“Golden Roll” of Holyoke of Vast Interest

by Laurel | March 13th, 2014

08 March 1925

Holyoke City Directory 1876

Holyoke City Directory, 1876

Many Residents, Listed 50 Years Ago, Still Alive and Prosperous

Holyoke, March 7 — There lies on this desk as this is being written a book about the size of the old first reader in the “district school.” It is a directory of Holyoke for 1875-6 — 5o years ago. There are yet living in this city men and women whose names appeared in this directory. It would be a matter of great interest if those who are still living could be named as a sort of golden roll of Holyokers. It would take much research and much knowledge of all sorts and conditions of men to be able to make this roll complete.

Glancing through it one thinks perhaps about the first of John D. McElwain, whose birthday is celebrated the 17th of this month. Here it is: McElwain, J.S., treas. V. 1, Pap Co r Cottage blk, Maple St. A. F. Gingras’s name is there as an expressman, Perry block. Another man, who hasn’t changed a hair in appearance for 30 years at least, by the way, is George L. Bosworth, who was then paymaster at the Excelsior Paper Company. Principal W. E. Judd of the Morgan School was listed as “W. E. Judd, student, Amherst college, b. J. E. Kellogg.”

Many Others

All the Sheehans spelt their name in this directory with one “e.” Assistant City Marshal Timothy Haley was then employed by D. Haley, later to be foreman for John Delaney in his many enterprises. It was disappointing not to find the name of Ashton E. Hemphill — he must have arrived later. But Dr. H. O. Hasting’s name is there and as a dentist — he must hold pretty near the record for service in dentistry in this part of the state. Of the Prentisses, Roland T. Prentiss, “flour and feed, Crescent Street” s the only survivor. Atty. T. B. O’Donnell, then of Northampton had an office in Orrell’s block. John O’Connell then had a grocery store, corner Elm and Lyman and lived at “13 Lyman corp,” whatever that was. It is fascinating to look over the pages; without doubt there are scores of other, but these illustrate what might be found in it. The book is the property of Dr. Frank A. Woods. His name does not appear in it, naturally; but his father’s name is there, Dr. J. U. Woods, and many of the older physicians, who have long since gone to their own place.

Adapted from The Springfield Republican.

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