1880s Dwight Street, From Main

Dwight Street From Main, 28 January 2012

Top Photo, according to Terms of Use, ImageMuseum; Lower photo, © Laurel O’Donnell, all rights reserved.

The two year old child of Mr. and Mrs. John Johnston, who live at 87 Center Street, was suffocated by smoke at a fire at that place about 10:30 o’clock yesterday forenoon. The origin of the fire is something of a mystery, as both parents were absent, Mr. Johnston being at work and Mrs. Johnston making a call. Chief Lynch believes that the fire was started by ashes in a closet, but the father denies that hot ashes were put in that place. The fire had gained considerable headway when the alarm was sent in by a neighbor, and on the arrival of Chief Lynch a second alarm was sent in. After vigorous work the fire was got under control. In the rear of the block, which was owned by J. A. Peltier, are several wooden buildings that are not considered with favor by the fire department, but these were not touched. A feature of the fire was the daring rescue of the body of the little Johnston boy by Chief Riley of the ladder truck. Mrs. Johnston was nearly insane with fright, and on being apprised that a child was in the burning tenement Riley made his way into the room, and by crawling on the floor managed to read the boy, who was lying on the floor where he had fallen, overcome with the smoke. It was thought that the child showed signs of life, but he died before Dr. C. H. Curran, who was summoned, could reach him.  There was about $10,000 insurance on the building through the H. D. Buzzee and E. C. Clark agencies. The damage to the floors below will be principally by water. The building was a four story brick structure, and in the basement there was a store run by the owner of the block, J. A. Peltier. The Johnstons lost all of their household furniture, valued at $700, with no insurance. The alarm was sent in from box3, but through some mistake the box bounded 34 and misled the fire department, so that part of it answered the box on Maple Street.

From The Springfield Republican.

Ewing House in current location, 54-56 Clinton St., Holyoke

02 February 1925

Louis A. Turgeon of Holyoke Started Moving Business in 1883 and Has Been Moving ever Since — Takes a Man 10 to 12 Years to become Efficient Mover — Took Four Months to Move New York Church

Holyoke, Jan. 31—If at any time it is desired to move the Springfield Auditorium to the river bank or the Holyoke city hall to the Highlands; or the county courthouse to Holyoke it can be done. There is a firm in Holyoke that will cheerfully undertake the task. It has boon their business for 42 years, the moving of all kinds of buildings to all kinds of distances, whirling them around to face different angles, raising them up or letting them down as the desires of the owners,dictate. Louis A. Turgeon of Holyoke started this building movement, so to speak, in 1883 and has been at it ever since, though most of the active work is now carried on by his sons, Louis, Jr., Peter, Fred, Henry, John and Ernest. Each has served a long apprenticeship and each can take charge of the delicate problem of removing a building from one spot and setting it down in another without jar or fret.

All over the Connecticut valley the matter of moving buildings is so thoroughly associated with the Turgeon firm that the name conjures up the picture to the mind of building removal and the removal of buildings suggests the Turgeons. They are masters of the job and have no competitors about here. In every state in New England, in Now York state and states farther away they have operated with success. And it is no simple task to pick up a stone church weighing 8800 tons, move it 200 feet and let it down upon another foundation without disturbing any part of it, not even the big tower. That was one of their feats in Long Island.

Ten Years to Learn the Job

Very often they have eight or 10 jobs going on at the same, time. It takes at least 10 and sometimes 12 years to break in a man so that he will be first class and dependable at this job. In a way It Is as delicate as watchmaking, especially when brick and stone buildings are moved.  There are regularly about 25 men in the employ of the Turgeons and even after 10 years’ experience they often fail to qualify far executive positions. For as one of the Turgeon boys explained,  the moving; of buildings is wholly different from the construction of them. In the construction of them you have plans, specifications, blueprints and precedents to go by. But you can’t get or make or have any plans and blueprints for the moving of a building. Each building to be moved is a problem in itself; and while the Turgeon boys from long experience can size up pretty quickly just what has to be done and how, regarding the moving of any particular building, it is a sort of “catch as catch can” job. Things come up unexpectedly making a change in operations suddenly necessary or necessitating a delay from some unexpected obstacle. That is why the personal supervision of one of the Turgeons is necessary and why
one of them is on each job most of the time that it is in operation. Even the most experienced of their men will run across a problem once in a while that is too much for him to handle and he has to take it to the executive head.

