USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Vol II > Part 9
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Frederick Theodore Whiting, son of Theodore W. and Amelia Ant (Robbins) Whiting, born June 6, 1825, died March 27, 1895. He was a druggist by profession. He was a member of the legislature, held various town offices, and was a highly respected citizen. He married, December 11, 1849, Ruth Maria Hill, daughter of Rodney and Sara (Collin) Hill. She was a prominent member of St. James Protestant Episcopal church.
John Fred Whiting, son of Frederick Theodore and Ruth Maria (Hill) Whiting, was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Decem- her 13, 1852. He was educated at Sedgwick Institute, Great Barring- ton, and Flushing Institute, Flushing, New York. His profession is that of druggist, which he follows in his native city. He has held the offices of secretary and treasurer of the Board of Trade, treasurer of the Men's Club, and a member and sometime officer of Cincinnatus Lodge, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons; and president of the local branch of the American Pharmaceutical Association. He is a member of St. James Protestant Episcopal church, and a Democrat in politics.
Mr. Whiting married, at Great Barrington, April 2, 1877, Annie Louise Hitchcock, daughter of Ralph G. and Electa Maria (More) Hitchcock. Ralph G. Hitchcock, born August 23, 1832, died Noven- ber 20, 1857, was descended from Luke Hitchcock, who founded the
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family in this country about 1640. Electa Maria ( More) Hitchcock was a daughter of William and Mary ( Mayhew) More, who came to this country from England shortly after the birth of their eldest child. Electa Maria was born in this country. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Whit- ing are: 1. Howard Mayhew, born January 27, 1878, married. Septem- ber 10, 1904, Martha S. Dalzell, and they are the parents of one child. Elizabeth Dalzell, born October 12, 1905. Howard M. was educated at Sedgwick Institute and Boston Law School, graduating from the latter with cum laude degree in 1899, admitted to the bar the same year, and is now practicing in Boston. 2. Percy Hollister, born October 8, 1880, educated in Sedgwick Institute, Hotchkiss School, Harvard University. and Vanderbilt University, now sporting editor of the Memphis (Ten- nessee) News-Scimitar. 3. Ethel Louise, born July 27, 1882, edu- cated in Housatonic Hall, Great Barrington : Bellemont College, Nash- ville, Tennessee, and Chicago University. 4. Egbert Frederick, born March 31, 1888, educated in People's School, Nashville, Tennessee, now in the Tenth United States Cavalry Regiment.
ALDEN BRADFORD WHIPPLE.
That the life work of Alden Bradford Whipple has been a benefi- cence to his fellowman, his three score years' active and successful career as educator sufficiently attest. Conjunctively with this work in Berkshire county, he has given more than ten years' faithful service in the Baptist ministry, and for a like period was the very efficient presid- ing officer of the Berkshire Historical and Scientific Society. He was born in Lanesboro, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, February 7. 1824. son of Elias and Phila (Brown) Whipple, also natives of Berk- shire county.
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The founder of the American family of Whipple was John Whipple. born in England in 1617, married in Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1644 and was subsequently located in Providencetown, Rhode Island, where the records reveal him as a military character bearing the title of cap- tain. and as a coworker with Roger Williams. Of his descendants Stephen Whipple, bom in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1735. married in 1760, Zilpha Angel, and in 1777 brought his family to western Massachusetts, locating in Cheshire, Berkshire county, where he was a farmer and shoemaker. Of the children of Stephen and Zilpha (Angel) Whipple, Samuel Whipple married Temperance Post, tilled the soil of a Lanesboro farm, and had a son Elias, who became a house and boat builder, and eventually located in the West, whence he never returned.
Alden Bradford Whipple, son of Elias and Phila (Brown) Whipple, fitted for college in Easthampton, and was graduated from Williams College, class of 1852. He read law with Governor George N. Briggs, incidentally engaging in that which was destined to become his life work, teaching. Various schools in Berkshire county, includ- ing Pittsfield's high school, were included in this initial pedagogic serv- ice, which was followed by his acceptance of the principalship of the Nantucket high school. In 1858 he purchased the Female Seminary at Lansingburg, New York, which he continued to successfully conduct up to 1875. and early in this period was ordained to the Baptist ministry. thereafter devoting his Sundays to pulpit service. In the latter year he resumed his teaching work at Nantucket, and in 1879 returned to Berkshire county, locating in Pittsfield, where his time has been occu- pied in private tutoring, pulpit supply work (mainly at Williamstown and Hancock). and the management of his estate, which includes con- siderable realty holdings in Pittsfield and substantial improvements thereupon made by him.
