DATE DUE
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
LIBRARY.
F
63
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CARD
Enryrbpe&ta gf MassachusettB
Biographical — Genealogical
Compiled with the Assistance of a
Capable Corps of Advisers and Contributors
ILLUSTRATED
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Inc.)
NEW YORK PUBLISHERS CHICAGO
Both justice and decency require that we should bestow on our forefathers
an honorable remembrance — Thiicydides
BIOGRAPHICAL
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
WHITE, Luther
During a residence of about half a cen-
tury in Chicopee, Massachusetts, during
which time he was continually engaged
in his professional work. Judge White
became one of the best known and most
honored men of his city. He was very
successful in the practice of his profes-
sion, conducting a general business cov-
ering all branches of the law, but making
a specialty of probate work during the
later years. For many years an associate
District Court judge, he was appointed
judge and also city solicitor in 1903, and
until 1912 held both these offices. After
Chicopee became a city in 1891, he took a
prominent part in public affairs, and held
city offices other than those mentioned.
He was also active in business life, hold-
ing official relation with important Chico-
pee corporations.
Judge White came from an early New
England family. He was born in Granby,
Massachusetts, September 2, 1841, and
died March 15, 1914. He began his
studies in the Granby public schools, con-
tinuing in Chicopee High School until
graduation, class of 1856, then pursuing
a two years' course at Williston Semin-
ary, Easthampton, Massachusetts, pre-
paratory to entering Brown University,
whence he was graduated Ph. D., class
of 1864. After completing his classical
education he began the study of law under
the direction of Charles D. Robinson, of
Charlestown, a brother of ex-Governor
Robinson, and later was admitted to the
Middlesex county bar. He began prac-
tice with Wells and Soule. In 1870 he
removed his office and practice to Chico-
pee, there continuing until his death forty-
four years later. As a lawyer he was
skillful, devoted to a client's interests,
and punctilious in the observance of the
profession he loved and which he adorned.
He practiced in all the branches of the
law, hence his learning was wide and
deep, extending through doctrine and
precedent to the very foundation. He
filled many city offices, from that of
school committeeman for several years,
to associate judge of the District Court at
Chicopee, serving many years, and ap-
pointed judge in 1903, and city solicitor
from 1903 to 1912. He was president of
the Common Council, 1891, and trustee of
the Public Library, offices which he held
for many years.
In the business world Judge White was
equally well known, having been a direc-
tor of the Chicopee First National Bank ;
a trustee of Chicopee Savings Bank, and
secretary of the corporation for many
years ; treasurer and director of the Ames
Manufacturing Company, later the Ames
Sword Company, five years, and secretary
two years ; vice-president of the Overman
Wheel Company for ten years ; and for
many years was associated with Lewis
M. Ferry in the fire insurance business;
was a director in the Chicopee Gas Light
Company. He was a Republican in poli-
tics, and an attendant of the Third Con-
gregational Church. He was a long-
time member of the American Bar, Mas-
sachusetts State Bar, and the Hampden
County Bar Association ; his club was the
Brown University of Springfield.
Judge White married, October 12, 1871,
at Chicopee, Mary J. Hadley, born at
Worcester, Massachusetts, August 29,
1846, died at Chicopee, October 6, 1912,
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
daughter of Moses C. and Adeline
(Wells) Hadley, of Chicopee, Massachu-
setts. Judge and Mrs. White were the
parents of a daughter, Mabel Adeline
White, who survives her parents, and is
a resident of Chicopee. |
\|
WOODWARD, Charles M. **
Of New Hampshire birth, of Middle
West development, but now matured and
ripened by experience, Charles M. Wood-
ward, of West Springfield, is giving the
best of his years and mental strength to
his own New England. He is a son of
Ezekiel Wilson Woodward, who in his
day was one of the great railroad execu-
tives of the Middle West, and guided the
destinies of several railroads and was per-
sonally familiar with the condition of
these roads, none knowing better than he
the true condition of the railroads of that
section. This is attested by the fact that
when appointed to assist in the re-organ-
ization of one of the great railroad lines
of the South, in 1866, before making a
report upon the condition of the road he
personally inspected every part of the
three hundred miles then comprising the
road's system, covering it on foot and
taking notes of minutest detail. The
railroad executives of half a century ago
evidently felt the responsibility of their
positions.
Ezekiel Wilson Woodward was of New
Hampshire birth, and like his son re-
turned to his loved New England after a
successful career and in his home adjoin-
ing that of his son at West Springfield
passed the last years of his life. He was
the son of Ezekiel and the grandson of
Ezekiel Woodward, both of whom were
agriculturists of Westmoreland, New
Hampshire, descendants of English Wood-
wards who came to New England not
long after the "Mayflower" landed her im-
mortal company of Pilgrims, Ezekiel
Wilson Woodward was of the eleventh
generation of his family in America and.
England, and the eldest of five children :
Ezekiel W., Mary, Lucy, Betsy and Sam-
uel. The last survivor of this family was
Lucy, who was a resident of Manchester,
New Hampshire, widow of Charles
Knight. Samuel, the youngest, was a
railroad official in the West and died in
1913-
Ezekiel Wilson Woodward was born in
Chesterfield, New Hampshire, spent his
youth at Westmoreland, in the same
State, and until nineteen years of age at-
tended local schools in connection with
his work as his father's farm assistant.
He began his career as an engineer with
a party making a survey for the Cheshire
railroad, now Fitchburg railroad, a year
with that party determining him to con-
tinue and make railroad construction his
lifework. The winter following he spent
with a party surveying the town of
Chelsea, after which he went West and
entered the employ of the Little Miami
railroad in Ohio. There he introduced
the "T" rail and superintended the laying
of the track between Cincinnati and
Columbus, Ohio. He then built the Cin-
cinnati and Muskingum Valley railroad,
now so called, and later made the first
survey for the Milwaukee & LaCrosse
railroad. From engineering and construc-
tion he passed to the operating depart-
ment of railroad management and for ten
years was superintendent of the Little
Miami railroad, the road which he had
aided in constructing. These ten years
spent in the operating department gave
him a vast amount of experience, and
henceforth, he was one of the able execu-
tives of the Middle West railroad systems.
At the end of his ten years' superin-
tendcncy of the Little Miami railroad he
was elected president of the same road,
continuing in that position five years,
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
when he resigned to accept the presidency
of the Indianapolis and St. Louis railroad.
Three years later he was appointed as-
sistant receiver of the St. Louis Bridge
Company, and after adjusting the affairs
of that concern accepted the presidency
of what was known as the Ohio Railroad
Company. After resigning that position
he came East and spent his last years in
New England, residing near his son,
Charles Miller, in West Springfield. He
died in 1898 at the age of sixty-eight
years.
This record of a useful life would be
incomplete without mention of some of
the great hardships endured during that
period of his life, when, as an engineer,
Mr. Woodward and his surveying parties
entered into the early location of rail-
roads. Mention has been made of his
making the preliminary survey for the
Milwaukee & LaCrosse railroad. This
was made in the winter, and for three
months the party endured the greatest
hardship a Michigan winter could inflict.
The route was through virgin forest and
trackless swamps, miles from human
habitation, and out of the party of thirty
men but ten were whites, the remainder
being Indians. This was but one of his
many experiences, for he was one of the
pioneer railroad builders and one of the
most widely known of all the men of his
period who laid the foundation for the
railroad prominence of the Middle West.
He was as able in management as in con-
struction and no railroad executive of his
day achieved greater or more honorable
results.
President Woodward married Harriet
Miller, born in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania,
died in West Springfield, aged seventy-
two, and daughter of William Miller, one
of the pioneer hat manufacturers of Cir-
cleville, Ohio, where he died after a use-
ful life, covering a period of seventy-six
years. Mr. and Mrs. Woodward were the
parents of a son, Charles Miller Wood-
ward, of further mention ; and a daughter
Miriam, of West Springfield, Massachu-
setts.
Charles Miller Woodward, only son of
Ezekiel Wilson and Harriet (Miller)
Woodward, was born in Westmoreland,
New Hampshire, January 6, 1856. He
was early taken West by his parents, and
in the city schools of Cincinnati, Ohio,
and Indianapolis, Indiana, obtained his
preparatory education. He then pre-
pared for a profession at the Cincinnati
University, taking the civil engineering
course and completing a thorough prac-
tical training for the business of life.
After receiving his degree he began and
for ten years pursued the calling of a
civil engineer, specializing in railroad
work, following the example of his father.
During these years he was engaged in
constructive operations with the Cincin-
nati & Easton railroad ; the St. Louis
Bridge Company; the Cincinnati-South-
ern railroad, in both engineering and
operating departments ; the Cincinnati,
Hamilton & Dayton railroad, in the oper-
ating department four years as assistant
superintendent ; then again with the St.
Louis Bridge Company. He then retired
from railroad employ, residing at Morrow,
in Warren county, Ohio, there continuing
as private and consulting engineer until
1895. During that period he was princi-
pally engaged in advanced road construc-
tion and the erection of public works of
various kinds.
In the year 1895 he decided to return to
New England, the home of his ancestors
and his own birthplace. While in Ohio
he owned several farms and on coming
East he chose a tract of three hundred
acres located in West Springfield, on the
road leading from Springfield to West-
field, on which his home, No. 1117
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Westfield street, West Springfield, stands.
His farm is devoted to general farm-
ing and the raising of stock and hay.
From 1899 to 1907 he was a member of
the board of water commissioners and
has taken much interest in the movement
to increase or improve the pure water
supply. The result of the labors of Mr.
Woodward and his colleagues is seen in
the pure and abundant supply the town
enjoys. During the years which cover
the period of greatest interest in the con-
struction of a bridge to span the Connec-
ticut between Springfield and West
Springfield, Mr. Woodward served upon
the special committee representing West
Springfield, and in addition made a num-
ber of private surveys and estimates of
costs. He is a member of the town Board
of Trade, and in politics is a Republican.
Mr. Woodward married, January 11,
1882, Eliza Abrams Rhodes, born in Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, daughter of Joseph and
Mary Elmira Rhodes, her father a native
of Maryland and for many years, until
1894, superintendent of the Western Divi-
sion of the Adams Express Company,
with offices in Cincinnati. He was for
sixty-five years, or until his death, a resi-
dent of that city and died in 1917 at the
age of eighty-seven years. His wife was
a native of Pennsylvania, they the parents
of four children, among whom were :
Mrs. Woodward, the eldest, and Mrs. C.
L. Gould, of Springfield, Massachusetts.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Miller Wood-
ward are the parents of Charles Lyall
Woodward, educated in the public schools
and Springfield Technical High School.
After leaving school he was engaged in
the automobile business until 191 1, then
was successively with the Gilbert &
Barker Company, the Fisk Rubber Com-
pany of Chicopee Falls, the Quigley
Manufacturing Company, and the Chap-
man Valve Company of Indian Orchard,
Massachusetts, and later went with the
Mason Machine Works of Taunton, Mas-
sachusetts, in all of which positions he
was engaged in mechanical engineering.
He married Cecilia D. Reed, of Spring-
field.
ELLIS, Carlos Bent
To aid in the building of character and
in the training of the powers of the next
generation is to contribute to the life of
a city a lasting benefaction, the influence
of which is infinite. Carlos Bent Ellis,
one of Springfield's well known educators,
and the founder and principal of the High
School of Commerce of Springfiefd, who
some twenty years ago organized the com-
mercial department of the Central High
School, from which has developed the
splendid school with more than a thou-
sand pupils which he still directs, is de-
scended from a very old family that has
been known in America for nearly three
centuries, and traces its ancestry to Eng-
land, where lived John Ellis, whose name
was derived from the Welsh possessive
form Aleck's, meaning Aleck's son. In-
stead of saying William's David, or
Aleck's John, the Welsh people used the
expression "David, William's" or "John,
Aleck's," and this practice gave rise
to a long category of surnames as
Jones (John's), Harris (Harry's), Ellis
(Aleck's).
(I) The family of which Carlos Bent
Ellis is a representative is descended
from John Ellis, who settled in Lynn,
Massachusetts, 1637-1638, and at Sand-
wich, Barnstable county, Massachusetts,
as early as 1641, and in 1643 is men-
tioned in the town records as a person
capable of bearing arms. This implies
that he was a man of good report in the
plantation there, a freeman, and a mem-
ber of the church in good standing, as no
others were permitted to appear upon the
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
list of those "capable of bearing arms."
In July, 1657, John Ellis, mentioned as
"Lieutenant Ellis," was one of the four-
teen freeman of Sandwich who signed the
agreement to support a minister in the
town : "We whose names are hereunder
written, do hereby engage ourselves to
pay towards the minister's support,
yearly, the several sums as followeth —
except as God by His Providence shall
disenable us, or any of us remove out of
Sandwich." To this cause John Ellis
promised to pay one pound each year,
there being only three of the whole num-
ber who pledged a greater sum, which
fact indicates that he was a man of means
as well as of influence among the towns-
men. The "Annals of Sandwich," in not-
ing events of the year 1677, state that
"Mr. John Ellis, the ancestor of those of
the name in this town, one of the oldest
and first settlers, died this year." John
Ellis was by occupation a surveyor.
John Ellis married, in 1645, Elizabeth
Freeman, daughter of that Edmund Free-
man, to whom, April 3, 1637, with nine
associates, the town of Sandwich was
granted, he being one of the leading pro-
prietors of the town. Edmund Freeman
was born in England about 1590, and
came to New England in 1635, with his
two sons, Edmund, Jr., and John, aged
fifteen and eight, respectively, and two
daughters, Alice, aged seventeen, and
Elizabeth, aged twelve. Alice Freeman
married William Paddy, of Plymouth, the
first treasurer of the Colony, and Eliza-
beth, third of her father's children, married
John Ellis, of Sandwich. Edmund Free-
man was not only conspicuous in town
affairs, but from 1640 to 1646 inclusive
was assistant in the government of the
Colony. He lived to be ninety-two years
old, dying in Sandwich in 1682. His sons,
Edmund and John, were also prominent,
both being deputies to the General Court.
Lieutenant John and Elizabeth (Free-
man) Ellis were the parents of eight chil-
dren: Bennett, born in 1649; Mordecai,
of whom further; Joel, born in 1655;
Nathaniel, born in 1657; Matthias, ad-
mitted freeman in Sandwich in 1681 ;
John, married Sarah Holmes ; Samuel ;
Freeman, admitted freeman 1681, married
Mercy, surname unknown, and had sons
Joel, Ebenezer, Mordecai, and Gideon.
(II) Mordecai Ellis, son of John and
Elizabeth (Freeman) Ellis, was born
March 24, 1651, and died in 1715. He was
made a freeman in 1681. He married
Rebecca Clark. They were the parents of
children : John, Samuel, Josiah, William,
Mordecai, Jr., Benjamin, of whom further ;
Sarah, Eleanor, Mary, and Rebecca.
(III) Benjamin Ellis, son of Mordecai
and Rebecca (Clark) Ellis, married and
reared a family of children, among whom
was Benjamin (2), of whom further.
(IV) Benjamin (2) Ellis, son of Ben-
jamin (i) Ellis, was born April 19, 1732.
He married and reared a family of chil-
dren, among whom was Samuel, of whom
further.
(V) Samuel Ellis, son of Benjamin (2)
Ellis, was born May 2^, 1762, and died
June 29, 1832. He married, and among
his children was Charles, of whom
further.
(VI) Charles Ellis, son of Samuel
Ellis, was born January 8, 1795, and died
in 1851. He married Mary Pettingill, and
among their children was Don Carlos
Bent, of whom further.
(VII) Don Carlos Bent Ellis, son of
Charles and Mary (Pettingill) Ellis, was
born in Montgomery county. New York,
January 8, 1824, and died December 7,
1912. He received his education in the
public schools, was a farmer, and also
learned the harnessmaker's trade while
still a boy. During the later years of his
life he followed farming exclusively,
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
specializing in fruit, and becoming pro-
ficient in that branch of agriculture. His
religious affiliation was with the Metho-
dist church. He married Elizabeth Hart,
of Victor, New York, born in 1832, died
in 1898, daughter of John Hart, and a
descendant of Deacon Stephen Hart, who
was born in 1605, and came to America
in 1632, the line of descent being through :
his son John, Captain John (2), Isaac,
Isaac (2), Job, Jabesh, John, Elizabeth
Hart, who married Don Carlos Bent Ellis.
Don Carlos Bent and Elizabeth (Hart)
Ellis became the parents of three children :
Carlos B., of whom further; Walter, re-
sides in Lockport, New York, and Emma,
married William J. Campbell, and resides
in Royalton, Niagara county. New York.
(VIII) Carlos Bent Ellis, son of Don
Carlos Bent and Elizabeth (Hart) Ellis,
was born in Victor, New York, August 8,
i860. He received his education in the
public schools of his native town, in the
Union School of Lockport, New York,
and in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary,
of Lima, New York, from which he was
graduated in 1882. After his graduation
he taught for a few years, beginning in a
small brick school house in the Western
part of New York. He later went to
Syracuse, where he studied law, and was
admitted to the bar in 1888. Instead of
practicing law, however, he again taught
for a time, and then spent a year in travel,
representing a publishing house. In 1892
he came to Westfield, Massachusetts,
where he taught in the high school for a
period of six years, until 1898, in which
year he accepted a position in the Central
High School of Springfield, Massachu-
setts. In those days there were few high
schools which taught commercial sub-
jects, and Mr. Ellis was keenly alive to
the fact that a large percentage of the
children who might have received the
benefits of the high school course were
unable to do so because of the necessity
of learning to do something which would
bring a financial return. He also realized
that great numbers of boys and girls
began the struggle to earn a livelihood
absolutely without training, unskilled in
any line of work, and without the broad-
ening influences that high school training
might bring into their lives. He therefore
during the first year of his work in
Springfield, in 1898, organized a com-
mercial department, which began its
career with thirty-seven pupils. That
Mr. Ellis was meeting a real and not a
fancied need was evidenced by the
growth of the enrollment of the new de-
partment. By 1906 the student body had
outgrown its quarters, and the department
was transferred to the Technical High
School, where for four years more it in-
creased so rapidly in scope, efficiency, and
enrollment, that before 1910 it was clear
to the school authorities and to all con-
cerned that the commercial department
of the Technical High School must soon
be provided with a building of its own
equipped to meet its special needs, if its
rapidly increasing possibilities were to
be given an opportunity for full develop-
ment. In 1910 the result of much plan-
ning and the exercise of much foresight
and energetic activity were realized in
the organization of the new High School
of Commerce, of which Mr. Ellis, who
had done more than any other one person
to bring it into existence, was made prin-
cipal. That position he still holds, and
no better evidence of the quality of his
work can be given than the fact that the
modest commercial department organized
by Mr. Ellis in 1898, as a part of the Cen-
tral High School, has become the High
School of Commerce, enrolling more than
a thousand students, and graduating each
year a large group of boys and girls who
are well equipped to begin careers of use-
8
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
fulness, and who, because they are skilled
in some line of work that will yield them
an economic return, may become at once
economically independent and therefore
free to develop special talents, or to earn
the means for more advanced education
if they so desire. The school is housed
in one of the finest public school buildings
in the United States, with every modern
convenience known to the educational
world. The value of the work of Mr.
Ellis during the nearly a quarter of a cen-
tury which he has given to the develop-
ment of this department of educational
work can never be estimated. Only in the
lives of those who have received the bene-
fits of those labors and in the lives of their
children and their children's children can
the results be recorded, and those living
results can never be reduced to any form
of statistical record. When Mr. Ellis has
completed his work and left the scenes of
his labors, influences which he has set in
motion will still be at work through the
lives of those who have had their powers
developed and have been made economi-
cally independent through the educational
advantages which he helped to place
within their reach.
Mr. Ellis has been a member of the
Chamber of Commerce for many years,
and is now (1922) serving his second term
as one of its board of directors. He is the
second oldest principal in point of service
in the city. He has been a member of
the Massachusetts Teachers' Association
and of the executive committee of that
body for many years, and was president
for two years. He is a member of the
Methodist church, has been an active
participant in its work, and has served as
an official for some thirty years.
On August 29, 1893, Carlos B. Ellis
married Lesbia S. Christie, of Spring-
field, Ohio, daughter of Edward P. and
Mary Elizabeth (Boss) Christie, and
granddaughter of John Christie, of New
Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are the
parents of two sons and two daughters:
I. Sherman Christie, who was born in
Westfield, Massachusetts, April 2, 1897;
entered the ambulance service of the
French army, going abroad and serving
for six months in the front lines previous
to the United States going into the World
War. When the United States entered
the war, he secured a transfer to the forces
of his own country, and trained in France
and Italy in the Officers' Training School,
being commissioned second lieutenant.
He returned to the United States shortly
after the armistice was signed, and on his
return to civil life was associated for a
time with Gilbert and Barker, at present
(1922) being with Charles Hall Company,
Inc. 2. Carlos Bent, Jr., who was born
in Springfield, Massachusetts, January
18, 1900; enlisted in the Regular Army
at the outbreak of the World War, being
assigned to the Artillery Division. He
went to France, where he entered the
Officers' Training School, later receiving
a commission as second lieutenant. He
was assigned to the First Division with
the Army of Occupation in Germany,
where he remained until July, 1919, when
he returned to the United States, and was
honorably discharged. He is now a stu-
dent at Wesleyan University. 3. Lesbia,
born March 2^, 1901 ; educated in the pub-
lic schools and Central High School,
from which latter she was graduated in
1921 ; is now (1922) a junior in Wesleyan
University. 4. Margaret, born October
31, 1909; is now a junior in the Spring-
field High School.
VAN SICKLE, James Hixon
A well known educator and lecturer,
now superintendent of schools in Spring-
field, Massachusetts, James Hixon Van
Sickle traces his ancestry to Holland. The
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
name Van Sickle, or, as it is spelled in the
old annals, Van Sicklen, originated in the
"Low Countries" later known as Holland.
The progenitor of the American family of
that name was Ferdinandus Van Sickle,
who came to this country in 1652. settled
on Long Island, and died at Gravesend,
Long Island, in 1712. He married Eva
Antones Jansen, and they were the par-
ents of children from whom are descended
the various branches of the family now
in America. As time passed, descendants
of Ferdinandus Van Sickle migrated to
other sections of the country, especially
after the surrender of the Dutch posses-
sions to the English in 1664, some of
them going to Warren county, New Jer-
sey, where James Van Sickle, grandfather
of James Hixon Van Sickle, lived during
the early years of his life.
James Van Sickle was a farmer, sturdy,
thrifty, and upright in his dealings. From
Warren county, New Jersey, he removed
to the western part of the State of New
York, where he engaged in farming dur-
ing the remainder of his active life. He
married Hannah Landis, and they became
the parents of one child, John.
John Van Sickle, son of James and
Hannah (Landis) Van Sickle, was born
in Warren county. New Jersey, in 1821.
In 1828 he went with his parents to the
western part of New York State. Those
were stirring times for the people of that
part of the State. The opening of the
Erie Canal (1820) meant increase of busi-
ness and travel, lower cost of living, and
easy access to the rich lands in the west-
ern part of the State. So it was that John
Van Sickle spent his years in Livingston
county. New York ; and here when he
grew to manhood he became a farmer of
ability and means. Thrifty, capable, and
dependable, he was a prominent man in
the community, known not only for his
skill as an agriculturist, but looked up to
as a widely read and intelligent man of
affairs. His interest in educational mat-
ters led him to give much time and
thought to the establishment of efficient
schools in the newly opened sections, and
his service in this field was recognized
by his fellow-citizens. Honored and re-
spected by friends and associates, he died
in South Livonia, in December, 1891, hav-
ing lived almost exactly his allotted three
score and ten years. John Van Sickle
married, in 1847, Alexina Curtis, born in
Cayuga county. New York, in 1828, died
in 1875, daughter of David and Sophia
(Green) Curtis. They became the parents
of three children : Sophia ; Ella (Mrs. A.
W. Macy), deceased; and James H., of
further mention.
James Hixon Van Sickle, son of John
and Alexina (Curtis) Van Sickle, was
born in South Livonia, Livingston county.
New York, October 24, 1852. He received
his early education in the local schools
which his father had done so much to
establish and improve, and then entered
New York State Normal School (now
College), graduating in 1873. He taught
for a time and then became a student in
Williams College, 1876-77, afterwards re-
moving to Colorado, where, in the inter-
vals of teaching, he continued his studies
in the State University. In 1896 he re-
ceived the degree of Bachelor of Arts from
the University of Colorado, and two years
later from the same institution the degree
of Master of Arts. The quality of his
work as educator is evidenced by the fact
that in 1905 the University of the State of
New York conferred upon him the hon-
orary degree of Doctor of Pedagogy,
Likewise, in 1913, Williams College con-
ferred upon him the honorary degree of
Master of Arts.
The educational work of Mr. Van Sickle
has been widely varied, and represents
almost every phase of the profession in
10
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the country. Beg-inning in the village
schools of New Providence, New Jersey,
he later taught in Caledonia, New York,
and in Cook Academy, Monitour Falls,
New York. After his removal to Color-
ado he served first as principal of a city
school in Denver, and later was made
superintendent of the North Side schools
of that city, his work in Denver covering
the period from 1883 to 1900. From 1900
to 191 1 he was superintendent of public
instruction in Baltimore, Maryland. In
191 1 he came to Springfield, Massachu-
setts, as superintendent of the public
schools of that city, where, with skill and
efficiency, he has continued to discharge
the duties of that office to the present
time (1922).
Besides the regular work of the teach-
ing and administrative positions which
he has held, Mr. Van Sickle has done a
large amount of constructive work in
allied fields. He is editor of the well-
known "Riverside Readers," and of a
series of arithmetics. As a member of the
Committee of Eight of the American His-
torical Association, he helped formulate
the course of study in United States His-
tory now standard throughout the coun-
try. He served as a lecturer on school
administration in the four summer ses-
sions of the University of Chicago, 1902-
1906; Yale, 1907; Cornell, 1908; Univers-
ity of Tennessee, 1909-11; and Harvard
1914-15. He has served as director of
school surveys in many cities, including
Bridgeport, Connecticut, 1913; Boston,
Massachusetts, 1915 ; Harrisburg, Penn-
sylvania, and Brookline, Massachusetts,
1916; Lowell, Massachusetts, 1919; New-
ton and Wellesley, Massachusetts, 1920.
With all these activities Mr. Van Sickle
has found time for active participation in
the work of the National Educational As-
sociation ; the National Council of Educa-
tion ; the Southern Educational Associa-
tion, of which he was president in 1900;
and of the American School Peace League,
1908-1913. He is a member of the college
fraternity Phi Beta Kappa, being affiliated
with the Alpha Chapter, University of
Colorado, and in church affiliation he is
a Congregationalist.
On August I, 1883, Mr. Van Sickle
married Caroline E. Valentine, of New
Providence, New Jersey, daughter of Dan-
iel and Mary Valentine. They are the
parents of four children : Helen, Isabel,
John Valentine, and Schuyler Curtis. The
first daughter, educated at Maryland In-
stitute of Art and Design, New York Art
Students' League, Paris and Vienna, is a
portrait artist; the second, educated at
Goucher College, Baltimore, Berlin and
Leipzig, married Dr. John Whyte and has
a son, William. Both John V. and Schuy-
ler C. Van Sickle served in the World
War, John V. as lieutenant in the land
forces, and Schuyler C. as an enlisted sea-
man in the navy. Schuyler C. married
Elizabeth Kilgour, and has a daughter,
Caroline. Both John V. and Schuyler C.
Van Sickle are graduates of Haverford
College, and both hold the degree of Mas-
ter of Arts from Harvard College. Schuy-
ler C. Van Sickle is a teacher of history.
After the close of the World War John V.
Van Sickle was connected with the Amer-
ican Embassy in Paris, and now (1922) is
assistant to the Technical Adviser of
Austria at Vienna. V/
WOODWARD, Harry Andrew
Harry Andrew Woodward, president
of the Chapin National Bank, of Spring-
field, is of English extraction, and is de-
scended from very old Colonial stock in
this country, Henry Woodward, his pa-
ternal ancestor, being recorded as a
resident of Dorchester, Massachusetts, in
1635. The surname Woodward is of fre-
quent occurrence, and is derived from the
II
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
name of an office which in the early days
in England was extremely important to
the aristocracy and often bore with
peculiar hardship upon the common
people. Only the nobility, those of the
privileged classes had legal right to hunt
or to cut down trees in the various for-
ests and "woods" of the country. Com-
mon people might pick up dead branches,
let their pigs eat acorns, and enjoy a few
other minor privileges, but the big things,
such as the game and the timber, were for
the favored few. In order that the
"rights" of the privileged classes might
not be infringed upon, officers called wood
wardens were required to keep watch and
report all offences against "vert and veni-
son" at the forest courts. The life of the
wood warden who rigorously discharged
his duties made it necessary that those
who filled that office should be men of
great courage, strength, and sagacity.
During the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth
centuries, when the custom of using sur-
names was gradually being adopted in
England, the children of the wood ward
most frequently came to be known as
Woodwards, and then Woodward came
to be the surname.
(I) The branch of the family to which
Harry Andrew Woodward belongs traces
its ancestry to Henry Woodward, who
was in Dorchester, Massachusetts, as
early as 1635, and died in Northamp-
ton, Massachusetts, in 1685. He reared a
family of children among whom was a
son, John.
(II) John Woodward, son of Henry
Woodward, became the father of John (2).
(III) John (2) Woodward, son of John
(i) Woodward, reared a family, among
whom was Israel.
(IV) Israel Woodward, son of John
(2) Woodward, became the father of
Samuel.
(V) Samuel Woodward, son of Israel
Woodward, lived in Torrington, Connec-
ticut. He married Mary Griswold, and
they had children, among whom was
Samuel Bayard.
(VI) Samuel Bayard Woodward, son
of Samuel and Mary (Griswold) Wood-
ward, was born in Torrington, Connecti-
cut, in 1787, and died in Northampton,
Massachusetts, January 3, 1850, aged
sixty-three years. He was a man of large
ability, a noted physician and alienist,
who stood foremost among the specialists
of his profession. He received his pre-
liminary education in the local schools
and in nearby preparatory schools, and
then entered Yale College, graduating
from the medical department in 1812, with
the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He
rapidly rose in his profession, devoting
his time largely to the study of mental
and nervous disorders, and finally be-
came an authority in his field. He was
superintendent of the State Insane
Asylum, at Worcester, Massachusetts,
from 1833 to 1846, and filled the same
office in the State Institution for the
Insane at Northampton, Massachusetts,
from 1846 to the time of his death in
1850. He married Maria Porter, of Mas-
sachusetts, and their children were:
Charles ; Rufus ; Samuel ; Henry, of
further mention ; Edward ; and two
daughters.
(VII) Henry (2) Woodward, son of
Samuel Bayard and Maria (Porter) Wood-
ward, was born in Wethersfield, Connec-
ticut, in 1823, and died in Worcester,
Massachusetts, in 1907. He received a
practical education in the local schools of
his native city, and then entered the Wor-
cester Hospital as the first clerk in that
institution of which his father was super-
intendent. His interest was in financial
and commercial administration rather
than in the work of the institution which
his father directed. He took advantage
12
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
of his opportunity to become treasurer of
the Worcester Mechanics' Savings Bank
in Worcester. For fifty years he dis-
charged the duties of that office, enjoying
the absolute confidence as well as the love
and esteem of his associates. A modest,
unassuming man, he was a great lover of
nature. The wide out-of-doors held
charms for him which none but an artist
may know, and many of his hours outside
his bank were spent in the open. Loved
and revered by family, hosts of friends
and associates, and most highly esteemed
by his fellow-citizens as an upright man
of unquestioned integrity, his death left
vacant a place difficult to fill. Henry
Woodward married Mary Hunt, of
Cherry Valley, Massachusetts, who died
in 1871. Their children were: Alice H. ;
Katy, who died young ; Maria P. ; Harry
A., of further mention ; Norman P. ; and
Mary H.
(VIII) Harry Andrew Woodward, son
of Henry (2) and Mary (Hunt) Wood-
ward, was born in Worcester, Massachu-
setts, August 4, 1863. He received his edu-
cation in the public schools of Worcester,
and when through school began his busi-
ness career in the office of the Washburn
& Moen Manufacturing Company, in
Worcester. He remained with this com-
pany for nine years. He became identi-
fied with various banks and banking oper-
ations, and for many years was engaged
in selling bonds in New York City. In
1916 he was chosen president of the
Chapin National Bank, of Springfield, and
this office he is still (1922) filling. His
wide experience in similar and related
lines of business has peculiarly fitted him
for the responsibilities of this position
and, like his father before him, he enjoys
the confidence and high esteem of his
associates and fellow-citizens.
On January 25, 1888, Mr. Woodward
married Charlotte Benson, of Worcester,
Massachusetts, daughter of Silvanus and
Charlotte (Kelley) Benson, and they have
one son, James Henry Woodward.
James Henry Woodward, son of Harry
A. and Charlotte (Benson) Woodward,
was born in New York City, October 12,
1890. He received his early education in
the schools of New York City, and then
entered Harvard College. Leaving col-
lege in 1914, he entered the banking busi-
ness, in which his father was engaged,
and is a bond salesman. In April, 1917,
he enlisted for service in the World War,
as a member of the Reserves. He entered
into training at Annapolis, where he re-
mained three months, and was then as-
signed to the flagship in the Adriatic ser-
vice. He was also with the patrol fleet
in New York harbor, and was promoted
to the rank of junior lieutenant.
WHITE, Leander Warren
Leander Warren White, vice-president
of the Chicopee National Bank, has seen
that organization develop from a small
concern, requiring only seven people to
handle its work, into its present impor-
tant status as one of the largest institu-
tions of its kind in the city, requiring
forty-six people to take care of its varied
interests. From the humble position of
messenger boy to the responsible office of
vice-president of the concern he has risen,
growing with the institution, becoming
thoroughly conversant with practically
every phase of its operations, and render-
ing valuable service in each of the various
positions through which he has risen to
his present office of trust. Mr. White is
most highly esteemed in the community,
is active in the Boy Scout movement, and
is deeply interested in various other social
and civic activities, as well as in two im-
portant fraternal orders.
The White family is a very old one,
tracing its ancestry back to Elder John
i3
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
White, who was probably born in Eng-
land about 1600, and died January i, 1684.
He sailed on the ship "Lion" about June
22, 1632, and landed in Boston, Massachu-
setts, September 16, accompanied by his
wife Mary and at least two children. Set-
tling in Cambridge, he was assigned a
"home lot" on "Cow Yard Row," with
about thirty acres of outlying farm land.
On August 5, 1633, he was allotted an ad-
ditional three-quarters of an acre for a
cow yard, this piece of land being located
about where Harvard Library now stands.
He was a member of the first Board of
Selectmen of Cambridge, and was one of
a group of about a hundred men, women,
and children who left Cambridge and
formed a new settlement at Hartford,
where he was allotted about two acres on
the east side of Governor street for a
home lot and about two hundred and
thirty acres of farm land. He was promi-
nent in the affairs of the settlement, and,
dissention arising in the Hartford church,
he was one of the leaders of a group of
about sixty who left Hartford and formed
a new settlement at Hadley, Massachu-
setts. Here his allotment for a home lot
was about eight acres on the east side of
Hadley street, with a large area of out-
lying farm land. He returned to Hart-
ford about 1670 and was elected elder in
the South Church, which had shortly
before been formed by a number who had
left the First Church. John and Mary
White were the parents of six children : i.
Mary, married, February 29, 1646, Jona-
than Gilbert, of Hartford; died Decem-
ber 10, 1682. 2. Nathaniel, of further
mention. 3. Sergeant John, died about
September 15, 1725 ; married Sarah Bunce,
who died June 20, 1676. 4. Lieutenant
Daniel, born about 1639, died July 27,
1713; married, November i, 1661, Sarah
Crow, born March i, 1647, ^^^^ June 26,
1719. 5. Sarah, married (first) Stephen
Taylor, who died about September 8,
1665 ; (second) Barnabas Hinsdale, died
September 18, 1675 ; (third) Walter Hick-
son, died April 3, 1696. 6. Ensign Jacob,
born October 8, 1645, died in 1701 ; mar-
ried Elizabeth Bunce, who died in 1716.
(II) Captain Nathaniel White, son of
John and Mary White, was born in Eng-
land about 1629, and died August 27, 171 1.
He was one of the original proprietors
and first settlers of Middletown, Connec-
ticut, and a prominent citizen, who was
elected to the Legislature eighty-five
times in the half-yearly elections, and last
chosen at the age of eighty-one years. He
married (first) Elizabeth , who
died in 1690, aged about sixty-five years;
(second) Martha, daughter of John Coit
and widow of Hugh Mould. She died
April 14, 1730, aged about eighty-six
years. Children: i. Deacon Nathaniel
(2), mentioned below. 2. Elizabeth, born
March 7, 1655, died December 25, 1711;
married Sergeant John Clark, who died
July 26, 173 1. 3. John, born April 9,
1657, died about July, 1748; married
Mary . 4. Mary, born April 7,
1659, died November 15, 1732; married
(first), January 16, 1678, Jacob Cornwall,
who died April 18, 1708, aged sixty-one
years; (second), April 13, 1710, John
Bacon, who died November 4, 1732, aged
seventy years. 5. Ensign Daniel, born
February 23, 1662, died December 18, 1739 ;
married, in March, 1683, Susannah Mould,
born April 2, 1663, died September 7,
1754. 6. Sarah, born January 22, 1664;
married John Smith. 7. Jacob, born May,
1665, died March 29, 1738; married (first),
February 4, 1692, Deborah Shepard, who
died February 8, 1721, aged fifty-one
years; (second), December 16, 1729, Re-
becca (Willet) Ramney. 8. Joseph, born
February 20, 1667, ^i^^ February 28,
1725; married, April 3, 1693, May Mould,
born July 26, 1665, died August ii, 1730.
14
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
(III) Deacon Nathaniel (2) White, son
of Captain Nathaniel (i) and Elizabeth
White, was born July 7, 1652, in Middle-
town, Connecticut, and died February 15,
1742. He removed to Hadley about the
time of his marriage and settled on the
homestead of this grandfather. Elder John
White, where he took the oath of alle-
giance in February, 1679. -^^ was promi-
nent in church and town affairs, and was
a large land-owner, and one of those who
served on the committee which was ap-
pointed to arrange the seating of the con-
gregation in the meeting house. He mar-
ried, March 28, 1678, Elizabeth Savage,
born June 3, 1655, died January 30, 1742,
daughter of John Savage. Their chil-
dren were: i. Elizabeth, born January
13, 1679, d^^^ young. 2. Nathaniel, born
November 4, 1680, died May 28, 1762;
married, May 10, 1709, Esther Strong,
who was born April 30, 1683, and died
August II, 1756. 3. John, born Novem-
ber 28, 1682, died about 1766; married
(first), January 5, 1715, Martha Church,
born September 23, 1694; (second), Feb-
ruary 27, 1722, Abigail Atherton, who
died May 10, 1766. 4. Sarah, probably
died young. 5. Deacon Joseph, born Feb-
ruary 28, 1687, died before 1770; married,
February 3, 1709, Abigail Craft, born
September 29, 1688, died November 15,
1770. 6. Daniel, of further mention. 7.
Jacob, born December 5, 1691, died in
June, 1692. 8. Mary, born October 16,
1693, died about 1720; married, January
28, 1719, Israel Dickinson, who died April,
1733- 9- Elizabeth, born November 8,
1695, dis^i i" 17535 married, January 24,
1716, Deacon Samuel Montague. 10.
William, born August 15, 1698, died May
30, 1774; married (first), March 22, 1728,
Mary (Seldon) Taylor, born September
27, 1703? died August 10, 1735; (second),
June 2, 1737, Martha Warner, born Octo-
ber 25, 1706, died October 3, 1787. 11.
Ebenezer, born April 9, 1701, died March
23, 1733 ; married, October 28, 1730, Ruth
Atherton, who died April 29, 1785, aged
eighty-four years.
(IV) Daniel White, son of Deacon Na-
thaniel (2) and Elizabeth (Savage) White,
was born March i, 1690, and died October
19, 1721. He married, in 1714, Hannah
Bagg, who died December 11, 1764, aged
seventy-two years. Their children were :
I. Experience, born May 19, 171 5, died
in 1758; married William Bliss, who died
in 1758, aged forty-seven years. 2. Jacob,
born November 13, 1716, died January 10,
1762; married, February 2, 1745, Amy
Stebbins, born August 6, 1724, died Octo-
ber 7, 1760. 3'. Daniel, born June 22,
1719; married Priscilla Leonard. 4. Pre-
served, of further mention.
(V) Preserved White, son of Daniel
and Hannah (Bagg) White, was born in
West Springfield, Massachusetts, August
31, 1721. He settled in Springfield, and
died July 16, 1802. He married (first),
in 1740, Rachel Kilbourn ; (second), in
1748, Mrs. Sarah Worthington. There
were nine children, among whom was
Preserved (2), of further mention.
(VI) Preserved (2) White, son of Pre-
served (i) and Rachel (Kilbourn) White,
was born in West Springfield, Massachu-
setts, November 25, 1743, and died June
8, 1823. He married, August 20, 1767,
Mary Terry, of Springfield, born 1745-46.
died in 1804. They were the parents of
thirteen children, among whom was
Luther, of further mention.
(VII) Luther White, son of Preserved
(2) and Mary (Terry) White, was born
in Springfield, Massachusetts, July 7,
ly'J^i, and died April 13, 1850. He was
an armorer by trade, and married, Octo-
ber 30, 1799, Abigail Stebbins, who was
born in 1780, and died in 1850. They were
the parents of eight children, among
whom was Norman S., of further men-
tion.
(VIII) Norman Stebbins White, son of
15
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Luther and Abigail (Stebbins) White,
was born in Springfield, Massachusetts,
October 26, 1803, and died in 1879. ^^
married, October 26, 1828, Susan Noyes,
who was born in Winchendon, Massa-
chusetts, December 10, 1802, daughter of
James and Hannah (Russell) Noyes.
Norman S. White was a carpenter. The
children of Norman S. and Susan (Noyes)
White were: Helen M., born August,
1829, died in 1835 ; Adelaide, born Janu-
ary 21, 1831, died 1835; James Luther,
born July 2^, 1833 ; Daniel Gates, of fur-
ther mention ; George A., born Novem-
ber 5, 1837; and John H., born July 11,
1843, <^ied in 1844.
(IX) Daniel Gates White, son of Nor-
man S. and Susan (Noyes) White, was
born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Feb-
ruary 27, 1835, and died January 25, 1913.
He received his education in the public
schools, and at the outbreak of the Civil
War learned the armorer's trade, which
he followed throughout the greater part
of the remainder of his life, with the ex-
ception of three or four years during which
he was in Providence as inspector of
sabres manufactured for the Turkish Gov-
ernment, being employed in the armory
at Springfield, Massachusetts. He was a
member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and a member of the Congrega-
tional church. On November 20, 1862, he
married Elizabeth Smith Emmons Dus-
tin, born in Boxborough, Massachusetts,
March 21, 1842, daughter of Leander Dus-
tin, and they became the parents of three
children : Herbert, who was born No-
vember 18, 1863, and died in August, 1865 ;
Leander W., of further mention ; and
Minnie Belle.
(X) Leander Warren White, son of
Daniel Gates and Elizabeth Smith Em-
mons (Dustin) White, was born in Spring-
field, Massachusetts, April 16, 1866. He
received his education in the grammar
schools and in the high school of Spring-
field, working in the store of Forbes &
Wallace during two of the years he was
attending high school. In 1883, upon the
completion of his high school course, he
entered the employ of the Chicopee Na-
tional Bank as a runner, or messenger
boy, and in this institution he has re-
mained, working his way upward from
messenger boy to clerk, from clerk to
department bookkeeper, from department
bookkeeper to ledger bookkeeper, and so
on upward, becoming teller, cashier, and
finally vice-president, which office he now
holds. When Mr. White first came into
the Chicopee National Bank, there were
seven people in the employ of that organ-
ization. At the present time (1922) the
work of the bank requires the services of
forty-six employees and has developed
into one of the largest institutions of its
kind in the city.
Politically, Mr. White is a Republican.
Fraternally, he is affiliated with Spring-
field Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ;
and with De Soto Lodge, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. In the last-named
order he held the office of recording sec-
retary for thirty-three years, at the expi-
ration of which time he was presented by
the lodge with a handsome veteran's
jewel, properly inscribed, as a token of
their appreciation of faithful service. Mr.
White is active in the Boy Scout move-
ment, which he serves as treasurer of the
Springfield Council. He is a member of
the Nayasset Club, and his religious con-
nection is with the Faith Congregational
Church, of which he is auditor.
Leander W. White married, on Novem-
ber 25, 1896, Belle Joanna Piatt, of Spring-
field, Massachusetts, daughter of Rev.
Smith Harrison and Catherine Hervey
(Bangs) Piatt, whose lineage is traced to
Richard Piatt, the immigrant ancestor.
(See Piatt line following). Leander W.
16
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
White and Belle Joanna (Piatt) White are
the parents of two children : Harrison
Gates, born February lo, 1902, at Spring-
field, who was a midshipman in the United
States Naval Academy, at Annapolis, and
is now studying electrical engineering in
the Massachusetts Institute of Technol-
ogy, in Boston ; and Gardner Warren,
born November ij, 1906, at Springfield,
who is a student in Springfield High
School, class of 1924,
(The Piatt Line).
The name Piatt is early found, spelled
in various ways, in many countries. In
England, coats-of-arms were granted to
half a dozen different branches of the fam-
ily as early as the reign of Elizabeth, and
to some as early as 1326. The Platts in
America held office in Church and State,
and have been landowners, deacons, tith-
ingmen, and captains of militia. One of
the family was imprisoned by Governor
Andros, in 1681, for daring to help in
devising means to "obtain redress of
grievances under his arbitrary rule," and
another was among those who marched
to Fishkill to reinforce General Putnam
during the Burgoyne campaign of Octo-
ber, 1777. The family represents sturdy,
loyal, efficient New England stock.
(I) Deacon Richard Piatt, immigrant
ancestor, was probably the Richard who
was baptized, September 28, 1603, son of
Joseph, in the parish of Bovington, Hert-
fordshire, England. As early as 1638 he
was settled in New Haven, Connecticut,
and was one of a party of sixty-one who
formed a church settlement at Milford, in
the same colony, being the first settlers in
that place, November 20, 1639. He was
chosen deacon at Milford in 1669, ^^^ be-
queathed a Bible to each of his nineteen
grandsons. His will is dated January 24,
1683-84. In August, 1889, a memorial
stone, suitably inscribed, was placed in
the new bridge over the Wapawaug river.
Mass 11 — 2
His children were: i. Mary, married
(first) May i, 165 1, Luke Atkinson; (sec-
ond), January 3, 1667, Thomas Wetherell.
2. John, settled in Norwalk, and married
Hannah Clark. 3. Isaac, who died at
Huntington, July 31, 1691 ; married (first)
at Milford, Connecticut, March 12, 1640,
Phebe Smith ; (second) at Hunting-
ton, about twenty years later, Elizabeth,
daughter of James Wood. 4. Sarah. 5.
Epenetus, baptized July 12, 1640; was an
associate of his brother Isaac in his varied
experiences. 6. Hannah, bom October i,
1643. 7- Josiah, born in 1645. 8- Joseph,
born in 1649 » rnarried in 1680, Mary Kel-
logg-
(II) Joseph Piatt, son of Deacon Rich-
ard Piatt, was baptized in 1649, ^^'^ dur-
ing his mature life was known as Lieuten-
ant Piatt. He married Mary Kellogg, of
Norwalk, May 5, 1680, and they were the
parents of children, among, whom was
Gideon.
(III) Gideon Piatt, son of Joseph and
Mary (Kellogg) Piatt, was baptized Sep-
tember 29, 1700. He married, in 1726,
Mary Buckingham, and they were the
parents of children, among whom was
Epenetus.
(IV) Epenetus Piatt, son of Gideon
and Mary (Buckingham) Piatt, was born
at Milford, Connecticut, in February, 1738.
He married Susanna Merwin, daughter
of Joseph Merwin, and they were the par-
ents of children, among whom was Epene-
tus (2).
(V) Epenetus (2) Piatt, son of Epene-
tus (i) and Susanna (Merwin) Piatt,
married Molly Stone, and among their
children was Marshall.
(VI) Marshall Piatt, son of Epenetus
(2) and Molly (Stone) Piatt, married
Tryphena Merwin, and they were the par-
ents of children, among whom was Smith
Harrison.
(VII) Rev. Smith Harrison Piatt, son
17
ENCYCLOPEDIA Gl^ fBIOGRAPHY
of Marshall and Tryphena (Merwin)
Piatt, was born in New Milford, Connec-
ticut, December 14, 1828, and died in
Southern Pines, North Carolina, October
29, 1912. He received his preparatory
education in Amenia Seminary, and an
honorary degree from Weslyan Univer-
sity. Upon the completion of his theolog-
ical course, he was ordained a minister of
the Methodist denomination. He was
pastor of various churches from 1850 to
1883, serving, first, Cornwall Bridge and
Elworth, Connecticut, 1850-52; then Fair-
field, Connecticut, 1853 ; Olinville, Mis-
souri, 1854; Greenpoint, 1855; supernum-
erary, 1856; Brooklyn, New York, 1857-
1858; supernumerary, 1859-62; South-
ville, 1863-64; West Winsted Church,
1865-67; Brooklyn, Fleet 81, 1868-70;
Bridgeport, Connecticut, 1871-73; Brook-
lyn, 1874-76; Brooklyn Tabernacle, 1877;
Ridgefield, 1878-80; and Southampton,
1881-83. At Southampton, Mr. Piatt built
a new church. He worked with all the
enthusiasm and strength he possessed,
and carried the project to completion, but
the strain was too much for his health
and in 1883 he was obliged to retire. He
then, later, when his health was improved,
obtained a degree of M. D. and devoted
himself to the practice of medicine in
Southampton and in Waterbury, Connec-
ticut, and in that profession he continued
during the remainder of his active life.
Rev. Smith Harrison Piatt married, in
1853, Catherine Hervey Bangs, who died
at Ware, Massachusetts, May 14, 1901,
daughter of William H. and Joanna
(Hewgill-Reid) Bangs. They were the
parents of three children: i. Mary Try-
phena, born in Brooklyn, New York,
March 11, 1858; married Rev. William R.
Newhall, D. D., of the New England Con-
ference, who died in Springfield, August
18, 1890. 2. Henry Smith Marshall, de-
ceased. 3. Belle Joanna, who married
Leander Warren White. (See White X).
RICE, Harry Edwin, M. D.
Dr. Harry E. Rice, one of Springfield's
prominent and highly esteemed physi-
cians, comes of a very ancient family, and
traces his ancestry in this country to Ed-
mund Rice, who was born in Barkham-
stead, England, in 1594, and came to
America as early as 1638, settling in Sud-
bury, Massachusetts, where he was a
proprietor and a selectman in 1639. Ed-
mund Rice was one of the first to build
his house on the village plot of Sudbury,
now Wayland, his house lot being on Old
North street, near Mill Brook. He re-
ceived his share in the various divisions
of river meadow and other lands made
September 4, 1639, April 20th and Novem-
ber 18, 1640, and at later dates, receiving
altogether two hundred forty-seven acres,
and built his second house in the southern
part of the town, between Timber Neck
and the Glover farm. He sold land there
to Thomas Axtell and to Philemon
Whale, both of whom built houses there,
and on September i, 1642, he sold his
home to John Moore. On September 13,
of the same year, he took a six-year lease
of the Dunster farm on the east shore of
Lake Cochituate, and bought land of
Mary Axtell and of Philemon Whale and
his son, thus locating the homestead at
Rice's Spring. He then bought Whale's
house and nine acres, forming the nucleus
of the Rice homestead, which he sold to
his son Edmund, and which was occupied
by Edmund (2) and by his descendants
down to a recent date. On September 29,
1647, ^6 leased for a term of ten years, of
President Dunster of Harvard College,
guardian for the Glover heirs, what was
known as the Glover farm. By the terms
of the lease he was to erect a house on the
place and a barn fifty feet long. Just
before the expiration of the lease, April
9, 1657, he bought the Jennison farm of
two hundred acres, extending from the
Dunster farm to the Weston line, and on
18
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
this tract some of his descendants still
live. On June 24, 1659, he and his son
bought the Dunster farm. Besides all
these grants and purchases, the General
Court gave him fifty acres at Rice's End
in 1652, and eighty acres near the Beaver
Dam in 1659. Edmund (i) Rice was a
prominent and influential man, and well
educated, as legal documents in his hand-
writing, still in existence^ prove. On Sep-
tember 4, 1639, he was on the first com-
mittee to apportion the meadows ; select-
man 1639, 1644, and later at various
times; deacon after 1648; deputy of the
General Court 1654-1656; and one of the
petitioners for Marlborough, he receiving
a house lot there and removing to that
place in 1660. He married (first) in Eng-
land, Tamazine , who died June 13,
1654; (second), March i, 1655, Mercy
(Heard) Brigham, of Cambridge, who
survived her husband. Edmund (i) Rice
died May 3, 1663. His children were:
Edward, of further mention ; Thomas ;
Matthew ; Samuel ; Joseph ; Lydia ; Ed-
mund (2) ; Benjamin ; Ruth ; and Ann.
(II) Edward Rice, son of Edmund and
Tamazine Rice, was born in England in
1619, and died at Marlborough, Massa-
chusetts, August 15, 1712, aged ninety-
three years. He resided first in Sudbury,
but removed to Marlborough in 1664,
where he was a prominent man, active in
the affairs of the town and of the church
in which latter he served for many years
as deacon. He married Anna ,
who died in Marlborough, June 4, 1713,
aged eighty-three years. Their children
were : John, born in 1647 ; Lydia, born
July 30, 1648, died the same day;
Lydia, born December 10, 1649; Edmund
(3), born December 9, 1653; Daniel, born
November 8, 1655 ; Caleb, born February
5, 1657, died 1658; Jacob, born 1660;
Anna, born November 19, 1661 ; Dorcas,
born January 29, 1664; Benjamin, of
further mention ; and Abigail, born May
9, 1671.
(III) Benjamin Rice, son of Edward
and Anna Rice, died in Marlborough,
February 23, 1748, aged eighty-three
years. He married, at Sudbury, April i,
1 69 1, Mary Graves, who died October 22,
1736, aged sixty-six years. Their chil-
dren were : Azariah, of further mention ;
Lydia, born June 6, 1695 ; Elizabeth, born
December 9, 1697; Simon, born January
9, 1699; Zerrubabel, born January i,
1702; Rachel, born November 2, 1703;
Matthias, born April 4, 1706; Priscilla,
born September 10, 1708; Damaris, born
July 20, 1711.
(IV) Azariah Rice, son of Benjamin
and Mary (Graves) Rice, was born Au-
gust 13, 1693, and died in 1779, aged
eighty-six years. He resided at Brant-
field, and married Hannah , who
died June 30, 1754. Their children were:
Jeremiah, born September 23, 1721 ; Ben-
jamin, born February i, 1723; Olive, born
November 7, 1726; Lorinda, born March
17, 1729; Miriam, born November 26,
1730; Jonas, born in 1731 ; Mary, born
October 20, 1734; Ephraim, of further
mention ; and Patience, born October 20,
1738.
(V) Ephraim Rice, son of Azariah and
Hannah Rice, was born October 28,
1735. He married (first) Thankful
Walker, April 14, 1757; (second) Zeriah
Rice ; (third) Eunice Marks. His chil-
dren were : Silas, of further mention ;
Thankful, born 1761, died 1761 ; Levith,
born September 13, 1763, died in infancy;
Matthias, born July 9, 1765, died Decem-
ber 8, 1805, and was a physician in Stur-
bridge, Massachusetts ; Thankful, born
October 9, 1767; Zeriah, born July 22,
1772; Eunice, born 1775, died 1777; and
Walker, born 1777, died 1786.
(VI) Silas Rice, son of Ephraim and
Thankful (Walker) Rice, was born Feb-
19
ENXYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ruary 20, 1758, and died September 20,
1817. He resided in Brookfield for sev-
eral years and then moved to Sturbridge,
Massachusetts, later again removing, this
time to Warren, Massachusetts, and
finally returning to Brookfield. He mar-
ried (first) Hannah Richardson, of
Brookfield, January 4, 1781, who died in
Brookfield. He married (second) Lydia
, who died in 1813. Children of
Silas and Hannah (Richardson) Rice
were: Betsy, born November 25, 1781 ;
Luther, born May 16, 1783; Thankful,
born June 3, 1785 ; Cynthia, born Septem-
ber 2, 1787, died June 17, 1810; Walker,
of further mention; Lydia, born June 6,
1793; Willard, born December 16, 1795,
died in 1813; Levi, born March 27, 1798;
Royal, born April 19, 1800; Matthias,
born March 20, 1801 ; Larson, born April
7, 1803; George, born June 21, 1813. All
of these children except George were
born to the first marriage.
(VH) Walker Rice, son of Silas and
Hannah (Richardson) Rice, was born in
Sturbridge, Massachusetts, November 19,
1791, and died in Williamsburg, Massa-
chusetts, in August, 1868. He was a man
of fine artistic taste, and became a nur-
seryman of note and a landscape gar-
dener, known in all the region round
about for the beauty of his work and the
superior quality of his plants, trees, and
shrubs. He planted a number of the trees
on Yale campus, New Haven. He mar-
ried Lucretia Hubbard, and they became
the parents of sixteen children, four of
whom died in infancy. Those who lived
to maturity were: Hannah; Lucretia;
Elisha Hubbard ; Edwin D., of further
mention ; Willard Walker ; Mary E. ;
Charles; Julia; Sarah; Cornelia; Lewis;
and Henry. All have now passed away.
(VHI) Edwin D. Rice, son of Walker
and Lucretia (Hubbard) Rice, was born
in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, Novem-
ber 14, 1822, and died July 16, 1901. He
received a practical education in the local
schools, and early in his business career
engaged in the express business, becom-
ing one of the first express messengers on
the New York & New Haven railroad,
and later being associated with the
Thompson Express Company, of North-
ampton, which subsequently was merged
with the American Express Company. In
i860 he entered a new line of business and
went to Beauford county. South Carolina,
where he superintended several cotton
plantations for the government. In 1865
he returned North and again changed his
occupation, this time engaging in railroad
construction work in association first with
Dillon & Ripley, and later with Rice &
Warner, both of which firms were promi-
nent in promoting and building numerous
railroad lines. Mr. Rice was very suc-
cessful in this business and remained
active in this line until his retirement in
1886. After 1871 Mr. Rice made his home
in Springfield, where he was a highly-
esteemed and much-loved citizen, giving
his support to all projects planned for the
good of the city, and by his personal in-
fluence and service he contributed to the
betterment and progress of his commun-
ity. His religious affiliation was with
Olivet Church. He married Julia Cor-
nelia Ripley (see Ripley VIII), who was
born in Agawam, Massachusetts, Febru-
ary 28, 1823, and died January 25, 1892,
daughter of Harry and Azubah (Snow)
Ripley. Edwin D. and Julia C. (Ripley)
Rice were the parents of two children :
Annie, who lives at home with her father ;
and Harry Edwin, of further mention.
(IX) Harry E. Rice, M. D., son of
Edwin D. and Julia C. (Ripley) Rice, is
a well known physician and surgeon of
Springfield, where he has been in practice
since 1884. He was born in Mount Ver-
non, New York, July 22, i860. He was
20
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
educated in the grammar and high schools
of Springfield, and prepared to enter
Yale College. Circumstances prevented
his entering college, however, and instead
he began the study of medicine with Dr.
Luke Corcoran, of Springfield. In 1879
he attended lectures in the New York
Homoeopathic Medical College, from
which he was graduated in 1883, and by
competitive examination was appointed
resident surgeon at Hahnemann Hospi-
tal, New York City, where he was second
assistant to the eminent surgeon and pro-
fessor. Dr. William Todd Helmuth. Dr.
Rice became a favorite of his noted super-
ior, was made first assistant, and gained
much valuable experience, especially in
the difficult practice of gynaecology.
After a year spent with Dr. Helmuth, Dr.
Rice came to Springfield in 1884, and
began practice in association with his old
preceptor. Dr. Corcoran, at No. 486 Main
street. At the end of eighteen months he
terminated his connection with Dr. Cor-
coran and continued practice alone, re-
moving in 1890, to a more convenient and
centrally located site at No. 236 State
street, adjoining the City Library, and
known as Wight place. From 1900 to
191 1 he was engaged in special work in
Boston, but with the exception of those
years, the entire period of his professional
activities, since 1884, has been passed in
Springfield.
Dr. Rice is a member of all the medical
societies of the State and also of the
Hampden county societies. He is also a
member of the Nayasset Club ; the Coun-
try Club ; a charter member of the Win-
throp Club ; and holds membership in the
Algonquin Club of Boston ; the Boston
Athletic Club ; and was a member of the
University Club of Boston.
Dr. Harry E. Rice married, on Novem-
ber 10, 1886, Lillian Adams Stone, of
Hartford, Connecticut, daughter of James
B. and Julia (Green) Stone, of Hartford,
and they are the parents of one daughter,
Marjorie, who married, April 12, 1917,
Samuel D. Weyman, formerly of Pitts-
field, but now of Boston, and has two
sons : William Dow Wyman, born Janu-
ary 13, 1918; and Samuel D., Jr.
(The Ripley Line).
Mrs. Julia Cornelia (Ripley) Rice
comes of very old Colonial stock, tracing
her ancestry to William Ripley, who, in
1638, came, with his wife, two sons, and
two daughters, from Hingham, Norfolk
county, England, to Hingham, Massachu-
setts, the line of descent to Mrs. Rice
being through John, of whom further.
(II) John Ripley, son of William Rip-
ley, was born in England, and died Feb-
ruary 2, 1684. He married Elizabeth
Hobart, and reared a family of children,
among whom was Joshua, of whom
further.
(III) Joshua Ripley, son of John and
Elizabeth (Hobart) Ripley, was born
May 9, 1658, and died May 18, 1739. He
removed to Windham, Connecticut, and
married, November 28, 1682, Hannah
Bradford, daughter of William Bradford,
deputy-governor of Plymouth Colony,
and granddaughter of Governor William
Bradford, who came over in the "May-
flower" in 1620. Joshua Ripley was the
first town clerk and the treasurer of the
town of Windham, and among his chil-
dren was Jushua (2), of whom further.
(IV) Joshua (2) Ripley, son of Joshua
(i) Ripley, was born May 13, 1688, and
died November 18, 1773. He married,
December 3, 1712, Mary Bachus, and
among their children was Ebenezer, of
whom further.
(V) Ebenezer Ripley, son of Joshua
(2) and Mary (Bachus) Ripley, was born
June 22, 1729, and died May 20, 1813, aged
eighty-four years. He married, June 11,
21
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
1752, Mehitable Burbank, and one of their
children was Abraham, of whom further.
(VI) Abraham Ripley, son of Eben-
ezer and Mehitable (Burbank) Ripley,
was born February 25, 1761, and died June
15' 1835. He married, June 19, 1785,
Mary Leonard. There were children,
among whom was Harry, of whom
further.
(VII) Harry Ripley, son of Abraham
and Mary (Leonard) Ripley, was born
July 12, 1798, and died October 13, 1857.
He married, August 21, 1820, Azubah
Snow, and they were the parents of Julia
Cornelia, of whom further.
(VIII) Julia Cornelia Ripley, daughter
of Harry and Azubah (Snow) Ripley,
married Edwin D. Rice (see Rice VIII).
WOOD, Clark Vemer N
Among the eminently successful busi-
ness men of Springfield, Massachusetts,
is Clark Verner Wood, president of the
New England Investment and Security
Company, and of a group of railways in-
cluding the Springfield Street Railway
Company ; Worcester Consolidated Street
Railway Company; Milford, Attleboro &
Woonsocket Street Railway Company;
Interstate Consolidated Street Railway
Company ; and the Attleboro Branch Rail-
road Company.
Mr. Wood comes of a very old New
England family, and bears a name which
dates back to the days when men were dis-
tinguished, not by surnames, but by their
place of residence, their occupation, or by
some distinguishing trait or characteris-
tic. The name is of ancient English
origin, corresponding to the French, de.
Bois, and the German Walden, signifying
"of the wood." Almost every wood in
England surnamed some family in the
tenth, eleventh, and twelfth centuries.
In Domesday Book, the Latin form, de
Silva is found in County Suffolk. In the
Hundred Rolls, the forms de la Wode, in
le Wode, and Ate Wode are found, show-
ing clearly the mingling of Saxon and
Norman elements in the gradual transi-
tions through which the language was to
pass as a result of the Norman Conquest.
As time passes, these phrases of designa-
tion were shortened more and more, the
medieval spelling, as of Ate Wode, which
became Atwood, becoming more abbre-
viated and more compacted until, during
the early years of settlement in this coun-
try, the names Atwood and Wood were
used interchangeably, some members of
the various families bearing the name
finally adopting the shorter form Wood,
and others retaining the old form, At-
wood. Many famous men in England
and in America have belonged to the
Wood family. In England and in Scot-
land one hundred different coats-of-arms
belong to various Wood families. A
branch of the Scotch Wood family is
numerous in Ireland, and the general
similarity of design in the armorial bear-
ings of many of these families indicates
common origin at some remote period.
The Derbyshire coat-of-arms, is as fol-
lows : Arms — Azure three naked savages
proper, each holding in the dexter hand a
shield argent charged with a cross gules
and in the sinister a club resting on the
naked hand proper. The families bearing
arms and the surname Wood are common
in Devonshire, Gloucestershire, County
Kent, and County Middlesex. Thomas
Wood, Chief Justice of the Court of Com-
mon Pleas in 1501, had these arms:
Gules seniee of crosses crosslet fitchee
argent three demi-woodmen holding
clubs proper. The resemblance of this to
the one first described is apparent. Vis-
count Halifax bears arms as follows:
Azure three naked savages ambulant in
fess proper in the dexter hand of each a
shield argent charged with a cross gules.
22
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
in the sinister a club resting on the
shoulder, also proper, on a canton ermine
three lozenges conjoined fess sable.
Crest — A savage as in the arms, the
shield sable charged with a griffn's head
erased argent. Motto: Perserandox.
Most of the Scotch and Irish families
bearing arms have the following, or one
very like it : Azure an oak tree eradicated
or. The family had estates in Fife or
Forfarshire as early as the sixteenth cen-
tury. Of vigorous stock, able, enterpris-
ing, and in many cases possessed of
ample means, many members of the
various families of Wood or Atwood
came to this country at a very early date.
The immigrant ancestor of whom Clark
Verner Wood is a descendant was Henry
Wood, sometimes called Alias Atwood,
and the line of descent as given in the
Wood Genealogy by Eugene Preston, is
traced as follows :
(I) Henry Wood, sometimes called
Alias Wood, was born in England in
1594, and died in Middleboro, Massachu-
setts, in 1670. He was a proprietor of
Plymouth, September 16, 1641, and was
on the list of the men of Plymouth able
to bear arms in 1643, and removed to Mid-
dleboro, Massachusetts, in 1644, having
lived for a short time at Yarmouth, either
before or after his period of residence at
Plymouth. He married, April 28, 1644,
Abigail Jenney, daughter of John and
Sarah (Carey) Jenney, and they were the
parents of eleven children : i. Sarah, who
died in 1675, married John Nelson. 2.
Samuel, born May 25, 1647, married Re-
becca . 3. Jonathan, born January
I, 1649, died in 1675. 4. David, of whom
further. 5. Joseph, born 1652-3, married
Hester Walker. 6. Benjamin, died (will
proved) in 1690. 7. Abigail, married
David Thomas, Jr. 8. Abiel, born in
1658, married Abijah Bowen. 9. Susanna.
10. James, born about 1660, married Ex-
perience Fuller. II. Mary.
(II) David Wood, son of Henry
and Abigail (Jenney) Wood, was born
October 17, 1651, at Middleboro, Massa-
chusetts, and died^ there December 31,
1718. He was one of the proprietors
of Middleboro, and a member of the first
military company of that place, January
19, 1710-11. He married, March 5, 1684-
1685, Mary Barker, daughter of John and
Ann (Williams) Barker, and they were
the parents of three children: i. John,
born March 19, 1686, married (first)
Sarah ; (second) Hannah Childs.
2. David, born March 29, 1688, married
Joanna Tilson. 3. Jabez, of whom
further.
(III) Jabez Wood, son of David and
Mary (Barker) Wood, was born July i,
1691. He married, January 17, 1719, Han-
nah Nelson, and they were the parents of
eight children: i. Jabez, born March 10,
1720. 2. Thankful, born September 28,
1722. 3. Nathan, of whom further. 4.
Alice, born March 27, 1726. 5. Patience,
born July 11, 1729. 6. Dinah, born De-
cember 27, 1731. 7. Caleb, born October
8, 1733. 8. Amos, born April 13, 1738.
(IV) Nathan Wood, son of Jabez and
Hannah (Nelson) Wood, was born
March 14, 1723-4. According to the "His-
tory of Middleboro," he was among the
fifty families who removed from Middle-
boro, Massachusetts, to Woodstock, Ver-
mont. He married, July 11, 1757, Eliza-
beth (Betty) Shaw, who was born in
1735, and was still living with her son
Eleazer, in Woodstock, Vermont, in 1819.
They were the parents of children, among
whom was Eleazer, of whom further.
(V) Eleazer Wood, son of Nathan and
Elizabeth (Betty) (Shaw) Wood, was
born February 21, 1762, and died in 1845.
He served in the Revolutionary War, and
23
EN'CYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
was later pensioned, as is evidenced by
the following record copied from the Pen-
sion Rolls at Washington, D. C. :
On the 23 day of April, 1819, personally appeared
Eleazer Wood, 57 years of age, resident in Wood-
stock, Windsor county, Vermont. The deponent
is by occupation a blacksmith, but is unable to work
at his trade, and has been able to labor but little
for seven or eight years. His family consists of
mother, 84 years of age, his wife Patience, 54 years
of age. Three children at home — Priscilla, aged 15
years, feeble ; Orrin, 13 years of age, out of
health ; Joseph, aged 9 years, rugged of life.
The certificate of pension follows the
above family data:
Certificate of Pension of Eleazer Wood of
Windsor county, Vermont, who was a private in
the Massachusetts line for a term of three years.
Served under Colonel Greaton. Certificate issued
September 15, 1820, and sent to Edward Evans,
agent, Enfield, New Hampshire.
Eleazer Wood was living with his son
Orrin, in Woodstock, in 1841. He mar-
ried Patience Shaw, who was born in
1765, and they were the parents of four
children: Eleazer (2), of whom further;
Priscilla, born in 1804; Orrin, born in
1806; and Joseph, born in 1810.
(VI) Eleazer (2) Wood, son of Eleazer
(i) and Patience (Shaw) Wood, was
born in Middleboro, Massachusetts, in
1796, went with his parents to Wood-
stock, Vermont, in 1798, and died in 1883.
Following the custom and the necessity
of the time, he combined with farming a
trade, being an excellent blacksmith. He
married Hannah Davis, daughter of
Mason Davis. They were the parents of
children: Hannah; Betsy; Frank E., of
whom further; Henry; Cordelia; and
Lorinda, who married Carlos S. French.
(VII) Frank E. Wood, son of Eleazer
(2) and Hannah (Davis) Wood, was born
in Woodstock, Vermont, August 15,
1825, and died June 13, 1913. He received
a good, practical education in the public
schools of his native town, and learned
quite thoroughly the business of farming,
but he did not become a tiller of the soil.
Instead, he opened a general store, which
supplied the people of his neighborhood
with almost anything they might chance
to need, from a penny's worth of candy or
a bag of tobacco to a new plow, the "mak-
ings" of a new dress or a barrel of sugar.
He conducted a successful lumber busi-
ness along with the management of his
general store, and was a highly-esteemed
citizen, neighbor, and friend. Public-
spirited and sincerely interested in the
welfare of his community, he served ef-
ficiently and faithfully as a member of the
Board of Selectmen and as a member of
the School Committee. He lived in
Rhode Island in later years, and died in
West Barrington, in that State. Frank
E. Wood married Elizabeth Ober, who
died in November, 1915, and they were
the parents of the following children :
Carrie, who married George E. Wood-
ward; Clark v., of whom further; and
Fred O., who is superintendent of trans-
portation of the Maine Central railroad,
with headquarters at Portland, Maine.
(VIII) Clark Verner Wood, son of
Frank E. and Elizabeth (Ober) Wood,
was born in Woodstock, Vermont, June
8, 1863. He received his early education
in the schools of Woodstock, Vermont,
and then attended school at Groveton,
New Hampshire, after which he learned
telegraphy in the Western Union office
at Woodstock. His interest in railroad
work, and the preparation he had made
even before he was through school, se-
cured him a position as telegraph operator
with the Western Union Telegraph Com-
pany and later with the Grand Trunk
railway, after which he became connected
with the New York & New England rail-
way as agent, being employed in different
places in Connecticut, and at Providence,
24
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Rhode Island. He later resigned this
position to become identified with the
Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad, having
charge of the passenger department in
Pittsburgh. Later he became associated
with Andrew Carnegie's road, between
the Pittsburgh mills and Lake Erie ; then
with the Pittsburgh Railways Company;
then with the West Side Belt Railroad
Company, as superintendent ; with the
Pittsburgh Terminal Railroad Company,
and the lines of the Wabash railroad east
of Toledo. He then came East to identify
himself with the electric railways of Mas-
sachusetts, controlled by the New Eng-
land Investment and Security Company
and comprising a group of railways, in-
cluding, as before stated, the Springfield
Street Railway Company; Worcester
Consolidated Street Railway Company;
Milford, Attleboro & Woonsocket Street
Railway Company; Interstate Consoli-
dated Street Railway Company ; and the
Attleboro Branch Railroad Company ;
later becoming president of all these com-
panies.
Mr. Wood is a member of Pittsburgh
Lodge, No. 484, Free and Accepted
Masons, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ;
and all the York bodies, including
Pittsburgh Commandery, No. i, Knights
Templar; and all the Scottish Rite bodies,
including the thirty-second degree, in
Boston. His club affiliations are with the
Nayasset Club, of Springfield.
Clark Verner Wood married, on No-
vember 19, 1883, Nellie E. Hall, of North
Stratford, New Hampshire, daughter of
Willis and Elizabeth (Capron) Hall, and
granddaughter on the paternal side of
Augustus Hall, of Brookfield, Massachu-
setts. Clark Verner and Nellie E. (Hall)
Wood are the parents of five children,
three of whom are living. Children: i.
Frank V., born in 1885, died in infancy.
2. Frank E., born December 17, 1889, who
is in the coal business in Boston, married
Madeline Cook, of Springfield, Massachu-
setts, daughter of F. C. and Sarah (Os-
borne) Cook, and they have two children :
Marjorie, born October 15, 1913, and Vir-
ginia, born July 4, 1915. 3. Fred H.,
deceased. 4. Clark V., Jr., born March
22, 1899, who is now with the electrical
department of the Worcester Consoli-
dated Street Railway Company ; married
June 4, 1 92 1, Marjorie Goodrich Buck-
land, of Wethersfield, Connecticut, daugh-
ter' of Charles Edward and Mary (Gris-
wold) Buckland. 5. Elizabeth, born Octo-
ber 15, 1907, now attending MacDuffie's
S^ool, in Springfield.
JADLEY, Wallace Henry
A native of Connecticut, and a resident
of Springfield, Massachusetts, Wallace
Henry Bradley, who is assistant treasurer
and manager of the Springfield Gas Light
Company, comes of an old English family.
The first mention of the name Bradley
is recorded in England in 1183, when at
the feast of St. Cuthbert, in Lent, Lord
Hugh, Bishop of Durham, caused all the
revenues of his district to be described.
Burke's "Survey of Bolton" mentions
Roger de Bradley as holding forty acres
at Bradley, and the Herald's Visitation of
the County of York, 1663-64, mentions
the marriage of Arthur Normanton to
Isabel, daughter of Sir Francis Bradley.
Fifteen coats-of-arms belonging to the
name are given by Burke, the principal
feature of most of these being a boar's
head. The first of the name in America
came from Bingley, in the West Riding
of Yorkshire, about twelve miles north-
east of Leeds, on the River Aire, and
seven miles south of the town of Brad-
ley (Broad Lea). The name is Anglo-
Saxon, and signifies "broad meadow," or
"field."
(I) William Bradley was a friend of
25
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Cromwell, a major in the Parliamentary
army, who came to this country, and after
living for a time at Branford and at Guil-
ford, removed to New Haven, Connecti-
cut, where he took the oath of fidelity, in
August, 1644. He was the first land-
owner in the present village of North
Haven, and located on the west side of
Quinnipiac river, where he acquired large
landed interests. He was born about
1620, in England, and married, at New
Haven, February 18, 1645, Alice Prit-
chard, daughter of Roger Pritchard, of
Springfield. William Bradley died in
1690, his wife surviving him until 1692.
They were the parents of children, the
third son being Isaac Bradley, of whom
further.
(II) Isaac Bradley, son of William and
Alice (Pritchard) Bradley, was born in
1652, and appears on the Branford records
in 1674, described as "a sojourner in New
Haven." He settled in East Haven in
1683, and died there January 12, 1713,
having survived his wife, Elizabeth, only
nine days, her death having occurred
January 3, 1713, at the age of fifty-six
years. Their third son was Samuel Brad-
ley, of whom further.
(III) Samuel Bradley, third son of
Isaac and Elizabeth Bradley, was born
in 1686, and lived in East Haven, where
he died March 23, 1758. He married,
January 27, 171 5, Sarah Robinson, born
December 24, 1695, died January 17, 1778,
daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Hitchcock)
Robinson, of East Haven. Among their
children was Daniel, of whom further.
(IV) Daniel Bradley, third son of Sam-
uel and Sarah (Robinson) Bradley, was
born about 1725-30, and settled in South-
ington, Connecticut, in 1779. ^^ married,
at Newington, January 23, 175 1, Sarah
Judd, born November 9, 1729, in Glaston-
bury, died November 19, 1764, eldest child
of Benjamin and Sarah (Hollister) Judd.
Among their children was Nehemiah, of
whom further.
(V) Nehemiah Bradley, third son of
Daniel and Sarah (Judd) Bradley, was
born in East Haven, Connecticut, April
13, 1762, and lived in the Flanders district
of Southington. He married Irene
, and among their children was
Harvey, of whom further.
(VI) Harvey Bradley, third son of
Nehemiah and Irene Bradley, was bap-
tized March 13, 1794, in Southington, and
settled in the home of his ancestors, near
New Haven, He married, November 28,
1821, Maria Atwater, born September 30,
1801, in New Haven, daughter of Jared
and Eunice (Dickerman) Atwater, and
they were the parents of children, among
who was John C, of whom further.
(VII) John C. Bradley, fourth son of
Harvey and Maria (Atwater) Bradley,
was born in New Haven, Connecticut,
October 11, 1836, and spent his entire
active life in the place of his birth, his
death occurring there December 24, 1897.
In early manhood he was appointed
cashier of the Merchants' National Bank
in New Haven, Connecticut, in which
capacity he served for a number of years,
and later in life engaged in the real estate
business, in which field he was very suc-
cessful. He was a member of the city
government of New Haven, his tenure of
office being noted for efficiency, and he
was a member of the Congregational
church, which he served as head of the
music committee. Being very fond of
music and deeply interested in the welfare
of his church, he was well qualified to
hold the last-named office, and during his
incumbency the people of the Congrega-
tional church enjoyed notably excellent
music. He married, October 19, 1858,
Mary Josephine Mix, of New Haven,
Connecticut, daughter of Henry and
Azab (Tyrone) Mix, of that city, and
26
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
they were the parents of six children :
John C. Jr. ; Wallace Henry, of whom
further; Elihu Atwater; Edward Mix;
Lucius ; and Josephine.
(VIII) Wallace Henry Bradley, son of
John C. and Mary Josephine (Mix) Brad-
ley, was born in New Haven, Connecti-
cut, March lo, 1861. He attended the
public schools of that city, obtaining a
practical education, and his first experi-
ence in business was gained in the em-
ploy of a wholesale window shade com-
pany, with whom he remained for two
years. He then entered the employ of
the Whitney Arms Company, remaining
with them for a period of about eight
years, until they were absorbed by the
Winchester Arms Company. His next
employment was in the manufacture of
wire goods, and after severing this con-
nection he went West, locating in Indian-
apolis, Indiana, where he took a position
with a wholesale house engaged in the
manufacture of stoves. He traveled on
the road for this concern for five j^ears,
his route covering the Middle West, and
at the expiration of that term of service
returned East, where for the following
five or six years he was located at New
York City, in the employ of the Consoli-
dated Gas Light Company. In 1904 Mr.
Bradley came to Springfield, Massachu-
setts, and became associated with the
Springfield Gas Light Company as head
of the newly-created business department,
having the supervision of outside work,
the extending mains, and attending to the
appliance end of the business, gas heaters,
gas ranges, etc. In 191 5 he was made as-
sistant treasurer and manager of the com-
pany, and these positions he has continued
to hold to the present time. These pro-
motions came as the result of strict atten-
tion to every detail of the business and
conscientious performance of every duty
entrusted to him, and his efficient conduct
of the business since his appointment as
manager has fully justified the confidence
placed in him.
Mr. Bradley is also active in affairs out-
side of the business of the company with
which he is identified. He has served as
director and vice-president (1921) of the
Springfield Chamber of Commerce, and
was chairman of the traffic bureau of that
organization ; also as director and presi-
dent of the Massachusetts State Chamber
of Commerce; as president of the Public
Service Associates, comprised of the
mayor, superintendent of streets, officers
of the water department, managers of
railroads, street railways, etc. ; also as
president of the Employers' Association.
