USA > Massachusetts > The story of western Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 47
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On December 4, 1922, Mr. Krumpholz was married to Alice Pickup, daughter of Susannah (Calvert) Pick- up and the late Alfred Pickup. The couple are parents of one child, a daughter, Mrs. Gordon Savory.
ALFRED PICKUP was born in England in 1875. As a young man there, he did considerable bicycle racing and conducted a bicycle shop, later branching into the automotive repair line as motor cars became more numerous.
He was married in England in 1898 to Susannah Calvert and the couple had five daughters, four born in England and the fifth born in Holyoke following Mr. Pickup's move to this country in 1910.
Capitalizing on his knowledge of the operation and repair of motor cars, Mr. Pickup secured his first job as a chauffeur. A few years thereafter, he started the first used car sales agency in this vicinity.
In 1922, after having established himself as an ex- perienced automobile dealer, Mr. Pickup founded the Pickup Motor Company of Holyoke, becoming presi- dent of the company following its incorporation in 1925 and continuing as president until his death on
May 20, 1941. Under his guidance and leadership, the foundation was laid for one of the largest automobile sales and service agencies in Western Massachusetts.
In addition to his business interests, Mr. Pickup was active in civic and public affairs, serving the City of Holyoke as alderman in 1936 and 1937. He was also keenly interested in the promotion of recreational activities and fostered that interest through his active participation in lawn bowling competition, becoming the first Western Massachusetts winner of the New England Singles Lawn Bowling Championship.
W. PRINCE SMITH-A prominent broker of Pittsfield, W. Prince Smith has contributed much toward the financial and business growth of this city. His tireless energy and able managerial ability have merited the admiration and trust of a host of close personal friends and business associates.
Mr. Smith was born September 25, 1890, at Pitts- field, the son of William Otis and Gertrude Alice (Prince) Smith. His father owned the Pittsfield Steam Laundry, and both his parents were natives of Pittsfield.
W. Prince Smith received his elementary education in the local grade schools and was graduated from Pittsfield High School. He entered the University of Vermont, and, in 1913, he was graduated from that institution with the degree of Bachelor of Science.
After finishing his formal education, Mr. Smith became athletic director for the Holderness School at Plymouth, New Hampshire. He remained there for three years. In 1916, he worked as a bond sales- man for the Hayden Stone Company, of Boston. But, in 1917, the following year, he returned to Pitts- field and became associated with the firm of Swarthout and Appenzellar as resident manager at Pittsfield. In 1927, when Mr. Swarthout passed away, the firm was taken over by the brokerage firm of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Beane. Mr. Smith continued with this organization until 1933, at which time he switched his affiliations and became resident manager for the firm of Goodbody and Company, stockbrokers and members of the New York Stock Exchange. He has served this firm since with distinction. In addition to his other interests, he is a trustee of the City Savings Bank of Pittsfield.
Mr. Smith plays an active part in the life of his community. He is a member of the Country Club of Pittsfield and is one of the city's best golfers. While in college, he excelled in athletics, starring on the varsity baseball and football teams. He is a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. In religious affilia- tion he is an Episcopalian and attends St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.
On December 30, 1914, at Burlington, Vermont, W. Prince Smith married Blanche Mildred Pattridge, daughter of George Pierson and Martha Anne (Mil- ler) Pattridge, of Burlington. They became the par- ents of the following children: I. Paul, who was born July 30, 1923, at Boston, was graduated from the Pitts- field High School, attended the Berkshire School at Sheffield, and is now attending Yale University ; he served as a member of the Army Air Forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations from November, 1942, until March 1946. 2. Patricia, who was born April 15, 1925, at Pittsfield, was graduated from the Pitts- field High School and the Lasell Junior College at
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Auburndale, and was married to George Block Whit- tlesey at Pittsfield on August 18. 1945; he is the son of William and Helen (Block) Whittlesey.
JOHN F. MAGNER-For more than forty years a leading druggist of Pittsfield, John F. Magner has demonstrated admirable qualities of integrity and business acumen.
