USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Vol II > Part 11
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count. An especial interest attaches to the invention in question in Berkshire county, for it was here that its idea was first conceived, and here, too, that one by one the difficulties that presented themselves in its construction were overcome and a perfect work finally stood revealed.
Willard M. Delevan was born in New Lebanon, Columbia county, New York, December 27, 1862, son of George N. and the late Mar- garet (McGurn) Delevan, natives of New York, where George N. Dele- van spent the greater part of his life in the employ of Tilden & Co., manufacturing chemists. Mrs. George N. Delevan died in 1891, and since 1901 Mr. George N. Delevan has resided in Pittsfield, and is now associated with his son in the manufacture of the voting machine here- tofore refericd to.
Young Delevan received a public school education. He was for several years traveling salesman for Tilden & Co., and in 1896 came to Pittsfield to accept a position with the Stanley Electric Manufacturing Company, retaining a position therewith for a period of five years. Shortly after his arrival in Berkshire county Mr. Delevan's attention was called to the inadequacy of the ballot box system, the possibilities for fraudulent work and the length of time required in arriving at an accu- rate count. Believing that there was crying need for improved con- ditions generally in voting methods, his study was directed along that line. He secured from the secretary of state copies of the election laws with a view to undertaking the invention of a voting machine that could be legally used in elections. Throughout 1897, '98 and '99 his spare time was devoted to the proposed mechanismn, and in 1900 he succeeded in cnlisting the interest of Mr. Samuel J. Tilden, of the Tilden Chemical Company, who advanced the necessary funds to proceed with the making of models from Mr. Delevan's plans. These models were made by the Fenn-Sadler Machine Company. Model after model was made, each in
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turn improving upon its predecessor, until June 9, 1904, when the ninth of the series, the " Triumph," as it is appropriately designated, was com- pleted. The Triumph Voting Machine Company has been incorporated with a capital stock of $250,000, with manufacturing headquarters at Columbus and Francis avenues, Pittsfield, and the work of presenting the merits of the machine is now in active and most successful process. The officers of the company are De Witt Bruce, of Pittsfield, president and general manager: and William Shillaber and Arthur H. Van Brunt, of New York, respectively treasurer and secretary. Mr. Delevan is the company's general sales agent.
Mr. Delevan has been a working member of the Democratic party, acting as chairman of the Democratic city convention in 1903. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He married, October 14, 1885, Jeannette, daughter of the late Alexander and Jeannette (Todd) Burrowes, of Newburg. New York. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Delevan are Marguerite, Isabella and Willard.
FRANKLIN FESTUS READ, SR.
Numbered among the substantially valuable citizens of Pittsfield, and, although approaching four-score years of age, still in active identi- fication with important business interests, is he whose name forms the caption for these memoirs.
The Read family of which he is a member is of English origin. the records revealing it in unbroken line to Brianus de Rede, who was living in 1139 at Morpeth, on the Wensback river, in the north part of England. Of his descendants William Read, of Maidstone, county of Kent, who married Lucy Henage, had a son Elias, born in 1595. who
J. F. Read
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became a professor of divinity, came to the American colonies with his family, and is first located by records in this country as a resident of Woburn, Massachusetts.
