"Clifford Eliot9 Junkins (Elmer Leonard8, Leonard Putnam7, John H.6, Joseph5, James4, Joseph3, Alexander2, Robert1), b. June 8, 1899 Shapley Bridge, North Eliot, ME, m. June 11, 1921 Elsie Mabel Leland at 1st Congregational Church, Holyoke, MA
By Clifford E. Junkins, Jr.
"Clifford was the youngest of seven children, four boys and three girls. As a boy, he helped his father and older brother build a new house for the family on the farm. He also liked to help his grandfather, Leonard, on his farm on Mill Lane in York, Maine. Riding his bike from Eliot to York to help gramp, they were loading the ox cart up in the woods with Oak tree stump roots that had been dug out and selected before hand. These roots were to be delivered to the shipyard at Kittery-Portsmouth for the bow and keels of ships to be built there. After they were loaded and were coming back with the yoke of oxen, they went over an embankment and the cart started to push the team down the hill. They started running with the cart down the hill and grandfather yelled "Hallelujah, hold on tight," as he got the yoke under control. Grandfather would never swear and that was his way of expressing anger. Clifford's father, Elmer, would never swear either and his expression was "Dang it." Clifford did stray a little and would say "Damn it" once in a while.
"Clifford started work at about age fourteen as an apprentice machinist at the Kidder Press Co. in Dover, New Hampshire. He went to Massachusetts to visit his sister Emma and was offered a better job in a machine shop in Northhampton. When World War I came along, he was conscripted into service. The Army told him that because of his false teeth he could not serve with the soldiers but he would be required to serve with the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad out of Westfield, MA working in the railroad's machine shops.
"In 1921, about the time he married Elsie Leland, he changed trades and served four years as a carpenter apprentice and worked for different builders. In 1925, he built his own home at 8 Ogden Street in Holyoke, which he lived in until his death. In the mid 30s he went into business for himself, building new houses and remodeling. When World War II came along he was again called to work in the Springfield, MA armory machine shop and carpentry shop. After the war he continued in the building and construction business and in 1952 formed C. E. Junkins & Son, Contractors and Builders. In 1968 the Corporation was dissolved but he continued doing jobs that he could do alone. In 1987, his vision was failing and he had to give up driving which was a devastating blow to his independence. He was no longer able to do what he loved best, working with his tools and hands building and repairing and maintaining machines and furniture.
"Clifford was a member of the First Baptist Church of Holyoke, Ma; a 3rd Degree Mason of the William Whiting Lodge, Holyoke; Past Noble Grand in the Independent Order of Oddfellows #134 Mass.; and served as Commissioner of the Holyoke Board of Public Works during the 1950s.
"Clifford was a supportive member of the Junkins Family Association and enjoyed having his son read the newsletter to him and talking about people and places mentioned in the newlsetter. After fifty years of marriage and the death of his first wife, he married Jenett Peck Adams and enjoyed another 22 years with her. His last nine months was spent in and out of the Holyoke Hospital and a nursing home."
