by Laurel | May 8th, 2012
Random Forestdale Cemetery Tombstone.
05 January 1913
Herbert E. and Laura E. (Smith) Ainley
Alderman Ainley Dies in Holyoke
Popular Member of Paper City Government Victim of Bright’s Disease
Deane Traffic Manager
Board of Aldermen to Act; Employees Adopt Resolutions; Grief Hastened Death
Alderman Herbert E. Ainley died at 8 o’clock this morning in the City Hospital of bright’s disease following a long illness. Grief over the death of his wife a year ago also hastened his death.
Mr. Ainley was about until a few weeks ago, when the illness became severe and the alderman was confined to his home. His condition became so serious that early in the present week friends determined to have him removed to the hospital and he was taken there on Wednesday. It was then plain that he could live but two or three days.
Mr. Ainley was born in Spencer 47 years ago, coming to this city in his yearly youth. After passing through the grammar schools he entered the employ of the Deane Steam Pump Company, where he had been engaged for 33 years, progressing from office boy through the various grades of the traffic department, until finally he was appointed manager of the branch. As traffic manager he had wide acquaintance among the railroad men and traffic managers of the country his ability and efficiency in this field being undisputed.
It was eight years ago when Mr. Ainley entered the field of politics, and the result was his election twice as alderman from Ward 6 on the Republican ticket. Subsequently, he was nominated by the Republicans as an alderman-at-large, and he would have begun next Monday morning the last year of his third term of two years in that capacity. During 1904, 1905, 1906, 907, 1908, 1909, 1911 and 1912 he served the city government. Nearly all of the time of his connection with the boar of aldermen his name was called first on roll calls, not infrequently a trying place, but he never was known to make speeches. He was satisfied with his vote, which expressed his attitude.
Alderman Ainley held membership in Hampden Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and he was just as popular with his fellow members of the order as with the colleagues of the city government and throughout the city. The marriage of Mr. Ainley and Miss Laura Smith of this city took place in 1887, Mrs. Ainley dying late in 1911. He leaves his mother, Mrs. Joseph Ainley of Northampton street, and two daughters, Mrs. Alphonse La France and Miss Beatrice Ainley of 144 Cabot Street.
Mr. Ainley and his daughter, Beatrice, who is 14 years old, have been inseparable companions since the death of the girl’s mother. It had become a common sight to see the two walking hand in hand along High Street, the marriage of the elder daughter cementing the parental companionship of the father and the younger child.
The following expression of regard for Mr. Ainley was prepared by his associates in the Deane plant:
“Mr. Ainley was well known to railroad men all over the country in his capacity as traffic manager for the Deane Steam Pump Company and ranked high among the traffic men of the country. His many years of service with the Deane Stem Pump Company made him thoroughly expert in the line of its work, and he was a valued and trusted employee, and became a walking encyclopedia as regards the business of the Deane Steam Pump Company. His loss is very much regretted by the management and by his fellow members of the office staff, with whom he had always been a general favorite in all his business relations and dealings.”
The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock, with services in the Second Baptist Church chapel, the body lying in the meanwhile in Alger’s undertaking rooms, where friends may view it. the aldermen assembled this evening to take suitable action on the death of Alderman Ainely. A floral tribute will be sent and a committee will represent the board at the funeral.
Adapted from The Springfield Republican.