He is also a member of the board of direc-
tors of the Chapin National Bank. In
club life, too, he takes an active part,
being a member and a director of the
Rotary Club, and a member and one of the
board of governors of the Nayasset Club,
as well as a member of the Country Club
and of the Springfield Automobile Club.
Mr. Bradley married, June 13, 1888,
Bertha E. Lyon, of White Plains, New
York, daughter of Dr. Sylvester M. and
Sarah J. (Collins) Lyon. Children:
Leon Wallace, born in Brooklyn, New
York, July 9, 1891 ; Whitney Lyon, born
in New Haven, Connecticut, November
22, 1893, married Lorena M. Bangs, of
Machias, Maine, and has one son, Whit-
ney Lyon, Jr., born May 9, 1919 ; Sheldon,
born June 17, 1896; and Bertha Josephine,
born in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 16,
1899.
All of the sons of Mr. Bradley held im-
portant positions in the navy during the
World War. Leon W. Bradley, after en-
listment, was sent to the Yale Boat
House, New Haven, where he was de-
tailed to take charge of the canteen and
later was transferred to the Lake Torpedo
Boat Company, where he served as gov-
27
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ernment cost inspector. Since his dis;
charge he has been engaged in the exploi-
tation of a rotary ash receiver. Whit-
ney L. Bradley was sent to the Machias
(Maine) station, and from there to
Brooklyn, New York, from which station
he was sent out on coast boats and sub-
marine chasers. He is now engaged in
the sardine packing business, at Addison,
Maine. Sheldon Bradley was sent to the
Yale Boat House with his brother, Leon
W., where he was assigned to the wireless
department. He served on a transport as
signal boy, after attending the school at
Pelham Bay; went overseas on the *Toco-
hontas," later receiving a commission as
ensign. Returning to this country, he
was sent to the Sayville (Long Island)
Wireless Station, where he was executive
officer under Lieutenant Roosevelt. Still
later he was sent to Annapolis, where he
remained for six months, and was then
assigned to the United States Steamship
"New Hampshire," as communicating
officer for overseas duty. His next assign-
ment was to the destroyer "Cassian," and
he was finally made executive officer of
"Submarine Chaser No. 148," of which
boat he had command when the armistice
was signed, at which time he brought the
vessel home. He is now identified with
the Strathmore Paper Company.
BROGA, William Wallace, M. D.
The history of the Broga family in
America begins with Andrew Broga, im-
migrant ancestor, who was of French
origin, and embarked for this country
with his parents. They died on the way
to America, and he, landing in Boston,
Massachusetts, an orphan boy, found his
way into Western Pennsylvania, where
he lived in Blowford with a family by the
name of Noble, by whom he was finally
adopted. He served in the War of the
Revolution, and was with Washington at
Valley Forge. After the war he settled
in the town of Becket, Massachusetts,
where he became a farmer. He took an
active interest in religious matters and
was a member of the Congregational
church. He was four times married;
(first) to Huldah Waite, born February
ID, 1761, daughter of Daniel and Hannah
Waite. They were the parents of four
children : Kinsman, of further mention ;
Huldah, married Nathan Harris; Lois;
and Eunice. He married (second) Experi-
ence Smith, of Becket, Massachusetts, and
they were the parents of eight children :
Stephen, Curtis, Franklin, Daniel, Susan,
Mathias, Miriam, and Martin. His third
wife was the Widow Ingram, and the
fourth was Nancy Chase, neither of
whom had children.
(II) Kinsman Broga, son of Andrew
and Huldah (Waite) Broga, was born in
Becket, Massachusetts, and spent his
entire life there. He was a farmer and a
building mover, and being the only man
in the region who was equipped for the
latter work, he did all the moving of
buildings for the country round about,
using oxen to furnish the power. He mar-
ried Miriam Cole, born January 17, 1795,
daughter of Timothy Cole, and they be-
came the parents of six children : Waite
C, of whom further ; William ; Dwight ;
Charles ; Almira ; and Marion.
(HI) Waite Cole Broga, son of Kins-
man and Miriam (Cole) Broga, was born
in Becket, Massachusetts, February 29,
1816, and died September 30, 1893, in
Westfield, Massachusetts. He received
his education in the public schools, and
as a young man learned the boot and
shoemaker's trade and made good stout
boots and shoes in Becket, later moving
to Otis, Massachusetts, forming a partner-
ship with I. L. Bristor. Here he engaged
in the manufacture of hand hay rakes,
purchasing the standing trees, superin-
28
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
tending the cutting- and hauling of them
into his own saw mills, where they were cut
into timber, the timber then being trans-
ferred to Mr. Broga's own factory, where
it was manufactured into hay rakes. He
followed this business extensively and suc-
cessfully for many years, giving employ-
ment to many people. Retiring late in
life, he spent his remaining years with his
son Marcus, in Westfield. He married
Mary Judd, of Tyringham, Massachusetts,
born June 24, 1825, died August, 1896,
daughter of Oliver and Cynthia (Lorg-
don) Judd. Their children were : i. Wal-
lace B. K., who graduated from Brown
University as a member of Phi Beta
Kappa, then entered the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, graduating June
12, 1922, with honors. 2. Marcus Morton,
born at Otis, Massachusetts, November
28, 1846, now deceased. 3. Julia Ellen,
now deceased ; she married William R.
Smith, also deceased. 4. William W., of
further mention. 5. Helen Alice, who
married Dr. Shepardson, of Chester, Mas-
sachusetts, now deceased ; they adopted
a daughter, Elizabeth, a graduate of
Mount Holyoke College ; and she is now
successfully engaged in teaching English
in Worcester, Massachusetts. 6. Mary
Idel, born in 1858, who married Professor
Dove, of Providence, Rhode Island.
(IV) William Wallace Broga, son of
Waite Cole and Mary (Judd) Broga, was
born in Otis, Massachusetts, April 19,
1853. He received his early education in
the district school of Otis and at South
Berkshire Institute, New Marlboro, Mas-
sachusetts. He then entered Dartmouth
College, where he remained for three
years. He next entered Albany Medical
College, but did not graduate until 1887,
a serious illness having prevented an
earlier completion of his preparation for
his chosen profession. He at once began
the practice of medicine in East Long-
meadow, Massachusetts, where he re-
mained for five years, coming to Spring-
field in 1892. Here Dr. Broga has built
up a large and successful practice, and
made for himself a large place in the es-
teem of his associates, his patients, and
his fellow-townsmen. Dr. Broga is a
member of the Springfield Medical Club
and of the Nayasset Club. In his school
he is the second oldest in practice, having
been in active practice thirty-five years.
HOWE, Frederick Griggs
As sole owner and manager of the Tay-
lor Music House, Frederick Griggs Howe
is one of the successful business men of
Springfield, Massachusetts. He comes of
very old colonial stock, tracing his ances-
try in this country to John Howe (3), who
was in Massachusetts as early as 1639. In
England the line is traced still further
back to the days of John Howe (i), of
Hodinhull, who was a descendant of Lord
Charles Howe.
The name Howe, or Hoo, as it was once
written, meant a hill. Da La Howe was
the original name of the family when they
came from Normandy with William the
Conqueror, and it meant literally, as then
written, "from the hills." Thus the first
Mr. Howe was the man who lived on the
hill or among the hills. Many distin-
guished men have borne this name during
the centuries that have passed since the
Norman Conquest of England, and many
others who are of the family though not
of the name have likewise contributed
much to their day and generation. Hon-
orable Timothy C. Howe, United States
Senator from Wisconsin, and postmaster-
general in President Arthur's cabinet, is
one of the more recent distinguished rep-
resentatives of the name, and Major-Gen-
eral Nathaniel F. Banks, Governor of
Massachusetts and Speaker of the Na-
tional House of Representatives, was one
29
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
of family blood not bearing the name, who
rendered valuable service.
(I) John (3) Howe, immigrant ances-
tor of the branch of the family to which
Frederick Griggs Howe, of Springfield,
belongs, was the son of John (2) Howe,
of Warwickshire, England, and the grand-
son of John (i) Howe, of Hodinhull, a
descendant of Lord Charles Howe. John
Howe (3) was in Sudbury, Massachu-
setts, in 1639, was made a freeman in 1641,
and selectman in 1643. He was one of the
petitioners from Sudbury to the General
Court, in 1656, for a grant of land, and on
May I of that year a tract six miles square
was granted with conditions of settlement
"so as to be able to maintain a ministry."
It was then called Whipperwicke, but is
now known as Marlborough. At the first
grantee's meeting, held September 25,
1656, John Howe was one of the select
committee chosen to organize a new plan-
tation, and he was the first white settler
there. About one hundred rods from the
Spring Hill meeting house, near the In-
dian planting field, he built his log cabin,
which was later replaced by a more com-
modious dwelling in which for many gen-
erations members of the Howe family
lived. For the accommodation of occa-
sional travelers, John Howe later kept a
tavern. He enjoyed the friendship and
confidence of the Indians of the neighbor-
hood and they sometimes brought to him,
for settlement, matters of dispute among
themselves. On one of these occasions
the cause of dispute was a pumpkin which,
having been planted in one field grew
over the line into an adjoining lot owned
by another Indian. Both claimed the
pumpkin. John Howe heard both sides
of the story and then cut the pumpkin,
dividing it equally between the two claim-
ants, to the satisfaction of both. That he
was a man of influence and greatly trusted
is evidenced by the fact that the General
Court referred to Goodman Howe and
Goodman Rice a claim made upon it by
Thomas Denforth. He died in Marlbor-
ough in 1687, and was survived by his
wife Mary about two years. The chil-
dren of John (3) and Mary Howe were :
John ; Samuel ; Sarah ; Mary, who died
early ; Isaac, of further mention ; Josiah ;
Mary ; Thomas ; Daniel ; Alexander ; and
Eleazer. A grandson of John Howe (3)
(through Samuel), whose name was Da-
vid, built the old Howe Tavern on the
Boston road, which has been immortal-
ized by Longfellow as the "Wayside Inn."
(II) Isaac Howe, third son of John (3)
and Mary Howe, was born in Marlbor-
ough, August 8, 1648, and died there De-
cember 9, 1724. He was commander of
Garrison No. 6 on the Southborough road,
near the present Newton railroad station.
He married (first) Frances Wood, Janu-
ary 17, 1671. She died May 14, 1718, and
he married (second), December 2, 1718,
Susanna Sibley, of Sutton. Children :
Elizabeth; Mary; John, died young;
John, of further mention ; Bethiah ; Han-
nah ; and Thankful.
(III) John (4) Howe, third son of
Isaac and Frances (Wood) Howe, was
born in Marlborough, September 16, 1682,
and died May 19, 1754. He married, No-
vember 3, 1703, Deliverance Rice, daugh-
ter of John and Tabitha (Stone) Rice, of
Sudbury, and their children were: Jeze-
niah ; Matthias; Isaac; Benjamin; Ta-
bitha; Patience; Paul, of further men-
tion ; Mary ; Frances ; and Abigail.
(IV) Paul Howe, fifth son of John (4)
and Deliverance (Rice) Howe, was born
in Marlborough, June 8, 1715, and died in
Paxton, Massachusetts, in 1798, aged
seventy-two years. He married and reared
a family of children, among whom was
Jonah.
(V) Jonah Howe, son of Paul Howe,
was born at Paxton, Massachusetts, in
30
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
1746, and died in 1832, at the age of
eig-hty-six years. He served in the Revo-
lutionary War, and took part in the bat-
tle of Lexington, at which time he held
the rank of corporal. He married Sarah
Newton, and among their children was
Rufus.
(VI) Rufus Howe, son of Jonah and
Sarah (Newton) Howe, was born in Pax-
ton, Massachusetts, in 1768, and died v/
Grafton, in 1856, aged eighty-seven years.
He served in the War of 1812, attaining
the rank of captain. He married Amelia
Brown, of Paxton, and they were the par
ents of ten children, all born in Vermont
or in Massachusetts. They were : Tyler
Howe, who married Ruth Burgess, and
among their children was Bobella, who
served in the Civil War and died on his
way home from St. Louis at the close of
the war; George, who married Lydia
Perry; Harriet; Emily, who married Sila
D. Harrington ; Sally, who married Eli-
jah Smith ; Jonah, who married
Boyington ; Franklin, of whom further ;
Abel B., who married Sophia Wooley ;
Louise ; and Rufus.
(VII) Franklin Howe, son of Rufus
and Amelia (Brown) Howe, was born in
Grafton, Vermont, March 27, 1800, and
died in Millbury, Massachusetts, in Feb-
ruary, 1884, aged eighty-four years. He
received his education in the local schools
and then engaged in farming, being highly
esteemed as a good, thrifty, and practical
farmer. He was a man of unusual intel-
ligence, well-informed concerning public
affairs, and a wonderful reader along
many lines of interest. He removed to
Massachusetts in 1840, and was an at-
tendant of the Congregational church. He
married Rohanah Huggins Brown, and
their children were : Sarah Relief, who
married George A. Bodge ; Jonas Frank-
lin, of further mention ; Captain Edward
E,, who served during the Civil War in
the 2 1 St Massachusetts Regiment, at-
tached to the Ninth Army Corps, under
General Burnside and, ranking as captain,
was the only officer of his company who
returned at the close of the war ; Elbridge
Gary, who married Ellen Hurlbert ; Mary
Augusta, who married Nelson N. Mowry;
Martha Ann, married James Stoddard,
who was a corporal in the Civil War, was
seven times wounded, and died in 1871 ;
George Brown, who married twice ; and
Orilla Amelia, who married Norman
Stevens, of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(VIII) Jonas Franklin Howe, son of
Franklin and Rohanah Huggins (Brown)
Howe, was born in Grafton, Vermont,
September 18, 1833, ^"^ ^^^^ i" Spring-
field, Massachusetts, January 21, 1920.
He received his preliminary education in
the public schools of Millbury and in Mill-
bury Academy. When school days were
over, he learned the mason's trade and
being a man of energy and large ability,
soon became a contractor and builder. He
went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where
he engaged in contracting and building,
but eventually, he returned East and fin-
ally located in Springfield, Massachusetts,
where, until his retirement, he again en-
gaged in contracting and building. About
twenty-five years prior to his death, he
retired. Fraternally, he was afifiliated
with Hampden Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons, and at the time of his death was
next to the oldest Mason in his lodge.
On December 3, 1857, Jonas Franklin
Howe married (first) Maria Griggs, who
was born in North Haven, Connecticut,
in 1834, and died June i, 1898, daughter
of Leverett and Catherine (Stearns)
Griggs ; (second) Charlotte S. Griggs.
Mr. and Mrs. Howe were the parents of
children : Frederick G., of further men-
tion ; Edward E., who died in infancy ;
and George M.
(IX) Frederick Griggs Howe, son of
31
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Jonas Franklin and Maria (Griggs) Howe,
was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, July
15, 1859. His parents removed to Spring-
field when he was a small child, and in the
public schools of that city he received his
education. He later removed to Rock-
ville, Connecticut, and took a position
with the National Bank of Rockville, as
teller. In 1880, however, he returned to
Springfield, and here he later became
manager of the Taylor Music House. In-
1908 he bought out the Taylor interests
and since that time has been the sole
owner and proprietor of the business,
which he still conducts under the Tay-
lor name. For twenty years the business
was located at the corner of Main and
Pynchon streets, from which location it
was moved to the Young Men's Christian
Association building on State street,
where it was housed for ten years. For
the past seven years it has occupied it?
present quarters at No. 476 Main street.
Mr. Howe is also president of the Aller
& Howe Company, Incorporated, Insur-
ance, of Springfield, Boston, and New
York City.
Mr. Howe was a charter member of
Springfield Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons, in which order he has taken all
the York rites, and is a member of Spring-
field Commandery, Knights Templar; and
of Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Order
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also
affiliated with De Soto Lodge, Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows; and with the
Colony Club, Nayasset Club; and Pub-
licity Club. He is a member of the Spring-
field Chamber of Commerce, and his reli-
gious affiliation is with Hope Congrega-
tional Church, of which he is a trustee.
On February 14, 1884, he married Clara
Eliza Richards, who was born in Long-
meadow, but resided in Springfield,
daughter of Rodolphus P. and Sarah
(Burt) Richards, and they are the par-
ents of two children: i. Walter Richards,
born April 28, 1885 ; married, February
14, 1910, Helen Hosford, of Haydenville,
Massachusetts, and has a son, Walter
Richards, Jr., born June 23, 1914. 2.
Frederick G., Jr., born September 29, 1888.
He served for two years during the World
War as a member of the medical depart-
ment, being located at various times on
five different fronts. He is now with the
Boston Consolidated Gas Company, of
Waltham, Massachusetts.
HAYNES, Cyrus Hunt
The Haynes family is a very old one,
and the early records have been carefully
preserved by one John Haynes, born in
1684, who wrote an account of the fami-
lies of his great-grandparents, Walter
Haynes and Peter Noyes. The account
was written later than 1772, since that
date is mentioned, and was probably pre-
pared when the writer was nearly ninety
years old. Copies of the original docu-
ment have been handed down from gen-
eration to generation and are in the
possession of representatives of the fam-
ily still living.
(I) Walter Haynes, immigrant ances-
tor, was born in England in 1583, in the
town of Sutton, Mandeville, in the County
of Wilts. He owned a house and out-
buildings in the village of Shaston, on the
Island of Purbeck, in the southeastern
part of Dorsetshire. He was a weaver by
trade, and, like many other courageous
and enterprising spirits, decided to try
his fortune in the New World, even
though he had reached the age of fifty-
five years. In 1638, with his wife, his
sons, Thomas, John, and Josiah, all under
sixteen years of age, and daughters, Suf-
france and Mary, he sailed from South-
ampton, England, bound for New Eng-
land, the land of larger opportunities. In
due course of time they arrived on the
32
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ship "Confidence," and settled first at
Watertown. About a year later, how-
ever, he, with several others, obtained a
grant for a township named Sudbury,
and on December 22, 1639, he settled upon
the new site. The new community grew
and prospered, and Walter Haynes and
his family became active and prominent
citizens. He was made a freeman in
1640; was representative in the years
1641-44-48-51 ; and was one of the select-
men of Sudbury for ten years. He died
February 14, 1665, aged eighty-two years,
he and his wife, Elizabeth, having reared
a family of six children : Thomas ; John ;
Josiah, of further mention ; Suffrance ;
Mary; and another who remained in Eng-
land.
(II) Josiah Haynes, son of Walter and
Elizabeth Haynes, was born in England
and came with his father's family to this
country when he was but a lad. He mar-
ried, November 13, 1646, Elizabeth
(Noyes) Freeman, daughter of Peter
Noyes and widow of John Freeman.
Peter Noyes came from England in 1638
in the same ship with Walter Haynes,
abovementioned, bringing with him three
sons and three daughters : Thomas,
Peter, Josephus, Dorothy, Elizabeth, and
Abigail. The children of Josiah and Eliza-
beth (Noyes-Freeman) Haynes were:
Josiah (2), of further mention; Caleb,
Joshua, Deborah, and Abigail.
(III) Josiah (2) Haynes, eldest son of
Josiah (i) and Elizabeth (Noyes-Free-
man) Haynes, was born April 27, 1655,
and died in 1743. He married, about
1685, Abigail Stark, and they were the
parents of four children: Josiah (3), of
further mention ; Caleb ; and a son and a
daughter whose names are not preserved.
(IV) Josiah (3) Haynes, eldest child of
Josiah (2) and Abigail (Stark) Haynes,
was the father of two sons : Joshua, of
whom further; and Jason.
Mass 11 — 3
(V) Joshua Haynes, eldest son of
Josiah (3) Haynes, was born in 1707, and
had children : Joshua (2) ; Rachel ; Dor-
othy ; John, of whom further; Susanna;
and Silas.
(VI) John Haynes, second son of
Joshua Haynes, was born in 1762. He
had children : Sally ; Tilly ; Reuben ;
Stephen ; John ; David ; and Lyman, of
whom further.
(VII) Lyman Haynes, youngest child
of John Haynes, was born in Sudbury,
October 13, 1803, and died in Billerica,
December 21, 1869. He was born on a
farm, and like most of the lads of his
time spent his early years in that occupa-
tion. As was also the custom of the time,
he combined with farming a trade which
could be engaged in during the less busy
seasons on the farm. He chose brick-
making as his secondary occupation, and
for about six years before and after his
marriage farmed and made bricks. In
1832 the railroad which was being built
from Boston to Lowell seemed to offer
opportunities, and Mr. Haynes, with a
friend, went to Billerica to look the work
over, intending, if it pleased him, to try
to obtain contracts for constructing road
beds. He was not pleased with what he
saw, and returning to the hotel at which
he had dined before inspecting the rail-
road work, he leased it, and a short time
afterward engaged in business as a hotel
man. His establishment was known as
the "Corner," and later he bought the
property at the corner of Andover street,
where he remained until 1842. He then
exchanged his hotel for a farm in Bil-
lerica, moved to the village, and, forming
a partnership with Anthony Jones and
Dudley Foster, engaged in real estate
business. This line of work he carried
on for eight or ten years, living upon a
farm which he devoted largely to the cul-
ture of fruit, specializing in peaches. Mr.
33
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Haynes supported the Whig party until
the rise of the Republican party, after
which he was a staunch promoter of the
principles and candidates of that party.
Mr. Haynes married, May 28, 1826, at
Sudbury, Caroline Hunt, who was born
in Sudbury, June 9, 1808, and died at the
United States Hotel, in Boston, June 5,
1882. She was the daughter of William
and Thankful (Wheeler) Hunt, and sur-
vived her husband twenty-three years,
being a resident of Springfield during a
large part of that time. She bought a
house at No. 59 St. James avenue, where
several of her children have since lived.
The children of Lyman and Caroline
(Hunt) Haynes were: i. Tilly, born in
Sudbury, February 12, 1828, died in Bos-
ton, August 10, 1901. 2. Theodore L.,
born in Sudbury, April 2, 1830, died in
Springfield, December 29, 1906. 3. Cyrus
H., of further mention. 4. Charles R.,
born in Billerica, April 17, 1836, died in
Springfield, January 24, igo6, unmarried.
5. William H., born in Billerica, April 21,
1838, died May i, 1913, unmarried. 6.
Caroline, born in Billerica, January 26,
1841, died August 22, 1918, at Chestnut
Hill. She married (first) in Billerica, No-
vember 25, 1863, Henry M. Jenkins, of
Concord, who died in Panama, July 12,
1866; married (second) Daniel Webb, and
became proprietor of the Broadway Cen-
tral Hotel, in New York City, which was
given her by her brother Tilly. 7. Lucy
Ann, born in Billerica, December i, 1843,
died September 2, 1845. 8- John, born in
Billerica, September 18, 1846, died Janu-
ary 22, 1916, at Pasadena, California. He
was married three times, and has one
daughter, Laura. 9. Adeline, born in Bil-
lerica, May 28, 1849, died February 25,
1920; she married in Boston, July 13,
1885, James G. Hickey, and became the
proprietor of the United States Hotel in
Boston through the will of her brother
Tilly. They were the parents of one
daughter, Mary Moore, now residing at
the United States Hotel in Boston.
(VIII) Cyrus Hunt Haynes, son of
Lyman and Caroline (Hunt) Haynes,
was born in Billerica, January 8, 1833, and
died in Springfield, Massachusetts, March
26, 1912. He received his education in the
schools of his native town, and when he
was nineteen years of age went to Spring-
field, where his brother, Tilly Haynes,
was established in business, having
bought out the small, badly-managed
branch store of his Boston employer, Mr.
Simmons. The business begun by Tilly
Haynes in a little store, twenty by thirty
feet in size, located near the corner of
Main and State streets, grew rapidly
under his efficient management, and in
1852 its quarters were extended through
from State to Market streets. The busi-
ness continued to grow, and Tilly Haynes
built a valuable block known as the
Haynes block. Young Cyrus H. remained
in the employ of his remarkably success-
ful brother until the store was burned,
July 24, 1864. The fire had destroyed
two large four-story buildings and the
Music Hall, leaving Tilly Haynes with-
out income and no insurance. The sum
of $100,000 was needed for rebuilding, and
$60,000 of this required sum was ad-
vanced by "Uncle" Ben Day, president
of the Springfield Institution for Savings,
$40,000 more by Henry Fuller, and on
July 24, 1865, exactly one year after the
disastrous fire the completion of the re-
building was celebrated by Tilly Hayes'
friends, who presented him with a hand-
some clock. Meanwhile, Cyrus H.
Haynes had gone to Boston, where he
worked for a few months. When the
Tilly Haynes' store was re-opened, how-
ever, Cyrus H. returned to Springfield
and again became associated with his
brother's business. After a time he again
34
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
left his brother's establishment and en-
tered the employ of Charles E. Maxfield,
the furniture dealer, where he remained
for a short period and then finally returned
to Haynes & Company, with whom he
remained until his death, which occurred
March 26, 1912. A man of sterling quali-
ties of character, greatly loved by his
friends and associates, the passing of Mr.
Haynes caused grief that only time can
heal, and left vacant a place in his wide
circle of friends difficult to fill.
Mr. Haynes married, on May 5, 1856,
in Billerica, Harriet Brown, born in Bil-
lerica, daughter of Caleb Sumner and
Issamer (Page) Brown, and on May 28,
1906, they celebrated their golden wed-
ding anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Haynes
were the parents of the following chil-
dren : I. Clifford Cyrus, a sketch of
whom follows. 2. Anna Belle, born at
Springfield, April 5, 1863, died there July
20, 1869. 3. Nathaniel Lyman, born at
Springfield, June 17, 1868, now in Bos-
ton. 4. Tilly Sumner, born at Springfield,
October 26, 1869, died there July 31,
1870. 5. Phillip Leon, born at Spring-
field, February 28, 1872. 6. Caleb Sum-
ner, born at Springfield, October 5, 1875,
a travelling man, residing in Springfield.
7, Otis Brown, born at Springfield, Octo-
ber 8, 1877, now manager of the Broadway
^Cehtral Hotel in New York City.
H
HAYNES, Clifford Cyrus
Clifford Cyrus Haynes, who for forty-
five years before his passing away was
associated with the Third National Bank
of Springfield, Massachusetts, and who
for twenty-four years was closely identi-
fied with the civic, political, and social
life of West Springfield, was descended
from very old Colonial stock, his ances-
try being traced in the preceding sketch
of his father, Cyrus Hunt Haynes.
Clifford Cyrus Haynes, eldest son of
Cyrus H. and Harriet (Brown) Haynes,
was born in Billerica, Massachusetts,
August 10, 1859, and died in West
Springfield, Massachusetts, November 13,
1920. He attended school in Billerica
until he was ten years of age, when his
parents removed to Springfield, after
which his education was completed in the
public schools of Springfield. At the age
of sixteen years he entered the employ of
the Third National Bank of Springfield,
and there remained throughout his active
business life, a period of forty-five years.
Conscientious, exact, dependable, he was
promoted several times while but a young
man, and was finally appointed teller,
which position he held until 1916, when
he was made custodian of the safe deposit
vault. Honored both as ah efficient
executive and as a loyal friend, he was
greatly loved and highly-esteemed by his
business associates as well as by a large
circle of friends and acquaintances.
In May, 1896, Mr. Haynes removed to
West Springfield, where he was closely
identified with the activities of the town.
He was a member of the Chamber of
Commerce, and was also affiliated with
the Sons of the American Revolution.
His religious affiliation was with the
Memorial Church of Springfield, and he
was actively interested in all its work,
in fact, no project planned for the ad-
vancement of the welfare of his commun-
ity or of his State failed to win his hearty
support and cooperation.
Clifford C. Haynes married on Septem-
ber 30, 1885, Esther Maria Field, who
was born in Hatfield, Massachusetts,
October 12, 1858, and died February i,
1916, daughter of John W. and Lucy
(Moore) Field (see Field VIII). Clif-
ford Cyrus and Esther Maria (Field)
Haynes were the parents of four children :
Walter Lyman, born December 21, 1886;
Robert Field, born December ii, 1887,
35
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
died January 6, 1919; Ruth, born Novem-
ber 9, 1889; and Doris, born July 22, 1896.
(The Field Line).
Esther Maria (Field) Haynes is de-
scended from very old Colonial stock, the
line of her descent from Zechariah Field,
immigrant ancestor, being traced as fol-
lows :
(I) Zechariah Field was born in East
Ardsley, in the West Riding of Yorkshire,
England, in 1600, and arrived in Boston,
Massachusetts, in 1629. He married
Mary , and among his children was
John, of whom further.
(II) John (i,) Field, son of Zechariah
Field, was born in Hartford, Connecticut,
in 1648, and removed to Hatfield, Massa-
chusetts, in 1663, where he died June 26,
1717. He served in the Indian wars, and
was with Captain Turner in the fight at
Turner's Falls, May 19, 1676. He mar-
ried Mary Edwards, daughter of Alex-
ander Edwards, and among their children
was John (2), of whom further.
(III) John (2) Field, son of John (i)
and Mary (Edwards) Field, served in the
Indian wars, and died May 28, 1747. He
married Sarah Coleman, daughter of John
Coleman, and they were the parents of
children, among whom was Eliakim, of
whom further.
(IV) Eliakim Field, son of John (2)
and Sarah (Coleman) Field, was born in
171 1, and died in 1786. He married
Esther Graves, daughter of David and
Abigail (Bardwell) Graves, and they were
the parents of children, among whom was
Zinas, of whom further.
(V) Zinas Field, son of Eliakim and
Esther (Graves) Field, was born in 1753,
and served in the War of the Revolution.
He was a member of Captain Salmon
White's company, participated in the bat-
tle of Bennington, and was present at the
surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga in
1777. He married (first) Sarah Burrows;
(second) Lydia Cathcart, and one of his
children was John (3), of whom further.
(VI) John (3) Field, son of Zinas
Field, was born in 1786, and died in 1868.
He married Abigail Warren, and among
their children was John Wright, of whom
further.
(VII) John Wright Field, son oi John
(3) and Abigail (Warren) Field, was born
March 16, 1835. He enlisted for service
in the Civil War, was sergeant in Com-
pany F, 37th Regiment, Massachusetts
Volunteer Militia, and was killed in the
battle of the Wilderness, in Virginia, May
6, 1864. He married, July 27, 1855, Lucy
Moore, and to this marriage one child
was born, Esther Maria, of whom further.
(VIII) Esther Maria Field, daughter
of John W. and Lucy (Moore) Field, mar-
ried, September 30, 1885, Clifford Cyrus
Haynes.!
TAYLOf^, WiUiam Clinton
Formerly proprietor of the Taylor
Music House, and now secretary and
business manager of the Orpheus Club, of
Springfield, and of the Springfield Music
Festival Association, comes of old Colo-
nial stock, tracing his ancestry to John
Taylor, who was in Massachusetts prior
to 1679.
The name Taylor is one of the four or
five most frequently found names in this
country, and is derived, in many cases,
from the occupation of those who first
bore the name, they having been, before
the general adoption of surnames in Eng-
land, tailors by trade. Many of the name,
however, were descended from Taillefer,
the Norman baron who took part in the
battle of Hastings, under William the
Conqueror, in 1066, the name having
passed through a series of transitions and
being gradually changed to Taylefer,
Taylour, Tayleur, Tailer, Tailor, Taylor.
36
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Savage mentions two John Taylors who
swore oath of allegiance in this country
in 1678, and in 1679 two of this name
swore allegiance on the same day. Many
other John Taylors are found in the early
records. William Clinton Taylor is a
descendant of John Taylor, of Hadley,
Massachusetts, and the line of descent is
traced as follows : •
(I) John Taylor, of Hadley, Massachu-
setts, was born in England about 1639,
and died October 17, 1713, at Hadley,
where he took the oath of allegiance
February 8, 1679. He married, December
12, 1666, Mary, daughter of the first
Thomas Selden, who died January 7,
1713. Their children were : Esther, born
December 9, 1667 ; John ; Thomas, born
June 5, 1672; Stephen, 1674; Mary, Octo-
ber 12, 1676, died young; Thankful, 1680;
Jacob, 1685; Samuel, December 3, 1688;
and Ebenezer, March i, 1697.
(II) John (2) Taylor, son of John (i)
and Mary (Selden) Taylor, was born
January 6, 1670, at Hadley, and removed
to South Hadley, where he was an early
member of the church and where he was
still living in 1744. He married, Febru-
ary 9, 1694, Hannah, daughter of Samuel
Gillet, who died after 1743. Their chil-
dren were: John, born May 3, 1695;
Joseph, March 20, 1697, died August 6,
1698; Hannah, January 24, 1701 ; Samuel,
November 17, 1703; twins, born and died
in 1704; Joshua, April 14, 1706; Mary,
1708; Moses, of whom further; Aaron,
October, 1712.
(III) Moses Taylor, son of John (2)
and Hannah (Gillet) Taylor, was born in
May, 1709, in Hadley, Massachusetts.
Sometime between 1727 and 1731, he re-
moved to South Hadley, where he was
living in 1770. He was prominent in the
affairs of the town and of the church, and
was one of a committee of fifteen ap-
pointed to eject a minister who refused to
resign and ignored his official dismissal.
The committee eflfectively discharged its
duty by forcibly removing the offender
from the pulpit during the opening
prayer. Moses Taylor also served in the
Indian War in 1756. His children were
Oliver, Reuben, and John.
(IV) Oliver Taylor, oldest son of
Moses Taylor, was born at South Had-
ley, Massachusetts, and died, March 5,
1846, at Chicopee Falls. He participated
in the Indian War of 1758, and served in
the Revolutionary War, his record being
preserved in the Massachusetts Rolls. He
enlisted as a private in Captain Noah
Goodman's company, of South Hadley,
which marched in response to the Lex-
ington alarm, April 19, 1775, time of
service three days. He was also a private
in Lieutenant Wate's company, Colonel
Ruggles Woodbridge's regiment, service
four days, on an expedition to the North-
ern Department, the company being re-
ported to have marched to New Provi-
dence in response to an alarm given at
Bennington, August 17, 1777. He was
second lieutenant in Colonel Chapin's sec-
ond Hampshire county regiment, Massa-
chusetts militia, commissioned Septem-
ber 24, 1779; second lieutenant in Cap-
tain Joseph Clapp's fifteenth company,
second Hampshire county regiment, Mas-
sachusetts militia, where his name is
recorded on the list of officers, though
the year is not given. He married Lucy,
daughter of Thomas White, born 1767,
died January 18, 1845, ^"^ their children
were : Sylvester ; Porter, born December
16, 1794; Elvira, February 5, 1797; Eve-
line, May I, 1799; Andrew, May 22, 1801 ;
Erastus, January 16, 1804; Sarah, April
26, 1806; Calvin, June 13, died Septem-
ber 10, 1808.
(V) Sylvester Taylor, son of Oliver and
Lucy (White) Taylor, was born Febru-
ary 5> 1793' ^t South Hadley, and died
17
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
March 28, 1881, at Chicopee Falls. He
married, September 12, 1815, Sally Eaton,
born July 25, 1793, died September 10,
1870, and in 1828 they removed to Chico-
pee Falls. Their children were: Ann
Sophia, born July 22, 1816, married Bailey
West; Harriet Maria, born January 11,
1818, died May 2, 1819; Anson Chapin,
born January 28, 1820, married Louisa
Buckland ; George Sylvester; Varnum
Nash, of whom further ; Charles Andrews,
born September 4, 1826, married Jane
Davenport ; James Eaton, born January
18, 1829, married Electa Buckland; Wil-
liam Oliver, born April 6, 1831, married
Mary Morse Barker, and died March 6,
i860; Sarah Jane, born July 18, 1833, mar-
ried George H. Nettleton ; David Eaton,
born October 30, 1835, married Delia
Whitby.
(VI) Deacon Varnum Nash Taylor,
son of Sylvester and Sally (Eaton) Tay-
lor, was born at South Hadley, Massachu-
setts, April 6, 1824, and died in Spring-
field, Massachusetts, November 8, 1894.
His parents removed to Chicopee, Massa-
chusetts, then a part of Springfield, in
1828, and in the public schools of that city
Varnum Nash received his preliminary
education, and after graduating from
Springfield High School, attended Willis-
ton Seminary, at East Hampton. When
school days were over he entered the em-
ploy of Shackford & Taylor, at Chicopee
Falls, in the capacity of clerk, and this
connection he maintained until he reached
his twenty-first year. The firm of V. N.
& J. E. Taylor was then established and
until 1865 the partners conducted a gen-
eral country store. In that year the senior
partner removed to Springfield, and Mr.
Taylor formed a partnership with George
W. Ray, and, under the firm name of Ray
& Taylor, began the manufacture of paper
collars. They located on Worthington
street, and conducted a large and rapidly
increasing business, making and shipping
daily 100,000 paper collars, which were
sent to various foreign countries, besides
supplying a large domestic trade. They
made a specialty of cloth-faced collars and
cuffs which were popular and extensively
worn, and the business was eminently
successful and lucrative. Under various
names the business of producing collars
and cuffs was continued, finally, in 1884,
being incorporated under the name of the
Taylor & Tapley Manufacturing Com-
pany.
An energetic man of large ability and
possessed of executive and administrative
ability of a high order, Mr. Taylor not
only made of his own business venture a
most noteworthy success, but his services
being desired by other organizations, he
became interested in various lines, giving
to each his earnest, thoughtful attention,
and contributing materially to the success
of each. He was a director in the Chico-
pee National Bank and in the Mutual
Fire Association, and his spirit and abil-
ity did much to promote cooperation
which resulted in the formation of the
Business Men's Association, of which he
was the first president. Deeply interested
in the welfare of his community, he was
highly esteemed not only as a successful
business man, but as a public-spirited citi-
zen, who was always ready to support
liberally every project which seemed to
him wisely planned for the public good,
giving freely of his time, his energy, and
his ability, as well as of his means. In
the old days before the new Republican
party came into existence, he was a Whig,
but when the changing needs of the times
caused the old party to be supplanted by
the Republican organization, he gave his
allegiance to the principles and the can-
didates of the latter, taking an active part
in its activities. His interest in local
public affairs early gained him the con-
38
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
fidence of the citizens of his community.
In 1872-73, he served in the Common
Council, and for ten years he was one of
the registrars of voters. Mr. Taylor was
a member of the Chicopee Falls Congre-
gational Church. After coming to Spring-
field, he sang in the choir and played the
violin at the South Congregational
Church, where he was prominent, being
a member of the parish committee many
years, and on this account he was knowm
as Deacon Taylor, although never holding
the office.
On June 6, 1848, Mr. Taylor married
Elizabeth Curtis, who was born at Epsom,
New Hampshire, daughter of Jonathan
Edwards Curtis, and they were the par-
ents of four children : Henry, who died
in childhood ; Edward, deceased ; Arthur
Bailey, deceased ; and William Clinton,
of whom further.
(VII) William Clinton Taylor, son of
Varnum Nash and Elizabeth (Curtis)
Taylor, was born in Chicopee Falls, Mas-
sachusetts, December 27, 1858. He re-
ceived his early education in the public
schools of Chicopee and Springfield, and
then attended Stebbins Collegiate Insti-
tute in Springfield, from which he gradu-
ated in 1880. After graduation he en-
tered the employ of Ray & Taylor, where
he remained for a year, and then became
associated with the Merekins and Packard
store where he continued for another
year. At the end of that time, he severed
his connection with the latter and became
associated with Haynes & Company, and
a year later associated himself with a
M. C. Stebbins Company in a stationery
store. In this way he gained a somewhat
varied experience, and in 1884 decided to
go into business for himself. He engaged
in the music business with Frank A.
Whiting, firm known as Whiting and
Taylor. Later he bought out Mr. Whit-
ing and established the Taylor Music
House, and he soon built up a highly pros-
perous business, winning for himself an
enviable reputation as an expert in his
line and a most tactful and skillful inter-
preter of the musical needs of his com-
munity. Until 1908 he conducted an in-
creasingly successful business, and in that
year sold the business to Mr. Frederick
Howe, who still conducts it and retains
the name under which the business made
its reputation, that of the Taylor Music
House.
Since disposing of his business, Mr.
Taylor has directed his energies into
channels which have contributed mate-
rially to the advancement of the musical
interests of the locality. He has served as
secretary and business manager of the
Orpheus Club, of Springfield, and of the
Springfield Music Festival Association,
which is performing a valuable service in
giving musical training to a large number
of the citizens of Springfield, as well
as in giving a vast amount of pleasure
both to those who make up the large
audiences which attend the ex':ellcnt pro-
ductions of the association. Mr. Taylor
is also a member of Springfield Lodge,
Free and Accepted Masons, has taken all
the Scottish Rites including the thirty-
second degree Mason, also all the York
rites, and is a member of Melha Temple,
Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of
DeSoto Lodge, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows. His religious affiliation is
with South Church, and is a member of
the property and finance committee, of
which he is chairman.
On January i, 1885, William Clinton
Taylor married Emma Sophia Stebbins,
born in Leominster, Massachusetts,
daughter of Rev. Milan M. Stebbins and
Sophia (Pitts) Stebbins. Rev. Mr. Steb-
bins was head of the Stebbins Collegiate
Institute, of Springfield. Mr. and Mrs.
39
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Taylor are the parents of two children :
Florence May, who died at the age of
three years ; and Edward Curtis, born in
Springfield, Massachusetts, September i,
1890. He received his education in the
Technical High School of Springfield,
and in the Boston School of Technology,
graduating from the latter in 1914. After
his graduation he entered the employ of
the government, in the patent office in
Washington, D, C, where he remained
for three years, attending during the same
time the George Washington Law School.
He was admitted to the Massachusetts
bar, and is now a patent attorney, in the
employ of the Fisk Rubber Company.
During the World War he served in a
training camp and was promoted to the
rank of second lieutenant.
DEEMS, Oren Mansfield, M. D.
After completing post-graduate courses
in London and Vienna, Dr. Deems re-
turned to the United States, and since
1908 has been in the successful practice
of his profession in Springfield, Massachu-
setts. He is a son of John Francis
Deems, born in Brownsville, Fayette
county, Pennsylvania, in 1858, now living
a retired life in Iowa. John F. Deems
was educated in the public schools and in
Washington-Jefferson College, Washing-
ton, Pennsylvania, and after completing
his studies learned the machinist's trade.
During the next few years he successfully
engaged in farming, taught school,
studied law and was admitted a member
of the Pennsylvania bar. But none of
these lines of activity met the demands
of his nature and he tried railroading, an
occupation for which he proved to be emi-
nently fitted. Mr. Deems began his rail-
road career with the Baltimore and Ohio
road, and rose rapidly in rank, during his
long career being connected with the
Vanderbilt lines as general manager and
with the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy
Railroad as general superintendent. He
became a well known figure in Iowa poli-
tics and in 1919 was a candidate for the
gubernatorial nomination. For several
years he has lived retired. He married
Irene Dalton, of Newark, Ohio, daughter
of Michael Dalton, the latter being a
native of Ireland, who came from Kil-
kenny to the United States. Mr. and Mrs.
Deems are the parents of an only son, Dr.
Oren M. Deems, of Springfield, Massa-
chusetts.
Oren M. Deems was born in Newark,
Ohio. April 20, 1879. He completed high
school courses of study and then entered
the University of Iowa, whence he was
graduated in 1900, with the degree
Bachelor of Philosophy. After deciding to
follow the profession of medicine as his
life work he entered the medical depart-
ment of the University of Pennsylvania
and there received his M. D. at graduation
with the class of 1904. After a period of
hospital work he went abroad and for
nearly two years studied in universities
and hospitals in London and in Vienna.
In 1908 he returned to the United States
and in that year located in Springfield, his
present home, where he has since been
continuously engaged in general practice.
He is a member of the local medical
societies, of the Massachusetts Medical
Society, and the American Medical Asso-
ciation, and is thoroughly modern in his
treatment of disease.
Dr. Deems is a member of Aleppo
Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of
Philadelphia ; Morning Star Chapter,
Royal Arch Masons ; Springfield Com-
mandery. Knights Templar; and of Melha
Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of
the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member
of the Nayasset and Springfield Country
clubs. He married, September 11, 1902,
Winifred Abigail Purdy, of Iowa City,
40
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Iowa, daughter of William and Harriet
(Thorp) Purdy. Dr. and Mrs. Deems
are the parents of a son, William Francis
Deems, who was born in Springfield, May
I, 1916.
LYFORD, Hon. Edwin F.
The first of this name in ISTew England
was Rev. John Lyford, a minister of the
Established Church of England, who was
sent to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in the
spring of 1624 by the English proprietors,
for the purpose of counteracting as far as
possible among the colonists the religious
teachings of their non-conformist spiritual
leaders. His mission to Plymouth proved
futile, however, and in the summer of
1624 he went to Nantasket, where he
became intimately associated with Roger
Conant, whom he accompanied to Cape
Ann and later to Naumkeag (Salem).
From the latter place he went to Vir-
ginia, where he died. He left one son,
Francis, whose name appears in the
records of Sufifolk deeds in 1642.
(I) Francis Lyford, son of Rev. John
Lyford, was a resident of Boston, Massa-
chusetts, in 1667, and for several years
afterward, as is shown in Suffolk deeds
of that period, in which his name appears
as a party to various real estate transac-
tions. In 1680 he removed to Exeter,
New Hampshire, and in the records of
both places he is referred to as a mariner.
For a number of years he was master of a
sloop engaged in transporting lumber and
other merchandise to and from Boston to
the Piscataqua, and on one occasion he
was sent to Saco, Maine, to rescue and
bring to Portsmouth the inhabitants of
that town who were exposed to the rav-
ages of the Indians. In a list of persons
who had been granted land in Exeter prior
to March 28, 1698, his name appears as
having received two hundred acres, and
he also acquired considerable real estate
by purchase. He was a selectman in
Exeter for the years 1689-90. In King
William's War he served as a soldier from
February 6 to March 5, 1696. He was
chosen constable in 1709, but the General
Assembly, acting upon information to the
effect that he was incapacitated for ser-
vice by physical disability, ordered the
selectmen of Exeter to appoint another in
his place. In a deed recorded in 1715 he
is designated as a weaver. His will was
made December 17, 1723, and proved Sep-
tember 2, 1724, showing that his death
must have occurred sometime between
these dates. In June, 1671, he married
(first) in Boston, Elizabeth Smith, born
November 6, 1646, daughter of Thomas
and Elizabeth Smith. His second wife,
whom he married in Exeter, November
12, 1681, was Rebecca Dudley, daughter
of the Rev. Samuel Dudley, and grand-
daughter of Governor Thomas Dudley.
Children of Francis Lyford: i. Thomas,
born in Boston, March 25, 1672. 2.
Elizabeth, born in Boston, July 10, 1673,
united with the old South Church, Octo-
ber 7, 1696; died unmarried. 3. Francis,
born in Boston, May 31, 1677. These chil-
dren were of the first marriage. 4.
Stephen, of whom further, 5. Ann, who
became the wife of Timothy Leavitt, son
of Moses and Dorothy (Dudley') Leavitt,
of Exeter. 6 Deborah, who became the
wife of Follett. 7. Rebecca, who
became the wife of Hardie
(Hardy). 8. Sarah, who became the wi.^e
of John Foulsham (Folsom), son of John
Foulsham, and grandson of John and
Mary (Gilman) Foulsham. 9. Mary, who
became the wife of Hall. All the
children of the second marriage were born
in Exeter.
(II) Stephen Lyford, only son ot
Francis and Rebecca (Dudley) Lyford,
resided in Exeter, and in a list of grantees
of land dated April 12, 1725, is mentioned
41
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
as having received one hundred acres. He
took a prominent part in all town affairs
and in 1734 he served as a selectman.
His entire life was spent in Exeter, where
he died, December 20, 1774, and among
the items of his estate, which was valued
at £1,575 ic)s. 9d., was a negro woman,
"Syl," and a negro girl, "Nants." He
was married in Exeter to Sarah Leavitt,
daughter of Moses and Dorothy (Dudley)
Leavitt. Moses Leavitt, born August 22,
1650, was a son of John Leavitt, and
Dorothy, his wife, was a daughter of the
Rev. Samuel Dudley, the latter a son of
Governor Thomas Dudley. Sarah (Lea-
vitt) Lyford died October 13, 1781. Chil-
dren of Stephen and Sarah (Leavitt)
Lyford: i. Biley, born in 1716, died Feb-
ruary 10, 1792 ; married Judith Wilson. 2.
Stephen, born in Newmarket, New
Hampshire, April 12, 1723, was a Revolu-
tionary soldier, serving in Colonel Nich-
olas Gilman's regiment, New Hampshire
militia in 1777, and in September of that
year was at Saratoga with Captain Porter
Kimball's company of Colonel Stephen
Evan's regiment. 3. Moses, of whom
further. 4. Samuel, died February 8,
1788. 5. Francis. 6. Theophilus. 7.
Betsey (Elizabeth), who became the wife
of Joshua Wiggin, of Stratham, New
Hampshire.
(Ill) Moses Lyford, son of Stephen
and Sarah (Leavitt) Lyford, was a tailor
by trade, and resided for many years in
Brentwood, New Hampshire. He mar-
ried, September 22, 1748, Mehitable
Smith, daughter of Oliver Smith, of
Exeter. In a deed recorded in the Exeter
probate records Oliver Smith, of Exeter,
Gent., conveys to Moses Lyford, son-in-
law, and Mehitable, his wife, four acres
of land in Brentwood. Ten children were
born to Moses and Mehitable (Smith)
Lyford: i. Dudley, born July 28, 1749. 2.
Francis, baptized May 12, 1751, died
young. 3. Oliver Smith, of further men-
tion. 4. Mehitable, born October 29, 1755,
became the wife of Swain. 5.
Jonathan, born January 24, 1758. 6.
Nathaniel Lad (Ladd), born January 26,
1762. 7. Sarah, born April 5, 1764, became
the wife of Merrill. 8. Francis,
born April 12, 1766. 9. Elizabeth (Betty),
born in 1768, was married, in 1781, to
Abraham Sanborn, born October 4, 1766,
died December 21, 1845; Elizabeth, died
April 20, 1819. 10. Dorothy (Dolly), be-
came the wife of Bean. Moses
Lyford (father) died in Exeter, April 13,
1799. His wife died some time between
July 15, 1803, and December 4, 1806.
(IV) Oliver Smith Lyford, son of
Moses and Mehitable (Smith) Lyford,
was born in Brentwood, New Hampshire,
August 24, 1753. He served in the War
for National Independence, and his mili-
tary record, contained in the New Hamp-
shire State Papers, Vol. XIV, is as fol-
lows : "In Capt. Daniel Moore's com-
pany. Col. Stark's regiment, from August
I to October 17, 1775, and in Capt. Wil-
son Harper's company, Col. Isaac Wy-
man's regiment, for Canada, mustered
July 16, 1766." Mr. Lyford married, in
1780, Elizabeth Johnson, born May 26,
1 761, daughter of Deacon Joseph and Ann
(Lane) Johnson, of Brentwood and
Hampton. Oliver Smith and Elizabeth
(Johnson) Lyford were the parents of the
following children: i. Dudley, of whom
further. 2. Anne (Nancy), born in 1783,
became the wife of David Philbrock, by
whom she had eight sons and two daugh-
ters. 3. Mehitable, who in 1804, became
the wife of Samuel Blake, born in Epping,
New Hampshire, in January, 1779, died
in January, 1838, in Augusta, Maine; he
was a son of Robert and Martha (Dud-
ley) Blake, of Epping, and a grandson of
Jedediah Blake. 4. Charlotte, born May
4, 1788, died January 19, 1831 ; in Novem-
42
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ber, 1807, she became the wife of John
Stevens, born in 1788, died in 1857; their
son, Hon. John Leavitt Stevens, was born
in Mt. Vernon, Maine, in 1820, and died
in Augusta, in 1895 ; was United States
minister to Hawaii ; he married. May 10,
1848, Mary Lowell Smith, of Hallowell,
Maine. Oliver Smith Lyford died in
1788.
(V) Dudley Lyford, only son of Oliver
Smith and Elizabeth (Johnson) Lyford,
was born in Brentwood, New Hampshire,
February 18, 1781. He settled in Mt.
Vernon, Maine, in 1804-05. When four-
teen years of age he was apprenticed to a
carpenter and became master of the trade,
and made all the woodwork of his house,
his furniture and agricultural tools, and
in addition to this cleared up a farm in
Mt. Vernon. He served as deacon of the
Baptist church in Mt. Vernon, and was a
very decided Whig in political sentiment.
About 1803 he married Elizabeth (Bet-
sey) Smith, daughter of Esquire Jabez
Smith, of Brentwood, and very soon
thereafter settled in Mt. Vernon. Mrs.
Lyford was born in Brentwood, July 25,
1786. Eleven children were born to Dud-
ley and Elizabeth (Smith) Lyford: i.
Sophronia S., who became the wife of
William Coggswell, and died in Mt. Ver-
non. 2. Eben S. 3. Aaron S., served as
selectman, town clerk and representative;
died in Mt. Vernon. 4. Betsey. 5. Fanny,
who became the wife of Louis Bradley ;
she died in Springfield, Massachusetts.
6. Moses (2), of whom further. 7-8. Dan-
iel S. and Samuel T., both died at the age
of nineteen years. 9. Oliver Smith, born
June 19, 1823 ; married Lavinia A. Norris.
10. Francis, who died in Mt. Vernon. 11.
Dudley A., who died in California in 1857.
(VI) Moses (2) Lyford, son of Dud-
ley and Elizabeth (Smith) Lyford, was
born in Mt. Vernon, Maine, January 31,
1816. He graduated from what was then
Waterville College, later Colby Univer-
sity, and now Colby College, of Waterville,
Maine, where he later received the degree
of LL. D., and still later was appointed
professor of astronomy and natural phil-
osophy in that institution, holding these
chairs for a period of nearly thirty years.
After resigning his professorship, he was
elected to the board of trustees of the
University, and always took an active in-
terest in this institution of learning. He
moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, in
1886, and here resided with his only son,
the Hon. -Edwin F. Lyford, until his
death, August 4, 1887, at the age of sev-
enty-one years. He married, November
26, 1848, Mary L. Dyer, a native of
Townshend, Vermont, born February 20,
1827, died August 6, 1896. They were
the parents of Edwin F. Lyford, of whom
further.
(VII) Hon. Edwin F. Lyford, son of
Moses (2) and Mary L. (Dyer) Lyford,
was born in Waterville, Maine, Septem-
ber 8, 1857. He attended the public
schools of Waterville, was prepared for
college in Waterville, now Coburn Classi-
cal Institute, of Waterville, and entered
Colby University, from which he was
graduated in the class of 1877, at the age
of twenty years, receiving both the Bach-
elor's and Master's degrees. Immedi-
ately after leaving college, he began the
study of law in the office of the Hon.
Reuben Foster, of Waterville, and was
admitted to the bar in Augusta in 1879.
For the following three years he was en-
gaged in teaching in the Waterville High
School and Colby University, also prac-
ticed law for a time. In 1882 he removed
to Springfield, Massachusetts, and there
began the practice of his profession,
which he has continued up to the present
time (1922).
Mr. Lyford is a Republican in politics,
and represented Ward Two in the City
43
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Council for two years, later moving to
Ward Five. In 1888 he served as secre-
tary of the Republican Club, of Spring-
field, and also of the Ward Five Republi-
can Club. In 1891 he was elected a repre-
sentative to the Legislature from the
Seventh Hampden District, serving for
the years 1892-93. He served on various
other committees, being appointed chair-
man of the special committee appointed
to investigate certain charges preferred
against the Bay State and other gas com-
panies, the result of which proved to be
the event of that session — the passing of
a bill which became known as the Lyford
Bill, for the introduction of reforms in
this direction, and which conditionally
repealed the charter of the Bay State Gas
Company. In 1893 Mr. Lyford was
elected to the State Senate, where he
served as chairman on several important
committees. At the present time (1922),
in addition to his practice, he is serving as
a special justice of the Springfield Dis-
trict Court.
Mr. Lyford was for some years a mem-
ber of the State Street Baptist Church of
Springfield, and clerk of the church ; was
one of the directors of the Springfield
Young Men's Christian Association ; was
a trustee of Colby University from 1890
for several years, also a member of num-
erous social and political clubs, among
which was the Middlesex, now discon-
tinued; Winthrop, of which he is still a
member; and also the Saturday Night.
Notwithstanding the large amount of
business, both private and public, that he
is called upon to attend, he has found
time to devote to literature, having writ-
ten a volume entitled "Pictures and
Stories from American History," intended
as a child's history. Mr. Lyford also
takes a great interest in the American
Association for the Advancement of
Science, of which he is a fellow; also the
State Republican Club, and the Realty
Club.
Mr. Lyford married, June 7, 1899, Bes-
sie Adams, of Springfield, Massachusetts,
daughter of J. Sumner Adams.
ROLLINS, William Gates
Among the citizens of Massachusetts,
well known throughout the ministerial
and business world, is William Gates Rol-
lins, of Springfield, a representative of
the well known Rawlins, Rollins family.
The Rawlins family in England is very
ancient and numerous, and has been a
well authenticated name for nearly six
hundred years, and is scattered over Eng-
land, Ireland, Scotland and America. It
is an old family name in Cornwall, Eng-
land, and still more ancient in Hertford-
shire, England. The arms of the Corn-
wall family are as follows :
Anns — Shield sable, three swords paleways,
points in chief, argent (silver, hilts and pommels,
gold crest, an arm embowed in armor, the elbow
resting on wreath, holding in the gauntlet a fal-
chion, argent, hilt and pommel, gold).
(^I) James Rawlins, immigrant ances-
tor, was born in England. He emigrated
to America in the year 1632, and settled in
Ipswich, Massachusetts. He did not,
however, remain long in that place, for
two years later he was a resident of New-
bury, Massachusetts. He is next of
record in Dover, New Hampshire, where
he was located as early as 1644, and
where he received several grants of land.
He resided in that part called Bloody
Point (now Newington) until his death.
He was a farmer, a man of practical ideas,
one who thinks and acts for himself, and
was truly one of the founders of the State.
His will was dated Dover, December 16,
1685, ^nd gave property to his wife Han-
nah, to his oldest son Ichabod, to Ben-
jamin and his other children not named in
the will. The names of his children are
44
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
as follows : Ichabod, Thomas, Samuel,
James, Benjamin, Joseph, Deborah.
(II) Thomas Rollins, second son of
James and Hannah Rawlins, was born in
1641. His death occurred about 1706,
and the inventory of his property was re-
turned to the probate office, November 3,
1706. He resided at Bloody Point, New
Hampshire, until after 1668, when "he
moved to Exeter, same State, and there
spent the remainder of his life. His farm
was located on the old road leading from
Exeter to Hampton. He was one of the
company of Edward Gove who were
found in arms and endeavoring to over-
throw the government of Governor Ed-
ward Cranfield, known as Gove's Rebel-
lion. Se served as a justice of the peace
in 1682. He married, about 1670, Rachel
Cox, daughter of Moses and Alice Cox, of
Hampton. Their children were : Thomas,
Moses, Joseph, Mary, Benjamin, Aaron,
Samuel, John, Alice, Rachel.
(III) Benjamin Rollins, fourth son of
Thomas and Rachel (Cox) Rollins, was
born July 6, 1678. His death occurred in
1740, and his will was proved April 30,
1740. In 1710 he was appointed corporal
in a company of ninety-one men who
went out to fight the Indians. He resided
in Exeter, New Hampshire. He mar-
ried Elizabeth, surname unknown, who
bore him the following named children :
Josiah, John, Benjamin, Abigail, Alice,
Dorothy, Mercy, Ann.
(IV) John Rollins, second son of Ben-
jamin and Elizabeth Rollins, was reared
and educated in Exeter, New Hampshire,
and later in life removed to Stratham,
same State, and there spent the remain-
der of his active and useful life. He mar-
ried Sarah, surname unknown, who bore
him the following children : Sarah, Mary,
John, Rebecca, Stephen, Robert.
(V) John (2) Rollins, eldest son of
John (i) and Sarah Rollins, was born
September 14, 171 1. He was a resident
of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, active
in community afifairs, and also interested
in other matters, as is evidenced by his
serving in the French War from May i to
November 5, 1756, and as corporal in
Colonel Goffe's regiment in the Canadian
Expedition of 1760. He married and
among his children was Stephen.
(VI) Stephen Rollins, son of John (2)
Rollins, was born August 23, 1741. He
was a resident of Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, and in all measures that pro-
moted the public welfare took a keen in-
terest. He married, October 25, 1763,
Susannah, surname unknown, and their
children were as follows : Elizabeth, Su-
sanna, Jonathan, Judith, Stephen, James,
David, Mary, Dorothy, Sarah.
(VII) James (2) Rollins, third son of
Stephen and Susannah Rollins, was born
April 20, 1779, and died in middle life, his
death being caused by a tree falling on
him. He changed his place of residence
from New Hampshire to Vermont, locat-
ing in Washington, where he was num-
bered among the prominent citizens. He
displayed his patriotism by serving as a
soldier in the War of 1812. He married,
August 9, 1812, Nancy Huntoon, and their
children were as follows : Joseph Sleeper,
Julia Ann, Anna, James, Ruth, Nancy,
Zuriah.
(VIII) Joseph Sleeper Rollins, eldest
son of James (2) and Nancy (Huntoon)
Rollins, was born in Corinth, Vermont,
February 11, 1815, and died there, Febru-
ary 21, 1^579. Upon attaining a suitable
age, he served an apprenticeship at the
trade of shoemaker, and worked on cus-
tom-made shoes, this proving a lucrative
means of livelihood. He was an active
participant in the War of the Rebellion,
as was also his son, John Edward. He
enlisted from Thetford, Vermont, in the
r5th Vermont Regiment, for a period of
45
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
nine months, and served under General
Butler at New Orleans. He then reen-
listed for a period of three years in the
8th Vermont Regiment, and served for
one and a half years. He participated in
all the engagements in which his regi-
ment took part up to the time that he
was wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek,
and he was then sent North to recuper-
ate. Mr. Rollins married (first) Ruhana
Underwood, who bore him three children :
Joseph, John Edward, and Isabelle. He
married (second) Nancy Bohonan, born
1828, died in July, 1875. Eight children
were born of this marriage, namely : Ru-
hana, Abigail, Ada, Charles Huntoon,
Caroline, Joseph Forest, George Perry
and William Gates.
(IX) William Gates Rollins, young-
est son of Joseph Sleeper and Nancy
(Bohonan) Rollins, was born in Lowell,
Massachusetts, April 14, 1868. He ob-
tained a good education in the schools of
Fairlee and Chelsea, Vermont, which
thoroughly prepared him for the duties
and responsibilities of life. He gave his
attention to the work of the Young Men's
Christian Association, and for almost two
decades devoted his entire time to that
calling. During that period he served in
the capacity of secretary of the associa-
tion in Chicopee Falls, Somerville, Lynn,
Watertown, Massachusetts, and New
Brighton and Kane, Pennsylvania. This
brought him to the year 1908. He then
entered the ministry, for which he had
prepared himself, and served for a time
as pastor of the Liberty Methodist Church
in Springfield, and for six years he also
preached in Woronoco, residing in Rus-
sell. Abandoning this work in the year
1916, he turned his attention to the insur-
ance business and opened an office in
Springfield, where he does a fire, life and
accident business, and represents several
different companies, and is so serving at
the present time (1922). During his resi-
dence in the town of Russell, he served
as a member of the School Board, of
which he was chairman for three years.
His religious affiliation is with the Meth-
odist church, and his fraternal affiliation
with the Free and Accepted Masons,
of Springfield, where he is a member of
Springfield Lodge.
Mr. Rollins married, July 17, 1895, Flor-
ence Clark, of Chicopee Falls, Massachu-
setts, daughter of George A. and Almira
(Bradbury) Clark, and granddaughter of
Austin and Eunice (Carpenter) Clark.
Children of Mr. and Mrs. Rollins: i. Reg-
inald Clark, born in Saco, Maine, August
21, 1896; was in the Naval Reserve Avia-
tion service during the World War. 2.
Wilbur Lawrence, born in Watertown,
Massachusetts, October 6, 1897; served in
the Naval Reserve as first class ship car-
penter ; he was in the service for two
years, and made seventeen round trips
across the Atlantic ; he was on the trans-
port "Agamennon," her sister ship being
among the number that were torpedoed ;
he is now serving as teacher of manual
training in Manchester, New Hampshire.
3. Beatrice Almira, born in New Brighton,
Pennsylvania, January 6, 1904. 4. Au-
brey Bohonan, born in Woronoco, Feb-
ruary 6, 1909. 5. Kenneth, born in Wor-
onoco, January i, 1913.
DURYEA, James Frank
Known as the builder of the first auto-
mobile in the world to use gasoline as a
motive power, James Frank Duryea is
the gentleman whose name heads this
article. He is a descendant of the ancient
Duryea family which was living in Scot-
land in the sixteenth century, and which
has been traced back to 1040. In Amer-
ica the family begins with Joost Durie,
who came from Manheim with his wife
Magdalena in 1675, settled at New
46
o/Vzv/^-^^ a7KA>wuCcl/
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Utrecht, New York, and later moved to
disputed lands between Newtown and
Bushwick, in Massachusetts, where in
1667 he took the oath of allegiance. Jean
Durie, his brother, settled at Hackensack,
New Jersey, in 1678. They were the sons
of Pieter Durie, of Picardy, France, but
before coming to America spent some
time in the Palatinate, and it is evident
they were Huguenots. From Joost Durie
came the Duryeas and the Duryees, one
branch settling in Virginia, and later
crossing the mountains from Virginia to
Kentucky, where they settled and where
the family still own the "old homestead."
It is from this branch that James Frank
Duryea, of Springfield, Massachusetts,
traces descent. Joost Durie's will was
probated June 9, 1729. Joost Durie was
married when he came to New Amster-
dam, according to Chambers' "Early Ger-
mans," and he and his wife were the par-
ents of eleven children, of whom Charles
was the fifth.
(II) Charles Durie married (first) Cor-
nelia Schenck ; and (second) Maria Rob-
inson. He had five sons, the fifth of
whom was named Charles.
(III) Charles (2) Duryea, son of
Charles (i) Durie, married and reared a
family of children, among whom was
John, of further mention.
(IV) John Duryea, son of Charles (2)
Duryea, was born November 5, 1757, and
died June 4, 1834. He settled in Ken-
tucky. He married Margaret Welch, born
September 22, 1763, died March 21, 1832,
and they reared a large family, among
whom was Wesley, of further mention.
(V) Wesley Duryea, ninth child 01
John and Margaret (Welch) Duryea, was
born November 17, 1809, and died June
7, 1842. He married December 26, 1833,
Elizabeth Byram, who was born January
22, 1816, and died June 26 1897. The
Byrams lived in Kentucky opposite Cin-
cinnati, Ohio. John and Elizabeth (By-
ram) Duryea were the parents of three
sons: Benjamin; John; and George W.,
of further mention.
(VI) George W. Duryea, son of Wes-
ley and Elizabeth (Byram) Duryea, was
born in Southern Illinois, December 6,
1835, and died June 4, 1883. He was first
a farmer, but later a merchant conducting
a general store at St. David, Illinois. He
married March 12, 1861, Louisa Turner,
who was born at the home farm near Can-
ton, Fulton county, Illinois, December
22, 1841, daughter of James and Sarah
(Carver) Turner. Mrs. Duryea survives
her husband and is yet a resident of the
State of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. George
W. Duryea were the parents of five chil-
dren : Charles Edgar ; Blanche, who mar-
ried Arthur Gilfillan ; James Frank, of
further mention ; Otto C. ; and Alma
Belle, who married Herbert Nielson.
(VII) James Frank Duryea, of the sev-
enth Duryea generation in America, was
born October 8, 1869, at Washburn, Illi-
nois. He was educated in the public
school of Wyoming, Illinois, finishing
with graduation from high school with
the class of 1888. He then pursued a
course of self study in mechanical engi-
neering, later spending a year in Wash-
ington, D. C, and two years in Rockaway,
New Jersey, learning the machinist's
trade. He then became identified with
the manufacture of bicycles in partner-
ship with his brother Charles, that busi-
ness leading up to experiments with auto-
mobile construction. At this time spec-
ulation upon the possibility of manufac-
turing a vehicle propelled by its own
power began. Skeptics were plentiful,
and the early efforts of Mr. Duryea and
Mr. Remington, who shared his faith in
the successful outcome of their work, met
with general ridicule. After devoting
much study and strenuous labor to the
47
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
enterprise, they completed, in 1892, the
fTrst automobile made in America using
gasoline motive power. In 1895, Mr.
Duryea organized the Duryea Motor
Wagon Company, the first automobile
company in the United States He was
later associated with the American Auto-
mobile Company, and finally organized
the Hampden Automobile Company.
This was continued until 1901, when the
Stevens-Duryea Company was organized
in Chicopee, Massachusetts, with Mr.
Duryea as its vice-president and chief
engineer. The company manufactured a
superior car which soon took rank among
the finest automobiles made, and which is
well known in the business world. In
191 5 Mr. Duryea disposed of his interest
and retired from the company and from
business. Since then he has given much
time to traveling in the United States and
in South America, having in 1922 made a
trip of over 12,000 miles in the latter
country. Mr. Duryea is popular in both
social and Masonic circles. He is a mem-
ber of Hampden Lodge, Free and Ac-
cepted Masons ; and of the Nayasset, Col-
ony, and Country clubs, of Springfield.
He is also a member of the Corinthian
Yacht Club, of Marblehead, Massachu-
setts ; of the Boston Yacht Club ; of the
Indian Harbor Yacht Club, of Greenwich,
Connecticut ; and of the Brae Burn Coun-
try Club, of Newton, Massachusetts.
Mr. Duryea married. May 17, 1893,
Clara A. Root, of Ludlow, Massachusetts,
daughter of George E., one of the old resi-
dents of that town, and of Clarissa A.
(Hyde) Root. Mr. and Mrs. Duryea are
the parents of a son, George Root Duryea.
who was born March 4, 1894, and is a
graduate of the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology. During the World War,
he was superintendent of ship construc-
tion, attached to the United States navy.
Mr. Duryea, Sr. resided in Springfield
until 1920, when he sold his home there,
much to the regret of the citizens of that
city, among whom he has hosts of friends.
This in brief is the history of the man
whose inventive genius made possible the
automobile, the pleasure and business
vehicle of the civilized world, and who
set in motion an industry that employs a
stupendous amount of capital and a vast
army of men. The automobiles manufac-
tured by the Stevens-Duryea Company
represented the best of workmanship and
material, and Stevens-Duryea cars of an
early year are still (1922) running in an
almost perfect manner, comparing favor-
ably in every respect with the very best
manufactured and which sold for a higher
price. I
\
RIPLEY, Elon Van Ness
For more than thirty years a resident
of Springfield, and one of its highly es-
teem_ed citizens, Elon Van Ness Ripley
was a descendant of a very old English
family. The name Ripley belongs to the
class known as local, or place surnames,
and is derived, in the case of the family
to which Elon V. Ripley belonged, from
a market town in the west of Yorkshire,
England. Very early in the Colonial
period William Ripley, immigrant ances-
tor, came to this country, and the line of
descent from this pioneer settler to Elon
V. Ripley is clearly traced as follows:
(I) William Ripley with his wife, two
sons, and two daughters, came from the
vicinity of Hingham, England, to Hing-
ham, Massachusetts, in 1638, and re-
ceived a grant of four acres of land at
Hingham Center, a large part of which
is still owned by his descendants. His
house was situated on Main street, near
the training field. He was twice married,
second, in 1654, to Elizabeth, widow of
Thomas Thaxter, and among his children
was John.
48
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
(II) John Ripley, son of William Rip-
ley, was born in England, came to this
country with his father, and died Febru-
ary 23, 1684. He resided on the paternal
homestead in Hingham, where he was
made a freeman May 14, 1656. His will,
made January 21, 1684, was proved March
27, 1684. He married, about 1654, Eliza-
beth Hobart, born about 1632, died March
26, 1692, daughter of Rev. Peter Hobart,
of Hingham, a graduate of Magdalen Col-
lege, England, from which institution he
received the degree Bachelor of Arts in
1625. Rev. Hobart was pastor of the
First Church in Hingham in 1635. Among
the children of John and Elizabeth Rip-
ley was Jeremiah,
(III) Jeremiah Ripley, son of John and
Elizabeth (Hobart) Ripley, was born in
1662, and died in 1737. He married (first)
Mary Gager; (second) Ann Davidson,
and among his children was Jeremiah (2).
(IV) Jeremiah (2) Ripley, son of Jere-
miah (i) Ripley, was born in 1696, and
died in 1737. He married Abigail Carey,
and they were the parents of children,
among whom was Charles.
(V) Charles Ripley, son of Jeremiah
(2) and Abigail (Carey) Ripley, was born
in 1733. He held a commission during
the French and Indian wars, and served
against the Indians in Canada. He also
served in the Revolutionary War, was
taken prisoner by the British at the Battle
of Monmouth, in New Jersey, and con-
fined in the Sugar House prison in New
York City. Here he shared the privation
and ill-treatment accorded most of those
detained in that place, and finally lost his
life as the result of brutal treatment. The
circumstances of his death were as fol-
lows : One day when he was reduced to
extreme prostration by want of food,
some refuse bones were offered him. He
remonstrated, whereupon the keeper of
the prison dealt him a blow upon the head
Mass 11 — 4
that instantly killed him. He married
Tabitha Abbe, of Windham, Connecticut,
and among their children was Epaphras.
(VI) Epaphras Ripley, son of Charles
and Tabitha (Abbe) Ripley, was born in
1759, and married Ann Webb, of Rock-
ingham, Vermont. They were the par-
ents of children, among whom was
Charles.
(VII) Charles Ripley, son of Epaphras
and Ann (Webb) Ripley, was born in
Rockingham, Vermont, and died in 1871,
aged ninety years. He married Achsah
Colton, and among their children was
Curtis Parker.
(VIII) Curtis Parker Ripley, son of
Charles and Achsah (Colton) Ripley, was
born in Cornwall, Vermont, in 1813, and
died in Ware, Massachusetts, in 1890. He
married Mary Eliza Pearse, of Pinkney-
ville, Mississippi, who was born in 1817,
and died in 1894. Their children were:
Lucy Jane, deceased ; Harriet Eliza,
who married Asa Breckinridge ; Edward
Duane ; James Edgar; Orabelle Amanda,
deceased ; and Elon Van Ness, of whom
further.
(IX) Elon Van Ness .Ripley, son of
Curtis Parker and Mary Eliza (Pearse)
Ripley, was born in Ripton, Vermont,
October 24, 1861, and died in Springfield,
May 24, 1920. When he was five years
old his parents removed to Alstead, New
Hampshire, and in the schools of that
place he received his education. During
vacations and before and after school
hours he assisted his father on the farm.
Later, when school days were over he
was employed as a clerk in a grocery
store. When he was eighteen years of
age he decided to try his fortune in a
larger city and came to Springfield,
where for a time he was employed as a
clerk in a grocery store. His active
young mind was alert and watchful, how-
ever, hoping for a larger opportunity.
49
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
It came in the form of a position as
traveling salesman in the employ of the
Fisk Soap Company. Having found his
opportunity he worked steadily and
efficiently, proving himself to be an ex-
cellent salesman, with large ability for
procuring new business, as well as for
holding customers and securing repeat
orders. For twenty-three years he con-
tinued "on the road," covering a territory
comprising all of New England and New
York State, rendering valuable service to
the company he represented, and gaining
for himself experience that was to be of
great value to him later in his own busi-
ness.
In 1912 he decided that the time had
come for him to engage in business for
himself, and accordingly he went to Wor-
cester, where he conducted a business
until 1914, when he removed to Spring-
field. Here he purchased the D. H. Grif-
fin market at No. 390 Bridge street, and
soon met with success. His wide and
varied experience "on the road" proved to
be of great advantage to him. After a
time his concern outgrew its old quarters,
and Mr, Ripley enlarged it to twice its
size. Here he continued to conduct an
ever-increasing business until his death,
in May, 1920, since which time it has been
managed by his widow, Mrs. Mabel M.
Ripley, who carries the best class of
goods in the city.
Mr. Ripley was a popular man among
his friends and business associates and
among the citizens of Springfield, in
which city he had resided for more than
forty years. He was a charter member of
the Commercial Travelers' Club, of
Springfield; and a member of the Utica
Travelers' Association, of St, Louis. His
religious affiliation was with the Memorial
Church.
On June 29, 1886, he married Mabel M,
King, of Springfield, Massachusetts,
daughter of Marvin Henry and Melissa
Pamelia (Brewer) King, and they were
the parents of one son, Harold Ripley,
deceased.
(The King: Line).
Mrs. Ripley not only traces her descent
in the King line from very early days, but
she is also a descendant of John Alden
and Priscilla (Mullins) Alden, of historic
and literary fame. Mrs. Ripley's descent
in the King line is traced as follows:
James King, founder of the King family
in Suffield, Connecticut, was born in
Devonshire, England, came to Suffield,
Connecticut, at an" early date, and died
there in 1722. Marvin King, a descendant
of James King in the seventh generation,
was born in Somers, Connecticut, in 1807,
and died in 1902. He removed to Lud-
low, Massachusetts, in 183 1, and married
Eunice Brown Alden, born in 1813, died
in 1876, daughter of Joseph and Olive
(Brown) Alden. They were the parents
of twelve children, among whom was
Marvin Henry King, born April 5, 1835,
died December 26, 1907, He married, in
January, i860, Melissa Pamelia Brewer,
daughter of Daniel and Sarah K. Brewer,
and their children were: Alfred Archie;
Samuel Marion ; and Mabel M., who mar-
ried Elon Van Ness Ripley.
(The Alden Line).
Mrs. Ripley's descent from John Alden
is traced as follows: (I) John Alden,
who came over in the "Mayflower" in 1620;
through (II) Joseph; (III) Joseph; (IV)
Samuel ; (V) Joseph, born in 1738, mar-
ried Bathsheba Jones; (VI) Joseph
Alden, born in 1773, died in 1835, married
Olive Brown ; (VII) Eunice Brown
Alden, daughter of Joseph and Olive
(Brown) Alden, who married Marvin
King (see King line), grandfather of Mrs.
Ripley.
50
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
LEWIS, Arthur Bancroft
Arthur Bancroft Lewis, who has been
a resident of Springfield for nearly forty
years, and who for more than thirty years
conducted the hat and furnishing estab-
lishment on the corner of Main and San-
ford streets, comes of old Colonial stock,
tracing his ancestry in this country to
Edmund Lewis, who came to Massachu-
setts in 1634.
(I) Edmund Lewis, immigrant ances-
tor, is said to have come from Lynn Regis,
England, and Alonzo Lewis, in his his-
tory of Lynn, states that he was a brother
of William Lewis, who was at Roxbury
in 1630 and was one of the founders of
Lancaster in 1653, and who was a de-
scendant of a Welsh family with a pedi-
gree running back for many centuries.
George Harlan Lewis, of Los Angeles,
California, however, has visited England
and Wales, making careful research but
finding no trace of relationship between
Edmund and William Lewis. George
Harlan Lewis in his sketch of Edmund
Lewis, which is as complete as can be
obtained, says : "There is no authorita-
tive connection of any of the Lewis immi-
grants to New England during the Seven-
teenth century with any Welsh or Eng-
lish family. It was a surname prominent
in Wales and England. Edmund Lewis,
aged thirty-three, wife Mary, and two
children, sailed April 10, 1634, in the ship
'Elizabeth' from Ipswich, England. He
settled in Watertown, where he had a
good estate. His homestead was on what
is now the east side of Lexington street,
but he removed to Lynn and bought forty
acres of land on the seashore, in the part
of the town called Wood End. He was
admitted a freeman May 24, 1636, and
was elected a selectman in 1638. In the
same year he was on a committee to lay
out the farms as they were ordered near
the Dedham line." He died in January,
1650, and his wife died September 7,
1658. His will was dated January 13,
1650, and the inventory was filed Febru-
ary 12, 1650-51. The children of Edmund
Lewis were : John, born in England, of
further mention ; Thomas, born in Eng-
land, in 1633; James, born January 15,
1635, in Watertown ; Nathaniel, born in
Watertown, August 26, 1639; an infant,
who died at the age of twenty days;
Joseph, born in Lynn ; child, born in
Lynn.
(II) Captain John Lewis, son of Ed-
mund Lewis, was born in England, in
1631, and came to this country with his
father's family in 1634. He inherited his
father's estate of forty acres at Lynn,
through which Lewis street now passes.
He served in King Philip's War, being a
lieutenant under Captain Henchman in
1675, ^"^ serving in Captain Nicholas
Manning's Company in 1676. For his
services he was granted land at Souhegan
West, now Amherst, New Hampshire,
which, in 1728, came into the possession
of his grandson, Edmund. "Lieutenant
Lewis" was admitted a freeman April 18,
1691, and was elected a deacon of the
church in 1692. He died in 1710, aged
seventy-nine, his will being dated Febru-
ary 25, 1706-07, and he having previously
deeded his real estate to his sons John
and Thomas. He married (first), June
17, 1659, Hannah Marshall, who died May
I5» 1699, daughter of Captain Thomas
Marshall; (second), September 2, 1699,
Elizabeth King, widow of Ralph King, of
Swampscott, and daughter of Captain
Richard and Jane (Talmage) Walker;
(third), February 10, 1706-07, Sarah
Jenks, born September 14, 1665, died Jan-
uary 4, 1740, widow of John Jenks, and
daughter of William and Elizabeth
(Breed) Merriam, of Lynn, To the first
marriage were born : John, of further
mention ; Hannah, Thomas, Mary, Ben-
51
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
jamin, Nathaniel, Samuel, Abigail, Eben-
ezer ; Rebecca, who died November 22,
1692. To the third marriage one child,
Benjamin, was born, April 23, 1708.