His son Philip, born in England in 1623, became a physician in Lynn, Massachusetts, where in 1669 he made a complaint against Mar- garet, wife of John Gifford, for witchcraft. The Gifford family was influential, and, the charge not being sustained, operated against Dr. Read, who thereupon removed to Concord, Massachusetts, in the fol- lowing year. The unhappy effects of his Lynn controversy followed him to his new place of residence, and he was subjected to bitter persecu- tion, at one time going to jail for a short period through some compli- cation growing out of the witchcraft. He continued, however, to main- tain his residence and practice his profession at Concord. He was one of the trustees of the estate of John Proctor. of Salem, whose son John, hanged at Salem for witchcraft in 1692, was convicted on the testimony of Cotton Mather, who deposed among other evidence that during the trial he saw evil spirits behind the unhappy Proctor, in converse with him. Dr. Read had an extensive practice in Concord and the adjacent towns of Middlesex und Essex counties. He had a son, Philip, born in Concord in 1671, who succeeded to his father's medical practice. He married Thanks Dile. Their son John, born in 1714, also became a practicing physician iu Concord. He married Abiel Butterfield, and to them was born, in 1736. a son, Simeon, who located in Ludlow. Vermont, where he married Sarah Cummings. Their son Simeon, born in 1761, died January 10, 1833. settled in 1790 in Windsor, Massa- chusetts, where he was admitted to the church in 1802. He married in Dalton, Massachusetts, May 8, 1792, Thankful Hovey, born in 1760. died in Windsor, July 11, 1830. Their three children were baptized August 15, 1802. Of these was
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Festus Read, born in Windsor, October 22, 1795, died in Pittsfield, January 9, 1879. Intentions of his marriage were published in Wind- sor church, January 25, 1823, and he married Rebecca Blackman, of Dalton, born in Partridgefield, now Penn, Massachusetts, August 2, 1798, daugliter of Eleazer and Ann (Payn) Blackman. Mrs. Read's father, Eleazer Blackman, was born November 13, 1768, son of Abra- ham Blackman, Jr., by his wife Sarah Loomis, who came to Penn from Hebron, Connecticut, in 1768. Through Sarah Loomis the line of Mrs. Festus Read goes back to Joseph Loomis, who came from Brain- tree, England, in the " Susan and Ellen," arriving at Boston July 17, 1638, with his wife Mary White, daughter of Robert and Bridget (Allgar) White, of Messing, Essex, England.
Festus Read was engaged in agricultural pursuits at Windsor dur- ing his earlier life. In 1836 he came to Pittsfield and embarked in the meat business in company with his brother Nathan, under the firm name of Read Brothers. Like all meat dealers at that time, they did their own butchering, taking cattle raised in the neighborhood. For some years prior to his death. which occurred January 9, 1879, Festus lived in retirement upon his farm. He was a Whig in politics until the formation of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks and was from that time one of its warmest adherents. Seven children were born of his marriage: Charles Allen, now deceased, born in 1824, and as long as he lived followed the business established by his father; Anna R., also deceased, in 1825, married George Marks, of Hayden- ville; Franklin F., the immediate subject of this sketch; Thankful, born in 1829, now deceased, who married the late John Wark, of this city; Martha E., born in 1832, who lived but eight years; William D., born in 1834, who served in the Civil war and was afterward engaged for eighteen years in the grocery business with his brother, Franklin F ..
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died in 1875, leaving four children-William D., Alice (Mrs. Faw- cett), Jessie and Walter; and Lyman J., of Pittsfield, born in 1838. Both parents were members of the old First Church.
Franklin F. Read attended public schools until he was sixteen years old. Then he began assisting his father by driving the meat cart, an occupation which he continued until he attained his majority, build- ing up a fine paying route in this locality. Afterward he was otherwise employed by his father until 1851. Following then the tide of emigration westward. he went to California by way of the Isthmus, which he crossed on a mule's back. Forty days after leaving home, in Novem- ber, he arrived at San Francisco. Thence he proceeded to Stockton and afterward to San Andreas, where he mined for a time. Not pleased with the results of his labors he went to Sacramento, then a very new place, and worked for a while at boating, poling a flat-boat loaded with lumber up the river, and receiving one hundred dollars a month for wages. A few months later he purchased the boat and for a time car- ried on the business on his own account. He subsequently bought a half interest in a tripe shop of a man from Worcester, Massachusetts, and the two made money rapidly for awhile by cleaning and selling tripe, calves' heads and feet. In 1853 he returned to Pittsfield and here established himself in the meat business on West street. A year or two later he took into partnership his brother, William D. Read. and, add- ing a complete line of groceries, carried on a thriving business on North street until the death of William, a period of nearly twenty years. In 1876 he closed out his store to devote himself entirely to his duties as assessor and collector, offices which he held for six consecutive years.
