1

Descendants of

Capt. John Derby

and

Martha Fiske -

of Weston, Massachusetts

by A. H. Gilbertson

20 January 2019

version 0.05

©A. H. Gilbertson 210-2019.

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Table of Contents

Preface ......................................................................................................................................................... 3

Descendants of Capt. John Derby and Martha Fiske .................................................................................... 4

Second Generation ....................................................................................................................................... 5

Third Generation ........................................................................................................................................... 8

Fourth Generation ...................................................................................................................................... 13

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Preface

I have been doing genealogy as a hobby for over 30 years, and fairly recently have started to share some of my research in the form of books, in PDF format. Most of these books are “ahnentafel books,” which are ancestor tables, with information on ancestors of six of my eight great-grandparents. In addition, I have been working on some projects involving descendants. This format is perhaps more difficult, since I do not have the same degree of information on certain branches of family that diverged from my own branch many years ago. Luckily, with sites such as ancestry.com, familysearch.org, newspapers.com, and genealogybank.com, it is possible to find much information online. In the case of the descendants of John and Martha (Fiske) Derby, it appears unlikely that there are any living descendants, other than my siblings and their children. One of the reasons for writing this was the challenge of trying to determine if there were any unknown relatives in this line, I have found none, and it does not appear likely that any were missed.. This book is intended for the personal use of those who are related to, or have a special interest in, this family. Facts cannot be copyrighted, and can be used and shared without restriction. However, please do not copy, word for word, the text of this book, unless your copying is not shared publicly. I have included numerous footnotes. I encourage interested people to look up the original sources and put them in their own words, adding to my information where possible instead of merely copying it. If you are not sure if your use of my book is appropriate or not, please ask permission. I encourage questions and comments. Please direct them to agilbertson@yahoo.com

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Descendants of Capt. John Derby and Martha Fiske

Capt. John DERBY was born 17 May 1800 in Leominster, MA. 1 He was the son of John DERBY and Mary

GLOVER. He died 16 Oct 1871 in Weston, MA. He was buried in Central Cemetery, Weston, MA. 2

John married Martha (“Patty”) FISKE, daughter of Robert FISKE and Nancy STRATTON, 9 Apr

1826 in Weston, MA.3 Martha was born 9 Apr 18054 in Weston, MA. She died 27 Jun 1888 in Weston,

MA. She was 83 years, 2 months old, and died of an abscess, that she had for 3 weeks.5 She was buried

in Central Cemetery, Weston, MA. 6

According to the 1850 census, John was a farmer. He moved to Weston, Mass., probably before

his marriage. Capt. Derby was captain in the Weston Independent Light Infantry. He lived at what is

now 228 Boston Post Road. A drawing of his house can be found in Weston, A Puritan Town, by Emma

Ripley.7

Children:

1. Charles E. DERBY b. 16 Jan 1827; d. 12 Jul 1901; m. Susan Dillon

2. Caroline Maria DERBY, b. 6 Feb 1828; d. 5 Jan 1915; m. John Richardson Clark

3. John Lewis DERBY, b. 16 Oct 1829; d. 23 Jan 1889; m. Elizabeth D. Wood

4. Ann Mary DERBY, b. 24 Jun 1838; d. 19 Oct 1840, Weston, MA; bur. Central Cem., Weston, MA.8

5. Ann Mary DERBY; b. 9 Aug 1841; d. 3 Jun 1916; m. Henry Joel Jennison

1 Leominster Vital Records. Bromley incorrectly says 1801. His gravestone states that he died in 1871 at age 71.

2 Town of Weston: Births, Deaths and Marriages 1707-1850 (1901), p. 354; also findagrave.com: John Derby

3 Town of Weston: Births, Deaths and Marriages 1707-1850, p. 231.

4 Bible Record: Bible of John R. and Caroline M. (Derby) Clark.

5 Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Death Records, 1841-1915. She was seen by Dr. F. W. Jackson.