(III) Lieutenant John (2) Lewis, son
of Captain John (i) and Hannah (Mar-
shall) Lewis, was born in Lynn, Massa-
chusetts, March 30, 1660, and died about
a year after the death of his father. He
was admitted a freeman April 18, 1691.
He married, April 18, 1683, in Lynn,
Massachusetts, Elizabeth Brewer, and
they were the parents of nine children :
Elizabeth, Hannah, Sarah, John, Nathan-
iel ; Edmund, of further mention ; Re-
becca, Tabitha, and Thomas.
(IV) Edmund (2) Lewis, son of John
(2) and Elizabeth (Brewer) Lewis, was
born in Lynn, Massachusetts, December 8,
1695. He was a farmer and by purchase
of the right of the other heirs came into
possession of his father's estate to which
he added by purchase most of the estate
of his uncle, Thomas Lewis, and other
tracts of land. He died September 29,
1777. He married (first), January 8,
1723, Hepsebah Breed; (second), Novem-
ber 25, 1756, Hannah (Prince) Fuller,
widow of Captain John Fuller, who died
in 1795. To the first marriage six chil-
dren were born : John, Jr., Sarah, Lydia,
Nathaniel, Joseph, and Elizabeth.. To
the second marriage, one child, Edmund,
was born, June 20, 1757.
(V) Joseph Lewis, son of Edmund (2)
and Hepsebah (Breed) Lewis, was born
in 1733. He reared a family, among
whom was John.
(VI) John (3) Lewis, son of Joseph
Lewis, was the father of Joseph Filt
Lewis.
(VII) Joseph F. Lewis, son of John (3)
Lewis, was born in Lynn, Massachusetts,
September 21, 1804, and died December
10, 1872. He married Almira Davis, and
they were the parents of two children :
Emily, and Joseph Edwin.
(VIII) Joseph Edwin Lewis, son of
Joseph F. and Almira (Davis) Lewis, was
born in Lynn, Massachusetts, February
II, 1838, and died in Holliston, Massa-
chusetts, December 14, 1913. He received
his education in the public schools of his
district and then engaged in fishing, as
did so many of those who, living on the
coast, found the wealth of the sea the
natural means of gaining a livelihood
After a time, however, he decided that
ambition and energy might find greater
opportunity in other lines, and went to
Auburn, Massachusetts, where he en-
gaged in farming for a short time. He
then sold his farm and purchased another
at Fayville, where he remained for a time,
and then went to Worcester, Later he
bought a farm in West Boston, but after
a time he sold this property and went
back to Worcester, where he engaged in
the manufacturing business. Still later
he sold out and went to Holliston, Mas-
sachusetts, where he was on a farm for a
period of four years. This he sold, and
entered the employ of the Bowker Fer-
tilizer Company as traveling salesman.
His success in this line was immediate,
and for thirty-five years he sold to the
farmers of Eastern Massachusetts, Rhode
Island, Maine, and New Hampshire the
excellent fertilizers compounded by the
Bowker Company, continuing active in
that line to the time of his death. A man
of large ability and keen discernment, his
skill in selling and his integrity in the
conduct of business enabled him to render
valuable service to the firm with which
he was associated, and won for him the
esteem of great numbers of those with
whom his travels brought him in con-
tact.
At the outbreak of the Civil War he
enlisted, September 2, 1864, and served as
a private in the Second Regiment, and in
Company A, Seventeenth Regiment, Mas-
52
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
sachusetts Infantry, until June 13, 1865,
when he was honorably discharged.
Throughout his life he was actively inter-
ested in the public affairs of his com-
munity, and took an active part in the
social and civic life of his community.
Fraternally he was affiliated with the
Free and Accepted Masons of Holliston,
and with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, also the grange, in Holliston.
His religious affiliation was with the Con-
gregational church, in which he took an
active interest, serving on the church
committee.
He married (first), in 1858, Alice Ban-
croft, of Auburn, Massachusetts, born
July 2, 1837, died in 1864, daughter of
Harvey and Mary (Knowles) Bancroft;
(second) Harriet Curtis, of Caroline Cen-
ter, New York. To the first marriage one
child was born : Arthur B., of whom
further ; and to the second marriage, four
children were born : William C. ; Alice,
died young; Charles, died young; and
Bertha.
(IX) Arthur Bancroft Lewis, son of
Joseph Edwin and Alice (Bancroft)
Lewis, was born in Lynn, Massachusetts,
September 3, 1859. He received his edu-
cation in the public schools of West
Boylston and of Lynn, Massachusetts,
and when his studies were completed en-
tered the employ of Ware Pratt, of Wor-
cester, Massachusetts, where he remained
for ten years. He was eminently suc-
cessful as a salesman, and at the end of
two years was made manager of the
men's furnishing goods department,
which position he filled during the last
eight years of his connection with the
Ware Pratt Company. In 1885 he came
to Springfield, Massachusetts, where for
one year he was associated with D. H.
Brigham. At the end of that time he
severed his connection with that com-
pany and associated himself with Walker
Brothers & Tobey. Shortly after this Mr.
Tobey sold his interest and Mr. Lewis
then bought an interest, the firm name
becoming Walker Brothers & Lewis.
This partnership was maintained for six
years, the firm conducting two stores and
building up a large and increasingly pros-
perous business. At the end of that
period the partnership was dissolved and
Mr. Lewis became the sole proprietor of
the store at the corner of Main and San-
ford streets, where for the following
thirty-five years he conducted a men's
furnishing establishment. At the end of
that time, in March, 1921, he sold his
business and retired. He is a member of
the Automobile Club, and an attendant
of the Congregational church.
On October 10, 1888, Arthur Bancroft
Lewis married (first) Lena Johnson, of
Springfield, Massachusetts, who died No-
vember 16, 1910, daughter of Alonzo H.
and Hannah (Parker) Johnson; (second)
Ada Nichols, of Springfield. To the
first marriage nine children were born :
I. Raymond, born September 11, 1889,
who served during the World War as
inspector of parts in various factories en-
gaged in manufacturing war supplies.
He married, November 11, 1917, Olive
Lester, and they have one child, Wey-
man, born in July, 1918. 2. Marion J.,
born October 21, 1890, died January 5,
1917; married Edgar McCoombs, of
Colorado. 3. Helen B., born October 27,
1891 ; married Lyndon H. Chase. 4.
Henry P., born February 9, 1896, and
served during the World War as a naval
aviator, part of his period of service being
passed in France. 5. Gertrude Alice,
born September 23, 1897; married Guy
Morton, and has three children : Rich-
ard, Lewis, and Francis. 6. Arthur Ban-
croft, born July 19, 1900, died December
29, 1901. 7. Virginia C, born February
27, 1903. 8. Alice Bancroft, born July 10,
53
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
1905, died July 3, 191 1. 9. Elinor B.
March 19, 1909.
SCHILLANDER, Carl Axel, M. D.
Among the well known and successful
physicians of Springfield is Dr. Carl Axel
Schillander, who has been practicing in
Springfield since 191 1, and who is also at
present serving as acting assistant
surgeon of the public health service of the
city. Dr. Schillander comes of a very old
family, tracing his ancestry on the mater-
nal side back to the seventh century to
the Westergotland Province in Middle
Sweden. His great-grandfather on the
paternal side was E. W. Schillander, a
curate in Luidsberg, Sweden, an upright,
energetic, and able man, who married
Hidda Elizabeth, born at Skatteley,
Sweden, in 1793, and reared a family of
children, among whom was Carl Gustaf
Samuel.
Carl Gustaf Samuel Schillander, son of
E. W. and Hidda (Elizabeth) Schill-
ander, was born in 1820, and died in 1872.
He was a successful business man and a
public-spirited citizen, who was promi-
nent in the affairs of his community and
was highly respected by his associates.
He was assistant treasurer of the Land
Mortgage Bank, of the Province of
Orebo, which position he filled faithfully
and efficiently. He married Selma Laura
Hallgrin, and among their children was
Carl Rudolph Hjalmar.
Carl Rudolph Hjalmar Schillander, son
of Carl Gustaf Samuel and Selma Laura
(Hallgrin) Schillander, was born in
Orebo, Sweden, in 1859. He received
his education in the schools of his native
province and in early manhood owned
an estate in Sweden. Being an intelli-
gent and enterprising man, and realizing
that in the newer country across the sea
there was larger opportunity for his chil-
dren, he came to America in 1890, locat-
born ing in Boston, Massachusetts, where for
several years he was engaged as an ac-
countant. He took good care that his chil-
dren should profit by the educational op-
portunities of the land of his adoption,
and at the same time managed to save
some of his earnings. Some years later,
having by industry and thrift accumu-
lated suflficient capital, he bought a farm
at Chester, New Hampshire, and there
he has successfully engaged in farming to
the present time. He married Sophia
Sinn, who was born in Sweden, in i860,
and they became the parents of four chil-
dren : I. Maria Carolina, born February
14, 1886; married Myron Harry Whit-
ney, grandson of Myron Whitney, of the
Boston Opera Company, the grandfather
being famous for a long time as the
principal bass soloist of the Boston
Ideal Opera Company and of the Ameri-
can Opera Company, having studied in
Italy, Switzerland, and France, and
singing as the only soloist at the opening
of the Centennial Exhibition of 1876.
Mr. and Mrs. Myron Harry Whitney
have one child, Carl Roberts Whitney,
born in Boston, in 1912. 2. Dr. Carl
Axel, of whom further. 3. Anna Eliza-
beth, born in 1890, and died in 1908, who
held the world record for swimming one
mile and three mile distances, defeating
the previous record of Annette Keller-
man. She is buried in Mount Hope Cem-
etery, Boston. 4. Esther, born in 1895,
died in 1897.
Dr. Carl Axel Schillander, son of Carl
Rudolph Hjalmar and Sophia (Sinn)
Schillander, was born in Orebo, Sweden,
March 8, 1889, and came to America
with his parents when he was a child.
He received his preliminary education in
the public schools of Boston, Massachu-
setts, and then entered Tufts College,
from which he was graduated in 1909
with the degree M. D. He then entered
54
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the United States Naval School for six
months, at the end of which time he was
made a surgeon in the navy. After two
years of naval service he came to
Springfield, Massachusetts, in 191 1, and
there engaged in general practice. His
thorough preparation and his personal
ability and fitness for the work enabled
him to quickly lay the foundations of a
large and successful practice, and as time
passed he has met with a constantly in-
creasing success. With characteristic
thoroughness he makes each case a sub-
ject of careful diagnosis and faithful care,
and through the years since his gradua-
tion from college he has conscientiously
kept in touch with the discoveries, inven-
tions, and improvements made in his pro-
fession in order that his patients might
receive the advantages of all possible
scientific progress. During the World
War he enlisted, in June, 1918, in the
army, and was sent to the Rockefeller
Institute, to do research work, later going
to Camp Wadsworth, from which post he
was sent to Liverpool, England, and
later to Base Hospital No. 92, in France.
He was promoted to the rank of lieuten-
ant in the 79th Division, attached to the
Ambulance Corps, and served in the
front line trenches during the battles of
the Argonne and of Sand Hill, remain-
iftg in active service until after the sign-
ing of the armistice. After the close, of
the war he returned to Springfield and
resumed his general practice, in connec-
tion with which he is serving as acting
assistant surgeon of the public health
service of Springfield, is also surgeon of
the Springfield Hospital, and associate
medical examiner of Hampden county.
Dr. Schillander is a member of all the
medical societies and associations. Na-
tional, State, and county, and of sev-
eral medical clubs. With all his profes-
sional responsibilities he conserves his
energy, permitting himself enough of
relaxation and recreation to secure the
highest efficiency. Fraternally he is af-
filiated with Esoteric Lodge, Free and
Accepted Masons, of Springfield.
On July 14, 1914, Dr. Schillander mar-
ried Margaret Bemis Stone, of Spring-
field, Massachusetts, daughter of Everett
E. Stone, former mayor of Springfield,
and Fannie (Bemis) Stone, daughter of
Stephen C. Bemis, who was also formerly
mayor of Springfield. Dr. and Mrs.
Schillander are the parents of two chil-
dren : Bradford Stone Schillander, born
August 29, 1916; and Margaret Elizabeth
Schillander, born April 8, 1921.
MANN, Charles Frederick
Almost a quarter of a century ago,
Charles F. Mann, who is serving in the
triple capacity of president, director, and
acting treasurer of the Lincoln Company,
one of the leading plumbing and heating
concerns of Springfield, Massachusetts,
became a resident of that city, and since
that time has been identified with the
business interests of the city.
The surname Mann appears very
early in English history, and in Germany
still earlier, the name generally being
spelled "Man" in the earliest records, and
both "Man" and "Mann" in the seven-
teenth and eighteenth centuries. In
the Domesday Book (1086) Willelmus
Manne is mentioned as a landholder in
county Hants, England, and branches of
the family are found in counties Norfolk,
Northampton. Gloucester, Lincoln and
York. The principal seat of the family
was at Bramley, county York, and from
this family the immigrant, William
Mann, who settled at Cambridge, Massa-
chusetts, descended. The Mann family
was very early represented in the colonies
of New England, and among the various
pioneer settlers of the name was Richard
55
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Mann, the ancestor of Charles F. Mann.
(I) Richard Mann, immigrant ances-
tor, was born in England, and settled in
Scituate, Massachusetts, before 1644,
where he was a landowner, and where he
took the oath of fidelity, January 15, 1644.
He was a farmer, and was one of the
twenty-six partners in the celebrated
Cohassett grant made in 1646. While
crossing the ice on a pond near his home,
he was drowned, February 16, 1655.
(II) Thomas Mann, son of Richard
Mann, lived for a time in Hanover, and
later, with other settlers from both
Scituate and Hanover, went to Rutland,
Massachusetts. Thomas had a son, Ben-
jamin.
(III) Benjamin Mann, son of Thomas
Mann, was born in Scituate, and later
went to Rutland, Massachusetts. There
he married, September 18, 1739, Sibella
Newton, born in 1722 and baptized Sep-
tember 30, 1722, at Marlborough, Massa-
chusetts, who was a descendant of Rich-
ard Newton, through (II) Daniel, (III)
Abraham Newton, she being of the fourth
generation. The children of Benjamin and
Sibella (Newton) Mann, of Rutland
were : Charles, of whom further ; Sarah,
born November 11, 1746; Lucy, born
April 6, 1751 ; Lois, born October 30,
1653; and Willard, born August 24, 1758,
who served in the Revolutionary War,
enlisting in 1777 as a private in Captain
Earl's Vermont Company for one month,
and in the spring of 1780 re-enlisting and
serving for three or five months at West
Point, where he was for a time employed
in building Fort Putnam, after which he
served for ten months as a wagoner. He
married Mary Cook and was the father of
fifteen children, among whom was
Charles.
(IV) Charles Mann, son of Benjamin
and Sibella (Newton) Mann, was born
January 15, 1744. He was one of the first
eight settlers of Chester, Vermont, and
his name is to be found on the original
town charter granted by the King of Eng-
land (sealed with the quaint old "cracker
seal") to the town of Chester, Vermont.
He took a deep interest in the affairs of
his time and was always ready to do his
part in promoting the public welfare. He
was a soldier of the Revolution, and is
mentioned in the Mann Memorial, which
is on record in the court house at Chester,
Vermont, as having distinguished him-
self at the battles of Monmouth and
White Plains. He was upon the payroll
of the company commanded by Ensign
William Hoar from October 23 to No-
vember 4, 1780, as Charles Mann, private.
The following extract from the "Compact
of the citizens of Chester, Vermont,
1776," recorded in the office of the town
clerk of that place, and signed by Charles
Mann, Willard Mann, and other citizens,
indicates the spirit of the times and the
part which Charles Mann played in the
opening scenes of the Revolution : "We,
the subscribers, inhabitants of that dis-
trict of land commonly called and
known by the name of said New Hamp-
shire Grants, do voluntarily and sol-
emnly engage under all the ties held
sacred amongst mankind, at the risque
of our lives and our fortunes, to defend
by arms the United American Colonies
against the hostile attempts of the British
Fleat and armies, until the present un-
happy controversy between the two
countries shall be settled." The docu-
ment is dated September 2, 1776.
Charles Mann married (first), May 21,
1765, Elenthan (or Elanthan) Ide, a de-
scendant of Nicholas Ide, through his son
Timothy, through Timothy's son Icha-
bod, born March 31, 1717, who married
Mary Mason and became the father of
Elenthan Ide, who was born June 23,
1746. She died April 28, 1771, and he
56
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
married (second) Elizabeth Cobb; (third)
Sarah Williams. The children of the first
marriage were Lydia ; and Samuel, of
whom further. Other children were :
Abigail, born August 27, 1778; Betsey,
born November 27, 1780, married Thomas
C. Olcott; Zara, born October 23, 1783;
and Elenthan, born April 17, 1787.
(V) Samuel Mann, son of Charles and
Elenthan (Ide) Mann, was born in Ches-
ter, Vermont, April 18, 1771, and died in
Sherbrook, Canada. He was a man of
energy and enterprise, interested in all
that pertained to the welfare of the com-
munities in which he lived, and highly
esteemed by all who knew him He mar-
ried, November 28, 1793, Silence French,
and they were the parents of nine chil-
dren : Lydia ; Zara, who served in the
War of 1812; Mary, Naomi, Abigail;
Ichabod O., of whom further; Otis G.,
Joel T., and Minerva.
(VI) Ichabod O. Mann, son of Samuel
and Silence (French) Mann, was born in
Chester, Vermont, March 17, 1809. Like
his father, he was vigorous and capable
and took an active part in the affairs of
the town, winning the respect and esteem
of his associates. He married Sarah Still,
and they were the parents of five chil-
dren : Otis ; Henry ; Sarah Minerva ;
Samuel Willard, of whom further ; and
Martha.
(VII) Samuel Willard Mann, son of
Ichabod O. and Sarah (Still) Mann, was
born in Landgrove, Vermont, October
30, 1839. The following was compiled
from official and authentic sources by the
Soldiers and Sailors Historical Benevo-
lent Society:
Enlisted as Samuel Willard, from Suffolk county,
Massachusetts, as a Private to serve three years
or during the war, and was mustered into the U. S.
services on the i8th day of July, 1861, as a Ser-
geant of Captain Casper Crowninshield's Company
"D," 20th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer In-
fantry, Colonel William R. Lee commanding.
He was promoted for meritorious service to
First (Orderly) Sergeant, and on Oct. i, 1862, at
Antietam, Md., to Second Lieutenant of the same
company.
The 20th Massachusetts Infantry rendezvoused
at Camp Massasoit, Readville, early in July, 1861,
the field and staff being mustered into service for
three years July i, and the line officers July loth,
and the main body of the regiment Aug. 28, 1861.
In August the Secretary of War called for all reg-
iments and parts of regiments to be sent forward,
and September 4th the regiment received its colors,
was armed with Enfield rifles, and with only 600
men was hurried to the front, leaving the State
under Col. Wm. Raymond Lee, a graduate of West
Point. Proceeding to Washington, D. C, the com-
mand encamped at Camp Kalorama on Meridian
Hill until Sept. 10, then moved to Camp Bumside,
and Sept. 12 marched for Poolesville, Md., en-
camping Sept. 14th at Camp Benton, halfway
between Poolesville and Edward's Ferry, and
assigned to Gen. Lander's Brigade of Gen. Stone's
Corps of Observation.
Employed in picket duty until Oct. 20, when
seven companies marched to Edward's Ferry to a
point opposite Harrison's Island, crossing to the
Island on flat-boats at midnight. Oct. 21 the com-
mand crossed to the Virginia side of the Potomac
and bore a gallant part in the battle of Ball's Bluff,
fighting bravely against greatly superior numbers
of the enemy, losing 15 killed, 44 wounded and 135
missing out of 300 engaged, or nearly two-thirds.
Col. Lee and Major Revere being among those
captured and being held until the following May.
Lieut-Col. Palfrey, who had been left in charge of
the camp, rallied Co. "K" and all survivors avail-
able, recrossed the Potomac to the Virginia side
and skirmished with the enemy during the next
two days, returning to the Maryland side on the
night of Oct. 23, after which the regiment returned
to Camp Benton and was assigned to picket the
Potomac from Edward's Ferry to Seneca Mills
during the winter of 1861-2, Gen. Dana taking
command of the brigade and Gen. Sedgwick of the
Division, Feb. 25, 1862, moved to Camp Lee, near
Poolesville. March 11 crossed the Potomac and
moved to Berryville in the Shenandoah Valley,
thence via Bolivar to Washington, D. C, and
March 27 embarked for the Peninsula, having been
assigned with Sedgwick's Division to Sumner's
(2nd) Corps, Army of the Potomac. Marched
57
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
April 5 against the enemy and thereafter bore an
honorable part in the following additional battles
and campaigns, viz. : Siege of Yorktown, West
Point, Fair Oaks or Seven Pines, Seven Days'
battle, including Peach Orchard or Allen's Farm,
Savage Station, Glendale or White Oak Swamp,
and Malvern Hill, Va., losing 70 killed and
wounded at Glendale, Chantilly, Va. ; Antietam,
Md., losing 141 out of 400; Fredericksburg, Va.,
losing 35 killed, 138 wounded, more than half of
those engaged in that desperate battle. The regi-
ment encamped near Falmouth during the re-
mainder of the winter of 1862-63, participating
in Burnside's "Mud March" in January.
After bearing a loyal part with the 20th Mas-
sachusetts from the time of its organization
through all that part of its service outlined above,
the said Samuel W. Mann was promoted to the
rank of Captain on the 21st day of March, 1863,
and assigned to the command of Company "B,"
54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry,
Colonel Robert G. Shaw commanding.
The 54th Massachusetts Infantry was the first
regiment of colored men raised in the Northern
States east of the Mississippi river. It was re-
cruited under authority granted by Governor
Andrew by the Secretary of War, Jan. 26, 1863.
The men came from all parts of Massachusetts
and from many other States, enlisting entirely
from patriotic motives, as no bounty was offered,
although after the regiment was completed the
State voluntarily paid each man $50.00. Captain
Robert G. Shaw of the 2nd Massachusetts was
promoted Major and placed in full charge of the
regiment while it was being organized, and April
17. 1863, was commissioned Colonel. Four com-
panies were mustered into the U. S. service, March
30, 1863, three on April 23, and the remaining
three on May 13. May 28th, 1863, the command
left the State to reinforce Gen. Hunter in the De-
partment of the South, embarking at Boston on the
transport, "DeMolay." Arrived June 3 at Hilton
Head, S. C, thence ordered to Beaufort, and a
few lays later to St Simons Island off the
Georgia coast, 60 miles south of Savannah. With
the Second South Carolina it formed a Brigade
under Col. Montgomery. Landed at New Fred-
erica and next day eight companies, with part of
the 2nd North Carolina moved on the "Sentinel"
on an expedition up the Altamaha to Darien,
finding the place deserted, the enemy having fled,
and the command returned with the prize of a
schooner loaded with cotton. Two weeks later the
regiment returned on the "Ben Deford" to Hilton
Head, S. C, and for two weeks was employed in
drill and camp duty. Embarked with the Brigade
July 8 for Stono Inlet, joining the expedition to
James Island under Gen. Terry, and bore the brunt
of the battle near Secessionville, S. C, July 16,
1863, in which the enemy attacked with a strong
force but was repulsed after two hours' fighting
in which the regiment lost 14 killed, 18 wounded
and 13 missing, two companies being cut off dur-
ing the battle but refused to surrender, and fought
their way to the main body. The determined and
successful resistance of the pickets under Capt.
S. W. Mann, who held out against about 5,000 of
the enemy under General Hapgood, gave Gen.
Terry time to reform the Division and prevented
the capture of the pickets of the loth Connecticut,
who were in imminent danger. Marched during
the night of July 16 in a heavy storm and over a
very difficult route to Cole's Island, and the fol-
lowing night, with the rain pouring in torrents,
embarked on a transport by means of a single
dilapidated long boat, the embarkation taking all
night. July 18 proceeded under orders to Folly
Island, marching thence to Light House Inlet
and crossed to Morris Island, arriving at 6 P. M.
and reporting to Gen. Strong, without rations and
worn out with hardship and exposure and the loss
of sleep for the two preceding nights, and was
immediately ordered to lead the assault of Strong's
Brigade on Fort Wagner, advancing steadily in
the face of a terrible fire of artillery and musketry,
closing their ranks as great numbers of the men
continued to fall, finally planting both flags on the
parapet, where a hand to hand fight took place and
where Colonel Shaw fell at the head of the storm-
ing column. The rebels were driven from the
parapet, and a number of men reached inside of the
fort. All the field officers and most of the line
officers having been killed or wounded, Capt.
Emilio rallied the remnants of the regiment at a
point 700 yards from the fort and held this ad-
vanced position in the line until relieved the next
morning.
In this heroic assault the 54th had lost out of
600, twenty killed, 102 wounded and 125 missing,
many of those missing being undoubtedly killed, as
they were never afterwards traced.
The said Captain Samuel W. Mann commanded
his company through all that portion of its service
outlined above. In the desperate charge at Fort
Wagner, Morris Island, S. C, July 18, 1863, he
was severely wounded by gunshot in left thigh.
He was taken to the hospital, where he remained
a few days waiting for transportation, then was
58
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
sent North to Massachusetts, where he was
treated at home by his family physician, and on
the following Oct. 6, 1863, he resigned on account
of disability caused by wound, receiving an Hon-
orable Discharge at Westboro, Mass., Oct. 15, 1863.
After recovering to some extent from the effects
of his wound, he reenlisted in June, 1864, to serve
three years or during the war, and was mustered
into the U. S. service at Gallop's Island, Boston
Harbor, Mass., as Second Lieutenant of Captain
George T. Faverweather's 22nd Unattached Com-
pany, which became Company "F," 4th Regiment
Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery, Col.
William S. King commanding. He was promoted
to First Lieutenant on the first day of August,
1864.
The Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Heavy
Artillery was composed of the Unattached Com-
panies numbered from the 17th to the 28th inclu-
sive. These companies were sent to Washington as
such in September, 1864, six companies sailing
from Boston on the nth, two proceeding by rail on
the 13th, and the remaining four sailing on the
i6th. The various companies were organized as
a regiment on the 12th of November, 1864, with
William S. King as Colonel. The regiment was
assigned to the 22nd Corps Army of the Defenses
of Washington, and placed on duty in detach-
ments guarding the National Capital. The duties
required of these detachments were faithfully and
efficiently performed, and although the regiment
was not called into the test of battle both officers
and men evinced the highest soldierly qualities and
fully sustained the proud record our veterans have
ever attained. Under the able command of its
officers the regiment attained a high degree of
skill in the handling of heavy guns of the forts,
as well as in infantry tactics. The command re-
mained on duty in the chain of forts which
formed a cordon around the Capital until after
the close of the war, when it was mustered out and
returned to Massachusetts, having lost by death
during its service a total of 25 men.
The said Samuel W. Mann was on duty with his
company from the time of its organization until
the war was practically ended, until April 15, 1865,
when his wound having again broken out, he re-
ceived a final Honorable Discharge at Westboro,
Mass., by reason of disability. In all three of the
organizations in which he successfully served dur-
ing the four years of the war, he was always to
be found at his post of duty, bearing a loyal and
faithful part in all operations, campaigns and bat-
tles outlined above and achieving a gallant record
as a brave soldier and efficient officer.
He was born Oct. 30, 1839, at Landgrove, Vt.,
and was united in marriage to Anna M. Under-
wood, at Westboro, Mass., January 6, 1866, and
to them were born the following children, viz. :
Willard W., Charles F., Sarah L, Harold O. and
Edna M.
He is Past Commander and present (1906)
Chaplain of General Wadsworth Post 63, Depart-
ment of Massachusetts, G. A. R., and his wife is
a member of Woman's Relief Corps Auxiliary to
the G. A. R.
He served the public two years as Selectman of
Natick, and one year as Chairman of the Board
of Selectmen.
His brother, Henry Mann, served with honor in
the Union army during the Civil War, and his
great-grandfather, Samuel Mann, in the Revolu-
tion. An uncle, Henry Mann, served in the War
of 1812.
These facts are thus recorded and preserved
for the benefit of all those who may be interested.
Anna M. (Underwood) Mann, wife of
Samuel Willard Mann, was bom in West-
boro, Massachusetts, October 17, 1846,
died February 11, 191 1, daughter of Aus-
tin and Sarah (Smith) Underwood. Chil-
dren of Mr. and Mrs. Mann: Willard
Winthrop ; Charles Frederick, of whom
further ; Sarah Isabelle ; Harold Otis,
married, October 21, 1908, Ruth Proctor,
and they have three children : Muriel
Elizabeth, born September 28, 1909,
Bernice Kathryn, born March 17, 191 1,
and Willard Proctor Mann, born Septem-
ber 6, 1919.
(VIII) Charles Frederick Mann, son
of Samuel Willard and Anna M. (Under-
wood) Mann, was born in Westboro,
Massachusetts, February 15, 1868. His
education was obtained in the public
schools of Natick, Massachusetts, and
upon the completion of his studies he
learned the heating and plumbing busi-
ness in Natick, Massachusetts, becoming
an expert workman. His first position
was in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, from
59
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
whence he removed to Spring-field, Mas-
sachusetts, in 1897, and for the three fol-
lowing years was associated with Whit-
comb, Kirkham & Gray. At the end of
that time he severed his connection with
the above named concern and became as-
sociated with a Mr. Porter, with whom
he remained for two years. In 1902 he
decided to engage in the heating and
plumbing business for himself, and for
seven years, from 1902 to 1909, he con-
ducted a prosperous concern. At the end
of that period he sold out and became
identified with the C. A. Albee Plumbing
Company, which eventually was absorbed
by the Lincoln Company, and in the lat-
ter organization Mr. Mann is now filling
the offices of president, acting treasurer,
and member of the board of directors.
Under his management, the business of
the company has steadily advanced. Mr.
Mann is a member of Hampden Lodge,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Charles F. Mann married (first), Au-
gust II, 1897, Ina Eugenie Coggins,
of Lubec, Maine, who died January 22,
1909, daughter of Albert and Phillippa
W. Coggins; (second), August 16, 1911,
Georgianna Fortin, of Quebec, Canada,
who was born July 13, 1867.
FLANDERS, Herbert Merritt
The general manager of the Spring-
field Railway Company, Herbert M.
Flanders, is of very old Colonial stock,
tracing his ancestry to Stephen Flanders,
who settled in Salisbury, Massachusetts,
in 1643. The name suggests the Flemish
origin of one who settled in England dur-
ing the time the English were assuming
surnames, and from whom are descended
the families of that name in England and
in this country. The lineal descent of
Herbert Merritt Flanders is traced as
follows :
(I) Stephen Flanders, descendant of
the Count of Flanders, came to this coun-
try from England and later, in 1643, set-
tled in Salisbury, Massachusetts. He was
given a piece of land in repayment for his
services in taking care of the town cows,
and was made a freeman in 1646. He
shared the activities of the pioneer life
of the times in Massachusetts, married,
and reared a family of children, five sons
and two daughters. Among the sons was
Nathan.
(II) Nathan Flanders, son of Stephen
Flanders, married and reared a family of
children, among whom was Ezekiel.
(HI) Ezekiel Flanders, son of Nathan
Flanders, was born in 1734, and in mature
life removed to Plaistow, then a part of
Kingston, New Hampshire. He served in
the Revolutionary War and was one of
those who accompanied Stark to Ben-
nington, taking part in the battle fought
there and in the Battle of Saratoga. He
married and became the father of chil-
dren, among whom was Ezekiel (2).
(IV) Ezekiel (2) Flanders, son of Eze-
kiel (i) Flanders, was born in 1754. He
was a man of enterprise and ability, took
part in the afifairs of his community, and
served as corporal in the Revolutionary
War. Among his children was Jonathan.
(V) Jonathan Flanders, son of Ezekiel
(2) Flanders, was born in 1775, and reared
a family, among whom was Benjamin.
(VI) Benjamin Flanders, son of Jona-
than Flanders, was born in 1800 and died
in 1874. He was a farmer and spent his
entire life in Plaistow, New Hampshire.
He married Mary George, who was born
in 1810 and died in 1889, and they were
the parents of four children : Francis
Nelson; Catherine Stanwood ; Louise M.;
and Clarinda.
(VII) Francis Nelson Flanders, son of
Benjamin and Mary (George) Flanders,
was born in Plaistow, New Hampshire,
in August, 1830, and died in January, 1900.
60
(Xa/v^(Jjlvv-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
He received a practical education in the
local schools which he supplemented by
much independent reading and study, be-
coming a widely read, and well educated
man. He learned the trade of the shoe-
maker, and while he continued to work at
that trade put such energy, ability, and
conscientious care into his work that he
soon had the reputation of making the
best shoes in Plaistow. He thriftily
saved, keeping an eye out for large op-
portunities, and later purchased a grocery
store. During the Civil War he acted as
attorney and "swore in" the boys who
were enlisting for service. In 1863 he
again changed his occupation, and entered
the employ of the Boston & Maine Rail-
road Company as station agent at Plais-
tow. The duties of this position he dis-
charged faithfully and well for a number
of years, and then resigned in order to
become agent for the Long Island Rail-
road Company, at Hempstead, Long
Island. He later removed to Haverhill,
Massachusetts, where for a time he fol-
lowed his trade of making boots and
shoes, continuing to turn out his usual
high grade quality of stout boots and
shoes until he returned to Plaistow,
where he lived practically retired. Politi-
cally he was a Democrat, and prominent
in the affairs of the town, serving as a
member of the Board of Selectmen, of
which he was chairman, and holding
various town offices during most of his
active life. Willing to serve his commun-
ity in whatever way seemed best calcu-
lated to secure progress and increase the
public welfare, he was highly esteemed
as a public-spirited citizen and a faithful
friend. He married Lucretia Ann Hall,
who was born in Thornton, New Hamp-
shire, in 1829, and died in 1913, and they
were the parents of five children : Anna
Frances ; Dana Judson ; Mary Isadore ;
James Allen ; and Carrie Louise.
(VIII) Dana Judson Flanders, son of
Francis Nelson and Lucretia Ann (Hall)
Flanders, was born in Plaistow, New
Hampshire, December 23, 1850. He re-
ceived his early education in the schools
of his native town and then attended
Atkinson Academy. Though but a boy
he revealed clearly the characteristics
which were strongly marked throughout
his life. He walked three miles each way
daily in order that he might attend the
Academy, and when thirteen years of age
began to study telegraphy at the brick
yard railroad station in Plaistow, an office
of the Boston & Maine Railroad. He soon
became so proficient that, though still
but a boy, he was made spare operator
and entrusted with the teaching of new
agents not only in Plaistow, but in
Exeter and in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
In 1869, when he was nineteen years of
age, he was offered the position of tele-
graph operator and clerk in the office of
Mr. Merritt, of the Boston & Maine Rail-
road Company. He accepted the position
and amply fulfilled the promise of his
energetic and gifted boyhood. Ability,
energy, and faithfulness won the sub-
stantial recognition of the company in the
form of successive promotions. From the
position of telegraph operator and clerk,
he worked his way upward, becoming gen-
eral passenger and ticket agent and
finally being advanced to the responsible
position of passenger and traffic manager
of the entire Boston and Maine system.
The exacting and responsible duties of
this position he continued to discharge
until his retirement from active life in
1910. The development of the system
during the time he was connected with
the company is indicated by the fact that
when he first took a position with the
company the Boston and Maine system
consisted of 156 miles of road; when he
retired, in October, 1910, after forty-five
6i
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
consecutive years of service, the system
comprised about 2400 miles of road.
For many years Mr. Flanders has made
his home in Maiden, Massachusetts, and
here he has been an active, progressive
citizen, taking part in the public affairs
of the community, and giving freely of
his time, his ability, and his means. In
1896 he was elected a director of the
Maiden Trust Company, and in 1909 he
was made vice-president of that com-
pany, an office which he still holds and in
the discharge of the duties of which he
is still active. He served as assessor of
Maiden for four years, and was elected
a member of the board of aldermen in
1897.
With all his responsibilities, Mr. Flan-
ders has found time for numerous busi-
ness, fraternal, and club affiliations. He
is a thirty-third degree Mason, having
joined Gideon Lodge. Free and Accepted
Masons, in Kingston, New Hampshire ;
later becoming a member of Merrimack
Lodge, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, of
which he is past master; and now being
a charter member of Converse Lodge,
Free and Accepted Masons, of Maiden,
Massachusetts. He has served as district
deputy, and as grand master ; was junior
grand warden of the Grand Lodge in
1888; and was grand master of Massachu-
setts from 1908 to 191 1. He has also
served as grand commander of the Massa-
chusetts and Rhode Island Commanderies,
and was elected an honorary member of
Mount Vernon Lodge and also of Esoteric
Lodge, of Springfield, Massachusetts. He
is a charter member of Kernwood Club,
of which he was the first vice-president,
and was later elected president, being the
second incumbent of that office. He was
president and chairman of the New Eng-
land Passenger Agents' Association ; and
served for two years as president of the
American Association of Passenger and
Traffic officials. Mr. Flanders is a mem-
ber of the Universalist church, which he
serves as chairman and president of the
board of trustees. He was president of
the State Universalist Convention for two
years, and was active in the building of
the handsome new church in Maiden.
Mr. Flanders married Eliza Duffill, who
was born in Dudley, Worcestershire,
England, daughter of Thomas and Mary
(Thomas) Duffill, she having come to this
country in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Flanders
are the parents of three children :
Herbert M., of whom further; Howard
Nelson, married Mollie Crane and they
have three children, Howard Nelson, Jr.,
Elizabeth, and Dwight Crane ; Ruth
Louise, married Paul D. Turner, and has
three children, Mary Eliza, Clarinda, and
Anna Francis.
(IX) Herbert Merritt Flanders, son of
Dana Judson and Eliza (Duffill) Flanders,
was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts,
May 6, 1876. He attended the local
schools until he was eight years of age
and then, his parents having removed to
Maiden, Massachusetts, attended the
Maiden High School. Having completed
his high school course, he entered the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
from which he graduated in 1900. Like
his father, he was a youth of much energy
and possessed an enterprising spirit.
Upon his graduation from the Institute,
he immediately entered the employ of the
Boston & Maine Railroad Company, en-
gaging in construction and grade cross-
ing work on their electric line between
Portsmouth and Northampton, New
Hampshire. For five years he continued
this work, rendering excellent service to
the company and gaining for himself most
valuable experience. He then associated
himself with the Boston and Worcester
Street Railway Company, engaging in
construction work for them for about a
62
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
year, when he resigned in order that he
might work with various contractors who
were engaged in the building of street
railways. He made the survey for the
Interurban lines between Boston and
Providence, with G. M. Thompson, chief
engineer, and did other constructive work,
some of which attracted the attention of
the Stone & Webster Company which
was contemplating large construction
work in Texas. They made Mr. Flanders
an offer which he accepted, going to
Houston, Texas, as chief engineer of the
Houston Electric Company. Here he had
charge of the property of the Houston,
Texas Electric Road, and later he went to
Fort Worth, Texas, as chief engineer of
the Northern Texas Traction Company.
Ill health, probably due to the climate,
however, interfered with his plans, and
he was obliged to come North to recu-
perate.
For a time he conducted a business of
his own, but the larger corporations de-
sired his services and offered him large
inducements. One of these was a posi-
tion with an engineering company in
Tacoma, Washington, but this he refused,
and later associated himself with M. C.
Brush, general manager of the Newton
Street Railway Company, with whom he
engaged in construction work.
Still later, he became associated with
Mr. Storrs, president of the New Eng-
land Investment Company. Possessed of
large ability and well prepared for his
work by general and special training and
practical experience, Mr. Flanders had
now become an expert in his line. His
was the type of ability which demands
large responsibilities. In 1909 he came
to Springfield, Massachusetts, as road-
master of the Springfield Street Railway
Company, and in 1914 was made general
manager, which position he continues to
hold at the present time (1921).
Exacting responsibilities and signal
success in large scale enterprises have not
made Mr. Flanders less of a public-
spirited citizen or prevented his being a
genial comrade. He has found time for
fraternal, social, and religious affiliations,
and is an active, interested participant in
the activities of the organizations to
which he belongs. He is a thirty-second
degree Mason, being affiliated with the
Converse Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons, of Maiden, Massachusetts, and
of all the Scottish Rite bodies in Spring-
field, except the Consistory, being a mem-
ber of this body in Boston. He is also a
member of the Chamber of Commerce,
of the Rotary Club, and of the Nayasset
Club, all of Springfield ; of the Delta
Kappa Epsilon and fraternities of the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
and of the Longmeadow Country Club.
He attends the Universalist church.
On March 22, 1905, Herbert M. Flanders
married Elizabeth Burchmore Coburn, of
Lowell, Massachusetts, daughter of
Alonzo and Elizabeth Coburn.
HARRIS, William AUen
The name Harris is derived through
the Welsh custom, in use before surnames
were generally adopted by the common
people of Great Britain, of adding to a
name the possessive form in order to dis-
tinguish one individual from another of
the same name. Thus John might be
William's John or he might be Davy's or
John's or Harry's. In the course of time
the possessive form of the father's name
became a surname or patronymic used in
addition to the given name, and acquired
a more or less fixed form. William's
John, spoken of as John Williams's, be-
came John Williams ; Davy's John, be-
came John Davis, and Harry's John
became John Harris. The ancestors of
the branch of the family to which Wil-
63
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Ham Allen Harris and his wife, Henrietta
(Clark) Harris, belong, were among the
earliest settlers in New England, and the
family has contributed much to the devel-
opment of the Nation. Enterprising,
capable, and courageous, one Harris after
another has moved westward as the
frontier line has receded from the Atlantic
coast until nearly every State in the
Union finds the name Harris among its
pioneer settlers. From the Atlantic to
the Pacific members of the family have
helped to carve from the wilderness
pioneer homes, and the resourcefulness
developed by hand to hand struggle with
the forces of Nature was later used in
various lines of invention and of con-
structive work. The pioneer ancestor of
this branch of the family was Thomas
Harris, from whom William Allen Harris
and his wife trace descent, as follows :
(I) Thomas Harris, born in Deal, Kent
county, England, came to America with
his brother William in the ship "Lion,"
sailing from Bristol, England, December
1, 1630. His signature, with that of
twelve others, was affixed to a compact
drawn up August 21, 1637, pledging
obedience to such laws as the majority
might make for the public good : "We
whose names are hereunder, desirous to
inhabit the town of Providence, do
promise to subject ourselves in active or
passive obedience to such laws as the
majority might make for the public good
of the body in an orderly way by the
majority assent of the present inhabi-
tants, members incorporated together in
a town of fellowship, and such others as
they shall admit unto themselves, only in
civil things." On July 27, 1649, he ^^^
thirty-eight others signed an agreement
for a form of government. On September
2, 1650, he was taxed one pound; from
1652 to 1657 and from 1661 to 1663 he was
commissioner ; in 1654, lieutenant ; 1655,
freeman ; 1656, juryman ; in 1664-66-67
and 1670-72-73, deputy to the General
Court; in 1664-65-66-69, member of the
Town Council ; February 19, 1665, drew
Lot 7 in division of town lands. In May,
1667, as surveyor, he laid out the lands,
and on August 14, 1676, he was on a com-
mittee which recommended certain con-
ditions under which the Indian captives,
who were to be in servitude for a term of
years, should be disposed of by the town.
On April 27, 1683, he made the statement
that about 1661, he being then surveyor,
he laid out a three-acre lot for his son
Thomas, at Pauquchance Hill, and a
twenty-five acre lot on the south side,
etc. On June 3, 1686, he made his will,
and July 22, 1686, it was proved, his son
Thomas being appointed executor and
his sons-in-law, Thomas Field and Sam-
uel Whipple, overseers. He died June 7,
1686. Thomas Harris married Elizabeth
, who died in Providence. Chil-
dren : Thomas ; Mary ; Martha.
(II) Thomas (2) Harris, eldest child
and son of Thomas (i) and Elizabeth
Harris, born 1641, died February 27, 171 1,
always having lived in Providence. The
records show that on February 19, 1665,
he drew Lot 49 in a division of lands;
that he was deputy to the General Court,
1671-79, 1680-81-82-85, 1691-94-97, 1702-
1706-07-08, and 1710; that he was a mem-
ber of the Town Council, 1684-85-86;
that he was taxed eight pounds nine
pence, July i, 1679, and fourteen shillings
nine pence, September i, 1687. On June
21, 1708, he made his will, which was ap-
proved, April 16, 171 1, the executors
being his wife Elnathan and his son
Henry. He married, November 3, 1664,
Elnathan Tew, born October 15, 1643 O''
1646, died January 11, 1718, daughter of
Richmond and Mary (Clarke) Tew, of
Newport, Rhode Island, and they were
the parents of nine children : Thomas ;
64
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Richard, of further mention ; Nicholas ;
William ; Henry ; Amity ; Elnathan ; Job ;
Mary.
(III) Richard Harris, second son and
child of Thomas (2) and Elnathan (Tew)
Harris, was born November 14, 1668, in
Providence, and died in Smithfield. in
1750. He was a large landowner, and
deeded to his son Richard (2), in 1725,
one hundred acres of land in the latter
town. He married (first) a daughter of
Clement and Elizabeth King; married
(second) Susanna Gordon, born in 1665,
daughter of William and Hannah (Wicks)
Burton, and widow of Samuel Gordon.
She died in 1737. Children, all of the
first marriage, were : Uriah ; Richard ;
Amaziah ; Jonathan, of further mention ;
David; Preserved; Amity; Dinah; and
Elnathan.
(IV) Jonathan Harris, third son of
Richard and (King) Harris, was
born June 12, 1712, in Smithfield, where
he died, September 24, 1785, these dates
being recorded on the files of the Quaker
Church. He married (first) Mary Brown,
mother of all his children ; married (sec-
ond) Anna Whipple Mowry. He was
the father of /Vbner, of further mention.
(V) Abner Harris, son of Jonathan
and Mary (Brown) Harris, was born
June 10, 1730, and died March 16, 1788.
He married Amy Colwell, daughter of
Robert Colwell, who was born June 11,
1731, and died August 31, 1821. The vital
records of Smithfield show that he had
thirteen children, among whom were
three sons : David and Jonathan, twins,
and William, of further mention.
(VI) William Harris, son and tenth
child of Abner and Amy (Colwell) Har-
ris, was born in Smithfield, April ii,
1768. He was married in Smithfield by
the Rev. Edward Mitchell, October 24,
1789, to Barbara Allen, born January 18,
1768, died 1846, daughter of Waterman
Mass 11—5 65
Allen, of Cumberland. They settled in
Hiram, Ohio, about 1820, and were the
parents of Allen, of further mention, and
eleven other children.
(VII) Allen Harris, eldest son of Wil-
liam and Barbara (Allen) Harris, was
born in Smithfield, Rhode Island, May 16,
1790, and died in Worcester, Alassachu-
setts, February 3, 1864, aged seventy-four
years. In 1800 he removed with his par-
ents to Plainfield. He was well educated,
and when a young man taught school for
two winters. In 1817 he formed a part-
nership with a Mr. Richmond, and en-
gaged in the dry goods business. This
was not successful, and he removed to
Sterling, Connecticut, in 1820, where he
became agent of the old stone mill at a
yearly salary of $600. In 1824 he removed
to Union Village, Plainfield, and after-
ward to Central Village, where he built
a cotton factory for making bed ticking.
He also built a double house, part of
which he rented. He kept a village
variety store in connection with his fac-
tory, to supply the factory hands, and as
he had invested all his funds in this fac-
tory enterprise he found it necessary to
work hard and to practice the strictest
economy in order to get his business on
a firm foundation. In 1840, following a
business depression, he sold his interests
in the business to Arnold Fenner, with
whom he had been associated, and paid
him $2,000 in consideration of release
from debts and obligations incurred in
connection with its administration. Three
years later he removed to Worcester,
Massachusetts, and engaged in business
as a commission merchant, continuing in
this line until his death in 1864. His son
William was associated with him for
many years. Successful in accumulating
property, he bought a large and substan-
tial house at the corner of Elm and Chest-
nut streets. He took a keen interest in
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
genealogical research, collected data and
relics of all kinds that could help to trace
or to preserve family history, and had in
his possession the deeds made out by his
ancestors from Thomas Harris down. It
was his sister Sophia who said of him,
"There is Allen ; he is always bringing
home some old furniture. As for me, I
wouldn't give him two cents for Adam's
old bureau." When the Civil War broke
out he wished his family to be repre-
sented, and none of the family having
gone to war, he himself enlisted, though
seventy-one years of age at the time, join-
ing the Worcester State Guard which did
escort duty on various occasions. Late
in January, 1864, he marched about five
miles into the country, with his com-
pany, to honor the remains of a soldier
brought home for burial, and, taking cold,
died four days afterward. After his
death his son Daniel was made honorary
member of the company which he had
commanded. He was a member of the
Old South Church in Worcester, and at
the time of his death was its oldest
deacon. For many years he taught a
Bible class in its Sunday school, and of
him a member once said : "He was the
best teacher I ever had ; he made every-
thing so plain." When Old South Church
celebrated its one hundredth anniversary
in 1863, he was one of the committee of
arrangements, and chairman of the fin-
ance committee. Being the oldest deacon
he was chosen to "line off the hymns," a
service which he performed with great
dignity and precision. His letters show
that at various times he was high sheriff,
justice of the peace, and postmaster in
Connecticut. Active, able, conscientious,
and generous, he was most highly es-
teemed by friends and associates, and so
conscientious was he in the keeping of a
promise that a friend once wrote of him :
"I would as soon take Allen Harris'
word as a note well indorsed."
Allen Harris married (first), May 7,
1816, in Plainfield, Connecticut, Hart
Lester, born in Plainfield, Connecticut,
December 25, 1789, died at Central Vil-
lage, August 24, 1826, daughter of Colonel
Timothy Lester, of Shepard Hill, Plain-
field, Connecticut. He married (second),
in September, 1827, Almira Vaughn,
daughter of Russell Vaughn, of Sterling,
Connecticut. Children of first marriage
were: i. Daniel Lester, of further men-
tion. 2. William Henry, born in Sterling,
Connecticut, March 7, 1820, lived in
Brooklyn, New York, and died there,
August 25, 1896; married Mary Pond,
sister of Susan, wife of Joel B. Harris ;
parents of five children. 3. Joel Benedict,
of further mention. To the second mar-
riage were born the following children :
4. Mary Gladden, born in Plainfield, Con-
necticut, April 17, 1829; married Edward
Marsh; died July i, 1854. 5. Emma Col-
well, born in Plainfield, Connecticut,
August 13, 1836, died March 12, 1845.
(VIII) Joel Benedict Harris, third son
of Allen and Hart (Lester) Harris, was
born in Sterling, Connecticut, November
5, 1822, and was named for the Rev. Joel
Benedict. Mr. Harris was educated at
the Polytechnic Institute at Troy, New
York, as a professional engineer. In
June, i860, he settled in Rutland, Vermont,
where he engaged in the manufacture of
car wheels. He died there October 19,
1891. He was an unassuming man, of.
good business ability, devoted to his
family and home. He married (first),
December 30, 1847, Susan M. Pond,
daughter of John F. Pond, of Worcester,
Massachusetts, and had three children :
Emma, Susan and Charles. He married
(second), November 28, 1854, Mary Jane
Gardiner, daughter of William Gardiner,
66
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
of Providence, Rhode Island, and had five
children : Martha ; William Allen, of
further mention; Harriet Lester; Nellie;
Mary. Mrs. Harris lived in the old home-
stead until her death, September 14, 1914.
(IX) William Allen Harris, son of Joel
Benedict and Mary J. (Gardiner) Harris,
was born in Springfield, Massachusetts,
September 15, 1857. A man of large
executive and administrative ability, he
early engaged in manufacturing. He was
identified as a partner in the Springfield
Foundry and the Baush & Harris
Machine Tool Company, but is now re-
tired. Mr. and Mrs. Harris, with mem-
bers of their family, have travelled ex-
tensively in this country, to Europe, the
Mediterranean, China, Japan, etc. Always
interested in public afifairs, and giving
generously of his time and of his ability,
he has ever been ready to support those
projects which seem to him to be well
planned for the advancement of the public
good. He has efficiently filled various
city positions, and in other ways served
his community. Although retired from
the active management of the business
which formerly occupied the major part
of his time and his energy, Mr. Harris
retains a directorship in the Fire and
Marine Insurance Company, of which
Mrs. Harris' father, Daniel Lester Har-
ris, was an incorporator. At his death,
his son Azariah was chosen his successor,
and in turn was succeeded by William
Harris.
On October 10, 1883, William Allen
Harris married Henrietta Clark Harris,
tenth child of Daniel Lester Harris (see
Mrs. William A. Harris' line), and they
are the parents of seven children: i.
Henrietta Corson, who graduated from
Smith College in 1909. 2. William A.,
Jr., a graduate of Yale Sheffield School
and of the Tuck School at Dartmouth ;
he was a first lieutenant in the coast ar-
tillery during the World War. 3. Daniel
Lester (second), graduated from Dart-
mouth College in 1917, and upon the out-
break of the World War went to Europe
with the First Regiment of Engineers ;
on April 17, 1918, he married Pauline
Clarke, and has one son, Daniel Lester,
Jr. 4. Hart Lester, graduated from Smith
College in 1913 ; married Joseph C. Allen,
of Springfield, Massachusetts, December
21, 1918. 5. Chesley Gardiner, died in
1912, while a student at Yale Sheffield
School, aged twenty-two years. 6.
Ambia Harris, graduated from Smith Col-
lege in 1920. 7. Harriet Octavia.
(Mrs. WiUlam A. Harris' Line).
(I) Thomas Harris; (II) Thomas (2)
Harris; (III) Richard Harris; (IV) Jona-
than Harris; (V) Abner Harris; (VI)
William Harris; (VII) Allen Harris;
(VIII) Daniel Lester Harris, of further
mention.
(VIII) Daniel Lester Harris, eldest
son of Allen and Hart (Lester) Harris,
was born in Providence, Rhode Island,
February 6, 1818, and died in Springfield,
Massachusetts, July 11, 1879. He was a
man of great energy and force of char-
acter and possessed of unusual ability.
Ambitious and aspiring, he secured the
means for an education by working in his
father's mill, after which he attended
Plainfield Academy, and then entered the
scientific department of Wesleyan Uni-
versity, graduating August 23, 1837, at
which time he delivered an address on
"The Progress of Experimental Science."
He became a civil engineer, scientific, ac-
curate, and far-sighted, keenly alert not
only to the advantages of doing first class
work in his profession, but quick to see
the larger fields opening up beyond his
line. He was employed on the Norwich
& Worcester railroad, in association with
the famous James Laurie, with whom he
was also associated in the early surveys
67
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
for the Erie railroad in the wilderness of
Allegany and Steuben counties, New
York. From 1840 to 1843, he was assist-
ant on the Troy & Schenectady railroad,
and in the latter year went to Spring-
field, Massachusetts, to survey the pro-
posed railroad to Hartford. In that same
year he resigned his position as engineer
and took a part in the contract for build-
ing the Hartford road. It was as railroad
contractor and bridge builder that he
made his fortune, being associated in the
latter work with Amasa Stone and A. D.
Briggs, with whom he continued his con-
nection until within three years of his
death. He built the bridges on the New
London Northern railroad, and was one
of the owners of the Howe truss bridge,
besides being interested in railroad and
bridge contracts all over the country. He
built twenty-seven bridges over the Hart-
ford, Providence, and Fishkill road, in-
cluding the bridge over the Connecticut
and the great truss roof over the old depot
at Springfield. In January, 1855, he was
elected a director of the Connecticut
River railroad, and in March of the same
year succeeded Chester W. Chapin as
president of that company. It was Mr.
Chapin who said of him that in his work
Mr. Harris "had few equals and no
superiors." Mr. Harris' activities were
not confined to this country. In 1859 he
was chosen to inspect the railroads of
Russia, and as an expression of the Czar's
appreciation of the high quality of the
work done was presented with a valuable
jewel. During the Civil War he was
ofifered the position of government man-
ager of the roads taken over by the gov-
ernment, which he declined, but later, as
a personal favor to General Grant, he be-
came government director of the Union
Pacific railroad, continuing for a short
time.
He was interested in, and a director of
many corporations and companies, includ-
ing the Springfield Fire and Marine In-
surance Company, of which he was an
incorporator ; the Chapin Bank, the Hol-
yoke Water Power Company, and the
Vermont Valley railroad. For railroad
companies he probably performed his
greatest service by organizing the East-
ern Railroad Association, formed to re-
sist suits for patent infringement, and to
introduce useful patents. Mr. Harris
was a strong fighter and marvellously
gifted in the art of presenting a case
clearly and convincingly. His fight
against State appropriation for the
Hoosac tunnel clearly demonstrated this,
and though the tunnel was built, many of
his predictions concerning it were later
fulfilled. His services to the people were
many and various, his influence being
used to prevent coal, oil, and telegraph
speculators from getting a strangle hold
on Springfield being not the least of these.
He gave his support to the newly formed
Republican party, and rendered efficient
service in saving Kansas as a free State.
He was an active member of the Kansas
Emigrant Aid Association, assisted in
sending arms to the Kansas settlers, and
helped to raise money for the assistance
of John Brown. Mr. Harris served in the
State Legislature, 1859-63-69, and was
mayor of Spring^eld in i860. In 1872 he
was elected a member of the first Board of
Water Commissioners, and did valuable
service in securing the present excellent
supply of city water. In 1875 he began
his valuable work as a member of the
Common Council from Ward Four, in
assisting Springfield to regain its finan-
cial and economic equilibrium during the
difficult years following the panic of 1873.
It was he who early warned of the prick-
ing of the bubble of wild speculation and
inflated prices, and it was his wisdom and
wide experience that did much to keep
68
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
steady the frail bark of city finance dur-
ing those days. In opposition to repudia-
tion he advocated economy and thrift.
With statesmanlike insight and scholarly
command of facts, added to that rarer
gift, "horse sense," he showed the people
of Springfield the utter absurdity of many
of their appropriations of the past and
guided them to the safe and sane course
of retrenchment, economy, and prudence,
braving misunderstanding and even abuse
in order to serve. He was deeply inter-
ested in the city library, and president of
the corporation at his death. Entrusted
with the raising of the last $25,000 of the
$100,000 which the building has cost, he
raised the amount in one year, and him-
self gave liberally to the library fund.
Wesleyan University received largely of
his generous aid, as did numerous insti-
tutions and projects which were the re-
cipients of quiet contributions about
which little or nothing was said.
Deeply religious in his feelings, but
broad and liberal in his attitude toward
those who differed from him, he was for
years a member of Judge Chapman's
Bible class in South Church, and when
the judge left the city Mr. Harris became
the teacher. Long will many of the older
people, still living, who were at different
times members of the class, remember the
clear, forcible, and inspiring teaching and
the wholesome fellowship which they
there enjoyed. In 1874 he made a second
trip to Europe, during which time he as-
sisted in making a sale of the right to use
the vacuum brake upon English roads.
Again in 1877 he went abroad, partly on
business and partly to get rest, sailing
from New York and remaining during the
summer. While in Russia, Mr. Harris pur-
chased a number of articles of scientific
interest which became the nucleus of a
collection which is now in the Springfield
Museum. With all his successes and his
participation in large affairs, the true
Puritan spirit was largely manifested in
the life of Mr. Harris, and he left an in-
spiring example of rectitude and simplicity
of spirit, maintained even in great pros-
perity, as well as an influence that will
long continue to bless those he has left
behind him.
Mr. Harris married, in Albany, New
York, May 25, 1843, Harriet Octavia Cor-
son, born in Canastota, New York, Janu-
ary 18, 1824, died in Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, July 10, 1904, and they were the
parents of eleven children, among whom
Henrietta Clark was the tenth.
(IX) Henrietta Clark Harris, daughter
of Daniel Lester and Harriet O. (Corson)
Harris, was born in Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, June 20, 1861. She was gradu-
ated from Smith College in 1883. She
was married in Springfield, Massachu-
setts, October 10, 1883, to William Allen
Harris (q. v.).
CHANDLER, Louis Josiah
One of the well known business men
of Springfield is Louis Josiah Chandler,
treasurer of the Chandler Company,
whose plant is located in the city of
Springfield. He comes of an early New
England family, the progenitor in this
country being William Chandler, from
whom descent in this branch is traced as
follows :
(I) William Chandler, who was a small
landed proprietor in Roxbury, Massachu-
setts, settled there with his wife in 1637
and took the freeman's oath in 1640. In
this town he spent his life and died No-
vember 26, 1641, and there he was buried.
Records of the Eliot Church mention him
as "a Christian, Godly brother." The
death of his wife, Annis, occurred March
15, 1683. They were the parents of five
children: Hannah; Thomas; William;
John, of further mention ; and Sarah ; the
69
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
birth of the youngest child being the only
one recorded.
(II) Deacon John Chandler, youngest
son of William and Annis Chandler, was
a man of prominence in his community,
serving as one of the committee to build
a meeting house, appointed September
28, 1691. He was also appointed first
selectman in 1693, and moderator of the
town meeting, November 26, 1694. Dea-
con Chandler died April 15, 1703, and his
wife died in New London, Connecticut,
July 23, 1705. He married Elizabeth
Douglas, daughter of William and Anna
Douglas, and they were the parents of
the following children : John ; Elizabeth ;
Joseph, died young; Hannah; Mehitable ;
Sarah ; and Joseph, of further mention.
(III) Joseph Chandler, son of Deacon
John and Elizabeth (Douglas) Chandler,
was born June 4, 1683, and died in Pom-
fret. Connecticut, January 5, 1749. He
was also active in community affairs, and
was chosen to serve as selectman, Decem-
ber 3, 1716. He married, June 29, 1708,
Susannah Perrin, who died January 22,
1755, daughter of John and Mary Perrin.
They were the parents of the following
children: Joseph, died young; Joseph;
David; Susannah; Peter; Dorothy; Hep-
zibah ; Stephen ; Josiah, of further men-
tion ; Eunice; Daniel; and Peter.
(,IV) Josiah Chandler, son of Joseph
and Susannah (Perrin) Chandler, was
born October 2, 1724, and died December
12, 1798. His remains were interred
south of Rochester Village. He married
(first) November 5, 1747, Freelove Car-
penter, who died September 5, 1758. He
married (second), November 18, 1762,
Lydia Richardson, who died May 2,
1776. The following children were born
to Josiah Chandler: Nathan, died young;
Hannah ; Stephen ; Nathan ; Chloe ; Lydia ;
Mary ; Josiah Colton, of further mention ;
and Submit.
(V) Deacon Josiah Colton Chandler,
son of Josiah and Lydia (Richardson)
Chandler, was born May 22, 1774, and
died March 12, 1849. He learned the
trade of carpenter, which line of work
he followed until ten years prior to his
death, when he removed to Enfield,
Massachusetts, where he worked a
farm during the summer months, and
during the winter months worked as a
cabinetmaker and also manufactured
plows. He married (first), November 24,
1799, Olive Fay, who died November 17,
1837. He married (second), June 2,
1840, Abigail Manley. Children, all by
first marriage : John ; two died in infancy ;
Philander, died young; Philander; Eliza-
beth Lindsay ; Samuel Newell ; William
Fay ; Hannah Maria ; Josiah Henry, of
further mention ; Rebecca Ann ; and Pliny
Fisk.
(VI) Josiah Henry Chandler, son of
Deacon Josiah Colton and Olive (Fay)
Chandler, was born May 26, 1822, and
died in 1900. He served an apprentice-
ship at the trade of carriage builder, fol-
lowing that line of work in Belchertown,
Massachusetts. He took an active inter-
est in the affairs of that town, and served
as chairman of the Board of Selectmen
during the period of the Civil War,
About the year 1867 he changed his place
of residence to Springfield, Massachu-
setts, and was there engaged in cabinet
making for many years, achieving a large
degree of success. He married (first)
Hopkins ; (second) Lucy Amanda
Rider, who died in 1898, daughter of
Joseph Rider. They were the parents of
three children : one who died at the age
of three years ; a daughter who died in
infancy ; and Louis Josiah, of whom
further.
(VII) Louis Josiah Chandler, son of
Josiah Henry and Lucy Amanda (Rider)
Chandler, was born in Belchertown, Mas-
70
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
sachusetts, November 19, 1864. He was
only a child when his parents removed to
Springfield, and his education was ob-
tained in the public schools of that city.
He learned the trade of engraving and
steel letter cutting, becoming thoroughly
expert therein, and in 1893 engaged in
business on his own account, in the mak-
ing of name plates and stamping metal
goods. The business was established on
a small scale, but expanded rapidly, at-
taining large proportions, outgrowing
their business quarters, spacious as they
were, and in 1913 Mr. Chandler erected
a more commodious plant, with better
facilities for the handling of the ever in-
creasing volume of business. Under a
Voluntary Trust Association, The Chan-
dler Company was formed, of which Mr.
Chandler acts as treasurer, the company
giving constant employment at certain
seasons to about fifty people. Their
product finds a ready market throughout
the length and breadth of this country
and is also sent as far as Australia. His
business career has ever been character-
ized by the qualities that make for suc-
cess, diligence, integrity, good judgment
and keen perception, and the result of
his labor is the company of which he is a
member. Mr. Chandler was president of
the National Metal Trade Association
until April, 1921, when he resigned. He
is a member and director of the Rotary
Club ; a member of Roswell Lee Lodge,
Free and Accepted Masons, and of all the
Masonic bodies, including all the bodies
of the Scottish Rite, in which he has at-
tained the thirty-second degree ; and
Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Order
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and he is a
member of the Masonic Club. He is also
a member of Hampden Commandery, No.
266, Knights of Malta ; Hampden Lodge,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows ;
Royal Arcanum ; Country Club ; and Bos-
ton City Club.
Mr. Chandler married, December 25,
1888, Mabel F. Hamilton, daughter of
Henry C. and Mary Jane (Fuller)
Hamilton.
Henry C. Hamilton was born in the
town of Pelham, April 9, 1834, and is of
Scotch descent. One of his ancestors was
Dr. John Hamilton, pastor of the Barony
Church, Glasgow, Scotland. His grand-
father and father were both of the same
name, Joseph Hamilton ; the latter was
a native of Pelham, a farmer by oc-
cupation, held various local offices, and
was a man highly respected. Joseph (2)
Hamilton married Sylvia Cowan, daugh-
ter of James and Mollie Cowan. Joseph
Hamilton died in 1864, and his widow
passed away in 1889. Henry C. Hamil-
ton attended the schools of Pelham,
and in 1854 secured employment with
the old Western railroad, first as brake-
man, and then as conductor, and for seven
years ran regularly between Spring-
field and Pittsfield. He was then ap-
pointed to the post of agent for lost bag-
gage and freight, and also acted as a spare
conductor. In the latter capacity he
transported thousands of brave soldiers
between the years 1861 and 1865, and, as
cars were few, the trips were many. In
1866 he received the appointment as
freight agent, while the old depot was in
use, and at the time of his retirement was
one of the oldest employees in that de-
partment of the service, his term of em-
ployment dating back to the time when
the switching of cars in the yard was all
done with horses. He had under him in
the Springfield ofifice about one hundred
subordinates, that office being the succes-
sor of the old Western railroad, and rank-
ing fourth in the amount of goods han-
dled by the Boston & Albany railroad.
71
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat in politics,
and a member of Hampden Lodge, Free
and Accepted Masons ; Morning Star
Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Spring-
field Council, Royal and Select Masters ;
Springfield Commandery, Knights Tem-
plar ; and of the Masonic Club ; and has
taken the Perfection degrees in the Scot-
tish Rite bodies.
Henry C. Hamilton married, in 1865,
Mary Jane Fuller, daughter of Orin Ful-
ler, of Chicopee Falls. One child was
born to Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, Mabel F.,
the wife of Louis J. Chandler, already
mentioned. Mr. Hamilton and his wife
attend the Hope Congregational Church.
FLETCHER, Leroy Percy
Since 1913 Leroy Percy Fletcher has
been the sole owner and managing head
of the old and well-known W. A. Newton
Company, which name is still retained by
the present management, one of the suc-
cessful enterprises of Springfield. He is
a man of good judgment, integrity, per-
severance and tact, characteristics which
make for good citizens and which insure
success in whatever line of work is
followed.
Fletcher is an ancient Spanish surname,
meaning an arrow maker. The origin of
the family has been traced to Bergundy.
De La Flechiere was the original form of
the Fletcher surname, and the ancient
coat-of-arms of the family is as follows :
Sable, a cross flory between four scallop
shells argent. The founder of the family
in England came with two other nobles
from Chillon, now in Switzerland, with
the Earl of Richmond, in the latter part of
the thirteenth century.
Robert Fletcher, the founder of the fam-
ily in Massachusetts, was born in Eng-
land in 1592, coming, according to fam-
ily tradition, from a Yorkshire family.
He settled in Concord, Massachusetts, in
1630, becoming wealthy and influential.
He was appointed constable of the town
of Concord, serving for many years. He
died in Concord, April 3, 1677. His son,
Ensign William Fletcher, was a farmer,
his land embracing what is now the city
of Lowell, a part of which is still owned
by his descendants.
Artemas Fletcher, a descendant of Rob-
ert Fletcher, the founder, was born in the
State of Massachusetts about the year
1775, residing for a time in North Adams,
finally settling in the State of Vermont.
His wife bore him five children, as fol-
lows: John ; Antipas, of further mention;
Giles ; Mary, who became the wife of
Belcher Carpenter ; another daughter,
name unknown.
Antipas Fletcher, second son of Arte-
mas Fletcher, was born in North Adams,
Massachusetts, about 1807, and died in
Waterville, Vermont, in 1889. He was a
farmer throughout the active years of his
life, progressive and prosperous, his la-
bors being repaid by plentiful harvests.
He married (first) Arabella Hemingway,
who bore him a son, William Heming-
way, of further mention. He married
(second) Mrs. Hodkens, a widow. He
married (third) Mrs. Margaret Ober, a
widow.
William Hemingway Fletcher, only son
of Antipas and Arabella (Hemingway)
Fletcher, was born in Waterville, Ver-
mont, July 8, 1834, and died in Spring-
field, Massachusetts, December 9, 1902.
He attended the district schools of Water-
ville. and remained at the home farm un-
til he was nineteen years of age, when he
changed his place of residence to Fitch-
burg, Massachusetts, where he learned
the trade of tinsmith, and later traveled
through the country selling tin ware.
About the time of the outbreak of hos-
tilities between the North and South, Mr.
Fletcher returned to his native State, Ver-
12
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
mont, and enlisted as a private in the
Second Regiment, Vermont Volunteer In-
fantry, his work being that of teamster.
He served for three years, 1861-64, in
charge of an ambulance train with the
Army of the Potomac, receiving an hon-
orable discharge at the expiration of his
term. After his return from the Army
Mr. Fletcher engaged in farming with
his father on the home farm, continuing
for a short time, then returned to his
trade as a tinsmith. He also engaged in
diflferent occupations in various parts of
the country, extending from Canada to
Florida, and during these years of activ-
ity resided in North Hyde Park, Vermont.
From there he removed to Springfield,
Massachusetts, where for a year and a
half he was proprietor of a hotel, and for
the following six years operated a farm
in Agawam, Massachusetts, returning
from thence to Springfield, where he spent
the remainder of his days and where his
death occurred. He was a member of the
Masonic order in Cambridge, Vermont, a
member of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lic, a man of energy and character, well
liked and respected.
Mr. Fletcher married, November 12,
1865, Abbie M. Griswold, of Johnson,
Vermont, daughter of Barney and Patty
(Hanford) Griswold. They were the par-
ents of four children: i. William, of
Springfield, Massachusetts ; married Alice
Stewart, and has two children, Ina and
William. 2. Varnus, died aged three
years. 3. Belle P., became the wife of the
Rev. John Mason, a minister of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church, and they are the
parents of six children : Robert Fletcher,
John Philip, Amy Lois, Wilmer, Estelle
and Edith. 4. Leroy Percy, of further
mention.
Leroy Percy Fletcher, youngest son of
William Hemingway and Abbie M.
(Griswold) Fletcher, was born in North
Hyde Park, Vermont, June i, 1876. He at-
tended public schools of North Hyde Park
and Burlington, Vermont, and Lancas-
ter and Clinton, Massachusetts, complet-
ing his education in Childs Business Col-
lege, in Springfield, Massachusetts. For
a time he was engaged with his brother,
William Fletcher, in the milk business,
and also with the Cooperation Milk Asso-
ciation of Springfield. His next employ-
ment was with the Springfield Lumber
Company, then with the C. P. Chase
Lumber Company as a tally man, and
eventually he entered the employ of Stur-
devant & Newton, engaged in construc-
tion work. In 1897 this firm became the
W. A. Newton Company, Mr. Fletcher
continuing with the company until 1913,
when, upon the retirement of Mr. New-
ton, he became sole owner of the business,
continuing it very successfully at the
present time (1920) and retaining the old
name. The business was originally con-
struction of all kinds, but at the present
time they specialize in stair building and
interior finish of high grade. His mill
and shops are finely equipped with mod-
ern machinery, and a number of expert
workmen are employed all the year.
Mr. Fletcher married, June 25, 1896,
Edith B. Crouss, born in Pittsfield, Mas-
sachusetts, daughter of George and Au-
gusta (Bird) Crouss. Mr. and Mrs.
Fletcher are the parents of twins, Leroy
Percy, Jr. and Lucille P., born Septem-
ber 16, 1902.
DORR, Percy Orrin
Well known in business circles of the
city, Percy O. Dorr, manager of the
Springfield office of Harris, Forbes &
Company, Inc., dealers exclusively in in-
vestment bonds, also is a member of the
board of directors of that company, and
was in 1921 vice-president of the Spring-
field Chamber of Commerce, of Spring-
73
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
field. He traces his lineage to Richard
Dorr, who settled in Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, as early as 1675. The name
Dorr, sometimes written Door or Dore,
is an unusual one in this country, and the
family first appears in Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, from which place some of
the descendants removed to neighboring
towns. The original branch, however,
seems to have migrated to Lebanon,
Maine.
(I) Richard Dorr, first American an-
cestor, was living in Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, as early as 1675, and his will
was proven March 17, 1716. He and his
wife Tamsen were the parents of children,
among whom was Philip. The line of
descent as given in the Wentworth gen-
ealogy, is as follows :
(II) Philip Dorr, son of Richard and
Tamsen Dorr, married Sarah , and
they had five children, among whom was
John.
(III) John Dorr, son of Philip and
Sarah Dorr, was born July 5, 1730. He
married Charity Wentworth, daughter of
Joseph and Sarah (Allen) Wentworth,
and they had thirteen children, among
whom was Benaiah.
(IV) Benaiah Dorr, son of John and
Charity (Wentworth) Dorr, married
(first) Experience Andrews; (second)
Mary (Pray) Allen. He lived in Leb-
anon, Maine, and in Ossipee, New Hamp-
shire, and among his children was
Benjamin.
(V) Benjamin Dorr, son of Benaiah
and Experience (Andrews) Dorr, was
born March 22, 1787. He married (first)
Mary Brackett. She died in 1818, and he
married (second), in 1819, her cousin,
Deborah Brackett. He was the father of
children, among whom was Ezekiel.
(VI) Ezekiel Dorr, son of Benjamin and
Mary (Brackett) Dorr, died in 1848. He
had sons, Orrin Quimby, who served in
the Civil War; and Charles M., see next
paragraph.
(VII) Charles Melville Dorr, son of
Ezekiel Dorr, was born in Great Falls,
now Somersworth, New Hampshire, May
30, 1845, ^"^ di^d January i, 1900. He
received his preparatory education in the
local schools and then entered West Leb-
anon Academy, from which he was grad-
uated. As a boy, he was employed as a
clerk, first in a drug store and later in a
dry goods store. In the latter he found
his opportunity, and by energy, ability,
and thrift worked his way upward until he
finally became the owner of the business,
which he successfully conducted for
thirty years. An able and enterprising
business man, he was interested in and
maintained other connections of import-
ance. He was cashier of the Somers-
worth National Bank in Somersworth,
New Hampshire, at the time of his death.
For five years, four of which were the
years of President Harrison's term of ad-
ministration, he efficiently filled the office
of bank examiner of the State of New
Hampshire. Politically, he was a Repub-
lican, and prominent in the councils of
his party. Always ready to give of his
time, ability, and means for the further-
ance of the public good, he met the re-
sponsibilities of public office faithfully
and conscientiously. He was moderator
in the town meetings, and was chosen by
his fellow-townsmen to represent his dis-
trict in the State Legislature.
Greatly respected and highly esteemed
by his associates, he was known as a suc-
cessful business man, a public-spirited
citizen, and a loyal friend and neighbor.
Fraternally, he was a member of Libanus
Lodge, No. 49, Free and Accepted Ma-
sons, of Somersworth ; and also a member
of Dover Commandery, Knights Tem-
plar; and a member and past high priest
of Somersworth Chapter, Royal Arch Ma-
74
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
sons, of Somersworth, New Hampshire.
He was a faithful member of the Free
Will Baptist Church, of Somersworth,
New Hampshire.
Charles M. Dorr married. May 30, 1868,
Eunice A. Hayes, daughter of Elihu and
Martha (Herson) Hayes, and their chil-
dren were: i. Frank Hayes Dorr, born
June 5, 1869, died January 8, 1897. He
graduated from the Massachusetts Insti-
tute of Technology in 1891, and was an
electrical engineer of considerable ability,
one of the many structures erected by
him being the beautiful group of elec-
trical fountains, which charmed the eyes
of every beholder, at the World's Fair
held at Chicago in 1893. 2. Linda Maud
Dorr, born October 15, 1872, died August
10, 1876. 3. Percy O., of further mention.
4. Charles Edgar, born October 12, 1880,
died February 8, 1881.
(VIII) Percy Orrin Dorr, son of
Charles M. and Eunice A. (Hayes) Dorr,
was born in Somersworth, New Hamp-
shire, December 15, 1878. He received
his preparatory education in the public
schools of his native city, and graduated
from the high school in 1898. He then
entered Dartmouth College, from which
he graduated in 1902, with the degree
Bachelor of Arts. The following year he
attended the Amos Tuck School, where
he took a post-graduate course in admin-
istration and finance, receiving the de-
gree Master of Commercial Science in
1903. After receiving his Master's de-
gree, he entered the employ of N. W.
Harris & Company, which later became
Harris, Forbes and Company, Inc., deal-
ers exclusively in investment bonds,
where he began as office boy in the mail-
ing department. He steadily worked his
way upward, step by step, mastering each
department of the work as he advanced.
In 1906 he took charge of Western Mas-
sachusetts, and until 1909 represented the
company from the Boston office. In 1909
he was married and located in Spring-
field, continuing to fill the last named
position until 1913, at which time because
of the satisfactory work he had done, he
was given an interest in the firm and
opened a branch office there. On Janu-
ary 7, 1921, he was made a director of
the company as well as manager of the
Springfield office, and at the present time
(1922) he has charge of Worcester county
and all of Western Massachusetts.
Mr. Dorr was vice-president of the
Springfield Chamber of Commerce in
1921, and is still a member of the board
of directors of that organization ; a mem-
ber and a director of the Rotary Club, of
which he was president in 1920; a mem-
ber and treasurer of the Nayasset Club ;
and one of the directors of the Boys' Club.
During his senior year in college, he was
elected president of the Class of 1902, and
to that office he has continued to be re-
elected up to the present time (1922). He
also holds membership in the Colony
Club, Country Club, and in the Publicity
Club, of Springfield ; and in Libanus
Lodge, No. 49, Free and Accepted Ma-
sons, of Somersworth, New Hampshire.
His church affiliation was formerly with
the Free Will Baptist Church, of Som-
ersworth, New Hampshire, but he and
wife are now members of the South Con-
gregational Church of Springfield. Dur-
ing the World War, Mr, Dorr was vice-
chairman of the Springfield Liberty Loan
Committee, during the third, fourth, and
fifth Liberty Loan campaigns. He is also
a member of the board of trustees of the
Doane Orphanage ; a member of the board
of directors of the Visiting Nurse Asso-
ciation ; and a member of the budget com-
mittee of the Community Chest. While
in college Mr. Dorr was elected a member
of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity, and of
the Dragon Senior Society, and still re-
75
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
tains his membership in these organiza-
tions. During the past year, 1921-22, he
was on the board of lecturers on Invest-
ments in the Amos Tuck School of Ad-
ministration and Finance, of Dartmouth
College.
On September 27, 1909, Percy O. Dorr
married, in Winchester, where she had
resided for some time, Mabel Holman
Lee, who was born in Nashua, New
Hampshire, daughter of Charles E. and
Mrs. Carrie E. Lee. Mrs. Dorr is a grad-
uate of Smith College, class of 1909, and
is a member of the Woman's Club, the
Smith College Club, and of the Col-
lege Club. She is interested in, and a
member of a number of charitable
organizations.
Mr. and Mrs. Dorr are the parents of
two children : Dorothy Lee, who was
born September 15, 1912; and Elizabeth
Hayes, who was born March 2, 1916.
