USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Vol II > Part 28
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Francis X. Poitras attended the district school adjacent to his home, after which he pursued a two years' course at L'Assumption Col- lege. He then returned to his home, and until he attained the age of eighteen years assisted with the various duties of the farm. He then resolved to learn a trade and accordingly turned his attention to the wood working business. He spent three years in Canada, and then came to the United States. In 1882 he located in Chicago, Illinois, where he soon secured employment, remaining about two years. He then returned to Canada, where he spent a few months, and in 1885 he came to Pittsfield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and went to work for George Houle as a carpenter, then for Colonel Richardson, and for the past fifteen years has worked in his present position, being con- nected with the Ward Wood-Working Company. Mr. Poitras is a
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Republican in politics, and holds membership in several organizations. among them being the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
In 1893 Mr. Poitras married Mary E. Parker, daughter of Joseph and Nora Parker. members of one of the highly esteemed families of Pittsfield. Their chihldren are: Francis Joseph, born March 4, 1896; and Raymond E., born March 24, 1902. Mr. Poitras has acquired some property in Pittsfield, possessing a home of which any man might be proud, which is adorned with the handicraft of his wife, who is an artist of more than passing note.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN GREEN.
A name familiar throughout Berkshire county is that of Benjamin Franklin Green, who for more than thirty years was one of Pittsfield's most respected citizens. He was the son of Peleg Green, who married Cynthia, daughter of Daniel Potter, a representative of one of the old and highly respected families of Cheshire, Massachusetts. They were the parents of two sons: Jerome, who on reaching manhood moved to Jackson, Michigan, where he was killed by an accident ; and Benjamin, to be further mentioned. During the troubles preceding the outbreak of the Mexican war, Mr. Green enlisted in the army, was ordered away and never after heard from. After this event Mrs. Green returned to her old home in Massachusetts, where she passed the remainder of her life, dying in 1841. She was devoted to her children, whom she reared in the strictest principles of virtue, and her son Benjamin delighted to ascribe his success to her maternal influence.
Benjamin Franklin Green, son of Peleg and Cynthia ( Potter) Green, was born February 22, 1823, in Syracuse, New York, and was a young child when taken by his mother to Cheshire, Massachusetts.
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He received there such an education as the district schools of that period afforded, and afterward learned the trade of a carpenter and wheel- wright, which he made his life calling and followed with great success. During his later years he took pleasure in pointing with commendable pride to the many magnificent public and private buildings scattered throughout Berkshire county on which he had worked as head car- penter. On the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Green was one of the first to offer his services to his country, but was rejected by the examin- ing physician. He was afterward drafted, and. by a remarkable coinci- dence, the same physician passed him as eligible. In 1868 Mr. Green moved from Cheshire to Pittsfield, where the remainder of his life was spent, and with which, during his long residence. he became thoroughly identified. In 1898 he retired from business.
Mr. Green married, in 1844, Lydia King of Hoosick, New York, and among the five children born to them who died in infancy was Wallace, who was born in 1850, and died at the age of thirteen months. The sole survivor of this family is Emma Gertrude, who was born in 1854. and is the wife of Charles B. Watkins, proprietor of the United States Hotel. Pittsfield. They have one child, Fannie, born in 1884. After the death of his wife Mr. Green married, in 1868, Jane M., daughter of Charles and Mary Bartram, of Williamstown, Massachu- setts, and of this marriage were born three children, only one of whom survives: Aggadola Rosa, who was born in 1876, in Pittsfield, and became the wife of Charles B. Shaw. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw reside with the latter's mother, in Pittsfield.
During Mr. Green's later years he was always in the habit of at- tending personally to the repairing of his property, which he kept in perfect condition, and it was while engaged in shingling his house that he suddenly expired. his death being the result of heart failure. He
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had apparently been in good health until that moment. His loss was mourned as that of a man who had been faithful to every trust reposed in him, and he left behind him the memory of an upright citizen and a sincere Christian.
PHILIP A. LOWE.
Among the younger merchants of Pittsfield, Philip A. Lowe has won recognition as a valuable addition to the business circles of the county . seat.