Mr. Magner was born in Pittsfield, and after com- pleting his formal training became associated with the American House Pharmacy, operated by Walter Dwyer, a widely recognized pharmacist. He remained with this prospering enterprise for a number of years, gaining valuable experience in the drug line. Later his true worth was recognized, and he became man- ager of Engstrom's, one of the largest drug companies in the city. When Ernest O. Engstrom, the owner, retired from active participation in the affairs of the enterprise, Mr. Magner took over the important position left vacant. Since Mr. Magner has become head of the business, it has experienced a substan- tial growth and development. For nearly two decades he has had as an associate Thomas F. Flynn, a veteran Pittsfield druggist, who fills prescriptions for Magner. It is estimated that more than one mil- lion prescriptions have been compounded at the estab- lishment. Recently Mr. Magner has made important improvements in the properties creating a modern and progressive aspect.
John F. Magner married Angeline LaChance, and they became the parents of one son, Frank Magner, who, like his father, is engaged in the pharmaceutical business, being the owner and operator of the Elm Street Pharmacy, situated at the corner of Elm Street and Holmes Road.
NATHANIEL NIRENSTEIN-As a boy Na- thaniel Nirenstein came from his native land with his parents and eventually became one of the prominent business men of Springfield, especially in the field of real estate. He is the founder of Nirenstein's Na- tional Realty Map Company, of this city, and the author of six different books on his specialty. With a wide variety of community interests he has been identified during the most of his career in Springfield.
Mr. Nirenstein was born in Russia, August 16, 1892, son of Moses and Dena (Zoratser) Nirenstein, both of whom were natives of Russia and passed away in Springfield. Moses Nirenstein received his educa- tion in Russia and served in the Russian Army; served on the town council, and after his marriage migrated to Hartford, Connecticut, where he became a mer- chant and member of the Jewish Orthodox Synagogue. Later he removed to Springfield, where he lived in retirement until his death. The paternal grandparents of Nathaniel Nirenstein were Isaac and Rachael Niren- stein, who spent their entire lives in Russia, where he was a banker, a very influential citizen, having served on the Czar's advisory council. Rachael Nirenstein was the daughter of a prominent rabbi and an educator in the city of Warsaw, Russia.
Nathaniel Nirenstein continued his education be- gun in his native land in Hartford, Connecticut, and before and after completing his education he became a newsboy on the railroad trains, and made good in a none too easy occupation. After several years he removed to Springfield, and tried his hand at selling
and handling real estate. Again his courageous e :. terprise and natural abilities came to the fore and for thirty-six years he has been the head of the realty business founded and continued under his own name, a most exceptional achievement. As indicated he like- wise was the founder and the proprietor of Niren- stein's National Realty Map Company, and down through the years has been the author of six publica- tions, namely: "Western Atlas," "National Atlas," "Canadian Atlas," "Middle Atlantic States Atlas," "New England States Atlas." He is also the author of "There Will Always Be a Main Street," "Problems of An Assessor," and "The Golden Real Estate Age." He is regarded as one of the outstanding authorities on central real estate in the United States.
Mr. Nirenstein along the lines of his major busi- ness interest is a member of the Springfield Real Es- tate Board, the Massachusetts Real Estate Board, and the National Association of Real Estate Boards. He has represented the city of Springfield on real estate taxation for many years. He figures prominently in the Springfield Chamber of Commerce; has been to the fore in war and civic drives, and is an independent Republican in politics. His religious affiliations are with the Beth El Temple. Some years ago his athletic impulse led him into bicycle riding, but his diversions of the present are golf and travel. Among his favorite clubs are the Oxford and the Probus.
On November 20, 1930, Nathaniel Nirenstein mar- ried Tessie Fisher, a native of Springfield, daughter of Jacob and Eva (Culvin) Fisher of this city, her father engaged as a wholesale paper merchant in Springfield. Mrs. Nirenstein was educated in the grade and high schools of Springfield and the Conservatory of Music in Boston. She is a member of Beth El Congregation and of various women's clubs and or- ganizations. Mr. and Mrs. Nirenstein are the parents of two children: I. Judith, born September 25, 1931, a student at Springfield High School. 2. David Joel, born November 27, 1933, attending grammar school.
HARRY GEORGE MELLEN, M. D .- A physi- cian and surgeon at Pittsfield, Dr. Harry George Mellen has engaged in that practice for almost four decades. This tenure, coupled with the fact that he has served as president of the Berkshire County Medical Society, is indicative of his standing within the profession and the community.
