USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Vol II > Part 17
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
240
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
Carrie E., wife of Edward Herrington, merchant of Hillsdale, and has a child, Burton Hatch Herrington.
John B. Beebe received his general education in Great Barrington, took up the study of medicine primarily under his father's preceptorship and subsequently with Dr. Vanderveer of Albany, New York, and was graduated from Albany Medical College, valedictorian of the class of 1893. After two years' service as one of the staff of house physicians of Albany City Hospital, Dr. Beebe established himself in practice at Great Barrington. He married Louise, daughter of the late John C. Taylor, an old resident and prominent agriculturist of southern Berk- shire county. Dr. and Mrs. Beebe have two children : Minerva Olive and Richard Beebe.
E. B. CULVER.
Among the respected citizens of Berkshire county must be num- bered E. B. Culver, of Great Barrington. Mr. Culver is descended from English ancestors. Moses Culver was a soldier in the war of 1812. His son, Moses E. Culver, a prosperous farmer, married Martha Miner, and they were the parents of four children, among them a son, E. B., mentioned further hereinafter. Mrs. Culver died in October, 1861, and her husband passed away in 1894. They were both respected and loved by all who knew them. Mr. Culver for fifty years was a deacon in the Baptist church.
E. B. Culver, son of Moses E. and Martha (Miner) Culver, was born July 21, 1849, in East Lee, Massachusetts, and received a common and high school education. Until attaining his majority he assisted his father in the labors of the farm, and was afterward engaged for a time in teaching school. After spending some time in traveling with a pro-
241
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
fessor of electricity, he went in September, 1875, to Great Barrington, where he engaged in the undertaking business. His first wagon was constructed by himself, he having learned in early life the trade of wagon-building. His next enterprise was the furniture business, which he conducted on a large scale. Returning after a time to the undertak- ing business, he was very successful, built up gradually an extensive connection, and is now at the head of a large undertaking and livery es- tablishment.
Mr. Culver married, in 1875. Alice M. Pixley, and they have four children : Clarence C., Ethel L., Bertha A., and Almon T. Culver.
EDWIN JAMES VAN LENNEP.
While the name of Van Lennep is held in reverence throughout Christendom, and is peculiarly dear to laborers in the foreign mission field, it may be said to belong in a special sense to Berkshire county, the present representative of the family. Edwin James Van Lennep re- siding at Great Barrington, as principal of the Sedgwick Institute. The Van Lennep family was originally a mercantile one. having its home in Holland, and being prominently identified with the commerce of that country.
Henry John Van Lennep was born in Holland, and in early life went on a mercantile mission to Asia. He afterward came to the United States and entered Amherst College, where his career was a very brilliant one. Such facility did he possess in foreign languages that he was able to preach in no fewer than five different tongues. Mr. Van Lennep subsequently went as a missionary to Asia, where he labored successfully for a number of years. He married Emily, daughter of Isaac Bird, a noted scholar, and they were the parents of six children, three of whom 16
242
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
are living : William Bird, a surgeon of high repute, residing in Phil- adelphia. Edwin James, mentioned at length hereinafter; and Henry Martin, a celebrated musician of London, England. Mr. Van Lennep spent his last years in Berkshire county, and it was here that his death took place. Of him it may truly be said that " he rests from his labors and his works do follow him."
Edwin James Van Lennep, son of Henry John and Emily (Bird) Van Lennep, was born at Tocat, Central Asia Minor, Turkey, and as a boy was brought to the United States to be educated at the Sedgwick Institute, where he was prepared to enter Princeton University. In 1878 he graduated from that institution with the two degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. Not long after, he came to reside in Great Barrington as a professor at the Sedgwick Institute. This school was founded about fifty years ago by Mr. Sedgwick, as a select boarding school, the object of which was to prepare boys for college. Professor Van Lennep became principal of the Institute, in the man- agement and control of which he was much assisted by his father dur- ing the latter's life-time. Under the leadership of Professor Van Len- nep the school has in all respects more than maintained its old-time reputation, keeping its place in the front rank of educational institutions. Professor Van Lennep is a member of the Congregational church, in which he holds the office of deacon, and is actively engaged in Sunday school work.
