Easland, Robert Peter

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

ROBERT PETER EASLAND, president and treasurer of the Sun Printing Company of Pittsfield, was born in West Stockbridge, November 13, 1884, son of E. Arthur and Laura (Forrow) Easland, residents of Pittsfield now for some years. In Mr. Easland's native town of West Stockbridge there stands the oldest home in that community, and is known as the Morgan Arnold Place, at West Center, near the Alford line where John George Easland, the ancestor of Robert Peter Easland, was the first settler in 1753. He was of French descent. He came up to the hills from New York, built a log cabin, and in 1790 erected a frame house, which now is a part of the summer home of Captain Smith of the United States Navy. At that time this farm was a part of Livingston Manor, New York, but through a relocation of the boundary line, it became a part of Massachusetts. E. Arthur Easland, who came to live in Pittsfield in 1918 was the last direct descendant of the first settlers to till the soil that his ancestors had tilled. The first real group of settlers came over from New York State and from Mount Washington, in this State, in 1766.

Robert Peter Easland attended the West Stockbridge grammar schools, and for two years was a pupil of the Great Barrington High School, and two years at the Sedgwick Institute. In 1903 he entered the employ of the Sun Printing Company at Pittsfield as its bookkeeper. He was elected clerk and a director in 1908. In 1909 he was elected treasurer and reelected a director. Within a short time there was added to his duties the position of assistant to the president of the company. On the death of the president, Theodore Lathrop Allen, Mr. Easland was elected president and treasurer.

Mr. Easland is a member of these Masonic bodies: Mystic Lodge, of which he is a past master; Berkshire Royal Arch Chapter, Berkshire Council, Royal and Select Masters, Berkshire Commandery No. 22, Knights Templar, of which he is past commander; and Melha Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce and the Park Club of that city, Kiwanis Club and Shire City Club.

Mr. Easland married. in April, 1920, May Isabelle Delavan, of Pittsfield, born in West Lebanon, New York. They are the parents of a daughter and son, Janet Easland, and Robert Peter Easland, Jr.

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

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