He is a strong supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and in 1891, 1892 and 1893, represented his district in the state legis- lature, serving during the first two years on the committee on banks II
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and banking, and during the last term on the committee on election laws. He has also been a delegate to many county and state conven- tions, and he rendered the city inestimable service as a member of the school board for eight years. During that time he was chairman of the building committee that had charge of the erection of the new high school, which cost one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and is said to be the finest of its size in the county. While he was on the board · the school houses on Elizabeth street, John street, and at Russell's were erected. For some time after giving up his meat and grocery busi- ness, Mr. Read settled many estates in this vicinity, having been trustee and manager of the George Brown estate for the past twenty-five years, and dealt with seventeen different estates at one time. He also pur- chased the Samuel Howe insurance business, which he has since con- ducted in association with his son, Franklin F. Read, Jr. Now he de- votes his time to collecting rents and taking care of estates. Since 1880 he has been the head of the well-known firm of Read & Burns, ice dealers, which each winter puts up some six thousand tons of ice to supply its numerous patrons. It keeps six men steadily employed and for much of the time has from twenty to thirty men assisting. The firm first shipped ice to New York from its houses both on Onota and Silver Lakes. For years this company had the largest business of its kind in western Massachusetts.
Mr. Read belongs to Mystic Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and Berkshire Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; to Berkshire Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs, and of which he has been the treasurer and its delegate to the grand lodge; to the encampment, in which he has filled all the offices, and is now the treasurer; and to the Knights of. Pythias, of which he is
7.7. Read Du
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chancellor, and has been a representative to the state conventions of the organization.
On August 8, 1857, Mr. Read was married to Miss Martha C. Butler, a daughter of James Butler, of this city, and they have one son, Franklin F. Read, Jr. (See sketch following.) Mr. Read and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he serves it efficiently in the capacity of trustee and treasurer, and held the latter office for eighteen years. Both Mr. and Mrs. F. F. Read, Sr., are descended from Revolutionary soldiers, the former from Simeon Read, who enlisted at Woburn, a private in Captain Josh Walker's Company, Colonel David Grimes' regiment, which marched probably on alarm of April 19, 1775. Mrs. Read is a granddaughter of George Butler, who enlisted in Pittsfield as private in Captain David Noble's company, Colonel John Patterson's (26th) regiment : marched to Cam- bridge. April 22, 1775, and served six months; also, same company and regiment, muster roll dated August 1, 1775. Enlisted April 29, 1775, services, three months, nine days; also company return dated Oc- tober 6. 1775; also order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money, dated Fort No. 3, Charlestown. October 26. 1775 ; also Lieutenant Joel Stevens' detachment, Colonel David Rossiter's regiment, enlisted Oc- tober 15, 1780, discharged October 18, 1780, service three days on an alarm at Fort Edward.
FRANKLIN F. READ, JR.
Franklin F. Read, Jr., son of Franklin F., Sr., and Martha C. (Butler) Read, upon graduating from the high school, served three years as apprentice, journeyman and master, and learned the machinist trade, but never worked at it after his time was over. In 1882 he
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joined the insurance firm of Howe & Read, and has had full charge of this department ever since (1906) for H. & R. Wilson & Read, and F. F. Read & Sor, the latter firms succeeding Howe & Read. During the first year of Pittsfield's existence as a city, he represented ward Three in the board of aldermen, having been elected on the Republican ticket, which he uniformly supports. At one period of his life he joined many secret societies. He is a member of the following Masonic bodies: Crescent Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Berkshire Chap- ter. Royal Arch Masons, Berkshire Council, Royal and Select Masters, Berkshire Commandery, Knights Templar, Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Aleppo Temple, Mystic Shrine, Boston, Massachusetts. His mark in the Chapter is emblematical of his business: The bird Phoenix rising from the ashes. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, the New England Order of Protection, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Workman's Benefit Association, the Loyal Additional Benefit As- sociation. Pittsfield Boat Club, and the Berkshire Agricultural Society, of which he was secretary for two years. At one time he was a member of Osceola Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Greylock Encampment. He has been a member of the Park Club since organiza- tion, and was a member of the Business Men's Club before it was merged into the Park Club. He was a member of the Bicycle Club at the time when high wheels were in use. He owned and rode the first safety bicycle ever seen in Pittsfield.
He joined the Methodist Episcopal church when young, and was a member of the choir from early boyhood. In 1887 he was engaged to sing at St. Stephen's Episcopal church, and April 22, 1888, he joined the church. He was elected treasurer of the parish in 1891, and has been re-elected every year since. The monthly meetings of the wardens and vestry of this parish have been held at his insurance office for many
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years. He was a member of the choir at St. Stephen's for twelve years, and had full charge of the music and played the organ in the chapel while the new church was being built. He was leader in chancel of the boy choir for two years. His is a baritone voice, and is very powerful and penetrating. When Grace Episcopal church at Dalton was being organized, he with a friend drove there twice a week and conducted services, he having charge of the music.
