Hampden county, 1636-1936, Volume III, Part 60

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 60

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Dr. Allen was born in New Salem, New York, in 1881, son of Ethan and Alice (Hol- lenbeck) Allen, both natives of his birth- place, where his father now resides in re- tirement. The elder Allen engaged in farm-

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ing during his active career. Dr. Allen's mother passed away in New Salem in 1933. Dr. Allen received a general education in the public schools of his native community and after completing his studies matricu- lated at the University of Maryland, where he obtained his professional training and was graduated with degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery with the class of 1905. After serving with a preceptor for three years Dr. Allen came to the city of Springfield and established a practice that has since been marked for its outstanding distinction and success. Professionally he is a member of the Valley District Dental Society, the Mas- sachusetts Dental Society, the New England Dental Society, and the American Dental Association.

Throughout his residence here Dr. Allen has been active and prominent in social and civic affairs being identified with several of the leading organizations here, including the Longmeadow Country Club. He is a mem- ber of Roswell Lee Lodge of Free and Ac- cepted Masons, Connecticut Valley Con- sistory, thirty-second degree Scottish Rite, and Melha Temple, Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a Republican and in reli- gion is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, though he worships at the First Congregational Church here due to the fact that his own denomination is not repre- sented in this city. At one time he served three years with Troop B, in the cavalry detachment of the New York National Guard. An ardent sportsman he finds great pleasure in hunting, fishing and the game of golf.

In 1906 Dr. Allen married Lillian E. Schwartz of Albany, New York, and they are the parents of one son, John L., who at- tended the public schools in this city and

Williston Academy and in March, 1935, married Marjorie Owen, of Newport, New Hampshire.

J. EDWARD HALL-As general man- ager of the Westinghouse Electric Supply Company at Springfield, J. Edward Hall heads an important business institution of the city. He has been associated with this enterprise and its predecessors for more than twenty years and has been a Spring- field resident since 1913.

Mr. Hall was born in Buffalo, New York, October 7, 1888, son of George G. and Sarah (Mayne) Hall. His father, who was asso- ciated with the signal service of the New York Central Railroad, was born in Genesee County, New York, and died in 1900. His mother is still living.

J. Edward Hall received his education in the public schools and began his active ca- reer in the employ of an incandescent lamp company. He came to Springfield in 1913 and subsequently formed an association with the Boston office of the Wetmore and Savage Company. In 1922, this concern de- cided to establish a western Massachusetts division and Mr. Hall was appointed to take charge of its operation as general manager. In 1925, when the business was taken over by the Westinghouse Electric Supply Com- pany, he was continued as general manager and has devoted himself to the duties of his position without interruption. The Spring- field office is the divisional headquarters of the company, having supervision over the territory of southern Vermont, all of Con- necticut and five western Massachusetts counties. It is the largest electric supply company in western Massachusetts, employ- ing upwards of sixty-five persons. A ware- house is maintained at New Haven, Con- necticut.

Siederick Belle Gregory

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In addition to his prominent position in the business life of this county, Mr. Hall has taken an active interest in civic affairs, lending his support to all worthy move- ments in the public behalf. He is a member of the Illuminating Engineers Society, the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the Automobile Club, the Springfield Club, the Rotary Club, the Springfield Fish and Game Association, the Free and Accepted Masons and the Masonic Club of Springfield. In this latter order he is a member of the Knights Templar and of Melha Temple, An- cient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Hall is. a member of the Epis- copal Church. He has always been fond of outdoor life and is a devotee of many sports.

In 1916 he married Violet M. Bonner, of Hartford, Connecticut, and they are the par- ents of one child : Joyce B.,. born December 23, 1918. The residence of the family is in Longmeadow.

FREDERICK CHARLES McGREG- ORY-Among the men who will long be re- membered for the work they have done is Frederick Charles McGregory, of Spring- field, Massachusetts, who, as field manager for The American Historical Society, Inc., of New York City, has been engaged in the collecting, supervising and publishing of genealogical and biographical material re- garding families of the United States.

