Walpole, Edward James

The following data is extracted from Biography and Genealogy of Western Massachusetts, 1639-1925.

EDWARD JAMES WALPOLE - A very substantial business has been built up in real estate and insurance by Mr. Walpole since he first established himself in Northampton, and he has made his own field and secured his increasing patronage through his personal enterprise and capabilities. A veteran of the World War, and a citizen whose belief in the progressive present of Northampton is demonstrated both in his own business and in the broad stand he takes in civic matters, Mr. Walpole is a sterling representative of the leading men in his line in this section of the State. He is of a persevering, energetic race, who as teachers, farmers and general merchants have done their share in giving the progressive tone to the communities. There exists in Romsey, England, a certain record of the Walpole family that is dated as of Winchester, England; and this branch of the family went to Kilkenny, Ireland, with Protector Cromwell's troops. The Walpole name is one of the basic English names whose spelling rarely changes; it might have been spelled Wallpole, on occasions; but today it has reverted back to the original spelling, Walpole.

(I) Thomas Walpole, grandfather of Edward J. Walpole, was born in Ireland, and died in 1894, in Haydenville, Massachusetts. He came to the United States in 1850, and went to Chesterfield, this State, where he had charge of the Edwards estate. He was a great reader, and at one period in his life he had been a school teacher. His last years were spent in Haydenville, where he died. He married Margaret Lynch, who died in 1950, and they were the parents of seven children: Frank, of whom further; Elizabeth, who married John O'Neil, deceased; Mary, who married John O'Neil, of Easthampton, deceased; Jane, who married Charles Warner, of Middletown, New York; and three children who died in early life.

(II) Frank Walpole, son of Thomas and Margaret (Lynch) Walpole, was born in 1844, in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and died in 1916, in Haydenville, Massachusetts. Coming to the United States with his parents early in life, he attended the Chesterfield schools. Throughout his life he lost no opportunity to become the well-read man. He worked on a farm and in a country store, and drove cattle to Albany, New York, for the Edwards estate. Coming to Leeds, Massachusetts, in 1876, he was employed by a Mr. Ross as a flour salesman, but he eventually bought a farm in Haydenville that he conducted to the time of his death. He married Catherine Lawler, of Williamsburg, daughter of Michael and Catherine (Knowles) Lawler, the parents coming from Kilkenny, Ireland. The children of Frank and Catherine Walpole were: Mary, who married Frederick Shaw; Rose, deceased; Mark, John, William, Margaret, who married Edward Larkin; Frank, Charles, Edward James, of whom further; Robert, deceased; Leonard. The first three children were born in Leeds, the rest were born in Haydenville.

(III) Edward James Walpole, son of Frank and Catherine (Lawler) Walpole, was born January 19, 1894, at Haydenville, where he attended the public schools. He was then employed by the Bay State Brass Company, where he continued for a year; then consecutively as a clerk in the Curran Brothers' grocery store, and for William J. Sheean, in Haydenville; for the Purrington Company in Florence; three years and five months in the brush shop, under contract with the Oliver Smith mill. When he was twenty-one years of age he went to Hartford, Connecticut, where, for a short time, he was employed by the Underwood Typewriter Company, the National Biscuit Company, and the Pratt and Whitney Company. Returning to Northampton, he represented the Scranton School of Correspondence for Northampton and Westfield. In 1915 he established his real estate and insurance business in Northampton, where he is also a justice of the peace and auctioneer.

Enlisting in the World War in June, 1918, he went to Camp Dix, whence he sailed for England. His position was in the Personnel Department, of Headquarters, and he received a sergeant's pay. His duties required his visiting major-general's headquarters throughout France. He received his discharge from the service in February, 1919. He is a member of the American Legion and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Source: Biography and Genealogy of Western Massachusetts, 1639-1925

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