1828. This son learned the blacksmith trade in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and followed it for some years at Lanesville, in the stone quarry sec- tion of Cape Ann. In 1866 he removed to Monson, and set up his blacksmithy near the quarries there and began the manufac- ture of stone cutters' tools, an industry he expanded until he was selling his tools in all parts of the United States and in foreign countries. He was the designer of the fa- mous "Boss" hammer, so well known to quarrymen. His shop to the time of his de- mise was on Mechanic Street. George W. Burdick established the first ice business in Monson, a most successful venture. That he should have been a lover of horses and the owner of many fine animals is natural.

INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY RECORDS

His trotter, "Happy Jim," with a record of 2:18 for the mile, is still remembered. Mr. Burdick died in February, 1899, and was buried in Hillside Cemetery, Monson, where his grave is marked by a most unusual and fitting monument. It is a full-sized anvil resting on a simulated stump of a tree. On the anvil is carved a hammer, over which is thrown the blacksmith's apron just as a smithy would leave it upon the completion of his day's work. The monument is cut from one large block of granite.

George Washington Burdick married Martha Curtis Lowe, born in 1836 on Cape Ann, and died in 1917, aged eighty-two years. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom five sons and four daugh- ters lived to maturity. Two sons and two daughters are now (1935) living: William, a resident of Leicester, James J., of Monson ; Mrs. Genette Gates of Cushman, and Mrs. Lillian Witherell of Waterbury, Connecti- cut.

James J. Burdick, father of Harold J., was born June 9, 1867, in Monson and, with the exception of a short period in Springfield, has spent his life there. He learned the blacksmith trade with his father and assisted him in his business enterprises until his death, after which he purchased the inter- ests of the other heirs and conducted it until 1927 when it was discontinued. Since that time he has devoted his entire attention to a general insurance business which he estab- lished. James J. Burdick is a member of the Knights of Columbus, fourth degree, be- ing Chancellor of Monson Council, No. 215; a member of the Independent Order of Red Men, the Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters, Wiseman Court, No. 231, of which his wife and daughter are also mem- bers, and he is a member of Court Monson, .No. 247, Foresters of America, and the An- cient Order of United Workmen. His resi- dence is at No. 18 Mechanic Street, and was

built by his father. James J. Burdick mar- ried, on April 7, 1894, at Springfield, Mary A. Wood, born January 21, 1871, at Chico- pee, daughter of Daniel J. and Anastasia (Deneif) Wood, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Burdick : I. Harold James, of whom further. 2. Ella May, a graduate of Monson Academy, who is a secretary in the employ of the American Saw Manufactur -. ing Company, Springfield. 3. Bernard W., who was graduated from Monson Academy and Bay Path Institute, at Springfield. He is now sales promotion manager for west- ern Massachusetts for the Standard Oil Company, and resides at Springfield. He married Teresa Mahoney and their two chil- dren are twins, Bernard and Barbara. 4. George P., who was drowned at the age of nineteen months.

Harold James Burdick was born in Mon- son, July 14, 1896, his birth month and day being the same as that of his grandfather. His preliminary education was acquired in the local schools, being graduated in 1914 from Monson Academy. He was also a member of the class graduated a year later by the Bay Path Institute, Springfield. Hav- ing determined upon the law as his profes- sion, he also had made up his mind that he would depend upon his own resources for the means with which to secure his technical training. Both then, and while a student in Boston University, he was employed in sec- retarial work in Springfield, the vacation pe- riods providing, of course, the most profit- able opportunities. Like many of his gen- eration, Judge Burdick's career was inter- rupted by the World War. In Jurie, 1918, he enlisted in the United States Naval Re- serve Corps, and was assigned to the Gov- ernment air station at Chatham, Massachu- setts.

It was not until 1920 that Judge Burdick was able to complete his law studies in the

INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY RECORDS

Boston University Law School. He was graduated in that year with the degree Bachelor of Laws, cum laude, and was ad- mitted to the bar. In association with Jo- seph E. Kerigan, one of the prominent at- torneys of Springfield, he began the practice of his profession. This association has never been broken. Since 1925 Judge Burdick has had offices in the Palmer Savings Bank Building, and has built up a large practice. In 1926 he was appointed Associate Justice of the District Court of eastern Hampden, being then thirty years of age and at the time reputed to be the youngest man ever appointed to that office. He is a member of the Hampden County Bar Association, the Massachusetts State Bar Association, and the school committee of Monson. Frater- nally he is affiliated with Springfield Lodge, No. 61, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Monson Council, No. 2151, Knights of Columbus, of which he is now Grand Knight, and in which order he is District Deputy. He is a Past Commander of Dan- iel J. Purcell Post, American Legion, of Monson.

