Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA - Genealogy

Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA

Where is Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA? 

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1. PITTSFIELD. [Pop. 8,747. Inc. 1761.]    Pittsfield was granted to Boston, and called Boston Plantation, No. 3. The Indian name of this town was Poontoosuck, and it was named Pittsfield, in honor of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, an English statesman, who eloquently defended the colonies against the oppressive measures of the British government. The inhabitants were twice driven away by the Indians and French. The town is situated in a valley, between two ranges of mountains, and the soil is excellent. Several branches of the Housatonic unite in this township, and furnish abundant water-power. The chief manufactures are woollen and cotton goods, muskets and carriages. Much wool also is raised, and the land is highly cultivated. Distance from Lenox, 6 miles ; from Boston, 125. Source: An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1865 article genealogybank.com  "In one short street in Pittsfield, Mass., there are nineteen marriageable young ladies, and not an offer. Chicago will supply the nineteen offers on demand - so says a Chicago paper." Date: February 09, 1865 Location: Massachusetts Paper: Pittsfield Sun

1869 Article genealogybank.com  "An apprentice boy in Pittsfield, Mass., who was exceedingly fond of mince pies, was told by a lady that she would give him one if he would sit upon the stove while she counted 100. He got the pie and two big blisters besides." [Pittsfield; Mass] Date: June 12, 1869 Location: Minnesota Paper: Minnesotian-Herald

1871 article genealogybank.com  "The Pittsfield Mass., Eagle has unearthed the mean man of that village. He is 50 years old, worth $15,000, has driven all his four boys away from home by his stinginess and general cussedness, and when one of them was fatally hurt lately, refused to bring him home. When his wife did bring him, he refused both admission to the house and turned his only daughter out of doors beside, because she went to visit her dying brother. She then bought a trunk, into which she packed her few clothes and went to another town, to a relative's. The old man found she had not paid for the trunk, and did so out of his own pocket, and then sent an officer to the town where she was to attache the trunk and bring it to Pittsfield. If the devil don't get such a man as that, what is the use of having any devil? - Springfield Republican" Date: August 10, 1871 Location: New Hampshire Paper: New Hampshire Sentinel

1879 article genealogybank.com  "Two women were caught in men's clothes stealing rare plants from a conservatory at Pittsfield, Mass.; and a visit by officer to their home, a few miles from town, revealed the fact that it was filled with stolen flowers. Unable to honestly gratify their love of the beautiful, they had put on trousers and become thieves to do so." Date: August 16, 1879 Location: Michigan Paper: Kalamazoo Gazette

Pittsfield Massachusetts, 1890 A Gazetteer of the State of Massachusetts, with Numerous Illustrations Rev. Elias Nason, M.A.; revised and enlarged by George J. Varney. Boston: B.B. Russell. 1890, 724 pages  "PITTSFIELD, the seat of justice in Berkshire County, is a large flourishing town, distinguished for the beauty of its scenery, its noble farms and elegant residences. It lies in the middle section of the county, 15l miles from Boston on the Boston and Albany Railroad, which sends a branch from this town to North Adams. Pittsfield is also the northern terminus of the Housatonic Railroad, running southward to Bridgeport in Connecticut. The regular stations are Pittsfield, for both roads; while the first has also Shaker Village, at the southwest corner of the town, and the Junction and Coltsville in the east and northeast. The post-offices are Pittsfield (centre) West Pittsfield and Pontoosuc. The other village are Allendale, Arrow Head, Barkersville, Bel Air, Bobtown, Holmesdale, Packardsville, Stearnsville and Tillotson's. Some of these are connected with the centre by a street railroad." "This town is bounded on the north by Lanesborough, east by Dalton and Washington, south by the last, Lenox and Richmond, and west by Hancock. The assessed area is 24,441 acres, of which but 3,916 acres are forest. Although lying in a valley amid lofty mountains, the town is more than 1,200 feet above sea-level, and consequently has a cool and bracing atmosphere. South Mountain, in the southern part, affords a fine view of the wide-spreading valley, with its lakes, streams and villages, and the divergent and picturesque ranges of Taconic and Hoosac mountains which rise as bulwarks on every side. Onota Lake, northwest of the central village, is a beautiful sheet of water covering about 550 acres. On its western side are marble quarries. Pontoosuc Lake, on the northern border, of equal size, has an outlet southward called Pontoosuc River; which, uniting just south of the centre with Stearn's Brook from the west, and the Branch from the northeast, forms the beautiful Housatonic River. Pittsfield Village is a quaint old place, with broad streets generously shaded by lofty elms. Through it runs the principal avenue of the town in nearly a straight line from Pontoosuc Lake to Lenox-on-the-Heights, six miles southward. The Potsdam rock and Levis limestone constitute the geological structure; and beds of iron ore, marl and brick-clay are found in several localities. The rich alluvial lands along the numerous streams are very fertile. Fruit and nut trees abound." "The value of the aggregate product of the 215 farms in 1885 was $351,957. The manufactures are numerous. There is a cotton mill employing, in 1885, 94 persons; 7 woollen mills employing 1,180; 2 silk mills employing 40 persons; a knitting mill employing 48; 2 paper mills employing 59 persons; a clock factory employing 66. Ninety-six persons were engaged in making machinery, and iron and other metallic goods; and 62 in making carriages and harnesses. Other manufactures were house lumber, boxes, furniture, leather, wrought stone, toilet articles, beverages, meats and other food preparations. The value of the textiles made was $1,725,280; of iron and other metallic goods, $378,137; of wooden goods, $50,246; of clothing, $431,965; and of food preparations, $283,482. The value of the aggregated manufactures was $4,488,271. The capital stock of the three national banks amounted to $825,000; and the savings bank, at the close of last year, held $2,325,847 in deposits. The population was 14,666,—which included 3,283 legal voters. The valuation in 1888 was $9,893,959; with a tax-rate of $16.80 on $1,000. The number of dwelling-houses taxed was 2,480. The newspapers of Pittsfield are the "Daily Evening Journal," and the weekly "Journal," and the "Berkshire County Eagle," which have a large circulation." "Several of the public school-houses are fine structures. The schools are excellent; and the high school is supplemented by a normal and training school. The commercial college and the family and day school for young ladies are important institutions. The Congregationalists have here three churches; the Roman Catholics two; the Protestant Episcopalians, the Methodists and the Baptists, one each. Two or more of the edifices are of stone, some of brick; and several are unusually attractive. There is also the Shaker house of worship in their village. The House of Mercy is a cottage hospital, the admirable work of an association of ladies. The Berkshire Life Insurance Company has here a very handsome building of Nova Scotia freestone. The Old Maplewood Institute, occupying an embowered eminence south of the centre, has long been an object of pleasant regard. There are fine old mansions and interesting places in every quarter of the town. The Academy of Music and the Berkshire Athenæum are large and beautiful buildings. The latter contains cabinets of ethnology and history and of natural history, and a public library of upwards of 16,000 volumes. The public buildings of a civil nature are the town-hall, the court-house and the county jail." "The Indian name of this place was Pontoosuc, signifying "a run for deer." The territory was originally granted to Boston in 1735, and was called "Boston Plantation" until it was purchased by Col. Jacob Wendell in 1737, when it became "Wendell's Town." The actual settlement was commenced in 1752; and in 1758 there were about 20 log-cabins in the place. On the 21st of April, 1761, it was incorporated as a town, named in honor of the illustrious William Pitt, Lord Chatham. In 1764 the first church was organized, and the Rev. Thomas Allen ordained as pastor. He was succeeded in 1814 by his son, the Rev. William Allen, D.D.; who was subsequently president of Bowdoin College, in Maine, and author of the first american dictionary of biography. It is said that the first broadcloths ever made in America were woven in this town in 1804. The mill was established by Mr. Arthur Schofield, who came here from England in 1800." "Among other distinguished citizens of Pittsfield were Ezekiel Bacon (1776-1870), a graduate of Yale, a lawyer and M.C.; John W. Hurlburt (d. 1831), an able lawyer and M.C., a leader of the Federal, as Mr. Bacon was of the Democratic party; Rev. Heman Humphrey, D.D. (1769-1861), a graduate of Yale, author and president of the collegiate institute which afterward became Amherst College; George Nixon Briggs (1796-1861), Congressman, judge, and governor of Massachusetts; and William Miller (1781-1849), the noted leader of the Millerites."