The McGregory family, which is of Scotch origin (derived from the brave and hardy Clan McGregor, whose war cry was "Royal is my race") has been traced back in direct line for twenty-six generations to the third King of Scotland, who was living in 845, and has been represented in America for nearly three hundred years.

meadow, Massachusetts, where he was a typical pioneer, living, as was the custom of the pioneers, in a log house, following the vocation of the agriculturalist all his life. He married Susan Bradley, and they reared a family of six children : I. Joseph. 2. Ebe- nezer, of whom further. 3. Susan, who be- came the wife of a Mr. Blodgett. 4. Thank- ful, who married a man named Lewis. 5. Lucinda, whose husband's name was Gard- ener. 6. Hannah, who became the wife of a Mr. Pease.

Ebenezer McGregory, son of Ebenezer and Susan (Bradley) McGregory, was born in East Longmeadow, and was reared to farm life, but later learned and followed the trade of stone cutter. He spent his life in this town and died at the age of forty-four years. He married Mary P. Crane, who died at the age of eighty-four years. She was the daughter of Allen Crane, who was a farmer, of East Windsor. After his marriage he re- moved to East Longmeadow, Massachu- setts, where he spent the rest of his life.

Ebenezer and Mary P. (Crane) McGreg- ory were the parents of eight children, among whom was Nelson Horatio. (See next paragraph).

Nelson Horatio McGregory, son of Ebe- nezer and Mary P. (Crane) McGregory, was born in East Longmeadow, Hampden County, Massachusetts, in 1815, and died in Ludlow, Massachusetts, in 1887, aged sev- enty-two years. He remained on his father's farm until he was fifteen years of age, when he went to Hartford, Connecticut, to learn the trade of mason. He spent four years as an apprentice and completely mastered his trade in every detail, during this time receiv- ing only $35.00 a year. He continued as a journeyman for some years. While here he he joined the militia, rose to be captain of a company, and achieved considerable reputa-

Ebenezer McGregory, Sr., great-grand- father of Frederick Charles McGregory, was among the earliest settlers of East Long- tion as a marksman, taking the first prize, a

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gold medal, for skill with the rifle. He was also an active member of the fire department of that city. In 1857 he came to Springfield, where he remained until 1860, when he re- moved to East Longmeadow and purchased a saw and gristmill, which he operated suc- cessfully for four years. During the Civil War, in addition to the operation of his mill, he was employed at the Water Shops in the forging plant of the United States Armory, where he built the forge hearths used in the forging of gun barrels for the Union troops. In 1864 he sold his property in East Long- meadow and removed to Ludlow, where he purchased a farm of seventy-five acres, known as the Eaton Homestead, located one mile from Indian Orchard. After that he both conducted the farm and followed his trade. For over twenty years, from 1866 to 1888, he was employed by the Indian Or- chard Manufacturing Company in the super- vision of the repairs of their plants and the erection of new buildings ; also by the Lud- low Manufacturing Company in the same capacity. In addition to this he was also em- ployed by the Duckvill and Three Rivers companies, for each of whom he supervised the erection of their great cotton mills. Dur- ing the latter part of his life he acted as an independent contractor, having entire super- vision of the work in which he engaged. It was during this time that he had charge of laying the brick sidewalks and setting the curbing at Indian Orchard (the Eighth Ward of Springfield), and so well did he do this work that now (1936) seventy years later, they are yet in perfect condition. As a workman he was a master of his craft, un- derstanding it thoroughly in every detail. The laying of 2,500 bricks was considered a good day's work, but he had a record of lay- ing 5,000 bricks in one day, on the wall of a church in Suffield, Connecticut. In politics he was a firm supporter of the Republican

party, making his influence felt by his vote and example, but holding no office except that of member of the school committee of Ludlow, for which he was well fitted, being a great reader and well informed. He was a liberal supporter of the Christian faith, insisting upon having his family regularly attend church and Sunday school, and was always in sympathy with every movement for the moral advancement of the commu- nity in which he lived.

