Slocumb, Charles Hamilton

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

CHARLES HAMILTON SLOCOMB is the son of Edward M. Slocomb, who, born in Wrentham, Massachusetts, now living in Newark, New Jersey, came to Greenfield in early life and was a member of the Greenfield Fire Department and Hose Company, which in the early days held the championship of the world. He was married to Adeline Washburn, and with her had three children: i. Charles Hamilton, of whom further. 2. Lillian, who married John S. Coates, of Greenfield. 3. Edward M., Jr., a dentist in Detroit, Michigan, who fought in the Cuban War with Captain Frederick E. Pierce.

Charles Hamilton Slocomb was born in Greenfield, February 9, 1869, and was educated in the public schools of his native place. Having left school at the age of fifteen years he accepted a position as clerk in the Greenfield Post Office which he held until 1892, when at the age of twenty-three he was made assistant postmaster. He held this position under Postmasters Darwin F. Hamilton, Charles Keith, Captain Anson Withey, a Civil War veteran, General Frederick E. Pierce, who saw service in the Cuban War, and Nicholas J. Lawler. During the Spanish-American War Mr. Slocomb was acting postmaster, having been appointed to that position again in August, 1923, and on January 16, 1924, was appointed postmaster of Greenfield by President Coolidge. At the time of Mr. Slocomb's entrance into the post office there were on the staff only three clerks besides the postmaster, and the business done by the office did not exceed $r4,000. Under Mr. Slocomb's supervision the office organization is made of thirteen clerks, one sub clerk, eleven regular carriers, three substitute carriers, a rural free delivery carrier. The business done since 1923 amounts to no less than $113,000, and the office is housed in a magnificent new building, one of the best equipped in the State. Mr. Slocomb is a partner in the Greenfield Paper Box Company which, since 1916, has been engaged in the manufacture of paper boxes used largely locally, they employing about twenty workers. Mr. Slocomb is a member of the Republican Lodge, the Greenfield Club, the Country Club, and attends the Unitarian All Souls' Church.

On April 15, 5893, Charles Hamilton Slocomb married Elizabeth Aldrich, of South Deerfield, a daughter of Charles P. Aldrich, who was postmaster at South Deerfield and Representative to the State Legislature, and later selectman in Greenfield. Mrs. Slocomb was a graduate of Dickenson Seminary, at South Deerfield, a member of All Souls' Church, where she sang in the choir up to the time of her death, April 5, 5905. On June 25, 5950, Mr. Slocomb married (second) Bertha M. Wolcott, at Greenfield, a daughter of Charles T. and Phoebe (Pronty) Wolcott Mrs. Slocomb is organist at All Souls' Church, and has been instructor at Smith College and the Capen School at Northampton, and at Miss Porter's School, "The Elms," at Springfield.

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

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