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT MIRACULOUSLY ESCAPES DEATH FROM AN ELECTRIC CAR WHICH RUNS DOWN HIS CARRIAGE AND KILLS SECRET SERVICE AGENT.   EXECUTIVE CAUGHT IN WRECK AND BRUISED. BRAVE GUARD AND THE DRIVER ARE MANGLED. SECRETARY CORTELYOU ALSO RECEIVES INJURIES. "Pittsfield, Mass., Sept. 3. -- The President of the United States escaped a tragic death by only a few feet in a collision between his carriage and an electric streetcar in this city today, while one of his most trusted guards, Secret Service Agent WILLIAM CRAIG, was instantly killed and DAVID J. PRATT of Dalton, who was guiding the horses attached to the vehicle, was seriously injured. President ROOSEVELT himself was badly shaken up, but received only a slight facial bruise." "Secretary CORTELYOU, who occupied a seat directly opposite the President in the carriage, sustained a minor wound on the back of his head and Governor CRANE, who sat beside the President, escaped without a scratch." "The carriage was demolished by the impact of the rapidly moving car and the wheel horse on the side nearest the car was killed. The crew and passengers of the car escaped injury." "The President and party were driving from this city to Lenox, through South Street, one of the principal thoroughfares of Pittsfield, which was lined with cheering people, and the catastrophe happened in plain view of hundreds whose happiness at the advent of the nation's chief was suddenly turned to grief." "Thousands had poured into the city in the early morning from the country to see and hear the President, and his address at the City Park had been loudly cheered. At the conclusion of the exercise he wished to make a brief call on former Senator Dawes, whose house in Elm Street is but a short distance from the park. The President's carriage, on which he had ridden in from Governor Crane's home at Dalton, was accordingly driven to the Dawes residence and carriages containing a number of other gentlemen in the party followed. President Roosevelt's call was a short one and then the carriage returned to the City Square." "After a few minutes delay the journey to Lenox was begun. Meanwhile the mounted escort of police officers and the carriages containing the newspaper correspondents, who have accompanied the President on his tour, had started off ahead on the road to Lenox and were some distance in advance of the President's equipage. Three or four other open carriages fell in line immediately behind the landau, in which the President rode with Secretary CORTELYOU and Governor CRANE. Secret Service Agent CRAIG, who, through the New England trip, has been almost constantly at the President's elbow, was on the driver's box beside Coachman PRATT." "Out through South Street is a broad highway. The tracks of the Pittsfield electric street railway are laid in the center of the road, with ample room for the teams on each side, and scores of vehicles of every description followed along this road behind the President's party. Shortly after he left the park an electric car which had been filled with passengers at that point started toward Lenox well behind the procession. It passed all of the teams and was about a mile and a half out from the city at the beginning of Howard Hill and was nearly up to the President's carriage, which was traveling on the west side of the highway." "Just at the foot of Howard Hill the road bends a little and teams are compelled to cross the street railway tracks to the east side. The railroad then continues alongside of the street instead of in the center. Just at this point the upgrade of the hill begins, and but a short distance beyond the crossing there is a narrow bridge spanning a small brook." "The trolley car approached the road crossing under a good head of speed, with gong clanging, just as the driver of the President's carriage turned his leaders to cross the tracks." "On each side of the executive's carriage rode two mounted troopers of the local cavalry company, and the horseman on the left for the landau had turned on to the track with the trolley car immediately behind him. Alarmed by the clanging gong, they both turned in their saddles and waved vigorously to the motorman to stop his car. Almost at the same instant Governor CRANE who quickly perceived the danger, rose to his feet and likewise motioned to the motorman." "The latter in great excitement desperately tried to stop his car, but it was too late. It crashed into the carriage as a loud moan went up from the frenzied on-lookers who thronged the roadside and who but a moment before were cheering the President." "The horsemen managed to get the frightened animals out of the way just in time, and the car struck the rear wheel of the carriage on the left side and plowed through to the front wheel of the vehicle, which received the full force of the blow. The carriage was upset and one horse fell dead on the tracks. The other three powerful grays attached to the vehicle started to run, and, dragged by them and pushed by the force of the car, the wrecked carriage was moved thirty or forty feet." "CRAIG fell from his seat immediately in front of the car and it passed completely over his body. Driver PRATT in falling struck the dead horse immediately in front of him and rolled off clear of the car, thus escaping a similar fate." "President ROOSEVELT, Governor CRANE and Secretary CORTELYOU were thrown together in the bottom of their carriage. Almost instantly a score of men jumped to the heads of the frightened horses and stopped their further progress. Governor CRANE was the first to get on his feet, escaping entirely unhurt. He turned immediately to the President, helped the latter to arise and together they assisted Secretary CORTELYOU." "The President's lip was cut and blood was flowing from the wound. His clothing was much disarranged and he was severely shaken up. Secretary CORTELYOU had a severe wound in the back of his head, from which blook was flowing freely. The President quickly regained his composure and the three soon after repaired to the residence of Charles R. Stevens, near the scene of the accident. CRAIG'S body was found just behind the car. His shoulders and chest were crushed and the body frightfully mangled." "Driver PRATT was found unconscious in the road. His shoulder was dislocated, his ankle sprained and his face badly cut and bruised. He was immediately placed in a carriage and taken to the House of Mercy, where he was attended by Doctors Flynn and Paddock who tonight say that he will recover." "CRAIG'S body was taken to the residence of Mrs. B. Stevens, adjoining the house which the President had occupied with Governor Crane and Secretary Cortelyou, and later was removed to undertaking rooms in this city. But a few moments after the collision, Drs. Colt, Thomas and Woodruff arrived and attended the President and his secretary." San Francisco Call California 1902-09-04

BERKSHIRE COUNTY. PITTSFIELD. Freight Handler Injured.   "John W. Bline, a freight handler employed by the Boston and Albany railroad company, sustained a deep scalp wound and a number of severe bruises late yesterday afternoon by falling from the freight-house platform to the track below. Mr. Bline was engaged in carrying a box from the car to the freight-house when the accident occurred, one of the wheels of the truck he was pushing rolling off the narrow runway and overturning the load. He was cared for at his home on John street by Dr. C. H. Richardson, and will be laid up several days." Springfield Republican, Springfield, MA 20 Sept 1905