Nelson H. McGregory married twice; (first) Marie Hunt, daughter of John Hunt, of East Longmeadow, and they had five children, four of whom, with the mother, died within ten years. Albert N., now de- ceased, the only one who survived to ma- turity, followed his father's trade and re- sided in Lockport, New York, where he was a supervisor of new buildings and he mar- ried (Miss) M. Dooling (also now deceased) of that city. They had two children : Nelson H. and Maud, both now (1936) deceased.

Nelson Horatio McGregory married (sec- ond), in 1856, Eunice Day, a native of East- hampton, who was born in 1829, and died in 1881, daughter of William and Roxanna (Knowlton) Day. She proved a worthy helpmeet, presiding over the household with true womanly tact, care and hospitality, and although a partial invalid for the last twelve years of her life and often in great pain, she endured her sufferings with patience, and was a good mother to her children, who bore her in affectionate remembrance. She was a faithful member of the Congregational Church. She died in 1881, at the age of fifty-two, leaving two children: I. Fred- erick Charles, of whom further. 2. William B., born in East Longmeadow, was educated in the public schools of East Longmeadow, Pillsbury Seminary, at Ludlow, and Wes- leyan Academy, at Wilbraham, all of Mas- sachusetts. He spent his life on the old

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homestead at Ludlow, where he died at the early age of thirty-one years. He married in 1883, Eva Hicks, of Wilmington, Vermont, and they had two sons, Wayne and Eben- ezer N.

Frederick Charles McGregory, son of Nelson Horatio and Eunice (Day) McGreg- ory, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, May 2, 1858. He attended the district school at Ludlow, after which he entered Indian Orchard (Springfield) High School, and later prepared for college at Burnett's Eng- lish and Classical Institute, at Springfield. It was his father's desire that he should learn a trade, and he spent nearly three years in attempting to master first the mason's trade, then the blacksmith's, and still later that of brass moulder. But none of these proved to his liking. He then for a time studied medicine, but finally decided to take up the study of law. Owing to close confinement in the office, however, his health broke down and he was com- pelled to give this up. But his love for the law has ever remained with him, and he has spent much time in listening to the trials of many of the most famous cases. In this way he has acquired a very comprehensible knowledge of the principles of law, and is frequently consulted by his friends along these lines. Finding that he must take up some outside employment he became identi- fied with a large photographic concern in Springfield and traveled through Massachu- setts and Connecticut, assisting in making views of residences. In 1883 he went to New York City and took a position with the National Photo View Company and rose to be manager, which position he held for three years. He then organized the Standard Photo View Company, of which he was pres- ident and general manager and conducted the business for some years. This concern made a specialty of group photography and

secured the photographing of the classes in the public schools in all the cities and towns about New York City, doing a very large business. Mr. McGregory, during the sum- mer months, visited the State encampments of the military of New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and photographed the State troops and special groups of commanding officers. In this connection he was at one time associated with Colwell Lane, one of the finest artistic photographers in New York City, and the work done for the regi- ments, particularly the 7th, 22d and 23d of New York, elicited the highest praise from officers of these organizations. In 1890 he accepted a position as New England man- ager for the Astra Publishing Company, with an office in Boston, and continued with them some months. In 1891 Mr. McGregory entered the biographical publishing busi- ness, taking his first position with the Bio- graphical Review Publishing Company, of Boston. He remained with this concern six years and assisted in the collection of material for works covering the New Eng- land and Middle States. He then took a position with J. H. Beers, of Chicago, with whom he remained for about two years. In November, 1900, he became associated with the Lewis Historical Publishing Company of New York City and assisted in the prep- aration of a work of the State of Vermont. All this time he had been collecting material but his work being highly satisfactory the company allowed him to try handling the sale of portraits. He soon demonstrated that he could do this equally as well, and since that time he has continued successfully in this line. In 1900 he was sent to Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, where he was placed in charge of the biographical section of a Luzerne County history, and here he re- mained two years, completing a highly creditable work. Since that time he has

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acted as a field manager not only for edi- tions published by the New York office, but at times for the Chicago office of this company, having been engaged on various publications for them, including one of De- troit, Michigan. He has traveled extensively having been in thirty states in the Union and covering the territory from Portland, Maine, to Denver, Colorado. As Spring- field was his native city, he decided, in 1917, to attempt the work of collecting the family history of his native State, he taking charge of western Massachusetts.