CANDLIN, Albert
The efficient principal of the Chestnut
Street School, Albert Candlin, is of Eng-
lish ancestry. His grandfather, George
Candlin, was born in England, and came
to America late in life that he might
spend his declining years with his son,
his wife having died in England. The
children of George Candlin were : Joseph,
of whom further ; Mary Ann, deceased ;
and Betsy, who married William Shidd,
and removed to the Canadian Northwest.
Joseph Candlin, son of George Candlin,
was born in Derbyshire, England, in
1838, and died in Massachusetts, in 1919.
He received an academic education in
London University, and when a young
man acted as head gardener for the Duke
of Devonshire. While serving in that
capacity he became interested in the Wes-
leyan Methodist movement and became a
local preacher. He worked as a city
missionary in London for a time, and in
1868 came to America, locating first as a
preacher at East Longmeadow, Massa-
chusetts, where he remained for two
years. He then preached in various places
including South Hadley Falls, South-
ampton, Williamsburg, and Newbury-
port, Massachusetts. Still later he
preached in and around Boston, and fin-
ally bought a piece of land in Saugus,
built a house, and there lived retired for
some five or six years prior to his death.
He married (first) Annie Turner, who
died in 1875; (second) Ruth Searle ; and
(third) Alice L. Pike. To the first mar-
riage were born eight children: Eliza-
beth ; Albert, of whom further ; Annie,
Rose, Oliver, Frank, Frederick, and Mil-
dred. To the second marriage two chil-
dren were born, both of whom died in
infancy.
Albert Candlin, son of Joseph and
Annie (Turner) Candlin, was born in
Norfolk, Thetford, England, October 2,
1865, and came to America with his par-
ents when he was three years of age. He
attended school in East Longmeadow,
taught for a time in Sunderland, Massa-
chusetts, and in Pittsfield, New Hamp-
shire, and then on account of ill health
was obliged to give up study and educa-
tional work. After a period of out-door
work, however, he resumed his studies,
and entered Boston University, from
which he graduated in 1891. After com-
pleting his college course he attended
Bridgewater Normal School, and took up
teaching again. He went to Southington.
Connecticut, where, after filling the posi-
tion of principal of the grammar school
for two years, he was made superintend-
ent of all the schools, being the first su-
perintendent of schools appointed in that
district. Two years later he went to
Quincy, Massachusetts, where he was
principal of the Willard School for four
years, after which he served as school
principal in Waltham, Massachusetts, for
five years. In 1905 he came to Spring-
76
-W^^^r^^^C^t/t'u,
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
field, Massachusetts, as principal of the
Chestnut Street School, a small school at
that time, but one which has grown by-
successive additions until it has become
the largest in the city, with a seating
capacity for 1,500 pupils. Successful in
his profession and highly esteemed by
pupils and professional associates, Mr.
Candlin has given years of valuable ser-
vice to the upbuilding of the nation's
greatest wealth, its future citizens. He is
a member of Friendship Lodge, Free and
Accepted Masons, of Southington, Con-
necticut ; and also of the Royal Arch
Chapter and the Royal and Select Mas-
ters, all of Southington, Connecticut. He
is also affiliated with various college fra-
ternities and educational clubs, and is a
member of the Massachusetts Schoolmas-
ters' Club. His church membership is
with the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
On November 25, 1891, he married
Alice Pollard, of Camden, Maine, daugh-
ter of John Pollard, who came from
Bradford, England. Mr. and Mrs. Cand-
lin are the parents of four children: i.
Anna, born in Southington, Connecticut,
a graduate of Wellesley College ; married
Edward R. Grosvenor, cashier and di-
rector of the National Bank, at Win-
chester, Massachusetts, and they are the
parents of three children : Albert, David
Edward, and Richard Pollard. 2. Ruth,
born in Southington, Connecticut, a grad-
uate of Wellesley College; was a teacher
before her marriage in June, 1921, to Les-
ter I. Pittsworth, with the Travellers' In-
surance Company of Hartford. Connec-
ticut. 3. Josephine, born in Waltham,
Massachusetts. 4. Dorcas, born in Spring-
field, Massachusetts.
HOLBROOK, Fred Amasa
As president and treasurer of the Hol-
brook Lumber Company, Fred Amasa
Holbrook comes of a very ancient and
distinguished family of England, the coat-
of-arms of which is as follows : A chev-
ron between three martlets. Several other
coats-of-arms were borne by various
branches of the family at different times
in England. Members of this distin-
guished family came to the colonies at
a very early date, Thomas Holbrook, the
immigrant ancestor, having come from
Weymouth, England, in 1628, when he
was a young man of thirty-four years.
He was accompanied by his wife, Jane,
also thirty-four years of age, and four
children, to which family group two more
children were born after their arrival in
the colonies. They settled in Weymouth,
Massachusetts, where Thomas Holbrook
became a man of prominence, taking part
in all the activities of the little pioneer
settlement. In 1640 he served on the
committee appointed to lay out a road
between Braintree and Dorchester ; was
admitted a freeman in 1645 ! ^"^ served
as selectman for several years. Among
his three sons was John, of whom further.
John Holbrook, known as Captain John,
born in England, in 1617, died November
23, 1699, was a man of independence,
courage, enterprise, and wealth. He re-
sided at what was known as Old Spain,
Weymouth, Massachusetts, took the free-
man's oath in 1640, and first served as
selectman in 1648. He was deputy to the
General Court for several years, and dealt
largely in real estate, loaning large sums
of money for those times. He was three
times married, and among his children
was Ichabod, of whom further.
Ichabod Holbrook was born in Wey-
mouth, May 20, 1662, and died December
14, 1718. He inherited the homestead
and married Sarah Turner. Among his
children was David, of whom further.
David Holbrook was born in Septem-
ber, 1690, and from him was descended
Isaac Holbrook, great-grandfather of Fred
Amasa Holbrook.
Isaac Holbrook was born in Vermont,
77
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
and was engaged in farming during the
greater part of his active life. He lived
in the days when great numbers of those
who had been living in the East followed
the westward moving line to the frontier
and migrated to the Ohio valley. Follow-
ing the trail of these persistent pioneers
he, too, went to the fertile regions of the
then "West," settling in the newly ad-
mitted State of Ohio, where he remained
for some years. His health failed, how-
ever, and he was forced to return to the
East, where he died in 1816. His wife, a
Saunders, died in Michigan in 1850.
Among his children was Amasa, of whom
further.
Amasa Holbrook, son of Isaac Hol-
brook, was born in Colerain, Massachu-
setts, in 1812, and died September 17,
1863. He was an able man and took an
active part in all the afifairs of the town in
which he resided. He married Lucretia
demons, of Charlesmont, Massachusetts,
born February 22, 1813, died February 14,
1907, daughter of Joseph demons, born
1776, died 1841, and Lydia demons.
Their children were : Emily, Elizabeth,
Alvira, Horace, of whom further, and
George E.
Horace Holbrook, son of Amasa and
Lucretia (demons) Holbrook, was born
in 1844. He received his early education
in the schools of his district and then
entered Arms Academy, in Shelburne
Falls, where he continued his studies for
two terms. His boyhood was passed
during the troublous years when the dif-
ferences between the "free soilers" and
the pro-slavery forces were becoming
acute and rapidly developing into the "in-
evitable conflict." Before he was eight-
een years of age Fort Sumter was fired
upon and the storm broke. As soon as
his eighteenth year was reached, the ear-
liest that he could, he enlisted in Company
E of the 52nd Massachusetts Regiment,
with which he served for a year. The
death of his father, in September, 1863,
prevented his reenlistment. He then re-
moved to Illinois, where he remained for
several years. In 1868, however, he re-
turned to Massachusetts, and established
himself in Montague, engaging in the
meat business there, and continued in this
line until 1879, when he sold out and re-
moved to Northampton, Massachusetts.
Several years later he removed to South
Deerfield, where he is now passing the
years of his retirement upon a farm,
greatly esteemed and loved by a wide
circle of friends, business associates, and
fellow-citizens. Politically Mr. Holbrook
supports the Republican party, and, hav-
ing served in the Civil War, he is a mem-
ber of W. T. Baker Post, No. 81, Grand
Army of the Republic. Fraternally he is
affiliated with the Masonic order, being a
member of Jerusalem Lodge ; Royal Arch
Chapter; and the Council there. He
married Maria Rachel Gloyd, of Plain-
field, Massachusetts, who died January 5,
1921, daughter of Benjamin and Rachel
(Chamberlain) Gloyd, and their children
were: Charles H., mentioned elsewhere
in this work ; Louis G. ; Nelson D., men-
tioned elsewhere in this work; and Fred
Amasa, of further mention.
Fred Amasa Holbrook, son of Horace
and Maria Rachel (Gloyd) Holbrook, was
born in Plainfield, Massachusetts, Octo-
ber 15, 1879. He received a practical edu-
cation in the schools of Northampton,
Massachusetts, and then entered North-
ampton Commercial College. School days
over, he began his business career by en-
tering the employment of the Fred S.
Morse Lumber Company as traveling
salesman, and in the lumber business he
has continued to the present time. For
fourteen years he continued to represent
the Fred S. Morse Lumber Company, cov-
ering a large territory and meeting with
78
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
good success. The experience gained
during these fourteen years made Mr.
Holbrook something of an expert in his
line, and in 1913 he organized the Hol-
brook Lumber Company, of which he is
president and treasurer. The business
has been a very successful one, steadily
increasing from year to year, and extend-
ing its operations over a constantly en-
larging area. Since 1898 he has made his
home in Springfield, Massachusetts,
where he is highly esteemed. He is a
member of Hampden Lodge, Free and
Accepted Masons, of Springfield ; of all
the York Rite bodies; and has taken the
Scottish Rite degrees to the thirty-second.
He is also a member of Melha Temple,
Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the
Nayasset Club and of the Springfield
Country Club. His religious affiliation is
with the first Congregational Church.
On June 6, 1902, Mr. Holbrook married
Jean L. Shaw, born in Glasgow, Scotland,
daughter of Hugh and Jean (Little)
Shaw.
RYAN, Charles Vincent
Among the representative business
men of Springfield is Charles Vincent
Ryan, pharmacist, whose entire life, to
the present time, has been spent in the
city of his birth. Conducting one of the
most modern and scientifically equipped
plants of its kind in the city, he has built
up an immense business, the profits of
which he has invested largely in real
estate, opening up new sections, and
building many homes which are valuable
contributions to the growth and prosper-
ity of the city.
The Ryan family comes from a long
line of landowners in County Tipperary,
Ireland, and traces its ancestry from
Brian Boru, who was born in the year 927,
and was King of Ireland. He became
king of both Munsters, corresponding to
Tipperary and Clare, in 978, and some
time afterward became supreme ruler of
Ireland, supporting a rude but princely
state of Kincora, with seats also at Tara
and Cashel. He was a strong, vigorous
ruler, who brought prosperity to his
country, defeated the Danes in upward of
twenty battles, and finally lost his life in
a victorious battle fought at Clontarf
(1014), in which he defeated a united
army of revolted natives and Danes, in-
flicting upon the latter a loss from which
they never recovered.
Philip Ryan, the grandfather of Charles
Vincent Ryan, was a merchant in Dublin,
Ireland, who conducted a prosperous
business, married Mary, surname un-
known, and reared three sons: Charles,
who served in the Civil War, during
which he was killed in battle ; Michael ;
and Philip, of whom further.
Philip Ryan, son of Philip and Mary
Ryan, was born in Dublin, Ireland, in
1835, and died in Springfield, Massachu-
setts, July 26, 1884, aged forty-nine years.
He attended the schools of Dublin and
then entered Trinity College, where he
continued his studies for a year. Being
an earnest, active lad of large ability, he
early recognized the difiiculties of the
political situation in Ireland, and in 1854
came to America, settling in South Man-
chester, Connecticut, where he entered
the employ of Cheney Brothers, the well-
known silk manufacturers. At the out-
break of the Civil War he enlisted in the
Sixty-ninth Regiment, New York Volun-
teers, under Colonel Cochrane, and served
throughout the war. Here, as in other
fields of endeavor, his ability and his in-
tegrity soon won for him the confidence
and esteem of both superiors and asso-
ciates, and he was promoted to the rank
of lieutenant. After the close of the war
he came to Springfield, Massachusetts,
79
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
and engaged in business for himself. He
conducted an undertaking establishment
and also sold steamship tickets for a time,
and then opened a book store on State
street, where for twenty years he sold
books to the residents of Springfield. An
earnest, energetic man, and possessed of
an unusually fine mind, he made his busi-
ness a source of pleasure and profit. He
took an active interest in the affairs of
Springfield, and filled several municipal
oflfices, in 1873 serving as a member of
the City Council. His steady adherence
to sound principles of integrity and honor,
his keen, alert mind, his genial friendli-
ness, and his Celtic wit and resourceful-
ness won him the love and esteem of a
host of friends, and made for him a large
place in the life of the community. He
married Mary McGuire, who was born in
County Cavan, Ireland, and died in
Springfield, in 1886, and they were the
parents of seven children, five of whom
died early, the surviving two being:
Joseph A., of New York City ; and
Charles Vincent, of whom further.
Charles Vincent Ryan, son of Philip
and Mary (McGuire) Ryan, was born in
Springfield, Massachusetts, August 16,
1872, and received his education in the
parochial and public schools of Spring-
field, including the high school. Before
and after school hours and during vaca-
tions he was employed in a drug store,
and after completing his studies in the
public schools he attended the Massachu-
setts College of Pharmacy, in Boston,
taking a special course, and passing the
State examinations when he was twenty
years of age. He then became associated
with the wholesale drug house of H. & J.
Brewer, being in charge of the laboratory,
a position which he held until April i,
1895, when he went into the drug busi-
ness for himself. He opened a pharmacy
at No. 161 Main street, and here he built
up a large and prosperous business. For
eighteen years, until 1913, he remained at
that location, when he removed to No. 194
Main street, where he has one of the most
modern and scientifically equipped drug
stores in western Massachusetts. The
profits of his successful business Mr.
Ryan has invested largely in real estate,
buying and selling developed properties,
and also investing in undeveloped tracts
which he has opened up and improved.
He has built many homes for individual
families and also many apartment houses.
For three years Mr. Ryan was a director
of the Chamber of Commerce. He is a
member of the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks, the Country Club, and a
former member of the Nayasset Club.
On September 14, 1898, Charles Vin-
cent Ryan married Catherine Kelley,
daughter of Michael and Julia Kelley. and
they are the parents of four children: i.
Charles Vincent, Jr., born July 22, 1899;
is a graduate of Springfield High School
and of Harvard College, and now (1921)
is a student in Harvard Law School. 2.
Katherine, born February 22, 1902 ; was a
super-honor pupil in Springfield High
School, graduated from Smith College,
June, 1922, with special honor in history,
and was given the degree of cum laiide.
3. Philip, died at the age of seven years.
4. Helen Louise, born February 26, 1915.
NICHOLS, Arthur Merrick
Whether the elements of success in
life are innate attributes of the individual
or whether they are quickened by a
process of circumstantial development it
is impossible to clearly determine. Yet
the study of a successful life is none the
less profitable by reason of the existence
of this uncertainty, and in the majority of
cases it is found that exceptional ability,
supplemented by close application and
earnest purpose, forms the real secret of
80
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the success which so many have envied.
This is certainly true of Arthur Merrick
Nichols, who since January i, 1918, has
been head of the carpentering and con-
tracting firm of the E. W. Shattuck Com-
pany, of Springfield.
Sturbridge, Massachusetts, was long
the family seat of the branch of the
Nichols family of which Arthur M.
Nichols is a worthy representative, he
being the first of his line to seek a home
elsewhere, although he remained in his
native State. Samuel Nichols, the first
member of whom we have definite in-
formation, was born in Sturbridge, Mas-
sachusetts, about 1788, and died there,
July 30, 1844. He married Sarah Walker,
who was born in 1792, and died in 1862,
and they were the parents of six children :
Fannie, born in 1814, died in 1830; Eliza-
beth ; Jane ; Merrick, of further mention ;
Merrill ; and Samuel.
Merrick Nichols, eldest son of Samuel
and Sarah (Walker) Nichols, was born in
Sturbridge, Massachusetts, in 1824, and
died in Indian Orchard (Springfield)
Massachusetts, in 1900. Throughout the
active years of his life he followed the
occupations of farming and shoemaking,
achieving success as the result of labor
well directed. His Indian Orchard resi-
dence was built in 1890, ten years prior
to his death. He married for his first wife
Cornelia Nichols, who was born in 1827,
and died in 1859. They were the parents
of five children : Alfred, deceased ; Jennie,
deceased, who married Edson Lowre ;
Albert W., deceased (twin) ; Arthur Mer-
rick (twin), of further mention; and
Leroy. He married for his second wife
Mary Stockwell. No children were born
of this marriage. He married for his third
wife Joan E. Merritt, and they were the
parents of two children : Edith, who be-
came the second wife of Edson Lowre,
and Bertha, who became the wife of
Arthur Keith.
Mass H— 6 81
Arthur Merrick Nichols, third child ot
Merrick and Cornelia (Nichols) Nichols,
was born in Sturbridge, Massachusetts,
February 20, 1856. He attended the com-
mon schools of his native town, and there
resided until he attained his majority,
when he removed to Brookfield, Massa-
chusetts, where for four years he followed
farming. He also served an apprentice-
ship at the trade of carpenter, which he
followed in that town until 1889, then re-
moved to Springfield, Massachusetts,
where he entered the employ of E. W.
Shattuck, who was conducting a carpen-
tering and contracting business under the
name of E. W. Shattuck, and served in
the capacity of foreman. The business
was first located at No. 96 Taylor street,
later at No. 12 Cass street, which latter
property and also No. 275 Liberty street,
was purchased by Mr. Nichols while in
the employ of Mr. Shattuck. Mr. Nichols
remained in the employ of Mr. Shattuck
until January i, 1918, when he purchased
the interest of Mr. Shattuck, and since
then has been sole proprietor, conducting
the business under the name of E. W.
Shattuck Company. Mr. Nichols employs
a large force of men. In addition to the
above mentioned business, Mr. Nichols is
interested in a small storage business. He
is a Republican in politics, but aside from
casting his vote does not take any part
in public affairs. He is an active mem-
ber of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal
Church, having served as class leader for
thirty-two years, and as a member of its
board of trustees for twenty-five years.
He has also served as a member and
chairman of the property committee, and
while serving on the latter committee had
charge of alterations and improvements
in the church edifice, the cost of which
amounted to nearly $30,000.
Mr. Nichols married Jennie E. Bush-
nell, of Lisbon, Connecticut, daughter of
Lyndes and Charlotte (Prentice) Bush-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
nell. Mrs. Nichols died January 4, 1919.
They were the parents of four children,
namely: i. Erastus, who died in child-
hood. 2. Cornelia Prentice, who became
the wife of Henry Gamelin, of Spring-
field. 3. Everett Bushnell, who married
Mary Williams, and resides at Indian
Orchard. 4. Wesley Edson, was born in
Springfield, April 14, 1890, and was edu-
cated in the public schools and in the
Technical High School of Springfield.
His first employment was in the office of
the Cone Welding Company, where he
remained for a short time, and he was
then in the office of the Springfield Rub-
ber Company for about a year. In 191 1
he became an employee of the E. W.
Shattuck Company, and in 1918, when his
father purchased the business, he was
given general charge of the office. He is
a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and a Republican in politics. He
married, July 7, 1912, Sarah L. Johnson,
of Worcester, Massachusetts, daughter of
Lauris and (Scott) Johnson, and
they are the parents of four children :
Evelyn Lois, born September 20, 1914 ;
Corinne Alice, born December 20, 1915 ;
Ruth Jeannette, born October 17, 1918;
and Jane Elizabeth, born June 2, 1920.
STILWELL, William Batchelor
About 1638 three brothers, John,
Nicholas, and Jasper Cooke, under the as-
sumed name of Stilwell, escaped from per-
secution in England and found refuge in
Holland and afterward in America, set-
tling in or near New Haven, Connecticut.
Separating in that city, these brothers
followed the bent of their own desires.
John and Nicholas Stilwell, true to the
associations of their period of residence
in Holland, sought the Dutch on Man-
hattan Island, while Jasper Stilwell, hav-
ing been educated for the church, joined
the Rev. Henry Whitfield in Guilford,
Connecticut. From these ancestors, are
descended the greater number of the fami-
lies of that name in New York State and
elsewhere in this country.
William E. Stilwell, grandfather of
William B. Stilwell, of this review, was
born in Roots, New York, and there spent
his entire life time, an honored and re-
spected citizen. After completing his
studies in the common schools of the
neighborhood, he turned his attention to
the occupations of farming, carpentering,
and contracting. He was awarded the
contract for building the bridge across the
Mohawk river at Fulton, New York,
which was carried away by high water
before it was accepted, and as he had put
all his money into the project, he lost all
the property which he had accumulated
during his years of labor. He married
(first) Ann Vandeveer, and (second)
Elizabeth Batchelor, and was the father
of four children, namely: William B., of
further mention ; Ann ; Caroline ; and
Henry.
William Batchelor Stilwell, father of
William B. Stilwell, was born in Roots,
New York, November 28, 1818, and died
in April, 185 1, at the age of thirty-two
years. He attended the schools in the
vicinity of his home, acquiring a practical
education, and in early manhood removed
to Albany, New York, where he engaged
in business, conducting a general store
up to the time of his death. He was a
man of honor and integrity, and was
highly esteemed by all with whom he was
brought in contact, either in business or
social life. Mr. Stilwell married, Decem-
ber I, 1846, Sarah M. Hodge, of Ames,
New York, daughter of Isaac and Melissa
(Hill) Hodge, well known residents of
that section of the State. Two children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stilwell, as
follows: I. Henry S., born January 7,
1849, died June 14, 1921 ; married (first)
82
^^ /tL-,^^
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Lillie Patten, and (second) Caroline Hook,
who bore him two children, William B.
and Marion Sarah, twins. 2. William
Batchelor, of whom further.
William Batchelor Stilwell was born
in Ames, Montgomery county, New
York, December 19, 1850, four months
prior to the death of his father. He was
a student in the schools of Ames and
Gloversville, New York, and by taking
advantage of his opportunities, became a
well educated man. His first employ-
ment was as clerk in the shoe store of Mr.
Wooster, in Gloversville, where he re-
mained for a few years, after which he
followed farming as an occupation, con-
ducting his operations on the old home-
stead of his grandfather in Ames, New
York. Eventually, he became connected
with the firm of Peck & Snyder, manu-
facturers of and dealers in sporting
goods, whose place of business was, and
is still, located on Nassau street, New
York City. They later consolidated with
the Spalding Brothers and the name was
changed to the A. G. Spalding Bi others
Company. Their extensive manufactur-
ing plant is in Chicopee, Massachusetts,
and Mr. Stilwell has been closely associ-
ated with this concern for forty-two years.
He began in the capacity of clerk in the
New York store, selling goods and taking
charge of the bicycle repair shop which
at that time did a very large business, and
he continued in this position for some
twenty years. Finally, he was trans-
ferred to the manufacturing plant in Chic-
opee, Massachusetts, where, since 1902,
he has been superintendent of construc-
tion. The duties of his office compel him
to travel extensively, covering the entire
territory from New York City to Okla-
homa, and all through the Southern
States, his chief work being the erection
of gymnasiums. He has resided at dif-
ferent periods, in Brooklyn, New York,
and Chicago, Illinois, but in 1914 he lo-
cated permanently in Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, and in the following year
erected a beautiful residence on Atwater
road, equipped with everything needful
for the comfort and convenience of his
family, and surrounded by two acres of
land which is laid out in an artistic
manner. He holds membership in Acan-
thus Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons,
of Brookline, and is also a member of the
Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Stilwell married, August 31, 1909,
Minnie Benedict, of New York City, who
was born in Branch county, Michignn,
daughter of John F., who was in the con-
fectionery business in Michigan, and
Eunice A. (Gardner) Benedict.
WEBSTER, Harry Gilmore
The progenitor of the oldest and prob-
ably the most numerous family in
America bearing the name of Webster
was John Webster, of Warwickshire,
England, who came to the Massachusetts
Bay Colony in 1630-33. He removed
from Newtowne, now Cambridge, Massa-
chusetts, to the present site of Hartford,
Connecticut, in 1636, presumably with the
Rev. Thomas Hooker and his historic
party. Hartford, Connecticut, was then
known by its Indian name, Suckiaug,
meaning "black earth," possibly so named
from the dark, rich soil of its fertile
meadows and cultivated fields, portions of
the country even then being under the
rough tillage of the savages. John Web-
ster located on the south side of Little
river, a small stream flowing into the
Connecticut from the west. That he was
a man of standing and influence in the
Hartford colony is evident. For twenty
years he was a magistrate, was elected to
the General Court in 1637 and in 1638,
and in 1656 was elected governor. The
duties of the governor at this time
83
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
were very important. He presided over
the General Assembly ; he put all the
motions ; and in case the vote was equal
he cast the deciding vote. He also held
court in various places. For these and
many other services there was no com-
pensation until 1647, from which time on
he received the sum of thirty pounds a
year. He also took an active part in
religious affairs and was a member of the
First Church of Hartford, founded by the
Rev. Thomas Hooker. He died April 5,
1661, known as "the Puritan and Pilgrim
of two hemispheres," the public-spirited
citizen and servant, and sleeps with the
pioneers who, with him, blazed the path
of empire in the New World. A tomb-
stone dedicated to his memory stands in
Hadley, Massachusetts, erected by Noah
Webster, lexicographer.
(II) Robert Webster, son of John
Webster, was born in 1627, settled in Mid-
dletown, and in September, 1651, was
chosen recorder. He was in the General
Court from September, 1653, to May,
1655, and again in 1656-57-58. In 1658
he removed to Hartford, and died May 31,
1676. He married, in 1652, Susannah
Treat, daughter of Richard Treat, Esq.
She died in 1705, the mother of Jonathan,
Samuel, Robert, Joseph, Warren, Sarah,
Mary, and Elizabeth.
(III) Deacon Jonathan Webster, son
of Robert and Susannah (Treat) Webster,
was born January 9, 1656, in Middletown,
Connecticut, and was for many years a
merchant of Hartford, Connecticut. He
married (first), May 11, 1681, Dorcas
Hopkins, and their children were: Jona-
than, Samuel, Susannah, Mary, Mehitable,
and Stephen ; he married (second) Mary
Judd, and they had one child, Benjamin.
(IV) Jonathan Webster, son of Deacon
Jonathan and Dorcas (Hopkins) Web-
ster, was born March 18, 1682, and re-
moved from Hartford to Glastonbury in
1713. He married Esther Judd, of
New Britain, Connecticut, December 14,
1704. His death occurred September 18,
1758, and his wife died September 22,
1782, at Bernardston, Massachusetts.
Their children were : Jonathan, Esther,
Jemima, Ezekiel, Mehitable, Dorcas,
Sarah, David, Mary, and Stephen.
(V) Stephen Webster, son of Jonathan
and Esther (Judd) Webster, was born
June II, 1728. He removed from Glaston-
bury, Connecticut, to Bernardston, Mas-
sachusetts, in 1773, and from there to
Northfield, Massachusetts. He married
(first) Rebeckah, daughter of Jacob Wil-
liams; he married (second) Elizabeth Kil-
bourne ; he married (third) Patience John-
son.
(VI) Jacob Webster, son of Stephen
and Elizabeth (Kilbourne) Webster, was
born February 12, 1748, in Glastonbury,
Connecticut. He lived in Conway, Mas-
sachusetts ; was a private in the Revolu-
tionary War, enlisting from Bernardston
in Captain Taylor's Company, Nicholas
Dyke's Regiment, in 1776. He died Octo-
ber 3, 1776. He married. May 13, 1769,
at Wethersfield, Connecticut, Abigail
Goodrich, and their children were :
Charles Webster, Jacob, and David Wil-
liams.
(VII) Charles Webster, son of Jacob
and Abigail (Goodrich) Webster, was
born July 23, 1770. He was a blacksmith
by trade, and in 1795 removed to Alstead,
Cheshire county. New Hampshire, where
he was a large landholder and prominent
in town affairs. He was a major in the
New Hampshire Militia, 28th Regiment,
commissioned June 15, 1811 ; and died at
Alstead, January 8, 1853. He married
Irene Shepard, born June 20, 1776, died
April 30, 1864. Their children were :
Martha, Laura, Charles Goodrich, of
84
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
further mention ; Irene Norton, Harriett,
David Kimball, Abigail Z., Miranda and
William H.
(VIII) Charles Goodrich Webster, son
of Charles and Irene (Shepard) Webster,
was born July 3, 1801, at Alstead, New
Hampshire. He was a farmer of Salem,
Massachusetts, and died November 2,
1885. He married, at Alstead, New
Hampshire, June 26, 1828, Elmira Dick-
inson, of Walpole, born June 21, 1809,
died June 2, 1875. Their children were:
Melissa Elmira, born August 31, 1830;
and Charles Granville, of whom further.
(IX) Charles Granville Webster, son
of Charles Goodrich and Elmira (Dick-
inson) Webster, was born at Alstead,
New Hampshire, May 18, 1835, and died
there, July 11, 1902. He was an architect
and a contractor and builder, a large em-
ployer of labor, and a very able man. He
married, September 7, 1857, Sarah Eliza-
beth Glover, daughter of Edward and
Sarah E. (Studley) Glover, of Alstead,
born May 4, 1841, died October 19, 1917.
Their children were: i. Edward Glover,
born November 14, 1858. died July 13,
1904; married Rose A. Reed. 2. Charles
Goodrich, born in Alstead, New Hamp-
shire, January 29, i860; married Ida L.
Timothy. 3. Frederick G., born October
2, 1862 ; married Minnie Flanders, and
resides in Alstead. 4. Frank George,
born October 29, 1865 ; married Susan
Hutchins, and resides in Springfield. 5.
Harry Gilmore, of further mention. 6.
Elizabeth Almira, born April 29, 1870;
married Henry Franklin, and resides in
Greenfield. 7. William B., born May 29,
1872, died at Greenfield, January i, 1917;
married Bernice Bundy. 8. John Arthur,
born June 15, 1874; married, June 29,
1898, Phoebe Jane Burgoyne, daughter of
Mathias and Mary Frances (Brooks)
Burgoyne ; they reside in Springfield. 9.
Grace Alice, born April 29, 1876 ; married
George A. Perkins ; died September 28,
1917. 10. Bessie Elizabeth, born Decem-
ber 17, 1881 ; married Luther Moses, of
Providence, Rhode Island.
(X) Harry Gilmore Webster, son of
Charles Granville and Sarah Elizabeth
(Glover) Webster, was born in Alstead,
New Hampshire, November 25, 1867. He
received his education in the Alstead
schools, and when eighteen years of age
went to Bellows Falls, Vermont, where
he was employed as a clerk in a hotel
for a time. Subsequently he worked in the
Leighton Hotel at Nashua, and later was
engaged with the New England Tele-
phone Company, at Bellows Falls. About
1895 he came to Springfield, Massachu-
setts, where for a time he was engaged
with the New England Telephone Com-
pany. After engaging in business in
Norwich, Connecticut, for a year, as a
member of the firm of Webster & Mee-
cham, dealers in provisions, and for an-
other year in the provision business in
partnership with J. Marshall Loveland in
Springfield, he sold his interests to his
partner and entered the employ of W. H.
Dexter, in the real estate business. In
1899 he went into the real estate business
for himself, buying, building, and selling,
and also doing insurance business. As
a result of fair dealing and large ability,
he has built up a large and ever-growing
business, and is one of the well known
real estate dealers of Springfield. As an
expert in real estate values he stands
among the first in the city.
He is a director in the Springfield Na-
tional Bank. He has taken an active inter-
est in politics and served on the Board of
Aldermen for three years. Fraternally
he is affiliated with Springfield Lodge,
Free and Accepted Masons ; Springfield
Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Spring-
field Council, Royal and Select Mas-
ters ; Springfield Commandery, Knights
85
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Templar; and Melha Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine. He is also a member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. In club
circles he is well known, being a member
of the Nayasset Club, the Winthrop Club,
the Anglers Club, and the Country Club,
all of Springfield. He is a member of the
First Congregational Church of Spring-
field, which he has served as assistant
treasurer and as collector, and at present
(1922) is serving as a member of the par-
ish committee.
On February 14, 1899, Harry Gilmore
Webster married Marie I. Beebe, of
Brooklyn, New York, daughter of Wal-
ton and Elizabeth A. (Sharp) Beebe, and
they are the parents of three children :
Donald Gilmore, born April 16, 1901 ;
Granville Beebe, born October 13, 1909,
died April 28, 1920; and Harry Glover,
born December 10, 1910.
BROWN, Nedd WaUace
Among the successful business men of
Springfield is Nedd Wallace Brown, presi-
dent, treasurer, and manager of the N. W.
Brown Piano Company, Inc., located at
No. 144 State street, whose experience
and personal qualifications amply fit him
for the successful conduct of a large and
increasingly profitable concern which
handles high grade pianos and reproduc-
ing player pianos.
The name Brown is one of the most
frequent in this country. Back in the
early days in England, before surnames
were generally adopted, places, occupa-
tions, and personal characteristics were
used to distinguish individuals. John, by
the woods; John, the tanner; and John,
the brown (in hair or complexion), were
deemed quite sufficiently distinguished
from one another by the descriptive
phrase, for all the ordinary purposes of
the everyday life of the common people,
until gradually as life became more com-
plex and the people more important, the
custom of adopting a surname for the
family began and spread rapidly, finally
reaching the common people. John by
the woods became John Woods, John the
tanner became John Tanner, and John
the brown became John Brown. There
are many unrelated families of the name
of Brown, and very early in the history
of New England representatives of many
of them came to New England to try
their fortunes in the New World. Thus
it is that the name Brown appears upon
the earliest records of almost every New
England State, and of many other States
throughout the country. There are sev-
eral ancient families bearing this name,
and from them have come many men of
prominence and of distinguished ability.
Among those pioneers of the name who
came to New Hampshire was John
Brown, born in England, 1588-89, who
came to Massachusetts as early as 1635,
and settled permanently at Hampton, in
what is now New Hampshire, in 1639.
He was granted a house lot of four acres,
and soon afterwards purchased ten acres,
upon which tract he built his home. Dur-
ing his life he made several additions, by
purchase, to this tract, upon which his
descendants lived for seven generations.
He was the father of eight children, five
of whom were sons : John, Benjamin,
Jacob, Thomas, and Stephen ; and from
these have descended many of the fami-
lies of the name living in New Hamp-
shire and elsewhere.
Captain Henry Brown, grandfather of
Nedd Wallace Brown, was a resident of
Kensington, New Hampshire. He was a
sea-faring man, a sea captain, who owned
a three-masted vessel and made many
voyages to Marseilles, France. He died
in Kensington, New Hampshire. The
Christian name of his first wife was
86
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Mary; he married (second) Hannah
Chase, of Hampton Falls, New Hamp-
shire. His children were: George, who
lost his life in the Civil War; James
William, of whom further; and Hannah.
James William Brown, son of Captain
Henry Brown, was born in Kensington,
New Hampshire, January i8, 1838, and
died November 8, 1916, aged seventy-
eight years. He received his education
in the local schools, assisting on the farm
before and after school and during vaca-
tions. When school days were over he
learned the shoemaker's trade, which he
combined with farming. When the Civil
War broke out he enlisted in the First
Rhode Island Cavalry, and was in active
service throughout the period of the war.
He served as special messenger for Gen-
eral Custer, and was under fire sixty-five
times, being wounded twice. While
carrying a message from General Sickles
to General Custer his horse slipped or
was wounded and fell, he being thrown
to the ground beneath the horse, and sus-
taining serious injury in the form of a rup-
ture. He participated in the battle of
Gettysburg, and witnessed the surrender
of General Lee at the close of the war.
After the mustering out of the Union
forces he returned to his native town, and
to the old homestead where he was born,
and there he remained throughout the
remainder of his life. He owned a good
farm of some fifty acres, lying in a square,
and surrounded by a highway, and here
he skillfully cultivated his crops, sowing,
tilling, harvesting and marketing the
crops, and in addition to this, in slack
seasons he worked at his trade of shoe-
maker to the time of his death, never
having experienced the discomfort of a
sick day.
He was an able, intelligent man, and
took an active part in the public afifairs
of his town. Politically he gave his alle-
giance to the Democratic party during
the early years of his life, but after the
war he joined the forces of the newly
formed Republican party, and during the
remainder of his life supported its prin-
ciples and its candidates. Deeply inter-
ested in the welfare of his community, he
was chosen by his fellow-citizens to fill
all the local offices at various times, in-
cluding that of selectman, in which capac-
ity he served for many years. He was
an active, interested member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, and his religious
affiliation was with the Universalist
church. On October 22, 1867, he mar-
ried Anna Orpha Martin, of Alexandria,
New Hampshire, born in 1846, and died
in April, 1920, daughter of Charles R. and
Orpha I. Martin. They were the parents
of two children : Nedd Wallace, of fur-
ther mention ; and Herman Everett, who
is engaged in the automobile business in
Boston.
Nedd Wallace Brown, son of James
William and Anna Orpha (Martin)
Brown, was born in Kensington, New
Hampshire, February 7, 1875. He re-
ceived his education in the public schools
of Kensington, New Hampshire, and
spent four years in a seminary at Kings-
ton, New Hampshire, and in the Burdett
Commercial College, and when his stud-
ies were completed he became associated
with a wholesale rubber concern in Bos-
ton, where he remained for two yearc.
At the end of that period he severed his
connection with the wholesale rubber
house and associated himself with the
wholesale shoe establishment of Parker
& Holmes, of Boston. Here he remained
for some eight or nine years, advancing
from one position to another and from
one department to another, thus becom-
ing thoroughly familiar with every phase
of the business. After all these years
spent in that line of work he decided to
87
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
make a change, and associated himself
with the piano house of Steinert & Son,
going to their store in Fall River, Massa-
chusetts, and a year later removing to
their store in Lowell, Massachusetts,
where he remained for two years, and
then came to Springfield. For six years
he represented Steinert & Son in the lat-
ter city, being manager of the store there,
and then, severing his connection with
that firm, associated himself with the
Otto Babb Company, who were engaged
in the piano business in Springfield. This
connection he maintained for six years,
gaining valuable experience and render-
ing efficient service to the company. In
January, 1913, he decided that the time
had come to engage in business for him-
self. Incorporating under the name of
the N. W. Brown Piano Company, Inc.,
he began business in Springfield, he being
president, treasurer, and manager of the
concern, and since that time has devoted
his time and his energy to the develop-
ment of his rapidly growing business. He
conducts a strictly high grade establish-
ment, carrying only quality instruments,
and has the well earned confidence and
esteem of a constantly increasing patron-
age. He carries the Reproducing Player
Piano which sells for $1600, the Bruns-
wick phonographs and talking machines,
and all of the best makes of pianos, and
by fair dealing has laid the foundation for
still larger success in the future. He first
started in business on Vernon street,
where he continued for nine years, when
he purchased the building at Nos. 142 and
144 State street, and has here fitted up a
very beautiful showroom. He carries a
large stock of goods not only in player
pianos and phonographs, but also a com-
plete line of records for the same, and has
one of the finest showrooms in Western
Massachusetts.
Mr. Brown is not only a successful
business man, but he is well known and
highly esteemed in fraternal and social
circles in Springfield. He is a thirty-
second degree Mason, being a member of
Hampden Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma-
sons, of which he is past master ; Morning
Star Chapter, Royal Arch Masons;
Springfield Commandery, Knights Tem-
plar; Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Or-
der Nobles of the Mystic Shrine ; and Bela
Grotto. He is also a member of the Ro-
tary Club, and of the Masonic Club. His
religious affiliation is with the Unitarian
church.
On September 3, 1903, Nedd Wal-
lace Brown married Katherine Irene
Thompson, of Springfield, daughter of
Henry Harrison and Margaret (Creed)
Thompson.
/
SPEAR, Edwin Cowles
The family of Spear, represented in the
present generation by Edwin Cowles
Spear, of Springfield, treasurer and gen-
eral manager of the Cheney Bigelow Wire
Works in Springfield, which position he
has filled for thirty-eight years, is of an-
cient English origin. The name is also
spelled Spere in the early records.
(I) George Spear, immigrant ancestor
perhaps of all of the surname in this
country, came from England to Massa-
chusetts in 1642, and settled in Braintree.
He was admitted a freeman. May 29,
1644. He lived for a time in Dorchester.
In his old age he removed to New Dart-
mouth, now Pemaquid, Maine, and is said
to have been killed by the Indians. His
wife Mary died in Braintree, December
7, 1674. Children: i. George, married,
April 2, 1669, Mary Deering, born Janu-
ary 16, 1652-53, daughter of Samuel Deer-
ing, of Braintree. Children : Hannah,
Mary, Eleazer. 2. Sarah, born January 3,
1647-48; married, June 19, 1672, George
Witty. 3. Richard, married and had
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
seven children baptized April ii, 1698. 4.
Samuel, born October 15, 1652, died
young. 5. Ebenezer, of further mention.
6. Hannah, born March 30, 1656-57, died
in 1668. 7, Samuel, born January 16,
1658-59; married Elizabeth Daniels. 8.
Nathaniel, born May 15, 1665, married,
August 8, 1689, Hannah Holman.
(II) Ebenezer Spear, fourth son of
George and Mary Spear, was born August
3, 1654, and died March 21, 1719. He was
born in Braintree, Massachusetts, spent
his entire life there, and there his death
occurred. He married, in Braintree,
Rachel Deering, the ceremony taking
place July 16, 1679. She was born August
30, 1659, ^"d died October 16, 1717.
Among their children was Benjamin, of
further mention.
(III) Benjamin Spear, son of Ebenezer
and Rachel (Deering) Spear, was a native
of Braintree, Massachusetts, born Febru-
ary 12, 1698, and his death occurred there
in the year 1775. He married Sarah Niles,
also a native of Braintree, born Septem-
ber 20, 1702. Among their children was
Moses, of further mention.
(IV) Moses Spear, son of Benjamin
and Sarah (Niles) Spear, was born in
Braintree. Massachusetts, January 5,
1735. He spent his boyhood and young
manhood in his native town, and later
removed to Shutesbury, Massachusetts,
where his death occurred. He was pub-
lic-spirited, and displayed his patriotism
by enlisting his services in behalf of his
country, serving as a soldier in the Revo-
lutionary War. He married Catherine
Jones, and among their children was
Luther, of further mention.
(V) Luther Spear, son of Moses and
Catherine (Jones) Spear, was born in
Randolph, Massachusetts, August 21,
1758, and died in Shutesbury, Massachu-
setts, August 20, 1843. He, likewise, was
a man of patriotism, and offered his serv-
ices to his country in her hour of peril,
participating actively in the Revolution-
ary War. He married Rebecca Tower,
born in Randolph, Massachusetts, Febru-
ary 4, 1759, and died in Shutesbury, Mas-
sachusetts, March 18, 1822. Among their
children was Eliphalet, of further mention.
(VI) Eliphalet Spear, son of Luther
and Rebecca (Tower) Spear, was born in
Shutesbury, Massachusetts, February 28,
1789, and died in North Amherst, Massa-
chusetts, December 14, 1865. He married
Martha Paul, born in Berkley, Massachu-
setts, June 22, 1791, and died in North
Amherst, Massachusetts, July 31, 1840.
Five children were the issue of this mar-
riage, namely : Ebenezer Paul, Myrick
N., Lusamm, Mary, and David Cowles, of
further mention.
(VII) David Cowles Spear, youngest
son of Eliphalet and Martha (Paul)
Spear, was born in North Amherst, Mas-
sachusetts, May 23, 1830, and died in
Easthampton, Massachusetts, February
22, 1904. For a short period of time he
attended school in the town of Amherst,
and later supplemented this by a course
of self-study, becoming well informed on
many subjects. He served an apprentice-
ship to the trade of carpenter, in which
line he became proficient, and for half a
century followed carpentering and con-
tracting, from which he derived a com-
fortable livelihood. He was a man of in-
fluence in the community, a member of
the Congregational church and of the
Masonic order. He married Melvina
Elizabeth Pomeroy, born in Montgomery,
Massachusetts, July 28, 1833, died June
30, 1910. They were the parents of two
children : Edwin Cowles, of further men-
tion ; and Elizabeth Maria, who died as a
child.
(VIII) Edwin Cowles Spear, only son
of David Cowles and Melvina Elizabeth
(Pomeroy) Spear, was born in Chester,
89
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Massachusetts, December i, 1855. He re-
ceived a practical education in the schools
of Easthampton, Massachusetts, and
when his studies were completed, as far
as school books were concerned, he began
the active business of life by securing a
position in a factory in Easthampton. His
next position was as a clerk in a dry
goods store in Easthampton, and later he
served in the same capacity in a store in
Holyoke. In 1884 he began his long con-
nection with the Cheney Bigelow Wire
Works in Springfield, one of the well
known and among the largest wire mills
in the country, his first position being that
of bookkeeper and paymaster, and in 1898
his faithful service was rewarded by pro-
motion to the offices of treasurer of the
corporation and general manager of the
plant, in which capacity he is serving at
the present time (1922), having been
thirty-eight years with the company and
twenty-four years in the last named posi-
tion. His tenure of office has been char-
acterized by fidelity to duty, conscien-
tious and painstaking effort, and a desire
to promote the welfare and efficiency of
the company which he has served so
many years. In addition to this business
he is a member of the board of directors
of the American Metallic Fabric Com-
pany, of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts,
also treasurer of the Hampden Brass
Company, and a director of the Chapin
National Bank.
He is a member of Hampden Lodge,
Free and Accepted Masons, of which he
is a past master; and he is a member of
all the York Rite bodies in Masonry,
namely : Morning Star Chapter, Royal
Arch Masons, of which he is past high
priest; Springfield Council, Royal and
Select Masters; and Springfield Com-
mandery. Knights Templars ; also all the
Scottish Rite bodies, including the thirty-
second degree, as follows : Evening Star
Lodge of Perfection, of which he is past
potent master; Massasoit Council, Princes
of Jerusalem, of which he is past sovereign
prince ; Springfield Chapter, Rose Croix,
of which he is past most wise master ; also
Massachusetts Consistory and Connecti-
cut Valley Consistory ; and Melha Tem-
ple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine; and in 1917, in apprecia-
tion of his work in these bodies, there was
conferred upon him the thirty-third de-
gree, the highest degree in Masonry.
Mr. Spear married (first), October 2,
1882, Mrs. Marion C. Buck, who died in
February, 1905. He married (second),
April 15, 1909, Cora Belle Fitch, born in
Hatfield, but at the time of her marriage
residing in Amherst, Massachusetts,
daughter of George Clinton and Sarah
Root (Kingsley) Fitch, the ancestry of
the Fitch family being traced herein.
(The Fitch Line).
(I) Thomas Fitch, the English ances-
tor of the branch of the family traced
herein, was born in England about 1590,
and died in 1645. ^^ inherited an estate
near Braintree, Essex county, England,
and married, August 8, 161 1, Annie Pew.
After his death his widow and three sons
came to New England, where two sons
had already located. One of their sons
was Joseph, of further mention.
(II) Joseph Fitch, son of Thomas and
Annie (Pew) Fitch, was born in Eng-
land, whence he removed to the New
World, He settled in Norwalk, Connec-
ticut, in 1652, removed to Northampton,
Massachusetts, in 1655, and to Hartford,
Connecticut, in 1660. He married Mary
Stone, daughter of Rev. Samuel Stone, a
founder of Hartford, Connecticut. Subse-
quently Joseph Fitch removed to Wind-
sor, Connecticut, where his death occurred
February 18, 1697.
(III) Joseph (2) Fitch, son of Joseph
90
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAMY
(i) and Mar>' (Stone) Fitch, was a resi-
dent of Windsor, Connecticut, in which
section of the State he spent his entire
lifetime, honored and respected. Among
his children was John, of further mention.
(IV) John Fitch, son of Joseph (2)
Fitch, was born in East Windsor, Connec-
ticut, March 14, 1702. He later located in
Hatfield, Massachusetts, where he spent
the remainder of his days. He married
Lydia Scott, of Hatfield, born February
24, 1708, and among their children was
Ebenezer, of further mention.
(V) Ebenezer Fitch, son of John and
Lydia (Scott) Fitch, was born in Hat-
field, Massachusetts, December 16, 1745,
and died January 16, 1838. He was an
active participant in the Revolutionary
War. He married Abigail Taylor, born
in Suffield, Connecticut, in 1745, died Sep-
tember 5, 1818, in Hatfield, Massachu-
setts. Among their children was John, of
further mention.
(VI) John Fitch, son of Ebenezer and
Abigail (Taylor) Fitch, was born in Hat-
field, Massachusetts, July 7, 1781. and
died March 4, 1847. He married Rachel
Appleby King, born in Williamsburg,
Massachusetts, April 28, 1786, died in
Hatfield, Massachusetts, April 9, 1833.
Among their children was George Clin-
ton, of further mention.
(VII) George Clinton Fitch, son of
John and Rachel A. (King) Fitch, was
born in Hatfield, Massachusetts, June 6,
1828, and died October 7, 1903. He mar-
ried Sarah Root Kingsley, born in Hat-
field, Massachusetts, September 9, 1827,
died in Amherst, Massachusetts, March 3,
1902. Among their children was Cora
Belle, of further mention.
(VIII) Cora Belle Fitch, daughter of
George Clinton and Sarah Root (Kings-
ley) Fitch, was born in Hatfield, Massa-
chusetts, and became the wife of Edwin
Cowles Spear. (q. v.).
TUCKER, Andrew Jackson
As president of the Cheney Bigelow
Wire Works, and a director of the Hamp-
den Brass Company, both of Springfield,
Andrew Jackscn Tucker comes of a very
old family. The name Tucker is from the
old English word "tucker" meaning a
trade, which is now obsolete, the word
"fuller" being used instead. It is derived
from the Teutonic word "tuck" signify-
ing "cloth," hence the term tucker, a
fuller of cloth, and is variously spelled
"Tuker," "Tooker," "Tocker," etc. The
earliest known record of the Tuckers is
found in the report of visitation in County
Kent, England, for the years 1619-20-21,
preserved in the Harleian Manuscripts,
and when these records were compared
with the registry of baptisms of the an-
cient Church of SS. Peter and Paul, dat-
ing back to 1558, the records concerning
the Tuckers were found to be accurate.
The ancient Tucker families of New Eng-
land are from several ancestors not known
to be related to each other. The family
to which Andrew Jackson Tucker belongs
was early located in Massachusetts, Swal-
low Tucker, his great-grandfather, having
removed from Massachusetts to New
Hampshire about 1760, he being the son
of Josiah Tucker, from whom descent is
traced as follows :
(I) Josiah Tucker lived in Groton (now
fPepperell), Massachusetts, and had wife
Abigail. They had children, among whom
was a son, Swallow.
(II) Swallow Tucker, son of Josiah and
Abigail Tucker, removed from Groton
(now Pepperell), Massachusetts, about
1760, to Brookline, New Hampshire, took
an active part in all the aflfairs of his day
and time, and showed his patriotism by
serving in the Revolutionary War. He
was a member of the Committee of Saf-
ety, and at various times filled nearly all
of the important civic offices in the gift
91
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
of the people. His death occurred April
29, 1809, bringing sorrow to his many
friends and associates, and he was greatly
missed in the community in which he had
been so helpful a citizen. He married
(first) Lucretia Carter; he married (sec-
ond) Anna Sanders. He was the father
of four children, among whom was Josiah.
(III) Josiah (2) Tucker, son of Swal-
low and Anna (Sanders) Tucker, was
born July 6, 1779, in Roby (now Brook-
line), New Hampshire. He and his wife
Joanna were the parents of a son,
Josiah (2).
(IV) Josiah (3) Tucker, son of Josiah
(2) and Joanna Tucker, was born in
Brookline, New Hampshire, November
19, 1805, and died in 1871, in Westminster,
Massachusetts. When a young man he
learned the trade of blacksmith and fol-
lowed that trade, also operating a farm.
He resided at various times in Pepperell,
Gardner and Westminster, Massachusetts.
He married (first) Miss Baker; (second)
Hannah Stone, of Fitchburg. To the first
marriage two children were born : George
and Martha. To the second marriage one
child was born, Andrew Jackson, of whom
further.
(V) Andrew Jackson Tucker, son of
Josiah (3) and Hannah (Stone) Tucker,
was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, May
30, 1858. He received his education in the
schools of Westminster and of Fitchburg,
Massachusetts, and then was employed on
the farm until 1876. The following year
he came to Springfield, Massachusetts,
and in 1882 entered the employ of the
Cheney Bigelow Wire Works, which at
that time employed only five or six men.
At the present time this concern has one
of the best equipped plants of the kind
in the country and employs 180 men.
This concern was started in 1852 by
Cheney Bigelow and has now (1922) been
doing business constantly for over sixty
years. They manufacture paper machin-
ery and Fourdrinier wires, which are
used in paper mills, and their products go
to all parts of the world. Mr. Tucker
began when the business was in its in-
fancy and has steadily worked his way
up, his experience and skill growing with
the growth of the concern, and his ability
winning him one promotion after another,
until he reached the office of president,
which position he has held for many
years. In addition to the responsibilities
of his office as president of the Cheney
Bigelow Wire Works, Mr. Tucker is a
director of the Hampden Brass Company,
also of Springfield.
Fraternally he is a member of Roswell
Lee Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons,
in which fraternity he is a member of all
the York Rite bodies, including Spring-
field Commandery ; also all the Scottish
Rite bodies up to and including the thirty-
second degree. He is also a member of
Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Order
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
In September, 1892, he married Lena
A. Richards, of West Brookfield, Massa-
chusetts, daughter of Samuel and Nancy
(Smith) Richards.
MILLER, WUliam Rowland
For more than thirty years William
Howland Miller has been associated with
the Cheney Bigelow Wire Works, first as
clerk of the corporation, later as sales-
man, and finally as a member of the com-
pany, actively engaged in the work of
expanding and enlarging the business by
the establishment of agencies throughout
the country.
Mr. Miller is a descendant of old Colo-
nial stock, which came to New England at
a very early date. The surname is com-
mon in both England and Scotland, and
belongs to the class of names known as
occupational. At least a dozen of the
92
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
name came to Massachusetts before 1650,
among these being Thomas Miller, immi-
grant ancestor of William Howland, and
Obadiah Miller, his brother, who married
Joanna, surname not known, and died in
November, 1695. Obadiah Miller was in-
dustrious and capable, often in the employ
of Governor Pynchon, and was the father
of three children : Lazarus, Obadiah, and
Joanna.
(I) Thomas Miller settled in Spring-
field, and was killed by the Indians Octo-
ber 5, 1675, during King Philip's War.
He married, October 12, 1649, Sarah
Marshfield, sister of Samuel Marshfield,
who married (second) Edward Foster.
His children were : Sarah, married Jona-
than Ball ; Thomas, married Rebecca
Leonard ; Samuel, married (first) Ruth
Beamon, (second) Catherine Halliday,
widow ; John, of whom further ; Joseph,
died November 10, 1659; Josiah ; Deb-
orah, married James Gerald ; Martha, died
young; Martha, married John Ferry;
Ebenezer, married Hannah Keep ; Mehit-
able, married John Clemmons ; Joseph,
died December 26, 1671 ; and Experience,
who married Samuel Frost.
(II) John Miller, son of Thomas and
Sarah (Marshfield) Miller, was born April
23, 1657. He married Mary Beamon, and
they were the parents of children, among
whom was Captain Joseph.
(III) Captain Joseph Miller, son of
John and Mary (Beamon) Miller, was
born in 1698, and died April 5, 1760. He
married Mary Combs, and among their
children was Joseph (2).
(IV) Joseph (2) Miller, son of Joseph
(i) and Mary (Combs) Miller, was born
in May, 1724, and died April 8, 1803. He
married Catherine Ferry, and they were
the parents of: Sybil, Aaron, Leonard,
Martha, Moses, Joseph, of whom further ;
Catherine, died young; George, Cather-
ine, Polly, and Margaret.
(V) Joseph (3) Miller, son of Joseph
(2) and Catherine (Ferry) Miller, was
born September i, 1756, and died April i,
1829. He married Mary Wilder, who was
born in 1757, and died in 1845. They
were the parents of eight children : Syl-
vester, Joanna, Joseph (4) ; Daniel, of
whom further ; Charlotte, John, Maria,
and Polly.
(VI) Daniel Miller, son of Joseph (3)
and Mary (Wilder) Miller, was born
October 30, 1789, and died May 21, 1870.
He removed to South Hadley, Massachu-
setts, where he was a successful farmer,
and he was a soldier in the War of 1812.
He married (first) Pamelia Jones, born
April 22, 1793, died January 10, 1828,
daughter of Stephen and Ray (Cooley)
Jones; (second) Lucy Carr Smith. His
children were: Almerin D., of whom fur-
ther; Simeon, Hariett, Samuel, Francis,
Calvin, Josiah S., Joseph, and Edward.
(VII) Almerin Daniel Miller, eldest
son of Daniel and Pamelia (Jones) Miller,
was born January 21, 1813, and died Oc-
tober 4, 1885. In early life he was en-
gaged in farming, but later engaged in
the wholesale meat business, also buying
wool and hides for a large wholesale house
in Boston. He was a successful and
notably efficient man, who took an active
interest in the welfare of the community
in which he lived. As a member and one
of the founders of the Memorial Church,
he gave freely of his time and of his
money for the advancement of the relig-
ious and moral life of the community,
teaching in the Sunday school, and in
various other ways contributing a valu-
able share to the work of that organiza-
tion. He married (first). May 7, 1835,
Asenath M. Smith. She died February
4, i860, aged forty-five years, and he mar-
ried (second), in August, i860, Martha
Lane, who was born August 13, 1837, ^"^
died June 21, 1883. Children of the first
93
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
marriage were: Pamelia Jones, died
August 8, 1867, married Seth M. Coe ;
Harriet Atwood, died October 9, 1845;
Mary Smith, died January 25, 1845 ! Wil-
liam H., died February 3, 1846; Joseph
Condit; William H., of whom further;
and Mary Jane, deceased.
(VIII) William Howland Miller, son
of Almerin Daniel and Asenath M.
(Smith) Miller, was born in South Had-
ley, Massachusetts, September i, 1849,
and was brought to Springfield by his par-
ents when he was one year of age. He
received a good, practical education in the
public schools of Springfield, and when
school days were passed became associa-
ted with his father in the wholesale meat,
wool, and hide business. This connection
he maintained for several years, and then
made a change, severing his connection
with his father's business, and entering
the office of the Boston & Albany Rail-
road Company, where he remained for a
number of years. After a long and valu-
able experience in the latter position he
returned to the meat business, taking
charge of the Armour business in Spring-
field. In March, 1890, he associated him-
self with the Cheney Bigelow Wire
Works, engaged in the manufacture of
wire, acting for a time as corporation
clerk. Later he became a successful
salesman, and finally devoted his entire
time to the sales department, organizing
agencies, stimulating the members of the
sales force, infusing energy into the gen-
eral management of the sales department,
and contributing a large share to the de-
velopment of the great plant and the ex-
tensive business now operated by the
company. At the time Mr. Miller became
a member of the firm there were only five
or six looms engaged in the weaving of
wire ; to-day sixty looms do the work
of the firm. Mr. Miller travels exten-
sively, west and north, establishing new
agencies, and stimulating and energizing
old ones, and it is to his excellent work
in this field that much of the steady and
satisfactory growth of the business is due.
It is not alone in business activities and
interests, however, that Mr. Miller is
known and recognized as a successful
man among men. He is especially active
in Masonic circles, being a member of
Roswell Lee Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons, and of all the Scottish Rite
bodies, including the thirty-second degree.
He is also a charter member of Melha
Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of
the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of
the Country Club, the Colony Club, and
the Fish and Game Club. He gives his
support to the activities of the Memorial
church, and is a member of the parish
committee.
Mr. Miller married (first), in October,
1886, Gertrude L. Meserve, of Thomp-
sonville, Connecticut. She died July 21,
1899, and he married (second), April 22,
1902. Meribah Hall Tyce, of Bristol,
Pennsylvania.
MILLER, George W.
The strength of character, unfaltering
perseverance, and competent business
methods which brought to George W.
Miller success in his line of work, tin-
smithing, were early manifest in his
career. The elements which go to make
up an upright manhood are his. Ener-
getic and trustworthy in business and
public life, genial and kindly in his inter-
course with his fellowmen, a champion of
all that tends to promote the material,
social, intellectual and moral welfare of
the community, his life record commends
him to the good will and regard of all.
George W. Miller was born in New
York City, September 9, 1852, the son of
John A. and Catherine (Huft) Miller.
His father, a tailor and cutter by trade,
94
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
came to New York City from Hesse-
Cassel, Germany, when twelve years of
age. His mother was also a native of
Germany, born in Baden-Baden, and was
brought to this country when an infant a
year old, her parents residing in New
York City, where she was reared, edu-
cated and married. In 1861 Mr. and Mrs.
John A. Miller removed from New York
City to Easthampton, Massachusetts.
They were the parents of four sons and
three daughters, George W., of this re-
view, being the eldest son.
George W. Miller attended the public
schools of his native city and Easthamp-
ton, also the high school of the latter
place, then served an apprenticeship to
the trade of tinsmith, after which he
worked as a journeyman tinsmith in New
York City for a period of two and one-
half years. The following year was spent
in Meriden, Connecticut, in the same line ;
the two years following that were spent
in Florence, Massachusetts, where he was
employed in a stove store in the capacity
of tinsmith, and about the year 1878 he
took up his residence in Springfield, Mas-
sachusetts. Here he entered the employ
of D. B. Montague, whose place of busi-
ness was located on Main street, and for
more than a year had charge of his shop,
faithfully attending to every detail con-
nected with the work. In the following
year, 1879, ^^ removed to Indian Orchard,
a section of Springfield, and there, in
partnership with Albert H. Halford, en-
gaged in the same line of business, under
the style of Halford & Miller, so continu-
ing successfully until the year 1890, when
the business was disposed of to G. G.
Makepeace. In 1885 a branch shop was
established by the firm at Ludlow, Massa-
chusetts, Mr. Halford assuming charge of
this, and Mr. Miller remaining in charge
at Indian Orchard. The partners always
held to the highest standards in their
mechanical work, and were respected
throughout the community for their un-
failing integrity and for their personal
worth.
While conscientiously devoted to his
business interests, Mr. Miller took a keen
interest in public matters, and in 1884 was
chosen by his fellow-citizens of Spring-
field to serve as a member of the Board
of Aldermen, his faithful service gaining
for him reelection in 1886. He served on
various committees, among them the com-
mittee on sewers, drains and highways,
of which he was chairman two years. He
also served as clerk and caucus clerk of
the precinct, rendering efficient service.
Mr. Miller is firm in his advocacy of Re-
publican principles, but so great was his
popularity that his nomination was often
indorsed by the other great party, the
Democratic. In the fall of 1886 Mr. Mil-
ler was elected to the State Legislature
for the Sixth Hampden District, and in
1890 was reelected to the same office,
discharging the duties to the satisfaction
of his constituents, and serving on the
committee on cities, banks and banking.
In the meantime he was put in charge of
the roads and sewers of Ward Eight, his
territory extending from Chicopee Falls
to Wilbraham, this being the largest dis-
trict in the city of Springfield under the
control of one man, but Mr. Miller has
been equal to the task, performing the
work in a highly efficient manner, now
(1922) having been in this position thirty-
two years.
He is a member of the Evangelical
church, and served in the capacities of
superintendent and assistant superin-
tendent of the Sunday school connected
therewith. Mr. Miller has been a member
of the Masonic order since he was twenty-
one years of age, now nearly fifty years.
He was made a Mason in Ionic Lodge, of
Easthampton, Massachusetts, coming
from New York to take his degrees. He
is a charter member of Brigham Lodge, of
95
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Ludlow, serving as its third master ; a
charter member of Indian Orchard Lodge,
serving as its first master ; a charter mem-
ber and first patron of Dwight Clark
Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star ;
was the first sachem of Wallamount
Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, and
was a charter member of the American
Legion of Honor, serving as its first
commander.
While residing in Easthampton Mr.
Miller was a member and clerk for five
years of the old Hand Engine Company,
No. 5. For many years he has been a
member of the Veteran Firemen's Asso-
ciation of Springfield, and was its presi-
dent for nine years ; also president of the
Connecticut Valley Veteran Firemen's
Association, and for some years has been
a delegate to the New England Veteran
Firemen's Association. He was also on
the building committees for the erection
of Masonic halls for Brigham and Indian
Orchard lodges, and is now clerk of the
Indian Orchard Masonic Building Asso-
ciation.
Mr. Miller married, at Easthampton,
Massachusetts, January 27, 1875, Eugenia
Oberempt, a native of Barmen, Germany,
daughter of John H. and Rosalie (Rellens-
man) Oberempt, she accompanying her
parents to the United States in the year
1856. Three children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Miller, as follows: i. Mary
Helen, became the wife of Samuel Merton
Harris, and they are the parents of three
children : Helen Lucy, Alice Eugenia,
and Edward Miller. 2. Grace Eugenia,
became the wife of Edward Brownell,
who is a conductor on the Boston &
Albany railroad ; they reside at Indian
Orchard. 3. Alice Catherine, became the
wife of Rev. Charles E. Herring, now de-
ceased ; Mrs. Herring resides at Indian
Orchard.
HYDE, Arthur Salisbury
Among the prominent manufacturers
of Springfield, Massachusetts, is Arthur
S. Hyde, a well known citizen of Hart-
ford, Connecticut, where he resides. He
is a worthy representative of an old and
noted family, resident for many years in
the State of Connecticut, their connection
therewith tracing back to the early part
of the seventeenth century, their record
worthy of emulation by their descendants.
(I) William Hyde, the first of the line
herein followed, was one of the original
founders of Hartford, Connecticut, where
his name is found on the records in 1636,
and where he was a man of considerable
prominence. Later he was one of the
founders and a resident of Norwich, Con-
necticut, but he is not known to be con-
nected with any others of the same name
who came from England to America. He
was the father of two children : Samuel,
of whom further ; Hester, who became the
wife of John Post.
(II) Samuel Hyde, son of William
Hyde, was born in Hartford, Connecticut,
about the year 1637, and later removed to
Norwich, Connecticut. He married, in
June, 1659, Jane Lee, daughter of Thomas
Lee, her mother a member of the Brown
family. Children: Elizabeth, born 1660;
Phebe, born 1663; Samuel, born 1665;
John, born 1667; William, born 1670;
Thomas, of whom further; Sarah, born
1675 ; Jabez, born 1677.
(III) Thomas Hyde, son of Samuel
and Jane (Lee) Hyde, was born in Nor-
wich, Connecticut, in July, 1672, and died
April 9, 1755. He settled in Norwich
West Farms, and followed agriculture as
a means of livelihood. He married, in
December, 1697, Mary Backus, daughter
of Stephen and Sarah (Gardner) Backus.
She died March 27, 1752. Their children
were: Mary, born 1698; Thomas, born
96
'^t^^'^^tl^ S TAi^^
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
1699; Phebe, born 1702; Jacob, of whom
further; Jane, born 1704; Abner, born
1706.
(IV) Captain Jacob Hyde, son of
Thomas and Mary (Backus) Hyde, was
born in Norwich, Connecticut, January
20, 1703, and died January 22, 1782. He
followed the same occupation as his
father, deriving from his agricultural pur-
suits a good livelihood. He married, Octo-
ber II, 1727, Hannah Kingsbury, born in
1709, daughter of Deacon Joseph and
Ruth (Denison) Kingsbury. Their chil-
dren were: Jacob, born 1730; Mary, born
1732; Ephraim, of whom further; Joseph,
born 1736; Hannah, born 1738; Ruth,
born 1740; Jonathan, born 1742; Silence,
born 1744; Rebecca, born 1745; Phebe,
born 1750.
(V) Ephraim Hyde, son of Captain
Jacob and Hannah (Kingsbury) Hyde,
was born in Norwich, Connecticut, April
23, 1734. He married Martha Giddings,
and they settled in Stafford, Connecticut,
where they spent the remainder of their
days, their deaths occurring there. Nine
children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Hyde : Nathaniel, of w^hom further
Hannah, born 1758; Lydia, born 1761
Ephraim, born 1763; Martha, born 1765
Jacob, born 1767; Jasper, born 1769
Eunice, born 1772; Eli, born 1777.
(VI) Nathaniel Hyde, son of Ephraim
and Martha (Giddings) Hyde, was born
in Stafford, Connecticut, March 7, 1757,
and died there in 1825. He was an iron
founder by trade, an active, public-
spirited citizen, honored and esteemed by
his neighbors and friends. He married
(first) Sarah Strong, daughter of Lieuten-
ant Strong. She bore him one child,
Alvan, of whom further. He married
(second) Cynthia Palmer, a widow. She
bore him three children, as follows :
Nathaniel, born 1800; Sarah, born in Staf-
ford, became the wife of David Rockwell ;
Mass 11 — 7
Martha, born in Stafford, became the wife
of Joseph Phelps Pinney.
(VII) Alvan Hyde, son of Nathaniel
and Sarah (Strong) Hyde, was born in
Stafford, Connecticut, October 26, 1786,
and died October 4, 1841. His active
career was devoted to the occupation of
manufacturing iron and running blast
furnaces, being the first in the country in
this line of business. He took an active
interest in all that concerned the com-
munity in which he resided. He married
Sarah Pinney, born January 9, 1793, died
September 13, 1848, daughter of Daniel
Pinney. Six children were born to them,
as follows : Edward G., married Sarah
A. Bumstead ; Alvan Pinney, prominent
attorney in Hartford, married Elizabeth
Waldo, and several of their sons have
been prominent in Hartford, one serving
in the capacity of mayor ; Henry, died
young; Salisbury, of whom further;
Jenny, became the wife of Charles Fox;
Maryette, became the wife of James S.
Kent.
(VIII) Salisbury Hyde, son of Alvan
and Sarah (Pinney) Hyde, was born in
Stafford Springs (Hydeville), Connecti-
cut, in 1830, and died in 1906. He fol-
lowed in his father's footsteps, choosing
manufacturing as his life work, pursuing
that line of work in Hartford, Connecti-
cut, and Worcester, Massachusetts, and
served as president and treasurer of the
Washburn Car Wheel Company, dis-
charging these duties in a highly credit-
able manner. He was noted for honesty
and integrity, was active and public-
spirited, and won for himself a high rep-
utation. He married Charlotte Cross
Henry, of Waterford, Vermont, born in
1840, died in 1893, aged fifty-three years.
Children of Mr. and Mrs. Hyde : Arthur
Salisbury, of whom further; Jennie
Elizabeth, deceased, she the wife of Rus-
sell C. Northam, and the mother of two
97
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
children, Russell Hyde and Barbara; Ger-
trude, became the wife of Arthur D. New-
ton, and they have one son, Duane Hyde
Newton.
(IX) Arthur Salisbury Hyde, only son
of Salisbury and Charlotte Cross (Henry)
Hyde, was born in Chicago, Illinois,
October 5, 1863. He was educated in the
public schools of Hartford, Connecticut,
and the first years of his active career was
associated with his father in the manufac-
turing business, thereby gaining a wide
experience in that line of work. For the
following ten years he was connected
with the American Writing Machine
Company, of Hartford, beginning at the
bottom and working his way upward, and
was secretary of the company. In 1897
he became connected with the Whitlock
Coil Pipe Company, of Hartford, was
interested in its development, and was
called upon to fill the offices of president
and treasurer of the company, which he
did in an acceptable manner. He was a
director of the City Bank, now the City
Bank and Trust Company, of Hartford.
In 1910 Mr. Hyde retired from active
business on account of impaired health.
In 1917 Mr. Hyde became actively inter-
ested in the management of the Baush
Machine Tool Company, of Springfield,
Massachusetts, and at the present time
(1921) is vice-president and treasurer of
this well known and successful corpora-
tion. He is a member of the Episcopal
church ; member of Lafayette Lodge,
Free and Accepted Masons, of Hartford ;
and a member of the Farmington Country
Club.
Mr. Hyde married, November 27, 1894,
May Holbrook, of Hartford, Connecticut,
daughter of George Holbrook, her mother
a member of the Goodrich family. Chil-
dren of Mr. and Mrs. Hyde: i. Marion,
born February 15, 1896. 2. Henry Hol-
brook, born May 6, 1897; he was educated
in Hartford schools, including the high
school, and entered Yale College. He
married, October 20, 1920, Dorothy Pope
Gillette, of Hartford. Before the out-
break of the World War, in 1917, Henry
H. Hyde went to the Plattsburg school,
and was recommended for a commission
when of age. He enlisted as a first class
private in Cavalry Troop B, loist Ma-
chine Gun Battalion, 26th Division, went
to France, and participated in all the bat-
tles of his division, including Chateau-
Thierry and the Argonne Forest, and re-
ceived the five bars as a reward for his
bravery.
The 26th Division, under Major-Gen-
eral Clarence R. Edwards, embarked in
September, 1917. They went through the
prescribed course of instruction until
early in 1918. When brigaded with the
nth French Army Corps they entered the
line for a month and a half further train-
ing north of Soissons, then into the firing
line at Chemin des Dames, February 6,
19 18, and were forty-six days in first line
trenches. Withdrawn for rest when the
German offensive of March 21 necessitated
immediate return, they went to live in
the La Reine and Boucy sectors, north of
Toul. Here it had two important engage-
ments — one in Agremont Forest, where
it repulsed with considerable loss a heavy
German raid, and one at Seicheprey,
where casualties on both sides amounted
approximately to two thousand men. On
July 18, 1918, the division was thrown
into battle between the Aisne and Marne,
advancing in seven days more than seven-
teen kilometers against determined enemy
opposition and capturing the towns of
Epieds, Trugny, Torcey, Belleau and
Givry. They next took part in the Ameri-
can offensive in September at St. Mihiel ;
captured Bois-des-Eparges, Hattonchatel
and Vigneulles. Later, during the Mieuse-
Argonne offensive, the division attacked
98
^y
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
northeast of Verdun, and aided in the
storming of Etrayes Ridge, capturing
Bois-de-Belleu and Bois-de-Ormont, one
of the most formidable heights in that
region, and was in this sector when the
armistice was declared.
The 26th was the first full division to
be organized and transported to France,
and was the first to occupy a sector as a
full division. Ten months of almost con-
tinuous service was theirs, they taking
part in the bloodiest battles of the war.
Time and again they achieved what the
veteran French commanders believed im-
possible. Thousands of men were cited
for bravery or won Croix de Guerre
medals, and they led all other divisions in
decorations received. Their operations
were carried out with skill, endurance,
tenacity and nerve never surpassed, and
at one time they were the only troops
between the Germans and Paris.
BRAYTON, Hezekiah A.
Among the very oldest of American
families is that which bears the name of
Brayton, which was established in the
Colony of Rhode Island some time before
the middle of the seventeenth century,
probably in the year 1643, when its
founder was received as an inhabitant of
Portsmouth. The members of the Bray-
ton house have been extremely prominent
in connection with the development of
Southeastern Massachusetts, particularly
with that region centering about the city
of Fall River, and the early territory
which went to form that city. The great
industries which have grown up there-
about are not a little indebted to the
enterprise and intelligence of the early
Braytons, various members of the family
having been numbered among the most
prominent business leaders, financiers,
and promoters of the colossal milling
industries of the region.
Brayton Arm^ — Azure, two chevrons betweeen
as many mullets or.
Crest — A mullet or.
Motto — Catus semper viret.
(I) Francis Brayton, immigrant ances-
tor and founder of the family in America,
was born in England in 1611-12. He
came to this country as a young man, and
was admitted as an inhabitant of Ports-
mouth, Rhode Island, as early as the year
1643. Twelve years later, in 1655, he was
made a freeman, and in 1662-63 was
chosen to represent Portsmouth in the
General Court. He served as deputy to
the General Court in 1669-70, 1678, and
1684. In 1667 h^ enlisted in the troop of
horse which was maintained for the com-
mon defense, and generally played an
important part in the life of the com-
munity.
Francis Brayton married Mary •,
who died about the year 1692. He died
in the same year. Children: i. Francis,
died in 17 18. 2. Mary, married Joseph
Davol. 3. Stephen, mentioned below. 4.
Martha, married John Pearce. 5. Eliza-
beth, married Jared Bourne. 6. Sarah,
married Thomas Gatchell.
(II) Stephen Brayton, son of Francis
and Mary Brayton, was a resident of
Portsmouth, Rhode Island, probably all
his life, although the date of his birth is
not known, and it is possible that he may
have been a native of England. He was
a freeman in the year 1678, and a member
of the grand jury in 1687.
Stephen Brayton married, March 8,
1679, Ann Tallman, daughter of Peter and
Ann Tallman, of Portsmouth, and died in
1692. Children: i. Mary, born February
12, 1680. 2. Elizabeth, born December 8,
1681. 3. Ann, born July 6, 1683. 4. Pre-
served, mentioned below. 5. Stephen,
born August 2, 1686. 6. Israel, died about
1756.
(III) Preserved Brayton, son of Ste-
90
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
phen and Ann (Tallman) Brayton, was
born in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, March
8, 1685. He became a freeman at Ports-
mouth in 1706, the year in which he
attained his majority, and lived there
until 1714, when he purchased one hun-
dred and thirty acres of land in the settle-
ment of Swansea, Massachusetts. He
made that place his home during the
remainder of his life. This farm came to
be known as the Brayton homestead, by
which name it is called to the present day.
It is situated on the west bank of the
Taunton river, in what is now the town
of Somerset, which was set off from
Swansea in the year 1790. The first
definite agreement in regard to his pur-
chase of this farm from William Little
was embodied in articles drawn up and
signed July 21, 1714. The terms of agree-
ment between the two proved satisfac-
tory, and the deed was signed and trans-
ferred on March 2, 1714-15. Evidence is
uncertain as to when the Brayton home-
stead was built. Elizabeth Hitchcock
Brayton, in her interesting sketch of the
"Brayton Homestead," published in 1914,
says:
* * * we find evidence of its foundation
upon which site has been placed a stone, presum-
ably the old stepping stone of the original dwell-
ing. "The Great Room," "in the Southeast cor-
ner," "the chamber over said rooms," "the great
door," "through the entry and up the stairs to
the chamber overhead," "to cook in the Kitchen,"
"and store meat and sauce in the cellar," form for
us only a fragmentary description of that first
house upon the hill to which Preserved Brayton
brought his wife and two older children, and
which was the birthplace of his younger children.
In 1724 Preserved Brayton enlarged his farm by
purchasing of William Slade the south half ot
the original lot 13 of the Shawomet purchase, and
half the roadway between the 13th and 14th lots,
thus making the whole of the Home.stead Farm
about one hundred and sixty-eight acres.
The original lot was No. 12. Miss
Brayton continues:
The total purchase price of the farm, as paid
by Preserved Brayton, was, therefore, thirteen
hundred and twenty pounds. Assuming that the
colonial pound (whose value to-day would be
about three and one-third dollars) was used in
these transactions, the amount paid for the Home-
stead Farm would be about forty-four hundred
dollars of our money. Preserved Brayton was a
true lover of the soil, and for forty-seven years
after his removal to Swansea, as we shall call it
now, was spared to enjoy the fruits of his labors
upon the place he termed the Homestead Farm,
all unconscious of adopting a name that would be
perpetuated for so many generations. At the
time of his death in Swansea, May 21, 1761, Pre-
served Brayton was an extensive landholder. * * *
He owned in addition to the Home-
stead Farm another farm in Swansea,
besides property in Freetown. Rehoboth
and Smithfield, Rhode Island.
Preserved Brayton married, in Ports-
mouth, Rhode Island, Content Cogges-
hall, daughter of John (2) Coggeshall,
and granddaughter of John (i) Cogges-
hall, one of the first settlers of Rhode
Island, and one of the foremost figures in
the early life of the colony. (See Cogges-
hall III). Preserved Brayton and his
wife died in Swansea, the former on May
21, 1761, and the latter in 1759.
(IV) Israel Brayton, son of Preserved
and Content (Coggeshall) Brayton, was
born on the Homestead Farm, October
13, 1727. He inherited the Homestead
Farm on his father's death, and like his
father was an extensive landowner and
prosperous farmer. In addition to the
farm, he acquired property in Swansea,
including a shipyard, and land he pur-
chased in 1766 from Samuel Lee. In 1759
he bought of Richard and Susanna Gif-
ford a large farm of one hundred and
eighty acres in Tiverton, which at the
time of his death he gave to his son, Baul-
ton Brayton. Israel Brayton spent his
entire life in Swansea, and was a well-
known figure in its affairs for several
decades.
100
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Israel Brayton married (first), April 19,
1752, Mary Perry, who, tradition claims,
was a relative of Oliver Hazard Perry.
They were the parents of nine children,
among them John, mentioned below.
Israel Brayton married (second) Mrs.
Mary Read Bowers. He died in Swansea
in 1791.
Perry Arms — Quarterly, gules and or, on a bend
argent, three lions passant, proper.
Crest — A lion's head proper, ducally crowned or.
(V) John Brayton, son of Israel and
Mary (Perry) Brayton, was born in
Swansea, Massachusetts, April 12, 1762.
Too young to serve during the Revolu-
tion, he nevertheless was old enough to
see and remember the hardships of the
times. The Brayton homestead was on
the route of travel. Many of the troops
on their way to Tiverton crossed the
Taunton river at Slade's Ferry and thus
came very near to the home of his father.
One night a company camped not far dis-
tant, and the next morning, in filling their
canteens, drew the well dry at the Home-
stead Farm. One canteen, accidentally
left, is now in existence and is in the
possession of one of the present owners
of the Homestead Farm, the great-great-
grandson of Israel Brayton. The war
brought great deprivation to the inhabit-
ants of the towns round about, and in
1779 there was a great scarcity of provi-
sions, and these sold at very high prices.
