Brookfield

Brookfield has the credit of the following eminent men: Dwight Foster (1757-1823), an able jurist, and United States senator from 1800 to 1803; Kiah Bailey (1776-1857), an able clergyman ; Col. Enos Cutler (1781-1860), a brave soldier; William Appleton (1786-1862), a successful merchant ; Samuel Jennison (l788-l860), an antiquary and author ; Pliny Merrick, LL.D. (l794-1867), an eminent lawyer and judge.

pp. 206-207 in Nason and Varney's Massachusetts Gazetteer, 1890

East Brookfield

Warren Tarbell, a businessman and very active in local and state politics.  The Plimpton family contributed with numerous innovations. James L Plimpton revolutionized the design of roller skates and the sport of roller-skating. Henry Plimpton incorporated the use of ball and roller bearings for specific applications such as carriage wheels. In addition, Henry Plimpton was the first in the area to install electricity in his home through the assistance of his friend Thomas Edison. The most noted citizen was Connie Mack (Cornelius McGillicuddy), "The Grand Old Man of Baseball" -- the oldest and most victorious manager in the major leagues with a managing career spanning nearly 50 years.

exerpt from Town of East Brookfield website

New Braintree

Among eminent natives of New Braintree were Charles Eames, (1812-1867), an able international lawyer and editor; Jonathan Fisher (1768-1847), clergyman, and author of "Scripture Animals."

p. 492 in Nason and Varney's Massachusetts Gazetteer, 1890

North Brookfield

Hon. William Appleton (1786-1862), a successful merchant, and for several years a member of Congress, was a native of this town. He gave a large sum to establish the Massachusetts General Hospital, and a valuable library of 3,500 volumes to the First Parish in North Brookfield Another native is Ebenezer S. Snell, Walker Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Amherst College. Hon. Amasa Walker and Charles Adams, Jun. (son of Charles Adams, M.D., of Brookfield), both political economists, and the latter a treasurer of the Commonwealth for several years following 1871, have long resided in this town.

pp. 514-515 inNason and Varney's Massachusetts Gazetteer, 1890

Warren

This town was formed from parts of Brookfield, Brimfield and Kingsfield, and incorporated under the name of "Western" on January 16, 1741. The name was changed to "Warren," in honor of the patriot, Gen. Joseph Warren, March 13, 1841. The first church was organized here in 1745, and the Rev. Isaac Jones was the first pastor. Nathan Read, an able jurist, inventor, and M.C. from 1800 to 1803, and son of Major Reuben Read of the Revolutionary army, was born in this town on July 2, 1759, and died in Belfast, Me., January 20, 1849.

pp. 661-662 in Nason and Varney's Massachusetts Gazetteer, 1890

West Brookfield

Lucy Stone (1818), prominent as an advocate of woman's rights; Rev. Austin Phelps, D.D. (1820), an able divine, and long a professor of rhetoric in Andover Theological Seminary, were natives of this town. Also natives, or long-time residents, were Jedediah Foster, a judge of the supreme court from 1776 to 1779; Dwight Foster, a judge of the court of common pleas from 1866 to 1869, and U.S, senator; Alfred D Foster, judge of probate, Worcester County; and David Hitchcock and Jabie Upham, members of Congress.

pp. 679-681 in Nason and Varney's Massachusetts Gazetteer, 1890