In February 1896, Watson sold his home at the northwest corner of Maple and Appleton Streets to Dr. Arthur B. Wetherill. The Elys planned to move to the house of their son, Franklin W. Ely, on Locust Street.
On April 11, 1896, two months after the sale of the Maple Street residence, Watson Ely died. The family asked the funeral to take place in their former home on Maple Street. The Wetherill family graciously assented to the request. Watson Ely was buried in Elmwood Cemetery.
After the death of Watson Ely, the Ely Lumber Company continued under the leadership of Franklin W. Ely. The Ely Lumber Company was formed as a corporation in 1898. Franklin W. Ely served as President, George S. Lewis as Treasurer, and Lorenzo A. Williston as Secretary.
The company began to frequently advertise its services. The company performed work on manufacturing stairs, cabinets, artistic ceilings, and wall work. It maintained its commercial work, performing interior and exterior work on schools, churches, colleges, tenements, manufacturing plants, and public buildings.
Smith College, Mt. Holyoke College, Deerfield Academy, Lawrence School, Holyoke High School, Brattleboro (VT) Hospital, Northampton State Hospital, Plunkett Memorial Hospital in North Adams, Berkshire Mutual Fire Insurance Building in Pittsfield, Chester and Ware Town Halls, Diocese of Springfield and Worcester churches are but a few of the company's notable projects.
In addition to selling lumber, the mill also sold wood treatments, including paints, varnishes, and other building supplies.
In 1911, the Department of Public Works purchased 50,000 feet of bridge planking.
In 1918, Henry Holley, a premier foreman for the company, retired after 42 years of service to the Elys. He was very well respected in the industry and throughout Holyoke. Mr. Holley was instrumental as the foreman for many of Watson Ely's major projects, including the completion of Holyoke City Hall, as well as the Windsor Hotel and Holyoke Opera House.
When the Newtons were constructing mills in the 1800s, the Watson Ely Company was doing the framing. This was Mr. Holley's specialty, and his outstanding reputation preceded him.
In the 1920s, the Ely Lumber Company became exclusive area agents for Flintkote Roofing, Upson and Sampson Board, National Plaster Board, Johns-Mansville Insulating Lumber, Cromar Flooring, and Curtis Woodworks.
Franklin Ely continued to operate the business into the 1930s when he was in his 80s. At times, the company had 100 employees working on wood products and lumber sales.
Two significant deaths happening days apart foreshadowed changes for the business. Franklin W. Ely, the former President, and George S. Lewis, an original incorporator and later President of the company, both died at the end of December 1938. Franklin Ely's funeral was held at his 166 Locust Street home. Mr. Lewis resided on Fairfield Avenue.
In 1939, Ely Lumber merged with Hampden Lumber Co., located on Upper State Street in Springfield. A decision was made to relocate from Holyoke and centralize at the Springfield location, which encompassed six acres, three times the land area of the Cabot Street site. The plant in Holyoke was soon demolished in 1940.
The land was under consideration for a new railroad station in 1943, but this did not materialize. Precious Blood Church used the vacant land to host several church fairs during the 1940s.
The property remained vacant until 1950, when Fernando and J. Emile Paradis, a 40-year grocer, purchased the land to build the new Pat's Supermarket.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
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