Professor Van Lennep married Alice Norton, daughter of Luke Shedd, and of the four children born to them three are living: Emily B., Clara H., and Henry J. Van Lennep.
Samuel. 4. Parker
243
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
SAMUEL I. PARKER.
The Parker family became residents of Dalton in 1820. and its members have invariably acquitted themselves with credit in the dif- ferent callings which they have accepted. The elder Samuel I. Parker and his wife, Jane E. (Curtis) Parker, the parents of the principal subject of this sketch, were highly respected residents of Dalton in their day, and reared a number of children, the survivors of whom are: Jennie, who is now Mrs. Armington; Samuel I., who will be referred to at length presently ; and Grenville A., who is the subject of another sketch in this work.
The younger Samuel I. Parker was born in Dalton, November 7, 1848. He was educated in the district school of his neighborhood, and at an early age entered the railway service as a fireman, subsequently becoming a locomotive engineer. After following that occupation for a period of five years he relinquished it in order to engage in agricul- tural pursuits, which he continued for two years, at the expiration of which time he went to Missouri and resided there for a like period. Returning to Dalton he was for a number of years engaged in general farming on his own account, and for a period of five years le man- aged the Allen stock farm. From 1893 to the present time he has oc- cupied the responsible position of watchman at the Government Paper Mills, fulfilling his duties with commendable regularity and faithful- ness. The attractive appearance of his house is indicative of refined tastes and thoroughly in keeping with the urbanity and intelligence which has long characterized the residents of Dalton. In politics he supports the Democratic party, but takes no active part in civic affairs beyond the exercise of his elective privileges. In 1886 he was elected
244
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
a member of the board of selectmen. He is a member of Dalton Grange, of which he was master in 1885.
On July 5, 1868, Mr. Parker was united in marriage with Miss Grace S. Barton, a daughter of Henry A. and Dorcas Barton, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts, the former of Chesterfield, Hamp- shire county, and his wife was born in Lenox, Berkshire county. The children of Henry A. and Dorcas Barton are: Grace S., Henry A., Lephia O. and Wesley B. Barton. Grace S. is now Mrs. Parker, and Lephiia O. is now Mrs. Warren.
Mr. and Mrs. Parker have reared a family of five children, namely : Grace E., born December 16. 1869: Frank I., September 1, 1871; Lucy Ethel, February 4, 1874: Lyle B., September 26, 1875; and Ruby A., September 13, 1888. Grace E. Parker was married, December 28, 1903. to Charles Hedrick. Frank I. Parker married Carrie Bristol, of Buffalo, New York. June 8, 1898, and has two children-Samuel W., born March 29, 1899, and Ethel C., born October 23, 1900. Lucy Ethel Parker was married October 21, 1901, to John Gerst, and their children are : Donald P., born September 3. 1902, and George S., born January 9. 1905. Lyle B. Parker married Edna Groesbeck, June 15, 1904; they have one daughter, Harriet M., born July 18, 1905. The family attend the Congregational church.
JOHN THOMAS POWER.
The late John T. Power, who lost his life in an accident on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, near Buffalo, in March, 1890, was a native of Berkshire county, having been born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, July 11, 1844. His father, William H. Power, was the first station agent in Pittsfield for the Boston & Albany Railroad. Will-
245
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
iam H. Power subsequently removed with his family to Hudson, leav- ing his son John in the care of his maternal grandfather, the late James Buell, then secretary of the Berkshire Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
John T. Power received his education in the public schools of Pitts- field, and as a young man entered the employ as one of the clerical staff in the office of the L. Pomeroy Sons Woolen Manufacturing Company, where he received that thorough business training which had its fruition in an unusually successful business career. His first business venture was as a dealer in manufacturers' supplies on West street, in Pittsfield, in which he was associated with Colonel Thomas Colt. He subsequently conducted this business alone. In January, 1882, he entered into part- nership association with William E. Tillotson, woolen manufacturer of West Pittsfield, the business thereafter being carried on under the firm name of Tillotson & Power. Here the practical experience gained by Mr. Power in his early connection with the Pomeroy mills was of the greatest value in the development of his new interest, and the establish- ment soon took rank with the most progressive of similar concerns in Massachusetts. The members of this firm, in conjunction with Mr. D. M. Collins, subsequently established another of the thriving industries of Pittsfield under the name of the Berkshire Knitting Mills Company. In addition to looking after the financial interests of the industries with which he was identified. Mr. Power acted at times as their traveling representative, and it was on one of these business trips that he lost his life as above mentioned.