The following winter the intense cold
caused much suffering, and for two
months the ice completely locked the
rivers and bay. The price of wood ad-
vanced to twenty dollars per cord and
corn sold at four silver dollars a bushel.
It was during this winter that John Bray-
ton, not yet eighteen years of age,
"Loaded wood upon sleds at his farm and
with oxen drew the same in a direct line
upon the ice to Newport." On August 2,
1780, when eighteen years of age, John
Brayton enlisted in Captain Peleg Peck's
company of Colonel Thomas Carpenter's
regiment.
On September 21, 1782, John Brayton
married Sarah Bowers, the daughter of
Philip Bowers, a lineal descendant of
three of the Pilgrim band who came on
the "Mayflower" on her first voyage in
1620. They were the parents of eleven
children. On the death of his father,
about 1791, John Brayton inherited the
Brayton homestead, and resided there
until his death. It was during his life-
time that Somerset was set apart from
Swansea, and in the former town he died
May 12, 1829.
About 1796, finding the old house too
small for his rapidly growing family, John
Brayton erected the present house. The
original house was left standing, and
early in the nineteenth century part of it
was moved near the new house.
John Brayton was one of the first mem-
bers of the Methodist church of Swansea,
joining soon after its organization, and
remaining throughout his life a useful and
influential factor in its aflfairs. He con-
tributed generously to its support, and
tendered cordial hospitality to the itiner-
ant ministers. At the centenary celebra-
tion of that church, held March 2, 1902,
as a memorial to John Brayton, his grand-
children and great-grandchildren gave to
the church the sum of fifteen hundred
dollars, the income to be used for the sup-
port of the gospel.
(VI) Israel (2) Brayton, son of John
and Sarah (Bowers) Brayton, was born
in Somerset, Massachusetts, on the Bray-
ton homestead, July 29, 1792. He spent
his entire life there, and died November
5, 1866. In early life, however, he had
for a time resided in Swansea and Fall
River, and although he returned to the
Homestead Farm on the death of his
father , he retained his associations in
lOI
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
these places. He continued his member-
ship in the Central Congregational
Church of Fall River, and was one of its
most regular attendants. The "Fall
River News," of November 9, 1866, de-
scribes the funeral services of Israel
Brayton and pays tribute to him as a
man:
It was a scene long to be remembered, as the
family and friends gathered around the grave on
that serene and most beautiful Indian summer
morning, and united with bowed heads and sym-
pathizing hearts in the simple, heartfelt and deeply
impressive prayer which was there offered; and
we could but feel how grand a lesson is taught
us when a good man is called from earth to
heaven ; a man who has filled the measure of his
days in his Master's service, and whose memory
will be cherished by his friends and kindred as
among the best of earthly treasures.
Israel Brayton married, August 19,
1813, Keziah Anthony, daughter of David
and Submit (Wheeler) Anthony, they the
parents of nine children. (See Wheeler
and Anthony). Keziah (Anthony) Bray-
ton was the last to reside permanently
upon the Homestead Farm, where she died
October 24, 1880, aged eighty-nine years.
She was a direct descendant of John An-
thony, one of the pioneer settlers of
Rhode Island, who came from England in
the year 1634. The Anthony family was
prominent in Rhode Island affairs, and
had become allied with many of the most
important families of the colony. Israel
and Keziah (Anthony) Brayton were the
parents of the following children: i.
Mary, born in Foxboro, Massachusetts,
May 9, 1814; married (first), in 1842,
Major Bradford Durfee, of Fall River,
who died in 1843, leaving one son, Brad-
ford Matthew Chaloner Durfee, born
June 15, 1843, died, unmarried, in 1872.
His mother gave in his memory the B.
M. C. Durfee High School in the city of
Fall River. She married (second), in
1851, the Rev. Jeremiah S. Young, who
died in 1861. She died in Fall River,
March 2.2, 1891. 2. William Bowers, born
in Swansea, April 6, 1816; married Han-
nah Turner Lawton, of Tiverton, Rhode
Island, 3. Nancy Jarrett Bowers, married
Daniel Chase, and their only child died
in infancy. 4. Elizabeth Anthony, mar-
ried Rev. Roswell Dwight Hitchcock,
and they were the parents of the follow-
ing children: Roswell, Mary B., Harriet
W., and Bradford W. 5. David Anthony,
born in Swansea, April 2, 1824, died Au-
gust 20, 1881 ; married Nancy R. Jenckes,
of Fall River. 6. John Summerfield, born
in Swansea, December 3, 1826; married
Sarah J. Tinkham, of Middleboro, Massa-
chusetts. 7. Israel Perry, born in Swan-
sea, May 24, 1829, married Parthenia
Gardner, of Swansea. 8. Hezekiah An-
thony, mentioned below.
(VII) Hezekiah Anthony Brayton, one
of the most vital figures in the history of
the industrial development of Fall River,
son of Israel (2) and Keziah (Anthony)
Brayton, was born June 24, 1832, on Main
street, Fall River, Massachusetts. Here
he passed his childhood, and attended
local schools for his education. Later he
was entered as a student at the East
Greenwich Academy, East Greenwich,
Rhode Island, and after being graduated
from that institution, returned to his
native State and taught school for one
year in the town of Seekonk. He did not
find in this profession the opportunity
which he desired, however, and at the end
of the first year secured a position in a
railroad office where, besides the work
involved in his duties, he continued the
study of mathematics, specializing in that
branch of the science which bears directly
on civil engineering. His character was
of the type with which New England has
made us familiar; determined to advance,
he perfected himself sufficiently in the
study of mathematics to qualify as a sur-
102
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
veyor. In this capacity he went West
and worked for a considerable time in
Texas. On his return to Massachusetts,
he settled for a time in Lawrence, where
he was engaged in the carding and
mechanical engineering department of the
Pacific Mills.
It was around this period that there
occurred in the East what was known as
the "Westward Movement," and this Mr.
Brayton joined, in association with his
brother, Israel Perry Brayton, establish-
ing himself in Chicago, and engaging in
the grain and commission business on the
Chicago Broad of Trade. This business
was afterward transferred to New York
and was carried on in connection with the
Produce Exchange there. Mr. Brayton
spent nearly twenty-five years in Chicago
and New York, and in 1872 returned to
Massachusetts, where he remained until
the close of his life. In the industrial,
financial and business life of Fall River
from 1872 onward, he played a vital and
influential part. He was vice-president of
the First National Bank of Fall River, in
which institution he also held the office
of cashier. A number of years later, upon
the failure of the Sagamore Mills, he was
appointed one of the trustees in charge
of that property, and took an active and
important part in the settlement of the
affairs of this concern. Upon its reorgani-
zation as the Sagamore Manufacturing
Company, he was elected treasurer and a
member of the board of directors. These
two offices he continued to hold until his
death, and the large growth of the busi-
ness was due in no small measure to his
capable management. In addition to his
heavy interests and responsibilities in the
Sagamore Manufacturing Company, he
was also prominently identified with the
Durfee Mills, of which he was president
and a member of the board of directors.
Mr. Brayton was regarded by his asso-
ciates in Fall River, and throughout the
milling industry in Rhode Island and
Massachusetts, as one of the most suc-
cessful mill operators of this section of
New England. During the period of his
management the Sagamore Manufactur-
ing Company did a most extraordinary
business, and established a record that
has not been surpassed. His great suc-
cess in large affairs was undoubtedly due
to the fact that he found the keenest
pleasure in business combinations and
organization, and he was in a great
measure a prototype of the great captains
of industry of to-day. His conception of
mill operations was intensive in charac-
ter, and he carried the efficiency of his
mills to a high point, keeping equipments
and conditions up to the very latest and
most modern standards. He possessed
the gift of mechanical genius, which com-
bined with a thorough knowledge of
every phase of the business in which he
engaged, and executive and organizing
ability of the first order, made him one
of the ablest mill men in New England in
the latter decades of the nineteenth cen-
tury. He rarely made an error of judg-
ment, and his advice consequently was
much sought in financial matters. i\t the
time that he assumed charge of the Saga-
more Manufacturing Company, one mill
was in operation and the foundation of a
stone mill had been laid. The results
were quickly discernible, and one after
another he erected the requisite buildings.
]\Ir. Brayton was succeeded in the office
of treasurer by his son, William Lawton
Slade Brayton, who had previously
engaged in business as a cotton broker.
Hezekiah A. Brayton was deeply inter-
ested in the welfare of the city of Fall
River, and devoted much time to work in
its behalf. He possessed great faith in
the future of the city, and did all he could
to improve its fortune. He was always
103
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
conceiving new combinations in the busi-
ness world, and was ever ready to aid in
the development of new and promising
enterprises. There can be no doubt that
the present great prosperity of the city
owes much to his judgment and foresight,
his energy and enthusiasm, which were
contagious. It is interesting to note that
the last cotton corporation formed in Fall
River prior to his death had his backing,
and that he was a large subscriber to its
stock.
The death of Mr. Brayton occurred at
his home on North Main street. Fall
River, March 24, 1908, in his seventy-
sixth year. The board of directors of
the Sagamore Manufacturing Company
passed the following resolutions to his
memory at the meeting convened the day
after his death :
Hezekiah A. Brayton, treasurer of this corpora-
tion since the 6th day of November, 1879, died
after a short illness, on the twenty-fourth day of
March, 1908, in the seventy-sixth year of his age.
The ability and signal success with which he man-
aged the affairs of this corporation are recognized
by every one familiar with it, and by the commu-
nity-at-large. His personality dominated the en-
tire organization and impressed upon it his own
belief in honest work and fidelity to every-day
duty. It was his pride to make good, and to keep
his word absolutely. A contract was to him a
matter of personal honor, as well as of dollars
and cents. He was a man of strong and unique
individuality, direct and straightforward in his
dealings, frank of speech, absolutely honest and
with a rare touch of humor. As the years passed,
he acquired in an extraordinary and ever increas-
ing degree the confidence of those who associated
and dealt with him. He was fortunate in his life,
and he died at the height of his success, before
age had dulled his interest or impaired his men-
tal vigor. His death is a serious loss to this cor-
poration, and to us, his associates.
Mr. Brayton married, March 25, il
Caroline Elizabeth Slade, of Somerset,
Massachusetts, a daughter of the late
Hon. William Lawton and Mary (Sher-
man) Slade. Mrs. Brayton survives her
husband and resides at the Brayton home
in Fall River. (See Slade VII). Mr. and
Mrs. Brayton were the parents of the fol-
lowing children: i. Caroline Slade, born
March 10, 1869, in New York City ; re-
sides in Fall River, Massachusetts. 2.
x\bby Slade, born November 10, 1870, in
New York City ; married Randall Nelson
Durfee, of Fall River, and they are the
parents of four children : Randall Nel-
son, Jr., born March 13, 1897; Bradford
Chaloner, born August 12, 1900; Caroline,
born March 12, 1904; Mary Brayton, born
March 4, 1909. 3. William Lawton Slade,
born November 13, 1873, in New York
City ; now treasurer of the Sagamore
Manufacturing Company, in which office
he succeeded his father; he married, June
18, 1903, Mary Easton Ashley, daughter
of Stephen B. and Harriet Remington
(Davol) Ashley, of Fall River; their chil-
dren are : Lawton Slade, born June 20,
1904; Lincoln Davol, born October 20,
1905; Constance, born March 22, 1907;
Ruth Sherman, born April 17, 1908; Perry
Ashley, born May 25, 1910; Mary Eliza-
beth, born June 11, 1912; Richard An-
thony, born June 19, 1913; Harriet, born
December 26, 1916 ; Sherman, born July
19, 1919. 4. Israel, born August 5, 1874,
in Fall River ; is now a member of the
law firm of Wood & Brayton ; married
Ethel Moison Chace, of Fall River, and
they are the parents of three children:
Charlotte, born March 24, 1913; Philip
Sherman, born December 3, 1914; Ros-
well, born April 14, 1917. 5. Mary Dur-
fee, born May i, 1877, died March 18,
1S89. 6. Stanley, born March 20, 1879,
died June 29, 1902, in Caux, Switzerland.
7. Arthur Perry, mentioned below. 8.
Margaret Lee, born December 14, 1883.
9. Dorothy, born December 19, 1885 ; mar-
ried, February 23, 1916, Dr. William Rus-
sell MacAusland, of Boston, Massachu-
setts ; they are the parents of three chil-
104
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
dren : Dorothy, born April i6, 1917;
Donald, born June 17, 1918; and a son,
born May, 1920. 10. Katharine, born De-
cember 16, 1887; married Andrew Roy
MacAusland, June 2, 1920, and has a
daughter, Katharine.
Mr. Brayton was no less happy in his
domestic relations than in his business.
His home was always the abode of hos-
pitality, and expressed in its appearance
the culture and refinement of its dwellers.
He was a devoted husband and father,
and the same characteristics which made
him so popular among his friends kept his
household in an ever cheerful state.
(VIII) Arthur Perry Brayton, son of
the late Hezekiah A. and Caroline E.
(Slade) Brayton, and the descendant of
s veral of the oldest and most influential
families of Massachusetts and Rhode
Island, was born in Fall River, Massa-
chusetts, May 25, 1881. He was educated
in the B. M. C. Durfee High School, and
later attended the Hotchkiss School in
Lakeville, Connecticut. On completing
his studies he engaged in business pur-
suits in Fall River, and devoted his atten-
tion to the management of the Durfee
farm in South Somerset, of which he was
owner. In connection with the Durfee
farm he conducted a highly successful
dairy business. Following the entry of
the United States into the war, and up to
the time of his death, he served the gov-
ernment in an ofificial capacity in the
training of women for agricultural work,
and employed many on his farm in Som-
erset. He also supplied farmerettes to
the neighboring farmers. An able busi-
ness man and an active worker in charita-
ble and religious fields, he had crowded
into his comparatively brief span of years
a wide range of interests which but sel-
dom characterizes the man who has
attained three score and ten. Business
was not his field — he was successful in
the ventures which he entered, a keen,
sagacious investor, and an able manager,
yet he resented the demands which large
affairs almost invariably make to the ex-
clusion of other interests. He was a man
of broad-minded tolerance, a keen ob-
server, widely travelled, who had weighed
the frenzied rush and specialized effort of
commercialism against the well-ordered,
well-rounded life of the man who engages
in many pursuits, and finds the zest of
life in widely diversified channels.
A sincere desire to be of aid to human-
ity, to do the greatest good for the great-
est number, inspired the entire career of
Arthur P. Brayton. In 1896 he became a
member of the First Congregational
Church, and until his death maintained an
active interest in the church and Sunday
school. For many years he was clerk of
the church, president of the Young Peo-
ple's Society, and librarian of the Sunday
school. He was also one of the founders
of the Adams and Junior Adams clubs,
church societies for men. He was promi-
nently identified with many church organ-
izations, and for many years was treas-
urer of the Seaside Home. His gifts to
charitable causes were large, and no rea-
sonable appeal to him was ever refused.
He gave impulsively, and for this reason
the actual extent of his gifts to charities
and philanthropic causes never became
known. He was a man well loved by
hundreds, for he had the social instinct,
the gift of making and holding a friend-
ship, an earnest sincerity and warmth
which drew men to him instantly. Mr.
Brayton was a favorite in club circles. He
was a member of the Quequechan Club,
the Fall River Country Club, and numer-
ous business organizations. Yachting
was his favorite sport, and he was the
owner at different times of several yachts
and speed boats. As commodore of the
Fall River Yacht Club for several years.
105
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
he did much to promote its interests. He
was also president of the Narragansett
Bay Yacht Racing Association from Feb-
ruary 14, 1917, until his death.
Mr. Brayton was unmarried. His death
in Fall River, Massachusetts, October 14,
1918, was the cause of sincere and wide-
spread grief.
(The Coggeshall Line).
The early Coggeshalls formed one of
the wealthiest and most prominent of the
families of Rhode Island. John Cogges-
hall, the progenitor of the family in
America, was born in the year 1599, in
Essex, England. The family, which had
been established there for centuries, was
of Norman origin and possessed large
estates in Essex and Suffolk, including
the manor of Little Coggeshall, and Cod-
ham Hall, Wethersfield, in the vicinity
of Coggeshall-on-the-Blackwater. The
oldest Coggeshall families followed the
usages of the Normans, writing the name
de Coggeshall, as Thomas de Coggeshall,
who was the owner of the above-named
vast estates in the reign of King Stephen
of Blois, grandson of the Conqueror,
1135-1154. Five of the family, several of
whom were knights, were sheriffs of
Essex, which until 1556 included Hert-
fordshire. Coggeshall, the most famous
of the Cistercian Order, was built by
King Stephen in 1142, and endowed by
his queen, Matilda, of Boulogne, and his
son Eustace, with their lands in France.
(I) John Coggeshall, immigrant ances-
tor and founder of the Coggeshall family
in America, arrived in Boston on the ship
"Lyon," September 16, 1632, and settled
eventually in Newport, Rhode Island,
where he died. He settled first in Rox-
bury, Massachusetts, removing in the
spring of 1634 to Boston, where he held
many important offices in church and
State. "On the nth of Sept., 1634, he
appears as one of the first Board of
Selectmen of Boston, together with Win-
throp, Coddington, Underbill, Oliver, etc.,
g^^ * * * ^^ ^}^g j^j.g^ General Court
of Massachusetts, that of May 14, 1634,
he heads the list of deputies from Boston,
who were John Coggeshall, Edmund
Quincy and John Underbill." On the
banishment of the celebrated Ann Hutch-
inson, Coggeshall, who was one of the
most staunch supporters and defenders,
was removed from office and compelled to
depart — 1637-38. Eighteen men, includ-
ing William Coddington, John Clarke, the
Hutchinson family and himself, by the
advice of Roger Williams, who was
already in Providence, now purchased the
Island of Aquidneck from the Narragan-
sett sachems, and there a civil organiza-
tion was effected based upon the principle
of religious liberty. They laid the founda-
tions first of the little town of Ports-
mouth, near the north end of the island.
This little colony grew so rapidly that
enlargement soon became necessary, and
a settlement was made on the south end
of the island which resulted in the found-
ing of Newport. In 1647 Coggeshall was
elected president of Rhode Island, with
Roger Williams as assistant for Provi-
dence, William Coddington for Newport,
and Randall Holden for Warwick. John
Coggeshall assisted in the founding of
two cities, two States, and two separate
and independent governments. He died
in office, November 27, 1647, aged about
fifty-six years, and was buried upon his
estate in Newport. Here also lies his
wife Mary, who survived him thirty-
seven years, dying December 19, 1684,
aged eighty-seven years. John Cogges-
hall, Jr., who succeeded to his father's
estate, and filled various important offices
in the colony for more than forty years,
is also buried here, as are Abraham Red-
wood, founder of the Redwood Library,
106
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
and his wife, Martha (Coggeshall) Red-
wood ; William Ellery, signer of the Dec-
laration of Independence. Over the grave
of the first president of the Rhode Island
Colony has been erected a granite obelisk.
The name of John Coggeshall, with the
date of his presidency, may be seen in one
of the memorial windows of the Metro-
politan Methodist Episcopal Church,
Washington, D. C.
(II) Major John (2) Coggeshall, son
of John (i) Coggeshall, was born in Eng-
land in 1618, the eldest son. He was
fourteen years old at the time of the
arrival of the family in America in 1632.
Upon the death of his father, in 1647, he
came into possession of his large estate.
Major John Coggeshall was long and
often in office, for nearly half a century
exhibiting eminent executive ability. He
was commissioner of Newport, upon the
union of the four towns and reorganiza-
tion of the government, August 31, 1654,
also at the last election under the old
charter, May 22, 1663. He was one of
the original grantees of the royal charter
of 1663, and at the first general election
under the charter. May 4, 1664, he was
elected one of the five assistants, with
Governor Benedict Arnold and Deputy
Governor William Brenton ; also in 1665,
1670, 1671, 1674, 1676, he held the same
ofifice. He was treasurer of the colony in
1664, 1665, 1666, 1683, 1684, 1686; and
was deputy for Newport, October 25,
1665. In 1684 he was chosen major-gen-
eral for the forces of the island. He was
deputy governor in 1686, and in several
elections was proposed for governor, but
declined to serve. But few men of the
time exerted greater influence or rendered
the colony such faithful service.
(III) Content Coggeshall, daughter of
Major John (2) and Elizabeth (Baul-
s*one) Coggeshall, married, in Ports-
mouth, Rhode Island, Preserved Brayton.
(See Brayton III). She died in Swansea,
Massachusetts, in 1759.
(The Luther Line).
The name of Luther has been perpetu-
ated forever in the minds of mankind
since the age when the greatest of its
bearers, Martin Luther, the leader of the
Reformation, originated his earth-shak-
ing doctrines. Martin Luther was born
in Eisleben, Prussian Saxony, November
10, 1483. The events which led up to the
publication of his famed ninety-five
theses are historical, and these were fol-
lowed by his excommunication from the
Church of Rome in 1520; the translation
of the New Testament, which perma-
nently established the literary language
of Germany, was published in March,
1522, and his first hymn-book was printed
in 1524, the whole number of his works
being sixty-seven volumes. In 1525 Lu-
ther married Catherine von Bora. It is
a deplorable circumstance that the his-
tory of his posterity should have been
allowed to sink into oblivion. Students
of the family history claim descent from
the brother of Martin Luther for the
American family of the name.
Johannes Luther, brother of Martin
Luther, was born in Eisleben, and spent
his life there. His descendants in the
third or fourth generation emigrated to
Holland, whence a century later some of
them removed to Sussex, England, among
them one Wilhelm Luther, who attain?id
the venerable age of one hundred and
eight years. After the settlement in Eng-
land, some branches of the family
amassed great wealth, and became the
owners of extensive landed estates. The
family was known in local parlance as
Luton, but in all legal papers the name
was spelled Luther, and it is under this
form that it is found in early American
records.
107
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
The surname Luther was originally de-
rived from two sources, one local and the
other baptizmal. The first source was
the place name, signifying literally "of
Luther" or "Lowther," the second, the
font name, signifying "the son of Lothar."
The name never became popularized in
England under its German form, but
came into use in the Italian form, Lo-
thario, and the French, Loathaire.
The founding of the Luther family in
America occurred but fifteen years after
the coming of the "Mayflower." Through
the progenitor, Captain John Luther, and
his sons, Samuel and Hezekiah Luther,
have descended all of the name whose
lineage is traced to the early decades of
our history. The family first had its seat
in the town of Rehoboth in the Massa-
chusetts Bay Colony, whence it spread
throughout New England.
(I) Captain John Luther, the founder,
was born in Shrewsbury, England. There
has been a difference of opinion as to the
place of his birth, the late Rev. Mr. Root,
of Providence, genealogist, stating that
Captain Luther was a native of Germany,
whence he emigrated to New England in
1635. No proof, however, has been found
to substantiate the theory. John Luther
is first of record in Boston in 1635, having
sailed in the same year from Great Can-
ford, County Dorset, England. In 1637
he was one of the first purchasers and
settlers of Swansea, Massachusetts, and
his ninety acres of land are said to have
been purchased from the Indians for a
peck of white beans. It is quite possible
that the land was assigned by the colo-
nial authorities, and the peck of beans
quieted any claim of the Indians. In the
same year he was one of the first forty-
six purchasers of land in Taunton, Mas-
sachusetts, but in 1642 he disposed of his
lands there and became one of the origi-
nal settlers of Gloucester. He was a mas-
ter mariner, and was employed by the
merchants of Boston as captain of a ves-
sel to go to Delaware bay on a trading
voyage. He was killed there by Indians
in 1644. It is thought that his son, John
Luther, Jr., was captured at the time of
his father's death, for on May 2, 1646, the
General Court of Massachusetts awarded
to the Widow Luther the balance of her
husband's wages, according to sea cus-
tom, ruling that the merchants should
retain the sum paid to the Indians for the
redemption of her son. Although early
records mention only two sons of Captain
John Luther, genealogists incline to the
theory that he must have had a son con-
siderably older than Samuel and Heze-
kiah Luther, who were eight and four
years old respectively at the time of their
father's death. It is probable that the
John Luther, of Attleboro, Massachu-
setts, in 1658, who sold land to Samuel
Millitt, and in 1667, with Millitt and sev-
eral others, was one of the purchasers of
Swansea, and captain of militia there in
1682, was the elder son of the progenitor.
Children of Captain John Luther: i
John, of Attleboro and Swansea. 2. Sam-
uel, born in Taunton, Massachusetts, in
1636, died December 20, 1716; of Reho-
both ; on October 19, 1672, he made a
claim or demand for his father's purchase
in Taunton. Samuel Luther succeeded
Rev. John Miles as elder of the Baptist
church of Swansea, in 1685, two years
after the latter's death. He is referred to
as Rev. Captain Samuel Luther, which
would indicate military rank. He con-
tinued at the head of the Swansea Church
for thirty-two years, and was buried in
the Kickemuit Cemetery in what is
now Warren, Rhode Island. 3. Hezekiah,
mentioned below.
(II) Hezekiah Luther, son of Captain
John Luther, was probably born in Taun-
ton, Massachusetts, in 1640. He and his
108
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
brother, Samuel, were among the first
settlers of Swansea, Alassachusetts, and
many of his descendants lived in that
town, in the adjoining town of Rehoboth,
and in various parts of Rhode Island.
Hezekiah Luther was a carpenter by
trade. He married (first) in Dorchester,
Massachusetts, November 30, 1661, Eliz-
abeth ; (second) Sarah Butter-
worth, who died August 22, 1722. He
died in Swansea, July 23, 1723.
(III) Lieutenant Hezekiah (2) Luther,
son of Hezekiah (i) and Sarah (Butter-
worth) Luther, was born in Swansea,
Massachusetts, August 27, 1676, and died
there October 27, 1763. In 1723 he was
chosen town clerk, and filled the office
continuously throughout the long period
until 1761. He also held the rank of lieu-
tenant in the local militia. In March,
1704, he married Martha Gardner, who
died November 2, 1763. (See Gardner
IV). They were the parents of Martha,
mentioned below.
(IV) Martha Luther, daughter of Lieu-
tenant Hezekiah (2) and Martha (Gard-
ner) Luther, was born November 28,
1721, died November 7, 1796. She mar-
ried Benjamin Anthony, son of William
and Mary (Coggeshall) Anthony, (See
Anthony VI).
(The Gardner Line).
The Gardners were among the earliest
settlers of New England, and take promi-
nent rank among the notable Colonial
families of this historic section of the
country. Richard Gardner, a seaman,
came in the "Mayflower," but returned to
his native land ; Thomas Gardner, a
native of Weymouth, in Dorsetshire,
where the family had flourished for three
centuries, came in 1624 with Rev. John
White and other companies, and settled
at Cape Ann, where he was overseer of
the plantation. These are but two of the
many representatives of this notable
name who before 1700 were represented
in the New World colonies by prominent
and influential members of communities
in which they had taken up residence.
The surname Gardner is placed by the
authority, Charles Wareing Bardsley, M.
A., in the occupative class to which the
masculine ending "er," denoting occupa-
tion or profession, properly assigns it.
Another authority states that the name
is Saxon in origin, derived from two
Saxon words, the first gar, signifying a
weapon, dart, javelin, etc., and the second
syllable, dyn, indicating a sound, noise, or
alarm. The "er" ending is declared to
denote merely the habitation of a speci-
fied place. Among the knights who
accompanied the Conqueror to England
was one des Jardines. This name trans-
lated literally means "of the gardens," is
of local derivation, and is not to be con-
fused with Gardner.
Arms — Or, a griffin passant azure, on a chief
sable three pheons argent.
Crest — A griffin's head couped or, gorged with
a chaplet vert between two wings azure.
(I) Thomas Gardner, immigrant ances-
tor and progenitor, was a native of Dor-
setshire, England, and his migration to
the New World was made in association
with one of the most famous colonization
movements for which the century was
notable. He was a member of the his-
toric "Dorchester Company" and came
with the members of that expedition in
the vessel chartered for their use in com-
pany with the Rev. John White and
others in 1624. Fourteen colonists were
landed at Cape Ann, and among these
was the pioneer, Thomas Gardner. He
was a man so well endowed mentally and
so highly esteemed by the company that
he was placed in leadership over the pio-
neer enterprise, and after making the
landing, he began at once to oversee the
109
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
planting of the new settlement. The
hardships of life at Cape Ann were too
great to be overcome, and in 1626 the
colony was moved to Naumkeag, and a
settlement was made there and called
"Salem." Thomas Gardner became a
freeman, and continued prominent in the
affairs of the community until his death,
having several grants of land in Salem
and also at Danvers. He died in 1635.
Thomas Gardner brought with him from
England his son, Thomas, mentioned be-
low.
(II) Thomas (2) Gardner, son of
Thomas (i) Gardner, came to America
with his father in 1624, and removed with
him to Salem in 1626. He became a free-
man, March 17, 1637, and in the same
year was appointed one of the "Twelve
Men," of the town. On July 26, 1637, he
was elected to represent Salem in the
Massachusetts General Court. He also
served as juror, was overseer of high-
ways, 1638; town surveyor and "cunsta-
ble," 1639; and in later years appears to
have been chosen to fill almost every one
of the principal offices in the town. He
was owner of a bull, and in 1640 "was
given XX's for its use in the herd of the
season." He was known as "The Planter"
and had large grants of land made to him
in Salem. His will was dated 7th, 10,
1668, and was probated March 29, 1675 ;
his widow Damaris was bequeathed the
estate she brought him and a yearly in-
come of eight pounds ; to his daughter,
Sarah Balch, he bequeathed fifteen
pounds ; to his daughter, Seeth Grafton,
he gave fifteen pounds ; and the balance
of his estate was distributed among his
other sons and daughters, as well as his
grandchildren. He died October 29, 1674,
and was buried in the Gardner burying
ground. He married (first) Margaret
Fryer or Friar. He married (second)
Damaris Shattuck. a widow with several
children, who died September 28, 1675.
Issue (by first wife) among others: Sam-
uel Gardner, mentioned below.
(III) Samuel Gardner, son of Thomas
(2) Gardner, was probably born in
County Dorset, England, as indicated by
sworn statements in various affidavits on
file. His public service in the colonies
was rendered as town surveyor, begin-
ning on March 7, 1667, to lay out the
Salem-Lynn boundary, and a heap of
stones is still pointed out as place where
he located an angle. On February 23,
1673, he laid the bounds for Reading and
Salem ; September 12, 1673, he was ap-
pointed "to lay out the Comon Lieng
nere Beverly;" and June i, 1677, was
named to lay the bounds between Ips-
wich and Manchester ; and between
Salem and Marblehead on March 27,
1679. He was appointed appraiser of
estates in 1665 ; served on juries fre-
quently, 1661-1679; made coroner, 1686;
constable, 1671 ; appointed selectman of
Salem, March 12, 1677; chosen deputy to
the General Court, representing Boston,
May II, 1681 ; admitted a freeman on
May 12, 1675 ; commissioner, June 27,
1680, and was licensed as "innholder," No-
vember 30, 1687 ; owned much land in
Salem. Samuel Gardner died about Octo-
ber, 1689.
Samuel Gardner married (first) Mary
White, daughter of John and Elizabeth
White; she died July 12, 1675. He mar-
ried (second), August 2, 1680, Widow
Elizabeth Paine. Issue (by second wife) :
Martha, mentioned below.
(IV) Martha Gardner, daughter of
Samuel and Elizabeth (Paine) Gardner,
was born November 16, 1686, and died
November 2, 1763. She married, in Taun-
ton, Massachusetts, March 2^^, 1704,
Hezekiah Luther, son of Hezekiah and
Sarah (Butterworth) Luther, who was
born in Swansea, Massachusetts, August
no
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
27, 1676, and died there October 27, 1763.
They had issue twelve children, among
them Martha Luther, who became the
wife of Benjamin Anthony. (See Luther
and Anthony).
(The Wheeler Line).
Historically, the name of Wheeler
found its rise during the Saxon ascend-
ency in England ; as early as the eighth
century, a chieftain of the Saxons is dis-
covered named "Wielher," and the pro-
gressive changes in the name thereafter
proceeded steadily onward until the Nor-
man Conquest, at which period, when the
Domesday Book was made, one Weleret
is cited as the possessor of land at that
time. Later, in 1273, Hugh Le Welere
is cited in the Hundred Rolls, and Rich-
ard le Whelere appears on the Close
Rolls in 1348. Of the origin and meaning
of the name, search must be conducted in
the age of the Saxons ; its early Saxon
spelling was "Wielher," and represented
evidently a combination of two Anglo-
Saxon words ; the first syllable derived
from "wel" or "wiel," signified prosper-
ous or fortunate, whence the modern
words "weal" and "wealth" may be
traced ; the last syllable, derived from the
Saxon "hari" or "heri" signified a warrior,
from which root is also traceable the
modern '"hero." Thus the name of
Wheeler represents the ancient "Weal-
hero" or "Welhari," that is, "the lucky
warrior" or "the prosperous hero."
Precedent forms to that of Wheeler were
Wheler and Whaler, and in the Colonial
records, the family name was rendered in
such variety as Whelor, Wheelar, Wheel-
er, Wheler, Whaler, Whealer, Whealor
and Wheller.
Arms — Or, a chevron between three leopards'
faces sable.
Crest — On a ducal coronet or, an eagle displayed
gules.
Families bearing the surname of
Wheeler were long of aristocratic stand-
ing in England ; a line of noblemen ex-
isted in that kingdom in uninterrupted
descent for over four hundred years, and
during the reign of King Charles II., Sir
Charles Wheeler, noted English admiral,
for his gallant services was given a grant
of land by the crown in America ; he was
also appointed captain-general of the
"Caribee Islands," and in 1693 was in
command of the English fleet which then
went to Boston. Several of the Wheeler
surname came almost coincidently to
America, and traditionally it is claimed
that they were all nearly connected and
members of a distinguished and ancient
family in England, of which Sir Francis
Wheeler was a member, and were doubt-
less attracted to the New World settle-
ments by their kinsman's connection
therewith.
Among the most notable of all the set-
tlers of the name of Wheeler who came
to America was John Wheeler, the
founder, ancestor of the line of Wheeler
hereinafter traced.
(I) John Wheeler, the founder of the
family in America, was, according to re-
puted authority, born in Salisbury, Wilt-
shire, England, and was of a family long
resident in that locality. Previous to his
departure from England he had married.
On March 24, 1633-34, he sailed for the
Massachusetts Bay Colony on the ship
"Mary and John," bringing with him his
wife, Ann, and six of his children, but
leaving in his native land four of his sons.
The first settlement of John Wheeler in
America was made in Agawam (later
Ipswich), in the Massachusetts Bay
Colony ; there he resided for about a year,
and thence removed to the north bank of
the Merrimac river, at the place which
was called Salisbury after 1640. The
influence of the founder, Wheeler, may
III
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
be traced in the selection of the name
Salisbury (being that of his English
birthplace) for the New World township.
He was one of the original proprietors ;
he received a tract of land there in 1641,
and although he removed to Newbury
before 1650, held and paid taxes on his
allotment in Salisbury as late as 1652.
After establishing himself in Newbury,
John Wheeler did not again remove, but
remained at that place until his death.
He died in Newbury, Massachusetts,
August 29, 1670. He married, in Eng-
land, Ann , who died August 15,
1662. Issue (among others), his eldest
son, Henry, mentioned below.
(II) Henry Wheeler, son of John and
Ann Wheeler, was born in England. He
was a resident of Salisbury, Massachu-
setts, where he joined the church, August
26, 1694. His wife Abigail was admitted
to membership in the same church in
1687. Henry Wheeler died before 1696.
He married, about 1658, Abigail Allen,
born in Salisbury, January 4, 1639-40,
daughter of William and Ann (Goodale)
Allen. Issue twelve children, of whom
the sixth was James, mentioned below.
(HI) James Wheeler, son of Henry
and Abigail (Allen) Wheeler, was born
in Salisbury, Massachusetts, May 27,
1667. He removed to Rehoboth, Massa-
chusetts, where all his children, with the
exception of Mary, were born. He died
in Rehoboth, in April, 1753. He was
domiciled in Swansea in 1738. He mar-
ried (first) Grizzell Squire, daughter of
Philip and Rachel (Ruggles) Squire. He
married (second), October 2, 1738, Eliza-
beth Brintnal, of Norton. Issue seven
children, of whom the third was James,
mentioned below.
(IV) James (2) Wheeler, son of James
(i) and Grizzell (Squire) Wheeler, was
born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, March
27, 1697, and he died at that place, April
23, 1740. He married, March 8, 1716,
Elizabeth West, born in Rehoboth, No-
vember 30, 1694, daughter of John and
Mehitable West, of Swansea. Issue (born
at Rehoboth) eight children, of whom his
youngest son was Jeremiah, mentioned
below.
(V) Jeremiah Wheeler, son of James
(2) and Elizabeth (West) Wheeler, was
born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, March
23, 1731. He was long a notable resident
of his native place, and identified in some
prominence with its affairs. He became
active early in military organizations of
the district, and was commissioned sec-
ond lieutenant of the First Regiment of
Massachusetts Militia, September 3, 1767.
He died in Rehoboth, February 26, 181 1.
He married (first) in Rehoboth, January
4' 1753' Submit Horton ; she died April
18, 1778. He married (second) in Brook-
lyn, Windham county, Connecticut, Octo-
ber 27, 1778, Elizabeth Troop. Issue ten
children, the fourth being Submit, men-
tioned below.
(VI) Submit Wheeler, daughter of
Jeremiah and Submit (Horton) Wheeler,
was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts.
February 17, 1760. She married, July 25.
1779, David Anthony, of Swansea, son of
Benjamin and Martha (Luther) Anthony.
Issue ten children, of whom their daugh-
ter, Keziah Anthony, married Israel (2)
Brayton. (See Anthony, Luther, Bray-
ton).
ANTHONY, David
This surname is of the baptizmal class,
signifying literally "the son of An-
thony ;" the "h" is intrusive. In the thir-
teenth century the name enjoyed a fair
degree of popularity in England, as the
name of the great hermit of the fourth
century, St. Anthony, later became the
patron of swineherds. As early as the
112
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Hundred Rolls the name is found with
frequency in records and registers.
Dr. Francis Anthony, progenitor of the
American Anthonys, was a physician of
no little note and prominence in London
toward the close of the sixteenth century.
His grandson, John Anthony, became the
founder of the Anthony family in Amer-
ica, and the head of a house which has
made a deep mark on the history of
American affairs. The Anthonys of New
England are a notable race, and have pro-
duced in many generations and branches
men who have been notable leaders in
almost every walk of life.
(I) Dr. Francis Anthony, born in Lon-
don, England, April i6, 1550, is the first
of the direct line of whom we have
authentic information. He was a very
learned physician and chemist. His
father was an eminent goldsmith in Lon-
don, and was employed in a post of great
responsibility in the jewel office during
the reign of Queen Elizabeth. After re-
ceiving the early portion of his education
at home under private tutors, Francis
Anthony entered Cambridge University,
about 1569, where he was graduated in
1574, taking the Master of Arts degree.
During this time he especially devoted
himself to the theory and practice of
chemistry, and continued the study after
graduation, leaving the University of
Cambridge at the age of forty years. He
gave to the world soon afterward a series
of publications embodying the results of
his chemical studies. His first treatise,
appearing in 1698, gave the merits of a
medicine compounded from the precious
metal gold. Moving to London, he com-
menced the practice of medicine without
license, and six months later was called
for by the president and censors of the
College of Physicians, in London, in 1600.
He was then disbarred from practice, but
disregarded their injunction, and was
Mass 11 — 8 I
fined five pounds and committed to
prison. A warrant of the lord chief jus-
tice released him, and he continued prac-
ticing, regardless of the college authori-
ties. He performed numerous cures of
distinguished persons, which brought him
not a little celebrity. Proceedings were
again threatened, but not carried through.
His chief practice grew up in the prescrip-
tion and sale of his famous secret remedy,
called "Aurum Potabile," or potable gold,
which he claimed was a cure for all dis-
eases. The college regarded him with
distrust, both because he practiced with-
out a license, and because he refused to
make public the formula for his remedy.
Dr. Anthony's career and the hostility of
the college to him illustrate the condition
of the medical profession in the seven-
teenth century in England, a time of
great popular ignorance. He gathered a
considerable fortune from his medicine,
and is thought to have been a man of con-
siderable intellectual attainments, excel-
lent character, and great generosity
toward the poorer classes. He died at
the age of seventy-three years, and was
buried in an aisle of the Church of St.
Bartholomew the Great, in London,
where a handsome monument was erected
with the following remarkable inscription
to his memory :
Sacred to the memory of the worthy and learned
Francis Anthony, Dr. of physick.
There needs no verse to beautify thy praise
Or keep in memory thy spotless name ;
Religion, virtue, and they skill did raise
A threefold pillar to thy lasting fame.
Though pois'nous envey ever sought to blame
Or hide the fruits of they intention;
Yet shall they commend that high design
Of purest gold to make a medicine,
That feel thy help by that thy rare invention.
Dr. Francis Anthony married twice, the
second time, Elizabeth Lante, of Trinity,
Menaries, London, widow of Thomas
Lante, at the Church of the Savoy, Mid-
13
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
dlesex, September 23, 1609. By his first
marriage he had children : John, Charles
Frances. Both sons became physicians,
Charles settling in Bedford, England.
The daughter, Frances, married Abraham
Vicars, of St. Olave, Old Jewry, London,
April 28, 1608.
(II) Dr. John Anthony, son of Dr.
Francis Anthony, was born in England,
in 1585, and died in 1655. He was gradu-
ated at Pembroke College with the de-
gree of Bachelor of Medicine, in 1613, and
in 1619 took the degree of Doctor of
Medicine. He was admitted licentiate of
the College of Physicians of London, in
1625. He served in the Civil War on the
parliamentary side, as surgeon to Colonel
Sandays. He was also an author, issuing
a devotional work, "The Comfort of the
Soul, laid down by way of Meditation."
In the British Museum is a small note
book bound with the coat-of-arms of
Charles I, belonging to him. His son.
John (2), born in Hampstead, England,
in 1607, was the American immigrant.
(HI) John. (2) Anthony, son of Dr
John (i) Anthony, was born in Hamp-
stead, England, in 1607, and died in 1675.
He resided for a time in the village of
Hampstead, near London, England, but
removed to come to America. He sailed
for New England in the barque, "Her-
cules," April 16, 1634. In 1640 he is
recorded in Portsmouth, Rhode Island,
where he was made a freeman, "14th 7
mo., 1640." He was made a corporal of
the military company, and had land
assigned to him at the "Wadding river,"
in 1644. He had authority granted to
him. May 25, 1655, to keep a house of
entertainment in Portsmouth. John An-
thony later rose to prominence in the
affairs of the community, and was ap-
pointed commissioner in 1661. From
1666 to 1672 he occupied the post of
deputy to the General Court. He mar-
ried Susanna Potter, who died in 1675.
Their children were: i. John, born in
1642. 2. Susanna, born in 1644. 3. Eliza-
beth, born in 1646. 4. Joseph, born in
1648. 5. Abraham, mentioned below.
(IV) Abraham Anthony, son of John
(2) and Susanna (Potter) Anthony, was
born in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in
1650, and died October 10, 1727. He was
made a freeman in 1672, and was deputy
much of the time between the years 1703
and 171 1, being speaker of the House of
Deputies in 1709-10. Like his father he
was a prominent figure in the life of early
Portsmouth. He married, December 26,
1671, Alice Wardwell, born February 10,
1650, daughter of William and Alice
Wardwell. They resided in Portsmouth,
where his wife died in 1734. Children:
I. John, born November 7, 1672. 2-3. Sus-
anna and Mary, twins, born August 29,
1674. 4. William, mentioned below. 5.
Susanna, born October 14, 1677. 6-7.
Mary and Amey, twins, born January 2,
1680. 8. Abraham, born April 21, 1682.
9. Thomas, born June 30, 1684. lo-ii.
Alice and James, twins, born January 22,
1686. 12. Amey, born June 30, 1688. 13.
Isaac, born April 10, 1690. 14. Jacob,
born November 15, 1693.
(V) William Anthony, son of Abra-
ham and Alice (Wardwell) Anthony, was
born October 31, 1675, in Portsmouth,
Rhode Island, and died December 28,
1744. He resided during the early part
of his life in Portsmouth, but later re-
moved to Swansea, Massachusetts. Wil-
liam Anthony married, March 14, 1694,
Mary Coggeshall, who was born Septem-
ber 18, 1675, daughter of John and Eliza-
beth (Timberlake) Coggeshall, of Ports-
mouth. She was a descendant of John
Coggeshall, founder of the family in
America, through his son, Major John
Coggeshall, who married Elizabeth Baul-
stone, and John, who married Elizabeth
114
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Timberlake. Children of William and
Mary (Coggeshall) Anthony: i. Wil-
liam, born May 14, 1695. 2. Abraham,
born September 29, 1696. 3. Elizabeth,
born May 2, 1698. 4. Mary, born Decem-
ber 8, 1699. 5. John, born September 12,
1702. 6. Alice, born May 22, 1705. 7-
Ann, born March 17, 1707. 8-9. John and
Amy, twins, born November 16, 1709.
ID. James, born November 9, 1712. 11.
Job, born April 10, 1714. 12. Benjamin,
mentioned below^. 13. Daniel, born May
19, 1720.
(VI) Benjamin Anthony, son of Wil-
liam and Mary (Coggeshall) Anthony,
was born June 10, 1716. He settled on a
farm in Somerset, Massachusetts. He
married Martha Luther, daughter of
Hezekiah and Martha (Gardner) Luther,
of Swansea, Massachusetts. (See Luther
IV). Children: i. Aber. 2. Peleg. 3.
Rufus. 4. Reuben. 5. Hezekiah. 6.
James. 7. Benjamin. 8. Luther. 9.
Caleb. 10. Nathan. 11. David, men-
tioned below.
(VII) David Anthony, son of Benja-
min and Martha (Luther) Anthony, was
born August 3, 1760. He married Submit
Wheeler, daughter of Jeremiah and Sub-
mit (Horton) Wheeler, of Rehoboth,
Massachusetts. (See Wheeler VI). Their
children were: i. Elizabeth. 2. Nathan.
3. David. 4. Hezekiah. 5. Elisha. 6.
Keziah, mentioned below. 7. Submit. 8.
Benjamin. 9. Mary B.
(VIII) Keziah Anthony, daughter of
David and Submit (Wheeler) Anthony,
was born in 1791, and died October 24,
1880, aged eighty-nine years. She mar-
ried, August 19, 1813, Israel Brayton, of
Somerset, Massachusetts. (See Brayton
VI).
WARDWELL, William
The watch tower and the watch hill
were institutions of primary importance
in the life of early England. Every
border town of any size and prominence
kept the "watch and ward," and had its
guardians of the life and peace of its in-
habitants. The institution was made
necessary by an age in which sudden
warfare, attack, wholesale pillage and
rapine, were the order of the day, and the
safety of a town or village depended upon
the haste with which it could summon
and prepare its defenders. The incur-
sions of the wild Scottish tribes of the
borderland were constant, and it was
along this boundary line that the "watch
and ward" flourished until a late date.
The surname of Wardwell originated in
this custom. The earliest ancestors of
the family came into England in the train
of the Conqueror, and attained great
prominence under that monarch, receiving
at his hands great estates under the feudal
system in Westmoreland. According to
the custom among the Norman nobles,
the first ancestor of the family assumed
the surname of Wardell, or Wardwell,
from an old watch tower or watch hill
which stood on his estate on the northern
borders of Westmoreland.
William Wardwell, the founder of the
American family, first appears in the
American colonies in the year 1634. Since
that time the family has been prominent
in life and affairs in New England. From
the earliest generations, intermarriages
with the proudest families of New Eng-
land have been frequent, and the present
Wardwells count their descent from
many notable patriots.
(I) William Wardwell, immigrant an-
cestor and founder of the American fam-
ily, was a native of England, whither he
emigrated to America early in the third
decade of the seventeenth century, and is
first of record in the New England colo-
nies in 1634. In that year his name ap-
pears on the records of the church at Bos-
115
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ton. He became a member there on Feb-
ruary 9, 1634, about a year after his
arrival in the town. William Wardwell,
at a later date, was one of those who with
their families were turned out of the old
Boston Second Church with Wheel-
wright, and accompanied him to Exeter,
New Hampshire, before going to Ipswich,
Massachusetts, where they finally settled.
William Wardwell returned to Boston,
however, where his first wife, Alice
Wardwell, was buried. He married (sec-
ond) Elizabeth, widow of John Gillet, or
Jillett, December 5, 1687. On January
12, 1643, he and ten others bought of
Miantonomi for 144 fathoms of wampum,
the tract of land called Shawomet (War-
wick). On September 12, 1643, he with
others of Warwick were notified to appear
at the General Court at Boston to hear
complaint of two Indian sachems, Pom-
ham and Soconocco, as to "some unjust
and injurious dealing toward them l)y
yourselves." The Warwick men declined
to obey the summons, declaring that they
were legal subjects of the King of Eng-
land and beyond the limits of the Massa-
chusetts territory, to whom they would
acknowledge no subjection. Soldiers
were soon sent who besieged the settlers
in a fortified house. In a parley it was not
said "that they held blasphemous errors
which they must repent of," or go to Bos-
ton for trial. On October 5, 1643, Wil-
liam Wardwell was at Portsmouth, where
he had a grant of ten acres. On Novem-
ber 3, of the same year, he was brought
with others before the court at Boston
charged with heresy and sedition. They
were sentenced to be confined during the
pleasure of the court, and should they
break jail or preach or speak against
church or state, on conviction, they
should die. Wardwell was sent to Water-
town, but not to prison, and remained at
large until the following March, when he
was banished both from Massachusetts
and Warwick. He thereupon returned to
Portsmouth. Most of his companions in
the trial sufifered close imprisonment for
several months. In 1655 he became a
freeman, and in 1656-63 was commis-
sioner. In 1664-65-66-67-69-70-72-73-74-
75-80-81-82-83-84-86, he served as deputy
from Portsmouth to the General Assem-
bly. On April 4, 1676, it was voted "that
in these troublesome times and straits in
this colony, this Assembly desiring to
have the advice and concurrence of the
most judicious inhabitants if it may be
had for the good of the whole, do desire
at their next sitting the company and
counsel of Mr. Benedict Arnold," and fif-
teen others, among whom was William
Wardwell. On May 5, 1680, he was ap-
pointed as a committee to put the laws
and acts of the colony "into such a
method that they may be put in print."
In 1684 he was chosen assistant, but re-
fused to accept the office. William Ward-
well died some time before May, 1693.
His will, which was dated September 8,
1692, was proved May 2, 1693. In it he
mentions his daughter Alice, mentioned
below. The will was recorded both at
Portsmouth and Taunton.
(II) Alice Wardwell, daughter of Wil-
liam Wardwell, was born February 10,
1650. On December 26, 1671, she mar-
ried Abraham Anthony, son of John and
Susanna (Potter) Anthony. After her
husband's death, October 10, 1727, she
removed to the home of her son, William
Anthony, and remained there until her
death in 1734. (See Anthony). They
had issue thirteen children, of whom their
fourth child, William Anthony, was the
father of Benjamin Anthony, who mar-
ried Martha Luther (see Luther), and
whose youngest child, David Anthony,
left a daughter, Keziah Anthony, who
married Israel Brayton. (See Brayton).
116
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
SLADE, Hon. William Lawton
The following is the heraldic descrip-
tion of the Slade arms :
Arms — Per fesse argent and sable a pale coun-
terchanged, and three horses' heads erased, two
and one, of the second, a chief ermine. Thereon
two bombs fired proper.
Crest — On a mount vert a horse's head erased
sable, encircled with a chain in form of an arch,
gold.
Motto — Fidus et audax. (Faithful and bold).
The Slade coat-of-arms as it was origi-
nally registered during the time of Queen
Elizabeth was :
Arms — Argent, three horses' heads sable, a chief
gules.
Crest — A horse's head erased, sable.
The Slade family of America is de-
scended from the lineage of that name in
England, distinguished ancestral lines of
which are discovered in Cornwall, Salop,
Dorset, Warwick, Somerset, Derby,
Huntingdon, Norwich, Oxford, Bedford,
and other counties. These county fam-
ilies were all offshoots of the ancient de
la Slades, mentioned in the Hundred
Rolls, and the arms borne by nearly all
the branches display a similarity of em-
blazonment which indicates their com-
mon ancestral root.
The Somersetshire lineage, as well as
the Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire
Slade, bore on their escutcheons :
Arms — Argent, three horses' heads erased sable,
and a chief gules. To this was added in the Bed-
fordshire house a crest.
Crest — A horse's head erased, sable.
The Cornwall branch of the Slades bore
similar arms slightly elaborated but bear-
ing the same three horses' heads (therein
termed nags), as follows:
Arms — Gules, a fesse between three nags' heads
coupled looking to the dexter, argent and maned
sable.
Crest — A lion guardant, erased, holding three
ostrich feathers proper.
The name of Slade itself signifies a
"small strip of green plain within a wood-
land ;" it is one of the most ancient of
surname designations existent in Eng-
land at the present day, and has under-
gone but slight differentiation in its
orthography in the many centuries of its
history. Upon the ancient records of
England is found (in addition to the origi-
nal or parent form of the name, Slade),
such compounds as Richard dela Wyt-
slade (of the white-slade) ; Michael de
Ocslade (the oak-slade) ; William de la
Morslade (of the Moorland-slade) ; and
Robert Greneslade (of the green-slade).
From the Slades of Somersetshire de-
rive the Slades of New England as well as
the line of Slade Baronets of England,
both descending from the ancient Slades
of that county, who were also very proba-
ably the ancestors of the Slades of Corn-
wall and Huntingdon. In County Corn-
wall, that branch of the lineage held for
many generations the manor of Treven-
nen, and they were, states Sir Bernard
Burke, noted English authority, "a family
of considerable antiquity and were cer-
tainly settled at Trevennen in the reign
of Elizabeth if not at a much earlier date."
As early as the reign of Richard III ap-
pears an amusing item in regard to one
Alianore Slade, of Somerset, who, states
the chronicle, was then "fine one penny,"
which sum, together with another penny
fine against another person, formed a
two-penny total "as the sole receipts of
the court for that twelve-month." —
(The Ancient Lineage)
(I) Nicholas de la Slade, of County
Somerset, appearing in the Parliamentary
Writs A. D. 1300. The ancient estates in
Somerset are indicated by the hamlet or
district formerly, in olden times, called
Slade ; thus we read in the Pedes Fimium,
commonly called "the Feet of Fines," for
117
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the county of Somerset, of the 31st Henry
III. (A. D. 1247-8), held at Westminster
in the. octave of St. John the Baptist, be-
tween Adam and Geofifrey de Cusington,
respecting several virgates of land in
Cusington; that Geoffrey conceded to
Adam, half a virgate and half an acre of
land "Whereof two acres and a half lye
in the tall ground on the Lusbell ;. * * *
and three * * * in * * * Slade."
(II) Henry de la Slade, mentioned in
the Parliamentary Writs A. D. 1327, and
then of Somersetshire.
(III) Nicholas (2) Slade, of Cusington,
County Somerset, living temp. Edward
III. and Richard II.; married Margareta
Leetes, daughter of Richard Leetes, of
Comberton.
(IV) Richard Slade, of Spetchley, Som-
erset, who dying about 1420, was suc-
ceeded by :
(V) Richard (2) Slade, of Bruton, who
married Agnes . He was suc-
ceeded by :
(VI) John Slade, of Spetchley; mar-
ried Christina Leweston, daughter of
John Leweston, of a distinguished family
of Dorset. His monument stands in
Spetchley Church and shows his arms
and those of his wife.
(VII) William Slade, of Bruton and
Taunton ; married Matilda Slade, daugh-
ter of Slade, of Taunton.
(VIII) William (2) Slade, of Somer-
set and Cornwall, in the Exchequer Depo-
sitions for Cornwall, in the 31st of Eliza-
beth's reign, appears a suit by Nicholas
Cortney against Richard Bennett, John
Slade and William Slade, upon a plea of
lands at Tremaynon and Goodorock.
(IX) Edward Slade, of Somerset, and
later of Northamptonshire, where he mar-
ried Alice , who was deceased be-
fore 1610.
(X) Edward (2) Slade, of Somerset,
and later of Penzance, Cornwall, and
Wales, but who returned to Somerset,
where he may have married again and
have been the Edward Slade who, Janu-
ary 14, 1663, married, at Taunton, Eliza-
beth Lisant.
(XI) William (3) Slade, believed to
have been born in Wales during his par-
ents' sojourn there, the founder of the
family.
Through this same ancient line
branched, it is believed, at some time dur-
ing its course, the Slades of Dorsetshire
and of Somersetshire, in the line of the
Baronets of the name in England at the
present day. Of the latter Baronet line
was :
Sir John Slade, First Baronet, born De-
cember 31, 1762; entered the military
service of England as Cornet in the loth
Hussars, 1780, and served in the Peninsu-
lar campaign under Sir John Moore, at
the battle of Corunna, and subsequently
under Duke of Wellington, from the year
1809 to 1813 inclusive, when he had com-
mand of a brigade of cavalry. He was
twice honored with the thanks of the
House of Commons. He also received
the gold medal and one clasp for Corunna
and Fuentes d'onor, where he had his
horse shot from under him, and the silver
war medal with two clasps for Sahagun
and Busaco. Sir John Slade was a gen-
eral in the army and a colonel of the Fifth
Regiment of Dragoon Guards. He was
one of the equerries to the Duke of Cum-
berland from the formation of His Royal
Highness' household in 1800. Created
Baronet 30th September, 1831. Married
(first), September 20, 1792, Anna Eliza
Dawson; married (second), June 17, 1822,
Matilda Ellen Dawson, daughter of
James Dawson, of Fork Hill, Armagh,
from whom have descended : Sir Fred-
erick William Slade, Second Baronet,
born January 21, 1801 ; married, Decem-
ber 23, 1822, Barbara Maria Brown,
118
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daughter of Charles Brown, of Mostyn,
Kiddington. Sir Alfred Frederic Adol-
phus Slade, Third Baronet, born May 28,
1834 ; married, September 6, i860, Mary
Constance Cuthbert, daughter of William
Cuthbert. Sir Cuthbert Slade, Fourth
Baronet, born April 10, 1863 ; married,
December 2, 1896, Kathleen Scovell,
daughter of Rowland Scovell. Sir Alfred
Fothringham Slade, Fifth Baronet, born
January 17, 1898, the present representa-
tive of the title.
Still another branch of the family was
distinguished and anciently landholding
in Huntingdonshire, where an ancient
pedigree gives :
Richard Slade de Huntingdon, Con-
siliarius ad Legem; married Elizabetha,
filia Joh'nes Spencer de Patenham in Bed-
fordshire. Issue: I. Thomas Slade de
Huntingdon, Consiliariiis ad Legem; mar-
ried Clayes Bellikin Clamp, uxor ejus.
Issue : Johanna, filia, oh. s. p.; Anna,
nupta Ambrosio Mason de Hemingford.
2. Robertus Slade de Elington, in County
Huntingdon. 3. Rosa, nupta Thomas
Spillwater de Leighton.
The Slades of Somersetshire may
rightly be considered the most distin-
guished of the lineage of Slade. They
were long conspicuous in the affairs of
the community ; in the parish of Bewdley,
Samuel Slade was several times mayor of
the town, and of much interest appears
an item in the year 1707 regarding the
charter of the corporation (i. e., borough)
of Bewdley, where, on discovering the
charter of James II. to be void (for, states
the historian, "the bailiff and burgesses
of Bewdley had surrendered their old
charter in 1684" * * * as "it is well
known that Charles II. and James II.
were very fond of granting new charters
to such corporations as could be per-
suaded to surrender their old ones." * *
* ), it was found that only one "capital
burgess, Mr. Slade," was alive, who had
acted under the ancient charter. Among
ecclesiastics who have derived their line-
age from this family were William Slade,
who, preceding the Reformation, was
"clerke" at the "Chauntrie at Estcoker,"
and later was in receipt of a pension of
five pounds, and, at a more modern
period, Rev. James Slade, incumbent of
Winsford (in the patronage of Emanuel
College, Cambridge) on the river Ex,
near Dulverton. There is also found, in
West Pennard Parish, County Somerset,
a charity school, endowed by Robert
Slade, Esq., with "ten pounds per annum
for teaching ten poor children to read;"
and among the lists of governors of Bath
Hospital appears John Slade, Esq., who
contributed a donation to the hospital.
Of the church foundation at Bruton,
Somerset, there are extant two valuations
of conventual property, the first, the
Taxatio Pope Nicholas I. of A. D. 1281,
made for the Crusades, and the second,
the Valor Ecclesiasticus of the 26th year,
temp. Henry VIII., in which latter we
find Giles Slade as the collector of the
monastery rents. This Giles Slade was of
Bruton Parish, Somerset, and was buried
there, January 17, 1562-63. His probable
son (or near kinsman) was John Slade,
M. A., Fellow of Magdalen College, Ox-
ford, who became a Fellow in 1544, and is
described in the College books as "ecom.
Somerset." He was Master of Magdalen
College School (founded in 1519), during
1548 and 1549, and on September 6, 1550,
the president and fellows of Magdalen
granted leave of absence for a half-year to
Mr. Slade "profecturo ad aperiendum Lu-
dum gramma ticalem pueris Brutonie."
Of his further history we learn that in
1559, he had ceased his connection with
Magdalen School, and he probably there-
after became involved in the political
troubles of the times, for he has been
119
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
identified by some writers as the same
John Slade who on the 30th of October,
1583, was executed at Winchester for
denying the Queen's supremacy. That
there have been members of the lineage
prominent also in the ranks of the "dis-
senters" or "Puritans" is shown by the
presence of Daniel Slade as elder of
the "Independent" Church of Bideford
in 1658. There have been likewise
many collateral lines established by
the Slades in Somersetshire. Particu-
larly is this true of the daughters of the
name. Katherine Slade, daughter of
Richard Slade, Esq., of Wotton Hall,
County Salop, proprietor of that estate,
united the name in marriage with the
ancient family of de Botevyle, and left a
numerous progeny. Elizabeth Slade mar-
ried Philip Sheldon, of an old county
family, and through this marriage eventu-
ally inherited a portion of the ancient
manor of Spetchley. This manor was, in
the reign of Edward IV., in the owner-
ship of "that most renowned father of the
laws," Sir Thomas Lyttleton (Littleton),
Knight of the Bath, through whom the
property passed for several generations
until the manor and lands were deeded to
Richard and Katherine Sheldon for
ninety-nine years at four pounds rent per
annum, the aforesaid Richard Sheldon
being a son of Daniel Sheldon, of Spetch-
ley, living temp. Henry VII., who mar-
ried Eleanor, daughter and co-heir of
John Grove, of Fordhall, Warwickshire,
and had issue: Baldwin, living 1502; and
Richard, living 1508, who married Kath-
erine, daughter of Thomas Littleton, and
sister and heir of William Littleton; the
said Richard having issue: Jane, who
married Anthony Atwood, of Park At-
wood ; Cicily, who married Robert
Gower; Walter; and Philip, who married
Elizabeth Slade, of Ruston, County
Derby. Subsequently, Philip Sheldon
and his wife Elizabeth (Slade) Sheldon
removed, to Dorsetshire, where they
acquired a large estate. The Sheldon
family was of Royalist sympathies, and
during the Parliamentary War, one of its
members was among those who sur-
rendered to Cromwell at the taking of
Worcester.
The Somersetshire estates of the Slades
were large and have a most interesting
history. Members of the lineage came
into possession of the ancient manor of
Murtock, in that township, the identical
lands which in Saxon times had been held
by Edith, Queen of Edward the Con-
fessor ; after the Conquest, King William
gave the same to his Norman follower,
Eustace, Earl of Bulloigne, in Picardy,
from whom it passed to the de Fieules,
progenitors of the Barons Dacre. In the
reign of Edward III., the manor was con-
fiscated to the Crown, and thereafter
given by the King to William de Monta-
cute. Earl of Sarum, down through whose
family line it descended until the attain-
der of Sir John de Montacute. Once
more restored to the Crown, it was
granted to John Beaufort, Marquis of
Dorset, and thence passed to Henry Staf-
ford, Duke of Buckingham, who being
attainted in 1483, the manor again re-
verted to the Crown. No further kingly
grants of the manor were made until the
reign of James I., when that monarch
presented it in fee to Lord Morly Mont-
eagle as a reward for his discovery of the
Gunpowder Plot in 1605. The vicissi-
tudes in the ownership of the manor at
last came to an end, when it was divided
and sold, Henry and John Slade, Esqrs.,
of Ash, acquiring a considerable portion
of the historic domain, and with that
family it now rests. A very interesting
description is given of the old manor
house on this estate: "The old mansion
house of the Fieules and Montacutes wa«
120
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
moated round, and the walls embattled
and crenellated. Its site occupied the
space of two acres. Nothing remains
thereof, save a double arched stone porch
over the moat, which served as the prin-
cipal entrance. In emptying the moat
some years ago there were found several
cannon shot, the offspring probably of
Cromwell, or some of his coadjutors."
Still another ancient manor held by the
Slades was that of North-Petherton,
originally a possession of the Norman
family of de Erleigh (de Erleia in the old
muniments of titles), and later given by
Edward VI., to John, Duke of Northum-
berland, and whence, after many changes,
it passed to the Slade family. Not far
from this estate is another possession of
the family, the estate of St. Michael's of
Michaelchurch, which is mentioned in
the Domesday Book: "Ansger holds
Michaelescerce. Alwi held it in the time
of King Edward, and gelded for half a
hide. The arable is one carucate. It was
formerly and is now worth five shillings."
(Liber Domesday). In process of time,
the Norman de Erleighs, lords of Pether-
ton and Durston, incorporated the lands
with their other possessions, and after
their enjoyment by the families of St.
Maur, Bampsylde and Stowell, it passed
to the Slades.
The history of these estates strikingly
illustrates the temporal character of
power of the early Norman barons ; both
they and their estates passed away, and
this is again portrayed by the estate of
Mansel, long in the Slade family, which,
according to the records of Somersetshire,
was for more than twenty generations in
the hands of the Mansel family, records
of whom hardly exist, and are now, as
states an old chronicle, "a. family of ob-
livion." Among other holdings of the
Slades are portions of the vast estates of
the Monastery at South Brent, dispersed
at the Reformation, the particular part
held by the Slades having been granted
to the Duke of Somerset, after whose
attainder it passed through various hands
until acquired by the Slades.
At the present date, the representatives
in England of the ancient Slade line ably
support the excellence of their family
station. Among others may be men-
tioned Major-General Sir John Ramsay
Slade, K. C. B., notable in the Diplomatic
Corps, and commander of the Order of
St. Maurice and St. Lazare, of Italy, and
a grand officer of the Order of the Crown
of Italy. He was a son of the equally
noted Lieutenant-General Marcus John
Slade, and was raised to the Baronetcy
in 1907. Still another well known mem-
ber of the family was the Rev. George
Fitzclarence Slade, eleventh son of the
first Baronet Slade, of Maunsell, whose
son, Admiral Sir Edmond John Warre
Slade, was a noted navy officer. The
Slade arms of the Maunsell line are:
Arms — Per fesse argent and sable a pale coun-
terchanged, and three horses' heads erased, two
and one, of the second, a chief ermine. Thereon
two bombs fired proper.
Crest — On a mount vert, a horse's head erased
sable, encircled with a chain in form of an arch,
gold.
Motto — Fidus et audax.
(The Family in America).
(I) William Slade, founder of the fam-
ily, is said to have been born in Wales,
and was the son of Edward Slade. The
family appears to have been but tempo-
rarily located in Wales. William Slade
is first of record in Newport, Rhode
Island, in 1659, when he was admitted a
freeman of the Colony. He later became
one of the early settlers of the Shawomet
purchase, which included that part of
Swansea, Massachusetts, which became
the town of Somerset in 1790. As early
as 1680, when the first record of the
121
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
town begins, Mr. Slade was a resident of
Swansea, and the meetings of the pro-
prietors were held at his house after their
discontinuance at Plymouth, in 1677. He
was a large landholder, his domain in-
cluding the ferry across the Taunton
which has ever been known as Slade's
Ferry. This ferry remained in possession
of the family until the river was bridged
in 1876, at which time it was operated by
William Lawton and Jonathan Slade.
William Slade married Sarah Holmes,
daughter of Rev. Obadiah Holmes, of
Rehoboth. (See Holmes II), Their chil-
dren were: i. Mary, born May, 1689. 2.
William, born in 1692, 3. Edward, men-
tioned below. 4. Elizabeth, born Decem-
ber 2, 1695. 5. Hannah, born July 15,
1697. 6. Martha, born February 27, 1699.
7. Sarah. 8. Phebe, born September 25,
1701. 9. Jonathan, born August 3, 1703,
died aged about eighteen. 10. Lydia,
born October 8, 1706; through her, Abra-
ham Lincoln traced descent.
(II) Edward Slade, son of William
and Sarah (Holmes) Slade, was born in
Swansea, Massachusetts, June 14, 1694.
He was a member of the Society of
Friends. He married (first), in 1717,
Elizabeth Anthony, who bore him one
son, William, born September 25, 1718.
He married (second), December 6, 1720,
Phebe Chase, daughter of Samuel and
Sarah (Sherman) Chase. (See Chase
IV). He married (third) Deborah Buf-
fum. The children of the second mar-
riage were: i. Samuel, mentioned be-
low. 2. Elizabeth, born April 29, 1723.
3. Joseph, born November 16, 1724. Chil-
dren of the third marriage : 4. Edward,
born November 11, 1728. 5. Philip, born
April 19, 1730. 6. Phebe, born July 4,
1737- 7- Mercy, born in 1744.
(III) Samuel Slade, son of Edward and
Phebe (Chase) Slade, was born Novem-
ber 26, 1721, in Swansea, where he lived
and received from his uncle. Captain Jon-
athan Slade (who died without issue),
the ferry previously alluded to as Slade's
Ferry. Besides conducting the ferry he
also engaged in agriculture and black-
smithing. He married Mercy Bufifum,
daughter of Jonathan and Mercy Buffum,
born July 3, 1723, in Salem, Massachu-
setts, died November 18, 1797, in Swan-
sea. (See Buffum). Children, all born
in Swansea: i. Jonathan, mentioned be-
low. 2. Robert, born October 7, 1746. 3.
Henry, born August 20, 1748. 4. Edward,
born September 27, 1749. 5. Samuel,
born January 20, 1753. 6. Caleb, born
June 24, 1755. 7. Buffum, born May 31,
1757. 8. William, born October 18, 1759.
9. Benjamin, born March 14, 1762.
(IV) Jonathan Slade, son of Samuel
and Mercy (Buffum) Slade, was born
August 12, 1744, in Swansea, Massachu-
setts. He passed his entire life there,
and died November 16, 181 1. He mar-
ried Mary Chase, daughter of Daniel and
Mary Chase, born 15th of 12th month,
1746, in Swansea, died there September
7, 1814. Children: i. Jonathan, born
loth of 2nd month, 1768, died 8th of 12th
month, 1797. 2. Mercy, born 30th of 6th
month. 1770. 3. Mary, born 15th of 4th
month, 1772. 4. Anna, born 20th of 1st
month, 1775, dis<i ^Qth of 5th month,
1805. 5. Patience, born 5th of 5th month,
1777, died 26th of loth month, 1798. 6.
William, mentioned below. 7. Nathan,
born loth of 2nd month, 1783. 8. Phebe,
born 15th of 5th month, 1785. 9. Han-
nah, born i8th of ist month, 1788, died
23rd of 5th month, 1805. 10. Lydia, born
3rd of 4th month, 1791, died 26th of loth
month, 1804.
(V) William (2) Slade, son of Jona-
than and Mary (Chase) Slade, was born
June 4, 1780, in Swansea, Massachusetts,
and resided in that part of the town which
later became Somerset, all his life. Here
122
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
all his children were born, and here he
died September 7, 1852. He was an influ-
ential and active citizen of the commu-
nity, and filled many offices of trust and
responsibility. In 1812 he was one of the
purchasers of the land on which was built
the Pocasset Company's mill, one of the
first two mills in what was then the tow
of Troy, now the city of Fall River.
These mills were the subsequent pioneers
in the cloth-making industry-, established
in 1813. Mr. Slade was one of the origi-
nal stockholders in the Fall River Manu-
factory, and in 1822 was one of the eight
corporators of the Pocasset Manufactur-
ing Company, which gave great impetus
to the cotton manufacturing industry of
Fall River. He was also an original pro-
prietor of the Watuppa Manufacturing
Company. In 1826 he began the opera-
tion of a horse boat at the ferry, and in
1846 adopted steam as a motive power.
William Slade married Phebe Lawton,
daughter of Dr. William and Abigail
(Farrington) Lawton, born August 21,
1781, in Newport, Rhode Island, died
March 18, 1874, in her ninety-third year.
(See Lawton). Children, all born in
Somerset: i. Abigail L., born January
22, 1809. 2. Lydia Ann, born September
17, 181 1. 3. Amanda, born December 2
1813. 4. Jonathan, born September 23,
1815. 5. William Lawton, mentioned be-
low. 6. David, born September 4, 1819.
7. Mary, born September 30, 1821.
(VI) Hon. William Lawton Slade, son
of William (2) and Phebe (Lawton)
Slade, was born September 6, 1817, in
Somerset, Massachusetts. He was reared
upon the homestead farm, attending the
common schools of the section and later
the Friends' School at Providence. He
continued to operate the ferry, and was
an extensive farmer, acquiring in his life-
time several fine farms. In 1871 he pur-
chased the ferry property of the Bright-
mans, lying on the east side of Taunton
river, and in company with his brother,
Jonathan Slade, was the last to operate
the ferry which had been in the family
more than two centuries, and was discon-
tinued on the construction of the bridge
in 1876.
He early became interested in the
manufacturing concerns of Fall River,
and was a member of the first board of
directors, and later, president of the Mon-
taup Mills Company, organized in 1871
for the manufacture of duck and cotton
bags, then a new industry in Fall River.
He was one of the promoters in 1871 of the
Slade mill, the first of a group of factories
erected in the southern district of the city
built on a Slade farm, of which he was
director and president. He was also a
member of the board of directors of the
Stafiford Mills, and held stock in several
other manufacturing enterprises of Fall
River. In i860 he was made a director
of what subsequently became the Fall
River National Bank.
For many years he served as a select-
man of the town of Somerset, his long
continuance in this office testifying to his
efficiency. In 1859 and again in 1864 he
represented the town of Somerset in the
General Assembly of the State, and was
a member of the committee on agricul-
ture during his first term, and on public
charitable institutions in his second. He
was a member of the committee of
arrangements for the burial of Senator
Charles Sumner. In 1863 he was a mem-
ber of the Massachusetts Senate, in which
body he served as a member of the com-
mittee on agriculture. His political affili-
ations were with the Republican party ;
though not an office seeker, he accepted
public office as a part of his duty as a
good citizen. He was often called upon
to engage in the settlement of estates and
served as a commissioner for that pur-
123
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
pose. In him the cause of temperance
ever found a staunch and energetic sup-
porter. He was a lifelong member of the
Society of Friends.
Mr. Slade died July 29, 1895, and two
days later the board of directors of the
Slade Mill paid the following tribute to
him as a man and as an executive :
William Lawton Slade was one of the origi-
nators of this company, and has been its president
since the date of its incorporation in 1871. He
has always identified himself with its interests,
and its welfare has been his constant care. He
gave freely of his time and thought to the busi-
ness of the corporation. Every subject presented
to his attention received from him calm considera-
tion and mature deliberation, and his judgment
was universally respected. He was broad in his
views, far-seeking in his suggestions, and looked
not alone to the present, but to the future.
He was a man of noble presence, high character,
sound judgment, and unswerving integrity. He
was pleasant in his manner, and was universally
esteemed and respected.
This corporation has lost in him a firm friend,
a wise counsellor and a sagacious advisor, and its
directors, each and every one, feel a keen sense
of personal bereavement.
It is resolved that we attend his funeral in a
body and that copies of this record be furnished
to his family and for publication.
Henry S. Fenner, Clerk.
Mr. Slade married, October 5, 1842,
Mary Sherman, daughter of Asa and Eliz-
abeth (Mitchell) Sherman, of Ports-
mouth, Rhode Island. (See Sherman
VI). She was born September 16, 1815,
in Portsmouth, and died March 29, 1900,
in Somerset, Massachusetts. Children:
1. Caroline Elizabeth, mentioned below.
2. Abigail L., born March 15, 1848; mar-
ried James T. Milne; died November 5,
1872. 3. Mary, born July 12, 1852, died
August 15, 1877; married Velona W.
Haughwout, and left three children:
Mary, Alice and Elizabeth; of these,
Mary and Elizabeth died in young
womanhood, and Alice is the wife of
Preston C. West, and resides in Sas-
katchewan, Canada. 4. Sarah Sherman,
died young. 5. Anna Mitchell, died
young.
(VII) Caroline Elizabeth Slade, eldest
child of Hon. William Lawton and Mary
(Sherman) Slade, was born January 3,
1846, in Somerset, Massachusetts, and be-
came the wife of the late Hezekiah An-
thony Brayton, of Fall River. (See Bray-
ton VII).
HOLMES, Rev. Obadiah
Rev. Obadiah Holmes, immigrant an-
cestor and progenitor of this family in
America, was born in Preston, Lanca-
shire, England, about the year 1606. Of
his early life we have been unable to
obtain any information. He came to this
country about the year 1639, and settled
first in Salem, Massachusetts, and then in
Rehoboth, where he resided eleven years.
While living here he became a convert to
the distinctive views of the Baptists, and
was especially strenuous in rejecting
infant baptism, and in maintaining the
doctrine of "soul liberty." He became a
member of the Baptist church of New-
port, of which Dr. John Clarke was the
pastor, and in July, 165 1, was the com-
panion of his minister in the visit to
Lynn, Massachusetts, which brought
such horrible consequences upon him. He
was fined thirty pounds by the magis-
trates of Boston for his part in the affair.
The alternative was the payment of the
fine or to be publicly whipped. The fines
of Dr. Clarke and his companion, Mr.
Crandall, were provided for, but that of
Mr. Holmes was not paid. He was kept
in prison until September, 1651, when he
underwent the cruel penalty of the sen-
tence which had been pronounced against
him. According to the testimony of Gov-
ernor Joseph Jenks, he "was whipped
thirty stripes, and in such an unmerciful
manner that, in many days, if not some
124
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
weeks, he would take no rest but as he
lay upon his knees and elbows, not being
able to suffer any part of his body to
touch the bed whereon he lay." On re-
covering- he removed from Rehoboth to
Newport, and there assumed the pastor-
ship of Dr. Clarke's church during the
latter's absence in England. His connec-
tion with the church as pastor and as
assistant to Dr. Clarke on his return from
England, continued until 1682, when he
died at the advanced age of seventy-six
years. He was buried in a grave on his
own property, over which a monument
with suitable mscription was later raised
to his memory.
Holmes Arms — Barry, wavy of six, or and
azure, on a canton, gules, a lion passant of the
first.
Crest — Out of a naval crown, or, a dexter arm
embowed in armor, holding a trident, proper, spear
gold.
Motto — Justum et tenacem propositi.
(H) Sarah Holmes, daughter of Rev.
Obadiah and Katherine (Hyde) Holmes,
became the wife of William Slade. (See
Slade I).
(II) Lydia Holmes, daughter of Rev.
Obadiah and Katherine (Hyde) Holmes,
became the wife of Major John Bowne.
Through them was descended the Martyr
President, Abraham Lincoln, in the fol-
lowing line: (HI) Richard and Sarah
(Bowne) Salter. (IV) Mordecai and
Hannah (Salter) Lincoln. (V) John and
Rebecca ( ) Lincoln. (VI) Cap-
tain Abraham and Bathsheba (Her-
ring) Lincoln. (VII) Thomas and Nancy
(Hanks) Lincoln. (VIII) Abraham Lin-
coln.
Lincoln Arms — Argent, a lion rampant proper.
(The Chase Line).
The surname Chase is of ancient
French origin, and had its source in the
French verb, chaser, to hunt. In the
intermingling of the Anglo-Saxon and
Norman-French tongues, the word chase
was adopted in its original meaning, and
later came to be applied to that part of
a forest or park termed the chase, an open
piece of ground for the herding of deer and
other game. Residents near these large
deer enclosures, of which every knight
or noble had at least one under the Feudal
regime, adopted the name Chase as a sur-
name, when the custom spread to the
middle classes. Chase families had be-
fore this date, however, wielded large
power among the landed gentry and
nobility. The ancestral seat of the Ameri-
can branch of the ancient English family
was at Chesham, Buckinghamshire,
through which passes the river Chess.
Several immigrants of the name were in
the New England colonies in the first half
of the seventeenth century. Their prog-
eny is large and prominent, and is to-day
found in every part of the United States.
One of the most notable descendants of
the early Chase family was the Hon.
Salmon Portland Chase, Secretary of the
Treasury under President Lincoln, and
successor of Judge Roger B. Taney as
chief justice of the Supreme Court of the
United States.