MISS ROBINSON’S BODY FOUND. Recovered From Pontoosuc Lake Early Yesterday Afternoon — Clothing Did Not Catch Fire.    At 2:30 yesterday afternoon the body of Miss Lucy May Robinson, who was drowned Tuesday night in Pontoosuc lake following the burning of the launch Gwendolin, was brought to the surface. The grappling-irons used by Police Sergeant Flynn and Officer McColgan caught in the skirt of the young woman’s dress, also the top of one of her shoes. The body was found at a point about 1000 feet from the Francis island, the water at that point being about 20 feet deep and well filled with weeds. It was noted that Miss Robinson’s dress was not burned or scorched, which disproved the theory that her clothing had caught fire before she jumped with her companions. Miss Mabel Kachler, George Frey, Jr., and Fred Boyde, into the lake. Assistant Medical Examiner Flynn viewed the body, which was placed in charge of Undertaker John R. Feeley. After being embalmed and placed in a coffin it was taken to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Daniels on Fourth street. The funeral will be held at Notre Dame church this morning, with burial in St. Joseph’s cemetery. The search for the body was resumed early yesterday morning and continued without rest until it was picked up by the grappling-irons. At least 200 people were attracted to the lake yesterday, the shores being well lined by those curious to see the work being done by the officers. Many boats were also in commission, but there was no interference with the steamer Columbia, which was used in connection with the dragging. Springfield Republican Springfield, MA 21 Jun 1907

BERKSHIRE COUNTY. PITTSFIELD. DAMAGE BY HIGH WIND.   Trees Blown Over, Buildings Damaged and Wires Down as Result of Lively Storm. "A wind and rainstorm that passed over Pittsfield Saturday morning between 11 and 12 o'clock did a large amount of damage in the north part of the city. The storm area was about a mile wide and there was not the slightest difficulty in following the trail of the storm as it blew down trees and telegraph poles and did d a great amount of damage to such crops as corn and oats. On Peck's road near Peck's upper mill several trees and telegraph poles were blown down. At the Bel Air mill and on Lenox avenue a large number of trees were destroyed by the wind. The great elm on Taconic hill was split in two. This was one of the largest elm trees in the city. On the street leading to Pontoosuc mill a large tree was blown on to the roof of one of the Pontoosuc manufacturing company's houses. The roof sagged under the weight but did not fall in." "Several trolly [sic] poles on the line of the Pittsfield street railway between the Pittsfield boat club house and the road leading to Pontoosuc mill were blown down and took with them all of the trolly and feed wires. It was not until after 6 o'clock that the wires were in place and cars could be operated over that piece of track. In the street railway company's grove, at the lake, a large number of trees were blown down and the benches were shattered by the trees falling upon them. The campers who were living in tents at Camp Merrill suffered considerably as the result of their tents being blown down. In one tent was a quantity of dishes, all of which were broken. Some of the tents in the more sheltered part of the grove escaped the fury of the gale." "There were no boats on the lake when the storm broke. Had there been they would have been capsized as the waves were never known to have run as high as they did Saturday. On the Whelden farm on Crane avenue a small barn was turned completely around by the wind, but was not badly damaged. Blinds were blown off from houses in the storm belt. The wind blew the rain through the crevices in the clapboards and shingles and much damage was done to the interior of houses in this manner. One of the giant pine trees at the Pittsfield boat club house was blown down. The piazza was blown from the Roscoe cottage at Lakeview. Both the big generators at the power-house of the Pittsfield street railway were put out of commission for nearly an hour by the lightning that accompanied the storm. The telephone men had a busy time trying to get the telephones that were put out of commission in working order. Last night they had most of the lines in working order. The storm came directly from the west. On Shaker mountain and the other mountains to the west of the city a large number of berry-pickers were caught out in the storm. William D. Campbell, Frank Uhrig, Christopher Hesse and Timothy Dewey took refuge under a tree on Shaker mountain and while there a tree about 15 feet distant was shattered by a blot of lightning. All of the young men were more or less shocked, but sustained no serious injury." The Springfield Republican, Springfield, MA 20 Jul 1908

Ty Cobb Offered Match - Wanted in Pittsfield, Mass., to Meet Billy Mantel genealogybank.com  "Failing to induce Young Britt or George Chaney to sign agreements for a match, Ty Cobb, the Philadelphian, will likely leave the city in a few days for Pittsfield, Mass., where he has been offered a match with Billy Gallant, a young New Englander, who has attracted much attention of late. Cobb made a hit with the fans of the Massachusetts town recently when eh outpointed Harry Thomas, the English champion, in 10 rounds. The Philadelphian is in good shape now and is confident that he can defeat Gallant despite the good name he has made for himself this season." Ty Cobb Offered Match Wanted in Pittsfield, Mass., to Meet Billy Mantell Date: February 25, 1912 Location: Maryland Paper: Baltimore American

1916 article genealogybank.com  "A Pittsfield (Mass). man says he will invent a wire netting bathing suit which will be worn in water invaded by sharks." Date: August 28, 1916 Location: Florida Paper: Miami Herald Record

1927 - Andrew de Giorgis Slips from Sewer Pipe While Trying to Cross Housatonic River on It.    Pittsfield, May 22.— Andrew de Giorgis, 42, of 3 Naples avenue, was drowned in the east branch of the Housatonic river near the Newell-street bridge early this morning. The police have evidence that he had attended a party where drinks were served and fell from the cement covering of a sewer pipe which crosses the river at that point. According to the story told the police by Angelo Pianello, 45, of 541 East street they wen to the house of Antonio Cochetto on Pembroke avenue at 10:30 last night. They drank much liquor before the party broke up at 12:30. On the way home Pianello suggested they walk over the sewer pipe. Giorgia started first and Pianello stayed behind waiting for de Giorgil to get across. When Pianello found that his friend had disappeared in the river he gave the alarm and Officers Camille L. Marcel and Peter O. Ano went to the river. Officer Ano with grappling irons soon found the body 200 feet from the crossing. It had been in the water about an hour. Dr. Henry Colt, medical examiner, viewed the body and it was removed to James J. Devanny’s undertaking parlors. Capt John H. Hines conducted the investigation last night and it was taken up again today by Inspector Daniel J. McColgan of the detective bureau. Mr. McColgan said there was no evidence of foul play. De Giorgis had only a penny in his pockets, in one of which was also was a large butcher knife. He was born in Italy, had lived in this country 17 years and three years in Pittsfield, being employed in the General Electric company building department. nearest relatives in Pittsfield are two cousins, Vergino de Giorgis of 541 East street and Enrico de Giorgis of 520 East street. Pianello was arrested on a charge of drunkenness. He had a roll of $333.50. Springfield Republican Springfield, Massachusetts 23 May 1927

Tuesday, October 13, 1942 The Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts  "Looking Backward 50 Years Ago Old wooden building used as brewery for many years by Gimlich & White and located in rear of newer brick brewery, torn down."