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In addition to his connection, above referred to, with the local Historical and Scientific Society, Mr. Whipple is a member of the American Scientific Association, and the Troy and Albany Scientific Association. He has traveled extensively in Europe, Asia and Africa, and his interesting observations have been the subject of numerous magazine and newspaper articles. He collaborated with Dr. Samuel Watson, of Memphis, Tennessee, in the latter's interesting book of travels entitled, " A Memphian's Tour to Europe." Mr. Whipple also rendered much valuable assistance in the preparation of the " History of Berkshire County," edited by J. E. A. Smith, and was the author of the "Life of Governor George N. Briggs," printed by the Berkshire Historical and Scientific Society.
During 1863 he was with the Army of the Cumberland as a mem- ber of the Christian Commission.
He married in August, 1857, Mary E., daughter of the late O. W. Robbins of Pittsfield. Mrs. Whipple died in 1894, leaving two daugh- ters, Phila Maria and Nellie Louisa Whipple. The family residence is on East Housatonic street, Pittsfield.
THADDEUS CLAPP.
Thaddeus Clapp, deceased, was during a long and phenomenally useful career one of the principal manufacturers in Massachusetts. He was also a most public-spirited citizen, and contributed in considerable degree to the development and prosperity of the town of Pittsfield and the county of Berkshire.
Mr. Clapp was a conspicuous representative of one of the oldest and most prominent families of the earliest colonial period. He was the descendant in the eighth generation from Captain Roger Clapp, who
Thaddeus Clapp
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was born in Salcombe Regis. Devonshire, England, April 6, 1609. Cap- tain Clapp sailed from Plymouth, England, March 20, 1630, in the ship " Mary and John," Captain Squeb, and arrived at Nantasket, Mas- sachusetts, May 30. With fellow passengers he settled at Dorchester. It is recorded of him that he was a remarkably industrious man and continually engaged in some useful employment, and he was frequently called to the public service. At the age of twenty-eight he was chosen selectman of the town, and he was re-elected to that position fourteen times. He was several times chosen deputy from Dorchester to the general court, and was first lieutenant of the Dorchester county militia. and afterwards its captain. The frequency with which he was called to be overseer of wills, and to the conduct of other weighty business, attests his high standing and ability. August 10. 1665, he was ap- pointed by the general court as captain of the Castle in Boston Harbor (now Fort Independence) and held the office twenty-one years, until he was seventy-seven years old, when he resigned and removed to Boston, where he died, February 2, 1691. His wife was Johanna, daugh- ter of Thomas Ford. of Dorchester, England, who were passengers in the same vessel with Captain Clapp. She survived her husband and died in Boston, June 29. 1695, aged seventy-eight years. They were the parents of fourteen children, of whom the sixth was
Preserved Clapp, born in Dorchester. Massachusetts, November 23, 1643. When twenty years old he settled in Northampton, then a far distant settlement in the western limits of the colony, and which with Springfield constituted the entire inhabited portion of western Massachusetts. Blake says of him: "He was a good instrument, and a great blessing to the town of Northampton. He was a captain of the town, and their representative in the general court, and ruling elder in the church." He married, June 4, 1668, Sarah, daughter of Benja-
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min Nenbury, of Windsor, Connecticut, who went from Dorchester to that place. He died at Northampton, September 20, 1720, and his wife died October 13, 1716. They had eight children, all but one of whom lived to adult age. Their seventh child,
Roger Clapp, was born May 24, 1684. He was captain in the mili- tary company, and a representative to the general court. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Bartlett, and they had eight sons and one daughter, all of whom married and reared families. He died in 1762, aged seventy-eight years, and his widow died August 9, 1767. Their third child,
Jonathan Clapp, was born in Northampton, in 1713. He removed to Easthampton, being one of the first settlers of the town. "He was a man of great energy of character, and was prominent in all matters connected with the early settlement of Easthampton." He was major of militia. He was the father of eleven children, of whom the second was
Joseph Clapp, born in Easthampton, November 3, 1736. He was captain of militia, and was active in all town and church affairs. The first meeting for the election of officers after the town was incorporated was held at his house, and there the church was also organized. He married Hannah Lyman, and to them were born seventeen children, of whom the seventh was
Thaddeus Clapp, born March 31, 1770. He kept the tavern which had been opened by his grandfather, Major Jonathan Clapp, and was kept successively by his uncle Jonathan, his father Joseph, and brother Luther, covering a period of nearly or quite a hundred years, being the only public house in Easthampton, and patronized by nearly all the travel from Hartford and New Haven to the north. In connection with his father he also operated a fulling mill. He was the first jus-
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tice of the peace in the town, and its treasurer for twenty years; repre- sentative to the general court for twelve years ; delegate to the constitui- tional convention of the state; and postmaster of the town. " All of his public duties were efficiently and acceptably performed." He married Achsah Parsons, and to them were born seven children, the second being
Thaddeus Clapp, born in Easthampton, March 29, 1792. In 1816 he took up his residence in Pittsfield and became superintendent and manager of the Pittsfield Woolen and Cotton Factory, afterward known as L. Pomeroy's Sons. In 1825, at its organization, he became the superintendent of the Pontoosuc Woolen Manufacturing Company, which position he held until 1860. His abilities and experience were thus set forth in Smith's " History of Pittsfield ":
" Mr. Clapp was bred to the clothier's trade in his native town, and afterward perfected himself so far as was then possible in America, in all the details of the woolen manufacture, in the factories at Middle- town, Connecticut, and Germantown, Pennsylvania. He was the first American born citizen of Pittsfield who by his native talent, thorough knowledge of his art, and general business qualities, was competent to manage a woolen factory. Indeed, he was the first of any nationality who was so qualified."