As this is written the old George C. Ewing house, which is being moved from the Holy Cross grounds across the road is high up on a trestle work or cribbing 15 feet above the roadway and blocking it. If their usual success attains, it will be turned, part way around, facing in another direction, and be let down that 15 foot or so, coming to rest on its new foundation without a crack in the structure or a brick working loose. It is slow work of course; and like other similar jobs is attracting a lot of attention from those who pass by curious to see this two-story affair high up on the cribbing.

“What is your way of tackling a job of this sort?” was asked one or the Turgeons.

“Well, as I told you,” he answered, “we -have no plans or specifications to go by. We first, give the building a thorough examination, find out how its timbers lie, and its general construction. Then, if’ it. Is a brick or stone building. we find where we can knock holes in the walls for the steel beams or timbers to support it while it is being moved. I should say that the most important part of the building moving problem is to keep the building at all times perfectly level—all of it everywhere. To do this requires constant inspection and care. If a building is lower In one part than another even by the small part of an inch the walls and ceilings; are subject to strain; a crack is likely to result, and it does not take much of a crack in a brick building to start trouble.

“The next thing we do in to block, up the building and raise it very slowly to get it on the timbers along which it must be rolled. As the utmost care must be taken to keep the building level we have, to make allowances for the settling of the ‘cribs’ on which rest the timbers over which the building moves.”

“In the case of the Ewing building the cribs of 15 feet or so will sink about two inches and we make allowances for that. We use very hard rollers so that there will bo little or no give to them—wooden roller’s of pepperidge wood by preference. The actual moving is done in several ways, but generally by use of drums operated by man power in the’ more delicate jobs, otherwise, horses.

The moving of the First Presbyterian Church at Elmhurst, L.I. the Turgeons consider their masterpiece. No one in New York and its environs wanted to tackle it. To make room for a new boulevard, it was necessary that the church should be moved back 190 feet and raised four feet without disturbing a stone.  Moreover, it was made a part of the contract that the stained glass windows, which were imported from England 167 years, ago, and were of great value should be first taken out. But when it came to taking them out it was found that they were so deeply embedded in the stone, built into it in fact, that  it would about wreck the sides and ends of the church to take them out. But the Turgeons were game. They’ said they would move the church, windows and all.

They were required to give a bond of $150,000 and told to go ahead. Extra care was taken on this job. The land over which the cribbing was placed on which the church was moved was carefully tested foot by foot. The big tower was braced and careful estimates made as to the excessive weight of this compared with the main body of the church. It was figured that the cribbing and land under the tower would sink two inches more than the rest of it and such allowance was made throughout the work, “It was no guessing contest,” said, one at the Turgeons speaking of the work. “Everything, was carefully worked out. Our experience in moving buildings of all sizes and weights came to our aid. We had no fear of the result. And the building, which weighed 2800 tons was moved to its new location, raised four feet, set on its new foundation without a crack anywhere. For this job they charged $35000 with something like $10,000 for extras. Some of the figuring was done in the hundredths of an inch.

This job took about four months and about $35,o00 worth of apparatus was used on it. About 450 jackscrews were used  in lifting up the building, The hauling was done by drums operated by man power, this allowing for the greatest flexibility.

The  moving of buildings is not without Its amusing experience. The manse of the Presbyterian church at Elmhurst, L. I., was moved. also, though not so , far, but the land slanted so that after it had gone a little way the rear veranda was several feet higher from the ground than previously. The pastor, with all the dignity possible, walked out while the moving was going on and unconscious of the change started to go down where the back steps had been. The shouts of the workmen warned him and his blank look of astonishment as he saw what had happened was worth going miles to see. “Bless my soul,” he exclaimed, “I didn’t know they had even begun!”

When the approaches to the Memorial bridge in Springfield were being laid, one one-family building had to be moved back a few feet. The woman who lived there was very anxious to be informed when the moving would take place so she could get out.  Either accidentally or on purpose she was not notified; and she came to the front door after the change had been made and wither her eyes almost popping out, cried, “Good Lord, when did you do it!”

When the approaches to the Queensboro bridge were being prepared there were a large number of buildings to be moved and a contest arose over the moving. It was announced that the one who moved a building the quickest would get another job. The Turgeons did a fast job and moved the building of one man quite a distance, including turning around a corner of two in the time from morning until night. When night came, the man who lived there came to his home — to what was his home. There was nothing there but the cellar. He scratched his head and asked where his home had gone. No one seemed to know. He started for the city hall to find where it had gone and on the way ran into his house in its new location.

“How did you come to find us?” asked his wife.