Mr. Power was a consistent, valued and valuable member of the First Congregational church of Pittsfield, was one of its board of dea- cons, and held other offices in the parish and society for many years. He was active also in furthering the interests of such institutions as the Young Men's Christian Association and Union for Home Work. In-
246
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
deed, no beneficent or benevolent movement failed to appeal warmly to or find substantial support from this humane Christian gentleman. He enlisted as sergeant in Company K, Eighth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and was on duty in Baltimore during the exciting Civil war days in that border city.
Mr. Power married, September 2, 1868, Charlotte A., daughter of William D. Goodman, now a resident of Pittsfield.
CHARLES S. FERRY.
The firm of Charles S. Ferry & Son, lumber dealers, of Pittsfield, conducting one of the largest concerns of its kind in Western Massachu- setts, was established by the late Charles S. Ferry in 1886. He was born in 1825, in Chicopee, Massachusetts, and died at Salt Lake City, March 30, 1899. For thirty years he was a lumber dealer and planing mill proprietor in Springfield, Massachusetts. His sons Charles K. and Fred G. Ferry are successfully conducting the business.
FRANK D. STAFFORD, M. D.
An ex-member of the Vermont legislature, and formerly mayor of North Adams, Dr. Stafford is favorably known throughout Berkshire county and Southern Vermont, and is decidedly progressive both as a medical practitioner and a citizen.
Frank D. Stafford, M. D., physician and surgeon, was born in Stamford, Vermont, August 15. 1856. His parents were Joel C. Staf- ford and Jane A. (Stroud) Stafford, the former of whom was a pros- perous farmer, and both were life-long residents of the Green Mountain State. His early education was begun in the public schools of his native
247
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
town and continued at the Williamstown ( Massachusetts) high school. His professional studies were pursued in the medical department of the University of Vermont, from which he was graduated a Doctor of Med- icine with the class of 1878. and he immediately began the general prac- tice of medicine in Whitingham, that state. After residing in Whit- ingham for thirteen years he deemed it advisable to remove to North Adams, where a much broader field for professional advancement was open to him, and he has ever since practiced both medicine and surgery in that city with unqualified success. While residing in Vermont he rep- resented his district in the lower house of the state legislature for the years 1888 and 1889, and after his removal to North Adams hie con- tinued his active interest in civic affairs to such an extent as to cause his election to the mayoralty of that city in 1901. The success of his first year's administration was so pronounced as to insure his successive re- election for the years 1902 and 1903, and during his entire term of of- fice he directed the city's business in a most wise, economical and pro- gressive manner. In politics he is a staunch supporter of the Republican party.
In addition to his professional body affiliations, which include the Vermont State and the Berkshire County Medical Societies, Dr. Staf- ford is a member of the Masonic order (lodge, chapter and command- ery), the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Royal Arcanum, Knights of the Golden Eagle, Junior Order of American Mechanics, and the Manchester Unity.
Dr. Stafford was united in marriage at Whitinghamn, with Miss Flora A. Ballou, daughter of the late Hosea B. and Adeline (Murdock) Ballou.
24.8
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
JAMES E. HUNTER.
The Hunter family, to which the well-known North Adams family of manufacturers belong. is of ancient Scotch origin, and is the progeny of James and Janet (Walker) Hunter, who immigrated about the year 1835.