He was born in Savannah, Georgia, November 2, 1873, was in Phillips Andover Academy, class of 1894, and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, 1896. Two years' clerical experience with a leading New York City prescription pharmacy equipped him especially well for his entrance into the retail drug trade, which he accomplished through his purchase of the W. K. Rice store in West street, Pittsfield, removing to his present location at 103 North street in April, 1901. Mr. Lowe has made a significant success of this, and has evidenced his good citi- zenship by investing his profits in the erection of a number of substan- tial dwelling houses.
He married, June 5, 1900, Alice, daughter of the late Joseph A. Cheney, of Waltham, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Lowe are com- municants of St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal church.
MYRON A. SHERMAN.
Myron Austin Sherman, of Dalton, Berkshire county, Massachu- setts, was born in the nearby town of Worthington, in Hampshire county, December 29, 1836. His ancestors were English, a large num- ber of the Sherman family having settled in the vicinity of Providence,
Philip a Louer.
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Rhode Island, prior to the Revolutionary war. and some of their mem- bers bore an honorable part in the struggle for American independence.
The parents of Myron AA. Sherman were George and Elizabeth (Parsons) Sherman. The last named was a member of one of the pioneer families of Berkshire county, and she could readily recall the stories told her by her mother. Mary Parsons, of her coming to the wilderness on horseback over the mountains, and settling in what is now the town of Worthington. George and Elizabeth Sherman lived upon a farm, upon which they reared their family, namely: 1. Syl- vanus, born 1826; married Sylvia Trusdell, and they make their home in North Conway. They have no children. 2. Elizabeth, born 1828, married Madison Knapp, of Worthington, and to them were born : James, lives in Cummington, and Julia, married Eugene Tappan, and
they reside in Pittsfield. 3. Emily, born 1830; married Fred Richards, of Cummington ; they reside in Northampton ; two children : Nellie and George. 4. Dwight, born 1832, now deceased; married Louise Blush, of Middlefield, Massachusetts, and lived in both Cummington and West- field. Their children were Ida and Emma. 5. Martin, born 1833 ; mar- ried Ellen Parsons, of Worthington ; both deceased. They left a son, Edward, who lives in Easthampton. 6. Myron, to be further written of. 7. Julia, born 1838, married James Hillman, of Northampton ; their children : Fred, Harvey and George.
Myron Austin Sherman, next to the youngest child of George and Elizabeth (Parsons) Sherman, was born in 1836. As a boy he attended the district schools in his native village, and whien of sufficient age as- sisted in the farm work, to which he became so habituated that he has practically followed the same avocation throughout his life. When lie was nineteen years old he left the parental roof and engaged to work for a farmer at some little distance. His first employer was David C.
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Smith, who besides managing a farm conducted a lumber business on North street, in the town of Dalton. Mr. Smith took him on a month's trial, but the engagement was destined to be extended to the long term of twenty-six years-a most unusual period for two persons to remain so associated, as employer and employee, and testifying in unmistakable way the good qualities of both.
During this time, in May, 1862, Mr. Sherman married Miss Lu- cinda Richmond Booth, daughter of Philander Booth, who occupied the Booth farm between Hinsdale and Dalton. Of this union were born the following children: I. Nettie A., born July 11, 1866; she married Selectman W. R. Pratt, son of David J. Pratt, of Dalton; they make their home in Dalton, and have a large family. 2. David M., born October 24, 1868, who is employed in Weston's mill; he married Ger- trude Bellows; they have no children. 3. Lizzie J., born in 1871 ; she married William Depew, of Dalton, who is now deceased. 4. Kate J., born October 4, 1877, who lives at home. 5. Fannie E., born in 1880, who only lived to the age of fifteen years.
Mr. Sherman is a man of high character and excellent business qualifications, and is held in general esteem. For a number of years he has served in the position of selectman. With his family he is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and as a trustee he bears a full share of the labor of church maintenance. In politics he is a Repub- lican.
ROBERT McCREA.