(I) William Chase, immigrant ances-
tor and founder of the line herein under
consideration, was born in England, and
came to America in the year 1630 in com-
pany with John Winthrop. Thomas and
Aquila Chase, who settled in Hampton,
New Hampshire, in 1639, were brothers,
and are thought by many authorities to
have been cousins of William Chase, the
first comer. The record of Rev. John
Eliot, the Indian Apostle, of "such as ad-
joined themselves to this church," the
first church of Roxbury, has this entry:
"William Chase, he came with the first
company, bringing with him his wife
Mary and his son William." "He later
had a daughter which they named Mary,
125
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
born about the middle of 3rd month 1637, children became affiliated with the doc-
after which date he removed to Scituate,
but went with a company who made a
new plantation at Yarmouth." On Octo-
ber 19, 1630, William Chase applied for
admission as a freeman in Roxbury,
where he subsequently became a town
officer. In 1634 he was made a freeman
in Boston. In 1639 he was constable in
Yarmouth, Massachusetts, whither he
had removed the year previous, and
where he died. His will, proved May 13,
1659, ^^^ dated May 4th of that year,
and the court ordered Robert Dennis to
divide the estate as he ordered. Benja-
min, his son, received the third part. In
October, 1659, his widow Mary was found
dead, and a coroner's inquest decided that
she had died a natural death. In 1645
William Chase served against the Narra-
gansett Indians. In 1643, ^^s name as
well as that of his son appears on the list
of males able to bear arms, between the
ages of sixteen and sixty. In 1645 he was
a drummer in Myles Standish's companv
that went to the banks opposite Provi-
dence.
(II) William (2) Chase, son of Wil-
liam (i) and Mary Chase, was born in
England about 1623, and accompanied his
parents to America in 1630, at the age of
about seven years. In 1638 he removed
with his father's family to Yarmouth,
where he resided during the remainder
of his life, and where he died on Febru-
ary 27, 1685. His home was near the
Herring river in the vicinity of what was
later known as Denniss or Harwich. The
records of his activities have nearly all
been lost through the total destruction of
the records of the town of Yarmouth by
fire. In 1643 he was enrolled as able to
bear arms, and in 1645 saw service, and
was in Captain Myles Standish's com-
pany "that went to the banks opposite
Providence." Many of his large family of
trines of the Society of Friends, subse-
quently removing to Portsmouth, Rhode
Island, and to Swansea, Massachusetts.
(III) Samuel Chase, son of William
(2) Chase, was born in Yarmouth, Mas-
sachusetts. He married, in 1699, Sarah
Sherman, daughter of Samuel and Martha
(Tripp) Sherman. He was a prosperous
farmer and large landholder in Yarmouth
(IV) Phebe Chase, daughter of Sam-
uel and Sarah (Sherman) Chase, was
born January 22, 1700. She married, De-
cember 6, 1720, Edward Slade, son of
William and Sarah (Holmes) Slade.
(See Slade II).
(The Buffum Line).
(I) Robert Buffum, immigrant ances-
tor and progenitor of a family which has
been continuous and prominent in New
England for more than two hundred and
seventy years, was born in Yorkshire or
Devonshire, England, and was in Salem,
Massachusetts, as early as the year 1638.
He was a yeoman and to some extent a
trader. All the family, except Robert
Buffum, through sympathy with the
Quakers who were then being persecuted,
became Quakers themselves. On one
occasion Deborah Buffum, youngest
daughter of the founder, through great
religious fervor and excitement, removed
nearly all of her clothing, and marched
through the streets of Salem, proclaim-
ing that she was bearing testimony
against the nakedness of the world. She
was later tried and condemned to walk
through the streets of Salem, in the same
manner, at the "tail end" of a cart, accom-
panied by her mother.
Robert Buffum was a husbandman by
principal occupation, and the trade he
carried on was the sale of garden seeds,
which was continued by his widow after
his death. She, Tamosin Buffum, was
126
JiNCOLN
j§l|frtnan
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
appointed to administer the estate, which
was inventoried at two hundred and sev-
enty pounds. He made a will disposing
of his worldly estate in manner prescribed
by law, but when it was offered for pro-
bate the subscribing witnesses, being
Friends, would only affirm, and not swear
"on the book," hence the instrument was
refused probate by the court. Robert
Buffum died in 1669, and his wife, who
was born in 1606, died in 1688. They
were the parents of the following chil-
dren : I. Joseph, born in 1635 ; on account
of sympathy with the Quakers he was
banished from the colony, and returning
to England laid his case before the King,
who ordered the Salem authorities to take
him back, and it is a fact worthy of note
that the first Quaker meeting held in
New England was later held at his house ;
he married Damaris Pope. 2. Lydia, born
in 1644; married (first) John Hills; (sec-
ond) George Locker. 3. Margaret, mar-
ried John Smith. 4. Sarah, married Wil-
liam Beane. 5. Mary, born in 1648; mar-
ried Jeremiah Beale. 6. Caleb, mentioned
below. 7. Deborah, married Robert Wil-
son.
(II) Caleb Buffum, son of Robert and
Tamosin Buffum, was born in Salem,
Massachusetts, July 29, 1650, and died
in 1731. He and his brother Joseph were
executors of their mother's will, which
was proved June 19, 1688. Under the
will Caleb Buffum received two acres of
meadow and a great pewter basin. He
married, March 26, 1672, Hannah Pope,
who was born about 1648, daughter of
Joseph and Gertrude Pope. Their chil-
dren were: i. Caleb, born May 14, 1673.
2. Robert, born December i, 1675. 3.
Jonathan, mentioned below. 4. Benja-
min. 5. Hannah. 6. Tamosin.
(III) Jonathan Buffum, son of Caleb
and Hannah (Pope) Buffum, was born
about 1677. He married Mercy ,
and they were the parents of several chil-
dren, among whom the following are re-
corded: I. Jonathan, born December 8,
1713, died young. 2. Deborah, born Feb-
ruary I, 1716-17. 3. Jonathan, born Sep-
tember 16, 1719. 4. Mercy, mentioned
below. There were probably others, but
no record of them can be found.
(IV) Mercy Buffum, daughter of Jon-
athan and Mercy Buffum, was born July
3, 1723, in Salem, Massachusetts, and
died November 18, 1797, in Swansea,
Massachusetts. She married Samuel
Slade. (See Slade III).
SHERMAN, Asa
The following is an heraldic descrip-
tion of the coat-of-arms of the Shermans
of Yaxley, County Suffolk, given under
Henry VII. to Thomas Sherman :
Arms — Or, a lion rampant, sable, between three
oak leaves vert.
Crest — A sea lion, sejant, sable, charged on the
shoulder with three bezants, two and one.
Motto — Mortem vince virtute.
Of the London Shermans, descendants
of the Yaxley house :
Arms — Same arms. An annulet for difference.
Crest — ^A sea lion, sejant, per pale, or and ar-
gent, guttee-de-poix, finned, of the first, gold, on
the shoulder a crescent for difference.
Of Ipswich, County Suffolk ; brother of
Thomas Sherman, of Yaxley:
Arms — Azure, a pelican or, vulning her breast
proper.
Crest — A sea lion, sejant, per pale, or and ar-
gent, guttee-de-poix, finned, gold.
The surname of Sherman in England
is of German origin, and at the present
time in Germany and adjacent countries
the name is found spelled Schurman,
Schearman, and Scherman. It is derived
from the occupation of some progenitor
who was a dresser or shearer of cloth.
The family bore arms, and probably lived
127
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
in the County of Suffolk until the fif-
teenth century, when branches were
established in Essex. The name is found
in England as early as 1420, and through
wills and other documents is traced as
follows :
(I) Thomas Sherman, Gentleman, was
born about 1420, and resided in Diss and
Yaxley, England, dying in 1493. He had
a wife Agnes, and a son, John.
(II) John Sherman, Gentleman, born
about 1450, died November, 1504. He
was of Yaxley. He married Agnes Ful-
len, daughter of Thomas Fullen. They
had a son Thomas.
(III) Thomas (2) Sherman, son of
John and Agnes (Fullen) Sherman, was
born about 1480, and died in November,
1551. He resided in Diss, on the river
Waveney, between the counties of Nor-
folk and Suffolk. His will mentions
property including the manors of Roy-
den and Royden Tuft, with appurte-
nances, at Royden and Bessingham, and
other properties in Norfolk and Suffolk.
His wife, Jane, who was probably not his
first, was a daughter of John Waller, of
Wortham, Suffolk. Children: i. Thomas.
2. Richard. 3. John. 4. Henry, mentioned
below. 5. William. 6. Anthony. 7.
Francis. 8. Bartholomew. 9. James.
(IV) Henry Sherman, son of Thomas
(2) and Jane (Waller) Sherman, was
born about 1530, in Yaxley, and is men-
tioned in his father's will. His will, made
January 20, 1589, proved July 25, 1590,
was made at Colchester, where he lived.
His first wife, Agnes (Butler) Sherman,
was buried October 14, 1580, He mar-
ried (second) Margery Wilson, a widow,
("hildren: i. Henry, mentioned below.
2. Edmund, married Anna Clere, died
1601 ; his son Edmund was the father of
Rev. John Sherman, of New Haven, Con-
lecticut, where Edmund died in 1641. 3.
Dr. Robert, of London. 4. Judith, mar-
ried Nicholas Fynce. 5. John, died with-
out issue.
(V) Henry (2) Sherman, son of Henry
(i) Sherman, was born about 1555, in Col-
chester, and resided in Dedham, County
Essex, England, where he made his will,
August 21, 1610. It was proved on Sep-
tember 8th following. He married Susan
Hills, whose will was made ten days after
his, and proved in the following month.
Six of the sons mentioned below were liv-
ing when the father died. Children; i.
Henry, born 1571, died in 1642. 2. Sam-
uel, mentioned below. 3. Susan, born in
1575. 4. Edmund, or Edward, born about
1577- 5- Nathaniel, born 158 — , died
young. 6. Nathaniel, born in 1582. 7.
Elizabeth, born about 1587. 8. Ezekiel,
born July 25, 1589. 9. Mary, born July
27, 1592. 10. Daniel, died in 1634. 11.
Anne, married Thomas Wilson. 12.
Phebe, married Simeon Fenn.
(VI) Samuel Sherman, son of Henry
(2) and Susan (Hills) Sherman, was born
1572, and died in Dedham, England, in
1615. He married Philippa Ward.
(The Shermans in America).
(I) Philip Sherman, immigrant ances-
tor and progenitor of the American
branch of the Shermans, was the seventh
child of Samuel and Philippa (Ward)
Sherman, and was born February 5. 1610,
in Dedham, England. He died in March,
1687, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He
came to America when twenty-three
years old, and settled in Roxbury, Massa-
chusetts. Here he was made a freeman,
May 14, 1634, standing next on the list
after Governor Haynes. In 1635 he re-
turned to England, remaining a short time,
but was again in Roxbury, November 20,
1637, when he and others were warned to
give up all arms because "the opinions
and revelations of Mr. Wheelwright and
Mrs. Hutchinson have seduced and led
128
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
into dangerous errors many of the people
here in New England." The church rec-
ord says that he was brought over to
"Familism" by Porter, his wife's step-
father.
In 1636 he was one of the purchasers
of the Island of Aquidneck, now Rhode
Island, and on the formation of a govern-
ment, became secretary under Governor
William Coddington. The Massachusetts
authorities evidently believed he was still
under their jurisdiction, for, on March 12,
1638, though he had summons to appear
at the next court "to answer such things
as shall be objected," he did not answer
this summons, but continued to be a
prominent figure in Rhode Island affairs.
He continued to serve in public office,
and was made a freeman March 16, 1641 ;
general recorder from 1648 to 1652, and
deputy from 1665 to 1667. He was among
the sixteen persons who were requested,
on April 4, 1676, to be present at the next
meeting of the deputies to give advice and
help in regard to the Narragansett cam-
paign. He was public-spirited and enter-
prising, a man of substance and evidently
of considerable influence in local affairs.
After his removal to Rhode Island he left
the Congregational church and became a
member of the Society of Friends. Tra-
dition affirms that he was "a devout but
determined man." The early records pre-
pared by him still remain in Portsmouth,
and show him to have been a very neat
and expert penman, as well as an edu-
cated man. His will shows that he was
wealthy for the times. In 1634 he mar-
ried Sarah Odding, stepdaughter of John
Porter, of Roxbury, and his wife Mar-
garet, who was a Widow Odding at the
time of her marriage to John Porter.
Philip Sherman's children: i. Eber.
born in 1634, lived in Kingstown, Rhode
Island; died in 1706. 2. Sarah, born in
1636, married Thomas Mumford. 3.
Mass 11 — 9
Peleg, born in 1638, died 1719, in Kings-
town, Rhode Island. 4. Mary, born 1639,
died young. 5. Edmond, born 1641 ; lived
in Portsmouth and Dartmouth ; died in
1719. 6. Samson, mentioned below. 7.
William, born 1643, ^^^^ young. 8. John,
born 1644; a farmer and blacksmith in
what is now South Dartmouth ; died April
16, 1734. 9. Mary, born 1645 > married
Samuel Wilbur. 10. Hannah, born 1647 '■>
married William Chase. 11. Samuel,
born 1648 ; lived in Portsmouth ; died
October 9, 1717. 12. Benjamin, born
1650; lived in Portsmouth. 13. Philippa
born October i, 1652; married Benjamin
Chase.
(II) Samson Sherman, son of Philip
and Sarah (Odding) Sherman, was born
in 1642, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island,
where he passed his life, and died June
27, 1718. He married, March 4, 1675,
Isabel Tripp, born in 165 1, daughter of
John and Mary (Paine) Tripp. (See
Tripp and Paine). She died in 1716.
Children: i. Philip, born January 16.
1676. 2. Sarah, born September 4, 1677.
3. Alice, born January 12, 1680. 4. Sam-
son, born January 28, 1682. 5. Abiel, born
October 15, 1683. 6. Isabel, born 1686.
7. Job, mentioned below.
(III) Job Sherman, son of Samson and
Isabel (Tripp) Sherman, was born No-
vember 8, 1687, in Portsmouth, and died
there November 16, 1747. He married
(first), December 23, 1714, Bridget Gardi-
ner, of Kingstown, and (second), in 1732,
Amie Spencer, of East Greenwich, Rhode
Island. Children of the first marriage :
I. Philip, born October 12, 1715. 2. Israel,
born October 31, 1717. 3. Mary, born
January 16, 1719. 4. Job, born May 2,
1722. 5. Bridget, born May 7, 1724. 6.
Sarah, born October 29, 1726. 7. Alice,
born April 25, 1728. 8. Mary, born Octo-
ber 13, 1730. Children of the second mar-
riage. 9. Amie, born May 27, 1734. 10.
129
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Benjamin, born September 14. 1735. 11.
Samson (2), mentioned below. 12. Martha
born November 28, 1738. 13. Walter,
born August 20, 1740. 14. Dorcas, born
November 2, 1742. 15. Abigail, born Sep-
tember 10, 1744.
(IV) Samson (2) Sherman, son of Job
and Amie (Spencer) Sherman, was born
July 23, 1737, in Portsmouth, Rhode
Island, where he spent his life, engaged
in agriculture and died January 24, 1801.
He married, December 9, 1761, Ruth
Fish, daughter of David and Jemima
(Tallman) Fish, of Portsmouth. Chil-
dren: I. Walter, born April 4, 1763;
married Rebecca Anthony, of Ports-
mouth. 2. Amy, born January 6, 1764;
married Daniel Anthony, of Portsmouth.
3. Job, born January 21, 1766; married
Alice Anthony. 4. Susanna, born Octo-
ber 19, 1767; married Peleg Almy, of
Portsmouth. 5. Hannah, born January
2y, 1769; married Jonathan Dennis, of
Portsmouth. 6. Anne, born November
19, 1770; married Nathan Chase, of Ports-
mouth. 7. David, born June, 1772; mar-
ried Waite Sherman, of Portsmouth. 8.
Ruth, born October 21, 1773, ^^^^ ^" '""
fancy. 9. Ruth, born February 20, 1778;
married Obadiah David, of New Bedford,
Massachusetts. 10. Asa, mentioned be-
low. II. Abigail, born April 2, 1782 ; mar-
ried Abram David, of Fairhaven, Massa-
chusetts. 12. Mary, born November 18,
1783; married David Shove, of Berkley,
Massachusetts.
(V) Asa Sherman, son of Samson (2)
and Ruth (Fish) Sherman, was born De-
cember 22, 1779, in Portsmouth, and died
in Fall River, December 29, 1863. His
remains were interred in the Friends'
Cemeter}^ Portsmouth. He was a birth-
right member of the Society of Friends,
was a farmer and landowner in Ports-
mouth. He married, at Friends' Meet-
ing, in Newport, November 11, 1805, Eliz-
abeth Mitchell, born October 17, 1782, in
Middletown, Rhode Island, daughter of
Richard and Joanna (Lawton) Mitchell.
(See Mitchell VII). Children: i. Ruth,
born November 21, 1806. 2. Joanna, born
July 30, 1808, died in Fall River, Septem-
ber 9, 1863. 3. Sarah, born February 30,
1810; married, November 20, 1839, Abner
Slade, of Swansea, Massachusetts. 4.
Amy, born September 16, 1811 ; married,
October 21, 1839, Mark Anthony, of
Taunton, Massachusetts. 5. Richard
Mitchell, born September 16, 1813. 6.
Mary, mentioned below. 7. Asa, born
December 23, 1817. 8. Daniel, born June
25, 1820. 9. William, born April 19, 1823.
10. Annie, born July 17, 1826, died in Fall
River, January 15, 1849.
(VI) Mary Sherman, fifth daughter of
Asa and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Sherman,
was born September 16, 1815, in Ports-
mouth, Rhode Island. She married,
October 5, 1842, Hon. William Lawton
Slade, of Somerset, Massachusetts. (See
Slade VI).
(The Paine Line).
For the origin of the surname Paine we
must trace far beyond the opening of the
surname period into the Graeco-Roman
civilization. In the classical Latin of
Tacitus "paganus" (from which Payne
and Paine were ultimately evolved) is
frequently found in contradistinction to
miles or armatus, where comparison is
made between a regular enrolled soldier
(armatus) and the raw half-armed rustics
who sometimes formed a rude militia in
Roman wars, or, more widely, between
a soldier and a civilian. Paganus retained
its original significance, although this
was lost sight of during the ages which
followed the introduction of Christianity.
The name meant literally in the begin-
ning, a villager, the resident of a pagus, a
canton, country district or commune. In
130
~ ^ St^tja^-
IJall .liiiis — Argent, tlirte talbots" liea(l> era^id sabk, between nine cio>5
crosslets azure.
Crest — -A dragon's head couped azure, collared argent.
Paine Arms — Paly. of six argent and vert, on a chief azure three garbs or.
Crest — A Hon rampant proper, supporting a wheat sheaf or.
Tripp Arms — Gules, a chevron between three nags" In-ads erased or, bridled
sable.
Crest — .An eagle's bjead gules, issuing out of rays or.
Pish Arms—Azwvt, a fesse wavy or, between two crescents in chief, and a
dolphin embowed in base, argent.
Crest — On a rock proper a stork ermine, beaked and legged gules, charged on
the breast with an increscent of the last.
Tallinaii (Talman) Arms— CjX\\qs, a chevron, in chiet two daggers, points
downward, in base a sword, point upwards, or.
Crest — An arm embowed in armor proper, h.clding a battle axe.
Motto — Iti fide et in hello fortis.
Plasard Anns-— Azur^, a garb or.
Crest — On the'topbf'an anchor in the sea, a dove iwldlng in the beak an olive
branch proper.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
its early application paganus was used by
the Christian church to denote those who
refused to believe in the one true God. It
has long been accepted that the applica-
tion of the name paganus, villager, to
non-Christians was due to the fact that
it was in the rural districts that the old
faiths lingered longest.
The English form comes to us through
the French Pagan or Payan, a country-
man. This was a favorite fontname in the
twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth cen-
turies, which would account for its great
popularity as a surname. Payan and
Payn came into England with the Nor-
man Conquest. The following verse from
Chaucer illustrates the use of the word :
The Constable and Dame Hermegile, his wife,
Were payenes and that country everywhere.
— Man of Lowes Tale.
Arms — Paly of six argent and vert, on a chief
azure three garbs or.
Crest — A lion rampant proper, supporting a
wheat sheaf or.
There were several immigrants of the
name in the New England colonies before
the close of the seventeenth century, the
majority of whom became the founders
of families which have left the impress
of the name on the history of the commu-
nities in which they settled. The Rhode
Island family comprises the descendants
of Anthony Paine, who was among the
earliest settlers of the town of Ports-
mouth.
(I) Anthony Paine, immigrant ances-
tor and progenitor, was a native of Eng-
land. He is first of record in the Ameri-
can colonies in 1638, when he is recorded
as an inhabitant of Portsmouth, Rhode
Island. On April 30, 1639, he was one
of the twenty-nine signers of the follow-
ing compact for a form of civil govern-
ment for Portsmouth : "We whose names
are underwritten, do acknowledge our-
selves the legal subjects of His Majesty,
King Charles, and in his name do hereby
bind ourselves into a civil body politic,
unto his laws according to matters of jus-
tice." On November 10, 1643, he entered
into an agreement with Rose Grinnell,
prior to their marriage, that upon the
death of either, the property of the one
deceased should go to the children of that
person. Anthony Paine died in 1650; his
will bears the date. May 6, 1649. He was
twice married. His first wife died before
1643, i^ which year he married (second)
Rose Grinnell, daughter of Matthew Grin-
nell ; she later married James Weeden.
and died some time after 1673.
(II) Mary Paine, daughter of Anthony
Paine, became the wife of John Tripp, of
Portsmouth, Rhode Island. She survived
her husband, and married (second), April
4, 1683, Benjamin Engell, and died Feb-
ruary 12, 1687. From Mary (Paine)
Tripp the line descends to Caroline E.
(Slade) Brayton, through her son, James
Tripp, and her daughters Elizabeth and
Isabel Tripp.
(The Line Throug^h James Tripp).
(III) James Tripp, son of John and
Mary (Paine) Tripp, married Mercy
Lawton, daughter of George and Eliza-
beth (Hazard) Lawton.
(IV) Elizabeth Tripp, daughter of
James and Mercy (Lawton) Tripp, be-
came the wife of Richard Mitchell,
founder of the Mitchell family in Rhode
Island. (See Mitchell I).
(V) James Mitchell, son of Richard
and Elizabeth (Tripp) Mitchell, married
Anna Folger, daughter of Jethro and
Mary (Starbuck) Folger. (See Folger
V).
(VI) Richard Mitchell, son of James
and Anna (Folger) Mitchell, married
Joanna Lawton, daughter of John and
Sarah Lawton.
(VII) Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of
131
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Richard and Joanna (Lawton) Mitchell,
married Asa Sherman. (See Sherman
V).
(VIII) Mary Sherman, daughter of
Asa and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Sherman,
became the wife of the Hon. William
Lawton Slade, of Fall River, Massachu-
setts, and mother of:
(IX) Caroline Elizabeth Slade, daugh-
ter of Hon. William Lawton and Mary
(Sherman) Slade, became the wife of the
late Hezekiah Anthony Brayton, of Fall
River. (See Brayton VII).
(The Line Through Elizabeth Tripp).
(III) Elizabeth Tripp, daughter of
John and Mary (Paine) Tripp, became
the wife of Zuriel Hall.
(IV) Mary Hall, daughter of Zuriel
and Elizabeth (Tripp) Hall, married Rob-
ert Fish.
(V) David Fish, son of Robert and
Mary (Hall) Fish, married Jemima Tall-
man, daughter of James and Hannah
(Swain) Tallman.
(VI) Ruth Fish, daughter of David
and Jemima (Tallman) Fish, married
Samson (2) Sherman. (See Sherman
IV).
(VII) Asa Sherman, son of Samson
(2) and Ruth (Fish) Sherman, married
Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Richard
and Joanna (Lawton) Mitchell.
(VIII) Mary Sherman, married Hon.
William Lawton Slade.
(iX) Caroline Elizabeth (Slade) Bray-
ton.
(The Line Through Isabel Tripp).
(III) Isabel Tripp, daughter of John
and Mary (Paine) Tripp, married Sam-
son Sherman. (See Sherman II).
(IV) Job Sherman, son of Samson and
Isabel (Tripp) Sherman, married Amie
Spencer.
(V) Samson (2) Sherman, son of Job
and Amie (Spencer) Sherman, married
Ruth Fish.
(VI) Asa Sherman, son of Samson (2)
and Ruth (Fish) Sherman, married Eliz-
abeth Mitchell.
(VII) Mary Sherman, daughter of Asa
and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Sherman, mar-
ried Hon. William Lawton Slade.
(VIII) Caroline Elizabeth Slade, daugh-
ter of Hon. William Lawton and Mary
(Sherman) Slade, became the wife of the
late Hezekiah Anthony Brayton, of Fall
River. (See Brayton VII).
MITCHELL, Richard
Among prominent persons of the Mitch-
ell family are to be named the following:
Sir Andrew Mitchell was vice-admiral
of the British fleet that forced the en-
trance to Texel Island, Holland, in the
war against the French and Dutch, in
1794. He captured the Dutch fleet, help-
ing to establish the naval supremacy of
Great Britain.
Sir Charles H. B. Mitchell, high com-
missioner of the State of Perak, one of
the Malay States, was directly responsible
for the first meeting of the native chiefs
and the British residents for the purpose
of friendly discussion, in 1897.
James Mitchell, Scotchman, who per-
fected an ingenious amplification of the
Maelzel metronome.
John Mitchell, who perfected and man-
ufactured the first machine that made
steel pens.
J. A. Mitchell, one of the founders and
the first editor of the weekly magazine,
"Life."
J. C. Mitchell, one of the most famous
of the early racquet players.
J. K. Mitchell, one of the pioneers of the
liquid gas field. He first froze sulphur-
ous acid gas to a solid.
Dr. P. Chalmers Mitchell, member of
the Zoological Society of London, a
132
S7vain .Irms— Azure, a chevron between three pheons or: ^t r^, (-hief gules as
many maidens' heads couped proper, crined ot the second.
Crest — A maiden's head couped proper, crined or.
Weir Arms — Argent, on a fes& azure three mflillets of the field
Crest — A demi-horse in armour proper, bridled and saddled gules.
Briggs Arms — Gules; three bars gemelles or, a canton ermine.
Crest — On the stump of a tree a pelican or, vulning herself proper.
Morrill (Morrell) Arms — Azure, on a cross argent a lion rampant gules.
Crest — The horns of a bull adhering to the scalp pj-^er.
^I'arrf .-^rm^-^Azure, a crossflory or. . .
Crest — A wolf's head erased proper, langued^gtiles.
Motto — Xon nobis .sojum. (Not for ourselves alone j, .-
Hills Arms — Ermine,' on, a fess sable a tower with two turrets proper.
Crest — A tower, .grs^ the. arms.
Mk4M
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
recognized authority in the study of mam-
maha.
R. A. H. Mitchell, Eton, Oxford, Hants,
prominent Britainer, and the greatest
cricket player of all times.
W. M. Mitchell, well known astrono-
mer, specializing in the study of the sun.
Maria Mitchell, of the Rhode Island
branch, prominent American astronomer
and educator.
Dr. Samuel Latham Mitchell, of the
Long Island branch, United States Sena-
tor and author, who urged the adoption
of Fredonia as the proper name for this
country in his "Address to the Fredes or
People of the United States."
Stephen Mitchell, a tobacco manufac-
turer of international repute, who founded
the second largest library in Scotland.
(The Mitchells in America).
Arms — Sable, a fess wavy between three mas-
cles or.
Crest — A phoenix in flames proper.
Motto — Spernit humum.
There are many branches of this family
scattered throughout the United States,
founded in the early Colonial days by sev-
eral representatives of the house who
came from England and Scotland and set-
tled principally in the New England
States. The descendants were numerous,
and migrated from one part of the coun-
try to another as new regions were
opened. Almost invariably, however,
members of the various branches are to
be found within a short distance of the
original location of the progenitor.
The Mitchells of Rhode Island form
one of the oldest as well as one of the
most distinguished branches of the family
in the United States. They comprise the
descendants of Richard Mitchell, of New-
port.
The Mitchells of Roanoke county, Vir-
ginia, founded in the early part of the
seventeenth century, have continued to
live on and in the vicinity of the old fam-
ily estate. They are related by marriage
to the family of Colonel Zachary Lewis,
whose father was a messmate of General
Washington during the war with the
French. They are connected in the same
degree with the Thomas and Graham
families, the latter that of a governor of
North Carolina, William Graham.
The Pennsylvania family was founded
by the descendants of William Mitchell
and his wife Elizabeth, who emigrated
from Yorkshire, England, and settled in
Bermuda. Offspring of this branch also
settled in Baltimore. Another branch
of York county, Pennsylvania, claims
George Mitchell, born in Scotland in
1734, as progenitor.
The Long Island family, of ancient
origin, has furnished many famous public
men. The Nantucket stock, of which
Professor Maria Mitchell, and her brother,
Henry Mitchell, were descended, has been
highly distinguished. The Connecticut
Mitchells claim kin with Rebecca Motte,
of Revolutionary fame ; with Governor
Saltonstall and Governor Dudley, and
also with the Gardiners of Gardiner's
Island.
One western branch of the family claim
"Honest John Hart," one of the signers
of the Declaration of Independence from
New Jersey, as an ancestor. James
Mitchell, a Scotch settler from Glasgow
in 1730, founded the family which pro-
duced among other well known men, Ste-
phen Mitchell, who was one of the set-
tlers of Wethersfield, Connecticut, and a
member of the first Continental Congress
held at Philadelphia. He was also chief
justice of Connecticut. Donald Mitchell,
best known as "Ike Marvel," the essayist,
was of the third generation in America.
Stephen Mitchell had six sons, all college
graduates. Matthew Mitchell was the
progenitor of another family in Connecti-
133
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
cut. He was a passenger on the "James"
in 1635, together with his wife and child,
and settled in Connecticut, near Wethers-
field, of which place he became town
clerk in 1639. ^^ "^^^ a representative at
court from Saybrook; he took an active
part in the Pequot War, and removed to
Hempstead, Long Island, in 1643, The
town of Hingham, Massachusetts, was
probably named by Edward Mitchell, a
passenger on the ship "Diligent" from
Hingham, England, in 1638.
Experience Mitchell, who lived in Plym-
outh, Duxbury, and Bridgewater, Massa-
chusetts, came from England on the
"Ann," in 1623. He married Jane Cook,
daughter of Francis Cook, one of the
"Mayflower" passengers.
Many of the famous figures of the Rev-
olution were members of the Mitchell
family. They include: Major Abiel and
Colonel Mitchell, from Massachusetts;
Captain Alexander Mitchell from New
Jersey; Nathaniel Mitchell, captain of a
battalion of the Flying Camp, from Dela-
ware; Captain Joseph Mitchell, from Vir-
ginia; Captain James and Major Ephraim
Mitchell, of South Carolina, and Lieuten-
ant John Mitchell, of Georgia.
(The Rhode Island Mitchells).
(I) Richard Mitchell, immigrant ances-
tor and progenitor, was a native of Brick-
town, in the Isle of Wight, Great Britain,
born in 1686. There he learned the trade
of tailor, and on attaining his majority
decided to go into business for himself
in his native place. He visited London
in order to obtain the necessary materials,
and while there was seized by a press
gang, and taken on board a man-of-war.
Tailors were not then exempted, as were
mechanics, from impressment. The vessel
on which he sailed spent some time at
Newport, Rhode Island, and here Rich-
ard Mitchell found opportunity to escape.
Tradition runs to the effect that he made
a suit of clothes for the governor's son,
which so pleased the latter that he
secreted him and kept him in concealment
until after the vessel had sailed. He con-
tinued to reside in Newport, and became
a member of the Society of Friends, later
taking a prominent part in local affairs.
In 1708 he married Elizabeth Tripp, of
Dartmouth, Massachusetts, born in 1685,
daughter of James and Mercy (Lawton)
Tripp, granddaughter of James and Mary
(Paine) Tripp, and of George and Eliza-
beth (Hazard) Lawton; she was the
great-granddaughter of Thomas Hazard,
founder of the noted Hazard family of
Rhode Island. Richard Mitchell died Sep-
tember 24, 1722, at the age of thirty-six
years, and his widow married (second),
April 18, 1734, William Wood; she died
February 13, 1740. Children of Richard
and Elizabeth (Tripp) Mitchell: i. Eliz-
abeth, born July 13, 1709; married, De-
cember 8, 1726, Jabez Carpenter. 2. Mary,
born October 17, 1712; married, May 18,
1732, Caleb Coggeshall. 3. James, men-
tioned below. 4. Richard, born Septem-
ber 5, 1719; settled in Nantucket, Massa-
chusetts. 5. Joseph, born November 25,
1720.
(II) James Mitchell, first son of Rich-
ard and Elizabeth (Tripp) Mitchell, was
born April 20, 1715, in Newport, Rhode
Island. He was a member of the Society
of Friends, in which he was an elder. He
lived for a time in Nantucket, Massachu-
setts, and there married Anna Folger,
daughter of Jethro and Mary (Starbuck)
Folger, of Nantucket. He moved later
to Middletown, Rhode Island, near the
Portsmouth line, and continued to reside
there until his death on October 5, 1799.
Children: i. Mary, born November 10,
1739; married Matthew Barker, of New-
port. 2. James, born August 31, 1743;
married Elizabeth Anthony. 3. Elizabeth,
134
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
born July 9, 1746; married Giles Hoosier.
4. Hepsabeth, born March 14, 1750; mar-
ried (first) Peter Chase; (second) David
Buffum. 5. Richard, mentioned below.
(III) Richard (2) Mitchell, son of
James and Anna (Folger) Mitchell, was
born November 25, 1754, in Middletown,
Rhode Island, and lived in that town, near
what is known as Mitchell's Lane, where
he died October 26, 1833, and where he is
buried. He married, November 6, 1776,
Joanna Lawton, a native of Portsmouth,
daughter of John and Sarah Lawton, who
died August 6, 1830. Children: i. Jethro
Folger, born March 14, 1778; married
Anne Gould. 2. Isaac, born August 21,
1779; married Sarah Gould. 3. John, born
January 15, 1781 ; married Katherine
Gould. 4. Elizabeth, mentioned below.
5. Peter, born July 3, 1784; married Mary
Wales. 6. Sarah, born May 19, 1787. 7.
Joanna, born December 3, 1788; married
David Rodman. 8. Ann, born August 6,
1791. 9. Richard, born February 20, 1793.
(IV) Elizabeth Mitchell, eldest daugh-
ter of Richard (2) and Joanna (Lawton")
Mitchell, was born in Middletown, Rhode
Island, October 17, 1782. She became the
wife of Asa Sherman, of Portsmouth,
Rhode Island. (See Sherman V).
The most prominent member of the
Nantucket family of that name, descend-
ant of old Quaker stock, Maria Mitchell,
was born August i, 1818, the daughter of
William Mitchell. Her father, William
Mitchell (1791-1869) was a school teacher
and a self-taught astronomer, who rated
chronometers for Nantucket whalers. He
was well known in the New England
States as a learned man, and held the
position of overseer of Harvard Univer-
sity from 1857 to 1865, with all the pres-
tige attached to such an ofifice. For a
time he was in the employ of the United
States Coast Survey, and did some excel-
lent work in that department.
Miss Maria Mitchell had as early as
183 1 (during the annual eclipse of the
sun) been her father's assistant, and the
progress she made under his tutorage, to-
gether with the certain genius she pos-
sessed in the science, may be visualized
from the fact that sixteen years later, on
October i, 1847, she discovered a tele-
scopic comet, seen by De Vico on Octo-
ber 3, by W. R. Dawes, October 7, and
by Madame Rumker, October 11. For
this discovery, outstripping as she did the
fainous astronomers of the world, she re-
ceived a gold medal with the congratu-
lations of the King of Denmark, and was
elected in 1848 to the American Academy
of Arts and Sciences, being the first
woman member of the organization. In
1850, as further recognition of her excel-
lent work, she was elected a member of
the American Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science.
She removed from Nantucket to Lynn,
Massachusetts, in 1861, setting up in the
latter city the great equatorial telescope
which had been presented to her by popu-
lar subscription by the women of Amer-
ica. Here she lived and studied until late
in the year 1865, when she was chosen
professor of astronomy and director of the
Observatory at Vassar College. She con-
tinued actively in this position until 1888,
when she became professor emeritus. For
many years she had specialized in the
study pf Jupiter and Saturn, and in 1874
began to make photographs of the sun.
She died in Lynn, Massachusetts, June
28, 1889.
Henry Mitchell (1830-1902), her broth-
er, was a famous hydrographer.
Adjoining the Maria Mitchell home-
stead, which is still carefully preserved,
stands a memorial astronomical observa-
tory and library erected in Miss Mitchell's
honor, by popular subscription, in 1908.
In it are kept the valuable collections and
records which she and her brother made
135
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
during years of patient research in the
fields of their chosen sciences.
(The Folg-er Line).
The genealogical notes of Benjamin
Franklin contain an inference that the
Folger family, of which he was a descend-
ant, was of Flemish origin, and was estab-
lished in England at the time of Queen
Elizabeth. His gleanings on the subject
constitute all we know of the early rec-
ords in America, from the time of the
immigrant ancestor down, which are very
complete, however, and are evidence that
the family played an important part in the
life and affairs of the early settlement of
Nantucket. Massachusetts, from the time
of its founding.
(I) John Folger, immigrant ancestor
and progenitor, was a native of England,
and possibly a resident of Norwich,
County Norfolk, whence he sailed for
America in 1635, with his son, Peter Fol-
ger. He is said to have come on the same
ship with Hugh Peters. In 1642 John Fol-
ger owned a homestead and six acres of
land in Watertown. Although there is no
actual record of the fact, it is probable
that John and Peter Folger accompanied
Thomas Mayhew, Jr., to Martha's Vine-
yard in 1641-42. John Folger owned a
house, upland, commonage and meadow
land at the Vineyard, and resided there
until his death, about 1660. His widow
was Meribell Folger, whose surname is
said to have been Gibbs.
(II) Peter Folger, son of John Folger,
was born in England in 1617, and accom-
panied his father to America in 1635, ^^-
moving with him to the Vineyard in 1641-
42. While here he taught school and sur-
veyed land, also assisting Thomas May-
hew, Jr., in his labors as missionary
among the Indians. Rev. Experience
Mayhew, in a letter to John Gardner,
Esquire, dated 1694, states that when
Thomas Mayhew, Jr., left for England
in 1657, he left the care of his church and
mission to Peter Folger. At a meeting of
the proprietors of Nantucket, held in
Salisbury, Massachusetts, in the latter
part of 1660 or early in 1661, five persons
were chosen to measure the land. Peter
Folger was one of these, and as evidence
of the remarkable confidence of the peo-
ple in him, we have the order stating that
the proceeding of any three of this body of
men should be accounted legal and valid,
if Peter Folger was one. In the summer
of 1659 he is said to have accompanied
Tristram Coffin and others who visited
the Island of Nantucket to view it at the
time of the purchase from Mayhew. He
was there in 1661-62 as a surveyor, and
although not one of the first proprietors
he may be regarded as a very early set-
tler, having removed to the Island in 1663,
at the invitation of the proprietors whc
deeded him half a share of land on the
condition that he would live in Nantucket
and act as interpreter among the Indians.
The following is the deed of the property,
dated Nantucket, July 4, 1663:
These presents witnesseth that we whose names
are underwritten do give, and grant unto peter
foulger, half a share of accomodations on the
land above sayd, that is to say half so much as
one of the twenty purchasers, both in respect to
upland, meadow, wood, timber and other appur-
tenances belonging to him and his heirs forever
on condition that he com to inhabit the Island
aforesayd with his family within one year after
the sale hereof. Likewise that the sayd peter
shall attend the English in the way of an Inter-
preter between the Indians and them upon al
necessary ocasions, his house lot to be layd at
the place commonly called by the name of Rogers
field so as may be most convenient
Witness our hands.
John Smyth, Tristram Coffin, Sr., for
Thomas Macy, myself and others being
Edward Starbuck, empowered by them ;
John Swayne, Peter Coffin,
Robert Barnard, Steven Greenleaf,
Richard Swayne, Tristram Coffin, Jr.,
John Rolfe, William Pile, two shares ;
Thomas Mayhew, Nathaniel Starbuck,
Thomas Coffin.
136
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Cotton Mather describes Peter Folger
as an "Able Godley Englishman who was
employed in teaching the youth in Read-
ing, Writing and the Principles of Re-
ligion by Catechism, being well learned
likewise in the Scriptures and Capable of
Help in religious matters." On July 21,
1673, he was chosen clerk of the court and
recorder, which office he held for many
years. To him fell the laurels as the
greatest scholar of the early community.
His poem, "A Looking Glass for the
Times," published April 23, 1676, shows
him an advocate of religious liberty and
strongly condemns the persecuting spirit
of New England. It is believed that when
an old man he embraced the views of the
Friends. Peter Folger died in 1690. In
1644 he married Mary Morrill, who had
been an inmate of the family of Hugh
Peters; she died in 1704. Among their
children were: i. John, mentioned below.
2. Abiah, who became the wife of Josiah
Franklin, of Boston, and mother of Ben-
jamin Franklin.
(III) John Folger, son of Peter and
Mary (Morrill) Folger, was born in 1659.
He was a miller and a prosperous farmer.
His home was in that part of Nantucket
now called Polpis. He married Mary
Barnard, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary
(Barnard) Barnard. (See Barnard III).
(IV) Jethro Folger, son of John and
Mary (Barnard) Folger, was born in Nan-
tucket, Massachusetts, 17th of 8th month.
((The Barnard Line).
The Barnard family in New England
was founded by two brothers, Thomas
and Robert Barnard, who arrived in the
New World about 1630, and subsequently
were identified prominently with the
foundation and development of the settle-
ment upon the Island of Nantucket. The
ancestry hereinafter traced is derived
through both of these brothers.
Arms — Argent, a bear rampant sable, muzzled
or.
Crest — Out of a ducal coronet or, a demi-bear
rampant sable, muzzled or.
Motto — Fer et perfer. (Bear and forbear.)
Thomas Barnard, one of the found-
ers of the Barnard family in America, was
born in England about 1612. In the year
1640 he is found of residence in Salisbury,
Massachusetts, and later he bought land
on the west side of the Powow river (now
in Amesbury) and removed thither. In
1659 he joined in one of the most historic
transactions preserved in New England
history. In that year he entered with
others in the purchase of the Island of
Nantucket, and acquired there large land
holdings. Later, he transferred one-half
of his Nantucket possessions to his
brother, Robert Barnard. Previously, he
had been prominent in the affairs of Salis-
bury and Amesbury. On May i, 1654,
when the "Articles of Agreement between
the Inhabitants of the Old Town and
Those of the New Town," were entered
1689. He was a large land owner, and ^ into, his signature, among others, was
a prominent citizen of Nantucket all his
life. In October, 1710, he married Mary
Starbuck, daughter of Nathaniel and
Dinah (Coffin) Starbuck. (See Starbuck
IV). Jethro Folger was a member of the
Society of Friends.
(V) Anna Folger, daughter of Jethro
and Mary (Starbuck) Folger, was born
in Nantucket, Massachusetts, in 1720. In
1738, she married James Mitchell. (See
Mitchell II).
affixed thereto. In the division of land in
1654 he is among those mentioned, and in
the "Amesbury Commoners" of 1667-68,
Thomas Barnard, Sr. and Jr., appear.
Thomas Barnard is also cited as one of
the "Brethren of Ye Church." He re-
ceived land in the first division at Salis-
bury and also in 1640 and 1643 ! ^^ 1665,
he was a grand juror at Amesbury ; and
his name appears on various lists as late
as 1672. Whether he actually removed
n?
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
to Nantucket and there resided does not
definitely appear; the records of Nan-
tucket simply state that "Thomas Bar-
nard died abroad." This, however, would
seem to indicate that he was a resident
of Nantucket. A tragic fate awaited him,
he being killed by the Indians in 1677.
He married Eleanor . She admin-
istered upon his estate in 1677, and the
inventory was taken 21st of 6th month,
1677. She married (second) George
Little, of Newbury, and died November
27, 1694. Thomas and Eleanor Barnard
were the parents of nine children.
Line of Robert Barnard :
(I) Robert Barnard, other founder of
the Barnard family in America, brother
of Thomas Barnard, was a resident of
Salisbury and Andover, and thence re-
moved to Nantucket. From his brother
Thomas he had acquired a considerable
interest in Nantucket, whither he went
in 1663, and where he died in 1682. He
married Joanna Harvey, who survived
him, and died in Nantucket, March 31,
1705. Their daughter, Mary Barnard,
married her cousin, Nathaniel Barnard,
son of Thomas Barnard, and thus joined
the two lines of Barnard.
(II) Nathaniel Barnard, son of Thomas
and Eleanor Barnard, was born 15th of
nth month, 1642, in Salisbury, Massa-
chusetts. Until about 1665, he continued
to reside in Amesbury, but thereafter re-
moved to Sherburn, on the Island of Nan-
tucket, and remained there throughout
his life. He is called a "planter" and was
a prominent figure in the struggling set-
tlement. By his marriage he joined the
two lines of Barnard, his wife being a
daughter of Robert Barnard, brother of
Thomas Barnard, the two founders of the
family in America. Nathaniel Barnard
died in Nantucket, May 3, 1718. He mar-
ried Mary Barnard, daughter of Robert
and Joanna (Harvey) Barnard. She died
in Nantucket, March 7, 1717-18. They
were the parents of seven children.
(II) Mary Barnard, daughter of Rob-
ert and Joanna (Harvey) Barnard, was
born in Andover, Massachusetts, April 8,
1658. She died in Nantucket, March 7,
1717-18. She married Nathaniel Barnard,
son of Thomas and Eleanor Barnard.
Issue seven children.
(III) Mary Barnard, daughter of Na-
thaniel and Mary (Barnard) Barnard,
was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts.
She died 6th of 8th month, 1737 (O. S.),
aged nearly seventy years. She married
John Folger, son of Peter and Mary
(Morrill) Folger, the distinguished Nan-
tucket family. (See Folger III).
COFFIN, James
At Fallaise, a town in Normandy,
stands the old chateau of Courtitout, once
the home of the Norman Coffin family ;
the name is now extinct in that vicinage,
and the chateau is owned by Monsieur
Le Clere, who is the grandson of the last
Mademoiselle Coffin, who married a Le
Clere in 1796. Until her marriage the
above mentioned chateau had always re-
mained in the family name. (The above
information came through Admiral Sir
Isaac Coffin, who was born in Boston,
Massachusetts, May 16, 1759, became an
English citizen, was raised to the baro-
netcy, and granted a coat-of-arms in
1804). The family traces its ancestry to
Sir Richard Coffin, Knight, who accom-
panied William the Conqueror to Eng-
land in the year 1066, to whom the manor
of Alwington in the County of Devon was
assigned. There are various branches of
the family in County Devon. The Eng-
lish records show the name Covin, whence
it was changed to Cophin, Kophin, Cof-
fyn. The surname signifies literally "the
bald" and is derived originally from the
French chanvc, which means bald. Be-
38
'^^mt. I ■ii'T'^ir
TRISTRAM COFFIN.
THE FIRST OF THE RACE THAT SETTLED IN AMERICA
FIRST CHIEF MAGISTRATE OF
NANTUCKET, 167<.
BE UNITED DO HONOR TO HIS NAME
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
fore 1254 the family was flourishing at
Portledge-near-the-Sea, in the parish of
Alwington, five miles from Biddeford,
England. The name was early brought
to Massachusetts, and has been borne by
many leaders of the life and affairs of the
Colony and Commonwealth. The Coffin
family was not as conspicuous during the
American Revolution as they undoubt-
edly would have been had their location
been different. The Island of Nantucket,
their home, was visited by British war-
ships frequently, the inhabitants were
intimidated and obliged to preserve an
unwilling neutrality. Tristram Coffin,
founder of the New England family of
the name, was beyond doubt a descend-
ant of Sir Richard Coffin of the Con-
queror's train ; the direct line, however,
begins with Tristram Coffin, mentioned
below.
Coffin (Coffyn) Arms — Azure, four bezants be-
tween five crosses crosslet or.
Crest — A bird or, between two cinque foils ar-
gent, stalked and leaved vert.
(I) Tristram Coffin, a descendant of
Sir Richard Coffin, married and lived in
Brixton, Devonshire, England. His will
mentions Anne and John, children of his
son, Nicholas Coffin ; Richard and Joan,
children of Lionel Coffin ; Philip Coffin,
and his son Tristram ; and appointed
Nicholas Coffin, of whom further, as his
executor.
(II) Nicholas Coffin, son of Tristram
Coffin, lived in Butler's Parish, Devon-
shire, England, where he died in 1603.
In his will, which was proved at Totness,
in Devonshire, November 3, 1603, men-
tion is made of his wife Joan, and five
children, namely: i. Peter, mentioned
below. 2. Nicholas. 3. Tristram. 4.
John. 5, Anne.
(III) Peter Coffin, eldest son of Nich-
olas and Joan Coffin, was born on the
Coffin estate in Brixton, England, about
1580, and died there in 1627-28. He mar-
ried Joan or Joanna Thember, and their
six children were born and baptized in
the parish of Brixton, Devonshire, in the
following order: i. Tristram, mentioned
below. 2. John, born about 1607 ; was a
soldier and died in the service from a
mortal wound received in battle during a
four years' siege in the Civil War ; died
about 1642. 3. John, born about 1609, in
England, probably died there. 4. Deb-
orah, died probably in England. 5.
Eunice, born in England, came to Massa-
chusetts Bay Colony with her mother ;
married William Butler, and died in 1648.
6. Mary, married Alexander Adams, and
died in 1677 or thereabouts.
The Widow Joan and her children,
Tristram, Eunice and Mary, her sons-in-
law, her daughter-in-law, Dionis, and five
grandchildren, came to Salisbury in 1642.
She died in Boston in May, 1661, aged
seventy-seven years, and in the notice
of her death it is quaintly stated that
the Rev. Mr. Wilson, "embalmed her
memory."
(IV) Tristram (2) Coffin, son of Peter
and Joan (Thember) Coffin, was born in
the parish of Brixton, Devonshire, Eng-
land, probably in 1605. He was the heir
of his father's estate in Brixton, and one
of the landed gentry of Devonshire. He
died at his home on Nantucket Island,
Massachusetts, October 2, 1681. It is a
strange fact that the Christian name of the
immigrant forefather of all the Coffins in
America, Tristram, is repeated and multi-
plied in every generation, while the name
of the ancestress, Dionis, is repeated but
once in all the time since the founding of
the family here. It is not known on
which of the early ships conveying pas-
sengers to New England the Coffin family
took passage. Tristram Coffin settled in
Haverhill, Massachusetts, in 1642. The
early settlers of Salisbury, which town
39
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
was established October y, 1640, com-
menced a settlement at Pentucket the
same year, and the Indian deed for this
land was witnessed by Tristram Coffin in
1642, and in 1643 he removed to the place
which was established as the town of
Haverhill, Norfolk county, and here set-
tled near Robert Clement. Tradition has
it that Tristram Coffin was the first man
to plow land in the town of Haverhill,
and that he constructed his own plow.
He changed his residence to the "Rocks"
in the following- year, and in 1648-49 re-
moved to Newbury, where he kept an
ordinary, sold wine and liquor, and kept
the Newbury side of Carr's Ferry. In
September, 1643, his wife Dionis was
prosecuted for selling beer for two pence
a quart, while the regular selling price
was but two pence, but she proved that
she had put six bushels of malt into the
hogshead, while the law required only
four, and she was discharged. He re-
turned to Salisbury, and was commis-
sioner of the town, and while living there
purchased or planned the purchase of the
Island of Nantucket, where he and his
associates removed on account of reli-
gious persecution. At least Thomas
Macy, who was one of the pioneer set-
tlers on Nantucket, "fled from the officers
of the law and sold his property and home
rather than submit to tyranny, which pun-
ished a man for being hospitable to
strangers in the rainstorm even though
the strangers be Quakers." Mr. Macy
returned to Salisbury and resided there
in 1644, and then he sold his house and
lands, and so the story of his flight from
persecution would seem to be spoiled, and
history perhaps gives the true reason for
his migration, the search for a milder
climate and better opportunities for cul-
tivating the soil.
Early in 1654 Tristram Coffin took
Peter Folger, grandfather of Benjamin
Franklin, then living at the Vineyard, as
an interpreter of the Indian language,
and proceeded to Nantucket to ascertain
the "temper and disposition of the In-
dians, and the capability of the island,
that he might report to the citizens of
Salisbury what inducements were offered
to emigrants." A grant of the island had
been given to Thomas Mayhew by Wil-
liam Earl, of Sterling, and recorded in the
secretary's office in New York, July 2,
1659. Thomas Mayhew deeded the island
to Tristram Coffin, Stephen Greenleaf,
William Pike, Thomas Macy, Thomas
Barnard, Christopher Hussey, John
Swain, retaining an interest of one-twen-
tieth for himself, the consideration being
"thirty pounds and two beaver hats, one
for myself and one for my wife." Later
the same parties purchased from one
Manackmamak, head sachem of Nan-
tucket, a large part of their lands, con-
sideration forty pounds. James Coffin
accompanied Thomas Macy and family,
Edward Starbuck and Isaac Coleman to
the island later in the same year, and
they all took up their residence there.
The Coffin family that settled in Nan-
tucket included Tristram, Sr., James,
Mary, John and Stephen, each the head
of a family. Tristram Coffin was thirty-
seven years old at the time of his re-
moval to Nantucket. During the first
year of his residence there he was the
richest proprietor on the island. The
property of his son Peter is said soon to
have exceeded that of his father, the fam-
ily together owning about one-fourth of
the island, and all of Tuckernock. On
June 29, 1671, Francis Lovelace, gov-
ernor of New York, granted a commis-
sion to Tristram Coffin to be chief magis-
trate on and over the island of Nantucket
and Tuckanyckett (Deeds III., secre-
tary's office, Albany, New York). At the
same time Thomas Mayhew was appoint-
140
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ed the chief magistrate of Martha's Vine-
yard through commissions signed bv
Governor Lovelace of New York, bearing
date June 29, 1671, and the two chief
magistrates, with two assistants for each
island, constituted a general court, with
appellative jurisdiction over both islands.
The appointment was made by Governor
Francis Lovelace. Tristram Coffin's sec-
ond commission, dated September 16,
1677, was signed by Sir Edward Andros,
governor-general of the province of New
York. On his death in 1681, he was sur-
vived by his widow Dionis, seven chil-
dren, sixty grandchildren, and a number
of great grandchildren. In 1728 one thou-
sand one hundred and twenty-eight of his
descendants, which numbered one thou-
sand five hundred and eighty-two, were
living.
Tristram Cofifin married Dionis Stevens
(the diminutive for Dionysia and after-
wards Dionys), daughter of Robert Ste-
vens, of Brixton, England. Their chil-
dren, the first five of whom were born in
England, were: i. Hon. Peter, born in
163 1, died in Exeter, New Hampshire,
March 2, 1715. 2. Tristram, born in 1632,
died in Newbury, February 4, 1704. 3.
Elizabeth, married, in Newbury, Novem-
ber 13, 165 1, Captain Stephen Greenleaf,
and died November 29, 1678. 4. James,
mentioned below. 5. John, died in Haver-
hill, October 20, 1642. 6. Deborah, born
November 15, 1643, ^^^^ December 8th
following. 7. Mary, mentioned below. 8.
John, born October 8, 1647, ^^^^ Septem-
ber 5, 171 1. 9. Stephen, born May 11,
1652, in Newbury, died in Nantucket,
May 18, 1734.
(V) James Cofifin, son of Tristram (2)
and Dionis (Stevens) Coffin, was born in
1640 in England, and died at Nantucket,
July 28, 1720, aged eighty years. He
came to Nantucket with the first settlers,
but subsequently removed to Dover, New
Hampshire, where he resided in 1668,
being a member of the church there in
1671. On May 31, 1671, he was made a
freeman in Dover, but soon after this
date he returned to Nantucket, and made
his home there until his death. He was
one of the associate proprietors of Nan-
tucket and filled several important public
offices on the island, among them that of
judge of the Probate Court, to which he
was the first to be appointed (1680).
From James Coffin have descended the
most notable representatives of the Coffin
family, as doubtless the most numerous
and generally scattered. This branch fur-
nished the family that remained on the
side of Great Britain during the Revolu-
tion. Sir Isaac Coffin, brother of General
John Coffin (who rendered active service
against the Colonies) did not take active
part in the War of the Revolution. He
was in the British navy at the breaking
out of the war, and at his own request
was assigned to the Mediterranean, that
he might not have to fight against his
own kindred. Although the highest
honors had been conferred on him in the
Spanish navy, and he had been made a
member of Parliament, he cherished a re-
gard for his native land. In 1826 he vis-
ited Boston, and Nantucket, and was
honorably received. Harvard University
conferred on him the honorary degree of
Master of Arts. At Nantucket he founded
a school, chiefly in the interest of the
Coffin family. The land on which the
school stands was given by Gorham
Cofifin, who was one of the trustees. The
school is still in existence, and at the
present time is a Mechanical Training
School for the inhabitants of the island.
One of the most distinguished women
which America has produced, Lucretia
Mott, was also descended from this line.
James Coffin married, December 3, 1663,
Mary Severance, daughter of John and
141
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Abigail Severance, of Salisbury, Massa-
chusetts. They were the parents of four-
teen children.
(V) Mary Coffin, daughter of Tristram
(2) and Dionis (Stevens) Coffin, was born
February 20, 1645, in Haverhill, Massa-
chusetts, and died on the Island of Nan-
tucket, September 13, 1717. She became
the wife of Nathaniel Starbuck, of Nan-
tucket (see Starbuck II), and was the
mother of the first white child born on the
island.
(VI) Dinah Coffin, daughter of James
and Mary (Severance) Coffin, became the
wife of Nathaniel (2) Starbuck, and was
the great-great-great-great-grandmother
of Mrs. Caroline E. (Slade) Brayton, of
Fall River. (See Starbuck III).
(The starbuck Line).
The surname Starbuck, according to
Lower, quoting Ferguson partially, is de-
rived from the Old Norse, with the fol-
lowing explanation: "In the Old Norse,
bokki means vir grandis, corpore et animo.
Hence Storbocki, from stor, great, vir im-
pcriosiis." The name means, literally,
great man or leader, and is first found in
English records in the poll tax for the
West Riding of Yorkshire, in the year
1379-
The American Starbucks, one of the
foremost families of the Island of Nan-
tucket for over two and a half centuries,
comprise the progeny of Edward Star-
buck, an Englishman of substance, who
was among the earliest and most influ-
ential settlers of Nantucket.
(I) Edward Starbuck, immigrant an-
cestor and founder, was born in 1604, and
came to xA.merica about 1635, from Derby-
shire, England, bringing with him his
wife Katharine. He settled in Dover,
New Hampshire, where he is first men-
tioned, June 30, 1643, when he received
a grant of forty acres of land on each side
of the Fresh river at Cutchechoe, and also
one plat of marsh above Cutchechoe
Great Marsh, "that the brook that runs
out of the river runs through, first dis-
covered by Richard Walderne, Edward
Colcord, Edward Starbuck, and William
Furber." He received other grants of
land at different times, including one of
marsh in Great Bay in 1643, one of the
mill privilege at Cutchechoe 2nd Falls
(with Thomas Wiggins), and one of tim-
ber to "accommodate" in 1650, and vari-
ous others. He was one of the foremost
settlers of Dover, a representative of the
town in 1643 ^^^ 1646, and undoubtedly
would have lived comfortably there until
his death, honored and respected by his
fellow-townsmen, had he not embraced
the Baptist faith. He was the owner of
extensive properties, and was in all proba-
bility a man of substance as to posses-
sions, as tradition says he was in body.
Despite this he fell into disrepute for dar-
ing to believe different from the intol-
erant, bigoted Puritans of his day. In
"Provincial Papers of the New Hamp-
shire Historical Society," we find the fol-
lowing:
October 18, 1648.— The Court being im formed
of great misdemeanor Committed by Edward
Starbuck of Dover with profession of Ababaptism
for which he is to be proceeded against at the next
Court of Assistants if evidence can be prepared
by that time & it being very farre for witnesses
to travill to Boston at that season of the year, It
is therefore ordered bt this Court that the Secre-
tary shall give Commission to Capt. Thomas Wig-
gan & Mr. Edw. Smyth to send for such persons
as they shall have notice of which are able to tes-
tify in the sd. cause & to take their testimony
uppon oath & certifie the same to the secretary as
soon as may be, that further proceedings may be
therein, if the cause shall so require.
It is not to be wondered at that Ed-
ward Starbuck was quite ready to leave
Dover, despite his advanced age, and his
interests in and around the town. He
142
ARMORIAL ENSIGN OF
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
was fifty-five years of age when he joined
Thomas Macy in his voyage from Salis-
bury to Nantucket. They arrived at Nan-
tucket in the autumn of 1659, and re-
mained during the winter at the outskirts
of the island, removing later to a more
central location, now called Cambridge.
In the spring of 1660, Edward Starbuck
returned to Dover for his family, all of
whom returned with him except his
daughters, Sarah Austin and Abigail
Cofifin. On his return to Nantucket he at
once became active in of^cial affairs, and
was at one time magistrate. He died at
Nantucket, April 12, 1690. His wife was
Katharine (Reynolds) Starbuck, a woman
of Welsh parentage.
(II) Nathaniel Starbuck, son of Ed-
ward and Katharine (Reynolds) Star-
buck, was born in Dover, New Hamp-
shire, February 20, 1645. ^^ was the
only son who lived to perpetuate the
name. He was a wealthy landowner, and
a man of no mean abilities, yet he seems
to have been eclipsed by the exceptional
brilliancy of his wife, IMary (Cofifin) Star-
buck.
Mary (Coffin) Starbuck was born in
Haverhill, Massachusetts, February 20,
1645, daughter of Tristram (2) and Dionis
(Stevens) Coffin. (See Coffin V). At
the age of seventeen years she was mar-
ried to Nathaniel Starbuck. She had been
baptized by Peter Folger in Waiputquat
pond, but years afterward became con-
verted to the principles of the Friends,
and their meetings were held at her
house. She became a preacher in the
Society, as were also several of her chil-
dren, her grandsons, Elihu and Nathaniel
Coleman, and her granddaughter, Pris-
cilla Bunker. On account of her superior
judgment, she was often consulted in
town affairs, taking an active part in de-
bates, and usually prefacing her remarks
with "My husband and I, having con-
sidered the subject, think, etc." She was
a remarkable woman, anticipating by two
centuries the advanced views of women
of to-day. She took an active part in
practically every phase of the early life
of the town. Mary Starbuck was "as dis-
tinguished in her domestic economy as
she was celebrated as a preacher."
Nathaniel Starbuck died June 6, 1719.
His wife died September 13, 1717, and
was buried in the Friends' Burying
Ground.
(III) Nathaniel (2) Starbuck, son of
Nathaniel (i) and Mary (Coffin) Star-
buck, was born in Nantucket, August 9,
1668. He married Dinah Coffin, daughter
of James and Mary (Severance) Coffin.
(See Coffin VI).
(IV) Mary Starbuck, daughter of Na-
thaniel (2) and Dinah (Coffin) Starbuck,
became the wife of Jethro Folger, in Octo-
ber, 1710. (See Folger IV).
LAWTON, Dr. William
The Lawton family is a lineage of his-
toric Cheshire, England, founded since
the age of the Conqueror, when the Nor-
man progenitor of the family acquired
large landed estates and bestowed his
name on the territory. A long and
ancient pedigree of the family exists since
the reign of Henry VI., when Hugh de
Lawton, of Lawton, Cheshire, is found in
possession of the Manor of Lawton in
that county, his inheritance from his early
century ancestors.
Arms — Argent, on a fesse between three crosses
crosslet fitchee sable as many cinquefoils of the
field.
Crest — A demi-wolf salient reguardant argent,
vulned in the breast gules.
Motto — Liberte tonte entiere. (Liberty unfet-
tered.)
(I) Hugh de Lawton, of Lawton,
Cheshire, living temp. Henry VI., mar-
ried Isabella Kernys, daughter of John
143
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Madoc, and widow of Bekyn Kernys.
Isabella was the heiress of John Madoc,
whose only son William died without
heirs, and she inherited the whole of her
father's large estate.
(II) John de Lawton, surviving son of
Hugh and Isabella (Madoc-Kernys) de
Lawton, died in the lifetime of his father,
having previously married, and left an
only surviving son.
(III) Richard Lawton, Esq., of Law-
ton, son of John de Lawton, and grand-
son and heir of Hugh de Lawton, of Law-
ton, and also heir of his grandmother
Isabella, married and left a son.
(IV) James Lawton, Esq., of Lawton,
son of Richard Lawton, of Lawton, mar-
ried Eleanora More, daughter of Mat-
thew More, Esq., of The Hall-o'-th'-
Heath (otherwise called "Hollowheath"),
Cheshire, and had issue.
(V) William Lawton, Esq., of Lawton,
son of James and Eleanora (More) Law-
ton, married Katherine Bellot, daughter
of Thomas Bellot, Esq., of Moreton,
County Chester, and died 28th December
in the 5th year of King Edward VL; left
surviving among other children :
(VI) John (2) Lawton, Esq., of Law-
ton, son of William and Katherine (Bel-
lot) Lawton, was in enjoyment of the
manor of Lawton in 1580. He married
(first) Anne Corbet, widow of Robert
Corbet, Esq., of Hatherton, and by her
had no issue. He married (second) Mar-
garet Dutton, daughter of Fulke Dutton,
Esq., and by her had issue :
(VII) John (3) Lawton, of Church
Lawton, Cheshire, youngest son and
fourth child of John (2) and Margaret
(Dutton) Lawton, born about 1582, mar-
ried and left issue among others :
(VIII) John (4) Lawton, probable son
of John (3) Lawton, of Church Lawton,
Cheshire, the American settler, of whom
below.
(The Family in America).
(I) John Lawton, founder of the family
in America, probably born in Cheshire,
traditional son of John Lawton, of that
county, and descendant of the ancient
Lawtons of Lawton, was an early pioneer
of the American colonies. It is declared
that he had two brothers, George and
Thomas, and that all three removed to
America and settled there. John Lawton
was admitted among the inhabitants of
Newport, Rhode Island, on or after May
20, 1638, and in the same year George
Lawton was admitted at Portsmouth,
Rhode Island, and Thomas Lawton then
or soon thereafter. Of the founder, John
Lawton, no further record than his ad-
mission as an inhabitant appears at New-
port, and it is probable that he soon re-
moved and became resident at Ipswich,
Massachusetts, where he appears as early
as 1648, and where he had a house and
land in 1663. His marriage probably
occurred in Ipswich, and in 1677, with
his family, he removed to Suffield, then
considered a part of Massachusetts, but
later within the bounds of Connecticut,
and on April 4, 1677, it is recorded that
the Committee for Suffield having met,
granted to "John Lawton sixty acres, the
lot which was intended for Edward Chap-
man." He died in Suffield, December 17,
1690. He married Benedicta , who
died November 18, 1692. Issue: i. James
Lawton, of whom below. 2. Benedicta
Lawton. 3. Mary Lawton. (Probably
other daughters).
(II) James Lawton, son of John and
Benedicta Lawton, was born in Suffield
Connecticut (then Massachusetts), and
has been called the "only son" of the
founder, John Lawton. He resided
throughout his life in Suffield, where he
was of high standing and responsibility,
and to his sons he afforded an excellent
education. He died respected and
144
at»o^
;i* vil'C
Madoc ( Mado:r: )... ,)is — -\ ..e, liend or. m .! ief three boys' heads couped
at the shoulders afgeiit, .earli envvrappe^l about with a ?uake proper, in
base as many griffins' heads erased of the third.
Crest — A hon'^head er.ised or, pierced through \vord in pale,
the point coming ot'lt at '': -t * the he- I hnbnied I'l. ,^ ^ . , mi Led .id pommelled
of the first.
More Arms — Ermine, a ie^;c gules Ijc:
Duttoh Anns — Quarterly argent and g
Crest — Out of a ducal coronet,or.4 plume uf
or, vert and tenee. ' .--^
Leetes (Lcete) Ari:;s — Argmt, on a fesse gii - hetv -U' • > rolls of matches
sable, fired proper, a martlet or.
Crest — On a ducal coronet an antique lamp or.^fired proper.
Lezveston ^LrtL>7>/(^ L.fft|2?r^-Gules. three battl^gp^lcj^ent.
Bellot Anns — Argent, on a chief gules three cin'quefoils of the held.
Crest — A fox's head erased sable.
moorcocks proper.
•- 2nd and 3rd a fret or.
-r-ich feather-, gules, azure.
riur&ivu
%^-
J&Alot
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Madoc, and widow of Bekyn Kernys.
Isabella was the heiress of J«-'hn Madoc,
whose only son William died without
heirs, and she inherited the whole of her
father's large estate.
(II) John de Lawton, surviving son of
Hugh and Isabella (Madoc-Keniys) '
Lawton, died in the lifetime of hi& tai!
having previously married, and left an
only surviving son.
(III) Richard Lawton, Esq., of Law-
ton, son of John de Lawton, and grand-
son and heir of Hugh de Lawton, of Law-
ton, and also heir of his grandmother
Isabella, married and left a son.
(IV) James Lawton, Esq., of Lawton,
son of Richard Lawton, of Lawton, mar-
ried Eleanor. daughter of Mat-
thew More. r.^c.i., of The Hall-o'-th'-
(The Family in America;.
(I) John Lawton, founder of the family
in America, probably born in Cheshire,
traditional son of John Lawton, of that
county, and descendant of the ancient
Lawtons of Lawton, was an early pioneer
the American colonies. It is declared
at he had two brothers, George and
Thomas, and that all three removed to
America and settled there. John Lawton
was admitted among- the inhabitants of
Newport, Rhode Island, on or after May
20, 1638, and in the same year George
Lawton was admitted at Portsmouth^
Rhode Island, and Thomas Lawton then
or soon thereafter. Of the founder, John
Lawton. r- ^nrther record than his ad-
missi It appears at New-
v>ort, ..■■•:
it he soon re-
Heatl^pth^eng^^jG^^g'^gl^Yffee^^^ic^'hrr^ v. ^>:L-,citoWpswich,
Chesl^jfe,^^j^^^^^,jj^i^.rfji7/ ^i-jgn gdJ luods fckipffflr^ja!sat58?\iJ"n9§3i*ii^ia^^ri^ a4^efely
(V) \Viniam Lawton, Esq., of LawtfettllJ ^fel m/^'^^mr-km^kl^^-^'-''- ""''^^^i^ind
;2aftt;
son of9J^mfet®^/Oe^iiWra!-^PMtfl%y^g,^''J l^^'AW,^ %^],? ,^'WiV '^'''brpbably
ton, :litV?f^9'qa^m^:^3|i'^t^.!!y?,-'^a%te ^^o^cu^'rVf ^"^^^r^H^^i^^th
of Thomas B^V ' \,^,^.^^■^^^^^p^(^g^„:i^^->^J[)^^^^^
County C1j^^§^^ . ,, ■ M-^gtk RfecftHjiifeghr^ bcDradda^'ii,^ vi-t-ftaetJl^^^^ but
in the,^kjj-^v.^,rg .ksmigB^dighitfdoVift; ■*a^n"lat€r^o^^Hhffi53tfefe'M&%AH^"^-TJfe^\?ecticut,
surviving am ^'ildren- , .and on April 4. i677/\f"ilig"nr3l'&4ftat
(\fy^'j%t{ii . mq., ui Lsw- tfie com%|§g-i|ft^ gbi^^,^ b^m^stdmu
ton, son of Wiiiiam a^^<^J<^^i^^i£^^,(j^^l gg^^Rfee^Bt^r^^fUL'ftJ^ft^mfei^tH'a'&es, the
lot) Lawton, was ii)}[i§btfi>?f^*'L%IJ9^'ftfe»rIU(atIu\liieh,\wms I^W- ' '^ '"*"" ^''-\ Chap-
manor of Law.ihiiartiarIi|&:<noHE^pfflam9di ^■liiSi'^^^'^Jpi^ i?9ed|':';- ./ber 17,
(first) Anne Corbet, w; Robert
Corbet, Esq., of Hathertor, :; by her
had no issue. He married (second) Mar-
garet Button, daughter of Fulke Dutton,
Esq., and by her had issue:
(VII) John (3) Lawton, of Church
Lawton, Cheshire, youngest son and
fourth child of John (2) and Margaret
(Dutton) Lawton, born aN'Pt 1582. m.-jr-
ried and left issue amoni
(VIII) John (4) Lawtt
of John (3) Lawton, of >^
Chei' American seiti' riom
r69a.f^%i^»?rife^i6rife%ifa~-H::i^. who
died November 18, 1692. Issue: i. James
Lawton, of whom below. 2. Benedicta
Lawton. 3. Mary Lawton. (Probably
other daughters).
(11) James Lawton, son of John and
Benedicta Lawton, was born in Suffield
Connecticut (then Massachusetts), and
has been called the "only son" of the
founder, John Lawton. He resided
throughout his life in Sufifield, where he
was of high standinio: r-rd responsibility,
and to his so: n excellent
education. lie -icc d and
144
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
esteemed by his fellow-townsmen, leav-
ing eight children surviving him, among
whom was Jacob (Christopher Jacob),
mentioned below.
(Ill) Christopher Jacob Lawton, son
of James Lawton, was born in Suffield,
Connecticut, July 20, 1701. He was chris-
tened "Jacob," but states an historian
"from caprice adopted in his business as
a lawyer the name of Christopher Jacob."
His youth was passed in Suffield, and
there he received his education, early
manifesting an inclination for the legal
profession, in which he began studies
when still a boy, and his entrance to the
bar was probably made soon after he
attained his majority. He is found in
practice at Suffield before 1726. At the
period when he began practicing there,
the town, together with Enfield, Somers,
and Woodstock, was considered under
the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. In
1726 Mr. Lawton was admitted to the
bar of Hampshire county, Massachusetts,
though he still continued to reside and
practice in Suffield. In 1734 he received
the appointment of coroner for the county
of Hampshire, and the following year,
1735, left Suffield, and established himself
in Leicester, Massachusetts.
Mr. Lawton brought with him a dis-
tinguished reputation for his work at the
Connecticut bar, and he has been called
one of the "noted lawyers" in Connecti-
cut, who "gave early and honorable char-
acter" to that provincial bar. In 1735 he
purchased a farm in the westerly part of
Leicester, the land lying upon both sides
of the Great road, the former owners from
whom he acquired it having been Josiah
Converse, Sr., and his son, Josiah Con-
verse. He made his home upon this farm
until 1753, when he conveyed it to his son
Pliny. Mr. Lawton was as notably promi-
nent in Leicester as he had been in Suf-
field ; in 1736, 1740, and 1741, he was rep-
Mass 11 — 10 I
resentative to the General Court, and con-
tinued in the practice of his profession
until 1751, after which he retired from all
active pursuits. He was at one time the
owner of the town of Blandford, Massa-
chusetts, and was a man of considerable
property, according to the valuations of
that period.
Mr. Lawton died in Leicester, not long
after 1753.
(IV) Dr. Pliny Lawton, son of Jacob
(Christopher Jacob) Lawton, was born in
Suffield, Connecticut. He removed with
his father in 1735 to Leicester, Massachu-
setts, and there completed his studies for
entrance to the medical profession. He
attained his degree before 1748, although
it is apparent that he did not begin active
practice until later, for he was engaged
for some fifteen months, during 1748 and
1749, in teaching school in Leicester,
although at that time called "Doctor." In
1753 he received from his father a con-
veyance of the latter's farm in Leicester,
lying beside the Great road, and there
took up his residence with his wife. Later,
however, they removed to the mansion
built by Judge Steele, a prominent towns-
man, at the corner of Flip lane, and here
Dr. Lawton continued to live until his
death, which occurred in Leicester in
1761 from smallpox. The terror of this
dreaded disease was such at the time that
he was not allowed burial in the general
cemetery, but his body was interred in
his own field on the east side of Flip lane
about twenty rods from the Great road.
There his tombstone was standing until
within a few years ago, but is now com-
pletely obliterated.
Dr. Pliny Lawton married, June 18,
1750, Lucretia Sargent, daughter of Jon-
athan Sargent, of Leicester. (See Sar-
gent V). Issue: i. James. 2. William,
mentioned below.
(V) Dr. William Lawton, son of Dr.
45
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Pliny and Lucretia (Sargent) Lavvton,
was born in Leicester, Massachusetts,
April 9, 1759. Followingf the profession
of his father, he studied medicine, and
entering upon its practice in Leicester,
became there a contemporary of the noted
Dr. Larned, of that place. After some
years he left Leicester, and was later in
Newport, Rhode Island, but afterwards
was stationed in West Point, as surgeon
in the service of the United States. There
he continued until 1795, and probably
after that date. He made occasional visits
to Leicester, however, being there in 1788
and 1792, but never permanently returned
to reside there.
Dr. William Lawton married Abigail
Farrington, born in Flushing, Long
Island, December 12, 1763. (See Farring-
ton). Issue (among others) : Phebe,
mentioned below.
(VI) Phebe Lawton, daughter of Dr.
William and Abigail (Farrington) Law-
ton, was born in Newport, Rhode Island,
August 21, 1781. She died in Somerset,
Massachusetts, March 18, 1874. She mar-
ried William Slade, born in Swansea,
Massachusetts, June 4, 1780, died in Som-
erset, September 7, 1852, son of Jonathan
and Mary (Chase) Slade. (See Slade V).
(The Sargent Line).
The derivation of the surname Sargent
finds its basis in the Latin phrase servien-
tes armorum; that is, men discharging a
military service and hence soldiers ; and
from the ancient term servicns ad legem
(i. e.. "serjeant of the law"), in very early
and widespread use, and thus is derived
the name of Sargent of the present day.
Until about the reigns of Henry III. or
Edward I., the surname kept its Latin
form, but prior thereto we find many
representations of the name cited in
the Maegu Rotiil Scaccarii Normannie,
in Rotuli Curiae Regis, and in Rotuhis
Cancellaru. The Norman origin of the
name is indicated by the presence, in
1180-1195, of Malger and Gislebert
Serviens in Normandy, and in 1198
Gislebert, Horsel and Roger Serviens
are found in the same country. In
the latter year, 1198, Robert Serviens ap-
pears in England ; in 1202 are discovered
Henry, Herbert, Simon and Walter Ser-
viens ; in 1272, Walter le Seriant in York-
shire, William Le Serjiant in Hertford-
shire, and William Le Serjaunt, Theobald
le Seriant and Peter le Seriant of Buck-
inghamshire ; in 1275, Henry le Serjant
was of Lincolnshire; in 1276, Roger le
Serjant was of the same county, and an-
other Roger le Serjaunt appears in Ox-
fordshire; in 1277, William le Serjaunt
was in Staffordshire; and in 1324, Adam
le Serjant was one of the burgesses in
Bridgenorth, Shropshire.
Arms — Argent, a chevron between three dol-
phins embowed sable.
Crest — A dolphin embowed sable, between two
wings argent.
Of all the families of Sargent to become
established in England, that of the
County of Northampton was among the
earliest. It is from this ancient house
that the American family of Sargent de-
scends ; its arms were procured as early
as the year 13:^4, and the records of the
family disclose the surname appearing as
Serjaunt, Sergaunt, and Sariant. Of this
Northamptonshire family is found, in the
year 1275, Walter le Serjaunt or Sergaunt,
of that county, and then in residence
there, and two years later, in 1277, is
found Thomas Serjaunt in the same
county. In 1503 Dominus Thomas Ser-
geaunt was of Huxlow Hundred, north-
east from the town of Northampton ; in
1 5 12 Dominus Thomas Sergeaunt was of
St. Giles Church, Spelho Hundred, not far
from the town of Northampton ; and of
146
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Huxlow Hundred, also, was William Ser-
jaunt in 1545. Thomas le Serjaunt, of
Wimersley Hundred, De la Pre, situated
a few miles southeast from the town of
Northampton, was living about 1545; he
was a large landowner, and made a gift
of land and rents in Hardingstone and
Cotes to the historic Abbey of St. Mary
de Pratis or De la Pre Abbey, located one
and a half miles out from Northampton,
and founded in the reign of King Stephen
by Simon de St. Liz.
(The Ancient Lineage).
(I) Hugh Sargent (whose surname ap-
pears in many instances as Sariant) was
of Courteenhall, County Northampton,
England, where he was born about 1530.
Courteenhall, the place of his birth, is
situated somewhat more than five miles
from the town of Northampton. Hugh
Sargent married Margaret Gifford, daugh-
ter of Nicholas and Agnes (Masters) Gif-
ford, of the Abbey of St. James, a western
suburb of Northampton, and a descend-
ant of the distinguished Gifford family of
England. (See Gifford). Hugh Sargent
died February 23, 1595-96, and was buried
from Courteenhall Church on the ist of
March following. He had issue fifteen
children, among whom was Roger, men-
tioned below.
(II) Roger Sargent, son of Hugh and
Margaiet (Gifford) Sargent, was born
about 1562, He was junior bailiff at
Northampton in 1616 and 1617, and be-
came mayor of Northampton in 1626. He
made his will, April 12, 1649, ^"^ ^^ was
proved February 22, 1649-50. He died in
Northampton in July, 1649, ^^^ was
buried July 16, 1649.
He married, January 3, 1589-90, Ellen
Makernes, who died in October, 1645, ^^^
was buried on the 21st of the month. She
was the daughter of William Makernes,
of Finedon, who made his will March 10,
1612. Issue eleven children, of whom the
seventh was William, mentioned below.
(The Family in America).