Never satisfied with present attainments, he was always on the alert for any improvements. was ever discerning of prospective demands in the trade in woolen fabrics, and was certain to be the first in the market with the desired article, and it was under his supervision that Pontoosuc goods early obtained a reputation which has constantly in- creased. Colonel Thaddeus Clapp married, in 1820, Elizabeth, daugh- ter of James D. and Sarah ( Root) Colt. Their children were: Thad- deus, of whom further: James C .: Elizabeth; Theodore: Thomas W .; Helen, died aged ten years; and Margaret. died aged nine years. Colonel Clapp died April 1, 1865.
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Thaddeus Clapp, eldest child of Colonel Thaddeus and Elizabeth (Colt) Clapp, was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, November 4, 1821. He attended the public schools of that town, and was there also pre- pared for college, but concluded to discontinue his studies in order to enter upon an industrial career, entering the Pontoosuc Woolen Mill- a diversion, as has been remarked, "which gave Pittsfield one of her most successful manufacturers, and one less to fill the ranks of the crowded professions." Under the experienced eye of his father he en- joyed superior advantages of becoming what he was-thoroughly skilled in all pertaining to the manufacture of woolen fabrics. He passed through the various grades of practical work, became his father's assistant superintendent in 1855. and was made superintendent in 1860. In 1865 he was made general agent as well as superintendent, and in 1882 was made president, succeeding Ensign H. Kellogg, deceased, and held that position until his death. From his first connection with the factory, Mr. Clapp devoted the greater part of his time and effort to its interests. and will be remembered longest and most widely as the successful manager of a factory which under the auspices of himself and his father became second to none of the enterprises of its kind in the country, its products favorably known in every market open to American commerce. In caring for these interests Mr. Clapp traveled frequently and far, making a score of trips to California for the purchase of wool grown in that state, and which was shipped to the factory by way of the Horn. The high position achieved by the Pontoosuc Mill was thus broadly acknowledged in the report made by the committee of award at the Centennial Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia :
" The Pontoosuc factory is one of the most enterprising concerns of which the United States can boast; and which in its rise and progress, the skill it exhibits in its manufactures, and the high reputation it has in making first quality goods, is an honor to the country. During its
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long and prosperous career it has sold its goods in every trade center in the country, and they have gone into thousands of homes, missionaries for the expulsion of foreign goods, which they have had a large share in accomplishing. The judges at the Centennial were highly pleased with their display, and awarded it the first prize, besides making special mention of its merits in their report."
In his young manhood Mr. Clapp took an active part in political affairs. In 1837, in company with a brother, he published a campaign paper, The Herald, a folio sheet four by three inches; and in 1840 a journal under the title of Old Tip, both of which are real curiosities as compared with the great size of political and other journals of the present day. He was identified with the Whig party until its dissolution, and became a Republican at the organization of that party in 1856. He was a man of marked public spirit and liberality, and contributed in no small degree to the a.lvancement of educational and religious institu- tions, and to the growth and beautification of the city of Pittsfield.