The American Historical Society, Inc., had been formed and the work was under- taken by this organization. At first the en- couragement was not forthcoming, but Mr. McGregory persisted in his efforts and finally convinced the people of western Mas- sachusetts that the work would be a most valuable one, and no effort was spared to make it so. Seven years, 1918 to 1925, were devoted to the enterprise, and during that period Mr. McGregory gave the benefit of his many years of experience and his un- divided attention to producing an invaluable work for reference. That his efforts and the work of those associated with him have been crowned with success is evidenced by the fact that the history, in many instances dat- ing back to the immigrant ancestor of hun- dreds of families, has been collected in four- teen volumes of over six hundred pages each. And Mr. McGregory feels that he has done for the people of his native city and State a work of which he can well be proud, and one that will be highly prized by succeeding generations. Mr. McGregory has always been deeply interested in mili- tary training. At eighteen years of age he joined Company G, 2d Regiment of Massa- chusetts Volunteers, known as the "Peabody Guard," and serving with that organization until he went to New York. In New York

City he assisted in organizing Company D, of the 12th Regiment, which was popularly known as the "Temperance Company." Later he passed through the various ranks in promotion, serving as captain, later rising by appointment to major on the 3d Brigade staff, and as inspecting, reviewing, and re- porting officer, he spent considerable time each year in the camps of the State Guard of all the New England and Middle States. He is well and favorably known in Masonic circles in Springfield, being a member of Esoteric Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; Morning Star Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Springfield Council, Royal and Select Mas- ters; the Masonic Club, Boston Square and Compass Club, Bella Grotto, Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, and Adelphi Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. In all these bodies he takes an active interest. Genial, courteous, always ready with as encouraging word, a vigorous hand- shake and a friendly smile, he has won a host of friends not only in Springfield and surrounding towns, but also among his busi- ness associates in the New York office, with which he has been identified for thirty-six years, a record that speaks for itself. Dur- ing this time he has seen the business grow from a small beginning to the largest in the world in this line.

Mr. McGregory married, December 31, 1886, Adele Rumler, of New York City, daughter of John Rumler, of England. A most beautiful and accomplished lady she entered into rest on November 18, 1910. There was born to this union one son, Law- rence Thompson McGregory.

Lawrence Thompson McGregory, only son of Frederick C. and Adele (Rumler) McGregory, was born in New York City, July 13, 1888. He was educated in the pub- lic schools there, completing his studies in the High School of Commerce, and although

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it was the wish of his parents he should enter college he preferred a business career. He had always been of a studious nature, and after completing special courses in stenography and typewriting, decided to be- come a private secretary. He proved to be adapted to this and was employed at differ- ent times by some of the best known men in New York City. Later he widened his experience by accepting a position with the Bush Terminal Company as head of cor- respondence, and still later he became identi- fied with the American Druggist Syndicate in the same capacity. For a time he was associated with Montgomery Ward & Com- pany, and later with the Bacley Corset Com- pany, of Newark, New Jersey, with whom he remained four years. While employed with the latter concern he inaugurated a model correspondence system for use in their great business of corresponding with over 10,000 of their representatives through- out the United States. He was an inde- fatigable worker, and his extended studies, together with his strenuous duties, under- mined his health, and he passed away Sep- tember 7, 1922. A young man of superior ability along many lines, and possessed of the highest qualities of character, he at- tracted warm friendships, and at his death left a large circle of friends to mourn his passing.

Lawrence Thompson McGregory married, in New York City, August 29, 1912, Minnie Williams, of New York City, and they were the parents of one child, Margaret Adele McGregory, born July 6, 1913.

Margaret Adele McGregory was educated in the public schools of Adams, Massachu- setts, graduating as an honor pupil from the Adams High School, where she received a scholarship. She then entered the Teachers College at North Adams, from which she re- ceived a scholarship in 1933 and graduated

in June, 1934. In the fall of that year she again returned, remaining until June, 1935, when she received her degree. In Septem- ber. 1935. Miss McGregory was appointed assistant in the public library at Adams, Massachusetts, a position she still holds (1936).

