Joseph Ami Salls

     Joseph Ami Salls was born on 1 May 1842 at Noyan, Missisquoi Co, Quebec.¹ He was the son of Henry Salls and Lydia Branch. Joseph Ami Salls married Almeda Josephine Oakes, daughter of Abram Oakes and Mary A. Lyon, on 25 December 1875 at Athol, Worcester Co, Massachusetts; It was Almeda's second marriage.² Joseph Ami Salls died on 11 April 1936 at Athol, Worcester Co, Massachusetts, at age 93; "...Mr. Salls was turned down for Civil war duty when he did not pass a physical examination at the outbreak of the war. He was the youngest of four brothers and the last of the family.
Up to the time he was 91, he was regularly employed at a Highland filling station. He was born at Port Henry, NY and in 1874 came to Phillipston and to this town the year later. For many years he was employed at the former Lee Brothers shoe shop. Mrs. Salls died in 1921 and he leaves only an adopted daughter, Mrs. Marguerite Evans of Phoenix, Ariz."³ He was buried at Highland Cemetery, Athol, Worcester Co, Massachusetts.³
     Joseph was a member of the Massachusetts Masons, initiated 4 Nov 1868. Gives Lisco Lodge, Westport, NY. It mentions membership at Athol in 1885.¹ He was naturalized on 3 June 1868 at Elizabethtown, Essex Co, New York.⁴ He appeared on the census of 1870 at Phillipston, Worcester Co, Massachusetts; Joseph was listed as a worker in a chair shop. He was enumerated in the household of Joel and Hannah Parker, which listed six men as workers. Joel Parker was listed as a chair manufacturer. Series: M593 Roll: 655 Page: 193. He appeared on the census of 3 June 1880 at Templeton, Worcester Co, Massachusetts; Amie Salls, 39, b. Canada, Almeda J., 38, b. MA.⁵ He appeared on the census of 1 June 1900 at Athol, Worcester Co, Massachusetts; Joseph A. Salls, 58, Almeda J., his wife, 42, and Marguerite Salls, 12, "adopted child". William Mckay, 27, was enumeratored as "visitor".⁶ He appeared on the census of 1910 at Athol, Worcester Co, Massachusetts; Joseph A. Salls, 67, and Almeda J. Salls, his wife, 58. Carrie Walls lived with them as a lodger.⁷ He appeared on the census of 1920 at Melrose, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts; Joseph was listed as a 77 yr old lodger with his daughter, Marguerite and her husband, Raymond Drew.⁸