6 Gravestone; findagrave.com: Martha Derby

7 Ripley, Weston, A Puritan Town, pp. 154-157; Ripley incorrectly states that Captain John Derby was the brother of

Samuel G. Derby who also lived in Weston. According to Daby Dorby Data (1967) this Samuel was born in Salem, the son of Richard and Lydia Derby. 8 findagrave.com: Ann Mary Derby

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Second Generation

(1) Charles E. DERBY (John DERBY) was born 16 Jan 1827 in Weston, MA.9 He died 12 Jul 1901 in

Camden, NJ, and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery there. 10 Charles married Susan DILLON. Susan was born in Nov 1834 in NJ. She died 20 Jun 1898 in Camden, and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Camden.

In 1863, Charles and a business partner, J. P. Wetherby, established the firm Derby & Wetherby, in Camden, N.J. Their business consisted of machinery repair. They had a large building at the corner of Cooper St. and Delaware Ave. in Camden. “Repair work, dredges and machinery of all kinds is here looked after. Engines, boilers, machinery and shafting being made.”11

According to an obituary, he had “been in the machine business nearly forty years at Delaware Avenue and Cooper Street [in Camden], and died suddenly from heart disease at his home, Second and Penn streets. The deceased on Thursday took a trip on the steamer Republic, and on his return home complained of feeling unwell. He continued to grow worse during the night and death ensued early yesterday morning. Mr. Derby was the senior member of the firm of Derby & Weatherby, who constructed a number of engines for the Pennsylvania Railroad ferryboats.”12

Child.

6. Orilla Sanderson DERBY, b.20 Mar 1860; d. 29 Dec 1886; m. Edwin Taft Milton

(2) Caroline Maria DERBY (John DERBY) was born 6 Feb 1828 in

Weston, MA.13 She died of pneumonia 5 Jan 1915 in Pomona, CA.14 She was

9 Town of Weston: Births, Deaths and Marriages 1707-1850, p. 242.

10 findagrave.com: Charles E. Derby

11 http://www.dvrbs.com/camden-texts/CamdenNJ-1890-IndustrialReview.htm

12 Camden Courier Post, 13 Jul 1901.

13 Town of Weston: Births, Deaths and Marriages 1707-1850, p. 242.

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buried in Mt. Feake Cemetery, in Waltham, MA. Caroline married John Richardson CLARK, son of Horatio CLARK and Elizabeth “Betsey” BIXBY, 15 Sep 1846 in Weston, MA. John was born 11 Jun 1824 in Westford, MA. He died 3 Dec 1905 in Waltham, and was buried in Mt. Feake Cemetery, in Waltham.

John R. Clark was a machinist. In 1851 he went to California via the Isthmus of Panama, staying until 1854. The family moved to Waltham in 1865. He worked for the Waltham Watch Factory there.

Caroline’s obituary says that she was “always interested in public affairs, and a woman of pleasing personality.”15 Lowell Pratt wrote in his diary: "At the close of a beautiful California day Grammy Clark passed away peacefully. At 10 o'clock in the evening she left us forever, although she will always be with us in spirit. We shall always remember her for her unselfish and loving disposition."16

Children.

7. Charles Edward CLARK, b.27 Jul 1848; d. 20 Jul 1927; m. Mary Stearns

8. Josephine Adelaide CLARK, b. 9 Mar 1856; d. 24 Mar 1929; unmarried

9. Alice Maud CLARK , b. 4 Sep 1863; d.5 Sep 1948; m. Harry Stillman Pratt

(4). John Lewis DERBY (John DERBY) was born 16 Oct 1829 in Weston, MA. He died 23 Jan 1899 in

Somerville, MA. He died of vascular heart disease. He was buried in Central Cemetery, in Weston.17

John married Elizabeth D. WOOD.18 Elizabeth was born 2 Jan 1833, in Salem, MA, the daughter of

Samuel and Elizabeth Wood. She died 5 May 1890 in Boston, MA, and was buried in the Central

Cemetery, in Weston.

John was a carpenter.19 In 1855, he lived in Boston with wife Elizabeth, 2 ½ year old daughter

“Ester,” and Mary J. Manning, 16 years old. In 1860, he lived in Waltham, MA, with wife Elizabeth and

daughter Elizabeth M. Derby. In 1867, John Lewis Derby, age 37, is listed in San Francisco on a voter’s

register.20 In 1870 he is found in Cambridge, MA, with wife Elizabeth and daughter Lizzie.

Child:

10. Esther Derby, b. about 1852, found on 1855 state census, age 2 ½/; presumably died before 1860 as she is not listed with family on the 1860 census.

11. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Marie DERBY, b. 13 Mar 1860; d. 1921; m. Arthur Louis Rea

14

“Mrs. Clark Dies of Pneumonia" – unknown newspaper. 15

“Mrs. Clark Dies of Pneumonia" – unknown newspaper. 16

Lowell Pratt’s diary. 17

findagrave.com: John L. Derby 18

The birth record of Lizzie Marie Derby gives her mother’s name as Elizabeth D. Wood. 19

Census records. 20

Ancestry.com.

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(5) Ann Mary DERBY (John DERBY) was born 9 Aug 1841 in

Weston, MA. She died 3 Jun 1916 in Weston, MA. She was

buried in Central Cemetery, Weston.21 Ann married Henry

Joel JENNISON 17 Jul 1864 in Wayland, MA. Henry was born

11 Jun 1842 in Templeton, MA.22 He was the son of Charles

Henry Jennison and Martha Fales. He died 29 Feb 1916, in

Weston, and was buried in the Weston Central Cemetery.

He was a member of the American Unitarian Association. In

1900, they lived with his mother Martha, and Mabel

McCabe, a servant from Nova Scotia. His occupation is given

as Real Estate Broker. In 1910, an Irish Servant, Cecila Ford,

lived with them. They lived in Weston.

According to his obituary, he was a representative who was

active in town affairs. He died at his home after a long

illness. “He served on the Board of Selectmen [in Weston]

for several years and represented the town in the Legislature

two terms.” He was a veteran of the Civil War, “having been

attached to the gunboat Lillian which figured in the

bombardment of Fort Fisher.” He “engaged in the real estate

business in Boston being a member of the firm Jennison & Train.”23

Children:

11. Charles H. JENNISON, b. 1866; d. 28 Nov 1868, Alton, IL; bur. Central Cem., Weston, MA24

12. Elden Hanson JENNISON, b. 12 Dec 1869; d. 19 Dec 1956; m. (1st) Annie French Noble; m. (2nd)

Mary Elizabeth Regan

21

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36120941 22

Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 23

The Boston Globe, 2 Mar 1916. 24

findagrave.com: Charles H. Jennison

Henry and Elden Jennison

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Third Generation

(6) Orilla Sanderson DERBY (Charles E. DERBY, John DERBY) was born

20 Mar 1860 in Camden, NJ. She died 29 Dec 1886 in Camden, and

was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, in Camden. Orilla married Edwin

Taft MILTON, 6 Jan 1881 in Waltham, MA. Edwin was born 16 Jun

1859 in Boston, MA. He died 3 Jun 1925 in Laconia, NH.

Edwin married, second, Martha Olive Wentworth, 28 Jun 1910, in

Boston, MA. Edwin operated Milton’s Lakeside House, at the Wiers,

in Laconia. He died in one of the rooms in his hotel. According to his

obituary, he was “one of the best-known hotel men in the Lake

Winniepesaukee region and had been identified with the hotel

business for a number of years, enjoying the esteem of a large

number.”25

Child:

13. Charles Derby MILTON, b. 27 Jun 1882; m. Edith Estelle Wheeler

(7) Charles Edward CLARK (Caroline Maria DERBY, John DERBY) was

born 27 Jul 1848 in Springfield, MA. He died 20 Jul 1927 in Waltham,

MA. He is buried in Mt. Feake Cemetery, Waltham. 26

Charles married Mary L. STEARNS, 21 Jul 1874, in Manchester, NH.

Mary was born in about 1854 in Waltham, MA. She was the daughter

of Ambrose Stearns and Cynthia Louisa Viles.27 She died 14 Feb 1916,

and is buried in Mt. Feake Cemetery.

Like his father, Charles was a machinist with the Waltham Watch

factory. He lived in Waltham with daughter Josephine, in 1920.

Child:

14. Josephine Maud CLARK, b. 11 Oct 1874; d. 4 April 1961

25

Boston Transcript, 4 Jun 1925. The obit only mentions being survived by his wife and a brother. It’s possible that his son Charles D. Milton had died before 1925. 26

findagrave.com: Charles E. Clark 27

Ancestry.com. New Hampshire, Marriage Records Index, 1637-1947. The marriage record gives Mary’s parents’ names; however, only Cynthia’s first name is given. Other sources state her surname was Viles.