(I) William Sargent, founder of the
family in America, son of Roger and Ellen
(Makernes) Sargent, was born in Cour-
teenhall, County Northampton, England,
and baptized June 20, 1602. He spent the
first thirty-six years of his life in North-
ampton, and was thrice married before his
removal to America. When twenty-four
years of age, on July 20, 1646, he was
made a freeman in Northampton, Eng-
land. He was prominent in the city, and
became senior bailiff in 1632-33. For six
years longer he continued in Northamp-
ton and about 1637-38 married, as his
third wife, Sarah Minshall, widow of Wil-
liam Minshall, and not long after, in 1638,
began preparations for his voyage to the
New World.
In 1638, with his third wife Sarah, and
two daughters by his first wife, William
Sargent left Northampton and embarked
for Charlestown, New England, settling
in that part of the town called "Mystic
Side." On March 10, 1638-39, he was
admitted to the church in Charlestown,
and his wife was admitted the following
Sunday. In 1638-39 he became a free-
man. There was then no regular church
at Mystic Side, and there being no pas-
tor, William Sargent was chosen as lay
preacher, and officiated from 1648 to 1650.
He was a man well calculated and accus-
tomed by his previous standing in Eng-
land for the office, and Johnson, in his
"Wonder-working Providence," states:
"The people gathered into a church some
distance of time before they could attain
to any church officer to administer the
Seals unto them, yet in the meantime at
their Sabbath assemblies they had a godly
Christian named Mr. Sargent who did
preach the Word to them till 1650."
147
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
His lands were situated in the southerly
part of Mystic Side (or, as it was named
in 1649, Maiden), on the southerly slope
of a hill (later called Belmont Hill), and
about one and one-third miles northeast
from the river. This land he held as early
as 1640 (with the exception of three acres
adjoining it, which he purchased in 1654),
and it was in that part of Maiden, which
was afterwards set oiT, and in 1870 named
"Everett" in honor of the distinguished
Edward Everett. Upon this land stood
the old homestead of the founder, a typi-
cal colonial residence, sturdily timbered,
built to endure, and long an historic land-
mark of Massachusetts in the age of the
pioneers. This homestead William Sar-
gent bequeathed to his eldest son, John,
who in turn divided its use between his
sons, Jonathan and Ebenezer, "with all
the Land adjoining thereunto That was
his (John's) father William Sargeants."
Still retaining his property at Maiden,
William Sargent, about the year 1656 or
1657, left that township and established
his domicile in Barnstable, and on the
29th of the 4th month, 1658, gave power
of attorney to Joseph Hills, a prominent
resident of Maiden, concerning his prop-
erty at that place. In 1657 he was made
a freeman of Plymouth Colony. In Barn-
stable, as in Maiden, he was a lay
preacher, and officiated in the pulpit for-
merly occupied by the Rev. Dr. Lathrop,
deceased, in 1653. ^^ ^^ evident that he
leased or rented his Maiden property on
his removal to Barnstable, for in 1661 he
appears as plaintiff in a suit to recover his
rent, and a lengthy document in the case,
called "Articles of Agreement had, made
and concluded on the first day of the 5th
month, 1658, Betwixt William Sergeant
of Barnstable in the Jurisdiccon of New
Plymouth, on the one partie ; and James
Lane of Maiden in the Massachusetts, on
the other partie," sets forth under eleven
"Items" the conditions of the contract.
He died in Barnstable, December 16,
1682. He married (first) in England,
Hannah , who died in September,
1632. He married (second) in England,
Marie , who died about 1637. He
married (third) in England, Sarah Min-
shall, widow of William Minshall, of
Whitchurch, County Salop, Gentleman,
and theretofore of Bunbury, Cheshire.
She died in Barnstable, January 12, 1688-
89. Issue by first wife, two daughters:
I. Hannah. 2. Elizabeth. Issue by third
wife, three children, as follows: i. John,
mentioned below. 2. Ruth, born October
25, 1642, died October 4, 171 1; married
(first), about 1663, Jonathan Winslow, of
Marshfield, son of Josiah Winslow and
nephew of Governor Edward Winslow ;
married (second) in July, 1677, Richard
Bourne, of Sandwick ; married (third) in
1684, John Chipman. (See Chipman). 3.
Samuel Sargent, born March 3, 1644-45.
(II) John Sargent, son of William and
Sarah (Minshall) Sargent, was born in
Charlestown, Massachusetts Bay Colony,
in December, 1639, and baptized Decem-
ber 8th following. He accompanied his
father to Barnstable, 1656-57, and was ad-
mitted an inhabitant there between 1662
and 1666, but he returned, about 1669, to
Maiden. He was selectman six years, and
in May, 1695, when the town of Maiden
made a division of two thousand acres of
its common lands, his name appeared,
with that of his son John, among the dis-
tributees. This distribution was by lot
to all freeholders in the town in propor-
tion to their ratable estates, and made an
average of about thirty acres to each per-
son included. The high esteem in which
he was held by his fellow-townsmen is
indicated by the record: "John Sargent,
Sen'r is the man to draw the lots." John
Sargent had a large estate in Maiden.
He died in Maiden, Massachusetts, Sep-
tember 9, 1716. He was buried in Bell
Rock Cemetery, formerly the Old Mal-
148
'>bwTA
ii iittiSe Bi
Lynde ^^rm.T-^GuleSj a. demi-lion rampant or, a bordure sable bezantee.
Pope Arms — Or, two chevrons gules; on a canton of the second a mullet of
the first.
Crest — A demi-lion vert.
Odding (Odin) Arms — Gules, a lion rampant argent, debruised with a crozier
in bend sinister or.
Crest — A horse- rampant argent.
Baker Arms — Argent, a tower between three keys erect sable.
Crest — On a tower sable an arm embowed in armour holding .;a flint stone
proper.
Talbot .ir;/?.?—TAr|fent, three lioncels salient purpure.
Crest — A talbot passant sable.
Motto — Toujours fidele.
Staveley Arms— ArgtnX, on a chevron azure between three lozenges sable a'^
manv bucks' heads cabossed or.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
den Burial Ground. There his slate
gravestone may still be seen.
He married (first), March 19, 1662,
Deborah Hillier, of Barnstable, daughter
of Hugh Hillier. She was born in Yar-
mouth, October 30, 1643, and died April
20, 1669. He married (second), Septem-
ber 3, 1669, Mary Bense. She died Feb-
ruary, 1670-71. He married (third) Lydia
Chipman, of Barnstable, daughter of John
and Hope (Howland) Chipman. (See
Chipman. See Howland). Issue fifteen
children, of whom his eldest son by his
third wife was Jonathan, mentioned be-
low.
(III) Jonathan Sargent, son of John
and Lydia (Chipman) Sargent, was born
April 17, 1677. He was long a resident
of Maiden, and was selectman of that
town for three years, and chosen as its
representative for seven years. In 1735
he gave a quarter acre of land "in the
southerly part of Maiden," * * * "be-
ing part of my homestead whereon now
I dwell," together with a road twenty-six
feet wide as a passage to the highway, to
the "Inhabitants of the southerly part of
Maiden for a Meeting House." His
worldly abundance and his generosity are
thus alike shown, as well as the Christian
spirit which survived undiminished in this
third generation of the Puritan and the
Pilgrim. Later he resided for a time in
Maxfield in the Connecticut Colony. He
died October 27, 1754.
He married (first), March 13, 1699,
Mary Lynde, daughter of John Lynde.
She was born July 5, 1678, and died No-
vember 19, 1716. He married (second),
November 26, 1717, Mary Sprague,
daughter of Jonathan Sprague. She was
born May 25, 1696, and died March 14,
1787. Issue by first wife among others,
Jonathan, mentioned below.
(IV) Jonathan (2) Sargent, son of
Jonathan (i) and Mary (Lynde) Sar-
gent, was born February 20, 1700-01.
After some years in Maiden, he removed
to Leicester, Massachusetts, and was
prominent in its affairs. He died in 1777.
He married, September 29, 1726, Deb-
orah Richardson, daughter of Nathaniel
(2) and Abigail (Reed) Richardson. (See
Richardson IV. See Reed HI). Issue,
among others, Lucretia, mentioned be-
low.
(V) Lucretia Sargent, daughter of
Jonathan (2) and Deborah (Richardson)
Sargent, was born October 10, 1734. She
married (first), June 18, 1750, Dr. Pliny
Lawton, son of Jacob (Christopher Jacob)
Lawton. (See Lawton IV). She mar-
ried (second), intentions June 3, 1769,
Rev. Benjamin Conklin.
GIFFORD, Nicholas
The Gifford ancestry, with which the
Sargent lineage is allied, not only draws
descent from Normandy for several cen-
turies before William the Conqueror over-
threw the Saxons in A. D. 1066, but is
also allied with the family of Washing-
ton, from whom George Washington, first
President of the United States, was de-
scended, and also with the Pargiters, to
whom the Washingtons were related, and
the Samwells, another family from whom
the Washingtons of England and America
drew their lineage.
The spelling of the name was originally
Giflfard, and the arms of Giffard or Gif-
ford, as borne at Hastings and in the Cru-
sades, and which were accorded to the
descendants of the house in Buckingham-
shire were : Gules, three lions passant,
argent, arms which by their simple form
indicate their great age. These arms
were borne by the Gifford family of Twy-
ford, Buckinghamshire, in the fifteenth
century, and in the Visitation of 1681-82,
Northamptonshire, the Gifford family are
authoritatively declared to be lineally de-
149
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
scended from the ancient Giffords, and
the arms of that noble house, identical in
form, are there accredited to them.
Gifford or Giffard Arms — Gules, three lions pas-
sant, argent.
(The Ancient Lineage).
The records of Normandy disclose the
presence of the noble family of Gififord
in the eighth century. They were then
feudal nobles of high station and wealth
at Honfleur, and continued lords of the
locality down to the reign of William,
Duke of Normandy, afterwards styled the
"Conqueror." Among the nobles who
accompanied William on his memorable
voyage to England was Sire Randolph de
Gifford ; he was one of the Conqueror's
standard bearers and took part in the
epochal battle of Hastings on which
turned the fortunes of the Saxons. This
Gifford was related in blood to the Royal
William, and another of the lineage who
took part at Hastings, Walter de Gifford,
a cousin of the Conqueror, was, for gal-
lant services rendered on that occasion,
created by King William, Earl of Buck-
ingham, and endowed with large estates.
The Giffords were represented in Eng-
land by several distinct lines — that of the
Giffords, Earls of Buckingham, who after-
wards became extinct in that title ; that
of the Giffords, Lords of Brimsfield ; that
of the Giffords of Chillington, County
Stafford, and that of the Giffords of Twy-
ford. County Buckingham, who intermar-
ried with the Sargents, the Washingtons,
the Pargiters and the Samwells, and be-
came the ancestors of the American pio-
neers.
(I) Osborne de Bolebec, a noble of
Normandy, living temp, Richard Sans
Peur (eighth century), Duke of Nor-
mandy, married Avelina, sister of Gun-
nora, Duchess of Normandy, and had
issue two sons: i. Walter, mentioned be-
low. 2. Osborne, younger son, ancestor
of the Giffords, Lords of Gifford of Brims-
field, and of the Giffords of Chillington,
County Stafford.
(II) Walter Giffard, Earl of Longue-
ville in Normandy, accompanied William
the Conqueror to England, and for gal-
lant service at the battle of Hastings was
granted the title of Earl of Buckingham,
A. D. 1070. At the time of the General Sur-
vey, this nobleman was sent, with Remi-
gius. Bishop of Lincoln, and others, into
Worcestershire, and various other coun-
ties of England, to value the lands be-
longing to the Crown, as well as those
belonging to private individuals in those
parts. He himself possessed at that
time two lordships in Berkshire, one in
Wiltshire, one in Somersetshire, one in
Huntingdonshire, five in Cambridge-
shire, nine in Oxfordshire, nine in Bed-
fordshire, three in Suffolk, twenty-eight
in Norfolk, forty-eight in Buckingham-
shire, making one hundred and seven
lordships in all. In A. D. 1089, his Lord-
ship, adhering to William Rufus, forti-
fied his mansions in Normandy for that
King, and became the chief general of his
army there. Some years afterward, how-
ever, (1102) he sided with Robert Court-
hose, against King Henry I. His Lord-
ship died in 1102, having married Agnes
Flaitell, daughter of Gerard Flaitell and
sister of William, Bishop of Eureux, and
had, with other issue, the following: i.
Walter, mentioned below. 2. Rohaise,
married Richard Fitz Gilbert, feudal lord
of Clare, County Suffolk. 3. Isabel, mar-
ried to Richard Granville or Grenville
progenitor of the noble house of Gren-
ville.
(III) Walter (2) Giffard, second Earl
of Buckingham ; this nobleman adhered
faithfully to King Henry I. and distin-
guished himself in that monarch's cause
at the battle of Breneville in 11 19 against
50
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Q.
'.A^
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the French commanded by their King in
person, where Henry obtained a victory.
His Lordship during this reign founded
the Abbey of Nutley, County Bucking-
ham. He died without issue, in 1164,
when the lands of his barony came,
according to the noted authority Dugdale,
to be shared among his next of kin, "for
it seems," states Dugdale, "in the first
Richard I. that Richard de Clare, Earl of
Hertford (in respect of his descent from
Rohaise, sister of the Earl, and wife of
Richard Fitz-Gilbert, his lineal ancestor),
and William Mareschall, Earl of Pem-
broke (in right of Isabel de Clare, his
wife), obtained a confirmation from that
King of all the lands of this Walter, Earl
of Buckingham, both in England and
Normandy. Of these lands, Richard,
Earl of Hertford, was to have the chief
seat in England, and William, Earl of
Pembroke, the chief seat in Normandy
and the residue in both countries to be
equally divided among them."
The line of the eldest male of the Gif-
fards. Earls of Buckingham, thus became
extinct ; the title, it is claimed, was sub-
sequently borne by Richard de Clare, sur-
named Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, and
in later centuries titles of Earl and Duke
of Buckingham were granted to other in-
dividuals not of the surname Giffard. The
branches of the younger sons of Gifford,
however, survive in England. In 1154-
89 (reign of Henry II,) is found Sir Peter
Gifford, who married Alice, daughter of
Sir Grey de Corbuchin. In the reign of
Richard I. Coeur de Lion, Sir Stephen
Gififord, of this lineage, was one of the
barons who accompanied that monarch on
his expedition to the Holy Land and took
part in the Crusades ; he was conspicuous
for his bravery during the siege of Jeru-
salem and was there killed, while his son.
Sir Stephen, was wounded.
From the younger sons of the house of
Gififord descended the GiflPords of Buck-
inghamshire. In the fifteenth century,
John Gifford was of Twyford, County
Buckingham, and his grandson, Roger
Gifford, leased the manor of Middle Clay-
dor^ in 1535, which his heirs retained, and
leased the same to Martin Lister, who
surrendered it to Sir Edward Versey. A
direct line of descent from John Gifford,
aforesaid, to Margaret Gifford, who mar-
ried Hugh Sargent, is preserved. Their
descendant, William Sargent, was the
American pioneer.
(D John Gifford, of Twyford, County
Buckingham, living fifteenth century, had
issue: Thomas, mentioned below.
(II) Thomas Gifford, of Twyford, son
of John Gifford, of Twyford, County
Buckingham, died November 25, 1550.
He married Marie Staveley, daughter of
William Staveley, of Bignell. Issue: i
Roger, mentioned below. 2. Anna, who
married Richard Samwell, of Edgcote,
County Northampton.
(HI) Roger Gifford, of Middle Clay-
don, County Buckingham, Esquire, living
at that Manor, 1535, son of Thomas and
Mary (Staveley) Gifford, of Twyford,
married Mary , and died about
1542, leaving issue: Nicholas, mentioned
below.
(IV) Nicholas Gifford, of the Abbey of
St. James, County Northampton, son of
Roger and Mary Gifford, of Middle Clay-
don, County Buckingham, gentleman, was
bailiff of that place, and died in 1546. He
married Agnes Masters, daughter of John
Masters, of 'Sandwich, County Kent, who
died about 1583. Issue: i. Roger, men-
tioned below. 2. Margaret, mentioned be-
low.
(V) Roger (2) Gifford, of the x^bbey of
St. James, County Northampton, gentle-
man, son of Nicholas and Agnes (Mas-
ters) Gifford, died in 1591. He married
Amy Samwell, daughter of Francis Sam-
i=;i
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
well, of Thorpe, County Northampton,
who died about 1618.
The Samwell family was a notable one.
It bore arms as follows :
Arms — Gules, two squirrels sejant addorsed of
the first.
Amy (Samwell) Gifford's sister, Mar-
garet Samwell, married Robert Pargiter,
of Gretworth, County Northampton, eld-
est son and heir of William Pargiter,
whose arms were :
Anns — Barry of four, or and sable ; three nias-
cles counterchanged.
Ann (or Amy) Pargiter married Law-
rence Washington, of Sulgrave, County
Northampton, ancestor of George Wash-
ington, of Virginia, Commander-in-chief
in the Revolution, and the first President
of the United States. The arms of Wash-
ington were :
Arms — Argent, two bars gules in chief three
mullets of the second.
Richard Samwell was a son of John
Samwell, of Cotesford, County Oxford,
and grandson of James Samwell. Wil-
liam and Anne (Washington) Pargiter
were grandchildren of Richard Pargiter,
of Gretworth, County Northampton.
Lawrence Washington was the great-
grandson of John Washington, of Whit-
field, County Lancaster. Issue of Roger
and Amy (Samwell) Gififord: i. Francis,
of the Abbey of St. James, County North-
ampton, who died in 1625, having married
Jane Throughton, daughter of Richard
Throughton, of Hanslop, County Buck-
ingham.
(V) Margaret GifTord, daughter of
Nicholas Gififord, of the Abbey of St.
James, County Northampton, and Agnes
(Masters) Gififord, his wife, and grand-
daughter of John Masters, of Sandwich,
County Kent, married Hugh Sargent, of
Courteenhall, County Northampton. (See
Sargent).
CHIPMAN, John
The crest surmounting the Chipman
arms indicates, by heraldic significance,
a most honorable fact in the family his-
tory. The mural crown displayed thereon
was only accorded to such distinguished
warriors who, scaling the walls of a be-
sieged citadel, were the first to set their
standards upon the rampants, and thus it
appears that among the ancestors of the
line was a distinguished soldier noted for
his prowess upon the battlefield. The sur-
name itself originates in Chipenham,
Chippenham, Chipman, and lastly. Chip-
man. Its first syllable arises from the
Anglo-Saxon Ceapian, whose form is seen
in the Dutch koopen, German keupen,
Danish kiobc, and Swedish kopa. The
second syllable of the name "man" is de-
rived from the Anglo-Saxon ham, identi-
cal with the Dutch and German heim, the
Danish hicm, and the Swedish hem. So
ancient is the name that many present-
day localities in England bear it from
Anglo-Saxon times, when in that lan-
guage the form was Cypanham, modified
in the Domesday Book to Cipham, Cip-
penham, and was modernized into Chip-
man, Chippenham, etc.
Arvis — Argent, a bend between six estoiles gules.
Crest — A leopard sejant argent murally crowned.
Among the ancient representatives of
the name was Willielmus de Chipenham,
chairman of the commissioners in the
Hundred of Staplehou, Cambridgeshire,
England, who by order of William the
Conqueror, A. D. 1085, took the inven-
tory (preserved in the Cottonian manu-
scripts in the British Museum under the
heading "Tiberius A. VI") of the exten-
sive estates of the Monastery of Ely. This
inventory may be seen incorporated as a
part of the printed copy of the Domesday
Book issued under the direction of the
Records Commission of the British Par-
liament under the heading "Inquisitio
152
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Eliensis." A. D. 1306, Ricardus de Chip-
penham was burgess for Wallingford,
Berkshire, and in that year and in 1313
also obtained a "Writ de Expensis" for
attending parliaments at Westminster.
A. D. 1313, Johannes de Chipman was
burgess, returned for Chippenham,
County Wilts. Sir and Rev. John de
Chippenham, living in 1360, is noted as
among the one hundred and nineteen
legatees of Eli;jabeth de Burgh, Countess
of Clare, daughter of Gilbert, Earl of
Gloucester, and Joan d'Acre, daughter of
King Edward I. of England. Beginning
with A. D. 1 198, there is a long line of
representatives of the name in distin-
guished station in England. A. D. 1198
appears Walter Chiepman, and in the
same year Segar Chiepman ; 1216, Henry
de Chippenham, Johannes de Chippen-
ham, member of Parliament; 1327, Wal-
terus de Chippenham; 1355, Johannes de
Chipenham; 1383, Walter Chippenham;
1421, Henry Chippenham; 1433, Henry
Chippenham; 1509, Juliana de Chipman;
1518, Nicholas Chippenham, ecclesiastical
commissioner; 1625, Edward Chipman;
with many others, — distinguished preben-
daries, archdeacons, ambassadors and
magistrates.
(The Ancient Lineage).
(I) Thomas Chipman, of Dorsetshire,
England, ancestor of the line, was him-
self descended from a family of that name
who had long held estates in the county.
He inherited from his father a valuable
estate in Whitchurch, Dorsetshire, Eng-
land, long in the family, the history of
which property very vitally affected the
fate of his only son, John, the American
founder of the family. Thomas Chipman
was born probably in Whitchurch (not
far from Dorchester, County Dorset, Eng-
land) about 1567. He resided for a time
at Bryan's-Piddle, in the same county.
and was the owner of a property de-
scribed as '"Some certain Tenement or
Tenements with a Mill and other Edifice
thereunto belonging Lyding and being
in Whitchurch of Marshwood vale near
Burfoot Alias Breadport (Bridport) in
Dorsetshire aforesd heretofore worth 40
or 50 Pounds p Annum." The history of
the loss of this property is a most inter-
esting one. Thomas Chipman appears to
have remained unmarried until after the
age of thirty years. In the vicinity of his
estate dwelt his kinsmen (of the wealthy
family of Derby) to whose influence he
seems to have been highly susceptible.
There kinsmen induced him, for what rea-
son is not known, to part with his patri-
monial acres, which he did ''about three-
score years" before 1651, for a small con-
sideration, or (as it has been described)
"By reason of Some Kind of Sale made
of Inconsiderable value by the sd Thomas
(In the time of his Single Estate not then
minding Marriage) unto his kinsman Mr.
Christopher Derby living Sometime in
Sturtle (Sturthill) near Burfort aforesd."
Later, however, Thomas Chipman mar-
ried, and having three children, the un-
wisdom of his course became apparent, for
his kinsman refused absolutely to make
any provision for his family, and his son
and heir, John, the American founder, un-
availingly attempted at a later period to
regain possession of the family property.
Thomas Chipman died about 1623. He ^
married, about 1590, a lady whose name is
unknown ; she died about 1637. The in-
formation as to the children of this mar-
riage is gathered from the document pre-
pared by their son, John, the America
founder, then in America, hereinafter re-
ferred to, in which he speaks of his sis-
ters "Hanor and Tumsun." It thus ap-
pears that Thomas Chipman had three
children as follows: i. John, mentioned
below. 2. Hanor. 3. Tumsun.
153
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
(The Family in America).
(I) John Chipman, founder of the fam-
ily in America, son of Thomas Chipman.
of Dorsetshire, England, was born near
Dorchester (and probably Bryan's Pid-
dle), County Dorset, England, about
1614. His kinsman, Christopher Derby
(hereinabove referred to as being con-
nected with the sale of Thomas Chip-
man's property), with an evident inten-
tion of preventing any awkward questions
by the young man, then rapidly approach-
ing years of judgment, appears to have
sought for him "a good opening for a
young man." He apprehended, appar-
ently, states the family chronicler, that
John Chipman "now near his majority
might on reaching it, bring, should he re-
main in England, an action at law for
ejectment, so troubling, if not ousting
Christopher, but who, removed to Amer-
ica, would scarcely attempt such litiga-
tion."
By a comparison of the document which
John Chipman later prepared concerning
his right to the family property, and the
record of incoming inhabitants made by
Governor Winthrop, the age, date of
arrival, and various other important facts
concerning the founder Chipman are
gleaned. He states he "supposeth his
Age to be thirty seven years," and as the
document is dated February 8, 1651, it
appears that he was born about 1614. He
further proceeds to relate that he left
England "next May Twenty and one year
Since he Come out of England," which
figured by the calendar as it then was,
would give the year of his arrival in
America as 1631. Governor Winthrop
supplements and confirms this by the
entry: "Year 1631 * * * July 14, the
ship called the Friendship, of Barnstable
(England) arrived at Boston, after she
had been at sea eleven weeks and beaten
back by foul weather. She set sail from
Barnstable (England) again, about the
midst of May." Thus we discover the
ship and date of sailing of the founder of
the family as the "Friendship," out of
Barnstable, Devonshire, England, leaving
in May, 1631, which after a rough pas-
sage, and once putting back, at last
reached Boston, in New England, July
14, 1631.
John Chipman was about sixteen or
seventeen years of age at the time of his
arrival, and settled first in Dorchester,
Massachusetts. Until he reached full age,
he was a ward of Richard Derby, who
exercised the rights of a guardian in re-
gard to his affairs. This Richard Derby
was a member of the same family which
had deprived John's father of his estate;
they were large landowners in England,
and men of much influence and power,
who were heavily concerned in the com-
mercial side of the Massachusetts coloni-
zation. From 1631 to 1635, ^"^ perhaps
thereafter, John Chipman resided in
Plymouth, where his guardian, Richard
Derby, had his home. Later he was in
Yarmouth, from 1646 to 1649, and there-
after in Barnstable, from about 1649 to
1679. Somewhat later he removed to
Sandwich.
Of his record in the New England set-
tlements, we have a long and honorable
account. He became ruling elder in the
church ; and was the owner of consider-
able land. On June i, 1649, while living
in Barnstable, he purchased from Edward
Fitzrandolph a tract of land ; on Decem-
ber 10, 1672, he made a purchase of lands
in Barnstable from Lieutenant John
Howland, the locality of the property be-
ing the Great Marshes, later known as
West Barnstable. This property was
destined to remain in the Chipman family
for more than seven generations. Among
his offices of honor were those of select-
man for many years, and magistrate in
154
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Plymouth Colony ; he was also deputy to
the General Court, and strong in the faith,
was authorized "to frequent the Quaker
meetings to endeavor to rescue them from
the error of their wayes." In accordance
with the custom of the Colonial period,
his gentle blood and excellent station
were recognized by the prefix "Mr." to
his name in documents, and in token of
his valuable services, he received various
grants of land made to "Mr. John Chip-
man" during i66i to 1673. On January
30, 1652-53, he entered the Barnstable
church, his wife having become a mem-
ber in August, 1650. On April 14, 1670,
he was invested with the office of ruling
elder. Later, when he removed to Sand-
wich, "the church in Barnstable made
him offers of an annual salary, and the
town of Barnstable voted to him the pro-
priety (i. e. proprietorship) of valuable
meadow lands, conditioned that he would
return to that position (of ruling elder)
there.
As to the English property of the Chip-
man family, though he was clearly en-
titled thereto, the founder, John Chip-
man, while convinced of the injustice of
which he had been the victim, could never
enforce his claims against his wealthier
and more powerful kinsmen; it appears
that he tried to regain the estate, and
"that one step towards such an attempt
was taken." On March 2, 1641-42, a suit
was brought against John Derby with the
"intent to recover money which John
Derby withheld from 'his cousin Chip-
man'." This suit was tried in Plymouth
by Edward Winslow, then an assistant
and previously and thereafter Governor
of Plymouth Colony. A deposition of one
Ann Hinde, taken on behalf of the com-
plainant in the above suit, is illuminating
as to the facts of the case, and among
other items disclosed, it appears that:
Ann Hinde, the wife of Wm. Hoskins. * * *
being examined * * * afeirmeth upon oath as
followeth : That the said Ann lived in the house
of Mr. Darbeys father with the said John Chip-
man att such times as the said John Chipman
came from thence to New England to serve Mr.
Richard Darbey his brother. * * * The said
Ann came afterwards likewise over, to serve the
said Richard Darbey.
The deposition continues that on her
leaving England:
* * * old Mr. Darbey requested this depo-
nant to comend him to his cosen Chipman, and tell
him if he were a good boy he would send him
over the money that was due to him when hee
saw good ; and further, wheras this deponant
heard the said John Darbey affeirme that his
money was payed to John Chipman's mother, shee
further deposeth that his mother was dead a
quarter of a yeare or thereabouts before her old
master sent this message to his cosen Chipman ;
to which this deponant sweareth.
So far as is known, nothing beneficial
to John Chipman resulted from the above
suit. After having been in America
about twenty years, John Chipman, en-
couraged by his relatives and friends, de-
termined to make an effort to obtain re-
dress and satisfaction in the matter of his
English property. On February 8, 1651-
52, he prepared a document, of which an
ancient copy is preserved, which was in-
tended to be transmitted to England and
to form the basis of his claims there,
which document he entitled :
A brief Declaration with humble Request (to
whom These Presents shall Come) for further
Inquiry and Advice in ye behalf of John Chipman
now of Barnstable in the Government of New
Plimouth in New England in America (he) being
ye onfy Son & Heir of Mr. Thomas Chipman Late
Deceased at Brinspittoel (Bryan's-Piddle) about
five miles from Dorchester in Dorsetshire, in
England.
No result so far as has ever been
learned came from the efforts of the
founder in this matter. More than a cen-
tury later, one of his descendants, who
was "by the right of primogeniture the
lawful heir" * * * "caused inquiries to
be made of Silas Dean or Dr. Franklin
155
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
(one or both) colonial agent (then) in
England, in regard to the estate," which
enquiries "resulted in ascertaining that
the rental was (then) worth £500 ster-
ling." These inquiries were made just
before the Revolution ; it had been the
intention of the then head of the Chip-
man line to prosecute his claims in Eng-
land, but the outbreak of war, and his
strong Colonial sympathies, caused the
whole matter to be abandoned. John
Chipman died April 7, 1708.
He married (first), in 1646, Hope How-
land, daughter of John Howland, the
"Mayflower" Pilgrim, and Elizabeth (Til-
ley) Howland, his wife. (See Howland
II. See Tilley II). He married (second),
in 1684, Ruth Sargent, daughter of Wil-
liam Sargent. (See Sargent). Issue
(among others) by first wife, Lydia, men-
tioned below.
(II) Lydia Chipman, daughter of John
and Hope (Howland) Chipman, was born
in Barnstable, Massachusetts, December
25, 1654. She died March 2, 1730. She
married (as his third wife) John Sargent,
son of William and Sarah (Minshall) Sar-
gent. (See Sargent).
HOWLAND, John
The original, highly ornamented, water
color painting of the Howland escutcheon,
from which copies of the arms used in
this country have been made, is said to
have been brought to America shortly
after the arrival of the "Mayflower." In
1865 this painting was in the possession
of Rev. T. Howland White, of Shelbourne,
Nova Scotia, a lineal descendant of Jo-
anna Howland, daughter of John How-
land, son of the Pilgrim. The arms bear
the following inscription : "He beareth
sable, two bars argent, on a chief of the
second three lions rampant of the first,
and for his crest, on a wreath of his colors
a lion passant sable. By the name of
Howland."
This ancient English family is found
seated in Essex, prior to the reign of King
Henry VII. A somewhat remarkable fact
connected with the lineage is that its sur-
name of Howland is disclosed, in early
centuries, in only one county of England,
Essex, and although various families have
spread to other parts of the kingdom, they
all, either nearly or remotely derive from
the Essex root. Several of the repre-
sentatives of the family during its long
course acquired great fortunes and were
honored with knighthood ; and of these,
one line, eventuating in an heiress, united
the Howland blood with the ducal house
of Bedford, the then head of which ob-
tained the title of Baron Howland, which
is still borne among the honors of that
exalted line of peers.
By a curious error, into which several
writers have fallen, a certain Humphrey
Howland, of London, is made the father
of the American pioneers, John, Henry
and Arthur. He was in fact their brother,
as well as brother to George, who re-
mained in England ; he was doubtless the
oldest brother of the family. Humphrey
Howland, citizen of London, where he
engaged in business as a draper, died in
1646, leaving a will dated May 28, 1646,
and proved July loth of that year, by
which he bequeathed, in the order named,
to George of St. Dunston's in the East,
London ; Arthur, John and Henry ; these
last named three brothers were to receive
— Arthur, £8, John, £4, and Henry, £4,
out of the debt due to Humphrey "by
Mr. Ruck, of New England." This John
Ruck was in the year 1646 a resident of
Salem, a son of Thomas Ruck, of Eng-
land, and it is evident that he owed £16
to Humphrey Howland, who thus willed
it to his brothers, then at Plymouth.
Annie Howland, widow of Humphrev
156
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Rowland, was executrix of the will, and
she likewise administered upon the estate
of George Rowland, July ii, 1646. She
died in 1653, and was buried at Bark-
ing, Essex, the old home county of the
Rowlands, December 20, 1653, leaving
a will dated December 10, 1653, and
proved November 22nd of the year fol-
lowing, by William Courtoyse, to whom
she left considerable legacies. George
Rowland was, apparently, deceased in or
prior to 1646, and probably without leav-
ing a widow or children, since his sister-
in-law was appointed to settle his affairs.
Arthur, John and Henry Rowland all
came to America.
John Rowland was of the "Mayflower"
company. The progeny of these three
Rowlands is a large and prominent one
in New England, and from the earliest
years of the struggle of Plymouth Colony
for a foothold in the New World has
played an important part in our life and
aflfairs.
(The Family in America).
(I) John Rowland, the progenitor, was
born about 1592 in England. It is prob-
able that had he not early become imbued
with Puritan doctrines, his family would
have established him creditably in Eng-
land, but his pronounced opinions at an
early age laid him open to the persecu-
tion which was driving the Puritans out
of England by the shipload. Imbibing
Pastor Robinson's tenets at Scrooby, he
left England for Amsterdam, and after a
year of residence there, removed with
others to Leyden, where the Rev. John
Robinson had gathered his flock about
him. For his subsequent actions, we
must look to the events leading up to the
epochal removal of the Pilgrims from
Holland, which have thus been described :
The "Mayflower" * * * vvas chartered in
London.
At Southampton the Pilgrims found the "May-
flower" with English Separatists who were to
join the colony. * * * From Plymouth for
New England, on the sixth of September, sailed
the "Mayflower." * * * She was deeply laden
with the winnowed remnant of the Pilgrim band
and a few recruits * * * a hundred and two
in all and all their outfit.
John Rowland was among this famous
band of the "Mayflower" Pilgrims, and
on the noted list or history of the voyage
and passengers prepared by Governor
Bradford (a document indited in his own
handwriting and long lost, but at last
restored to Massachusetts), his name ap-
pears. The end of their long and suffer-
ing voyage in sight, the famous "May-
flower Compact" was entered into, and
signed by forty-one out of the adult males
among the passengers, and John Row-
land's name was the thirteenth in order
of signing. Before the weary Pilgrims
could make a landing, a suitable site for
settlement had to be selected, and John
Rowland was among those sent out to
circumnavigate Cape Cod harbor in search
of a good place to land. States the his-
torian : "The cold was extreme. 'The
water froze on their clothes and made
them many times like coats of iron'," and
they narrowly escaped with their lives in
a severe storm. This was the second
occasion when John Rowland had nearly
lost his life before the voyage closed. At
this time he was twenty-eight years of
age and, according to Prince, was a mem-
ber of Governor Carver's family. Row
this came about is not known, but it is
probable that Carver saw elements in his
character which led him to supply young
Rowland's wants for the journey to
America, and to cause him to be consid-
ered one of the family. That he possessed
sound judgment and business capacity is
shown by the active duties which he
assumed, and the trust which was reposed
in him in all the early labors of establish-
157
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ing a settlement. With the landing of the
Pilgrims at Plymouth, the notable work
of John Rowland's career began. He
continued in importance in the settlement
until his death. The first mention of John
Howland in old Plymouth colony records
is on a list of freemen, and in an enumera-
tion of the members of the Governor's
"councill" of seven, of which he is the
third. He was highly esteemed by Brad-
ford, who on all occasions selected him
among the principal men of the settle-
ment to carry forward important under-
takings. He was made one of the asses-
sors in 1633-34. In 1627, with Governor
Bradford and six others prominent in the
colony, he was selected to conclude a
compact with various merchants in Lon-
don, relating to the relinquishment of
their claims against the colonists which
"continued to give much vexation ;" in
this year also he was enumerated in the
cattle division, while previously, in 1623-
24, he had taken part in the division of
lands. Beginning with 1652 he served as
deputy from Plymouth eight times, was
selectman from Plymouth, 1666, surveyed
the lands, acted on committees of every
description, aided in settling estates, per-
formed the duties of trustee, and "was a
profitable member both in Church and
Commonwealth," says Governor Brad-
ford. He was not only full of zeal for
the temporal welfare of the colony, but
gave powerful encouragement to a high
standard of morals and religion, so much
so that he is recorded as "a godly man
and an ancient professor in the ways of
Christ." In 1667, at the ordination of
John Cotton, Jr., he was appointed by
the church "to join in the imposition of
hands." He was, however, liberal in his
religious opinions, and of a kindly sym-
pathy of spirit ; his brothers became affili-
ated with the Quakers, and at the time of
the troubles with that sect, he was for a
period, through his sympathy with that
persecuted body, dropped from the Gen-
eral Court.
A portion of his property was at Island
Creek pond, and he had also two small
islands in Geeir's harbor; for a time he
resided in Duxbury, the better to super-
intend his afTairs, but after a short resi-
dence there, he returned to Plymouth.
Before 1665 he removed to Rocky Nook,
where he lived until his death. John
Howland died, aged more than eighty
years, February 23, 1673. His will, dated
May 29, 1672, names his ten children.
He married Elizabeth Tilley, daugh-
ter of John Tilley, sixteenth signer of the
Compact. Elizabeth Howland survived
her husband and died in Swansea, De-
cember 21, 1687, aged about eighty years,
at the home of her daughter, Lydia
Brown. She was the last but three of
the "Mayflower" passengers to die. Issue
of John and Elizabeth (Tilley) Howland,
among others, Hope, mentioned below.
(II) Hope Howland, daughter of John
and Elizabeth (Tilley) Howland, was
born August 30, 1629, and died January
8, 1684. She married, in 1646, John Chip-
man. (See Chipman).
(The Tilley Line).
The surname Tilley is found in Eng-
land as early as the Norman Conquest,
and appears in the Domesday Book. The
name was common also in France and
Holland at an early date, and is doubtless
of Norman-French origin, as Lower
states that there is a village of Tilly in
the department of Calvados in Normandy.
The name is spelled in ancient records
Tillie, Tilly, Teley, Tiley, Tilee and Tely.
It is highly probable that Tylle, a sur-
name in use to-day, is also of the same
stock.
Arms — Argent, a wivern with tvings endorsed
sable, charged on the breast with an annirlet or.
158
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGR.\PHY
Crest — The head of a battle-ax, issuing from a
wreath.
Among the passengers on the "May-
flower," in 1620, were two males of the
name of Tilley : Edward Tilley, who was
accompanied by his wife Ann ; and John
Tilley, who brought his wife and daugh-
ter Elizabeth. These Tilley passengers
seemed doomed to misfortune ; Edward
and his wife were unable to stand the
hardships of the first terrible winter, and
died in the spring, 1620-21, leaving no
male descendants. John Tilley and his
wife also died early in 1621, his daugh-
ter Elizabeth being the sole survivor of
the family. She became the wife of John
Rowland, the Pilgrim, and it is through
her alone that descent can be traced to
the Mayflower Tilleys. Other Tilleys
came later. John Tilley was in Dorches-
ter in 1628. William Tilley, of Barn-
stable and Boston, came from Little
Minories, England, in the ship "Abigail,"
in June, 1636; he left a daughter Sarah,
but no sons ; others of the name came
later.
(I) John Tilley, immigrant ancestor
and founder, came to the American Colo-
nies in December, 1620, on the "May-
flower." He was the sixteenth signer of
the famous "Mayflower Compact." He
and his wife died early in 1621, leaving
an only daughter, Elizabeth.
(H) Elizabeth Tilley, daughter of John
Tilley, after the death of her parents, be-
came the ward of Governor Carver, first
governor of Plymouth Colony. She later
became the wife of John Howland, one of
the "Mayflower" company, and four-
teenth signer of the Compact, Among
their children was Hope, mentioned be-
low.
(HI) Hope Howland, daughter of John
and Elizabeth (Tilley) Howland, was
born August 30, 1629, and died January
8, 1684. She married, in 1646, John Chip-
man. (See Chipman).
RICHARDSON, Nathaniel
The origin of this name (made up of a
simple combination of two words, the
Christian name of Richard and the word
"son") was formed into "Richard's son,"
which by easy transition came into use
as "Richardson" at the period when sur-
names became prevalent throughout the
English nation. Many illustrious lines
of Richardson have from time to time
flourished in England, Scotland and
Wales. Perhaps the oldest reference to
a bearer of the name is found not long
after the Norman Conquest, when Wil-
liam Belward, Lord of the Moiety of Mal-
passe, had a son whom he named Rich-
ard ; this son was called "Richard the
Little," and he marrying left a son John,
who for purposes of distinction was called
John Richardson, a name which became
in course of time contracted to Richard-
son, and since this early period has been
adopted as a surname and borne by a host
of distinguished nobles, gentlemen, diplo-
mats, clerics, and persons of high, intel-
lectual attainments.
Arms — Argent, on a chief gules three lions'
heads erased or.
As an indication of the extent of the
family, lineages are discovered in Eng-
land in the counties of Norfolk, York,
Durham, Gloucester, Nottingham, War-
wick, Sussex, Surrey, Shrops and Derby,
and overflowing the boundaries of Eng-
land, are found in Wales, Scotland and
Ireland, and lastly, in America. Among
the distinguished members of the family
were : Nicholas Richardson, of Durham
and Yorkshire, 1561, whose family in
1600 received a grant of arms. Richard
Richardson, of Bradford, Yorkshire, and
later of Bierley, in the same county, who
died in 1656; in 1630, for declining the
honor of knighthood rendered by King
Charles I., he was fined the sum of forty
pounds, which he paid, and the receipt
159
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
for such payment, carefully preserved and
still in possession of one of his descend-
ants, bears the signature of the famous
and notorious Wentworth, Earl of Straf-
ford, afterwards beheaded by order of
Parliament. Dr. Thomas Richardson, of
Norfolk, was another notable member of
the line. His son, Sir Thomas Richard-
son, Knight, born at Hardwick, Norfolk-
shire, in 1569, was sergeant-at-law, chan-
cellor to Queen Elizabeth, speaker of the
House of Commons, Lord Chief Justice
of the Court of Common Pleas, and in
1631 Lord Chief Justice of England. Sir
Thomas' wife was created Baroness of
Cramond in Scotland, and of this noble
line of Richardson a long pedigree is pre-
served in the history of the County of
Norfolk. Sir Thomas Richardson died
February 4, 1634, and so distinguished
had been his career that his remains were
interred with much pomp in Westmin-
ster Abbey.
In Wales is found a line of Richard-
sons which descended originally from
James Richardson, of Dumfries, Scotland,
who married an heiress of the notable
Scotch family of Dalziel. He had two
grandsons, Henry and Samuel, the latter
of whom was of Hensol Castle, Glamor-
gan, South Wales ; he was high sheriff of
Gloucester, 1787, and of Glamorgan, 1798;
his son Henry was of Eber Hirnant, in
the County of Moerioneth. This distin
guished family of Wales was originally
connected with the Norfolk Richardsons,
and it was from the line of Norfolk, ac-
cording to the best authorities, that the
American settlers of the name of Richard-
son were descended.
(I) Thomas Richardson, founder of the
family in America, was born in England,
and as the authoritative historian of the
family states, both he and his brothers
"probably originated in Norfolk" in that
country. His eldest brother, Ezekiel, was
an American pioneer of 1630, and came
over with Winthrop ; as early as July 6.
1630, he is found at Charlestown, and,
according to tradition, was a personal
friend of Governor Winthrop, at whose
solicitation he joined in the plan of over-
seas settlement. Ezekiel's younger broth-
ers, Samuel and Thomas (ancestor of the
line herein traced), followed him about
five years later.
As early as February 21, 1635-36,
Thomas Richardson was at Charlestown,
in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and on
that date his wife Mary joined the church
there. Thomas Richardson himself joined
the same church 19th of 12th month
(February), 1637-38, his brother Samuel
joining at the same time. On May 2,
1638, Thomas Richardson was duly ad-
mitted a freeman of the colony, and the
year previous, 1637, he received from the
town of Charlestown a grant of a house
plot ; rn the same year also his name was
entered on the records as a citizen of the
town.
A deep affection appears to have ex-
isted between all these brothers, and espe-
cially between the two younger, Thomas
and Samuel. These latter without doubt
made the voyage from England together ;
each obtained a house lot at the same
time ; they are recorded as citizens at the
same time ; and though the dates are not
preserved, were probably married almost
at the same time. We see the three broth-
ers again affectionately uniting when
they joined in a new project of settlement
undertaken in 1638. In that year, on
April 20, they obtained a grant of a lot
on the "Mistike Side and above the
Ponds" (i. c. Maiden), and probably lab-
ored together to make the development
thereof a success. With his brothers,
Ezekiel and Samuel, together with five
others, Thomas Richardson joined in the
foundation of the town of Woburn, on
160
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
which historic site he was an original pro-
prietor and inhabitant, and he was also
foremost in the establishment of a church
there in 1641. The previous year, he and
others above named, were commissioners
chosen by the Charlestown church, No-
vember 5, 1640, to undertake the Woburn
settlement. He died in Woburn, Massa-
chusetts, August 28, 165 1.
He married, in England, about 1635,
Mary . She survived him and mar-
ried, October 26, 1655 (as her second hus-
band), Michael Bacon, Sr. (of Woburn
in 1641), and ancestor of the noted New
England family of that name. She died
May 19, 1670. Issue seven children, of
whom the youngest was Nathaniel, men-
tioned below.
(II) Nathaniel Richardson, son of
Thomas and Mary Richardson, was born
in Woburn, Massachusetts, January 2,
1650-51. The youngest son of the family,
he grew to manhood in Woburn, where
his father was not only an original pro-
prietor, but a founder and a most influ-
ential inhabitant. Nathaniel Richardson
took the freeman's oath and was admitted
in 1690. He served as a soldier in Cap-
tain Prentiss's troop of horse, and with
his fellow colonists went through the
horrors of the campaigns of that terrify-
ing period ; among other engagements in
which he participated was the "Great
Swamp Fight" of December 19, 1675,
where he was severely wounded. The
brave soldier received in life no reward
for his heroic conduct save the conscious-
ness of a duty well done ; later, however,
the General Court of Massachusetts ex-
pressed the people's gratitude by grants,
in 1728 and 1732, of various townships to
the soldiers of the Narragansett campaign
or their heirs. Joshua Richardson, a
grandson of Nathaniel Richardson, was
one of a committee appointed to lay out
various of these tracts, and he drew one
Mass 11—11 161
of the lots in Templeton, Worcester
county, by virtue of his descent. Na-
thaniel Richardson died December 4,
1714.
He married Mary , who died De-
cember 22, 1719. Issue thirteen children,
all born in Woburn, of whom his eldest
son was Nathaniel, mentioned below.
(Ill) Nathaniel (2) Richardson, son of
Nathaniel (i) and Mary Richardson, was
born in Woburn, Massachusetts, August
27, 1673. His residence was in Woburn
until after 1710, and he then took up his
domicile at Rumney Marsh (later Chel-
sea, near and at that time a part of Bos-
ton). After a few years there, he re-
moved, about 1718, to Leicester, which
had been incorporated as a town, Febru-
ary 15, 1713. He bore a prominent share
in the life and aflPairs of Leicester, be-
came town clerk and selectman in 1722,
was moderator of town meetings, influ-
ential in the church, and one of those who
by their earnest labors succeeded in bring-
ing Rev. David Parsons to settle in the
town in 1721. He was a landholder in
Leicester, and was joined with the thirty-
six other fellow-townsmen in the deed
which the committee of proprietors made,
January 11, 1724-25, of the easterly half of
the town of Leicester. He was also actively
engaged as the first innholder in the town,
being so authorized in 1721 and 1722, and
his old Colonial homestead stood at the
intersection of what was called the Great
Post road, about the centre of the town,
but the house was destroyed by fire prior
to the Revolution. He died about 1728.
He married, September 18, 1694, Abi-
gail Reed, daughter of Israel and Mary
(Kendall) Reed, of Woburn, (See Reed
III). His estate was administered by his
widow and his son Nathaniel, February
20, 1729. He left no will. Issue thirteen
children, of whom his eighth child was
Deborah, mentioned below.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
(IV) Deborah Richardson, daughter of
Nathaniel (2) and Abigail (Reed) Rich-
ardson, was born in Woburn, Massachu-
setts, about 1708. Her girlhood was
passed in Leicester, and marrying a citi-
zen of that place, she resided there
throughout her life. She died in 1770.
She married, September 29, 1726, Jona-
than Sargent, son of Jonathan -(2) and
Mary (Lynde) Sargent. (See Sargent
IV).
REED, Israel
The lineage of Reed in England is
traceable backward for centuries to a
period antecedent to the Norman Con-
quest, and comprehends in its history
great nobles, gentlemen of landed prop-
erty, and distinguished dignitaries of
church and state. The family of Reed in
England is there found established more
than a thousand years ago, and derives
its origin from the great chieftain, Cair-
bre Reada, who founded the clan of Rede
or Reed and established the kingdom of
Dalriada upon the western coast of Scot-
land. There, in succession, reigned nine
chieftains of the Reeds, until the ninth
sovereign chieftain, Reada, was defeated
by Kenneth, and leaving the scene of his
former power, founded the settlement of
Redesdale and there established a part of
his clan.
Arms — Gules, a saltire between four garbs or.
Crest — On the stump of a tree vert, a falcon
rising proper.
Motto — Cedant arnm togae. (Let arms yield to
the gown).
Descending from these great chieftains
came the lordly Reeds or Reads of Mor-
peth, celebrated in song and poetry, own-
ers of Morpeth Castle, and whose matri-
monial alliances comprised, among others,
the semi-royal house of Ross, now repre-
sented in the British peerage by several
earldoms, the great Welsh house of Mere-
dith, and the family of Cadwalader,
claimed to be the oldest in England and
which traces its ancestry from the period
of the early princes of Wales. The
Reedds or Reads of Morpeth trace their
lineage from Brianus de Rede of that
manor, living A. D. 1139. Thence also
trace the heroic Lairds of Throughend,
chiefs of the clan of Reed ; also the nota-
ble Reeds or Reads of Barton Court, and
many other famous lines of old families
of England, Scotland and Wales.
Many representatives of this famous
family came to America in the age of the
pioneers, and among these was William
Reed, hereinafter referred to, a notable
member of the lineage who worthily up-
held the ancient honorable name which he
bore. The line he established in America
has been noted throughout its New
World history for the distinction attained
by a large number of its members.
(I) William Reed, the founder of the
family in America, was among the first of
the pioneers in America. He came to the
New World in 1635, being accompanied
thence by his wife Mabel, and settled in
Woburn, Massachusetts, where he was
one of the first to reside. His pioneer life
was one distinguished by energy, in-
domitable perseverance and great cour-
age, characteristics markedly displayed
by his Old World ancestors ; his interests
in England, however, recalled him thence,
i^nd in 1656 he returned to his native land,
where he died. After his death, Mrs
Reed, accompanied by her family, once
more made the voyage to America, and
took up her permanent residence in New
England. Among the children of the
founder was Israel, mentioned below.
(II) Israel Reed, son of William and
Mabel Reed, was born in Woburn, Mas-
sachusetts, in 1642. His early life was
passed at the little township of his birth,
but he was subsequently taken by his
162
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
father and mother to England and resided
there some years, receiving the benefits
of an excellent education. After 1656, the
family returned to America, where Israel
Reed married, and where he continued to
live the remainder of his life, an influen-
tial and esteemed citizen of Woburn. He
married Mary Kendall. Issue among
others : Abigail, mentioned below.
(HI) Abigail Reed, daughter of Israel
and Mary (Kendall) Reed, was born in
Woburn, Massachusetts, January 2,
1678-79, and was long a resident of his-
toric Woburn. She died in 1759. She
married, September 18, 1694, Nathaniel
Richardson, son of Nathaniel and Mary
Richardson, who was born in Woburn,
August 2.'], 1673, ^r^d died about 1728.
(See Richardson).
FARRINGTON, Thomas
The origin of the surname Farrington
is Saxon, and was originally Ferndon, sig-
nifying "Fern Hill." It is one of the most
ancient in England, dating from Saxon
times, and in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire
and Lancashire, are found old towns bear-
ing the name of Farrington. The lineage
is numbered among the Royalty, nobility,
and gentry of England ; notable families
were long established in County Lancas-
ter, lineally descended from John de
ffarrington, of the reign of Henry III.,
and from whom the families of \\'erden
and Woodvale in Lancashire trace their
descent. The Farringtons, of Farrington,
Lancashire, were long seated in that
locality, and from them the Farringtons
of Chichester, Sussex, descend, as well as
the Farringtons of London. In ancient
times the name was invariably rendered
"fifarrington," two small letters "f" being
employed in place of the modern capi-
tal "F."
Arms — Gules, three cinquefoils argent.
Crest — A vvyvern sans wings.
(Farrington of Farrington).
(I) Sir Henry Farrington, of Farring-
ton, in County Lancaster, Knight, mar-
ried (first) Ann, daughter of Sir Alex-
ander RadclyflF, or Ordeshall ; (second)
Dorothy Okeover, daughter of
Okeover, of Okeover, in County Stafford.
Issue by first wife: i. William, eldest
son, died young. 2. Thomas, alderman of
Chichester and three times mayor, died
1572. 3. Robert. Issue by second wife:
4. William, mentioned below.
(II) William Farrington, son of Sir
Henry and Dorothy (Okeover) Farring-
ton, was of Werden, County Lancaster,
and married Ann Talbot, daughter of Sir
Thomas Talbot, of Bashall, Knight.
Issue: I. Thomas, mentioned below. 2.
Henry, married Margaret Brewster,
daughter and co-heiress of Edward Brew-
ster, of Maxfield. 3. William.
(III) Thomas Farrington, son of Wil-
liam and Ann (Talbot) Farrington, was
of Werden, and married Mabel Benson,
daughter and co-heiress of George Ben-
son, of Hugill, in County Westmoreland.
Issue: I. William, mentioned below. 2.
Thomas. 3. Henry. 4. Anne, married
William Preston, of Preston. 5. Alice,
married Anthony Savage, of Plompton,
County Lancaster.
(IV) William (2) Farrington, son of
Thomas and Mabel (Benson) Farrington.
was of Werden, and married Margaret
Worrall, daughter of Henry Worrall, of
Wysall, County Nottingham. Issue: i.
William. 2. Ann.
(Farrington of London).
(I) John Farrington, of London, gen-
tleman, married Joane Caldwell, sister
and coheiress of Geofifrey Caldwell, and
daughter of Rafe (Ralph) Caldwell.
Issue: I. Thomas, mentioned below. 2.
James, of London ; married Sarah Seres,
daughter of William Seres, of London.
163
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
(II) Thomas Farrington, of London,
married Alice , and had issue: i.
Thomas. 2. Reding. 3. Caldwell, men-
tioned below. 4. John, of Mitton, County
Stafford.
(III) Caldwell Farrington, of London,
married Anne French, daughter of Ed-
mund French, of London. Issue: i. Ed-
mund. 2. John. 3. Margaret. 4. Anne.
(The Family in America).
(I) Edmund Farrington, the founder
of the family in America, was of Olney,
Buckinghamshire, England, and was born
about 1587. He married in England, in
or prior to 1621, and at the time of his re-
moval to New England was accompanied
by his wife and their four children then
living, all of whom were under the age of
sixteen years. In 1635, with his family,
he journeyed to Southampton, England,
and there embarked on the ship "Hope-
well," Captain Bundocke, master, and
arrived at the Massachusetts Bay Colony,
April I, 1635.
Almost immediately thereafter, he es-
tablished his domicile in Lynn, Massa-
chusetts, and became a proprietor there
in 1638. He was a miller, and soon be-
came prosperously established, as well as
a leader in the affairs of Lynn. It is ap-
parent that he was of an adventurous
spirit, and a moving force among the
Lynn settlers in the promotion of coloni-
zation projects, and in 1639 he joined
with Josias Stanborough and others in
the acquirement of a vessel to be used for
the conveyance of passengers and their
outfit in the projected attempt at coloni-
zation on Long Island, which the Lynn
settlers had in contemplation. An agree-
ment was entered into as to the "dis-
posall" of this vessel, March 10, 1639,
wherein Edmund Farrington's name ap-
pears. In this document, Edmund Far-
rington and his associates are called the
"Undertakers," and in addition to his sig-
nature thereon appeared those of John
Farrington and Thomas Farrington, two
of his sons.
On the 17th of May, 1640, in company
with various others of the inhabitants of
Lynn, Edmund Farrington made a voy-
age with Captain Daniel How to Long
Island, where they cast anchor in Cow
Bay and entered into negotiations with
the Indians for the purchase of a tract of
land. From the savages, they acquired
a tract running from the eastern part of
Oyster Bay to Cow Bay, and began a
settlement ; however, the jurisdiction of
that territory was claimed by the Dutch,
and Governor Kieft, of New Netherland
speedily drove them forth, when they
were forced to abandon the land. A new
site for settlement being necessary, they
chose the district called Agawam, and
purchased from the Indians for a con-
sideration of sixteen coats and eighty
bushels of Indian corn, a tract of land
about twenty miles long and six miles
wide on Long Island, which tract they
christened "Southampton," and began
their settlement, December 13, 1640. Ed-
mund Farrington remained there some
years, superintending the inception of the
enterprise, but later, the colony being
firmly established, returned to Lynn,
where he had retained his property.
In 1643 he was in Lynn, and is men-
tioned in the inventory of Abraham Bel-
knap ; in 1661, he made a deposition
that he was then about seventy-four
years of age. His vigor and activity are
shown when, in 1665 (then seventy-eight
years old), he built himself a mill, dug a
pond, and opened a brook for half a mile.
This brook was called in his honor "Far-
rington's Brook." In 1661 he made a
deed to his eldest son, Matthew, of lands
in Lynn. Edmund Farrington died Janu-
ary 2, 1671. He married, in England.
64
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Elizabeth
Issue: I. Sarah, born
in England about 1621. 2. Matthew, men-
tioned below. 3. John, mentioned below.
4. Eliza, born in England ; eight years
old in 1635 5 married John Fuller. 5. Ed-
ward, mentioned below. 6. Thomas, men-
tioned below.
(II) Matthew Farrington, son of Ed-
mund and Elizabeth Farrington, was
born in England in 1623, and in 1635,
when twelve years of age, accompanied
his parents to New England on the
"Hopewell." He may have gone to
Southampton for a short period, but he
soon returned to Lynn, Massachusetts,
where his father made him a deed of land
in 1 661, It is thought that Matthew Far-
rington married, while on a visit to Long
Island, and that some of his children were
born there. Some difference exists as to
the number and names of his children,
but the following have been declared by
various writers to be his: i. John, soldier
in Captain Gardner's company, and
wounded December 19, 1675 ; married
Lydia Hudson. 2. Matthew, a freeman
in 1691. 3. Theophilus. 4. William.
(II) John Farrington, son of Edmund
and Elizabeth Farrington, was born in
England about 1624. He was brought
by his father and mother to America in
1635, and is recorded as then being eleven
years of age. He was at Lynn with his
father, and there gave bonds for Isaac
Deesbro before the General Court. On
December 11, 1646, he settled in Dedham,
but later removed to Southampton, going
thence with Rev. Abraham Pierson. His
name was affixed to the undertaking as
to the vessel for the Southampton set-
tlers, March 10, 1639. Later he returned
to Lynn. John Farrington died in 1676.
Administration on his estate was granted
to his widow, Mary, July 28, 1676, and
after her decease in 1704, their son John
made distribution of the estate, July 3,
1704, to his brothers and sisters. Issue:
I. Mary, born in 1650. 2. John, distrib-
uted his father's estate in 1704. 3. Na-
thaniel. 4. Daniel. 5. Benjamin. 6.
Sarah, married Witherley. 7. Abi-
gail, married Hoadley. 8. Mary,
married Kenney ; issue, Mary
Kenney. 9. Hannah, married Ab-
bott ; issue, John Abbott.
(II) Edward Farrington, son of Ed-
mund and Elizabeth Farrington, appeared
on the list of inhabitants at Southampton,
Long Island, in 1645, ^^^ he was in that
township also in 1656, 1657, and perhaps
in 1658. He was one of the patentees or
incorporators of Flushing, and was in
residence at Flushing in the year 1651,
and a magistrate there in 1657. He was
a man of property and substance in Flush-
ing.
He was in strong sympathy with the
Society of Friends, "Quakers" so called ;
on December 26, 1657, ^^^^ being a mag-
istrate at Flushing, he signed his name
to the famous "Remonstrance" addressed
to Governor Stuyvesant, in answer to the
latter's proclamation against the Quakers.
This "Remonstrance" was the culmina-
tion to the troubles which had arisen
since the arrival of the ship "Wood-
house" on August 6, 1657, which brought
to the New Netherland several members
of the Society of Friends, some of whom
removed to Long Island, and settled in
Jamaica and Flushing. Governor Sti-y-
vesant issued a proclamation imposing a
fine on any one who harbored a Quaker
for a night, one-half of the fine to go to
the informer. "This cruel law," states an
historian of Flushing, "called out the
famous and noble remonstrance of Flush-
ing, which was signed by twenty-eight
freeholders" (of whom Edward Farring-
ton was one). The property owners who
thus signed this paper were later made to
suffer for their boldness. Among others.
165
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Edward Farrington was arrested and im-
prisoned, but on January lo, 1658, was
pardoned and released. Later, the States-
General in Holland (after hearing- John
Bowne, the famous Quaker, who was
brother-in-law of Edward Farrington),
directed Stuyvesant to be more lenient
toward the sect, and thereafter meetings
of the society were held at various houses
in Flushing, among which were those of
John Farrington (brother of Edward)
and others. Edward Farrington made his
will, April 14, 1673, ^^^ ^^ it provided
that his wife Dorothy should have the use
of his property until her decease, and after
her death to his "eldest son John all his
housing, land, orchard, gardens in the
town of Flushing, etc., to returne to ye
next heire male of the blood of ye Far-
ringtons and soe from generation to gen-
eration forever." He married Dorothy
. Issue: I. John. 2. Matthew,
mentioned below.
(II) Thomas Farrington, son of Ed-
mund and Elizabeth Farrington, was in
Southampton in 1645, five years after its
foundation. He joined with his father in
signing the undertaking as to the vessel
for the use of the Southampton settlers
in 1639, but when the charter of Flushing
was obtained from the Dutch governor,
Kieft, October 10, 1645, he is recited as
the first patentee "Thomas fifarrington"
out of the entire eighteen incorporators.
He owned a large tract of land in Flush-
ing, and was one of its most prominent
inhabitants. He married Abigail .
(III) Matthew Farrington, son of Ed-
ward and Dorothy Farrington, married
Hannah . His name appears on
the list of inhabitants of Flushing in 1689,
and he is also referred to in the account
of "Fflushings Prouisions" taken in July,
1711.
(Ill) John Farrington, son of John
Farrington, was born in Flushing; he was
a member of the Society of Friends, and
in 1707 was engaged to take care of the
meeting house. His kinsman was John
Farrington, the Quaker, who suffered so
severely during the Revolution, In the
account preserved of the property losses
of the Quakers when the British occupied
Long Island appear the following items :
1780. Taken from John Farrington a gun worth
£2; a table £3; 2 hogs £8 ids.
1781. 3rd month. There came to John Farring-
tons house David Rowland, a sergeant under Cap-
tain Hoogland, for a demand of £3 8s., took away
a piece of linen, worth £3 6s., being levied by way
of taxes, as was said to defray the expense of
guarding the fort at Whitestone.
1782. Taken from John Farrington goods worth
£3 IIS. 4d.
It is said that nearly all the oppression
of the Quakers in Flushing was at the
hands of the Hessians. Not all the Far-
ringtons, however, were non-combatants ;
a company was organized in Flushing,
July 27, 1776, which became part of Colo-
nel Josiah Smith's regiment, and was
used to protect the live stock on Long
Island. In the muster roll appear, under
the heading of "Privates," the names of
Benjamin Farrington and Matthew Far-
rington, who were allowed at the rate of
$6-2/3 per month. Captain Matthew Far-
rington, of the "Nancy," was married,
November 27, 1780, to Phebe McCullum.
Previously, in 171 5, in the list of "officers
and souldiers" belonging to the com-
pany of Captain Jonathan Wright, ap-
peared : "Thomas Farrington, Bay Side,"
"Thomas fTarrington of ye Towne," and
"Samll ITarrington," among the soldiers.
(IV) Thomas Farrington, son of Mat-
thew and Hannah Farrington, was born
in Flushing, Long Island, May 29, 1712.
He removed from Flushing about 1750.
and became domiciled first in Yonkers
and afterwards at Hunt's Bridge, and
lastly at Long Reach. He was one of the
166
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
overseers of roads in East Chester, April
15, 1774-
Abigail Farrington, descendant of the
above Flushing family, was born in
Flushing, Long Island, December 12,
1763. ^he married Dr. William Lawton,
son of/Dr. Pliny and Lucretia (Sargent)
LavvtJn. (See Lawton. See Sargent),
CALDERWOOD, Edwin Crawford
The surname Calderwood is derived,
according to "Scottish Nation," a bio-
graphical history of Scotland, from an
ancient lordship and manor of that name.
There is a river Calder which flows
through the manor. Although the Calder-
wood family owned the estate, it is not
known when they first settled there or
when the property went into other hands.
The manor consisted of the villages of
Great and Little Calderwood. The first
mention of the family was in 1296, when
the proprietor of Calderwood did homage
to King Edward I, of England, in respect
to his lordship. The family is thought to
have scattered about the fourteenth or
fifteenth century, many of them going to
Ireland while others settled in the south
of Scotland, in the neighborhood of Edin-
burgh, and in Dalkirth. The families of
Dalkirth and Edinburgh were prominent
and held important offices. One of the
family was a justice of the peace, one a
bailee and commissioner to the Parlia-
ment of 1648, 1649 and 1661 ; one was
sheriff of Edinburgh from 1696 to 1701,
being knighted, in 1706, Sir William
Calderwood, and he became Lord Patton
in 171 1. The Parliament of 1647 ^P"
pointed Archibald Calderwood a com-
missioner of war. David Calderwood,
born 1573, in Dalkirth, was a distin-
guished divine of the Church of Scot-
land, and was one of the best known
ecclesiastical historians ; he received the
degree of A. M. in 1593, and was one of
the Presbyterian ministers who strongly
opposed the plans of James VI, of intro-
ducing Episcopacy in Scotland. Because
of this he was imprisoned and after a
time released on condition that he leave
the country. In 1625, when King James
died, he returned from Holland to Scot-
land. In addition to his "History of the
Kirk of Scotland," he published about
twenty other works, and his manuscript
of the history is preserved in the British
Museum.
(I) William Calderwood, the earliest
known ancestor of the branch of the fam-
ily herein followed, was a resident of
Ayershire, Scotland, and died there in the
year 1875, aged eighty-two years. He
took an active interest in all that con-
cerned his home city, and was numbered
among the representative citizens. He
married and was the father of thi'ee sons :
Andrew, John and James, and eleven
daughters, names unknown.
(II) James Calderwood, son of Wil-
liam Calderwood, was born in the year
1803, and died in the year 1850. After
completing his studies in the local school,
he served an apprenticeship at the trades
of saddler and harnessmaker in Glasgow,
Scotland, and became a proficient jour-
neyman. He engaged in business on his
own account, gave employment to a num-
ber of men, and was successful in all his
undertakings, owing to his complete
equipment therefore. He was a member
of the Presbyterian church, and v.^as
actively interested in all branches of its
work. He married Elizabeth Anderson,
born in the year 1805, died in the year
1850, the same year as the death of her
husband occurred. Their children were
as follows : Mary, deceased, was the wife
of Duncan Crawford ; Anne, deceased,
was the wife of James Wilson ; John, de-
ceased ; Elizabeth, became the wife of
Robert Southerland ; William (2), of
67
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
whom further ; Ellen, deceased, was the
wife of John Crawford ; she came to
America.
(Ill) William (2) Calderwood, young-
est son of James and Elizabeth (Ander-
son) Calderwood, was born in Glasgow,
Scotland, November 6, 1838. He received
his education in the schools of Bonbills,
near Loch Lomond, on the River Loren,
which river runs from Loch Lomond into
the River Clyde, and which is a great
river for trout fishing. After his school
studies were completed, he assisted his
father in his work for a short period of
time, and when eighteen years of age
secured employment in a wholesale tea
and cofifee house in Glasgow, so contin-
uing for a period of two years. He then
removed to Ontario, Canada, and en-
gaged in general merchandise on his own
account, remaining so occupied for about
fourteen years, when he decided to come
to the United States, which he accord-
ingly did, locating in Hartford, Connecti-
cut. Upon being informed that Thomp-
sonville, Connecticut, was a good location
for business, he accordingly removed
thither and established a general depart-
ment store. He purchased his first bill
of goods in Hartford, Connecticut, in
1872. He continued in business until
1880, when with others he became inter-
ested in the manufacture of metallic
caskets, erecting a factory for making the
same in Thompsonville. The business did
not meet up to their expectations, and in
1883 ^^^- Calderwood changed his place of
business to Springfield, Massachusetts,
and in company with a Mr. Burns, en-
gaged in the furniture business. Their
store was on the site of the present Union
Trust Company building, and was one of
the finest and best equipped in the city.
The business was conducted under the
firm name of Calderwood & Burns. After
the death of Mr. Puirns, Mr. Calderwood
disposed of the business, and in June,
1889, returned to Thompsonville, Connec-
ticut, and purchased the department store
that he formerly owned, conducting a suc-
cessful business there until the year 1917,
when he disposed of the same and retired
from active pursuits after a successful
business career of more than forty-five
years in this country. Mr. Calderwood
was importuned to accept public office,
but always declined the honor, preferring
to devote his entire time to his mercantile
pursuits. During his residence in Thomp-
sonville he was ever interested in every-
thing pertaining to the welfare of the
town. He was president of the Board of
Trade, and was instrumental in locating
the Lozier Bicycle Works in the town.
He served on dififerent boards, was chair-
man of the Board of Sewer Commis-
sioners, was chairman of the com-
mission that erected the town build-
ings, and was a trustee of the Bank of
Thompsonville. He was an attendant of
the Presbyterian church of Thompson-
ville, and president of the governing
board of that church. During his early
days, Mr. Calderwood frequently crossed
the channel from Scotland to Ireland to
visit a sister, and there is a town in the
North of Ireland named Calderwoodville.
During his residence in Canada, Mr.
Calderwood returned once to Scotland
to visit his relatives.
Mr. Calderwood married, September
14, 1873, Ellen Alderman, of Canastota,
Madison county, New York, born Novem-
ber 3, 1848, daughter of James and Sarah
Ann (Seaton) Alderman. Children of
Mr. and Mrs. Calderwood: i. Edwin
Crawford, of whom further. 2. James
Wilson, born November 19, 1877; assist-
ant superintendent of Pratt & Whitney
Company, Hartford, Connecticut; married
Maria Brouchu ; children : Ellen, born
February 22, 1902 ; Edna, born Decem-
168
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ber 25, 1904; Marie, born October 12,
1909. 3. Nellie, born November 7, 1879;
became the wife of Leslie Carlton Brain-
ard, of Thompsonville, Connecticut; chil-
dren : Virginia Bright, born November
30, 191 1 ; Horace King, born June 15,
1913. 4. Charles, born February 13, 1882.
5. Lillian, born March 13, 1884. 6. Fred-
erick Anderson, a sketch of whom fol-
lows. 7. Herbert Harrison, born April
25, 1888; a traveling salesman; married
Edith Brainard ; children : Bernice, born
January 29, 1912; Herbert Harrison, Jr.,
born November 22, 1920. Of the sons of
Mr. Calderwood, all gained their first
experience in the store conducted by their
father, this business being the most exten-
sive of any store between Hartford and
Springfield.
(IV) Edwin Crawford Calderwood,
eldest son of William (2) and Ellen
(Alderman) Calderwood, was bom in
Thompsonville, Connecticut, May i,
1876. He attended the schools of his
native town. His business training was
gained by attendance at Childs' Business
College, Springfield, Massachusetts. In
1892 he put to the test the theoretical
knowledge obtained in college by becom-
ing an employee in his father's store, con-
tinuing as such for three years. He then
became a student in the Eastman Busi-
ness College, Poughkeepsie, New York,
taking the full course in three months and
three weeks. In June, 1895, he entered
the employ of the wholesale grocery es-
tablishment of Sturtevant, Merrick Com-
pany, filling the position of bill clerk, his
remuneration being ten dollars per week.
His next step was shipping clerk, then
bookkeeper, then cashier, drawing fifteen
dollars per week. On July 27, 1896, he
went on the road for the house, his salary
eighteen dollars per week, which in Janu-
ary, 1897, was advanced to twenty dollars
per week. He traveled for the com-
pany for four years, up to 1901, it being
then a partnership. At that date it was
incorporated, and Mr. Calderwood was
appointed secretary of the corporate com-
pany of Sturtevant, Merrick Company.
When he entered the employ of the com-
pany it was conducting a business of a
quarter of a million dollars a year, and
in 1913 the business had increased to such
large proportions that they were obliged
to work twenty-four hours a day, employ-
ing two shifts. They purchased the prop-
erty at No. 245 Chestnut street, and
erected a large building thereon, which
they occupied until January, 1921. The
business had increased so rapidly that
the latter named concern has conducted
a business of over two million dollars a
year, when they disposed of the property,
and the Sturtevant, Calderwood Com-
pany was organized, taking over the busi-
ness of the Sturtevant, Merrick Company,
the latter becoming a holding company.
In 1916 Mr. Calderwood was made man-
ager of this company. At the present
time he is also secretary of the Sturte-
vant, Merrick Company, and president of
the Sturtevant, Calderwood Company.
During the World War, Mr. Calderwood
served on the Fair Price Commission in
the city of Springfield. Mr. Calderwood
is a member of Faith Congregational
Church, Springfield, and is also a member
of its prudential committee and chairman
of the finance committee.
Mr. Calderwood married (first), Au-
gust 10, 1898, Jennie Borland, of Yonkers,
New York, daughter of George and Mary
(Lloyd) Borland. Children: Edwin Bor-
land, born April 26, 1899; Gordon Lloyd,
born January 14, 1905 ; Ruth, born April
28, 1906. The mother of these children
died January 27, 1916. Mr. Calderwood
married (second), June 8, 1917, Minnie
Rachel Donaldson, of Winsted, Connecti-
cut, daughter of William and Mary Eliza-
beth (Hasbrook) Donaldson.
69
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
CALDERWOOD, Frederick Anderson
A representative of the fourth genera-
tion, Frederick Anderson Calderwood,
son of William (2) and Ellen (Alderman)
Calderwood, whose history appears in the
preceding sketch of his brother, Edwin C.
Calderwood, was born in Thompsonville,
Connecticut, March i, 1886.
The schools of his native town afforded
him the means of obtaining a practical
education and this he supplemented by a
special course of study in the high school
on political economy, business economics
and special business, completing this
course at the early age of sixteen years.
He then entered the employ of the West-
field Plate Company in Thompsonville,
with whom he remained for five years,
attaining the position of assistant man-
ager. His next employment was on
special work for the Lozier Motor Com-
pany in Plattsburg, New York, from
where he was transferred to Detroit,
Michigan. In 1912 he went to Boston,
Massachusetts, as assistant manager for
the Lozier Motor Company, covering
New England territory from the Boston
office. At the expiration of two years he
resigned from this position in order to
engage in business for himself, which he
accordingly did, establishing a manufac-
turing business under the name of the
Calderwood Sales Company. In 1916 Mr.
Calderwood removed to Springfield, Mas-
sachusetts, and accepted a position as
vice-president and manager of the Chand-
ler Motor Company, which offices he is
filling at the present time (1921). He is
also a member of the board of directors
of the Reed Garage Company. In 1920
he filled the office of president of the
Springfield Automobile Dealers' Associa-
tion.
He holds membership in the order of
Free and Accepted Masons in Thompson-
ville, Connecticut; and the following in
Springfield : Nayasset Club, Manchoris
Club, Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Com-
merce, Springfield Trap Shooting and
Casting Club, Faith Church Club, and the
Young Men's Christian Association.
Mr. Calderwood married (first), Octo-
ber 19, 1910, Florence Bogue, of East
Hartford, Connecticut, born March 7,
1889, daughter of Lincoln H. and Annie
(Sellew) Bogue. One child was born of
this marriage, Frederick Anderson, Jr.,
born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, July
7, 1913. Mrs. Calderwood died March
15, 1919. Mr. Calderwood married (sec-
ond), June 28, 1920, Grace L. Moses, of
Springfield, Massachusetts, born Novem-
ber 17, 1897, daughter of William and
Jessie (Jones) Moses.
[,^
HILDRETH, Eiftwin Hunter
The Hildreth family is a very old one
in this country, the ancestor of all of this
name in Massachusetts being Richard
Hildreth, who, as ascertained from an old
grave stone, was born in 1612. He was
made a freeman May 10, 1643, ^"^ ^i^d
in Chelmsford in 1688. He was made a
freeman in 1643, ^^^ ^^^ name is recorded
as one of a group of twenty men from the
towns of Woburn and Concord who peti-
tioned the General Court of Massachu-
setts Bay in the year 1652 "for a tract of
land lying on the west side of Concord,
or Mus-ke-ta-quid river" where the peti-
tioners say "they do find a very com-
fortable place to accommodate a com-
pany of God's people upon." The petition
was granted and a settlement founded
there. Richard Hildreth married (first)
Sarah , died June 15, 1644, and to
this marriage were born : Jane, and
James. He married (second) Elizabeth
, who died at Maiden, August 3,
1693, aged sixty-eight years. To this mar-
riage were born : Ephraim, Abigail,
Joseph, Perisis, Thomas, and Isaac. The
170
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
various branches of this family, and the
descendants of these children, have pro-
duced many substantial citizens of ster-
ling character and high attainments.
Samuel Prescott Hildreth, who was born
in Massachusetts in 1783, settled in Ohio
in 1806, and wrote a "Pioneer History of
the Ohio Valley" and "Biographical and
Historical Memorials of the Early Set-
tlers of Ohio," was in the sixth genera-
tion from Richard Hildreth, the immi-
grant ancestor. Richard Hildreth, born
in Massachusetts in 1807, the distin-
guished journalist, anti-slavery writer,
and author of a "History of the United
States of America," in six volumes, was
also a descendant of the early settler.
A. F. Hildreth was postmaster of Lowell
in 1856; Dr. Israel Hildreth lived in
Dracut; and Dr. Benjamin Hildreth lived
in Bethuen. A brother of Dr. Benjamin
Hildreth settled in Hillsborough county.
New Hampshire, and was the first of the
name in that State. One of the sons of
the first Richard Hildreth was the ances-
tor of Stephen Hildreth, from whom the
lineal descent of Edwin Hunter Hildreth
is traced as follows :
(I) Stephen Hildreth, born in 1742,
died in 1800, was a soldier in the Revolu-
tionary War and with Captain Josiah
Brown's Company, Colonel Enoch Hale's
Regiment, marched from Ipswich, New
Hampshire, June 29, 1777, to reinforce the
garrison at Fort Ticonderoga, returning
to Ringe, third Corporal Stephen Hil-
dreth. In September, 1777, as a member
of Captain Edmund Bryant's Company,
Colonel Daniel Moore's Regiment, he
marched with the New Hampshire Vol-
unteers from Ipswich, New Hampshire,
and joined the Continental Army at
Saratoga. He received his discharge,
honorably won, October 25, 1777. Stephen
Hildreth married Esther Manning, who
died in 1827, and among their children
was a son, Samuel.
(II) Samuel Hildreth, son of Stephen
and Esther (Manning) Hildredth, was
born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1764,
and died in 1840. At an early age he
removed to Cornish, Sullivan county. New
Hampshire, where his name appears upon
a petition to the governor, asking for the
appointment of one William Deming as
justice of the peace for Cornish, Septem-
ber 9, 1786. He was a man of great
energy and perseverance and tackled the
task of clearing the three hundred acres
of heavily wooded land, which he had
taken up, with such zest and skill that
an ample space was soon ready for culti-
vation. His buildings were of logs, but
later in life he erected a fine set of build-
ings, one of his barns being one hundred
feet long with sills and ridge poles made
from single trees. This barn is still stand-
ing, the best specimen of pioneer car-
pentry in the region. He was also a car-
penter and a millwright and did consid-
erable work for his pioneer neighbors of
the region round about. He became a
leading man of the community, well
known as a man of unlimited capacity for
hard work, and very successful. No ob-
stacle daunted his courage, and his
energy and perseverance were such that
what he undertook to do he usually ac-
complished. He was popular as the ef-
ficient captain of a company of militia
which served under him in the War of
1812, stationed at Portsmouth. He mar-
ried Zilpah Gilbert, born in 1770, and died
in 185 1, at the age of eighty-one years,
and they were the parents of seven chil-
dren, two of whom died young. The five
who lived to maturity were : Betsy,
Salmon, of whom further; James, Chloe,
and Manning.
