USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Vol II > Part 18
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He is of Irish descent, his parents, the late Michael and Catherine (Tomey) Linnehan, having emigrated from Ireland nearly sixty years ago, settling in Berkshire county. Michael Linnehan was for many years employed in the Richmond iron mines. He was an honest, hard- working man and took special care to instill into the minds of his chil- dren the value of industry, and his efforts in that direction have borne good fruit. All of his children have become worthy men and women, and one of his sons, Dennis Linnehan, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work, defended the cause of the union for three years during the Civil war. Michael Linnehan died when his son James M. was nine years old.
James M. Linnehan was born in Pittsfield, educated in the public schools, and during his boyhood and youth was employed at farming and gardening. He entered mercantile business as a clerk for Messrs. Casey and Bacon, with whom he remained for some time, and when opportunity permitted he engaged in the grocery business on his own account. He continued in trade for a period of twenty-one years, realizing excellent financial results, and recently withdrew from active business pursuits. He has long been a leading spirit in local Demo- cratic politics, but without official aspirations. In 1904 he was ap- pointed a member of the board of public works, in which capacity he rendered such able and praiseworthy service as to cause his reappoint- ment in 1905 by a Republican administration, and he has effectually demonstrated his desire to protect and advance the city's interests in a non-partisan as well as a conscientious manner.
Mr. Linnehan is a member of the Veteran Firemen's Association, the Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph's (Roman Catholic) church. and
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the St. Vincent de Paul Society. In 1889 he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret C. Hanrahan, of Pittsfield. Their children are: Margaret, born in 1890: William, in 1892; Edward, in 1894; Catherine, in 1900; Mary, in 1902, and Agnes, in 1904.
HENRY D. SEDGWICK.
Henry D. Sedgwick, numbered among the honored dead of Massa- chusetts, was one of the most distinguished lawyers of the state, and represented a family that through successive generations from the early colonization of New England down to the present time has borne an important part in shaping the history of state and nation along legisla- tive and judicial lines.
Robert Sedgwick, the progenitor of the family in America, came from England to the New World in 1636, and for nearly two decades was one of the leading and influential citizens of the Charlestown colony, his strong intelligence and patriotic spirit well qualifying him for the high official honors to which he was called. He served as deputy to the general court, as selectman, and as commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, the oldest military organization in con- tinuous existence in the country. Later he was major-general of the Massachusetts militia, and subsequently was commissioned by Oliver Cromwell military governor of the island of Jamaica, in the West Indies. He was discharging the duties of that position when his death occurred, 1656.
Hon. Theodore Sedgwick, no less distinguished than the first American ancestor, was born in Connecticut in 1746. He was a dele- gate to the continental congress, and following the Revolutionary war was several terms a member of the national house of representatives,
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acting as its speaker for one term, and taking an important part in framing constructive legislation. He was for one term a member of the United States senate, and throughout the years of his manhood he con- tinued in the active practice of law until elevated to the bench of the supreme court of Massachusetts, where he served until his death, in 1813.
Henry Dwight Sedgwick, second son of Judge Theodore Sedg- wick, was born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and completed his educa- tion by graduating from Williams College with the class of 1804. Hav- ing prepared for the bar, he practiced in New York city for many years, the firm of H. D. & R. Sedgwick occupying a position of distinctive precedence there. He married a daughter of that eminent jurist, the Hon. George Richards Minot, at one time judge of the municipal court of Boston, in which city Mrs. Sedgwick was born.
Their son, Henry D. Sedgwick, born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, August 16. 1824, prepared for college in a private school conducted by Samuel D. Parker, in his native town. When a youth of fifteen he matriculated in Harvard, and, pursuing a classical course, was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1845. He prepared for the bar as a student in the law office of his cousin in New York City, Theodore Sedgwick, Jr., and his preliminary reading was supplemented by a course in the Harvard Law School. Following his admission to the bar of New York state in 1846 he took charge of his cousin's law practice, and a few years later entered into partnership with James H. Storrs, prac- ticing for many years under the firm name of Storrs & Sedgwick, with an extensive and important clientele. On the dissolution of the partner- ship he practiced alone until his retirement from active connection with the profession in 1893, his son, Henry D. Sedgwick, Jr., becoming his successor in the management of important legal interests in New York. As an author of legal works Henry D. Sedgwick was equally well
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known. He was the editor of two editions of " Sedgwick on Damages," which he greatly enlarged and which has long been regarded as au- thority. He was also the author of "Sedgwick's Leading Cases in the Law of Damages," and for many years he was the secretary of the New York Law Institute. He belonged to the New York City Bar Associa- tion and to the New York State Bar Association, and the position which he held among his colleagues is indicated by the fact that he was for many years honored with its secretaryship.
