Harry and Henriette M. Stocks
Harry Stocks was born in Accrington, Lancashire, England about 1857.1,2 A little bit about Harry can be gleaned from the historical record. For example, from the 1880 U.S. Census we know that Harry was single, living in Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts, and worked as a "job printer."3
Probably around 1883 he married Henriette M. Ramsdell who was a native of Phillips, Maine.4 Henriette was also known as "Etta."
Harry must have had a bit of an inventive streak in him. Shortly after his marriage to Etta, Harry applied for an received Patent No. 301,639 on July 8, 1884 for a "Paper or Letter Box."5 In his patent application, Harry stated that "The object of my invention is to provide a new and improved newspaper-box adapted to be secured to the door or its casing, and so constructed that a newspaper placed in the box cannot be removed until the door is opened, and the papers will be protected from the inclemencies of the weather." The idea for his invention might well have come about as a result of his connection to the newspaper business.
By 1900 we know from the U.S. Census, taken in June of that year, that Harry and the family were living at 141 Parkview Avenue in Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts.6 Harry and Etta had been married for sixteen years and Etta (age "40") had given birth to four children, two of whom were living - Carl W. (age "16") and Violet (age "14"). We also learn that both of Etta's parents were born in Maine and that Harry's parents were born in England. Harry was employed as a "journalist." Etta's occupation is blank and presumably she was a homemaker. Both children are listed as being "at school." Harry and Etta are homeowners, although there is a mortgage on the house. Harry was a naturalized citizen, having immigrated to the United States in 1869.
The family, including all three of the living children, was still living at 141 Parkview Avenue in Lowell, Massachusetts when the 1910 U.S. Census was taken on April 22.7 Carl Stocks, who is age 26, is listed as an electrical engineer in a cotton mill. Violet Stocks, age 24, is teaching in a public school. We find Esther H. Stocks, a late addition to the family, listed in this census. Apparently Esther was born around 1902 since she is listed as being 8 years old. By now, Harry was working as a "circulation manager" for a newspaper. A 1959 newspaper article also stated that Harry Stocks "was for many years the circulation manager of the Lowell Courier-Citizen."8
Five children were born to Harry and Etta (Ramsdell) Stocks.
- Carl Winslow Stocks
- Violet Stocks
- Harold R. Stocks (died prior to 1900)
- Sidney H. Stocks (died prior to 1900)
- Esther H. Stocks
1 Death certificate for Violet (Stocks) Proctor.
2 1880 U.S. Census, T-9, Roll 545, Page 598B.
3 1880 U.S. Census, T-9, Roll 545, Page 598B.
4 Death certificate for Violet (Stocks) Proctor.
5 Harry Stocks, Lowell, Massachusetts, Patent No. 301, July 8, 1884, United States Patent Office.
6 1900 U.S. Census, T623 Roll ??? Sheet 9B ED 826 Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts.
7 1910 U.S. Census, T624 Roll 601 Page 252A ED 880 9th Ward Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts.
8 Obituary for Carl W. Stocks published in the August 17, 1959 Lowell Sun newspaper.
