Title
Preview
Creation Date
Winter 2014
Description
Mr. Wesson (B.1825, D.1906) was one of Springfield's most illustrious 19th century citizens. As a young man in the 1850s and 1960s, he made a fortune by manufacturing weapons-- notably the revolver. In fact, in its heyday, Smith and Wesson was said to be the largest and finest such firm in America.
Mr. Wesson's business interests were wide ranging including helping establish the Bigelow Wire Works and The Fist National Bank. As a philanthropist, Mr. Wesson was one of the preeminent men of this generation helping to endow both Wesson Memorial Hospital (formerly Hampden Homeopathic) and Wesson Maternity Hospital.