Levi J. Gunn

Levi J. Gunn, of Greenfield, was born in Conway, Franklin County, Mass., on June 2, 1830.

In the "Massachusetts of Today: A Memorial of the State, Historical and Biographical..." by Daniel P. Toomey, published in 1892, the following biographical sketch describes Levi J Gunn:

"His parents were Levi and Delia Gunn, both of good New England stock.  The father was a blacksmith by calling, and that trade the son learned thoroughly during the summer seasons, attending in the winters of his boyhood the village schools and later the widely known academy at Shelburne Falls, of which Professor Pratt was the principal."

The ancestor of Levi Gunn, Jasper Gunn arrived in America in 1635 on board of the ship "Defense" and settled in New England.  It the "History of Conway, Massachusetts - 1767-1917", published in 1917 we found a complete line of Gunn's ancestors.

Levi J. Gunn was a member of fourth generation American.  He spent his boyhood attending "village schools and later the widely known academy at Shelburne Falls, of which Professor Pratt was the principal."  During the summer month he learned blacksmithing at the side of his father. 

Continuing with the "Massachusetts of Today: A Memorial of the State, Historical and Biographical...":

"After this came the period of sterner and harder work.  For several years the young man was with the Conway Tool Company, and when that corporation moved to Greenfield, Mr. Gunn also located in the shire town.

This was in 1852, and the next ten years of Mr. Gunn's working hours were passed in the employ of that company.   For a portion of that time Mr. Gunn and H. Amidon held the contract for making all the tools made by the company.  Such a contract in those days of course was regarded as one of considerable magnitude.  Up to the time when these young men took upon themselves this business responsibility, the work had been done wholly by hand.

The enterprising contractors changed this, and by introducing machinery of their own devising did the work much cheaper than formerly.  Thus it can be truthfully said that in this branch of industry Gunn and Amidon were pioneers. 

They were destined soon to reap the benefit of their talents, for in 1868 the firm of Gunn & Amidon was organized; a factory was built near the place that is now known as Gunn & Amidon Pond, situated in the north of Greenfield, and while the sales last year amounted to $375,000, over 100,000 was paid out in wages, it becomes evident not only that the business is well managed, but that the rates of wages are comparatively high, and that Mr. Gunn's employees are well treated, a point of fundamental importance in the life of any man who aspires to be a true success. Mr. Gunn has been treasurer of the company from its organization; has kept his residence in Greenfield and has served the town as assessor and selectman.

In 1885 and 1886 Mr. Gunn was elected State senator, and served on the committees on the Hoosac Tunnel and Manufactures.  In 1888 and 1889 he was elected a member of the governor's council and served on the Hoosac Tunnel and Pardon committees.  He is a director in the Franklin County Bank and a trustee and member of the Board of Investment of the Greenfield Savings Bank, and has held other positions of trust.

He was married to Miss Esther C. Graves, in Sunderland, Oct. 5, 1853, and they have one son, L. Walter Gunn."