James Hunter was born in Galashiels, Scotland, the chief seat of the Scotch tweed manufacture. His parents were James and Mary (Blaikie) Hunter, industrious and sturdy Presbyterians who spent their entire lives in their native land. Accompanied by his family he came to the United States, locating in Oakesville, New York, where he was em- ployed for about three years in a woolen-goods manufactory, a business he had become thoroughly conversant with in the old Scotch borough previously mentioned. From Oakesville he removed to North Adams, where he was for some time superintendent of the dyeing and other de- partments of the Brown and Harris woolen mills. He was subsequently associated with Robert Mclellan and a Mr. Magee in erecting and oper- ating the first cotton factory established in Greylock. but a few years later he exchanged that property for an iron foundry in North Adams. This enterprise. which he inaugurated without pretention to stir or ostentation, rapidly expanded into much larger proportions under his able management, and finally developed into the present Hunter Ma- chine Manufacturing Company. In addition to his prominence in the early industrial development of North Adams he was closely identified with its financial interests, and held the presidency of the Berkshire County Bank. In local public affairs he participated quite conspicu- ously, serving with marked ability for several terms upon the board of selectmen under the old town government, and in various other ways he displayed a profound interest in the general welfare of the town. His
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
religious affiliations were with the Congregationalists, and he held a deaconship in that church for more than forty years. James and Janet Hunter were the parents of six children: James E., Margaret, Robert, Mary, Isabella R. and Andrew W. Margaret married Martin C. Jewett and is no longer living. Robert Hunter enlisted for service in defense of his country during the Civil war, and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness. Mary is the wife of Charles. H. Williams. Isabella R. (also deceased) was the wife of George W. Chase.
James E. Hunter was born in Galashiels, and at an early age was brought by his parents to America. He acquired a district school edu- cation, which at that time constituted the only system of public educa- tion in vogue in this locality, and while still young entered his father's employ. By practical experience in every detail he made himself profi- cient in each separate branch of the business, thus becoming entirely familiar with the manufacture of machinery as a whole, and in due time was admitted to partnership. He was mainly instrumental in organizing the Hunter Machine Manufacturing Company, and as its president is practically responsible for the full measure of success en- joyed by this enterprise in recent years. Although not active in civic affairs he is nevertheless ready to render his share of public service when occasion demands, and while acting as commissioner of public works labored zealously to protect the city's interests in that direction. He is a leading member and deacon of the Congregational church.
Mr. Hunter married Miss Caroline Durant, of Fitchburg, Massa- chusetts. Their children are: Anna, widow of Colonel John Brace- well ; James D., vice president of the Hunter Machine Manufacturing Company ; Margaret, wife of W. W. Richmond; Helen, wife of Edward Davis: Janet, wife of David A. Russell; and two others who did not live to maturity.
250
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
JOHN B. LAMOUREUX.
Deprived of the educational advantages so freely accorded the children of the present day, Mr. Lamoureux was consequently compelled to depend upon his own inherent resources, and has therefore acquired the prosperity he now enjoys solely through his native energy and per- severance.
Mr. Lamoureux belongs to a French family of remote antiquity. The first of his ancestors in America came from France to Canada about one hundred and fifty years ago, settling on the east side of the St. Lawrence river, in the province of Quebec. They were sturdy and in- dustrious people, possessing indomitable courage, and bought land which they cultivated, and which became profitable homes. Henry Lamoureux, John B. Lamoureux's grandfather, was a lifelong resident of the province of Quebec. His children were: Useb, Henry, Adele, Margaret, Elsie, Olive, and two others whose names are not at hand.
Useb Lamoureux, father of John B., reared a large family in his native province and resided there until 1870, when he came to Massa- chusetts, first locating in Hinsdale. Four years later he removed to Holyoke, this state, and resided there for the remainder of his life. The maiden name of his wife was Louise Boyer, who was also a na- tive of Canada. She became the mother of twelve children, namely : Georginia, Dulcinia, Joseph, Margaret, Louise, neither of whom are now living; John B., the principal subject of this sketch; Matilda, who is now the widow of James La Point; Adeline, wife of Henry Laprise; Olive, wife of Augustus Gauthier; Eliza, wife of Napoleon Larivie; Agnes, wife of A. N. Du Fresne ; and Napoleon, who married Mrs. Elsie Thibeault.