Harry George Mellen was born December 20, 1880, at Washington, New Hampshire, the son of George L. and Margaret R. (Fletcher) Mellen. George L. Mellen, who died at the age of eighty- six, was the inventor of Mellen's Eureka Turbine Water Wheel, a device of considerable import in the New England territory where water power is so fre- quently employed. Dr. Mellen was graduated from the Mount Hermon School and he then pursued pre- medical studies at Dartmouth College. He completed his formal training at the University of Vermont Medical School and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Medicine therefrom, in 1909. He under- went the customary period of internship in the House of Mercy Hospital of Pittsfield, during which period he made the decision to remain as a resident of that city.
Dr. Mellen established himself in the general
Hans brough Wellen
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practice of medicine and surgery at Pittsfield, in IgII, and is currently a member of the staff of both the House of Mercy and the Hillcrest hospitals. As has been stated, he is a past president, and still a member, of the Berkshire County Medical Society. He maintains memberships also in the Massachusetts Medical Society and in the American Medical As- sociation.
Aside from the foregoing professional affiliations, Dr. Mellen is a member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons, Mystic Lodge, Pittsfield; of the Alpha Kappa Kappa fraternity; and of the Thursday Evening Club. He and his family are adherents of the Methodist Church.
Dr. Harry George Mellen was married, at Pitts- field to Elinor M. Higgins, daughter of George W. and Louise (Stevens) Higgins. Dr. and Mrs. Mellen are the parents of an only child: H. John Mellen, M. D., who was born March 3, 1913, at Pittsfield; a graduate of Pittsfield primary and secondary schools, and of Dartmouth College, with the degree of Bache- lor of Science in 1934; studied medicine at the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania and was granted the Doctor- ate in 1938; following internship at the Albany Hos- pital in Albany, New York, he established himself in the specialized practice of gynecology and obstetrics at Albany; a captain in the Medical Corps, United States Army, he served during World War II, in Africa, Sicily, France and Germany; married Kay Roberts, of Poultney, Vermont; issue, two children, Harry John, Jr., and Susan Louise.
JOHN MATTHEWSON COLLINS - A promi- nent business man and executive of Springfield for many years, John Matthewson Collins has done much toward the improvement and progress of industry in this city.
Mr. Collins was born April 22, 1880, at Spring- field, son of William O. and Ann (Matthewson) Collins. An early member of the Collins family came to this country in 1636 from Plymouth, England, and settled at Cambridge. Noah Collins, grandfather of John Matthewson Collins, a farmer by occupation, spent his life at Somers, Connecticut. He married Elvira Billings, a native of Somers, and their son, Wiliam O. Collins, father of John Mat- thewson Collins, was born in 1842 at Somers, and died in 1901 at Springfield. He engaged in the coal business in Springfield, voted the Republican ticket, and was a member of the Hope Congregational Church. He married Ann Matthewson, daughter of John and Ann (Turvey) Matthewson. Her father was born at Hounslow, England, and died at Enfield, Connecticut; he was associated with the Hazard Powder Company, of Hazardville, Connecticut. Ann (Matthewson) Collins was born in 1849 at Hazard- ville, and died in Springfield.
John Matthewson Collins received his early educa- tion in the local schools of Springfield, and in 1900 he was graduated from the Springfield High School. Following the completion of his formal education, he became associated with the Morgan Envelope Company, where he remained three years, resigning to accept a position with the Knox Automobile Company. During the years in which he remained with the company he rose successively to increasing-
ly important positions until he was accepted factory manager. After having gained much valuable knowl- edge and experience, he became affiliated with Moore Drop Forging Company of Springfield in 1914. His ability and experience gained for him an excellent reputation, and throughout the years he gained one promotion after another with the organization. By 1938 he had become president and treasurer of the concern, the positions he holds at the present time.
In addition to his main business interest, Mr. Col- lins holds directorships and trusteeships in many important organizations. He is a director of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Springfield, the Springfield National Bank, the Package Machinery Company, the Hampden Grinding Wheel Company, and the G. & C. Merriam Company. He is a trustee of the Suffield Academy, of Suffield, Connecticut, and the Shrine Hospital for Crippled Children in Springfield.
Mr. Collins is active in the civic and social life of his community. He holds memberships in the Chamber of Commerce, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in which he is affiliated with the Melha Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and holds the thirty-second degree of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, the Colony Club, and the Longmeadow Country Club. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and he is a member of the First Congregational Church of Suffield, and serves on its board of trustees. He belongs to the Suffield Country Club, and his favorite recreation is fishing.