Tuesday, February 5, 1946 The Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts  "25 years ago Berkshire Brewing Association votes to brew beer no longer, but turn to soft drinks because of prohibition. Officers President David J Gimlich, vice president and secretary John A. White, treasurer George H White, directors, George H White, John A White, Karl O Cyrus, D J Gimlich. John White and Jacob Gimlich bought the plant of Michael Benson (1868). The daily output was then six barrels. The business grew to a capacity of 75,000 barrels a year. Sixty hands were employed and the product was sent to many states, including the Carolinas. The brewery, the only one within a radius of 60 miles, was a thriving industry and made its owners rich."

Thursday, January 29, 1948 The Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts  "Looking Backward 50 Years Ago Gimlich & White are storing immense quantities of ice from Silver Lake. Twenty teams are drawing the cakes and 40 men are cutting and stacking."

Wednesday, September 13, 2006 The Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts  Condemned property burns Benning W. De La Mater Wednesday, September 13 PITTSFIELD -- A blaze that drew dozens of firefighters and nearly 100 spectators to an abandoned house on Columbus Avenue burned into the night yesterday. Officials say foul play may be to blame. Calls of a fully involved structure fire at 363 Columbus Ave. flooded into the city's dispatch center shortly after 9:30 p.m. When firefighters arrived, they entered the rickety-looking home believing that children may have been inside, said Chief James Sullivan. "We've had reports lately that children have been playing inside," he said. "When they didn't find anyone, they got out quick." A condemned sign -- a red box with a white "X" drawn through the middle -- was marked on the front, alerting rescue workers that the interior of the house lacked staircases and was a risk to collapse. Firefighters doused the roof of the home with thick streams of water from at least six different positions around the home. One firefighter aimed a blast through the third-floor window while another methodically moved a ladder hose back and forth across the facade. Sullivan said the fire was contained to the second and third floors. Streams of water entering windows eventually blasted through the roof, throwing a wet cascade on some of the spectators, some of whom went running. A young boy screamed, "Oh (expletive)," when a piece of the roof blew off and slid down the structure. Tammy-May Farron and her daughter Tina walked a few blocks to the scene when they learned of the blaze. "I could see the flames from Linden Street," Farron said. "They were shooting up in the sky." Tina, 13, said she knows teenagers in the area who use the abandoned home as a hangout. "A few high schoolers smoke pot in there," she said. A mesmerized Austin Wells, 7, stood just feet from a fire truck, his eyes focused on the event. "My mom's letting me stay up to watch," he said. "It's cool." Residents who live across the street said the house has been empty for years. Some held video recorders or cell phones and recorded the happenings. Others brought beers to the scene. Some brought their dogs. Sullivan called the false-brick exterior of the home "gasoline siding," because of its tinderlike qualities. "We've been waiting for this place to go up for years," he said.

Thursday, September 14, 2006 The Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts  Officials: Fire set on purpose Benning W. De La Mater Thursday, September 14 PITTSFIELD -- Fire investigators determined the fire that scorched a condemned house at 363 Columbus Ave. Tuesday night was an act of arson. "We found more than one point of origin," said Pittsfield Deputy Chief Mark Cancilla. "It looks to have been intentionally set." Investigators were on scene yesterday and learned from combing through the slumped wreckage that flames were started in both a first-floor wall and in an area on the second floor. Cancilla said fire investigators also believe foul play is to blame because utilities have been shut off for years. Arriving at the blaze shortly after 9:30 p.m., firefighters ran into the house, even though a hazard placard -- a red box with a white "X" drawn through the middle -- was posted above the front door. Cancilla said both witnesses and police reported seeing people milling in and around the gargantuan house of late. Some neighbors suspected that a homeless woman was living inside. "We're not sure if people have been living there illegally," Cancilla said. "It could've also been children playing inside." The hazard placard is meant to warn firefighters that interior fire fighting is restricted because of instability and a lack of infrastructure, such as staircases. Cancilla said a handful of firefighters made a quick round to see if anyone was inside. They exited within seconds. 'Our best effort' "If someone says they believe people are inside, we're going to do our best effort to make sure everyone's safe," Cancilla said. A female spectator at the scene Tuesday night, one of nearly a hundred who came to watch, said she had witnessed high school-aged children walking into the house from a side entrance on a number of occasions. House not occupied The house has not been occupied for at least two years, although Cancilla said the fire department removed a homeless person from the structure a little more than a year ago. He said a family with the last name "Nevers" has continued to pay taxes on the property but has not resided there for some time, a fact that was evident by the foot-tall grass and boarded-up windows. "We've been trying to track them down for years," he said. An investigation is ongoing. Firefighters battled the blaze for more than two hours, blasting the interior flames with as many as six hoses set up around the house. The fire was contained to the second and third floors. Chief James Sullivan called the false-yellow-brick exterior "gasoline siding" because of its proclivity to burn quickly.

