by Laurel | October 7th, 2014
06 December 1917
Charles D. Colson, Civil War Veteran Had Been Chairman of Republican City Committee 34 Years and Served in City Government
Charles D. Colson, 1846 – 1917
His Wife
Ellen Adams, 1847 – 1947
Delia Wright, 1810 – 1893
Mother of Charles D. Colson
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Charles D. Colson, 71, a prominent Holyoke citizen and one of the oldest Odd Fellows in the state, died late Sunday evening at a Northampton hospital where he had been for treatment. Born in Lowerll May 10, 1846, Mr. Colson went to Holyoke 45 years ago and was for nine years employed by the Lyman Mills Company as paymaster, and then with the Whitmore Manufacturing Company, where he was paymaster and bookkeeper 34 years, retiring January 1, 1915.
Mr. Colson was chairman of the republican city committee 34 years. He resigned two years ago. He was elected twice in the common council and twice to the Board of Aldermen from Ward 4. In 1876 and 1877 he was elected to the common council, and in 1878 and 1879 to the Board of Aldermen. During the last year that he was alderman he was acting mayor while William F. Whiting was abroad for six months. In 1893 Mr. Colson was elected water commissioner, and held this position six years. In 1898 he was chairman of the board.
George Webster, 1876 – 1966
His Wife
Janet Colson, 1884 – 1957
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Mr. Colson had an excellent military record. He enlisted at Lowell n Co. G, 6th Massachusetts volunteers. He served four years from 1865 to 1869. He then went to Holyoke, and in the better part of 1869 he enlisted in Co. K. 2d Massachusetts volunteers, and was made a corporal. On March 9, 1870, he was made 2d lieutenant. He was discharged November 28, 1876, when all of the officers of the militia were discharged by order of the court. Mr. Colson later enlisted in Co. D when that company was formed in 1878, and in 1879 was appointed regimental quartermaster, and was retired with the rank of captain on February 8, 1899.
Mr. Colson was president of the veteran firemen’s association for many years and was active at all musters. He was one of the oldest Odd Fellows in the state, being a member of Oberland Lodge of Oddfellows of Lowell. He joined this order 51 years ago. He was a life member of the Elks and a past sachem of Wampanoag tribe of Red Men.
Besides his widow, he is survived by a daughter by a first marriage, Mrs. Harry Putnam; an adopted daughter, Mrs. George (Jeannette) Webster, and a niece, Miss Alice Burt, all of Holyoke.
While only a mention of a funeral was found for Ellen Adams Colson in 1947, there may be an obituary in the Holyoke Transcript. Living to age 100 is certainly notable.
Adapted from The Springfield Republican.