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(8) Josephine Adelaide CLARK (Caroline Maria DERBY, John DERBY) was born 9 Mar 1856, in Weston,

MA. She died 24 Mar 1929 in Claremont, CA. She was buried in Mt. Feake Cemetery, Waltham, MA. 28

She graduated from Smith College in 1880 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, her class being the

second to graduate.

In 1884 she became associate principal of a school for girls in Rutland, Vt.,

where she continued until 1888.

The establishment of a Library School in connection with Columbia College,

N.Y.C., had brought library work into prominence and in 1888 she decided

to enter that school. She remained there until May 1889 when it was

moved to the state library, Albany, N.Y.

In the fall of 1890, she became assistant librarian at the Gray Herbarium of

Harvard University. She combined her knowledge and love of botany with

her technical knowledge of cataloging which attracted the attention of the

Division of Botany of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She was called to

Washington, D.C., to accept a position as Botanical Bibliographer in

September 1891. She conceived the idea of publishing a card index of new

genera and species of American plants, a work of great service to botanists.

This index then was continued at the Gray Herbarium.

In October 1893 the library at the Department of Agriculture was reorganized and she was appointed

assistant librarian, holding that position until January 1901 when she became chief librarian.

While in Washington, D.C., she served as a member of the subcommittee on libraries of the Keep

Commission, appointed by President Taft. She was a charter member of the District of Columbia Library

Association and one of the founders of the Washington City Free Library, the precursor of the present

Public Library.

She was the librarian at Smith College from 1907-1919. During that time she planned the college library

building. "She insisted also on open stacks, calling the stacks the heart of the library, and emphasizing

the fact that the educational value of free access to them outweighed any possible loss of books from

that cause." She also planned a luxurious Browsing Room, the first of its kind.

The Smith College library building was completed in 1909 and opened 30 Jan 1910. Josephine A. Clark

worked as librarian there until 1919, when she retired and moved to Claremont, California.

28

findagrave.com: Josephine A. Clark

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(9) Alice Maud CLARK (Caroline Maria DERBY, John DERBY) was

born 4 Sep 1863 in Weston, MA. She died 5 Sep 1948 in

Claremont, CA. She was buried in Oak Park Cemetery, Claremont.

She married Harry Stillman PRATT, 5 May 1892, in Pomona, CA.

He was the son of Francis Lowell Pratt and Mary Ann Brown.

In 1887 she came to California to accept a position with J. W. Robinson's department store. She had worked for him in Waltham.29 He wrote to her, asking her to bring a friend and assist him in the operation of his one-room store in Los Angeles. According to the Pomona Progress-Bulletin: "She and her friend hesitated about coming to Los Angeles. In those days Los Angeles was about as distant a Western outpost as one could think of. They dared each other to make the trip and soon found themselves on the train headed westward. During that journey -- and the trip in those days was a long and tedious one for passengers were not provided with the comfortable and convenient Pullmans of the present day -- Miss Clark formed the acquaintance of Harry S. Pratt who was also seeking something new in the land that was even then suggesting greater opportunities for young men."30

When she first began work at the Robinson store in Los Angeles there were only five or six clerks. In 1890 she resigned her position and returned to Waltham. In 1917, her marriage to Harry Pratt ended in divorce. Their personalities were apparently incompatible. She was distraught at the separation. She never saw her ex-husband again. She did hear news of him through her son.31 Her sister, Josephine A. Clark, came to live with her in Claremont in 1919 and stayed until her death in 1929.32

Alice developed cancer and had two operations but did not die from it.33 She died 5 Sep 1948,34 Her obituary states, "although advanced in years, her friends marveled at her keen intellect in affairs of the day."35 According to her granddaughter Lucia Gilbertson, "Grandma Alice was a beautiful woman and was very proper and ladylike. She always wore a long skirt or dress and a black velvet ribbon around her throat. She was interested in my friends, and every year that I was in high school she bought a yearbook. She loved to go out to a restaurant to eat. I can't remember ever eating a dinner at her house, although she was a good cook… She wasn't well-to-do but she had an adequate income from

investments given to her in the divorce settlement and left to her by her sister. She and my father shared an interest in music programs on the radio, especially opera."36

29

Obituary in Claremont Courier, Sept. 10, 1948. 30

“As We See It", Pomona Progress-Bulletin, Sept. 11, 1948. 31

Information from Lucia Gilbertson. 32

Claribel R. Barrett, "Miss Josephine Adeleide Clark," p.2. Typescript copy of apparently unpublished manuscript. 33

Information from Lucia Gilbertson. 34

Visit to cemetery in July 2007. findagrave.com: Alice Clark Pratt 35

“As We See It", Pomona Progress-Bulletin, Sept. 11, 1948. 36

Recollections of Lucia Gilbertson.