Robert McCrea, senior member of the firm of Robert McCrea & Sons, grain dealers, of Dalton, was born in Clinton county, New York, December 20, 1834. His parents were James and Jane McCrea, and his grandparents were among the early settlers of Clinton county, in
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what was then a frontier district, living there at the time of the hostili- ties between the American colonists and the English on the one hand. and the French and Indians of the St. Lawrence river district on the other. The name of Jane McCrea is found in history because of the terrible death she suffered at the hands of the Indians. James and Jane McCrea, parents of Robert McCrea, reared a family of six chil- dren : John, born in 1830: Alexander, 1832; Robert, 1834: Jane, 1836; Ruth, 1838; and George. 1841. All are deceased except Robert and Ruth, the latter married and living in the west.
Robert McCrea acquired his education in the public schools of his native town, but in early life had to labor in order to help support the family. In his youth he learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed for many years. On leaving the Empire state he removed to Vermont, and later to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he spent fifteen years as foreman for the contracting firm of Harris & Smith, being a very valuable employe. He then went to Maryland, but though he resided in various towns and cities in that state he did not tarry long there. In 1880 he returned, establishing his home in the town of Peru, Berkshire county, where he secured a tract of land and successfully carried on farming. There was also a saw mill on the place and he engaged in the manufacture of rough lumber. The old mill is still standing, but is not now in operation. In 1891 Mr. Mc- Crea sold his farm to his eldest son, George, and, purchasing a lot on Depot street in Dalton, erected the residence which he now occupies. He also opened a store on the same street, and as senior member of the firm of McCrea & Sons is engaged in dealing in grain. A few years ago he had the misfortune to have his leg crushed, and this necessitated its amputation. Otherwise he is a hale and hearty man of seventy
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years. In politics he is a Republican, and his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church.
While in Vermont, Mr. McCrea met and married Miss Eliza Will- iamson, of Vergennes. that state. They have six children: I. George F.,.born 1858, now residing on the old home farm in the town of Peru, married Margaret Kellenback, and they have three children. 2. Harriet, born 1861, wife of Harry Floyd. 3. Alfred F., born 1864, resides in Huntington, Massachusetts. 4. Emma, born 1867, in Philadelphia, died in infancy. 5. Robert J., born 1872, now associated in business with his father, was married in 1891 to Bertha Couch. 6. Joseph H., born 1876, makes his home with his parents in Dalton.
RAY FAMILY.
The Ray family of Pittsfield is the progeny of early settlers in New York state, some of whom won more or less distinction during the colonial period, and through intermarriage they are descended from early Dutch settlers in the Mohawk Valley. Horton Ray, of Cooperstown, New York, and his wife, Rebecca, whose maiden surname was Vado, were early settlers in North Adams. Their ancestors were industrious farming people, and they followed the same occupation. They reared a family of four children, Daniel, who will be mentioned at greater length presently ; Emma Jane, married Abraham Cohen, and is now residing in Pennsylvania ; Lorena, who became the wife of Joseph Moorehouse, and is residing in Clinton, New York; and Charles M., who is no longer living.
Daniel Ray was born in North Adams and resided there until after his marriage. At the commencement of the Civil war he enlisted as a private in Company G, Forty-ninth Regiment Massachusetts Volun-
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teers, with which he served until honorably discharged. He subse- quently came to Pittsfield, where for some time he carried on what was known as the Bell Air boarding house. In 1860 he married Miss Frances A. McAvoy, daughter of James D. and Delia McAvoy, of Pittsfield. The children of Daniel and Frances A. Ray are: Elmer. born in 1862: James, born in 1864; and George, born in 1867. All are residing in Pittsfield and have been properly educated.
Elmer Ray, who is unmarried, is engaged in mechanical pursuits. James Ray married Carrie Burns, daughter of James Burns of Pitts- field. George Ray is engaged in business as a painter, paper-hanger and interior decorator. All three are members of the Sons of Tem- perance and the Eagles. In politics they act independently, supporting the candidates whom they consider the best qualified for holding public office. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
GEORGE WILLIAM MERRIAM.
The Merriam family, worthily represented in the present generation by George W. Merriam, had its foundation in North America, in the village of Saint Rose, Province of Quebec, Canada, where they were very comfortably situated and had sufficient of this world's goods to be classed among the prosperous farmers. The failure of crops and kin- dred misfortunes was the cause of their losing their property, and in order to better their circumstances they removed to the States. The pioneer emigrant of the family was Paul Merriam, who in 1852, ac- companied by his wife and ten children, leaving only one son behind. Paul Merriam, Jr., located in Pittsfield. Massachusetts.