Ancestors Who Were Born in Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA

Bagard
Edwin Bagard (1 Oct 1846,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-29 Nov 1921,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Ellen Bagard (21 Sept 1837,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-01 Dec 1906,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Grace Frances Bagard (1 May 1853,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-23 Dec 1906,North Adams, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Jane Augusta Bagard (10 Aug 1848,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)	Julia Bagard (27 Feb 1841,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-20 Sept 1905,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Martha Washington Bagard (4 July 1851,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)
Mary Elizabeth Bagard (17 Jan 1843,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)	Robert Francis Bagard (13 Feb 1835,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-22 Oct 1904,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Barnes
John M Barnes (2 Nov 1860,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-24 Sept 1905,North Adams, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Bergmann
Carl "Charles" Wilhelm Bergmann (2 Jul 1866,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-1953,)	Caroline "Carrie" Johanne Bergmann (20 Apr 1870,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-27 Oct 1938,Norfolk, Norfolk, Massachusetts, USA)	Ella "Ellen" Ernestine Bergmann (6 Sep 1868,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-1961,)
Blessing
Anna Caroline Margaret Blessing (21 Feb 1874,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-27 Dec 1946,Meriden, New Haven, Connecticut, USA)	Carl "Charles" Theodore Blessing (9 Nov 1861,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-26 Mar 1927,Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA)	Franz "Frank" Erdmann Blessing (20 Dec 1866,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-1 Apr 1884,Meriden, New Haven, Connecticut, USA)
Frederick August "Gus" Blessing (8 Mar 1857,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-29 May 1930,Brooklyn, Kings, New York, USA)	Frederick Wilhelm Blessing (10 Oct 1877,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-21 Apr 1899?,Brooklyn, Kings, New York?)	George Friedrich Blessing (12 Jun 1869,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-25 Jan 1938,Nineveh Junction, Chenango, New York, USA)
Heinrich Wilhelm "Henry" Blessing (20 Sep 1859,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-15 Jun 1933,Meriden, New Haven, Connecticut, USA)	Henrietta Friederika Blessing (11 Apr 1864,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-15 Apr 1913,Meriden, New Haven, Connecticut, USA)	Herman Carl Heinrich Blessing (12 Jun 1877,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-09 May 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Marie Wilhelmina Blessing (25 Aug 1871,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-28 Feb 1940,Binghamton, Broome, New York, USA)
Bourgarde
Francis Joseph Bourgarde (26 Sep 1871,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-17 Sep 1958,Binghamton, Broome, New York, USA)	Marie Katherine Bourgarde (8 Dec 1873,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-16 Dec 1956,Meriden, New Haven, Connecticut, USA)
Carbone
Margaret M Carbone (6 Jun 1957,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-10 Jun 2003,Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA)
Copeland
Edgar Thompson Copeland (24 Oct 1886,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-4 Jul 1953,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Crossin
Thomas George Crossin (14 Nov 1884,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,Pittsfield)
Crouss
Anna Amelia Crouss (12 Jan 1874,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-27 Jul 1954,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Carl "Charles" Theodore Crouss (8 Aug 1867,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-14 Nov 1960,Agawam, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA)	Edith Augusta Bertha Crouss (22 Jan 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-1 Mar 1941,Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA)
George Henry Crouss (8 May 1858,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-11 Jan 1908,Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA)	Herman August Crouss (16 Mar 1863,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-29 Oct 1896,West Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA)	Ophelia Louisa Crouss (Jan 1870,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-8 Apr 1916,East Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA)
Willard Conrad Crouss (28 Oct 1871,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-10 Jun 1949,Agawam, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA)
Dittman
Arthur Bernard Dittman (13 Nov 1883,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-10 Apr 1953,Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA)	Edward Paul Dittman (17 Jul 1887,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-bet. 1920-1940,)	Herman N Dittman (16 Feb 1890,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-bef. 1900,)
Otelia Agnes "Tilly" Dittman (3 Jul 1880,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-aft. 1940,)
Donovan
John D Donovan (24 Nov 1952,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-20 Mar 2008,Orlando, Orange, Florida, USA)
Edwards
George Washington Edwards (16 Jan 1876,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-17 Jun 1937,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Priscilla Edwards (15 Mar 1903,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-19 Jul 1999,Saint Petersburg, Pinellas, Florida, USA)
Fairfield
Blanche Lena Fairfield (24 Mar 1873,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-bef. 1880?,)	Mary C Fairfield (1866,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-14 Dec 1934,Xenia, Greene, Ohio, USA)
Fairfield Beauchamp
Albert J Fairfield Beauchamp (24 Mar 1870,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-11 Nov 1953,Adams, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Feige
Christine Emma Feige (21 May 1893,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-aft. 1917,)	Edgar Charles Feige (17 Sep 1880,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-3 Jan 1962,Shelburne Falls, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA)	George Wilhelm Feige (27 Jan 1867,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-28 Aug 1930,Webster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA)
Henry (Carl Wilhelm Heinrich) Feige (24 May 1860,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-6 Apr 1917,Agawam, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA)	Jessie Mabel Feige (9 Jul 1876,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-2 Feb 1971,Schenectady, Schenectady, New York, USA)	Lillian Maude Feige (24 Dec 1877,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-2 Oct 1953,Nashua, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, USA)
Willard S Feige (28 Jul 1888,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-18 Jan 1929,Webster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA)	William Ernest Feige (27 Jun 1874,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-18 Dec 1940,Milford, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA)
Fraley
Ada A Fraley (17 Jul 1880,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-Nov 1968,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Clifford Horace Fraley (30 Aug 1888,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-18 Oct 1981,Dalton, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Clifford Joseph Fraley (18 Nov 1913,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-5 Mar 1999,Zephyrhills, Pasco, Florida, USA)
Cora E Fraley (15 Dec 1890,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-16 Feb 1976,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Eileen Ethel Fraley (24 Mar 1913,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-19 Mar 1992,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Everett John Fraley (1 Mar 1882,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-14 Nov 1970,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
John Charles Fraley (23 Oct 1856,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-1 Jan 1940,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Mary Elizabeth Fraley (05 Jul 1918,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-01 May 1996,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Maud Blanche Fraley (13 Jan 1885,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-6 Dec 1967,Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA)
Norman Euclid Fraley (7 Sep 1911,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-3 Mar 1975,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Friedrich
Augusta Friedrich (9 Sept 1876,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-, )
Gallagher
Barbara A Gallagher (4 Jul 1937,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-2 Apr 1996,Westfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA)	George Edward Gallagher (18 Jun 1907,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-29 Nov 1981,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	George Edward Gallagher (25 Jul 1936,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-26 Jun 1987,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Gimlich
Carolyn Emma Gimlich (26 Mar 1881,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-28 Jul 1949,Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island, USA)	Carrie Emma Gimlich (15 Nov 1876,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-13 Aug 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Clifford Edwin Gimlich (28 May 1888,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-2 Oct 1899,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