I was on my way to city hall and found you by accident,” was the answer.

The Turgeons met with much success and moved scores of buildings which led to business in Long Island City and other places and finally to the work on the subways of New York, where they have had several huge contracts and are now working on another.

New Amsterdam Theater, 42nd Street, New York City, about 1904

It was while moving buildings at Long Island that the opportunity came to the Turgeon firm to tackle the job on the subway construction. The took the contract for shoring up the Amsterdam theater while a a new subway was being blasted underneath it. For months thousands visited this theater to see the Ziegfeld Follies, including many Holyokers without realizing that it was supported over blasting operations by timbers and beams furnished by this Holyoke firm. The building is 12 stories high and for that reason its supports had to go down many feet to bedrock. Steel beams and timbers 12 by 12 inches were used in this work, extending down 40 feet, The operation was successful. There was no mishap and the Turgeons are now shoring up another building at Forty-first street and Broadway, where a new subway is being constructed to relieve the Times Square shuttle subway now overcrowded.

Louis A. Turgeon, who founded this interesting. business about 1884 was a carpenter when he first came to Holyoke. It is an interesting fact that he shaped’ tho first timber that went into the Cabot-street building of the, Holyoke Water Power company, now owned by the Crocker McElwain people. Later he worked for Casper Ranger. He became interested in the building moving business through his uncle, the late Joseph Rainault of Westfield. He had been hi charge of a gang of men for Casper Ranger at the No 1 mill of the Parsons Paper company when he decided to make the change and too buy out a half interest from Rainault in his business. He didn’t have much money and went in debt for the larger part of the change and to buy out a half interest. After working with his uncle about six months he was dissatisfied and made an offer to buy the other half. His uncle demurred at first but finally sold him the rest of the business for another $750. He didn’t acquire much valuable property at that time and so for years had his jackscrews and other material for use in the business.

Frank Rivers, of Chicopee, later to become mayor, was his first real competitor. They both took jobs pretty low. Finally Rivers took a job at Palmer at too low a figure and sunk several hundred dollars in it. That sickened him of this sort of contract work. He called Turgeon to his office and offered to sell out. He named a figure, Turgeon named a lower —and  bought. In one or two other cases, a competitor started up but was unable to stand the pace. Meantime the business kept growing. His work spread to Northampton. and other places.

He bought out a West Springfield man  early in his career and developed new lines. When the owners of the old Wolcott block, now part of the McAuslan & Wakelin building at the corner of High and Dwight Streets, wanted to change the front and eliminate the door, they asked, Turgeon if he could shore it up and allow the changes to be made. “Why, certainly,” he answered; but as a matter of fact he had never tackled a  job just like it,  and he said this week with a smile that he used about twice as much blocking and apparatus as he would today. “I never was afraid to tackle a new proposition,” he said, “I figured that a little sense coupled with my experience with building construction knowledge and plans would carry me through. And it always did.”

Up in Northampton he took a job of shoring up a building while a new street floor and walls were being put in, in such a way that those in the upper floors could continue their work. They asked me how I was going to do it. I told them politely but firmly that that was my business.

“You see,” he added, “I once lost a job by telling a man how I proposed to do it. It was a small chimney shoring Job and after telling him he said he would let me know. The next thing I knew he had done the work according to my plans and I was out of a job. Since that time I have never told how I proposed to tackle a job. Sometimes I didn’t exactly know myself until I had studied it There are all kinds of problems, every job 1s different, but if one uses his brains he can get through all right,’”

“What are some of the longest distances that you have moved buildings?” Mr. Turgeon reflected a moment. “Well, one of the first jobs  of some distance was the moving of St Patrick’s church in 1892 in South Hadley Falls.” (It will be news to some of the younger’ people at the Falls that the church was ever moved.) It formerly stood upon tho hill, near Martin J. Judge’s house on North Main street. The cribs were so high, 12 feet, and the church so wide that the traffic passed under the church all the time that it was going down the street to the present location. I told the priest to move all the images that might be in the church, but he forgot one. One day I heard a crash and I thought, ‘”That church spire has fallen through.”  I so I went out back of the cribbing to see how extensive the damage was. The spire was still there, so I felt better, I then went into the church and found an image in broken bits on the floor.

Article adapted from The Springfield Republican, New Amsterdam Theater image from loc.gov, use of Ewing house image according to the owner’s specified rules of creative commons © Martin Ewing, descendant of George Ewing.