11

Child:

15. Lowell Clark PRATT; b. 31 Dec 1894; d. 6 Jun 1979; m. Dorothy Louise Neely

(11) Lizzie Marie DERBY (John Lewis DERBY, John DERBY) was born 13 Mar 1860, in Weston, MA. 37 She

married Arthur Louis REA, 31 Dec 1898, in Manhattan, NY.38 Arthur was born 1 Sep 1863, in Sedgwick,

Maine. In 1900, they lived in Somerville, MA, with Arthur’s 14-year old son, Louis Redman Rea. Louis

was a child by Arthur’s first marriage, to Georgina Maria Searles, who died 8 Dec 1896 in Somerville.

In 1910 and 1920, Arthur and Lizzie lived in Everett, MA, with no children. Lizzie died 2 Mar 1921 in

Everett, MA.39 She is buried in Everett, MA.40 Arthur died 9 Mar 1924, also in Everett. He was chairman

of the Registrars of Voters. “He was prominent for many years in the Elks, and was familiar as an end

man in all the Elks’ minstrel shows. His death followed an operation for appendicitis, after which other

trouble developed.”41

(12) Elden Hanson JENNISON (Ann Mary DERBY, John

DERBY) was born 12 Dec 1869, in Alton, IL.42 He died 19 Dec

1956. He was buried in Central Cemetery, Weston, MA. He

lived on 36 Jean St. in Weston in 1940 and in Newton in

1910.

Elden married, first, Annie French NOBLE, 1 May 1893 in

Weston.43 Annie was born 21 Nov 1865 in Waltham, MA.

She was the daughter of Lorenzo Noble and Eleanor

Morrell.44 At the time of her marriage her occupation was

teacher. She died 26 Apr 1915 in Newton, MA. Elden

37

"Massachusetts, Births, 1841-1915," familysearch.org. 38

"New York, Marriages, 1686-1980," index, FamilySearch .org. She is called “Lyzie Marie Derby,” daughter of John Louis Derby and Lyzie Delmas. Perhaps Delmas was her middle name? 39

Boston Globe, 3 Mar 1921. 40

findagrave.com: Lizzie Rea 41

Boston Globe, 11 Mar 1924. Note, the End Man in a minstrel show was “The man in a minstrel show who sits at one end of the company and engages in banter with the interlocutor.” Mr. Rea probably appeared in this role with blackface. 42

For date and place of birth: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925. Marriage record also gives his place of birth as Alton, IL. 43

Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Marriage Records, 1840-1915. 44

Marriage record, however, gives parents as Lorenzo and Eleanor Morrill.

12

married Mary Elizabeth REGAN 24 Jun 1916 in Boston, MA.45 Mary was born in 1879.46 She was the

Daughter of Daniel J. Regan and Helen or Ellen Ronan.47 It was her first marriage. She died in 24 July

1936, in Wellesley, MA.48 She was buried in Central Cemetery, Weston, MA.

In 1916, at the time of his second marriage, Elden’s occupation is given as “Mill agent.” In 1923 he was

part owner of Macomb Machinery Company, of Newton, MA.49 In 1924, the company filed for

bankruptcy.50 In 1933, he is listed in a Boston City directory as a salesman.

45

"Massachusetts, State Vital Records, 1841-1920," index and images, FamilySearch.org. (However, an engagement announcement in the Boston Herald, 7 May 1916, gives her name as Mary E. Ashton. This possibly was just an error.) 46

According to her gravestone. However a passenger record (ancestry.com) gives her birth date as 27 Jan 1880. 47

"Massachusetts, State Vital Records, 1841-1920," index and images, FamilySearch.org 48

Death notice, genealogybank.com. It says she was buried in Linwood Cemetery. 49

Waltham City Directory, 1923, ancestry.com. 50

Boston Herald, 17 Jan 1924, genealogybank.com.