David John Gimlich (1 Mar 1869,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-21 Nov 1928,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Donald Wilcox Gimlich (3 Dec 1902,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-17 Dec 1964,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Doris Elizabeth Gimlich (14 Nov 1900,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-30 Mar 1982,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Jacob Arthur Gimlich (17 Jan 1891,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-21 Mar 1902,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Marie (Mary) S Gimlich (6 Mar 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-9 Jul 1945,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Marion Rose Gimlich (29 Jan 1911,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-17 Jan 2005,Pensacola, Escambia, Florida, USA)
Marjorie Louise Gimlich (28 Aug 1908,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-6 Apr 1981,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Matlida "Tillie" Louise Gimlich (8 May 1872,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-15 Aug 1939,Bridgeport, Fairfield, Connecticut?)	Mildred Pauline Amelia Gimlich (12 Jun 1879,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-30 Jan 1936,Hopkinton, Washington, Rhode Island, USA)
Minerva "Minnie" Katheryne Gimlich (2 Sep 1875,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-11 Jun 1950,Winter Park, Orange, Florida, USA)
Hayn
Ernest Augustus Hayn (27 Jul 1868,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-21 Dec 1910,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Hannah Hayn (10 Jan 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)	Henry Edward Hayn (24 Sept 1883,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-aft. 1920,)
Minnie Hayn (24 July 1879,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)
Hickey
Sarah Hickey (Aug 1865,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-31 Dec 1942,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Hoffman
Agnes Hoffman (abt. 1862,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)	Albert Hoffman (2 Nov 1860,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-, )	Augustus Hoffman (15 Oct 1863,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)
Augustus Hoffman (25 NOV 1868,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)	Charles Hoffman (17 Mar 1855,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-, )	Elvira "Elizabeth" Hoffman (19 Jan 1858,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)
Frank Hoffman (27 Feb 1859,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)	George Henry Hoffman (20 July 1863,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-19 Aug 1937,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Henry Hoffman (20 JAN 1867,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)
Julia Hoffman (Nov 1864,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-3 Feb 1865,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Julie Marie "Mary" Hoffman (6 Nov 1860,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)	Kossuth "John" Hoffman (15 Jun 1855,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)
Louis Friedrich Hoffman (16 Apr 1862,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-bef. 1870, )	William (Wilhelm Heinrich) Hoffman (16 Apr 1866,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)
Houser
Frank Herbert Houser (13 May 1905,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)
Humphrey
Ernestine Louise Humphrey (19 Dec 1907,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-22 Aug 1993,Palm Beach Gardens, Florida)	George Ernest Humphrey (16 Aug 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-15 Oct 1907,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Jacob
Henry Adolph Jacob (13 Jun 1876,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-1949,)
Kloseman
Bertha Minnie Kloseman (22 Oct 1875,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)	Marie Agnes Kloseman (20 Apr 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-1942,)
Learned
Edna Maude Learned (6 Dec 1911,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-16 Jun 1973,Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA)	Edward Learned (5 Jul 1882,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-2 Jul 1945,Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA)	Franklyn Edward Learned (14 Oct 1908,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-13 Nov 1985,Bethany, New Haven, Connecticut, USA)
Howard Charles Learned (23 Apr 1904,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-27 Jul 1991,Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, USA)
Madden
Euclid M. "Luke" Madden (,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-11 Oct 1955,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Mary Elizabeth Madden (19 Nov 1890,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-17 Jun 1983,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Newton
Ernest Newton (July 3, 1857,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-June 4, 1928,)	Lula Italia Newton (Aug. 8, 1884,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)
Nicholson
David Nicholson (11 Oct 1936,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-1953,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	John Nicholson (7 Jul 1900,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-1 Aug 1962,Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA)	John Nicholson (6 Mar 1918,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-4 Feb 1988,Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA)
Peach
Frederick Benjamin Peach (1 July 1923,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-17 Apr 2012,Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA)
Ransehousen
Allan E Ransehousen (7 Nov 1909,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-18 Mar 1981,Bedford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA)	Frederick Ransehousen (1877,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-bet. 1920-1930,)
Reinhardt
Emma Reinhardt (15 Aug 1861,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-, )	Herman Reinhardt (11 Apr 1859,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-19 Feb 1913,Wales, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA)	Theodore Reinhardt (31 Jan 1866,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-, )
William (Robert) Reinhardt (15 Dec 1863,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-, )
Rheel
Charlotte "Lottie" May Rheel (Sep 1886,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-aft. 1940,)	George Phillip Rheel (5 Apr 1854,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-22 Oct 1921,Newton, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA)
Rhinehart
Barbara Louise Rhinehart (4 Jul 1939,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-8 Apr 2009,South Tampa, Florida)	Carole Rhinehart (6 Sept 1937,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-16 Jan 2010,Tampa, Florida)	Henry Butler Rhinehart (11 Sep 1913,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-26 Oct 1976,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Scheitz
Charles Paul George Scheitz (20 Feb 1874,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-, )
Shorey
Grace Louise Augusta Shorey (22 May 1874,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-14 Aug 1897,Auburn, Cayuga, New York, USA)	William F Shorey (1 Aug 1870,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-15 Jan 1935,Auburn, Cayuga, New York, USA)
Theinert
August Nicholous Theinert (11 Mar 1873,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-, )	Herman August Theinert (8 Mar 1864,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-21 Sep 1940,Bronx, New York)	Wilhelm Albert "William" Theinert (15 Aug 1870,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-2 Dec 1926,Rochester, Monroe, New York, USA)
Wilhelm August Erdman Theinert (29 Oct 1859,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-8 Sep 1930,Albion, Lincoln, Rhode Island, USA)
Timm
Arnold Timm (1858,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-24 Mar 1862,Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Emma Timm (27 Sept 1868,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)
Timmerman
Frederick Timmerman (9 Jun 1881,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-6 Jan 1940,Morristown, Lamoille, Vermont, USA)	Henry W Timmerman (8 Feb 1880,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-11 Jun 1917,Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA)
Trauschke
Alfred E. Trauschke (1 July 1868,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-11 Jan 1927,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts)
Weiss
Alwine Ida Weiss (14 Sept 1859,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-, )	Caroline Weiss (Jun 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-bef. 1880, )	Jessie C. Weiss (7 Nov 1876,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-16 May 1891,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Robert Weiss (abt. 1860,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-, )
White
David Louis Leonard White (6 Nov 1885,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)	Dora Louisa Rachel White (26 Nov 1879,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-Feb 1979,Red Bank, New Jersey)	Ella White (8 Oct 1874,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-, )
Emma M. White (13 Apr 1876,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-12 Mar 1912,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Frederick White (26 Mar 1871,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-, )	George Henry White (28 Jan 1870,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-10 Sept 1935,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
John Andrew White (15 Feb 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-,)	John J White (7 July 1868,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-10 July 1871,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	John R. White (April 22, 1913,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-Nov. 29, 1999,Chiefland, FL)
Lillian White (Dec 1882,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-, )	Lillian Mary White (Sept 2, 1916,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-Aug 24,1927,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Mary Agnes White (1 Jul 1872,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-, )
Walter George White (12 Aug 1887,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-8 Dec 1977,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	William Walter Rockwell White (26 May 1893,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-14 Jul 1987,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)

