Looking for Hersams
I was recently reading an article in Dick Eastman's Newsletter about a site called Linkpendium. I decided to visit the site and immediately searched the surname list for mine. The only obituary it pulled up was this one:
Ernest Albion Hersam, Mining and Metallurgy: Berkeley
1868-1950
Professor of Metallurgy, Emeritus
Ernest Albion Hersam was born March 9, 1868, in Stoneham, Massachusetts. After his early and preparatory education in the schools of Massachusetts, he entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was granted the B.S. degree in 1891. During the year 1891-1892 he served his alma mater as Assistant in Chemistry. The following year he went to the University of California as Analytical Assistant in the Mining Department and was given the added title of Instructor in Metallurgy in 1894. He became Assistant Professor of Metallurgy in 1897, Associate Professor in 1903, Professor in 1923, and retired in 1938 as Professor Emeritus.
Grace Evelyn Danforth, whom he married at Stoneham, Massachusetts, in 1892, passed away in 1901. His only son died in infancy. In 1910 he married Ida Louise Downing at Stockton, California, but lost her by death the year he retired. He enjoyed home life, and both of his marriages were happy ones.
Ernest Hersam died in Berkeley, California, June 24, 1950, and in accordance with his wishes was buried in the family plot at Stoneham, Massachusetts, the town where he was born.
(click here to read the entire obituary)
Since I know my father-n-law was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts, as well as both his father and grandfather, I started trying to find a connection. My husband also got quite interested since he was impressed with this Ernest Hersam's accomplishments.
So this is a post for any Hersams out there who can help us figure it out. What I've found so far:
Ernest's parents were Isaac F. Hersam (born Apr 1827 in Maine) and Mary O. Hersam (born Aug 1831 in New Hampshire). All of Ernest's siblings were born in Massachusetts and they include: Ida E. (abt 1851), Lizzie M. (Nov 1855), and Harry E. (abt 1860).
My known ancestors include:
Richard Horne Hersam - born 9 Dec 1906 in Stoneham, MA
George Alexander Hersam - born 16 Oct 1878 in Stoneham, MA
Reuben Morrell Hersam - born 7 Aug 1832 in Waterville, ME
Daniel Hersom - born 16 Oct 1802 in Lebanon, ME
Samuel Hersom - born abt 1763 in Lebanon, ME
It looks like the Hersams originally started in Lebanon, Maine and then moved down to Stoneham, Massachusetts. Hopefully I can connect these 2 different lines.