Groundhog Day

02 February 1916

Holyoke has lost all faith in the ground hog as a weather prophet since the experience of the past week or so and any ground hog or hog of any other species, who on the appointed day rises up on their hind legs and state that the back bone of the winter is broken will hereafter be treated with contumely and disdain. The Holyoke thermometers dropped to 13 degrees below zero or lower during the past week which is a record for the winter and is about as low as the mercury usually gets in this section. It is true that unofficial thermometers have chills now and then and register Arctic weather but the staid and conservative thermometer at the Holyoke weather station is not influenced by those spasms.

The past week the official thermometer itself registered about as much cold as any of its less steady brothers in the city. There was enough cold weather to put a crimp in a number of the local coal bins and the outlook for the coming season is not wholly pleasing, it being freely stated that coal will be up another notch for the coming season, it costing more and more each year for the citizen to keep himself warm. The time has not yet arrived when the houses can be heated as cheaply by electricity as by the use of coal but the gap between the costs of the two is growing less each year.

From The Springfield Republican.

City Hospital, Holyoke, Mass.

01 February 1902

The department reports of the city hospital the past year show a decided gain in the patronage of that institution. The financial report has already been published. It will be noted that there were 383 patients admitted during the year, to 312 the year previous, a gain of over 70. The report of the aid association shows that 22 indigent patients have been assisted, at an expenditure of about $500. The furnishing committee has had much to do in replacing broken or worn-out furniture, $400 having been expended.  Much assistance in the way of furnishings has been given by the women of the Second Congregational, Second Baptist and Oakdale sewing societies. About $2000 was received from Mrs. William Whiting’s activities in behalf of the hospital. William Whiting, president of the hospital association, makes a brief report, in which he calls attention to the harmony in the conduct of all the departments of the hospital. “The increasing appreciation of the hospital is shown by the fact that we have had a much larger number of patients than usual, and the efficiency is shown by the small death-rate. This satisfactory condition has been produced because the people of the city generally have taken an interest in putting this institution upon a substantial working basis. The people have given their money, and physicians have given their time, and the officials at the hospital the very best service.” Hope is expressed that the $3000 fund given by J. H. Appleton of this city, and one of $2500 by Alexander Day, late of Holyoke, will be increased by other contributions. The report of the superintendent of the hospital shows a total of 383 patients at the hospital the past year. Of these, 20 were confinement cases, all of which were successful. The summary of the year’s work is as follows, as compared with the year previous, the past year’s figures being given first, followed by those of the year before: Total number admitted during the year, 383, 312; discharged during the year, 360, 283; number of deaths during the year, 24, 28; total number of patients treated during the year, 411, 334; daily average number of patients, 24.73, 19.96; largest number of patients any one day, 39, 30; number of medical cases treated, 117, 155; number of surgical cases, 242, 146; number of obstetrical cases, 24, 28; number days’ treatment, all cases, 9031, 7286. There were four patients upon whom the X-rays were used during the year, and the average stay in the hospital of each patient was 22.57 days. The number of male patients was 177, and female 225.

From The Springfield Republican.

The first wedding to take place in Grace Church was that of Mathilda, daughter of William Engel to Paul Theilig. The ceremony was performed by Rev. F. P. Remhold in the presence of a large number of friends. The bride was prettily dressed in a gown of white organdie. Misses Koegel, Bluemer and Engle acted as bridesmaids and the ushers were Harriet Stratton and Mabel Whiting. After a short wedding trip Mr. and Mrs. Theilig will reside at  656 Bridge Street.

From The Springfield Republican.

Shad

01 February 1895

The old fishway that has stood for over 20 years at the east end of the dam is doomed, for it will have to be torn out of the way when the water-power company gets thoroughly at work on the dam. The company has asked the Legislature to take notice of the facts, and permit it to be abolished. As far as being of any use is concerned, the fishway may be destroyed and not be missed. It was built to accommodate the shad when they wished to go up the river to spawn, but as far as anyone knows, not a shad has been taken north of the dam since the way was built. There have been fish seen in the pools at the base of the dam, but they are few in number, as the pound nets of the Nutmeg State fishermen catch nearly every one that comes along. The pollution of the water by sewage of all the cities and towns along the Connecticut has discouraged much migration of fish. This work was put it 21 years ago and cost about $30,000. The way has a fall of one foot in 15, and it has a total fall of 28 feet, because it enters the dam. Thus it is about 430 feet long. and the lone fish that attempts to go up has to travel many feet more. They way is 16 feet wide and is broken by partitions, so that the current is not too swift at any time. The course is serpentine and plenty of water has been afforded in the way. It is always sufficient unless the water gets more than two feet below the crest. The company has been obliged to keep the way in repair, and has spent much money on it that has probably been useless. The fishermen who go up the river for their sport do not think that the way is of any practical value. The state authorities had also spent considerable money on the place.