On September 12, 1906, at Springfield, John Mat- thewson Collins married Olive Butler, daughter of Charles B. and Helen (Chapman) Butler. Her father engaged in wholesale meat operations at Springfield. Mrs. Collins was graduated from the Springfield High School, holds memberships in the Springfield Women's Club, the Suffield Women's Club, and the Atlanta Club of Springfield, and with Mr. Collins attends the First Congregational Church of Suffield. John Matthewson and Olive (Butler) Collins be- came the parents of the following children: I. Morton B., who was born January 27, 1908, was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1930 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, attended Harvard Business College, and is at present associated with the Blair Manu- facturing Company, of Springfield, as its vice presi- dent; he married Audrey Johnson, of Nashville, Tennessee. 2. Edith L., who was born December 3, 1912, was graduated from the MacDuffie School in Springfield, and attended private school at Wellesley. She was married to Robert H. Avery, who is asso- ciated with the Moore Drop Forging Company, and they became the parents of the following children: i. Anne. ii. Carol.
JOHN HARTNEY FINN has had a quarter of a century's experience as attorney at law, since the time of his admittance to the Massachusetts State and Federal bars in 1924. His practice has been in North- ampton, and there he has established commercial connections as well, being a vice president and di- rector of the Northampton National Bank.
Mr. Finn was educated at Williams College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree, and at the
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law school of Harvard University, which granted him his degree of Bachelor of Laws. His practice in Northampton has been continuous. He married, October 3, 1936, at Montclair, New Jersey, Elizabeth Anne Murphy. Mr. Finn's offices are situated on Main Street in Northampton, in which city he also makes his home.
FRANCIS S. GOSPODAREK, M. D .- Dr. Fran- cis S. Gospodarek, physician and surgeon of Adams and a member of the staff of Adams Hospital and of the visiting staff of North Adams Hospital, was born in Albany, New York, October 2, 1898, the son of Andrew and Josephine Gospodarek.
Dr. Gospodarek attended the Christian Brothers Academy at Albany, after which he became a student at Fordham University in New York City, where he took his premedical work. His medical training was received in the School of Medicine of Boston Uni- versity, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He is a member of the Northern Berk- shire Medical Society, and the Massachusetts State Medical Society, and belongs also to the Polish Medical and Dental Association of America. Dr. Gospodarek takes a keen interest in a number of Polish-American organizations, among which are the Polish-American Congress of America, the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America, and the Polish National Alliance. He is also a member of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Society of Adams, and a director, as well as a member, of the Adams Lions Club. He is a director of the South Adams Savings Bank.
On October 1, 1920 at Pittsfield, Dr. Gospodarek was married to Carmella Backowski, the daughter of Zygmunt and Helen Backowski. Dr. and Mrs. Gos- podarek are the parents of five children, all born in Adams. Dr. and Mrs. Gospodarek and their family attend St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.
GUY K. SEARS-As district manager of the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, with offices lo- cated on Carson Avenue in Dalton, Guy K. Sears is active in the business life of that community. He has a varied background which includes extensive industrial experience, and is recognized among the membership of a number of local organizations.
Mr. Sears was born in Lenox on July 18, 1889, son of Charles M. and Lucy D. (Kendall) Sears, both of whom are living now in their early eighties. They still reside in Lenox. Charles M. Sears was in the grocery business in his earlier years, and for a long period of time served as cashier of the Lenox Sav- ings Bank.
Guy K. Sears attended Lenox High School and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, New York, concluding his formal education at Albany Business College in nearby Albany, New York. His first business connection, and one in which he remained for a period of thirty years, was with the Sawyer- Regan Company, woolens manufacturers, of Dalton, with which he was associated in various capacities. This provided much-needed business experience, of value to him in his subsequent successful enterprise in insurance. Since 1941 he has been district manager of the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, with offices in Dalton. Professionally he is affiliated with the Berk- shire County Underwriters Association.
Mr. Sears has been elected president of the Danton Rotary Club for the years 1948 and 1949. He is a member of the Unity Lodge, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and of the Wahconah Country Club of Dalton, and of the Automobile Club of Berkshire County. His church is the First Congregational of Dalton. As diversion from his business routines, Mr. Sears prefers the game of golf and model rail- roading.