Mr. Sedgwick's interest in community affairs was deep and sincere, and was manifest by his tangible support of many progressive meas- tires. He made his home in Stockbridge. and was the president of the Stockbridge Casino from its formation until his death. A communi- cant of the Episcopal church, he also served as one of its vestrymen, and through a long period was a member and president of the Library Asso- ciation of Stockbridge, and president of the Laurel Hill Association, or Village Improvement Society. As the champion of many measures of reform and improvement, as well as through his personal characteristics, he so endeared himself to his fellow townsmen that his death was deeply deplored in his home community, while the state mourned the loss of a distinguished son.
Mr. Sedgwick was married in 1857 to Miss Henrietta Ellery Sedg- wick, of New York, a daughter of Robert Sedgwick, and a great- granddaughter of William Ellery, of Rhode Island, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Sedgwick were the parents of five children: Henry D., Jr., lawyer and author of New York; Rev. Theodore Sedgwick, rector of the Episcopal church at Williamstown, Massachusetts: Alexander, Jane Minot, and Ellery, who is assistant editor of the Youth's Companion, of Boston, Massachusetts. A man of scholarly attainments, leaving to the world
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the fruits of a cultured and well disciplined mind in valuable legal vol- umes, and the impress of his individuality for good upon local progress and advancement. he died, while traveling abroad, in Rome, Italy, in 1903.
DR. HENRY J. VROOMAN.
Dr. Henry J. Vrooman, who is physician-in-charge and manager of the well known Baker-Rose Sanitarium of North Adams, a position re- quiring peculiar fitness of professional and executive ability which near- ly twenty-five years of successful practice and managerial direction have shown to be characteristics of his career, was born in Trenton, Oneida county, New York, and is a grandson of Dr. Adam Vrooman, who was a skillful and highly esteemed physician of that county a generation ago.
With his literary education acquired in Fairfield Academy, Her- kimer county, New York, he studied medicine in Bellevue College, and has been in active practice since 1882-twelve years in Herkimer county, a year and a half in Cornwall-on-the-Hudson, five years in Boston, and in 1898 took charge of the Baker-Rose Sanitarium. This institution, which is known by its successful results all over the country, is conducted for the scientific treatment and cure of liquor, opium, morphine, cocaine and chloral habits. It is located in Park avenue, east of the city, on a high hill from which a beautiful view of North Adams and the moun- tains can be had. Situated opposite a park given to the city by the late Mr. Kemp, in the locality known as Kempville, the site is ideal for a sanitarium, the wholesome and inspiring surroundings contributing no little part to the successful restoration of patients. The house was originally intended for a summer hotel, is a large three-story and base-
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ment structure, heated throughout with steam, and can accommodate from twenty-five to thirty patients.
The Baker-Rose Sanitarium has a rather remarkable record in its comparatively new field of medical science, but one fraught with much good to mankind. Ninety-five per cent of the patients received and treated are discharged cured-a phenomenal record for any institution of similar nature. The treatment applied here is also used in a number of other sanitariums throughout the United States, and during the past nine years over forty thousand persons have been cured in this country by the treatment used at the Baker-Rose Sanitarium, and in Massachusetts alone over a thousand have been cured in the last four years. The Baker-Rose is the only institution of its kind in this state. The accommodations for patients are most complete and satisfactory, lady patients being furnished with women nurses, and the service throughout being of the highest grade. The references as to financial standing and the general character of the institution in all its objects and results are of the very highest class, and furnished by the represent- ative banking and business houses of the country.