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Fourth Generation

(13) Charles Derby MILTON (Orilla Sanderson Derby, Charles E. DERBY, John DERBY) was born 27 Jun

1882 in Waltham, MA.51

Charles married Edith Estelle WHEELER, 21 Oct 1903 in Boston, MA.52 Edith was born 24 Feb 1880 in

Cambridge, MA. She was the daughter of Franklin D Wheeler and Abigail F Rowe

Cambridge Chronicle 24 Oct 1903 MILTON-WHEELER. Before a large gathering of friends and relatives of the contracting parties Charles Derby Milton 'and Miss Edith Estelle Wheeler, both residents of this city, were married in St. Stephen's church, Boston, at noon, Wednesday. The wedding ceremony was performed by Rev. Ellis Bishop. The bride Is the daughter of Mrs. Abigail F. Wheeler, of 16 Tenney street, and has been for many years a resident of Cambridge. The groom has only of recent years made his home here. The best man was Mr. Frank Delano, of Dorchester. The usher* were Messrs. Henry S. Wheeler, of this city, a brother of the bride, Elden H. Jennison of Newton, a cousin of the groom, George Watson and George Smith, both of this city. The maid of honor was Miss Letltla E. Butcher, of this city. The bride was attired in a gown of white liberty silk over white taffeta, trimmed with Irish point lace. She carried a shower bouquet of lilies of the valley. The maid of honor wore embroidered 'yellow muslin de sole over cream satin. She wore a white beaver hat trimmed with white flowers, and carried a shower bouquet of maidenhair ferns and Violets. The bride was escorted to the chancel, by her brother, Clarence A. Wheeler. After the wedding Mr. and Mrs. Milton left on an extended tour to the course of which they will visit New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Niagara. On their return they will live at the Greenacre, corner of Oxford and Harris streets.

In 1910, Charles and Edith lived in Cambridge, MA, where Charles was a clerk in a clothing store.53

Neither Charles nor Edith can be found on any census records after 1910.54 By 1916, he must have been

divorced, since Edith, going by her maiden name Edith Estelle Wheeler, married Henry West Hazard, in

June of that year. Henry died

Charles was living in Sep 1918, working as a clerk for his father at the Lakeside Hotel.55 It is possible that

Charles died in 1946 in Boston,56 although he may have died before 1925, as he’s not mentioned in his

father’s obituary.

51

Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Birth Records, 1840-1915. The transcription incorrectly spells his surname as Milten. 52

Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Marriage Records, 1840-1915. 53

1910 census, Cambridge Ward 11. They lived with Edith’s mother and brother. 54

There is an Edith Milton, also born in Massachusetts about 1880, who lived in Pawtucket, RI., however, I determined that this was a different person. 55

Ancestry.com: US World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. His nearest relative is given as Edwin T. Milton, and his employer was E. T. Milton, Laconia, NH. His permanent address was stated as Queens, NY, however. 56

Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Death Index, 1901-1980

14

(14) Josephine Maud CLARK (Charles E. CLARK, Caroline Maria DERBY,

John DERBY) was born 11 Oct 1874 in Waltham, MA. She died 4 Apr 1961.

Josephine married Carl Edwin WARD 4 Oct 1904 in Waltham, MA. They

had no children.

The marriage ended in divorce. They were probably divorced by 1910,

since Carl was listed on the census then as “Single.”57 Carl was born in 3

Dec 187258 in Brattleboro, VT.59 He was the son of Edwin Milton Ward

and Cara (or Cora) Rand. He married, second, Leota Carlena Jellison. In

1920 he lived in Washington, DC. He died 29 Dec 1921 in Washington,

DC.

In 1920, Josephine lived with her father in Waltham. In 1930, she lived in Newton, MA, where she is

listed on the census as a tutor.