WALTER J. GUNN-There were few better known men among commercial print- ers in western Massachusetts than Walter J. Gunn, who was for so many years identi- fied with one of the oldest establishments of its kind in Springfield. He was a native of Kingston, Province of Ontario, Canada, born March 15, 1865, and as a boy of thirteen started to learn the printer's trade. After six years he entered the United States and was employed for a number of years in Al- bany, New York, where he operated the first linotype machine installed in that city forty-four years ago. From the New York State capital city he went to the Nation's Capital, and for a period was a compositor with the famous "Washington Star." In- cidentally, at this time he worked side by side with John F. Heydler, later president of the National Baseball League. He then returned to Albany, being connected with the local papers for some years, then going to Rutland, Vermont, where he followed his profession.

In 1910 Mr. Gunn removed to Springfield, Massachusetts, being employed by the Phelps Publishing Company for some years. In 1922 he organized the Springfield Linotyp- ing Company, and five years later withdrew and in 1927 joined with W. Allen Earl, with whom he had been associated at Phelps Pub- lishing Company, and organized the Gunn and Earl, Inc., machine compositors for commercial printers. Of this firm he was president until his death in 1933. Since that time, his widow, Grace Gunn, has served

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as president, with Mr. Earl serving as treas- urer and manager, and Walter P. Gunn, the only son, as secretary. Walter J. Gunn was active in civic and community affairs, and was a member of a number of Springfield organizations. Fraternally he affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, holding membership in Springfield Lodge.

In 1892 Walter J. Gunn married Grace Pontius, of Seneca Falls, New York, and they were the parents of two children: I. Walter P., who completed his education in Brown University, and is secretary of Gar- rettson-Ellis Lumber Company of Spring- field. He married Catherine Downton, and is the father of two children : Walter P., Jr., and Jane P. Gunn. 2. Esther V., who mar- ried Ralph C. Allen, of Longmeadow, Mas- sachusetts, and they have two children : Vir- ginia and R. Chapin Allen, Jr.

Mr. Gunn, who died January 24, 1933, as a result of an automobile accident, was one of the best known men in western Massa- chusetts journalism and printing. The span of his life had given him a range of experi- ence and mellowness of personality that made him greatly admired and beloved. He demonstrated his worth over and over again, and without ostentation or desire for pub- licity, had served his day and generation well.

MICHAEL FERRIS; LOUIS FERRIS -- The oldest and largest general department store in Chicopee is the Centre Department Store located at No. 54 Centre Street, and it is a monument to the courage, unremit- ting efforts and enterprise of its proprietors, Michael and Louis Ferris. Both started under the handicap of being men of foreign birth in a land the language of which they had to learn, and were lacking in means or influential friends. Self-made men in the best meaning of the term, they not only de-

veloped their business to its present high place, but have won for themselves an en- viable reputation as public-spirited citizens whose constant interest in the community with which they have so long been identi- fied has worked to the public good and re- ceived deserved approval.

Michael Ferris was born in Syria, in 1872, a son of Ferris Ghareeb and Teckla (Hanna) Ferris. His father was a farmer and potter of Aitha, Syria, who died in 1890 at the age of sixty-five, and was the father of four children : Michael and Louis, of this review, and Mary, wife of Francis Makol, of Spring- field, and Carrie, who married Edward Ra- zoog, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Michael Ferris came to the United States in 1898 and located in Springfield, Massachusetts. The "land of opportunity" seemed to have little for him to do, and he started traveling the countryside and the small hamlets, selling notions and smaller items of dry goods. Until he had made enough to get a better mode of conveyance, he carried his stock on his back.

Michael Ferris married Carrie Roman, a daughter of Kallie Roman, a native of Syria, and they are the parents of nine children : Elizabeth, Mary, Paul, Basil, Teckla, Modi- lene, Francis, Carroll, and Emile.

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Hampden county, 1636-1936, Volume III, Part 60

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