From The Springfield Republican.

Passes Away At House of Providence Hospital

Miss Annie Sheaffer, 54, widow of Abner Sheaffer, died January 30 at the House of Providence Hospital. She was a member of Endeavor Temple, Pythian Sisters, and the Women’s Relief Corps. She leaves four sons, George W., Ralph G., Robert A., all of this city, and Edward D. of Chicago, and two daughters. Esther B. and Josephine M., also of Holyoke. The funeral will be held at Foster’s funeral parlors Monday afternoon. Rev. E. B. Robinson will officiate and burial will be in Forestdale.

From The Springfield Republican.

Permanesque House, Corner of Northampton and Madison, 1932

31 January 1932

Follows Lines of Old English Country House

Holyoke’s First Example of Permanesque Home Construction is Thoroughly Modern in Every Detail

The Permanesque type of fire-safe residential construction will be given another interesting demonstration beginning today when the attractive new nine-room residence of the English country house type, recently completed at Northampton Street and Madison Avenue, Holyoke, is to be opened for public inspection by A. Choinere & Sons of Holyoke, the builders. The house enjoys tho distinction of being the first of Permanesque construction to be built in Holyoke.

The house, completely furnished throughout, will be opened at 2 o’clock this afternoon and remain open until 10 o’clock this evening. Thereafter It will be open every day, Sundays included, from 10 a. m. to 10 p. m., during the entire month of February. Florimond and Armand Choiniere, who have had personal supervision of the work during the entire period of construction, will be present during the opening clay, and will spend a major portion of their time there during the coming month.

Located in the very heart of the attractive Highland Park section of Holyoke, the house sits perfectly with its immediate surroundings. Of masonry, steel and concrete construction, it follows the popular English country house type of construction in every detail so far as exterior lines are concerned, while the interior arrangement conforms perfectly to the modern residential needs of houses of this character.

The walls are of antique face brick over hollow concrete building tile, with double dead air spaces to provide maximum insulation against heat, cold and moisture, The gables and dormers are of stucco, while the entrance is outlined with Harvest Hill sandstone. Tho roof is of variegated asbestos shingles with butts of varying thicknesses, giving the effect of a roof of many-colored slate. Steel casement windows have been used throughout.

From the outside the house gives no indication of its roominess, but when one first steps into the small entrance hall and from there into the well-lighted octagonal reception hall beyond, this roominess is immediately apparent. At the left of the hall is the living room, a rectangular room measuring 14.0 ,by 23 feet and occupying virtually the entire front wing. The arch opening into the room, as with all other arches throughout the house, is of the English three-point arch type. The color scheme and textured wall finish is uniform in the reception hall, stair hallway, living- room and the den opening from the opposite side of the hall from the living room.

In the living room wall light fixtures furnish the principal means for illumination, although a wealth of convenience outlets allow for an almost unlimited number of floor lamps. The room is heated with concealed radiation in the wails, as are all other rooms, At the end of the room is a fireplace of the “super-heater” type, framed with Harvest  Hill sandstone, with a lintel of the same stone, and an arched niche above. The floor is of inlaid rubber, as are all of the floors throughout the house, The floor design for the living room is in teakwood effect with a double feature strip. Two French doors open upon the terrace which extends the length of one side and across the Northampton Street front.

Across the reception hall is the den, entered through an open arch doorway, while to the left is the open entrance to the stair hallway. Opening from the latter in the dining room, one of the “show” rooms of the house. In this room the textured wall effect has not been carried out, but in its stead a striking effect in wall decoration has been produced through the use of an imported German salubra textured paper. It is difficult to describe its almost iridescent effect, for it changes with virtually every variation of light. The design is imposed on a washable parchment paper of unusual width with the delicate color pigments worked into a background of gold. The floor consists of red marbleized rubber blocks with a border of reddish brown. The ceiling is of sand- finished plaster with cove moldings. A French dope opens on the terrace.

Between the dining room and the kitchen Is an ample butler’s pantry. Here and in the kitchen the cabinets and other woodwork are finished in mink green to conform with the sink. with walls finished in chrome. Curtis woodwork has been used throughout, including the cabinets. The stove recess has been furnished with a smoke vent while provisions have been made for the use either of an electric or gas range. Included in the kitchen equipment is an enclosed chute lending to the incinerator located in the basement, and a package and milk receiver.