Guy K. Sears was married, first, to Florence M. Purple, of Albany, New York, daughter of Dr. Wil- liam Purple, a physician, and Mary L. (Denison) Purple, the marriage occurring on June 8, 1915. Florence (Purple) Sears died November 4, 1947. They were the parents of two children: I. Guy K., Jr., born in Dalton, August II, 1919, attended Dalton High School, and graduated from Williston Academy at Easthampton and Wesleyan University at Mid- dletown, Connecticut, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1941. He served as a corporal in the Army of the United States during World War II, being in uniform from July, 1943 until March, 1946, and seeing action in the European Theater of Opera- tions. On November 1, 1941, Guy K. Sears Jr., married Esther V. Work, of Cummington, daughter of Eugene A. and Lavantia (Ford) Work, natives of Cummington. Esther (Work) Sears is a graduate of Bay Path Institute of Springfield. They are the parents of a daughter, Beverly Jean, born in Dal- ton, June 3, 1947. 2. Noel C., born in Dalton, Decem- ber 28, 1926. He too attended Dalton High, but graduated from Williston Academy, and while in attendance at Norwich University was inducted into the Army for service in World War II, and served in Korea. He is now attending Clark University at Worcester.
Guy K. Sears, Sr., married, second, Mrs. Hazel D. Mabel of Albany, New York.
GEORGE PUTNAM LEHMANN-The exten- sive plant of the General Electric Company at Pitts- field has long been one of the major industrial assets which figure in the prosperity of that busy and pleas- ant Western Massachusetts city; and the develop- ment of the plastics division of that great corpora- tion at its Pittsfield plant has made General Electric an even greater contributor to employment and prog- ress. George Putnam Lehmann, electrical engineer and manager of Interworks Sales of the Plastics Division, Chemical Department, of that organization, a tech- nician young in years but recognized as a leader in his field, is therefore a man of some importance in the affairs of the "Capitol of the Berkshires."
Mr. Lehmann is a New Englander by right, being, in the maternal line, a descendant of the renowned General Israel Putnam of Connecticut and of the Continental Army, one of the great heroes of the American Revolution. George Putnam Lehmann, however, was born, on July 23, 1910, at Omaha, Ne- braska. He is a son of Henry W. and Frances (Put- nam) Lehmann, his father being a retired govern- ment employee. George Putnam Lehmann grew up in Nebraska, where he graduated from Central High School of Omaha in 1928. In 1934, at Iowa State College, he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, and has also studied at the
Guy K. Sears
Peter D. Foley
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Lothrop School in Omaha, the Franklin School in the same city, and the Washington School at Pasa- dena, California.
During 1934 and early 1935 Mr. Lehmann was a field engineer for the State of Iowa, until, in the latter year, he first entered the service of the Gen- eral Electric Company as a student engineer. This was his status until some time in 1937, when he was assigned to special design and development work, especially in connection with impulse-proof distri- bution transformers. In 1939 he was made assistant to the chief engineer of General Electric's plastics division, and in 1940 he became plant engineer with that same division at the Meriden Works.
In 1941 came the call to the colors in World War II. Mr. Lehmann entered the United States Army Air Forces, with the rank of a first lieutenant. At first at- tached to the 38th Air Service Group, he was sub- sequently transferred to the 316th Air Service Group which he commanded until the end of hostilities in Europe. He served in England, North Africa, Sicily, Corsica and Italy, seeing action in the French Mo- roccan and Tunisian sectors of the North African Theater of Operations; at Naples, Foggia, Rome and the Arno; in the Northern Apennine Mountains of Italy, and in Southern France. At the time of his honorable discharge from the service in 1945, he had been advanced to the rank of colonel.
Returning to the plastics division of General Elec- tric in late 1945, Mr. Lehmann was made a staff assistant. In the following year he was advanced to assistant manager of the division, and in 1947 was appointed manager. In October 1948 he was named manager of Interworks Sales of the Plastics Di- vision, Chemical Department, the post which he holds today. Mr. Lehmann is a member of the So- ciety of the Plastics Industry and of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. Since 1933 he has held membership in the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, a professional society. Since 1931 he has also been affiliated with Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a social fraternity, at Evanston, Illinois. In 1948 he became a registered professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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