John B. Lamoureux was born in St. Phillippe, Province of Quebec,
251
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
March 9, 1848. Compelled at an early age by force of circumstances to support himself as best he could, hie endured trials and hardships which are entirely unknown to boys of the present day. The inherited courage and perseverance of his ancestors, essential qualities which have from infancy predominated in his character, came to his rescue and successfully guided him through the vicissitudes of youth and early manhood to the position of prosperity he ultimately obtained. At the age of twenty-two years he came with his parents to Hinsdale, where he has ever since resided. Having served an apprenticeship at the black- smith's trade he became an expert in that calling, which he has fol- lowed continuously and with excellent financial results for the past thirty-five years. Fully appreciating the lesson derived from the ex- perience of his earlier years, he determined that his children should begin the activities of life upon a more substantial basis than that which destiny had allotted to him, and his long continued devotion to the severest kind of toil has therefore been to him a labor of love and par- ental foresight in behalf of his offspring. This laudable determination has been rigidly adhered to and faithfully executed, with the result that his children are all properly educated and fitted for useful positions in life. Incidentally he has through the medium of an honest purpose and conscientious dealing created for himself a large and profitable business as a horseshoer and general blacksmith, and his steadfast adherence to principles of righteousness and integrity has won the esteem and con- fidence of his fellow-townsmen.
Mr. Lamoureux was married in Hinsdale, January 2, 1872, to Miss Josephine Bunyan, who is also a native of the province of Quebec. They have had ten children, seven of whom are living: I. Joseph, born Octo- ber 27, 1873, who is a blacksmith in the employ of his father. 2. Napoleon, born September 26, 1875, who is an officer in the regular
252
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
army, attached to the Second Regiment United States Cavalry, has served with distinction in the Philippine Islands for six years, and now ranks as sergeant-major. 3. Henry, born June 14, 1877, who is a graduate of Troy Business College, Troy, New York; is now a con- ductor on the Boston and Maine Railway. 4. Nicholas F., born Janu- ary 4, 1879. learned the blacksmith's trade under the direction of his father, and is now following that occupation. 5. Ida, born November 8, 1880, who is an efficient bookkeeper, now employed by a Pittsfield business house. 6. Agnes, born May 31, 1882, is an expert stenog- rapher. 7. Olive, born May 1, 1885. who is a graduate of a business college, and a musician of unusual ability, whose services are in demand for all popular musical and social functions.
CHARLES LINDON JOHNSON.
That "a prophet hath honor save in his own country " is the rule is doubtless true, and that the subject of this narrative is an exception that proves that rule, is equally true. in so far as his local reputation for professional skill is concerned.
He was born in Pittsfield, November 4. 1871. son of Charles E. and Lucy ( Persons) Johnson. both natives of Berkshire county, Massa- chusetts. His general education was received in the public schools of Pittsfield, where he also learned the trade of machinist, in which he was for a short time thereafter employed. Before attaining his majority, however, he had decided upon adopting the dental profession as his life work, and as a necessary preliminary sought and obtained employ- ment with a competent dental practitioner. Dr. A. W. Gaheler, of Pitts- field. He subsequently worked for Dr. Gaheler's brother, a leading dentist of Lawrence, Massachusetts. In 1893 he went to Boston to enter
253
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
the service of Dr. J. H. Daly, professor of operative dentistry in the Boston Dental (now Tufts) College, a connection which continued for two years, and afforded unusual facilities for both the study and prac- tice of his chosen profession. For a brief period thereafter he was associated with Dr. Baxter, at Northampton, Massachusetts, and in 1895 returned to Pittsfield to resume work under his original preceptor, Dr. Gaheler, this time well-equipped to assume a considerable share of an extensive practice. He passed the examination of the Massachu- setts State Board of Registration in Dentistry in Pittsfield, July 15, 1897; was elected a member of Massachusetts State Dental Society, June 1, 1898; and passed the examination of Board of Registration of New Hampshire in March, 1902. In March, 1900, he established himself in practice in his present offices in Wright Block, Pittsfield, and has won the confidence of a constantly widening circle of patrons. Dr. Johnson is an exceptionally vigorous specimen of manhood, and has given his native city much valuable and strenuous service as a member of the fire department. For four years he served with exceptional efficiency as engineer of the steamer and is still a call man of the department.
He was married, February 9, 1905, to Mae, daughter of William Nivison, paper maker of the Byron-Weston Company, Dalton, the cere- mony taking place at the office of the American Consul at Edinburgh, Scotland, while the lady in question was visiting relatives in Scotland.
JAMES M. LINNEHAN.
A retired Pittsfield merchant and a member of the board of public works, Mr. Linnehan was tendered the support of both political parties at his reappointment to that board the present year, and has therefore
254
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
proved his devotion to the best interest of the municipality as well as his good citizenship.
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.