Beyond the kitchen Is roomy laundry equipped with set tubs, wall ironing board cabinet and numerous electric and gas outlets for modern laundry equipment. A clothes chute from the second floor opens into the laundry. The room opens on a service porch In the rear, beyond which is the service yard. Opening off the laundry is a fire-safe door opening into the double garage, equipped with double folding overhead doors.

The stairway leading to the second floor in quite distinctive. It curves up from the stair hallway to a halfway landing, where the stairs divide, one rising to the left to the family portion of the house, while a second directly in front leads to the guest suite. By means of a door in the small hall at the top of the latter flight the guest suite may be isolated from the other chambers.

The master’s bedroom occupies the entire wing directly over the living- room and is of approximately the same dimensions. The floor is of steel grey marbleized rubber with a feature strip of gray and black. The paper is a rare early English pictured design. A fireplace with a Sandstone mantel is a feature while the mirror-back wall light fixtures, together with a center fixture, provide excellent lighting. There are two large clothes closets and a trunk closet. The bath is finished in white the w!th Jet black. fixtures, including the light fixtures of torch design. The shower occupies a tiled alcove, as does the lavatory.

The center bedroom Is finished in ivory and maroon, including the floor pattern. The paper is of a delicate chintz flowered design, etched In maroon on an ivory background. The rear bedroom floor combines blue with ivory in a spatter design, with a peach-colored paper of a smart star design. The bathroom serving these two rooms is finished in dark green and ivory, with orchid fixtures. The tub and shower of new classic design occupy an alcove. Both the floor and the wall for two-thirds of its height are finished in rubber tiling.
The guest suite consists of a large bedroom measuring 12 by 17 feet, a boudoir alcove and separate bath. The wallpaper is a large diamond pattern In dull blue relieved with flowered figures, the whole suggesting a bright English pattern. The floor is blue-green, with a dark marbleized border. The guest room bath is equipped with salmon-colored wall tiling with mink green fixtures and with upper wails of travatine. An electric wall heater is included in the room’s equipment, which is true also of .the other baths.

Although the house is classified as a nine-room residence the basement offers additional rooms. Beneath the living room is a recreation, lounging or game room which is a feature in itself. It is of virtually the same dimensions as the living room, with an arched fireplace at the end equipped with an electric log. A large pantry opens off the room. At the rear is a children’s playroom while flanking it is a room of equal size which may be used as a clothes drying room. Off the dry room is a vegetable cellar equipped with an outside window for light and ventilation. The heater room is separated from the rest of the house by a fireproof wall. It is equipped with an oil-burning heater with an independent aquastat hot water unit for use during summer months. A radio-stat has been provided to prevent interference with radio reception.

Although the roomy attic has not been finished off it provides sufficient space for at least two rooms and  a bath to be used an servants’ quarters. It likewise is possible for a portion to be used as a tiny theater for the showing of “home movies,” as has been done in the case of numerous houses erected recently. A wide and finished stairway leads from the second floor hallway to this attic area.

The furnishings throughout the house have been kept perfectly consistent with the interior architectural design. Raymond Rock of Springfield furnished and supervised the installation of the draperies and curtains throughout the house and at the same time, assisted in selecting the room furnishings. The furniture has been, installed by several Holyoke dealers.

From the Springfield Sunday Union and Republican.

Hampden Lumber Company

A. E. Gross & Co.

Highland Paint & Wallpaper Co.

]]> http://holyokemass.com/2012/01/31/modern-adaptation-of-colorful-english-country-house/feed/ http://holyokemass.com/2012/01/31/tombstone-tuesday-thomas-upson/ http://holyokemass.com/2012/01/31/tombstone-tuesday-thomas-upson/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:01:03 +0000 Laurel http://holyokemass.com/?p=3803 Random Smiths Ferry Cemetery Tombstone

Thomas Upson - Esther Dickinson

Thomas Upson

1862 - 1845

Esther Dickinson

His Wife

1864 - 1847

With Their Children

From The Springfield Republican, 31 July 1845.  Died, At Northampton, July 21, Mr. Thomas Upson, aged 83.

Appears to be a newer replacement tombstone, located in Smiths Ferry Cemetery, Route 5, Holyoke MA.  This Cemetery is on the Holyoke-Northampton line.  Originally it was Northampton land but was later annexed to Holyoke. Any existing death records would likely be found in Northampton, Hampshire County, MA.