Paul Merriam, Jr., father of George W. Merriam, followed his family to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, after a period of about three months.
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During the residence of the family in Canada, farming was their prin- cipal occupation, but after their removal to their new home they se- cured employment in the mills. By industry, perseverance and thrift Mr. Merriam was enabled to provide a comfortable home for his family, which consisted of his wife, whose maiden name was Amelia Cadrett, and the following named children: I. Amelia, born 1848, who be- came the wife of Joseph Roblard, and after his death the wife of Philip Yon; she is the mother of ten children. 2. George William, born 1852, mentioned at length hereinafter. 3. David, born 1854. who married Minnie Reabeau. 4-5. Lucy and Louise (twins), born 1856: Lucy died when fifteen years of age, and Louise became the wife of Napoleon Fernet, and after his death the wife of Sylvester Beron. Both Mr. and Mrs. Beron are now deceased. One child survives them. 6. Laurie, born 1860, who became the wife of Peter Beron, and they reside in North Adams, Massachusetts. 7. Henry, born 1863, who married and has a large family ; they reside in North Adams, Massachusetts. All of the above named children, with the exception of the first two, were born in the state of Massachusetts.
George W. Merriam was born in Saint Rose, province of Quebec, Canada, 1852. When an infant of one year old his parents removed to Massachusetts, where he was reared and educated. When his age and strength permitted him to work and thus assist the family, although only nine years of age, he entered the mill of Barker Brothers, in West Pittsfield. After continuing at this occupation for about four years he went to Northampton, Massachusetts, where he learned the trade of car- penter, thoroughly mastering all the details. Two years later he located at Turner Falls, where he remained one and a half years, after which he removed to Holyoke. Massachusetts, where he spent two years, em- ployed at his trade. In 1871 he took up his residence in Chicago, Illi-
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nois, as there was a great demand for the services of carpenters in that city, it having been visited at that time by a most disastrous fire, which almost wiped out the entire city. Two years later he returned to Pittsfield, Massachusetts. and after working at his trade for a few years secured a position as overseer in the bridge department of the Boston and Albany railroad, in which capacity he served for twenty-two years, during which long period all the bridges on the road between Springfield, Massachusetts, to Albany. New York, were changed from wooden structures to strong iron ones. There is no need to speak of his faith- fulness to the duties entrusted to him, as his long continuance in the position speaks for itself. In 1895 Mr. Merriam entered into partner- ship with Denis Blain, and during the first year Euclid Mecure was also admitted to partnership. the business being conducted under the style of Blain, Merriam & Mecure. Shortly afterward Mr. Blain with- drew his interest, and for the past nine years the firm has been known as Merriam & Mecure. They conduct a building and contracting busi- ness which has steadily increased in volume and importance with each succeeding year, and has won a high reputation for honesty and integ- rity. Mr. Merriam supports with his vote the candidates and measures of the Democratic party. He is an honored member of the Improved Order of Red Men. Royal Arcanum and the Daughters of Pocohontas.
Mr. Merriam was united in marriage in 1878 to Mary L. Rabeau, and the issue of this union was the following named children : George P., born 1880, a garment maker by trade; Arthur R., born 1882, a car- penter by trade: Anna, born 1884, became the wife of William S. Mur- phy, of Pittsfield: Archelle D., born 1886, employed as grocery clerk ; Lena, born 1889; Clara, born 1891, died in early life; Lea, born 1894, a student in the public school. All these children reside at home with 26
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their parents. The family are regular attendants at the French Catho- lic church. The high position they occupy in social circles is due en- tirely to their ability to make and hold true and firm friends.
A. W. SYLVESTER:
Among the members of the medical profession in Berkshire county who have to excellent purpose specialized their practice, the gentleman whose name introduces this narrative may be appropriately numbered.
He is a native of Etna, Penobscot county, Maine, born July 6, 1863, son of the late Daniel and Eliza (Friend) Sylvester, both natives of Maine, and of English colonial ancestry. The Sylvesters were originally a Massachusetts family, some of whom settled in York county, Maine, whence Calvin Sylvester, father of Daniel Sylvester, located in Etna, being with three brothers among the earliest settlers of that locality.