Mr. Read married Miss Mary Emma Smith, of Pittsfield, and they are the parents of six children : Daniel D., Clarence A. and Florence V. (twins), Franklin F. (3), Clinton, and Robert Ray.
REVEREND LEON D. BLISS.
One of the most active among the Congregational ministers of Berkshire county is the Reverend Leon D. Bliss, of Great Barrington. Mr. Bliss belongs to a family of Norman origin, the name having been spelled de Blois in their native province. It was doubtless about the time of the Conquest that the family migrated to England, where they were large land owners.
Frederick D. Bliss, son of Lewis Bliss, was born in Vermont, and has always led the life of a farmer. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company I, Eleventh Regiment Vermont Volunteers, and while en- gaged in active service received a wound from which he subsequently recovered. He married Frances P. Hitchcock, and they were the par- ents of a son. Leon D. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bliss are still living.
Leon D. Bliss, son of Frederick D. and Frances P. (Hitchcock) Bliss, was born June 2, 1861, in Calais, Vermont, and received his edu- cation in the schools of his native state and at Dartmouth College, from which institution he graduated in 1883. After spending some time at
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Pacific Theological Seminary, Oakland, California, he entered Andover Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1888. For several years he officiated as assistant pastor of the Central Congregational church, Worcester, Massachusetts, and for a time was pastor in Wood- land, California. In 1896 he accepted a call to the Congregational church in Great Barrington, where he remained until December I, 1905, his pastorate being attended with the most favorable results.
HARVEY H. B. TURNER.
One of Berkshire county's most venerable citizens is Harvey H. B. Turner, of Housatonic. The Turner family is among the oldest in New England, having been founded by an ancestor who emigrated from England in 1630, and settled in Lynn, Massachusetts. Subsequently, he, or some of his descendants, moved to New Haven, Connecticut, where the family remained for several generations.
Jabez Turner appears to have been animated by the same daring and adventurous spirit which inspired his remote ancestors, for like them he was a pioneer. He moved from Connecticut to what was then the unsettled part of Berkshire county, in 1795, and cleared the land on which the seminary now stands. In his carly manhood he served in the Revolutionary war, and his sword and powder-horn are in the pos- session of his grandson, Harvey H. B. Turner, to be transmitted by him as precious memorials to future generations.
Benyalı W. Turner, son of Jabez Turner, was a farmer, as his father had been before him. He resembled his father also in patriotism. and was a faithful soldier in the war of 1812. In matters of religion he likewise followed the footsteps of his ancestors, he and his family being active members of the Congregational church. He married
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Laura Hart, daughter of Martin Hart, and of the two children born to them one is now living, Harvey H. B., mentioned at length hereinafter. Mr. and Mrs. Turner, the parents, lived and died respected and loved by all their neighbors for their friendly dispositions and upright lives.
Harvey H. B. Turner, son of Benyah W. and Laura ( Hart) Turn- er. was born May 24, 1813, at Housatonic, and obtained his education in the local schools. His life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and his labors have been rewarded by success and prosperity. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, fulfilling all the duties of a good citizen, and his townsmen have not been slow to manifest their appreciation of his sterling qualities. When a very young man he was elected town assessor, an office which he has held for years. For twenty years he was vice president and also one of the directors of the Great Barrington Savings Bank. Mr. Turner has all his life been a temperance worker. At the early age of fourteen he signed the pledge. and not only has he ever since practiced total abstinence both from in- toxicating drinks and from tobacco, but has won honorable distinction in using his best efforts to persuade others to follow his example. He is an active member of the Prohibition party. For many years he has been a member of the Congregational church, and for twenty years served as librarian.
Mr. Turner married, October :8. 1842, Dorcas, daughter of Samuel Giddings, and they have two children: Anna Rebecca, and Noble B., who holds the office of selectman. In 1876 Mr Turner moved from the homestead to his present abode, where he is passing the evening of his days in the well earned leisure which is the reward of an indus- trious and useful life. His wife, who was but a year his junior, died September 17, 1905. In consequence of the unusually advanced age to which he has attained. Mr. Turner's memory is stored with a wealth of
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reminiscence. He is able to recall all the principal public events of the last eighty years or more, and his memory is equally retentive in regard to local matters. Having lived all his life in Berkshire county, his knowledge of its history, both recent and remote, is extraordinarily thorough and familiar, and it is a privilege to hear from his lips accounts of many things which have fallen under his personal observation. Among other ancient customs of the township he remembers that of using the old Congregational church as a hall for public meetings, and can recall many a stirring scene which transpired within its walls, especially at times when national events of importance were agitating the community, and when questions of vast moment to the welfare of the country were under discussion.