HENRY J. ARNOLD.
Respected and esteemed for his upright character, this venerable resident of Adams has passed the scriptural age limit of three score years and ten, but is still busily engaged in the activities of life, attending with uninterrupted regularity to his numerous business duties with the sta- bility and precision of a much younger man. He is a native of Adams, son of Elisha Arnold and Electa ( Hemmingway) Arnold. the former of whom was a prosperous farmer of his day. They reared three sons.
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namely : Henry J., the principal subject of this sketch; Shubael, who is now residing in New London; and Daniel, also a resident of that city.
Henry J. Arnold was born August 26, 1833. He was reared and educated in Adams, spending his earlier years upon the homestead farm, and when a young man began the activities of life by operating a saw mill. Having familiarized himself with the manufacture of lumber, he erected a mill of his own in 1865, and carried it on successfully for a period of fifteen years, or until about 1880, when he removed to his present location and engaged in the lumber trade. In 1896 he admitted his sons Willis H. and Jolin E. to partnership, under the firm name of Henry J. Arnold and Sons, and this concern is now transacting a large and profitable business, handling all kinds of long and short lumber and kindred materials.
Mr. Arnold married Miss Jennette Patridge. Their children are : Sylvia, Willis H., John E., Daniel L., and Cynthia, who died in infancy. Sylvia is now the wife of E. A. Thatcher.
WILLIAM T. PETHERBRIDGE.
William Thomas Petherbridge, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, prom- inently identified with commercial affairs in that city, is a son of Thomas Petherbridge, who was born in Buckfastleigh, Devonshire, England, Au- gust 30, 1824, and died in Utica, New York, February 20, 1897; mar- ried Harriet Thomas, born in Horrabridge, England, daughter of Thomas Gridley, and adopted daughter of her uncle, William Thomas.
Thomas Petherbridge was descended from one of the members of a Flemish colony that came to the county of Devon, England, in the seventeenth century, and carried on the wool clothier's trade. The first of the family born in Buckfastleigh was born in 1703. Thomas Pether-
(y
2
.
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bridge was a wool stapler and wool comber, and continued in the busi- ness until the introduction of machinery for combing. In 1852 he came to the United States with his family. He first secured work in Utica, New York, where he remained for about twenty years, then re- moving to Broad Brook, Connecticut, where he lived for seventeen years. He then went out of business, and returned to Utica eight years before his death. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, was well known in musical circles, and was an Odd Fellow for forty years. Mrs. Petherbridge was descended through her mother from Sir John Hawkins, the distinguished English navigator and naval commander, who bore a gallant part against the Spanish Armada. Mrs. Harriet (Thomas) Petherbridge died July 20, 1901. Of her three children, but one, the immediate subject of this sketch, survives.
William Thomas Petherbridge was born in England, July 11, 1848. He married, December 19, 1871, Miss Emily E. Norris, of Utica, New York, daughter of William Norris, who was also a native of England. They have two children, Nellie E. and William T. Petherbridge.
Mr. Petherbridge entered the employ of the Globe Manufacturing Company, Utica, New York, and in 1863 became bookkeeper in the New York city office of the company, remaining there until 1871. He then took the same position in a large mill at Broad Brook, Connecticut, which he retained until 1884, and a year later became treasurer of the Bel Air Manufacturing Company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. That company was in the hands of its creditors, and Mr. Petherbridge com- pleted the liquidation of its affairs in 1890, and for the next two years was treasurer of the Stevenson Manufacturing Company. He then en- gaged in the furnishing business with Lewis Burns, under the firm name of Petherbridge & Burns. They built up an extensive trade, and were obliged to move into a larger store. He withdrew from the firm
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a few years ago and is now office manager for the Spark Coil Com- pany, Pittsfield.
