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| Springfield Republican July 19, 1926 |
On July 18, 1926 a storm with strong winds wrecked havoc in West Springfield, Springfield, East Longmeadow and Wilbraham. On that Sunday afternoon downed trees and tree limbs, downed trolley poles and wires were visible throughout the area. Telephone service was affected as was Western Union capabilities. The first news reports believed that a tornado had traveled from West Springfield over the Connecticut River and into Springfield and beyond.
After examining the damage it was learned that the very strong storm had caused destruction to so many trees, including some in Longmeadow.
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| Springfield Republican July 20, 1926 |
The clean up started as soon as it was possible. That same year Joseph B. and Tirzah A. Cobb relocated from Springfield, MA to Longmeadow along with their four daughters Janet, Elizabeth, Mary and Frances. The Cobbs had purchased a house that was for sale at 54 Westmoreland Avenue.
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| Springfield Republican May 11, 1926 |
Joseph B. Cobb grew up in Chicopee, MA. After graduating from high school he went on to attend and graduate from Massachusetts Agricultural College (University of Massachusetts) in Amherst, MA in 1913.
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| Joseph B. Cobb 1913 Graduation Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Agricultural College (University of Massachusetts) |
He was a Forester and he started up his own business. Soon after moving to Longmeadow in 1926, Mr. Cobb found that his profession was needed during that month of July in the Greater Springfield, MA area. He wasted no time in promoting his business for all residents in neighboring towns/ cities. There was an advertisement in the local newspaper the day after this weather event occurred.
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| Springfield Daily News July 19, 1926 |
In 1928 the Cobb family moved back to the family homestead in Chicopee, MA after Joseph Cobb's mother had passed away. For many years his father Frank had served the city of Chicopee as the City Engineer. Joseph Cobb continued advertising his business in the local newspapers, but he included his current address and also the fact that his business had previously been located in Longmeadow, MA.
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| Springfield Republican May 27, 1928 |
Potential customers would be able to locate him. His business became known as "Cobb Tree Service" located in Chicopee, MA.
Additional Sources: Springfield Republican: July 15, 1934 and Sept. 24, 1935.
~Written by Judy Moran/ Longmeadow Historian
