Dec. 10, 1911, Springfield Republican – Charles Read, aged 64, died at home, 55 Adams St., about midnight. Besides his widow, he leaves four sons, Chas. J., an architect in Toronto, Ont., Wm. J. of Attleboro, and James J. and Frank J. of Springfield. Born May 10, 1847 in Westerloo, Ont., Mr. Read came to Springfield aged 16, then returned home to learn the cabinetmakers trade. He spent 13 years as foreman at T.M. Walker Co. then 4 yrs foreman T. Shea Co.
Springfield Republican, Tues. Dec. 12, 1911 The funeral of Charles Read will be held tomorrow at 9am followed by high mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral and burial at St. Michael’s cemetery.
Queen Bess
The widow unnamed in the newspaper is Elizabeth “Bessie” Donohue Read (1848-1931), born in the worst year of Ireland’s Great Hunger. She is daughter of Dennis (1803-87) and Elizabeth Cronin (1821- ) Donoghue, who had twelve children; her grandparents are Dennis (1780- ) and Mary O’Donoghue (1782- ), Sr.
Charles is son of Samuel Read, born about 1831 in Ireland, listed as a carpenter (Church of England member), in King township British west Canada 1851 census; wife of same age is named Honora, with daughter Mary 5, Charles 4, and Robert 2.
Decades ago Uncle Phil suggested that Charles converted to Roman Catholicism in order to marry Miss Donohue, so it’s no surprise that he would’ve listed Church of England while yet a British subject. (otherwise, notice how the ancestral name of Ma Bess evolved from O’Donoghue, to Donoghue, to Donohue.
Nana Read
Before Nana married into the clan, she was sent by her widowed mother to be raised by “cousin” Miss Mary O’Reilly of Springfield, with whom she made the Grand Tour of Europe before marrying Frank J. Read.