Mr. Petherbridge was one of the founders of and for some time a director in the Pittsfield Co-operative Bank. He was a director of the Young Men's Christian Association. He was made a Mason in Broad Brook, Connecticut, and was affiliated with a lodge in Rock- ville, and a commandery of Knights Templar in Hartford, and is now a member of the lodge in Pittsfield. He has held high rank in the order, and has attained to the Thirty-third degree Scottish Rite. He belongs to several fraternal insurance societies. He is a communicant of St. Stephen's (Protestant Episcopal) church, of which he has been senior warden. He is a Republican, and takes an interest in political affairs, but has held no offices save those of councilman from Ward 7, in 1892, and school committeeman by election for 1906-7-8.
HARRY DONAHUE.
Harry Donahue, proprietor of the Howland House, at Zylonite, in the town of Adams, was born in Abington, Massachusetts, March 20, 1860. He there worked with his father, James Donahue, in a shoe factory, but later turned his attention to the hotel business, in which he found a congenial and profitable field of labor. He was for eight years proprietor of the Old American House at North Adams, and in 1898 purchased the Howland House, situated opposite the works formerly occupied by the Zylonite Company, but now constituting the plant of the Berkshire Hills Paper Company. It is on the line of the Hoosac Valley Electric Railway, two miles from Adams and four miles from North Adams, at the foot of Greylock Mountain. One of the best views of old Greylock is obtainable from the hotel, which is surrounded by the
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magnificent scenery of the Berkshire hills. The Howland House was built for Frank Haskins in 1886, and was by him conducted for a year and a half, when it was purchased by Mr. Donahue. It contains twenty- four sleeping rooms, two parlors, a large dining room, sample rooms, and a good livery in connection with the hotel.
Mr. Donahue is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks: the Fraternal Order of Eagles ; the Independent Order of Red Men, belonging to Mayoonsok Tribe, No. 129, of North Adams: and Thistle Quoit Club of Renfrew, Massachusetts.
THOMAS CURRAN.
Chief of police of the city of Adams, a position which he has hon- ored by his incumbency during its existence, and whose duties he has discharged with that efficiency which among his fellow citizens has always been his best known characteristic, was born in the town of Washington, Massachusetts, in August. 1853. His parents, Thomas and Mary Curran, natives of Ireland, came to this country many years ago, and were long hield among the most highly respected citizens of Adams. The father passed away in 1888. while the mother died only recently. December 3, 1904.
Chief Curran, after the completion of school days, worked in the Renfrew mill at Adams until he was about twenty-four years old. He left this work on his election to the office of constable, and in 1891 was appointed by the selectmen of Adams as night watchman for the mer- chants. On the reorganization of the police force, found necessary by the increasing size of the city and need of additional efficiency in policing and protection, he was appointed to the office of chief of police, this occurring on May 1, 1895. so that he has held the office for an entire
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decade. He was a member of the building committee for the police station house, which was opened November 1, 1896. He it was who suggested, at a town meeting, the need of a station house and submitted plans for the same, which were adopted by the committee of which he was a member. The members of this committee were: Chairman, Nelson B. Bixby, A. B. Daniels, F. O. Waters, C. H. Tenney and Thomas Curran.
Chief Curran affiliates with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Foresters of America and the Emmett Association.
WILLIAM FRANCIS DINNEEN.
William Francis Dinneen, Chief of Police in North Adams, was born in Stamford, Vermont, February 7, 1860. He had lived in North Adams, however, since he was seven years of age, and early in life entered upon his business career as an employe in the Arnold Printing Works of this city, where he rose by successive steps, his capability and fidelity winning him ready recognition in promotion until he was made assistant foreman. He resigned that position in April, 1887, in order to accept a position on the North Adams police force as a patrolman, appointed by the enforcement board of selectmen composed of W. G. Cady, D. J. Barber and John Larkin. The enforcement rule which was an issue at the time and caused his appointment concerned the excise law. In 1896 when the city was incorporated and Mayor A. C. Hough- ton was making his appointments, he promoted Mr. Dinneen to chief captain of police, and in 1900 he was further advanced by appointment to the position of chief of police by Mayor E. S. Wilkinson. His pro- motion has come as a merited acknowledgment of his fidelity to duty and his power in enforcing law and order.
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Mr. Dinneen is a member of the Father Mathew Temperance Association, the Knights of Columbus, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Foresters of America. His business, political and social career alike commend him to the con- fidence and respect of his fellow townsmen.