Mr. Clapp married, May 1, 1845. Miss Lucy Goodrich, who was born in Pittsfield, August 23. 1825, daughter of Levi and Welthy (Whit- ney) Goodrich. Her family represents one of the oldest and most re- spected of the early settlers of Pittsfield, and her father was one of its most valued and honored citizens. To Mr. and Mrs. Clapp were born three children: Agnes Margaret and Theodore Harold, both residents of Pittsfield; and Lillian Porter, who died in Paterson, New Jersey, March 14, 1884.
WILLIAM JOHNSON WARNER.
The name of the founder of the Warner family in the United States is unknown to the branch to which William J. Warner belongs. but it is on record that he was of English origin, a native of Yorkshire, England. The first descendant of whom there is any known record was
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Gilbert Warner, who, in AAugust, 1775, at Nantucket Island, married Sarah Ellis, born June 15, 1752, died in Hyde Park, Dutchess county, New York, December 23, 1837, a daughter of Matthew Ellis, born 1726, died 1776, and a granddaughter of Mordecai Ellis, who married, March 17, 1722, Margaret Swan, daughter of Joseph and Mary Swan, de- scended from Richard Swan, one of the original proprietors of Nan- tucket in 1659. Tradition says that Gilbert Warner lost his life in the Revolutionary war, but no documentary record has been discovered. Their children were Reuben and William. Reuben migrated over a century ago to some locality on the Unadilla turnpike, New York, and all trace of his descendants is lost.
William Warner, son of Gilbert and Sarah ( Ellis) Warner, was born at Nantucket in 1776. He was a farmer by occupation. He served in the regiment of Colonel John Brush, commander of Dutchess county militia at Harlem, New York, in the war of 1812-15. He was a Quaker, preferring that form of religion to any other. He died in Poughkeepsie, New York, September 2, 1856, and his remains were in- terred in Crum Elbow Quaker churchyard. In 1805 he married Eliza- beth Wilbur, removed to Hyde Park, Dutchess county, New York, and they were the parents of five children: Sarah, Anne, Daniel, Gilbert, and Maria. Elizabeth (Wilbur) Warner was born at Little Compton, Rhode Island. July 16, 1772, died September 15, 1827, at Hyde Park, New York, daughter of Sylvanus, born 1749. and Sylvia (Chase) Wil- bur, granddaughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Shaw) Wilbur, great- granddaughter of William and Esther (Burgess) Wilbur, great-great- granddaughter of Samuel and Mary ( Potter) Wilbur, and great-great- great-granddaughter of William Wilbur, who emigrated when a child with his uncle. Samuel Wilbur, from Doncaster, Yorkshire, England, about 1630. William Wilbur about the year 1656 settled at Ports-
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month, Rhode Island, and also purchased large tracts of land at Little Compton, where his numerous descendants remain to this day. The early members of the Wilbur family were all Quakers, and in a Quaker churchyard in Little Compton seven generations are said to be buried. Sylvanus Wilbur of the fifth generation was born August 18, 1749; married, January 20, 1771, Sylvia Chase, daughter of James and Huldah Chase, who died in 1847, aged ninety-six years, emigrated to Hyde Park, New York, in 1792, where he owned a large farm, and died in 1812. In 1846 the number of their descendants were two hundred and thirty-one.
Daniel Warner, son of William and Elizabeth ( Wilbur) Warner, was born in Hyde Park, Dutchess county, New York, August 17, 1807. He received such education as the common schools of a new settlement offered. His early occupation was a cooper, but when past middle age he turned his attention to farming. When a young man he was a men- ber of a military company at Poughkeepsie, New York, the regiment being commanded by Colonel Brush. In early life he was favorable to the faith of the Quaker religion, but about 1834 became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which at one time he held the office of steward. In politics he cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson in 1828, and thenceforward, with the exception of his vote for William Mckinley in 1896. he was a Democrat. Not only in his prime but down to old age Mr. Warner was a strong and vigorous man, and could perform more farm work in a day when past seventy years of age than many young men. He had an excellent memory, and was well versed in the scriptures. On June 11, 1831. Mr. Warner married Polly Smith. of New Marlboro. the marriage ceremony being performed by the Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, the blind minister at Green River, Columbia county, New York. They settled in the western part of Great Barring-
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ton, Massachusetts, in 1832, and remained there through life. Mr. Warner died May 1, 1898, and his wife passed away May 10, 1894. They had three children: A daughter, Caroline Elizabeth, born Sep- tember 23, 1839, died October 4, 1844; Henry Crawford, born August 9, 1845, a retired newspaper reporter, resides with his family at Great Barrington ; and William J. (see forward).