On October 25, 1925, Harold James Bur- dick married Alice T. Dalton, daughter of Patrick and Honorah Dalton, of Monson. Mrs. Burdick is a graduate of Monson Acad- emy and the Normal Division of the Bay Path Institute, Springfield. Prior to her marriage she was supervisor of commercial subjects in the high schools of Biddeford, Maine, and Derby, Connecticut. The Bur- dick residence is on Bethany Road, Monson.

JUSTICE JAMES BERNARD CAR- ROLL-The eminent and distinguished place the name of Justice James Bernard Carroll occupies in the judiciai history of the State of Massachusetts, is based on a career punctuated with outstanding success in the field of public service. Endowed with a fine mind, a sterling character and an abil-

ity that embraced all of the essential talents of his profession, he rose as a leader among his fellows and through his accomplishments gained their lasting esteem and affection. Though a man of towering intellectual strength and a deep and scholarly knowl- edge, he was essentially modest, possessing a sympathy and human understanding that not only endeared him to his colleagues and the public at large, but also served him well in the many important and responsible tasks he was called upon to undertake. A brilliant lawyer, an orator of rare ability and force, his career was crowned fittingly with his appointment to the Supreme Court of Mas- sachusetts, where he was to serve with characteristic distinction until his passing.

Justice Carroll was born in the city of Lowell, January 10, 1856, the son of Patrick and Bridget (O'Rourke) Carroll, both na- tives of County Leitrim, Connaught, Ire- land. His father, who died in 1864, came to this country in 1832, settled in New York City for a brief period and then proceeded to Lowell, where he was to marry and make his home. His wife, who survived him for many years, first landed in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, and a year later re- moved to Lowell. They were the parents of two sons, the elder of whom died in in- fancy.

Until the death of his father, Justice Car- roll attended the public schools of the city of Lowell. Later he removed to Worcester with his mother, and completed his high school studies here. Though he had been encouraged to take up the profession of journalism at this time he persisted in his original intention of pursuing a legal career. Thus we find him matriculating at Holy Cross College, from where he was to be graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the class of 1878, completing a regular four- year course in three years with honors. He then enrolled at the Law School of Boston

The National Cyclopedia of American Biography

James Planove

INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY RECORDS

University and completed his professional training cum laude, with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1880. Many years later, in 1912, his alma mater, Holy Cross, conferred upon him an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition of his achievements.

The year he received his legal degree he was admitted to the Worcester County Bar and shortly thereafter embarked on his pro- fessional career, working in the office of the late Judge McCafferty of Worcester. He continued here for one year and in 1881 re- moved to Springfield, which was to be his home and the site of his activities from that time on. He established himself in a gen- eral practice here, opening offices in the Five Cents Savings Bank Building. It was not long before he had risen to a position of leadership in the Springfield bar. Before the age of thirty he had already attained a dis- tinctive place as one of the foremost attor- neys of this vicinity and was beginning to enjoy an enviable reputation for his elo- quence and masterly presentation of cases.

In conjunction with his professional rise he also became a prominent figure in civic and political affairs and was soon being sought for public office. His official career dates back to 1886, under the administration of Mayor Elisha B. Maynard, who appointed him city solicitor. He occupied this post throughout Mayor Maynard's two terms. Later, at the time President Cleveland was elected to office, Justice Carroll was offered an appointment as assistant United States Attorney, but declined choosing to remain in the service of the city instead. It was only his allegiance to the Democratic party, then in a hopeless minority in Massachu- setts, that prevented him from attaining high elective office in the State and Nation. In 1892 he was a candidate for Lieutenant-Gov- ernor on the Democratic ticket with William E. Russell, and a year later ran for the same office with John E. Russell. During the

mayoralty campaign of 1908 in Springfield he was the Democratic nominee to this office and was defeated by a small margin by Mayor W. E. Sanderson. Prior to this time he had served as a member of the school board in this city, being one of the few Democrats on that body.