OWEN W. WELCH.
Owen W. Welch, for the past twenty years a well known wholesale liquor dealer of North Adams, was born in Clarksburg, this county, August 27, 1852. His father, Mathew Welch, was born in the county Meath, Ireland, in 1818, and emigrated at an early age, locating first in North Adams, where he resided for some years and was employed in several public-works enterprises of importance. He superintended the construction of the first water works system, and was also identified with other operations of a similar character in different parts of Berk- shire county. The independent life of a farmer was dearer to him, however, than any other means of livelihood, and, having purchased a valuable piece of agricultural property in Clarksburg, he devoted the remainder of his life to its cultivation. Throughout the entire active period of his life he displayed the habits of industry and thrift char- acteristic of his sturdy race, and was in every way an exemplary citizen. He married Marcella Martin, also a native of county Meath, whose death occurred September 13, 1890. Mathew and Marcella (Martin) Welch were the parents of four children, of whom James E. and Owen IV. are the only survivors.
After concluding his attendance at the Clarksburg public schools, Owen W. Welch served an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade, and worked at it as a journeyman for a number of years. In 1885 he en-
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gaged in the wholesale liquor business at North Adams, and has fol- lowed it continuously and with success to the present time. Mr. Welch is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In 1878 he was united in marriage with Miss Annie Barry. Their children are Owen W., Jr., Margaret F. and Ida M. Welch.
GRENVILLE A. PARKER.
Grenville A. Parker, superintendent of the rag department of the Byron Weston Paper Company's mills, Dalton, is the youngest of the surviving children of the late Samuel I. and Jane E. (Curtis) Parker, who were widely and favorably known residents of Dalton in their day. The family have long been identified with the agricultural and indus- trial interests of Dalton, of which town Samuel I. Parker was a life- long resident, and who, in addition to conducting extensive farming operations, was engaged in the lumber business. For many years he served as deputy sheriff, exercising the prerogatives of that office both in Dalton and Pittsfield, and as a civil officer was extremely popular. He died February 17, 1873, and the death of his wife occurred June 9, 1867. Three of their children are now living, namely: Jennie, now Mrs. Armington; Samuel I., now connected with the Government Paper Mills, Dalton, and who is the subject of another sketch to be found in this work; and Grenville A., the principal subject of this nar- rative.
Having studied preliminarily in the Dalton public schools, Gren- ville A. Parker attended the Drury Academy, and concluded his educa- tion with a commercial course at Eastman's Business College, Pough- keepsie, New York. For thirty consecutive years he has been in the
Grenville A. Parker.
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employ of the Byron Weston Paper Company, and has worked his way forward to the responsible position of superintendent of the rag de- partment. For a number of years he served as constable, was on the school board for some time, and as a public official proved himself worthy of the confidence in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen.
Mr. Parker married Miss Mary Mooney, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Mooney, of Dalton, March 5, 1878. Their children are : Jennie, born July 6, 1881, and who is now the wife of Walter A. Pel- ton ; John, born November 16, 1882; Elizabeth, born February 5, 1885 ; Minnie, born June 2, 1886, died July 22, 1903: Samuel, born May 9, 1889; Thomas, born January 3. 1892, died june 2, 1892; William, born September 7, 1893, died February 17, 1894; Philip, born October 7, 1895.
ROBERT MARSHALL.
One of those citizens of foreign birth of whom Berkshire county can justly be proud is Robert Marshall, who has been for nearly forty years a worthy citizen of Dalton. His father, John Marshall, who lived and died in his native Ireland, was a hard working man whose sole ob- ject in life was the welfare of his children, of whom there were eight, and of that number seven emigrated to the United States. The only daughter, Bridget, married Christian Olson and went to San Francisco. One son, Patrick, is now living in Pittsfield. and two others resided for some time in this part of the country.
Robert Marshall, son of John Marshall, was born in 1824, in Gal- way, Ireland. Early in life, desiring to better his condition, he went to England, where for several years he worked in a coal mine at Great Bridge. In 1865 he emigrated to the United States, leaving his family behind to wait until he should see his way clear to make a home for
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