(15) Lowell Clark PRATT (Alice Maud CLARK, Caroline Maria DERBY,

John DERBY) was born 31 Dec 1894 in Pomona, CA. He died 6 Jun

1979 in Wheaton, MD. He was buried in Oak Park Cemetery,

Claremont, CA.60 Lowell married Dorothy Louise NEELY, daughter

of Charles Gracchus NEELY and Lucia Hull FISH, 21 May 1918 in

Claremont, CA. Dorothy was born 28 Feb 1895 in Evanston, IL. She

died 22 May 1974 in Silver Spring, MD. She was buried in Oak Park

Cemetery, Claremont.

Lowell Clark Pratt was a journalist, teacher, and in 1947, became

the first public relations director at what was then San Jose State

College (now University). After graduation from high school in 1913

he was hired to cover local news for the Pomona Progress, and he

continued working there while attending Pomona College. In the fall of 1915 he entered the Columbia

University School of Journalism.

His education was interrupted by World War I. During the war, he served 18 months in the army,

including seven months of non-combat duty in France. He was a corporal and clerk of company B, 160th

infantry. Later he was promoted to first sergeant.

57

1910 census. He lived in Arlington, MA, with his mother, Cora. 58

1900 Census, for month and year. Vermont Vital Records gives a birth date of December 1872, with no name given. He lived with his mother Cora, in Waltham, MA. 59

“ Massachusetts Marriage Records, 1840-1915”, ancestry.com. 60

findagrave.com: Lowell Clark Pratt

15

After the war, he continued his studies at Columbia, graduating in June 1920. He worked for two months

on the Springfield (Mass.) Republican before returning to California to accept a position as city editor of

the Pomona Progress. In 1923 he joined the staff of the Pasadena Star-News.

In 1926 he bought The Selma (Calif.) Enterprise. With a young man named Ernest Rapley, he plunged

into the life of a small town and had to learn facets of newspaper publishing which were new to him,

such as job printing, advertising, circulation and promotion. In February 1929 The Enterprise was

consolidated with the other Selma paper, The Irrigator, and Pratt was co-owner. In June 1929 the

partners bought the Parlier Progress, and the Fowler Ensign was purchased in the early 30's. The

commercial printing operation was christened the "Triangle Press."

He was placed on the all-American journalism "team" of John H. Casey of the University of Oklahoma as

editorial writer of the year in 1932. The newspaper also gained recognition in 1936 when it won a front

page contest for weeklies, sponsored by the California Newspaper Publishers' Association.

He was appointed Selma's postmaster in May 1934. On Christmas mornings he volunteered to deliver

packages. He resigned as postmaster in October 1939.

During World War II, Pratt opposed the relocation of Japanese-Americans to internment camps. He also

spoke out for their safe return after the war had ended. The Enterprise was one of the few newspapers

in the west that stood up for the rights of Japanese-Americans. Pratt emphasized that Americans of

Japanese ancestry were law-abiding U.S. citizens and, as such, had constitutional rights. His editorials

were a voice of reason during a time of anti-Japanese hysteria. In August 1943 Pratt testified before a

committee appointed by the California State Senate. Pratt felt anti-Japanese sentiment was racially

motivated and emphasized that the vast majority of Japanese-Americans were loyal. Because of Pratt's

editorials on Japanese-Americans, Dr. Hubert Phillips, a teacher at Fresno State College, nominated him

for a Pulitzer prize in journalism in 1943.

In March 1947, with his partner wanting to retire, the Enterprise was sold. In September 1947 Pratt

became the first director of public relations at San Jose State College. He also taught journalism classes

there, until 1956. He retired from San Jose State College in 1965. In 1968 he moved to Wheaton, Md.,

where they could be near their daughter. He died in 1979.

Lowell Pratt was an honest, hard working man who had high ideals and put them into practice. He was

outgoing, always friendly and interested in people and well-liked by others. At his memorial service a

telegram from a former student was read. It said, in part: "Probably no single person has influenced my

professional life more than a journalism professor named Lowell Pratt, whom I met in 1947... Lowell

Pratt was the kind of teacher you never forget: intellectually quiet, patient, disciplined, thoroughly

professional... As a teacher of writing, Mr. Pratt tried to teach us to be factual, accurate, interesting, and

concise…"

16

Child:

16. Lucia Alice PRATT, b.5 Apr 1922, Pomona, CA; d. 7 Feb 2008, Sterling, VA; bur. Parklawn

Cem.; 61 m. Kenneth Gordon Gilbertson

61

findagrave.com: Lucia Pratt Gilbertson