One of his most outstanding contributions to social progress and welfare came during the time he served as chairman of the Massa- chusetts Industrial Accident Board, to which he was appointed by Governor Eu- gene N. Foss in 1912. The work he ac-

complished as head of this body won him a State and Nation-wide reputation and the confidence of both labor and capital. When he resigned from this office in 1914 to accept appointment to the Superior Court bench by Governor Walsh the labor unions of the State and the Massachusetts branch of the American Federation of Labor highly praised his services, persisting in their ad- miration until his passing. As a token of esteem and affection the Springfield Central Labor Union presented him with a beautiful set of hand-illumined resolutions, which ex- pressed glowing tribute of his services on behalf of labor and as chairman of the in- dustrial accident board.

Throughout, he continued to practice law with marked success. In 1914 he was ap- pointed to the Superior Court Bench and had filled this office but one month when Governor Walsh named him for the Massa- chusetts Supreme bench to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Henry N. Sheldon. In commenting on the appoint- ment, Governor Walsh said :

I have given an unusual amount of thought and consid- eration to the selection of a successor of Justice Shel- don, whose long and exceptionally able service as jus- tice of the Supreme Judicial Court was unexpectedly ended by this recent retirement. . . . After carfeully considering the qualifications of various able judges, and prominent members of the legal profession, I de- cided a few days ago to appoint Judge James B. Carroll.

INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY RECORDS

of Springfield. The fact that Mr. Carroll was recently named by me as a judge of the Superior Court, em- barrassed me somewhat upon first consideration of his availability, but when I realized that had I not named him to the Superior Court I certainly would consider him for the Supreme Judicial Court, I concluded that he ought not to be rejected from consideration merely because he had within a few weeks been named as a justice of the Superior Court. The very fact that a man capable of service in a higher court was willing to go upon the Superior bench was a matter to be weighed strongly in favor of his further considera- tion. I consider his appointment practically as a selection from the bar rather than the bench. . . I do not know of any man in the Commonwealth, who, in these days of unrest and discontent and with agitation here and there for the election of judges and the recall of judicial decisions that would bring more strength to the Supreme Judicial Court or restore more confidence among those who complain of dis- crimination against the uninfluential than Mr. Car- roll. Mr. Carroll stands in the public mind as head of the Industrial Accident Board for a simple, direct unerring and inexpensive method of establishing jus- tice. His work in administering this semi-judicial tribunal achieved notable degree of success. As head of that tribunal, he has been in an atmosphere where delays, controversies, quibbles, technicalities find no place.

That the public at large shared the con- fidence of their chief executive and con- tinued to do so in the years that followed is expressed in an editorial of tribute, printed in the "Springfield Daily News" shortly after Justice Carroll's death. It said in part :

As a jurist he occupied a place of the highest estee.n among members of the bar. His long experience as a trial lawyer in handling important cases had made him familiar with legal practices in a wide field and his decisions were marked not only for their legal soundness, but for the remarkable understanding of circumstances having to do with the cases coming before him. He was particularly well versed in mu- nicipal law and in corporation matters. His keen insight into the legal aspects of cases coming before him as a member of the highest law court in the Commonwealth was often referred to by members of the bar. It is felt among attorneys here that the loss of Justice Carroll will be a very serious one for the Supreme Bench.

Justice Carroll ceased to take an active part in political affairs when he assumed the bench, confining his civic efforts in the sup- port of all worthy charitable causes. In re- ligion he was a devoted adherent of the Roman Catholic faith and one of the most prominent leaders in the Vincent St. Paul Society. The nature of his contributions to the church were of such wide import that in 1925 Pope Pius XI created him a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory and he was notified of this high honor by the bishop of Springfield personally, upon his return from a visit to the Vatican.

In 1884 James Bernard Carroll married at Lowell, Mary E. Corbett, member of an old and distinguished family here and a teacher in the Lowell public schools.

Justice Carroll died at his home in Spring- field, January 8, 1932, a few days prior to his seventy-sixth birthday. The passing of a figure who had occupied such a distinctive and useful place in the life of his surround- ings, was learned with profound sorrow throughout the State he had served so long and honorably. It was particularly felt by that great host of friends and associates who had been accorded the privilege of knowing and working with him during his outstand- ing and distinguished career. Among his judicial colleagues, Chief Justice Rugg best expressed the grief felt by the Supreme bench when he said :

My emotions are so deeply stirred that I can give no adequate estimate of the public services and the judicial achievements of Judge Carroll. He has been on the bench of the Supreme Judicial Court almost seventeen years. His work has been of very high excellence. He brought to the deliberations of the court wide experience in practical affairs, intimate and almost intuitive knowledge of human nature and the mind of a scholar.