Ancestors Who Died in Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA

Bagard
Edwin Bagard (1 Oct 1846,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-29 Nov 1921,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Ellen Bagard (21 Sept 1837,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-01 Dec 1906,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Felix Bagard (1811,France-28 Feb 1869,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Julia Bagard (27 Feb 1841,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-20 Sept 1905,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Robert Francis Bagard (13 Feb 1835,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-22 Oct 1904,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Bartlett
William Francis Bartlett (6 Jun 1840,Haverhill, Essex, Massachusetts, USA-17 Dec 1876,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Blessing
Herman Carl Heinrich Blessing (12 Jun 1877,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-09 May 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Callahan
Mary Ann Callahan (9 Nov 1889,Dalton, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-6 Apr 1971,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Coco
Angeline Coco (13 Mar 1915,Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-03 Feb 1997,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Copeland
Edgar Thompson Copeland (24 Oct 1886,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-4 Jul 1953,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Crouss
Anna Amelia Crouss (12 Jan 1874,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-27 Jul 1954,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Davis
Margaret Davis (abt. 1811,Wales-11 Apr 1885,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Dittman
Henry W Dittman (1847,Germany-22 Sep 1897,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Edwards
George Washington Edwards (16 Jan 1876,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-17 Jun 1937,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Ende
Augusta Caroline Ende (Oct 1837,Prussia, Germany-20 Feb 1917,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Fabricius
Agnes Fabricius (15 NOV 1837,Luxembourg-27 JUN 1908,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Fairfield
Amanda Fairfield (1855,Canada-22 Nov 1940,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Fairfield
Horace J Fairfield (1860,Russell, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA-30 Nov 1933,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Feige
Friedrich Wilhelm ("William") Feige (07 Jun 1824,Marklissa, Silesia (Schlesien), Prussia (Preußen), Germany-09 Jun 1892,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Louisa Ellen Feige (17 Dec 1847,Marklissa, Silesia (Schlesien), Prussia (Preußen), Germany-19 Dec 1921,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Fraley
Ada A Fraley (17 Jul 1880,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-Nov 1968,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Cora E Fraley (15 Dec 1890,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-16 Feb 1976,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Eileen Ethel Fraley (24 Mar 1913,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-19 Mar 1992,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Evelyn Regina Fraley (16 Jan 1925,Massachusetts-24 Nov 1992,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Everett John Fraley (1 Mar 1882,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-14 Nov 1970,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	John Charles Fraley (23 Oct 1856,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-1 Jan 1940,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Mary Elizabeth Fraley (05 Jul 1918,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-01 May 1996,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Norman Euclid Fraley (7 Sep 1911,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-3 Mar 1975,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Friedrich
Jacob Friedrich (abt. 1831,Bayers, Bavaria, Germany-21 July 1898,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Wilhelm Gustav Friedrich (7 Jan 1874,Dalton, Berkshire, Massachusetts-22 Feb 1880,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Frohlich (Fröhlich)
Augustus Frohlich (Fröhlich) (10 Oct 1829,Marklissa, Silesia (Schlesien), Prussia (Preußen), Germany-10 Sep 1904,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Gallagher
George Edward Gallagher (18 Jun 1907,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-29 Nov 1981,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	George Edward Gallagher (25 Jul 1936,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-26 Jun 1987,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Gimlich
Carrie Emma Gimlich (15 Nov 1876,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-13 Aug 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Clifford Edwin Gimlich (28 May 1888,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-2 Oct 1899,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	David John Gimlich (1 Mar 1869,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-21 Nov 1928,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Donald Wilcox Gimlich (3 Dec 1902,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-17 Dec 1964,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Doris Elizabeth Gimlich (14 Nov 1900,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-30 Mar 1982,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Jacob Arthur Gimlich (17 Jan 1891,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-21 Mar 1902,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Jacob C Gimlich (4 Oct 1845,Weisenheim, Bavaria (Germany)-21 Jan 1912,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Marie (Mary) S Gimlich (6 Mar 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-9 Jul 1945,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Marjorie Louise Gimlich (28 Aug 1908,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-6 Apr 1981,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Rachel Friederika Gimlich (21 Mar 1847,Weisenheim, Bayern, Germany-1921,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Greiber
David Greiber (bef. 1840, -Mar 1864,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Hayn
Clara Amelia Hayn (6 Jan 1871,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts-25 Feb 1904,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Ernest Augustus Hayn (27 Jul 1868,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-21 Dec 1910,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Herman Hayn (1872, -24 Sept 1873,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Heiss
Teresa Heiss (abt. 1819,Germany-29 Sept 1899,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Henkell
Rachel Henriette Fredericka Henkell (abt. 1821,Prussia, Germany-13 Nov 1899,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Hickey
Sarah Hickey (Aug 1865,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-31 Dec 1942,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Hoffman
Amelia Hoffman (Jul 1856,Massachusetts-19 Apr 1922,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	George Henry Hoffman (20 July 1863,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-19 Aug 1937,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Julia Hoffman (Nov 1864,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-3 Feb 1865,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
William Hoffman (Jun 1822,Nassau, Germany-11 Jan 1902,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Holman
Dora Holman (15 Dec 1887,Brookline, Norfolk, Massachusetts-2 Feb 1919,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Horn
Pauline M Horn (05 Mar 1923,Adams, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-7 Oct 1972,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Humphrey
George Ernest Humphrey (16 Aug 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-15 Oct 1907,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Kaiser
Julia Kaiser (Jan 1824,Nassau, Germany-14 May 1906,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
King
Diane V King (01 Mar 1946,Massachusetts-06 Mar 1993,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Kirchner
John Albert Kirchner (1842,Germany-26 Sep 1907,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Koepka
Agnes (Christine) Koepka (1862,Prussia-3 Dec 1904,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Herman Koepka (abt. 1857,Prussia, Germany-30 Nov 1935,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Krause
Daniel Krause (Sep 1823,Wurttemberg, Germany-18 Apr 1901,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Mary Krause (Oct 1850,Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-29 May 1907,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Lang
Annie Elizabeth Lang (abt. 1816,Prussia, Germany-17 July 1888,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Lange Greiber
Mary Lange Greiber (26 Dec 1816,Germany-7 Feb 1905,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Leidhold
Erdman Leidhold (20 Dec 1825,Germany-13 Aug 1913,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Madden
Euclid Madden (abt. 1863,Canada-Mar 1931,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Euclid M. "Luke" Madden (,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-11 Oct 1955,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Mary Elizabeth Madden (19 Nov 1890,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-17 Jun 1983,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Mattoon
Abby Jane Mattoon (14 Dec 1824,Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-24 July 1901,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Frances Caroline Mattoon (25 Aug 1820,Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-12 Oct 1890,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Myron Burnham Mattoon (1 Sep 1806,Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-22 May 1888,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
McLean
Janet Dunlop Weild McLean (24 Apr 1910,Clarksburg, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-16 Jul 1998,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Mennig (Männig)
Johanna Rosalie Mennig (Männig) (abt. 1795,Marklissa, Silesia (Schlesien), Prussia (Preußen), Germany-9 May 1863,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Neuber
Augusta Neuber (abt. 1837,Lauban, Silesia (Schlesien), Prussia (Preußen), Germany-17 Feb 1884,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Newton
Jason Newton (Feb. 26,1827,Lanesborough, Berkshire, Massachusetts-Sept 25,1907,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Nicholson
David Nicholson (11 Oct 1936,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-1953,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Peach
Frederick Coffin Peach (17 Oct 1880,Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA-22 Jan 1964,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Reinhardt
Carl "Charles" Friedrich Reinhardt (Feb 1848,Germany-18 Mar 1915,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Lena M Reinhardt (22 Apr 1849,Germany-15 Aug 1912,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	William Reinhardt (abt. 1800,Germany-13 Sept 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Rhinehart
Henry Butler Rhinehart (11 Sep 1913,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-26 Oct 1976,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Rieke
Henry L Rieke (26 Nov 1941,Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA-15 Feb 2002,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Schmidt? Bischoff?
Theresa Alice Schmidt? Bischoff? (abt. 15 Nov 1822,Germany-17 Aug 1885,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Shultz
Rose Anna Shultz (1 May 1863,Germany-19 April 1943,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Simonelli
Charles J Simonelli (11 Jan 1918,-31 Oct 1996,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Slater
Henry Slater (1827,Germany-29 Apr 1906,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Theunert
Augusta Amalie Theunert (4 Nov 1823,Lauban, Silesia (Schlesien), Prussia (Preußen), Germany-27 May 1900,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Johann Karl Gottlieb Theunert (abt. 1800,Germany-7 Jun 1877,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Marie Caroline Theunert (20 Oct 1829,Lauban, Silesia (Schlesien), Prussia (Preußen), Germany-28 Apr 1888,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Thomas
August W Thomas (28 Mar 1827,Marklissa, Silesia (Schlesien), Prussia (Preußen), Germany-5 Jan 1898,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Trauschke
Carl Charles Trauschke (10 Feb 1820,Kerzdorf, Silesia, Prussia, Germany-30 Jun 1898,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
UNKNOWN
Elizabeth UNKNOWN (abt. 1786,Germany-7 Aug 1861,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Vogel
Carl (Charles) August Vogel (16 Nov 1806, -21 Feb 1876,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Johanna Henrietta Vogel (23 May 1817,Schwerta, Silesia, Prussia, Germany-18 Jan 1892,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Louisa Vogel (May 1827,Germany-16 June 1881,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Minnie Augusta Friederike Vogel (12 Sep 1839,Lauban, Silesia (Schlesien), Prussia (Preußen), Germany-9 Jun 1926,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Weiss
Arthur Winfield Weiss (abt. 1875,Connecticut-28 Nov 1878,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Carl Charles Weiss (Dec 1823,Prussia, Germany-8 Aug 1901,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Jessie C. Weiss (7 Nov 1876,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-16 May 1891,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
White
Emma M. White (13 Apr 1876,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-12 Mar 1912,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	George Henry White (28 Jan 1870,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-10 Sept 1935,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Henry White (abt. 1854,Germany-14 Apr 1894,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
John White (27 Dec 1839,Hesse-Cassel, Germany-1935,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	John J White (7 July 1868,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-10 July 1871,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	Lillian Mary White (Sept 2, 1916,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-Aug 24,1927,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Walter George White (12 Aug 1887,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-8 Dec 1977,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)	William Walter Rockwell White (26 May 1893,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA-14 Jul 1987,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Whitegiver
Mildred Whitegiver (1904,Nassau, Rensselaer, New York, USA-29 Aug 1971,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)
Wilcox
Mary Barker Wilcox (19 Oct 1872,Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA-3 Dec 1942,Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA)