Polly (Smith) Warner, wife of Daniel Warner, was born at Kent, Connecticut. August 17, 18IC, a daughter of Thomas Johnson and Laura (Emmons) Smith. Thomas J. Smith was a son of Bethel and Deliverance Smith, and was born in Woodbury, Connecticut, Septem- ber 2, 1784, married, about 1807. Laura Emmons, and died at Alford, Berkshire county, January 14, 1866. His father Bethel Smith, born at Woodbury, Connecticut, 1755, married in 1775, Deliverance Smith, whose ancestry, owing to the large number of Smiths, has not been dis- covered. Bethel Smith was a son of Thomas Smith, who died in 1812, aged ninety years. Laura (Emmons) Smith, wife of Thomas Johnson Smith, was born at Cornwall, Connecticut, April 1, 1789, and died at the home of her son-in-law, Daniel Warner, in Great Barrington, Octo- ber 7, 1877. She was a daughter of Asaph and Nancy (Seeley) Emmons. Asaph Emmons was a son of Woodruff and Esther ( Pren- tice) Emmons, born about 1763. died 1831. Woodruff Emmons, a son of William and Sarah (Way) Emmons, was said to have been born on the ocean while his parents were migrating from England in the year 1718. For many years he kept the Emmons Tavern in Cornwall, a great resort for Revolutionary officers. His wife, to whom he was married March 10, 1743, was a daughter of Valentine and Abigail (Walker) Prentice, the latter named being a descendant of the Rev. Hezekiah Walker, first pastor of ancient Woodbury. William Emmons emigrated to America in 1718. He was born in England between the
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years 1690 and 1695, settled first at Taunton, Massachusetts (Lee Spooner's Genealogy), and about 1733 removed to South Farms, Litch- field county, Connecticut, and there passed the remainder of his life. He was a son of Major General Carolus Emmons, of England, who in 1689 was granted a coat of arms by King' William and Queen Mary for his services in five victorious battles.
William J. Warner, son of Daniel and Polly (Smith) Warner, was born at Great Barrington, May 27, 1851, and was educated in such public schools as the town then afforded. At North Egremont, Berk- shire county, Massachusetts, November 10. 1878, Mr. Warner married Miss Frances Snyder, born April 1, 1856, and they are the parents of one son, Charles Watson, successful farmer of Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Warner, with their son and his wife, are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church at Alford, Massachusetts. Father and son have been trustees and stewards in this church for several years, and active workers in the Sunday school.
While the Civil war was progressing. William J. Warner became an expert musician on the fife and drum, and has often led martial parades at Memorial day services and Fourth of July celebrations. Be- fore those organizations disbanded he was a prominent member of the Egremont Band and Hope Drum Corps at Great Barrington. Like his son Charles, Mr. Warner is a member of the Housatonic Agri- cultural Society, and is largely engaged in general farming and market gardening.
Charles Watson Warner, born March 17, 1880, is a graduate of the Great Barrington high school, class of '97. He married June 28. 1905. Jennie, a daughter of George F. and Lucy A. ( Baker) Woodin, late of Sandisfield. Berkshire county, Massachusetts. Like her husband, Mrs.
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Warner is a high school graduate, and for some time previous to her marriage was a successful teacher in the public schools of Great Bar- rington.
ABEL CHALKLEY COLLINS.
AAbel Chalkley Collins of Great Barrington, son of Abel F. and Electa Jane Collins, was born in North Stonington, New London county, Connecticut. March 27. 1857. He was graduated from Brown Univer- sity in the class of 1878 with the degree of A. B., later receiving the degree of A. M. from his alma mater. After graduation he taught school for three years.
He is a nephew of the late Dr. Clarkson T. Collins, a well known physician for many years prominently identified with southern Berk- shire. Upon the death of his uncle in 1881, Mr. Collins settled in Great Barrington, where he has since resided. He studied law with the late Judge Justin Dewey, and was admitted to practice before the state supreme court in May. 1884. and has since been admitted to practice before the United States courts. He has been very successful in the trial of cases, and has had a number of important ones before the su- preme court. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and has served as chairman of the boards of selectmen and water com- missioners, and as member of the school committee for a number of years. Mr. Collins is a Republican in politics, and in 1901 was elected representative to the state legislature, where he served on the committee on the judiciary. He successfully presided over the house when called upon in the absence of the speaker, a privilege not often granted to new members. In the face of an active opposition he secured the pass- age of the first bill regulating the speed of automobiles and took an active part in other legislation. He declined renomination. He has
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