Calvin Sylvester cleared the large tract of land which he subse- quently cultivated, and his son Daniel, following his father's example, cleared his own farming lands. The latter took quite an active interest in politics, and was graduated from the ranks of the Democracy into the Republican party upon its formation. He was the first Republican postmaster of Etna, serving by appointment of President Lincoln. He married the granddaughter of Phineas Friend, the pioneer who first blazed the way through the Penobscot county wilderness.
Albie W. Sylvester received his preliminary schooling in the pub- lic schools of Etna, subsequently entering Maine Central Institute, of Pittsfield, Maine, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1884. For several years thereafter he taught in Maine high schools, and during this period took up the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. F. J. Taylor, of Pittsfield, Maine. He completed
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his course in medicine at the Medical School of Maine, Bowdoin Col- lege, Brunswick, Maine. in 1892. He was primarily engaged in gen- eral practice with offices in Plymouth, Maine. He subsequently located in New York city with a view to specializing his practice, confining it to the treatment of eye. ear, nose and throat. During this period he was associated with the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital as assistant sur- geon. He located in 1905 in Pittsfield, where he has offices in the Wol- lison block, North street. He is a member of the Penobscot County Medical Society and the Massachusetts State Medical Association. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and Repub- lican in political affiliation.
He married, June 13, 1894, Gertrude, daughter of the late Eben and Elizabeth (Watson) Redding, of Calais, Maine. Dr. and Mrs. Syl- vester have two children : Della Marie, born in Plymouth, Maine, March 20, 1895, and Doris Maybelle, born in Rochester, New York, July 15, 1897. The family reside at No. 58 Bartlett avenue, and attend the First Congregational church, Pittsfield.
JOSHUA COOK NICKERSON.
Joshua Cook Nickerson, one of the leading and substantial mer- chants of Pittsfield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, was born in Prov- incetown, extremity of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, October 20, 1837, the son of Francis and Melvina (Cook) Nickerson. The name of Nickerson in this country originated with two brothers who emigrated to the United States from England, one settling on Cape Cod, the other in Nova Scotia. They both married and had large families. The family followed the sea for many years, and have always been noted for their bravery and fearlessness in the face of danger.
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Francis . Nickerson, father of Joshua C. Nickerson, when only eleven years of age, sailed as a cook to the fishing grounds of the Grand Banks. He continued so employed until he was twenty years of age, when he became the master of a sailing vessel. He subsequently relin- quished the occupation of fisherman, following the whaling business for many years. He married Melvina Cook, a member of a then prominent family, and their children were: Joshua, mentioned hereinafter: Me- vina, who died at the age of nine years ; Adeline, married Eben Higgins. and they have one child. a daughter: Melvena, married Joseph H. Wood, of Pittsfield.
Joshua C. Nickerson in his boyhood attended school in winter. spending his summers on the water. He attended an academy in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, for one term. In the winter of 1856 his father came to Pittsfield, then a small town of about five thousand inhab- itants, where he opened a fish market, which he closed the following spring and returned to Provincetown. The next winter. 1857, Joshua and his father returned to Pittsfield and again engaged in the fish busi- ness, under the firm name of F. Nickerson & Son, and controlled a highly prosperous business for forty-seven years. However, this success was not easily attained: at that time it was almost necessary to teach the people of Pittsfield to eat and relish salt-water fish, and it was only by the most earnest work and close application to business that the firm came to be known as one of the successful and substantial establishments in the rapidly growing city. The death of the elder Mr. Nickerson oc- curred in 1888, four years after his retirement from business, and his wife passed away in 1904. Joshua Nickerson conducted the establish- ment alone until March 18, 1905. when he retired from active business life. During his many years of earnest labor he accumulated a com- fortable fortune, and will be able to spend the remainder of his life in
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rest and comfort. Politically he is a sound defender of the principles of the Republican party, and is interested in all local affairs. He is a strong temperance advocate. and he and his family are regular and con- sistent members of the South Congregational church.
Mr. Nickerson in 1867 was united in marriage to Emogene Gowdy, daugliter of George Gowdy, of Scotch descent. Of this marriage, one son. George Gowdy Nickerson, was born in 1869. His death occurred in 1894. and was a sad shock to his parents and friends.
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