ROBERT WARD VOLK.
The dental profession, well represented in Pittsfield, numbers among its especially capable and well known members the gentleman whose name forms the caption for this sketch. He is a native of Berkshire county, born August 14, 1868, son of the late Abraham and Matilda (Ward) Volk, the former a native of New York city, of Holland extraction, and the latter born in Egremont, Berkshire county, Massa- chusetts, and descended from early English settlers of New England. The maternal great-grandfather of Dr. Volk was a soldier during the Revolutionary war, and his grandfather fought in the war of 1812.
The late Abraham Volk followed the tailoring trade at Pittsfield for many years. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion he enlisted under the first call for troops made by President Lincoln, in the Allen Guards, and was subsequently a member of the Twenty-first Massachu- setts Regiment, and still later of the Thirty-first Cavalry Regiment.
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Mr. Volk died in 1809. His children are: Caroline, wife of Selden D. Andrews (see sketchi) ; Robert W. Volk. the immediate subject of this narrative: and Harry A. Volk, traveling salesman with headquar- ters at Seattle, Washington, of the Pacific Hardware and Steel Com- pany of San Francisco, California.
Robert W. Volk attended Pittsfield public schools, then entering the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated with the class of '91. His initial practice was as assistant to a prominent dentist of Syracuse, New York, fol- lowing which he established himself in the practice of his profession in Boston. In 1893 he returned to Berkshire, locating his offices in the England Block, North street. Dr. Volk is a member of Mystic Lodge. Free and Accepted Masons, and Berkshire Chapter, Royal Arch Masons.
He married, May 2, 1895, Florence, daughter of Robert G. and Eliza N. Hermance, of Pittsfield. Four children born of this union are : Mark G .. Ralph L., Marjorie, and Robert H. Volk. The family attends the Baptist church of Pittsfield, and resides at 195 Pomeroy avenue.
SAMUEL HUMES.
Samuel Humes, eldest son of Hamilton B. and S. Floretta (Se- bring) Humes, was born in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. October 25, 1870, and died at his late residence in that city, September 30, 1904.
In early life he attended a private school which was conducted in a brick building at the head of Seminary street. later was sent to the Hillis School, Pottstown. Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated in 1887, and subsequently entered Williams College at Will- iamstown, Massachusetts, graduating therefrom in 1891. Upon his re-
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turn home he entered the banking house of the Jersey Shore Banking Company as clerk, later was promoted to assistant cashier, and then to vice-president, and in all capacities took an active part in the conduct of the business of the institution, being an expert in stocks and bonds. He served as treasurer of the Electric Light Company of Jersey Shore, of the Business Men's Club, and of the board of trustees of the Presby- terian church. He was a man of exemplary habits, and his good quali- ties were innumerable. He was well liked and thoroughly trusted by all who knew him, was well informed in financial affairs, and his opinion was often sought at home and abroad.
Samuel Humes was a member of the Presbyterian church for a number of years, and had always taken great interest in church and Sabbath school work and in the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. He was trustee of the church and superintendent of the Sun- day school at the time of his death, and although absorbed in business he never allowed it to overshadow his devotion to his church and the interests of his Master's kingdom. There were no interests in the church in which he did not take an active part, and no demands for its maintenance and work to which he was not among the first to respond. There was never a call looking towards the world's evangelization to which he did not open a liberal hand, and, besides the regular channels of the church for benevolence, the worthy and needy were constantly encouraged by substantial help of which the church and world knew nothing. Every missionary of the cross had an interest in his prayers, and every Christian worker a large place in his helpful sympathy. His nature was an intense one, and this intensity manifested itself no more in his business than in his love and loyalty to his church and to his Lord. No other expression but unfaltering faithfulness will describe what he was as a son, husband, father, citizen and Christian. Mr. Humes died
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