LOUIS J. BRAINERD-Recognized as a very talented financier, Louis J. Brainerd is president of the Palmer National Bank,

INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY RECORDS

at Palmer, one of the strong financial insti- tutions of central Massachusetts.

He was born April 12, 1883, in Palmer, son of William H. and Mary A. (Fenton) Brainerd and a member of an old and prom- inent family. The Brainerds, or Brainards, as the name is spelled in some branches of the line, have long been leaders in New Eng- land history, and they trace their ancestry to Daniel Brainerd, who was brought to this country when he was eight years of age, ac- cording to family records, and who after- ward made his home at Hartford, Connecti- cut. He became a proprietor and settler of Haddam, Connecticut, in 1662. The Palmer branch of the family trace their lineage to Timothy Brainerd, son of Deacon Elijah Brainerd, of Haddam. He was born April 2, 1754, in Haddam, and when young was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade in East Windsor, Connecticut. At the outbreak of the Revolution, he enlisted as a minute man, but later registered for longer service and was finally discharged in Boston. Receiv- ing his pay in Continental money, he started to return to Connecticut, but had to do part of the journey by foot because the money was of uncertain value and so was refused by the stagecoach operators. When he was at Blanchardville, in Palmer, he stopped to assist a Mr. Wilson, who had a blacksmith's shop in that locality. So it was he remained here, marrying Sarah Wilson, daughter of his employer, in 1783. Timothy Brainerd set up his own business as blacksmith, making scythes, axes and farming implements in general, turning them all out by hand at the forge. Continuing this work for the rest of his life, which came to an end September 29, 1834, he was survived by his wife, who died March 19, 1839. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom the youngest was Wilson Brainerd, born February 22, 1806, who became the grandfather of Louis J. Brainerd.

Deacon Wilson Brainerd became one of the town's most highly esteemed citizens and successful farmers. His home was about three miles east of Palmer Depot, on the Boston Road, and had been acquired in 1790 by his father. It was originally known as Walker Tavern, a well-known landmark in its day. Some years ago the old house was destroyed by fire. Here Deacon Wilson Brainerd resided until his death, July 23, 1881, when he was killed by a train at a crossing near his home. He married, Feb- ruary 2, 1842, Caroline Newton Wilson, who was born in Colerain, Franklin County, Massachusetts, daughter of John Wilson. She survived her husband by many years, dying in 1910 at the age of eighty-six years. Their children were : I. John W., born Feb- ruary 8, 1843, died young. 2. Charles T., born May 2, 1844, a resident of Palmer and one of the town's oldest citizens; he mar- ried Helen M. Breckenridge, who is now de- ceased, and they had a daughter, Jennie Brainerd, who lives in Palmer. 3. Frank H., born December 2, 1847, died July 7, 1851. 4. John W. (2d), born August 4, 1850, also a resident of Palmer ; he married Martha Fen- ton. 5. William H., born October 22, 1852, the father of Louis J. Brainerd.

William H. Brainerd was born on the old homestead in Palmer, and completed his schooling at Leicester Academy. He was reared to farm work, and after the death of his father continued the operation of the home farm until 1888, when he removed to Palmer. He still retained ownership of the farm, however, until 1891, when he sold it. He was for a number of years successfully engaged in lumbering operations, owning a portable sawmill and purchasing wood lots which he cleared for use. As a young man, he became interested in surveying, and through study and practical work became widely known as a civil engineer. For forty years he carried on the practice of the civil

INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY RECORDS

engineering profession in Palmer and vicin- ity, also doing considerable work for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Rail- road and the Grand Trunk Railway. For many years his son, Harold W. Brainerd, was associated with him in the business, which was known as W. H. and H. W. Brainerd, and the two men won wide re- nown for their achievements. Mr. Brainerd is a Republican and a member of Thomas Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons. He has held several public offices in his com- munity, including the post of county com- missioner, which was his for fourteen years, and that of selectman. He lives at No. 25 Knox Street, Palmer.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Hampden county, 1636-1936, Volume III, Part 2

Author: Johnson, Clifton, 1865-1940 Publication date: 1936 Publisher: New York, The American historical Society, Inc. Number of Pages: 770

Author: Johnson, Clifton, 1865-1940
Publication date: 1936
Publisher: New York, The American historical Society, Inc.
Number of Pages: 770