My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES H. UPSON, a prominent citizen of Easthampton, who has the general superintendence of the extensive buildings of the Williston Seminary, was born in Northampton in 1848, son of Justus and Caroline (Smith) Upson. His father was a native of Southington, Conn., born in 1803; and his mother was a native of Ludlow, Mass. His grandfather, Thomas Upson, was also a native of Connecticut, born about 1757. He gained a livelihood by tilling the soil, and died on his farm at the age of eighty-three. Thomas Upson reared two sons and two daughters. One of the former, Edward Upson, was a well-known shipbuilder at Kennebunkport, Me. He also lived to a good age, dying in his seventieth year. He reared three sons and two daughters.

Justus Upson, son of Thomas Upson and father of Charles H., was a carpenter, and followed his trade during the greater part of his life. In 1849 he removed from Northampton to Easthampton, and there spent the rest of his days. He died at the home of his son, Charles H., in 1886, being then eighty-three years of age. His wife, to whom he was united in 1835, was the daughter of Martin Smith, of Ludlow, Mass. By her first husband, Mr. Chapin, she had one son, Stephen Chapin, now a resident of Springfield and a conductor on the Boston & Albany Railroad. Of her union with Mr. Upson the following children were born: Emma, widow of Ralph Wolcott, residing in Amherst; Lydia, who married Calvin Strong, and died in Easthampton in 1885, at the age of forty-two; Julia, wife of William Miller, of Torrington, Conn.; Alvin, who met his death through an accident in 1858, when a boy of sixteen; and Charles H., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Upson died in 1882. Mr. Upson was a member of the Congregational church, to which his wife also belonged.

Charles H. Upson received a good common-school education in Easthampton, and finished his studies at Williston Seminary. He learned the carpenter’s trade, and worked for E. R. Bosworth, a prominent builder of Easthampton, till 1883. He was then appointed superintendent of the Williston Seminary buildings, a position which he has efficiently filled up to the present time. This school is one of the largest institutions of the kind in the State. It was established with a generous endowment by Samuel Williston in 1841, and four large brick buildings were built between 1841 and 1865. In 1892 the large hotel near by, a frame structure, was purchased, and added to the school property; and the old Williston home, now occupied by the principal of the school, Dr. Gallagher, is also a part of the estate. The property comprises six acres of ground, and is situated in the heart of the city. Mr. Upson’s position is no sinecure, as on him devolves the care of the whole estate, the responsibility of making needed repairs, and the superintendence of all work necessary to keep the buildings and grounds in good condition.

Mr. Upson was united in marriage June 1, 1871, to Mary M., daughter of Benjamin and Catherine (Foote) Dingman, of Stockbridge, Mass. Mr. Dingman and his wife are now nearly eighty years of age. They reared four daughters and one son. Mr. and Mrs. Upson are the parents of two children, namely: Grace F., wife of Henry G. Camp, teller in the Pyncheon Bank in Springfield; and Alvin L., a student in the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, and assistant pharmacist in the Boston City Hospital.

In politics Mr. Upson is a Republican. He takes an active part in the town government, and is now serving his fifth year as Selectman. In Masonic circles he is prominent, and is at present Past Master of Ionic Lodge of Easthampton. He has a handsome home at 3 Summer Street, where he has resided since 1886.