Cemeteries

Pittsfield Cemetery

St Joseph's Cemetery

Reference Sources

 

 Books

 ZION'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS - Parish Registers


 

 Databases/WebSites

 Pittsfield, Massachusetts Deaths From January 1, 1886 to May 30, 1941


 

 Magazines/Periodicals

 ZION'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS - BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS, 1860-1923

 ZION'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS - MARRIAGES, 1860-1924

 ZION'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PITTSFIELD, MASS. DEATHS, 1860-1923

 REGISTER OF VOTERS OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS - 1890 WARD 6 REGISTER - Berkshire Genealogist, Volume 10, Number 1 - Winter 1989

 PITTSFIELD SCHOOL DEPARTMENT - DECEMBER, 1892 - Berkshire Genealogist, Volume 24, Number 1 - Winter 2003

 PITTSFIELD'S WELL-TO-DO CITIZENS OF 1897 - Berkshire Genealogist, Volume 14, Number 3 - Summer 1993


 

 Newspapers

 The Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts

 The Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts

 The Pittsfield Sun, Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts

 Berkshire County Whig, Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts


 

 City Directories

 Pittsfield, Massachusetts Directories, 1873

 Pittsfield, Massachusetts Directories, 1885

 1889 Pittsfield City Directory

 Pittsfield, Massachusetts Directories, 1889-93

 1896 Pittsfield Directory (MA)

 1902 Pittsfield Directory (MA)

 1903 Pittsfield Directory (MA)

 1905 Pittsfield Directory (MA)

 Pittsfield Directory, 1922. Pittsfield, Mass.: Eagle Printing and Binding Co., 1922.

 Pittsfield Directory, 1925-26. Pittsfield, Mass.: Eagle Printing and Binding Co., 1925.

 Pittsfield Directory 1926-27 Eagle Publishing Co., comp. Pittsfield Directory 1926-27. Pittsfield MA: Eagle Publishing Co.

 Pittsfield Directory, 1928-29. Pittsfield, Mass.: Eagle Printing and Binding Co., 1928.

 Pittsfield Massachusetts City Directory 1933

 Pittsfield Directory, 1936. Pittsfield, Mass.: Eagle Printing and Binding Co., 1936.

 Pittsfield Massachusetts City Directory 1939

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I can almost feel your shadow touching mine like I should somehow feel at home in this completely unfamiliar place and as I walk along this street desperately searching for that stone to kick - the same stone you kicked over 100 years ago there's this overwhelming thought that if I somehow find it I might get to know you or the part of me that is you will you lead the way? I promise to closely follow 10/31/2008 11/6/2008 3:24:57 PM

Alton Reynolds Pierce Born May 1, 1876 Died December 21, 1896 Age 20 Article in Berkshire Evening Eagle December 21, 1896 Repeated in Eagle December 23, 1896 Alton Pierce Drowned While skating on Silver Lake today. All efforts to resuscitate him proved to be in vain. The first drowning accident of the winter in this city occurred at Silver Lake this morning. Alton R. Pierce breaking through the ice about 40 feet from the west shore. His body was in the water fully three-quarters of an hour before recovered but efforts were made for nearly four hours to resuscitate him but all efforts were fruitless. The body was recovered shortly after 9:30 o’clock and it was not until after the arrival of Medical Examiner Brown of North Adams at 1:15 o’clock that the work was given up. The skating on Silver Lake has been excellent the last few days although the ice has been none too strong. Crowds of young people anxious to make the best of the sport before snow falls have been taking advantage of it. This morning the light fall of snow rather spoiled the sport but nevertheless the lake furnished amusement for a large number of young people. Among the number was Pierce who had come home for a vacation of two weeks. He arrived on the lake early and being an excellent skater was soon enjoying the fun. He had a hockey stick in his hand and had been driving a block across the pond. Near the west shore of the lake, a short distance from the Silver Lake mill, the lake is always open because of the large quantity of hot water which flows from the mill. The ice which forms in that vicinity is always light and it was here that Pierce skated. It was not until today that ice had formed there and it being covered with snow the young man had no means of knowing he was skating in a very dangerous place. People who were near by heard a shout and saw Pierce go through the ice. The young man is an excellent swimmer and tried hard to save himself and it is claimed was holding to the ice when a man drove by and refused to assist him, although the young man was crying for help. Several of the boys who were on the lake saw Pierce go down and rushed to the mill nearby and notified some men of what had happened. By that time Pierce had become exhausted and being unable to hold to the ice, went to the bottom. The police were notified and Officers Thompson and White soon arrived with grappling irons. After a short search the body was recovered and immediately taken to the house of Mrs. Ann E. Foster near the edge of the lake. Mrs. Foster’s son, Dr. Foster of New York, who is visiting his mother, was at home and lost no time in starting to worn on the unconscious young man. With the assistance of several men efforts were made to resuscitate Pierce and work continued until the arrival of the medical examiner. Drs. Waite, Mercer and Adams were also present. The body was later removed to the home of the parents on First Street. Alton R. Pierce was a son of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Pierce and a grandson of William Pierce, who was for a number of years in the piano business in Pittsfield. The young man was born here May 1, 1876 and received his education in the public schools, being a member of the class of 1894 at the high school when he gave up his studies and entered the office of the Sunday Morning Call. He was placed at work on the Thorne typesetting machine and soon became an adept at this work. He was later given a position in the works of the Thorne typesetting machine company and got a practical knowledge of the work. About two years ago he took a position in Richmond Virginia having charge of several of these machines. He remained there until last summer when he returned home and spent several months with his parents. During the fall he was proffered a position in a collar works at Arlington NJ where his uncle (Knowlton Francis Pierce) was superintendent, and he accepted. He remained there until last Saturday when he came home for a vacation of two weeks. The young man was an excellent skater and swimmer and was undoubtedly overcome with the cold before going to the bottom. About four years ago while in bathing at Pontoosuc lake he had a narrow escape from drowning, being stricken with cramps when out quite a distance from shore. Fortunately some companions were near by and swam to his assistance. The deceased is survived by his parents, one brother and a sister. No funeral arrangements have yet been made. cwnicholls@aol.com 8/9/2011 1:22:35 PM

I was born in Pittsfield, Berkshire, MA on June 3, 1937 to Lucille Marie Elise Roy and Francis William Trask. papasantiques@comast.net 8/3/2012 11:24:40 PM

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