(III) Salmon Hildreth, son of Samuel
and Zilpah (Gilbert) Hildreth, was born
in Cornish, New Hampshire, October,
1794, and died March 30, 1861. He as-
sisted his father until he reached his
171
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
majority and then went to Plainfield,
where for a time he operated a small
foundry, later engaging in cabinet mak-
ing, and manufacturing small wood work
in which business he was engaged until
the time of his death. He was a man
highly respected by his friends and neigh-
bors ; was an ardent Democrat of the Jef-
fersonian type, as was his father before
him ; and in religious faith was a Univer-
salist. He married Lois Chandler Rob-
inson, daughter of James and Judith
(Reed) Robinson, of Reading, Vermont,
born in Reading, December 8, 1802, died
June 2, 1888. Her father was a native of
Lexington, Massachusetts, and soldier in
the War of 1812. The children of Salmon
and Lois Chandler (Robinson) Hildreth
were : James Henry, deceased, who
served in the Civil War; Samuel, of
further mention; Charles M., deceased;
Rosella, married Thaddeus Conant ; Oscar
D., deceased ; and Eliza A., deceased.
(IV) Samuel Hildreth, son of Salmon
and Lois Chandler (Robinson) Hildreth,
was born in Plainfield, New Hampshire,
April 29, 1827, and died in Springfield,
Massachusetts, January 19, 1914. When
a young man he moved to Windsor, Ver-
mont, where he learned the trade of gun-
smith. In 1861 he came to Springfield,
Massachusetts, and entered the employ
of the Federal Government in the United
States Armory, where he remained for
over forty years until his retirement in
1902. At this time he was probably the
oldest employee in point of time of service
in the employ of the government in these
works. , In religious belief he was an
Episcopalian, a member of Christ Epis-
copal Church. He married Abbie C.
Hunter, born in Windsor, Vermont, in
1833, died March 29, 1918. She was the
daughter of David and Clarissa K.
(Stocker) Hunter. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel
Hildreth were the parents of one son,
Edwin Hunter.
(V) Edwin Hunter Hildreth, son of
Samuel and Abbie C. (Hunter) Hildreth,
was born in Windsor, Vermont, Novem-
ber 4, 1869. He was brought to Spring-
field by his parents and received his edu-
cation in the grammar and high schools of
that city. Upon leaving school in 1887,
he entered the office of the Fire and
Marine Insurance Company, of Spring-
field, and has ever since been associated
with that company. His ability, faithful-
ness, and energy have brought him sev-
eral promotions. In 1894 he was made
special agent for the company, having
charge of the territory in Connecticut,
Western Massachusetts, Vermont, and
New Hampshire. In 191 1 he became as-
sistant secretary of the company, and in
1917 was appointed secretary, which
responsible position he holds at the pres-
ent time. He has now (1921) been with
this company for thirty-four consecutive
years, is one of its oldest employees, and
is among the well known insurance men
of Western Massachusetts. He has a
wide circle of friends and acquaintances,
and is well known, not only in the busi-
ness world, but also in the clubs of Spring-
field, being a member of the Nayasset
Club ; of the Manchoiras Club ; of the
South Branch Fishing Club, and of the
Country Club.
On May 19, 1896, Edwin Hunter Hil-
dreth married Marion H. Sterns, born in
Hartford, Connecticut, daughter of Ed-
ward H. Sterns. /
PUFFER, Herbert Cyrus ' f
As president and treasurer of the H. C.
Puflfer Company, Inc., of Springfield,
Massachusetts, dealers in flour and grain,
Herbert Cyrus Puflfer traces his ancestry
through eight generations to George
Puffer, who was with English settlers in
Boston before 1639. The line of descent
from George Puffer to Herbert Cyrus
Puffer is traced as follows :
172
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
(I) George Puffer was granted land
at Braintree, Massachusetts, and here
resided until his death, September 27,
1639. He was survived by his widow
for nearly forty years, her death occurring
February 18, 1676. George Puffer and
wife had three sons, of whom one was
James.
(II) James Puffer, son of George
Puffer, was born about 1624, and lived
on his father's land at Braintree. He was
active in public affairs, a man of ability
and energy, and served his town as con-
stable in 1679-80. His life was a shorter
one than that of many of the pioneer
fathers, his death occurring July 25, 1692,
when he was not yet sixty years of age.
He married, February 14, 1656, Mary
Ludden, and they became the parents of
seven children, among whom was Cap-
tain Jabez.
(III) Captain Jabez Puffer, son of
James and Mary (Ludden) Puffer, was
born February 4, 1672, and died at Sud-
bury, Massachusetts, November 5, 1746.
In 1712 he removed to Sudbury, and that
he was public-spirited and a man of abil-
ity, esteemed by his fellow-townsmen is
evidenced by the fact that he was captain
of the Sudbury Train Band. On Decem-
ber 3, 1702, he married Mary Glazier, and
they were the parents of seven children,
among whom was Ephraim.
(IV) Ephraim Puffer, son of Captain
Jabez and Mary (Glazier) Puffer, was
born in Sudbury, July 22, 1716, and died
at Stow, Massachusetts, in 1757. He
served in the French and Indian War in
1739 with Captain Josiah Brown's Com-
pany, and married, March 29, 1746, Mary
Darby, daughter of Joseph Darby. To
this marriage four children were born,
among whom was Jonathan.
(V) Jonathan Puffer, son of Ephraim
and Mary (Darby) Puffer, was born at
Sudbury, June 9, 1746, and died at Stow,
September 4, 1817. He served in the
Revolutionary War as a private in Cap-
tain William Whitcomb's Company,
Colonel James Prescott's Regiment, and
took part in the battle of Concord in 1775.
He married (first) Elizabeth Gibson ; he
married (second), at Bolton, March 12,
1771, Jemima Taft, who died February 28,
1823, at the age of seventy-one years.
Jonathan Puffer was the father of nine
children, among whom was Simon.
(VI) Simon Puffer, son of Jonathan
Puffer, was born at Stow, Massachusetts,
April 30, 1777. He lived an active, in-
dustrious life, and in accordance with the
general practice of the time, supple-
mented farming with a trade which he
followed during the winter. He was
both farmer and cordwainer at Stow and
at Leominster, and died in June, 1826. He
married (first), January 22, 1801, Mary
Conant, born in 1779, died March 8, 1821 ;
he married (second), May 29, 1823, Abi-
gail Rice, of Sudbury, who died in 1825,
and was the father of eight children,
among whom was Reuben.
(VII) "Captain" Reuben Puffer, son
of Simon and Mary (Conant) Puffer, was
born in Sudbury, April 11, 1803, and died
July 9, 1845. He received his education
in the public schools of Stow, and resided
in Stow and in Sudbury, Massachusetts,
throughout his life. On May 18, 1832, he
married Nancy Walker, who was born
April 2, 1807, daughter of Paul Walker,
and they became the parents of three chil-
dren : Sophia Elizabeth and Albert War-
ren, both deceased ; and Herbert Cyrus,
of further mention.
(VIII) Herbert Cyrus Puffer, young-
est son of "Captain" Reuben and Nancy
(Walker) Puffer, was born at Sudbury,
Massachusetts, February 3, 1842. His
father's house stood on the line dividing
the towns of Stow and Sudbury, Massa-
chusetts, and in the public schools of these
173
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
two towns he received his education, being
employed on his father's farm, remaining
there most of the time until he was
twenty-one years of age. In 1864 he went
West and located at Mattoon, Illinois,
where he entered the employ of the
American Express Company. Here he
remained for a time, then went to Chi-
cago, where, already, grain elevators were
handling heavy crops of grain on its way
to the more populous regions of the East,
by way of the Great Lakes. Here he re-
ceived his first experience in the grain
business and he saw that here was a
business rich in possibilities, not only for
the present but bound to increase with the
years. He finally returned to the East,
and established a flour and grain business,
in Springfield, Massachusetts, in April,
1868, and from that time to the present
the business has grown steadily. The
H. C. Puffer Company was organized
with Mr. Puffer as president and treas-
urer, and under this name has continued
to prosper. The company deals in flour,
feed, and grain, and operates a grain mill,
milling in transit being one of its distinc-
tive features. True to his New England
inheritance, Mr. Puffer has been promi-
nent in public life.
While a resident of Stow Mr. Puffer
cast the first vote for Abraham Lincoln,
and has always taken an active interest
in political matters. He has served in the
City Council of Springfield, and also on
its Board of Aldermen. While in the City
Council he not only was instrumental in
securing better lighting for the city, but
compelled the reduction of the cost of the
three hundred lights to be installed, the
original estimates of $219 per light
shrinking to the more modest but still
profitable figure of $83.50 per light. He
was chosen to represent his district in
the State Legislature, where he did good
service on the Committee on Cities. From
1912 to 1916 he was on the Board of
Water Commissioners, and the last year
was chairman of the board. Fraternally,
Mr. Puffer is affiliated with Springfield
Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ;
Hampden Lodge and Agawam Encamp-
ment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows ;
Winthrop Club, Springfield Country Club,
Realty Club, Automobile Club, Connecti-
cut Valley Historical Society, National
Geographic Society, American Asiatic
Association, and the Audubon Society of
Massachusetts. He has been for many
years a member of the Ancient Order of
United Workmen. Mr. Puffer has also
taken an active part in religious affairs,
being a deacon of the First Highland
Baptist Church, and has been superin-
tendent of the Sunday school and presi-
dent of the Men's Class, numbering some
two hundred members.
Herbert Cyrus Puffer married, April 8,
1867, Elizabeth Wilder, daughter of
Christopher and Sally (Whitney) Wilder,
and they became the parents of four chil-
dren : I. Nellie Frances, born February
16, 1869 ; married Fordis Clifford Parker,
a descendant of James Parker, who was
the immigrant ancestor of the family in
America. 2. Carrie Turner, born Decem-
ber 2. 1874. 3. Sallie Wilder, born May
28, 1878, died November i, 1880. 4.
Herbert Reuben, born December 14, 1880,
was educated in the public schools of
Springfield, and at an early age began
learning the business which had been es-
tablished by his father. So well did he
meet his responsibilities that he was made
manager, which position he holds at the
present time (1921). He is also assistant
treasurer of the H. C. Puffer Company.
He is a member of the Winthrop Club ;
and an attendant and member of the
Highland Baptist Church. He is also a
member of Springfield Lodge, Free and
Accepted Masons. He married, June 8,
174
<^^^^^^n^iA^%^
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
1907, Harriet Churchill, daughter of
Charles Churchill ; they have one son,
Charles Churchill.
On February 3, 1922, Mr. Puffer cele-
brated his eightieth birthday. ; ^f
PERKINS, Henry Jason
Among the well known and successful
business men of Springfield, is Henry
Jason Perkins, president and treasurer of
the Henry J. Perkins Company, Inc., and
also president of the Riverside Park
Amusement Company, and a director of
the Third National Bank of Springfield.
Mr. Perkins comes of a very old Colonial
family which was founded in this country
by Abraham Perkins.
The name Perkins is derived originally
from the name Peterkin, and variously
spelled Parkins, Perkings, Peterkins, etc.
Several of the name were located in the
neighborhood of Newent, Gloucester
county, England, at an early date, and
the first known record of the Perkins
name is that of "Peter Morley, Esq.,
alias Perkins," who lived in the time of
Richard II, about 1300. The branch of
the family to which Henry J. Perkins
belongs is descended from Abraham Per-
kins, the line of descent being traced as
follows :
(I) Abraham Perkins, born about 1613,
in England, was among the early resi-
dents of Hampton, New Hampshire,
where he had a house lot of five acres and
was admitted freeman May 13, 1640. In
the previous January he had received a
grant of eighty acres, and in 1646 was
owner of three shares in the commons.
He was locally noted as a fine penman,
and was prominent in the affairs of the
colony, holding various local offices, in-
cluding that of marshal in 1654. He died
August 31, 1683. and his wife, Mary, who
was born about 1618, survived him for
more than a quarter of a century, her
death occurring May 20, 1706. Among
their children was Luke, of whom further.
(II) Luke Perkins, son of Abraham
and Mary Perkins, was born in 1641, and
settled in Charlestown, Massachusetts,
where he died March 20, 1710. He was
a shoemaker by trade. He married,
March 9, 1663, Hannah Cookery, who was
admitted to the Charlestown Church
March 29, 1668, and died November 16,
1715. They were the parents of children,
among whom was Luke (2), of whom
further.
(HI) Luke (2) Perkins, son of Luke
(i) and Hannah (Cookery) Perkins, was
baptized in Charlestown, March 24, 1667.
He was a blacksmith, followed his trade,
and resided successively in Beverly, Ips-
wich, Marblehead, Wenham, and Plymp-
ton, Massachusetts, finally settling in the
last name place about 1714. There he
died, December 27, 1748. He married,
May 31, 1688, Martha Conant, born
August 15, 1664, died January 2, 1754,
third daughter of Lot and Elizabeth
(Walton) Conant, and granddaughter of
Roger and Sarah (Horton) Conant.
Roger Conant was descended from John
Conant of East Budleigh, Devonshire,
England, whose son, Richard, was born
about 1548. Richard Conant married
Anne Clark, and they were the parents
of Roger Canant, baptized April 9, 1592,
the immigrant American ancestor of
numerous descendants. Among the chil-
dren of Luke (2) and Martha (Conant)
Perkins was Mark, of whom further.
(IV) Mark Perkins, son of Luke (2)
and Martha (Conant) Perkins, was bap-
tized at the First Church of Beverly,
April 30, 1699, and resided for a time in
Ipswich, whence he removed to North
Bridgewater in 1741. Like his father he
was a blacksmith. He died December 20,
1756, in Bridgewater, now Brockton. He
married (intentions published in Ipswich
175
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
June 4, 1721), Dorothy Whipple, daugh-
ter of Matthew Whipple, of that town,
and they were the parents of eleven chil-
dren : Dorothy, who married, Jacob
Packard ; Matthew ; Sarah, married Eben-
ezer Packard ; Josiah ; Jonathan ; Isaac ;
Martha, married Nathan Packard ; Eben-
ezer ; Jemima ; Mary ; and Jesse, of whom
further.
(V) Captain Jesse Perkins, son of
Mark and Dorothy (Whipple) Perkins,
was born December 6, 1742, at North
Bridgewater, now Brockton, Massachu-
setts, and died January 27, 1826, aged
eighty-four years. He married (first), in
June, 1769, Susanna Field, daughter of
Dr. Daniel Field. She died June 30, 1789,
and he married (second), November 12,
1789, Bliss Phinney, daughter of Peletiah
Phinney. The children of the first mar-
riage were : Susanna ; Zadock, of whom
further ; Rachel, married Shepherd Per-
kins ; Jesse, born June 13, 1777, died April
23, 1780. To the second marriage one
child, Jesse, was born January 3, 1791.
(VI) Zadock Perkins, son of Captain
Jesse and Susanna (Field) Perkins, was
born in North Bridgewater, Massachu-
setts, November 21, 1771, and died April
16, 1804. He married, December 15, 1796,
Hannah Packard, who survived him and
married (second) William Edson. She
died February i, 1852. The children of
Zadock and Hannah (Packard) Perkins
were: Ansel, of whom further; and Sid-
ney, born June 15, 1799.
(VII) Ansel Perkins, son of Zadock
and Hannah (Packard) Perkins, was born
in North Bridgewater, Massachusetts,
October 4, 1797, and died November 4,
1850. A shoemaker by trade, he made
good stout shoes for the men, women and
children of his neighborhood, and asked
an honest price, receiving often instead
of money, "goods in kind" as payment.
He was a man who took an active interest
in all the afifairs of his town, and was
highly respected by his fellow-citizens.
He married (first). May 13, 1819, Dorothy
Battles, a descendant of Thomas Battles,
who was in Dedham, Massachusetts, as
early as 1642, was a freeman in 1654, at
Sudbury in 1664, and again at Dedham in
1674, his death occurring there February
8, 1706 (see Battles line). Dorothy
(Battles) Perkins died December 13,
1826, and Ansel Perkins married (sec-
ond), September 16, 1827, Sarah B.
Leach, daughter of Apollos Leach, of
Scotland. To the first marriage two chil-
dren were born: Jason B., of whom
further; and Isaac, born November 17,
1826. The children of the second mar-
riage were : Ansel Franklin, born Octo-
ber 8, 1828; Apollos Leach, born Decem-
ber 13, 1830; Sarah O., who married
Hiram Kendrick ; and Mary.
(VIII) Jason B. Perkins, son of Ansel
and Dorothy (Battles) Perkins, was born
in Brockton (formerly North Bridge-
water), Massachusetts, April 25, 1823.
He received his education in the local
schools and then learned the carpenter's
trade. Engaged in the work of his trade,
he early realized that the greater oppor-
tunities come to the contractor and
builder, rather than to the carpenter busy
with his day's work, and as soon as he
had saved enough of his earnings, he en-
gaged in contracting and building for
himself. By careful study, observation,
and practice, he became skillful as an
architect, and was engaged in this until
1861, when he went to Northampton,
Massachusetts, where he remained for
some time, then came to Springfield and
some years was engaged as carpenter,
contractor and builder, then gave this up
and followed his profession as an archi-
tect until the time of his death. He was
instrumental in the designing and build-
ing of some of the finest blocks and resi-
176
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
dences in the city, building, during the
years of his activity, including the Mad-
den block, the Kinsman block, the Steiger
block, the George B. Holbrook residence,
also the George R. Holbrook residence,
the Goodhue residence, Dr. Corcoran's
residence, and many others. Mr. Perkins
was a member of the Free and Accepted
Masons, of Brockton. He married, Octo-
ber lo, 1853, Jerusha Blackmer Holmes,
of Middleboro, Massachusetts, daughter
of Jesse (see Holmes line) and Mary
(Burbank) Holmes, the latter of whom
died December 19, 1904. Mr. and Mrs.
Jason Perkins were the parents of eight
children : Anna, born November 14,
1854; Mary, born March 7, 1857, 'who
married Charles W. Hardy, Jr., of New-
tonville, Massachusetts ; Henry Jason, of
whom further ; Lyman Holmes, born May
29, 1864; Jessie, born September 14,
1866, who married Frank W. Ellis, of Des
Moines, Iowa ; Frank Billings, born April
29, 1869; Emma Grace, born August 18,
1871, who married Ernest F. Young, of
Springfield ; and Alfred Burbank, born
June 9, 1874, married, and is the father
of one child, Philip.
(IX) Henry Jason Perkins, son of
Jason B. and Jerusha Blackmer (Holmes)
Perkins, was born in Brockton, Massa-
chusetts, November 29, 1859. His par-
ents removed from Brockton to Spring-
field when he was two years of age, and
he received his education in the schools
of the latter place. When he was fifteen
years of age, he left school and entered
the employ of E. C. & G. S. Gilbert, re-
maining with them until the failure of
their business some three or four years
later. He then became associated with
A. F. Niles & Son, engaging with them
in the grocery business for two years, at
the end of which period he severed his
connection with them and became associ-
ated with Niles & Carter. For three years
Mass 11—12 I
he remained in the employ of the last-
named company, gaining valuable experi-
ence and rendering efficient service to his
employers. Meanwhile, he had been
thriftily taking care of the rewards of his
labor, and when he was twenty-one years
of age he decided to engage in business
for himself. He established a meat busi-
ness, which he successfully conducted for
eleven months and then sold, making a
profit of fifteen hundred dollars. He then
went to New York, where he remained for
a year, and then spent four months in
St. Louis, Missouri. Eventually, he re-
turned to Springfield, and entered the em-
ploy of E. O. Clark, who was engaged in
the grocery business. Three years later
he severed this connection and again en-
gaged in the butter, cheese, and egg busi-
ness, forming a partnership with Mr.
Aiken, under the firm name of Aiken &
Perkins, and located in the Kirkam block
on State street. The business was pros-
pering when disaster came in form of a
fire, which occurred in the early morning.
Mr. Perkins heard the alarm and went to
the building. They had no safe, but he
secured the books and took them to a
store across the street. He then went to
the Evans House, where he found the
proprietor of this store, and they, to-
gether, visited the store. Mr. Perkins
there and then made a bargain for the sale
of the stock of goods, and when business
was resumed in the morning, it was with
Mr. Perkins in the new store. He later
bought out and dissolved partnership
with Mr. Aiken and when the adjustment
of the goods in the store that had been
partially burned was adjusted, Mr. Per-
kins had the goods that could be sold
removed to his new store and continued
to do business there. This he continued
to conduct until he was in a position to
again engage in the wholesale business.
He then sold out his retail grocery, and
77
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
resumed the handling of butter, cheese,
eggs, and fruit, at wholesale. Forming a
partnership with Mr. Hatch, under the
firm name of Perkins & Hatch, he rapidly-
built up a large and prosperous business
which he continued to conduct for a
period of ten years. At the end of that
period the partnership was dissolved, Mr.
Hatch selling his interests to Mr. Per-
kins, who continued the business alone.
In 1904 Mr. Perkins incorporated the
business under the name of the Henry J.
Perkins Company, Inc., he being presi-
dent and treasurer of the concern. At
this time he bought the entire square at
Dwight and Lyman streets, and erected
the commodious and splendidly equipped
plant which is unquestionably one of the
finest wholesale establishments in West-
ern Massachusetts. The business is a
large and prosperous one which operates
in a district covering a radius of fifty
miles around Springfield, and is rapidly
growing.
In addition to his responsibilities as
president and treasurer, as well as man-
ager of this large concern, Mr. Perkins is
the founder and the president of the
Riverside Park Amusement Company,
which is located about six miles from
Springfield. This is the popular amuse-
ment park of this section and has all the
usual attractions of such resorts. It is
patronized each year by hundreds of
thousands of people who here find every
form of amusement of the best quality,
and who find in its beautiful situation on
the banks of the Connecticut river, the
restfulness and the recreation which
comes from contact with the beauties of
nature. The park covers over fifty
acres and no expense has been spared to
make it up-to-date in all its appointments.
Mr. Perkins is also a member of the board
of directors of the Third National Bank
of Springfield. He is a public-spirited
citizen, interested in every phase of the
development of the city of Springfield,
and supporting in various ways many
philanthropic projects and institutions
organized for the public welfare. He
is well known in fraternal and club
circles, being a member of Springfield
Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ;
Morning Star Chapter, Royal Arch
Masons ; Springfield Council, Royal and
Select Masters ; Springfield Commandery,
Knights Templars ; and all the Scottish
Rite bodies, having taken the thirty-sec-
ond degree. He is also a member of
Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Order,
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a
member of the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks ; of Hampden Lodge, Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows ; of the
Nayasset Club ; the Country Club ; the
Rotary Club, of which he was president ;
and of the Winthrop Club. He is a mem-
ber of the Chamber of Commerce, and of
the Publicity Club, and is one of the
directors of the Springfield Hospital.
His religious affiliation is with the First
Baptist church.
In 1882, Henry Jason Perkins married
Fidelia Reese Morton, of Rahway, New
Jersey, and they are the parents of three
children: i. Harold Morton, born April
13, 1884, married Emily Remily, and has
one child, Henry J. (2). 2. Elliott
Holmes, born August 2, 1887, married
February 25, 191 1, Marion Foss, daugh-
ter of Arthur Foss, and has four children:
Muriel, born January 15, 1912, Richard,
born February 15, 1914, Dorothy, born
October 11, 1916, and Shirley, born Janu-
ary 13, 1918. 3. Alice, born August 15,
1899, married Carl Huck. They have a
son, Rodney Martin.
(The Battles Line).
(I) Thomas Battles, was in Dedham,
Massachusetts, as early as 1642 ; was a
178
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
freeman there in 1654; and was residing
in Sudbury in 1664, and again a resident
of Dedham in 1674, at which place his
death occurred February 8, 1706. He
married, September 5, 1648, Mary Fisher,
daughter of John Fisher, and they were
the parents of John, of whom further.
(II) John Battles, eldest son of Thomas
and Mary (Fisher) Battles, was born in
Dedham, July i, 1652, and died Septem-
ber 30, 1713. He married, November 18,
1678, Hannah Holbrook, and they were
the parents of John (2), of whom further.
(III) John (2) Battles, son of John (i)
and Hannah (Holbrook) Battles, was
born October 20, 1687. He settled at
Plymouth, with his wife, Bertha, and
among their children was John (3), of
whom further.
(IV) John (3) Battles, son of John (2)
and Bertha Battles, was born in 1721. He
settled at Stoughton Corner, Bridgewater
(now Brockton), and married Harriet
Curtis, daughter of Edward and Abigail
(Pratt) Curtis. Their third son was
Samuel, of whom further.
(V) Samuel Battles, son of John (3)
and Harriet (Curtis) Battles, was born
September i, 1759. He married, March
29, 1786, Dorothy Dyer, born May 13,
1765, fourth daughter of Christopher and
Sarah (Bassett) Dyer, and granddaughter
of William Dyer, of Bridgewater. Among
their children was Dorothy.
(VI) Dorothy Battles, daughter of
Samuel and Dorothy (Dyer) Battles, was
born in Bridgewater, June 23, 1796. She
married Ansel Perkins (see Perkins VII).
(The Holmes Line).
(I) John Holmes was in Plymouth,
Massachusetts, in 1632. He married and
reared a family of children, among whom
was Nathaniel.
(II) Nathaniel Holmes, son of John
Holmes, married Mercy Faunce, and
among their children was Nathaniel (2).
(III) Nathaniel (2) Holmes, son of
Nathaniel (i) and Mercy (Faunce)
Holmes, was born in 1676. He married
Johannah Clark, and among their chil-
dren was James.
(IV) James Holmes, son of Nathaniel
(2) and Johannah (Clark) Holmes, was
born in 1700. He married Content Syl-
vester, and they were the parents of Seth.
(V) Seth Holmes, son of James and
Content (Sylvester) Holmes, was born in
1745. He married Mary Holmes, and
among their children was Seth (2).
(VI) Seth (2) Holmes, son of Seth
(i) and Mary (Holmes) Holmes, was
born in 1768. He married Jerusha Black-
mer, and among their children was
a son Jesse.
(VII) Jesse Holmes, son of Seth (2)
and Jerusha (Blackmer) Holmes, was
born in 1802 and married Mary Burbank.
Their daughter, Jerusha Blackmer Holmes,
married Jason B. Perkins (see Perkins
VIII).
PERKINS, Henry Morrill
A member of the Police Department of
Springfield for thirty-eight consecutive
years, Henry M. Perkins has for the last
three years held the office of deputy chief
in that department. He comes of an
ancient English family which was repre-
sented in the American colonies as early
as 1630. The first record of the Perkins
name is that of Peter Morley, Esq., alias
Perkins, who lived in the time of Richard
II, and was an officer in the household,
or steward of the court of Sir Hugh Dis-
penser, about 1300. The name is spelled
variously, Peterkins, Parkins, Perkings,
and Perkins. Several of the name lived
in the neighborhood of Newent, County
Gloucester, England, and the immigrant,
John, from whom all the New England
families of that name seem to be de-
scended, is said to have come from that
part of England.
179
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
John Perkins was born in Newent,
County Gloucester, England, about 1590,
and came to Boston in the ship "Lion,"
in February, 1631, having sailed from
Bristol, England, December i, 1630, in
company with Rev. Roger Williams, and
weathered a stormy voyage of sixty-
seven days. He settled first in Boston,
where he was admitted a freeman in 1631,
and was one of the committee of four ap-
pointed to settle the boundary between
Roxbury and Dorchester, November 7,
1632. In 1633 he removed to Ipswich,
Connecticut, where he had several grants
of land, and built his house near the river,
at the entrance to Jeffes Neck, what is
now East street. He was deputy to the
General Court in 1636, and served on the
grand jury in 1648-52. His wife, Judith,
and five children, John, Thomas, Jacob,
Elizabeth, and Mary, accompanied him
from England. Two children, Lydia
and Nathaniel, were born in Boston.
From the four sons : John, Thomas,
Jacob, and Nathaniel, are descended the
various families of the name in New Eng-
land, including the ancestors of Henry
Morrill Perkins. The great-grandfather
of Mr. Perkins was a miller by occupation
and lived in West Springfield, Massachu-
setts, where he owned large tracts of land.
Among his children was Silas Perkins.
Silas Perkins was born in Connecticut,
in year 1787, and died in Easthampton,
Massachusetts, October 16, 1870. He also
was a miller and removed from Connec-
ticut, to Northampton, Massachusetts, in
1818, spending the greater part of his life
in the latter place. He married Orpha
Brooks, who died March 29, 1849, ^^^id
they were the parents of ten children :
Silas J., died in infancy; Margaret; Silas,
Jr. ; Enoch Clark, of whom further ; Julia ;
Edward ; Elizabeth ; Emily ; George ; and
Sophia.
Enoch Clark Perkins, son of Silas and
Orpha (Brooks) Perkins, was born in
Northampton, Massachusetts, August 17,
1823, and died March 9, 1904. Like his
father and grandfather before him, he was
a miller. As a young man he was em-
ployed in a mill at Northampton, Massa-
chusetts, but in 1850 went to South Had-
ley, Massachusetts, where he entered the
employ of Byron Smith. In 1856 he was
at Holyoke, Massachusetts, where he re-
mained for a year. He then ran a mill at
Old Hadley, Massachusetts, for a time,
but soon again changed his place of resi-
dence, this time going to Easthampton,
Massachusetts, where he remained for
ten years. He was widely known as an
honest, capable miller, and was especially
noted for his skill in dressing mill stones
and making rye flour. In 1895 ^e came
to Springfield, where, during the larger
part of the remainder of his life, he was
retired, the last position which he held
being that of fireman at the Union Station
in Springfield. He married (first) Mary
Morrill, of Newburyport, Massachusetts,
daughter of Samuel Morrill. She died in
1862, and he married (second) Julia Win-
chell, of Northampton, Massachusetts,
who died in 1919. The children of the
first marriage were : Henry Morrill, of
whom further ; Ella, deceased ; Clara,
married Silas Doolittle ; Edward ; a daugh-
ter, who died in infancy; and Jennis, de-
ceased, married Henry Allen. Children
of the second marriage were : Arthur J.,
Clayton, Ida, and two others.
Henry Morrill Perkins, son of Enoch
Clark and Mary (Morrill) Perkins, was
born in South Hadley, Massachusetts,
November 29, 185 1. He received his
early education in the public schools of
Old Hadley and of Easthampton, Massa-
chusetts, which he attended regularly
until he was eleven years of age. He then
entered the employ of Dr. Halsted, of
Northampton, Massachusetts, who con-
180
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ducted a hotel and water cure establish-
ment, and here he remained for three
years attending school during the winter
terms. When fourteen years of age he
accompanied Henry Strong, son-in-law of
Dr. Halsted, to Keokuk, Iowa, where he
remained for two years, attending the
public schools of Keokuk and Eddyville,
Iowa, while working in a store before
and after school hours and during vaca-
tions. After two years of living in Iowa,
he returned East, and for a time was in
the employ of a farmer in Southwick. He
longed for adventure, however, and
wished to travel and see other lands than
the one of his birth. In May, 1871, when
he was not quite twenty years of age, he
found a way to gratify his great desire.
He went to sea, shipping as a boy before
the mast on the bark "Abbie Bacon."
The "Abbie Bacon" touched at many
ports, and the lad was able to visit many
cities and catch many glimpses of life in
foreign lands. He was in Lisbon, Portu-
gal, Plymouth, England, in Wales, and
in Malaga, Spain, and after a seven
months' voyage, returned to New Eng-
land, in December, 1871, well content
with his voyage. He reentered the em-
ploy of the farmer at Southwick with
whom he had been associated before the
beginning of his voyage, and for four years
remained at work there, seemingly quite
satisfied to peacefully cultivate the soil,
an occupation which was, no doubt, en-
livened by many bright pictures of for-
eign scenes stored away in his memory,
then went to Suffield, Connecticut, re-
maining four years. At the end of this
time, however, he decided that greater
opportunity was to be found in the city
and came to Springfield, where he entered
the employ of the Springfield Street Rail-
way Company, as a driver, those being
the days of the horse drawn vehicle. Two
years later he became a government em-
ployee, in the capacity of substitute letter
carrier in the post office department of
Springfield, but a short period of service
in this capacity satisfied him that this was
not the kind of employment in which he
wished to remain, and he returned to the
employ of the Springfield Street Railway
Company, of which Mr. King was at that
time superintendent. Here he remained
until May 14, 1883, when he entered
municipal employ as a member of the
police force of Springfield, serving in the
capacity of patrolman, and being the last
man in Springfield to apply for a position
before the civil service regulations went
into efifect. The fact that from that time
to the present (1922), for thirty-eight
consecutive years, Mr. Perkins has con-
tinued to fill important places in the
Police Department of one of New Eng-
land's largest cities, is sufficient evidence
of his ability and faithfulness. Beginning
as patrolman, he has been promoted from
one position to another, the first promotion
making him sergeant, April i, 1887, the
second making him a lieutenant, Septem-
ber 14, 1901, and captain January 5, 1909;
he was appointed deputy chief October
8, 1917, which position he holds at pres-
ent (1922). His long association with the
department is a fitting testimonial to his
efficiency, and he is now the ranking
officer and the oldest in point of active
service in the Police Department of any
city, and in all his service of nearly forty
years he has never had a reprimand of
any character.
Mr. Perkins is well known in fraternal
circles, being a member of Roswell Lee
Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and
of DeSoto Lodge, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows. He is an attendant of the
First Congregational church.
In November, 1874, Henry Morrill
Perkins married (first) Hattie Carrier, of
Wisconsin. She died in 1893, and he
181
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
married (second), May 29, 1895, Bertha
Alice Knowles, of Burlington, Vermont.
To the first marriage was born one
daughter, Mabel, who married Fred
Parcher, and has three children : Doug-
las, Myrtle, and Clifford. To the second
marriage was born one daughter, Marion,
who married Dorr W. Exford, and has
one son, Dorr W., Jr., and one daughter,
Eleanor.
PERKINS, James Albion
The treasurer of the Perkins '^Vppliance
Company, James A. Perkins, one of
Springfield's representative business men,
comes of very old Colonial stock, the
Old World origin of which dates back to
the reign of Richard II, in England, when
the first known record of the Perkins
name occurs, the record being that of
"Peter Morley, Esq., alias Perkins," who
lived in the time of Richard II, and was
an officer in the household, or steward
of the court of Sir Hugh Dispenser, about
1300. The name is spelled variously,
Peterkins, Parkins, Perkings, and Per-
kins, at different times and by different
branches of the family. Several of the
name lived in the neighborhood of
Newent, county Gloucester, England, and
the immigrant John, from whom all the
New England families of that name seem
to be descended, is said to have come
from that part of England.
John Perkins was born in Newent,
County Gloucester, England, about 1590,
and sailed from Bristol, England, Decem-
ber I, 1630, in company with Rev. Roger
Williams, in the ship "Lion," and bring-
ing with him his wife, Judith, and five
children : John, Thomas, Jacob, Eliza-
beth, and Mary. After a stormy voyage
of sixty-seven days, they landed in New
England, in February, 1631, and settled
first in Boston, where John Perkins was
made a freeman in 1631, and was one of
the committee of four appointed to settle
the boundary between Roxbury and Dor-
chester, November 7, 1632. In 1633 he
removed to Ipswich, Connecticut, where
was located one of his several grants of
land, and built his house near the river,
at the entrance to Jeffes Neck on what
is now East street. He was deputy to the
General Court in 1636, and served on the
grand jury in 1648-52. Besides the five
children who came with him from Eng-
land, two more were born in this country,
Lydia and Nathaniel, and from his four
sons : John, Thomas, Jacob, and Nathan-
iel, are descended the various families of
the name in New England. Some mem-
bers of the family early went to Connec-
ticut, and later generations went to Ver-
mont. Among those who went to Ver-
mont were the ancestors of James Albion
Perkins.
Elisha P. Perkins, great-grandfather of
James Albion Perkins, lived in Stock-
bridge, Vermont, and married Hannah
Taft. Among their children was a son,
Elisha P. (2), of whom further.
Elisha P. (2) Perkins, son of Elisha
P. (i) and Hannah (Taft) Perkins, was
born in Stockbridge, Vermont, March 10,
1809, and died April 10, 1879. He
was a farmer by occupation, and like
most of the capable, energetic men of
his time, added a trade, that of mason
and builder, to his regular occupa-
tion, and thus was able to use to good
advantage the time not needed for agri-
cultural activities. In fact, he went a
step further, and to his two occupations
added skill in a third line, being an expert
charcoal burner. He married Louisa
Baird, who was born in Grafton, Ver-
mont, August 2j, 1808, and died August
10, 1878, and they were the parents of
eight children: Jasper; Charles A., of
whom further; Addie, Letty, Louisa,
Elisha, Royal, and Seth.
%2
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Charles A. Perkins, son of Elisha P.
(2) and Louisa (Baird) Perkins, was born
in Bridgewater, Vermont, October 25,
1843, and died July 4, 1902, in Wethers-
field, Connecticut. He received his edu-
cation in the public schools of the Bridge-
water district, assisting his father on the
farm before and after school and during
vacations, and when school days were
over engaged in farming, an occupation
in which he continued throughout his life.
When the Civil W'ar broke out he en-
listed in Company C, 12th Regiment,
Vermont Volunteers, and served for nine
months, after which period of service he
returned to Bridgewater, Vermont, where
he lived until 1896, known and respected
as a good farmer and a progressive citi-
zen. In that year, 1896, he removed to
Wethersfield, Connecticut, where he con-
tinued to reside until the time of his
death.
A man of sound principles and good
judgment, and actively interested in pub-
lic affairs, he was highly esteemed in his
community and was active in promoting
its welfare. At the town meetings he
acted as moderator, and politically, he
gave his support to the principles and the
candidates of the Republican party. He
was a member of the Grand Army of the
Republic, and his religious affiliation was
with the Second Adventists. He married
Eliza M. Densmore, of Lansing, Michi-
gan, daughter of James Densmore, and
they were the parents of five children :
I. Fred D., deceased. 2. Mattie, who
married J. B. Standish. 3. Julian Lee,
married in 1900, May V. Bailey, daughter
of Albert Bailey; is in business with his
brother, James A. He is a member of
Orthodox Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons, and Morning Star Chapter, Royal
Arch Masons, of Springfield. 4. James
Albion, of whom further. 5. Ruby, de-
ceased.
James Albion Perkins, son of Charles
A. and Eliza M. (Densmore) Perkins,
was born in Bridgewater, Vermont, Au-
gust 23, 1879. He received his early edu-
cation in the schools of his native town,
and then attended the high schools of
Rutland, Vermont, and of Woodstock,
Vermont. When school days were over,
he, with his two brothers engaged in the
lumbering business, operating saw mills
at Blanford, Williamsburg, and Goshen,
Massachusetts. In 1900, however, when
his majority was attained, the young man,
James Albion, decided to make a change.
He went to Hartford, Connecticut, where,
for a time, he engaged in photo engrav-
ing. He then came to Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, and entered the employ of the
Springfield Photo Engraving Company.
After a time he severed his connection
with the Photo Engraving Company and
became associated with the Phelps Pub-
lishing Company. In the meantime,
Julian Lee Perkins had organized the
Perkins Manufacturing Company which
was most successfully engaged in the
manufacture of gears. By 191 1 that busi-
ness had so grown and had so fully
demonstrated its possibilities of future
increasing success that it was incorpo-
rated under the firm name of the Perkins
Appliance Company, of which Julian Lee
Perkins is president and James Albion
Perkins is treasurer. The early prospects
of success have been fully justified, and
at the present time the Perkins Appliance
Company employs more than one hundred
men, and makes gears which go to all
parts of the world where such appliances
are used. A successful business man, a
public-spirited citizen, and a loyal friend,
Mr. Perkins holds a high place in the
esteem of his many friends and associates,
and is a valuable member of his com-
munity. Fraternally he is affiliated with
Esoteric Lodge, Free and Accepted
183
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Masons, of Springfield ; Morning Star
Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; and with
the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks.
On April 9, 1918, Mr. Perkins married
Flossie I. McCloud, who was born in
Detroit, Michigan, daughter qlf Charles
and Jennie (Capon) McCloud./
— ^V
LEONARD, Edwin Fenno
The Leonard family, now represented
in Springfield, Massachusetts, by Edwin
Fenno Leonard, is of English ancestry
and the name is one of those taken from
the Christian name signifying "the lion-
hearted." The ancient coat-of-arms of
the family is as follows:
Arms — Or, on a fesse azure three fleurs-de-lis
argent.
Crest — Out of a ducal coronet or a tiger's head
argent.
Motto — Memor et fidelis.
The Leonard brothers, James and
Henry, who first settled in New Eng-
land, were from Pontypool, County Mon-
mouth, England. They were interested
in the first iron works in Lynn, Braintree,
Rowley, and Taunton, Massachusetts.
(I) James Leonard, from whom the
line herein followed is descended, had
wife Margaret, and they were the parents
of several children, among whom was a
son, James.
(II) James (2) Leonard, son of James
(i) and Margaret Leonard, was twice
married, his second wife being Lydia Gul-
liver, daughter of Anthony Gulliver.
They were the parents of several children
among whom was James, of whom
further.
(III) James (3) Leonard, son of James
(2) and Lydia (Gulliver) Leonard, mar-
ried (first) Mrs. Hannah Walley Stone;
married (second) Lydia Gulliver, daugh-
ter of Jonathan Gulliver; married (third)
Mercy, surname unknown. Among the
children of the first wife was Eliphalet, of
whom further.
(IV) Eliphalet Leonard, son of James
(3) and Hannah Walley (Stone) Leon-
ard, married Ruth Fenno. They were the
parents of several children, among whom
was Eliphalet, of whom further.
(V) Eliphalet (2) Leonard, son of
Eliphalet (i) and Ruth (Fenno) Leon-
ard, married Silence Howard, and they
became the parents of six children, two
daughters and four sons, among whom
was Asaph, of whom further.
(VI) Asaph Leonard, son of Eliphalet
(2) and Silence (Howard) Leonard, was
born in Easton, Massachusetts, in 1766,
and died in 1872, at the age of ninety-six.
He was a resident of Easton, Massachu-
setts, a man of enterprise and public
spirit, honored by all who knew him. He
married Melinda Pearson. He was a
blacksmith, and about 1824 removed to
Clinton, Maine, where, in addition to the
regular work of the smith, he made steel
knives and did other iron work. Before
1827 he again moved, this time to Guil-
ford, Maine, where, in 1827, his son,
Daniel Pearson, was born. Seven years
later he moved to Dexter, Maine, where
the family lived for many years, and
where Asaph Leonard died. The chil-
dren of Asaph and Melinda (Pearson)
Leonard were : Mary J., James Kingsley,
William, George Washington, Charles,
and David Pearson, of whom further.
(VII) David P. Leonard, son of Asaph
and Melinda (Pearson) Leonard, was
born in Guilford, Maine, in 1827, and died
in 1904. Throughout his entire active
career he followed the occupation of
farming, in this manner providing a com-
fortable home for his family and a com-
petence for his declining years. He was
noted for thrift, energy, and good judg-
ment, and won and retained the esteem of
his fellow-citizens. He married Susan
184
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Foster Mudgett, of Belmont, New
Hampshire, daughter of Edwin Mudgett.
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard were the parents
of two children: Grace M., who became
the wife of Edwin M. Avery; and Edwin
Fenno, of whom further.
(VIII) Edwin Fenno Leonard, son of
David Pearson and Susan Foster (Mud-
gett) Leonard, was born in Belmont,
New Hampshire, April 15, 1862. He ob-
tained his elementary education in the
schools of Dexter, Maine, and this was
supplemented by attendance at the Spring-
field, Massachusetts High School, from
which he was graduated in the class of
1880, his parents having removed to that
city during his boyhood. He was an am-
bitious and enterprising lad, as was shown
by the fact that during a portion of his
school course he also worked in a drug
store, in the early morning and evening
hours, when the majority of boys were
seeking pleasure and recreation. After
his graduation he devoted his attention
to the same line of business and so con-
tinued until the year 1890, when he en-
gaged in the drug business on his own
account, being thoroughly equipped by
his years of service with various drvig-
gists. He successfully managed the busi-
ness alone until 1907, a period of seven-
teen years, then admitted a partner, since
which time the firm name has been E. F.
Leonard & Company, they being proprie-
tors of three stores in Springfield, all of
which are noted for the excellence of their
stock, which is up-to-date in every re-
spect, and for the careful manner in
which prescriptions are compounded.
Mr. Leonard took special courses in
chemistry in private institutions, in this
manner qualifying himself thoroughly for
his chosen career. He keeps in touch
with the members of his calling by affilia-
tion with the Massachusetts State Phar-
maceutical Association, composed of some
fifteen hundred members of the organized
druggists of the State, which organiza-
tion Mr. Leonard has served as president.
In addition to his business Mr. Leon-
ard takes an active interest in politics,
and has been honored by his fellow-citi-
zens as their choice to represent them in
high offices. He served two terms, 1906-
1907, in the Massachusetts Legislature,
being a member of the committee on com-
mercial affairs and public health. He has
served on various city committees, on the
Board of Aldermen for three years, and on
December 7, 1920, was elected mayor of
Springfield, Massachusetts, by the largest
majority ever given to a candidate for
that office, this being a deserved tribute
to his great popularity. He is widely
known for his many benefactions and his
good work among the deserving poor of
the city. All the duties of these various
offices he has discharged with unquestion-
ing fidelity in the interests of his constitu-
ents, serving them to the best of his abil-
ity, that ability of no mean order. He is
a member of Springfield Lodge, Free and
Accepted Masons, has attained the thirty-
second degree in that order, and is a mem-
ber of Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic
Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He
is also a member of De Soto Lodge, Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows; of the
Commercial Travellers' Association ; of
the Winthrop Club ; of the Nayasset
Club ; and the Kiwanis Club.
Mr. Leonard married, October 30, 1888,
Harriett Shattuck, of Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, daughter of Edwin W. Shat-
tuck, and they are the parents of two chil-
dren : I. Dr. Clifford Shattuck Leonard,
graduate of Springfield High School and
of Yale College. He holds the degree
Doctor of Philosophy, having studied a
year in the University of Wisconsin, at
Madison, taking up scientific research
work, followed by a year of the same line
185
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
of work in the University of Stockholm,
Sweden. He was appointed second lieu-
tenant in the Sanitary Corps during the
World War, and was engaged at the Du
Pont plant in connection with high ex-
plosives. 2. Pauline Harriett, a graduate
of Wellesley College.
SANBURN, Willis Henry
The treasurer and director of the
Strathmore Paper Company, of Mittin-
eague (West Springfield), and director of
the Springfield Trust Company, Willis H.
Sanburn, comes of a very old English
family which originally derived its name
from the Anglo-Saxon words "sand" and
"burn," the latter signifying a "stream."
Evidently the combination of the two
words was used as a place name before it
was adopted as a surname, and upon care-
ful investigation it seems probable that
the English families which first adopted
the cognomen Sanbourne, which was the
original form of the names Sanburn and
Sanborn, resided in Sambourne, Wilt-
shire. The earliest mention of the name
in England occurs as early as 1194, when
Norman influence is revealed in the form
de Sambourne, and since the fourteenth
century the forms Sanbourne and de
Sambourne have been used by the only
two surviving branches of the family
in England. The American ancestors
spelled the name Samborn and Sam-
borne, but the name has gradually been
changed to Sanborn and Sanburn, the
former being more generally used in this
country. In Illinois it is most frequently
spelled Sanborn, while in Michigan, the
form Sandburn is more generally used.
Members of the Sanborn or Sambourne
family early bore a coat-of-arms, which is
described as follows :
Arms — Argent, a chevron sable, between three
mullets gules, pierced or.
Crest — A mullet as in arms.
The Sambourne ancestry has been care-
fully traced by C. V. Sanborn, compiler
of the genealogy of the family, to one
Nicholas Sambourne, who was born in
Wiltshire in 1320, and is thought to have
held the fourth part of a knight's fee. He
was prominent in the affairs of his com-
munity, and represented Bath Coty at the
Parliament held at Westminster, Novem-
ber 3, 1391. His son, Nicholas (2) Sam-
bourne, was born about 1350; held the
fourth part of a knight's fee, and was a
member of Parliament in 1393-94. He
married Katherine, youngest daughter
and co-heir of Sir John Lusbill, or de
Lusteshull, who was a connection of the
House of Lancaster. Walter Sambourne,
a grandson of Nicholas (2), born in 1420,
held Fernham and Lusbill manors, but
probably lived at Southcot House, near
Reading, Berkshire. He married Mar-
garet Drew, daughter of Thomas Drew,
of Seagry, Wiltshire, who died in 1494,
leaving a will which is still in existence.
Nicholas Sambourne, son of Walter
and Margaret (Drew) Sambourne, born
about 1450, made his home in Maple-
durnam, Oxfordshire, and married Eliza-
beth Brooks, daughter of John Brooks, of
Beaurepaire, Hampshire, descendant of
an ancient and honorable family, from
which she inherited considerable property,
including Timsbury, which the Sam-
bournes occupied. Timsbury House, now
the most ancient Sambourne residence in
England is celebrated as a fine example
of Tudor architecture, the structure hav-
ing remained practically unchanged, ex-
cept for minor alterations and repairs and
the loss of one wing by fire, since 1542.
The probable line of descent from this
last-mentioned Nicholas to the American
immigrant ancestor of Willis Henry San-
burn, is given by the family historian as
being: Nicholas Sambourne, born 1500;
Edward, born about 1550; and William,
186
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
who married Ann Bachiler, and was re-
siding in Brimpton, Berkshire, in 1616.
Their sons : Lieutenant John, William,
and Stephen, were the three American
ancestors of all of the Sambournes, and
derived names in this country, the line
of Willis Henry being traced through
Lieutenant John.
(I) Lieutenant John Sambourne, the im-
migrant ancestor of the branch of the fam-
ily herein traced, was born in England in
1620, son of William and Ann (Bachiler)
Sambourne. William Sambourne died
about 1630, and his three sons : John, Wil-
liam, and Stephen, are said to have come
to America with their grandfather in 1632,
though the names of the sons do not ap-
pear upon the records until 1639. Lieu-
tenant John, who was born in 1620, set-
tled in Hampton, New Hampshire, as
early as 1640, in which year he was
granted a house lot there and a tract of
land. His name is signed to a Hampton
petition drawn up in 1643, ^^^ from that
time on the records make frequent men-
tion of his name. He was chosen select-
man February 2, 1657, but exempted ;
March 30, 1657, he was appointed to
serve on a committee to attend to the
building of a house for the minister, Rev.
Mr. Cotton. He was chosen on numer-
ous committees to examine old grants
and establish boundary lines, and in 165 1
and again in 1658 was chosen to join the
town clerk in examining all the grants
and appointments of lands, highways,
and the like, and to perfect the same in a
town book. In 1661 he was again chosen
selectman, and also made a member of
the committee to hire the school teachers.
In 1664 he was chosen ensign of the
Hampton Military Company. He served
as selectman in 1665-68-71-74-75-78-79;
commissioner to end small causes in
1666-67-69, for the town of Hampton ;
foreman of the grand jury in 1676. He
was admitted a freeman May, 1666,
commissioned lieutenant of the Hampton
forces October 15, 1669. Refusing to
yield to the demands of Mason, the
proprietor of New Hampshire, he was
imprisoned October 21, 1684, and the fol-
lowing year was elected to the General
Assembly. He married (first) Mary
Tuck, daughter of Robert Tuck, of Goris-
ton, Suffolk, England, and of Hampton,
New Hampshire. She died December 30,
1668; and he married (second) Margaret
(Page) Moulton, widow of William
Moulton, and daughter of Robert Page.
Their children were : John, Mary, Abi-
gail, Richard, Mary, Joseph, Stephen,
Ann, Dinah, Nathaniel, of whom further;
Benjamin, and Captain Johnathan.
(II) Nathaniel Sambourne, son of
Lieutenant John and Mary (Tuck) Sam-
bourne, was born at Hampton, New
Hampshire, January 2y, 1666, and died
November 9, 1723. He lived first at
Hampton Falls, but in 1694 became one
of the proprietors of Kingston, New
Hampshire, to which place he removed
and became one of its prominent citizens.
In 1695-96 he was town clerk of Kings-
ton. In 1707 he is recorded as having
served for ten days in Captain James
Davis' Company, and he was one of the
grantors of Chester. He married (first),
December 3, 1691, Rebecca Prescott,
daughter of James Prescott, of Hampton.
She died August 17, 1704, and he mar-
ried (second) Sarah Mason, who was
born in 1663, and died September i, 1748.
The children of the first marriage were:
Richard, James, Rachel, Jeremiah, and
Abigail ; of the second marriage : Nathan,
Jacob, EJiphaz, Nathaniel, Jedediah, ot
whom further; and Daniel.
(HI) Jedediah Samborn (as he spelled
the name), son of Nathaniel and Sarah
(Mason) Sambourne, was born at Hamp-
ton Falls, New Hampshire, June 10, 1717.
187
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
He resided first in Newbury, but removed
to Wethersfield, Connecticut, where his
name appears upon the town records. He
married (first), at Hampton Falls, New
Hampshire, June 28, 1737, Mary Rogers;
he married (second) , in Wethers-
field. The children of the first marriage
were : Mary, Patty, Lois ; of the second
marriage, born in Weathersfield, Massa-
chusetts: Sarah; and Nathaniel, of
whom further.
(IV) Nathaniel Sanborn (as he spelled
the name), son of Jedediah Samborn, was
born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, Febru-
ary 6, 1757, and lived in the place of his
birth until 1790, when he removed to
Canandaigua, New York. The journey
from Connecticut to Western New York
was, in those days a journey through a
wilderness to a wilderness, and after
leaving Schenectady, Nathaniel Sanborn,
with his wife and young children, saw no
human being, except a boatman and some
Indians, until they reached Utica, where
they slept in the one log house which had
been erected there. Western New York
was then frontier territory, and the little
family from Wethersfield, Connecticut,
were pioneer settlers in that region.
Nathaniel Sanborn married in 1783, Han-
nah Goold, daughter of James Goold, of
Lynn, Connecticut, and to the marriage
were born eight children : Elizabeth ;
Japhia ; Hannah ; John Goold, of whom
further ; Lavinia ; Nathaniel, who was on
the Lexington alarm list and is on record
in "Connecticut Men in the Revolution ;"
Charles, and William.
(V) John Goold Sanburn (the present
spelling of the name), son of Nathaniel
and Hannah (Goold) Sanborn, was born
in Canandaigua, New York, March 13,
1790, and died in Knoxville, Illinois, April
14, 1865. As his father's family had
moved from the more thickly settled New
England region to the wilds of Western
New York, so John Goold, a generation
later, removed from the comparatively
settled region of Western New York, and
followed the receding frontier to the
"Middle West" of to-day, which was then
the "Far West." In 1818 he went to
Illinois, but returned to New York the
following year. Six years later, in 1825,
he again went to Illinois, settling in Van-
dalia, where he became associated with
his brother in the land agency business.
In 1830 he removed to Knoxville county,
Illinois, then unorganized and without a
town, and here he became one of the lead-
ers and promoters. He was secretary of
the meeting called to take the necessary
measures for the organization of the
county, and was at that time recom-
mended as a proper person to act as clerk
of the Circuit Court, to which office he
was later appointed. He was city clerk
of Knoxville, Illinois ; was assistant as-
sessor of internal revenue ; and was a
member of the board of trustees of Knox
College. He was also active in religious
affairs, and served for many years as
senior warden of St. John's Episcopal
Church of Knoxville. He married, No-
vember 3, 1831, at Knoxville, Illinois,
Althea Owen, who was born in Novem-
ber, 1805, and died January 30, 1883,
daughter of Noah and Elizabeth (Gil-
more) Owen, and a descendant of John
Owen, who came to this country from
Wales. Noah Owen served in the war of
the Revolution. The children of John
Goold and Althea (Owen) Sanburn were :
Elizabeth ; John Henry, of whom further ;
Charles W., Frances G., Althea Owen,
Walter S. ; and Mary, married Dr. Edgar
Philipps, and had the following children :
Elizabeth, John S., Edgar and Julia.
(VI) John Henry Sanburn, son of
John Goold and Althea (Owen) Sanburn,
was born in Knoxville, Illinois, January
8, 1838, and died in Abingdon, Illinois, in
188
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
1883. He received his education in the
local schools and then engaged in farming
in which occtipation he was engaged in
Knox county, Illinois, throughout the
active years of his life, with the exception
of the period of the Civil War. He was
among the first to respond when, after
the firing upon Fort Sumter, in 1861, the
call for volunteers was issued by the Fed-
eral Government. He enlisted as a pri-
vate in Company A, First Illinois Cavalry,
and served throughout the period of the
war, being discharged in 1865. at which
time he held the rank of captain of the
77th Illinois Infantry. He participated in
many of the hardest campaigns of the
war, and the hardships he then endured
were the cause of physical weaknesses
which shortened his life. He was a mem-
ber of the Grand Army of the Republic,
and an active, devoted member of the
Presbyterian church. At the close of the
war in 1866, he married Henrietta Har-
vey, of Knoxville, Illinois, daughter of
Curtis and Hannah (Seaves) Harvey, and
they were the parents of four children :
Willis Henry, of whom further ; John
Goold, who lives in Iowa; Carrie Adelle,
who married Thomas Noble, and lives in
South Dakota ; and Elizabeth Philips,
married Edward Griswold.
(VII) Willis Henry Sanburn, son of
John Henry and Henrietta (Harvey) San-
burn, was born in Abingdon, Knox
county, Illinois, February 4, 1869, and re-
ceived his education in the schools of that
district. He was an active, mentally alert
lad, and when he was sixteen years of
age he decided to learn telegraphy, and for
this purpose he entered the employ of
the Chicago. Burlington and Quincy Rail-
road Company, and soon became an ex-
pert in his work, discharging his duties of
the different offices to which he was ap-
pointed, with ability and efficiency. This
he continued for a period of some nine
years, being employed on lines in North-
ern Illinois. In 1894 he came to Spring-
field, and entered the employ of what is
now the Strathmore Paper Company as
bookkeeper. He retained his position as
bookkeeper for two or three years, dur-
ing which time he was becoming familiar
with general management and conduct of
the business. At the end of that time he
was made a superintendent, and in this
position his executive ability enabled him
to render valuable service. His next up-
ward step came when he was made assist-
ant treasurer, and this office he retained
until 1918, when he was elected treasurer
and director of the Strathmore Paper
Company, which office he still holds
(1922).
He is a member of the West Spring-
field Trust Company, of which he has
been on the board of directors since its
organization. He is also a member of
Teco Lodge, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, of West Springfield ; and of the
Nayasset and Country clubs, of Spring-
field.
On March 7, 1888, Willis Henry San-
burn married Maud A. Rising, of Mount
Carrall, Illinois, daughter of Justus J. and
Clementine (Pratt) Rising, and they are
the parents of one son, Justus Curtis.
(VIII) Justus Curtis Sanburn, son of
Willis Henry and Maud A. (Rising) San-
burn, was born at Thomson, Illinois, June
4, 1890. He received his preliminary edu-
cation in the schools of West Springfield,
Massachusetts, to which place his parents
removed when he was four years of age,
and then entered the Massachusetts In-
stitute of Technology, from which he
was graduated with the class of 1912. He
had specialized in chemistry, and after
his graduation he became associated with
the Strathmore Paper Company as chem-
ist, which position he still (1922) retains.
He is a member of Springfield Lodge,
189
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Free and Accepted Masons, of Spring-
field, and a member of the Country Club,
also of Springfield. His religious affilia-
tion is with Faith Congregational Church.
On June 12, 1915, he married Marion
T. Hale, of Springfield, daughter of David
and Myrtie (Sanderson) Hale, and they
are the parents of two children, both born
in Springfield, one son, Willis Henry
(2), was born December 5, 1919; and
one daughter, Eleanor Hale, born Octo-
ber 21, 1921. \
WHITNEY, Willard Roscoe ^
The name Whitney has been associated
with New England history from its
earliest days, and has been borne by a
long succession of worthy citizens who
have made valuable contributions to the
economic, religious, and social life of the
nation. The immigrant ancestor of the
branch of the family to which Willard
Roscoe Whitney belongs was John Whit-
ney who was born in Westminster, Eng-
land, in 1592, and came to New England
in 1635, the line of descent being as
follows :
(I) John Whitney, fifth child of
Thomas Whitney, born in Westminster,
England, baptized July 20, 1592, came to
New England in 1635, sailing from Lon-
don in March of that year, accompanied
by his wife, Eleanor, and four sons :
John, of further mention ; Richard,
Thomas, and Jonathan,
(II) John Whitney, son of John and
Eleanor Whitney, married Letty Ford,
and had children, among whom was Ben-
jamin.
(III) Benjamin Whitney, son of John
and Letty (Ford) Whitney, was born
May 22, 1725, in York, Maine, and settled
on Little river, Lisbon, Maine, belonging
to the same colony. He was part owner
of the first grist mill there, was a miller,
and was sent to Brunswick, Maine, to
protect the garrison there at the time of
the massacre when the Indians attacked
that place. He served as a soldier in the
Revolutionary War, and died November
8, 1797. He married Mercy Hinckley, of
Brunswick, Maine, and they became the
parents of eleven children : Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob, Nathan, Benjamin Joseph;
Samuel Lombard, of further mention ;
Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Joseph, and
Isabel.
(IV) Samuel Lombard Whitney, son
of Benjamin and Mercy (Hinckley)
Whitney, was born in Lisbon, Maine, in
1774, and died in Lisbon, Maine, October
9, 1846, aged seventy-two years and eight
months. He was a farmer by occupation,
and married, in 1801, Lydia S. Curtis, who
died in Lisbon, Maine, December 6, 1848,
aged seventy-two years and eleven
months. Their children were: Eliza,
born September 15, 1802; Jacob, born
October 14, 1804; John, of further men-
tion; Isabella, born July 4, 1812; Mercy;
Lydia, born July 17, 1817; and Samuel,
born November 29, 1820.
(V) John Whitney, son of Samuel L.
and Lydia S. (Curtis) Whitney, was born
in Lisbon, Maine, June i, 1808, died Octo-
ber 2, 1887, at Methuen, Massachusetts.
He received his education in the common
schools and then became a ship joiner,
working at Yarmouth and at Falmouth,
Maine. In addition to his trade as ship
joiner, he did farming, and while living
in Lisbon conducted a hotel there. He
also lived at North Yarmouth, Maine, and
held various town offices, serving for a
time on the board of selectmen. Politi-
cally he supported the Democratic party,
and his church membership was with the
Congregational church. He married
Almira Turner, of Lisbon, born in Leeds,
Maine, February i, 1818, died November
22, 1902, daughter of Josiah and Almira
(Smith) Turner.
190
■>^'r\^ '^
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
The Turner family were early settlers
in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, but later
went to Leeds, Maine. Josiah Turner
was born January i, 1789, died April 25,
1858. His wife, Almira Smith, was born
September 2, 1792, and died November 4,
1850. Their children were : Melvina J.,
born March 6, 1815, died September 18,
1880; Alexander, born May 4, 1816, died
October 17, 1866; Almira, born February
I, 1818, married John Whitney, as stated
above; Josiah (2), born September 9,
1819, died October 2, 1823; Sylvandus,
born May 28, 1821, died September 25,
1823; Josiah (3), born September 16,
1825, died August i, 1888; Sylvina, born
August 12, 1827, died May 3, 1904; Asa
S., born July 14, 1830, died January 9,
1900 ; and Delphina, born May 4, 1836,
died February 26, 1881.
John and Almira (Turner) Whitney
were the parents of four children : John
Carlton ; Edward Hayes ; Charles Loring ;
and Willard Roscoe, of whom further.
(VI) W^illard Roscoe Whitney, son of
John and Almira (Turner) Whitney, was
born in North Yarmouth, Maine, July 12,
1855. He received his early education in
North Yarmouth, and then attended the
high school in Lisbon for a year. In 1874,
when nineteen years of age, he went to
Boston and, with his brothers, ran an
express business between Boston and
Maiden, Massachusetts, for five years. At
the end of that time he went to Maiden
where he conducted a periodical business
of his own for about seven years. He
then received an appointment as railway
postal clerk, under President Cleveland,
his route being between Boston and New
York via Springfield. This position he
held for twenty-two years when he re-
signed and retired. In 1910, however, he
ended his period of retirement by engag-
ing in the real estate and land develop-
ment business, with offices in Springfield,
Boston, and Worcester. He formed sev-
eral trusts, the first of which was the
American House Development Trust; fol-
lowed by the Homestead Realty Trust;
Boston and Springfield Syndicate ; Subur-
ban Realty Trust; Connecticut Valley
Land Company; Warren and Whitney
Realty Company ; Warren and Whitney
Estates ; and the Whitney Realty Com-
pany. The operations of these organiza-
tions cover a wide area, and they have
been important factors in the growth and
development of the sections in which they
operated. Mr. Whitney has opened up
and developed much valuable property
in Springfield, Westfield, Longmeadow,
East Longmeadow, Chicopee, Worcester,
Boylston, and Shrewsbury, all in Massa-
chusetts ; also in Newport and Claremont,
in New Hampshire. He owns a tract of
four hundred acres of woodland in
Goshen, New Hampshire, and a large
estate in Claremont, New Hampshire,
where he resides.
Though engaged in large business oper-
ations, Mr. Whitney has found time for
public aflfairs and served on the commit-
tee to the constitutional convention re-
cently held at Concord, New Hampshire,
for the purpose of revising the statutes.
Fraternally he has long been active.
Forty-three years ago, in 1879, he became
a member of Middlesex Lodge of Maiden,
Massachusetts, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows. Mr. Whitney is a member
of Hampden Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons, of Springfield, Massachusetts ;
and of Springfield Commandery, Knights
Templar ; also a member of Boston Con-
sistory, thirty-second degree. Ancient Ac-
cepted Scottish Rite ; and of Melha Tem-
ple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of
the Masonic Club, and of the Newport,
New Hampshire, Golf Club ; of the
191
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Grange at Goshen, of which he has been
master, and an attendant of the Congre-
gational church.
On August 31, 1880, he married (first)
Mary E. Russell, born in West Newburg,
Massachusetts, March 21, i860, died April
15, 1906, daughter of Walter H. and Lucy
J. (Johnson) Russell. Mrs. Whitney was
a direct descendant of Hannah Dustin,
the line of descent being through her
daughter, Lydia Dustin, the first born
after Hannah Dustin's captivity among
the Indians. She married Morrill,
and among her children was Ruth Mor-
rill, who married Saunders, and
they had a daughter, Sarah Saunders.
who married Johnson, and they
had children, among whom was Lucy
Johnson, who married Walter H. Rus-
sell, and they were the parents of Mary
E. Russell, who married Willard Roscoe
Whitney.
Children of Willard R. and Mary E.
(Russell) Whitney: i. Russell, born in
Salem, New Hampshire, November 15,
1896. He received his early education in
the schools of Methuen, Massachusetts,
of Claremont, New Hampshire, and in
the Springfield High School, where he
was an honor pupil. He then entered
Dartmouth College, from which he gradu-
ated in 1919. He served in the World
War as an instructor in the radio service,
at Hanover, He is a member of the Phi
Beta Kappa, an honorary fraternity, also
the Theta Chi, and of Mount Vernon
Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of
Newport, New Hampshire. He is a mem-
ber of Lennapee Mountain Grange of
Goshen ; has taken an active part in town
affairs and held a number of public offices.
2. Ralph Kimball, born in Methuen, Mas-
sachusetts, June 16, 1898, attended the
local schools, and then Springfield High
School for three years. He graduated
from the Central High School, after which
he entered Dartmouth College, graduat-
ing in 1920. During the World War he was
in the Student Army Training Corps, at
Dartmouth. He is also at present (1922)
a student at the North Eastern College.
He is a member of Mount Vernon Lodge,
Free and Accepted Masons, at Newport,
New Hampshire. Both sons are asso-
ciated with their father in the real estate
business.
Mr. Whitney married (second). May
20, 1909, Stella M. Baker, born in Goshen,
New Hampshire, August 9, 1866, daughter
of Harvey D. and Susan B. (Willey)
Baker.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are both mem-
bers of the order of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Whitney is a member of Daughters
of the American Revolution at Claremont,
New Hampshire, also the Daughters of
Rebekah of Claremont, and the Woman's
Club of that town, as well as the Grange.
STEWART, John Edward
One of the well known and securely
established business men of Springfield is
John Edward Stewart, president and
treasurer of the John E. Stewart Com-
pany, who has been a manufacturing sta-
tioner for over fifty years, and has won
an enviable reputation for high grade
printing and art work.
Mr. Stewart comes of a very ancient
family, the Stewart name being one of
the oldest and most distinguished in Scot-
tish and English history, and having been
borne by many who have made valuable
contributions to the economic, moral,
social, and political progress of England
and Scotland, and also of the United
States, to which country representatives
of the family came at a very early date.
The lineage of the Stewarts is traced to
the time of Cromwell, to a branch of the
family then living in the North of Ire-
land, Adam Stewart, born in London-
192
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
derry, Ireland, in 1756, of Scotch parents,
coming to Pennsylvania in 1776, and his
grandson, Theodore, removing to Chau-
tauqua county, New York, a century later.
Among his descendants was John
Stewart, grandfather of John Edward
Stewart, who was among the prominent
farmers of Orange county. New York,
where he reared a family of seven chil-
dren : Lewis, John Milton, Asa B.,
James W., Edward, of further mention ;
Emeline, and Sarah.
Edward Stewart, son of John Stewart,
was born in Ridgebury, Orange county,
New York, August 10, 1810, and died at
Arlington, New Jersey, in 1895. He re-
ceived his education in the public schools
of his native district, assisting on the
farm before and after school and during
vacations. When school days were over
he learned the carpenter's trade, which
throughout his life he followed and com-
bined with his chief occupation, which
was that of farming. After farming in
Orange county. New York, for a time, he
joined the westward moving throngs and
went to Iowa, where for a brief period he
continued to engage in agricultural pur-
suits. Later he returned to the East, this
time settling in New Jersey, where he
continued to reside until the time of his
death. Mr. Stewart was a man of ability
and enterprise, and greatly respected for
his integrity and devotion to the highest
ideals of Christian conduct. He was an
elder in the Presbyterian church of J.
Clement French, in Brooklyn, New York,
and throughout his life retained an active
interest in all its affairs. Mr. Stewart
married Maria Hoyt, of Stamford, Con-
necticut, who died in 1896, aged eighty-
three years, and they were the parents of
two children : John Edward, of whom
further; and William L., deceased.
John Edward Stewart, son of Edward
and Maria (Hoyt) Stewart, was born in
Middletown, New York, August 19, 1840.
He received his early education in the
public schools of his native town, and in
the schools of Muscatine, Iowa, and then
entered Delaware Literary Institute, at
Franklin, New York, where he completed
his studies. While still attending school,
he engaged in farming, assisting his father
during the hours he was not in school,
and after completing his studies he was
for a time employed as clerk in a store.
When the Civil War broke out, he en-
listed in September, 1861, in the Forty-
fourth New York Regiment, and partici-
pated in many of the most hardly fought
and sanguinary battles of the war. He
took part in many battles of the Army of
the Potomac, among others, participated
in the siege of Charlestown, and was also
in the battle of Gettysburg, in which his
regiment played a very important part,
being the first to occupy Little Round
Top, and of this engagement Mr. Stewart
has written a full and vivid account. As
a reward for efficiency and courage, Mr.
Stewart was made first lieutenant of the
Ninth Regiment of the United States
Colored Troops, being appointed by
President Lincoln. A copy of the ap-
pointment, signed by Secretary of State
Edward M. Stanton, follows:
War Department, March 5, 1863.
Sir: — You are hereby informed that the Presi-
dent of the United States has appointed you First
Lieutenant of the Ninth Regiment of United States
Colored Troops, in the service of the United
States, to rank as such from the first day of No-
vember, 1863.
Immediately upon the receipt hereof please com-
municate to the Department through the adjutant-
general of the army your acceptance or non-
acceptance, and with your letter of acceptance
return the oath herewith enclosed, properly filled
out, subscribed to, and attested, and report age,
birthplace, and your permanent residence. You
will report for duty in person to Major General
R. C. Schenck, commanding Middle Department,
Baltimore, Maryland.
Signed, Edward M. Stanton.
Lieutenant John E. Stewart,
9th Regiment United States Colored Troops
Mass
-11—13
193
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Mr. Stewart was released from service May 15, 1920, and they were the parents
in December, 1864, at which time he held
the rank of adjutant. He then located in
New York, where for two years he was
employed as a clerk. At the end of that
period he formed a partnership with Mr.
Warren, under the firm name of Stewart,
Warren & Company, and engaged in the
stationery business, maintaining this con-
nection until 1904, when the partnership
was dissolved, and Mr. Stewart came to
Springfield. Here he organized the John
E. Stewart Company, of which he is presi-
dent and treasurer, and engaged in the
printing and stationery business which
he has continued to conduct to the pres-
ent time (1922). This business has been
an eminently successful one. For thirty-
five years Mr. Stewart has been a manu-
facturing stationer and printer in New
York City, and to the management of the
establishment in Springfield he brought a
high degree of valuable experience, and
these have won him an enviable reputa-
tion for high grade printing and enabled
him to put out some very fine catalogue
and art work.
As an upright business man and pro-
gressive citizen, Mr. Stewart holds a high
place in the esteem of the citizens of
Springfield. With all his business respon-
sibilities, he has found time to keep fresh
the associations of the trying period of
the Civil War, being a member and past
commander of the E. K. Wilcox Post, No.
16, Grand Army of the Republic, and
was formerly a member of Winfield Scott
Post, No. 73, of Plainfield, New Jersey,
of which he was adjutant and quarter-
master. He is also a member of the Loyal
Legion, which is composed of officers of
the Civil War. His religious affiliation is
with the First Congregational church.
On August 7, 1867, John Edward
Stewart married Lina E. Bromby, of
Chenango county, New York, who died
of two children : Jessie M., who married
Major I. H. Evans, now deceased ; Ed-
ward W., who is a ranchman in Denver,
Colorado, and has one child, Lina Vir-
ginia.
MALONEY, Charles Henry
For the past fourteen years Charles H.
Maloney, one of the well known business
men of Springfield, had entire charge of
the steam-heating department of G. R.
Estabrook, of Springfield, doing work all
over New England and on Long Island.
Mr. Maloney is of Irish ancestry, but
was born in England, His grandfather,
Thomas Maloney, was born and reared
in Ireland, and spent his entire life in the
land of his birth. He married Ann Con-
nery, who, after the death of her hus-
band, followed her sons to Springfield,
Massachusetts, where she died in 1893, at
the age of ninety-six years. Thomas and
Ann (Connery) Maloney reared a family
of children: Ann, who married John
Giblon ; Catherine, who married Michael
Lloyd ; William ; Thomas, of further men-
tion ; and Bridget, who married John
Nary.
Thomas Maloney, son of Thomas and
Ann (Connery) Maloney, was born in
County Sligo, Ireland, in 1828. He re-
ceived the best education that could be
obtained in the common schools of the
neighborhood, and then learned the trade
of the blacksmith, beginning very early
to swing the hammer upon the anvil.
Wishing to become an iron-worker, how-
ever, and realizing that the great iron
works of England then offered the best
opportunity for gaining experience, he
went to Hartley Poole, England, and be-
came an iron worker in the rolling mills
there. He advanced rapidly, finally tak-
ing contracts in the rolling mill and direct-
ing the work of others. During the
194
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
World War the Hartley Poole Works
were among the first to be blown up by
the Germans, the house in which the chil-
dren of Thomas and Mary (Foley)
Maloney were born being destroyed at
the same time. In September, 1887, when
he was nearly sixty years of age and prac-
tically retired, Thomas Maloney came to
this country and located in Springfield,
Massachusetts. After the death of his
wife, in 1894, he returned to Ireland for
a visit, and died there, June 2, 1895. His
wife, Mary (Foley) Maloney, died in
Springfield, Massachusetts, July i, 1894.
Their children were: i. Michael, who
was killed in England. 2. William, a
resident of Chester, Pennsylvania. 3.
Thomas, who lives in Millville, Massa-
chusetts. 4. Mary, deceased, married
John Forbes. 5. Charles Henry, of further
mention. 6. John J., of Franklin, Ohio,
president of the Franklin Coated Paper
Company. 7. Patrick J., a plumber in
Atlantic City, New Jersey. 8. Katherine
Helen, who married C. H. Newman, and
had the following children : Marion, mar-
ried John J. Hogerty; Sarah Miller, mar-
ried Harold Tracy ; Bernice, married
George Quilty ; and Grace, at home.
Charles Henry Maloney was born in
County Durham, England, March 15,
1867, his father at the time working in the
rolling mills at Hartley Poole. He at-
tended school in his native town until he
reached the sixth grade, which would be
equivalent to first year high school in this
country, and then, at the age of fourteen
years, entered the iron works at West
Hartley Poole. This was a large estab-
lishment employing some 7,000 men, and
here the lad, Charles Henry, remained
for about five years. But like his father
before him, the young man was ambitious
and enterprising, and had visions of
greater opportunities in farther fields.
The United States had become the great
center of the iron industry, and as the
Pittsburgh region was being developed,
the future of that industry in this country
was already assured. In 1887 the whole
family came to America, arriving in New
York, April 19, and intending to proceed
to the iron works at Homestead, Penn-
sylvania. Fate or circumstances decreed
otherwise, however, and instead of going
to the Pittsburgh region, the Maloney
family went to New York City, and later
came to New England and settled in
Springfield, Massachusetts, where for a
time young Charles Henry worked with
Lyons & Baum, building contractors of
West Springfield. He was energetic and
ambitious and gained experience in sev-
eral lines of work. After gaining valu-
able experience in the employ of Lyons &
Baum, he next associated himself with
Kirkman and Estabrook, then later with
the Wilcox Company, making cement
sewer pipes, and finally, in 1888, returning
to G. R. Estabrook, who was then alone.
In order to fit himself for his present line
of work, he made use of the night schools
of Springfield and learned the steam-heat-
ing trade. So well did he apply the
knowledge thus gained that he now has
entire charge of that line of work for
G. R. Estabrook, for which he makes all
the estimates, does all the contracting,
and employs all the men, doing this entire
work upon a commission basis. Mr.
Maloney has now been handling this work
for fourteen years, and has built up a
splendid business. He does work all over
New England and on Long Island, keeps
ten men busy all the time, and frequently
employs many more.
Politically he is an Independent. He is
a past grand knight of the Knights of
Columbus, and a past exalted ruler of the
Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, Lodge No. 61. He has been a mem-
ber of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for
195
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
some twenty years, fifteen of which he in front of Court Square. He had sons :
has served as president, the object of the James and Joseph, also a daughter, Han-
organization being the care of the poor.
Mr. Maloney has prospered and has some
fine real estate interests in Springfield.
On August 10, 1892, Charles Henry
Maloney married Annie Morris, of Man-
chester, England, daughter of Patrick
and Mary (Haley) Morris, and they
were the parents of three children :
Eunice, who died at the age of five years ;
Norice, born in Springfield, Massachu-
setts, January 12, 1899; and Philip, who
died at the age of three years.
WARRINER, Edward Voorhis
A peculiar turn of fate caused Edward
V. Warriner, of Springfield, of Warriner
& Edmonds Automobile Service Station,
and agents for Stanley Steamers, to
change his mind as to the taking of pas-
sage on the "City of Athens" for Cape
Town, Africa, in July, 1917, and to that
peculiar turn he probably owes his life,
as that steamer was sunk by a mine off
the coast of Africa in August, 1917. Mr.
Warriner sailed in August, a month later
than he intended, traveled completely
around the world without mishap, and re-
turned home in January, 1918. Mr. War-
riner was born in Montrose, Pennsyl-
vania, son of Rev. Edward A. Warriner,
a clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal
church, and a descendant of William
Warriner, who appeared first in Spring-
field, Massachusetts, in 1638, and the
same year was admitted a freeman. He
married (first), in 1639, Joanna Scant,
who died February 7, 1660; he married
(second), October 2, 1661, Mrs. Elizabeth
Hitchcock, a widow, who survived him
and married a third husband. He owned
lands in what is now Court Square,
Springfield, his house being near where
the old court house stands, on the north
side of the First Congregational Church,
nah. This branch traces descent from
Deacon James Warriner, the eldest son
of William and his first wife, Joanna.
Deacon James Warriner was born in
Springfield, Massachusetts, November 21,
1640, died there May 14, 1727. He was a
deacon of the First Congregational
Church and by his two wives, Elizabeth
Baldwin and Sarah Alvord, had fifteen
children, descent in this branch being
through Ebenezer, the eighth child of the
first wife.
Ebenezer Warriner, of the third gen-
eration, was born in Springfield, March
4, 1682, and from him the line is traced
through his son, Hezekiah, born 1724, died
1785; his son. Major Gad, born 1758, died
1842, a large landowner in the town of
Agawam, Hampden county, Massachu-
setts ; his son, Ruel, born January 12,
1784, died June 19, 1854, proprietor of
the hotel at the ferry in Agawam ; his
son, Edward A., a clergyman of the Epis-
copal church, of whom further; his son,
Edward Voorhis Warriner, of Springfield.
Rev. Edward A. Warriner, fourth child
of Ruel and Anna (Chaffee) Warriner,
was born in Agawam, Hampden county,
Massachusetts, February 18, 1829, died at
Montrose, Pennsylvania, in 1910. He
prepared in local schools, then entered
Yale College, going later to Union Col-
lege, whence he was graduated. He then
began teaching and was following this in
the South when war broke out between
the States, causing his return North,
where he studied law and was admitted
to the bar of the State of Michigan. The
law, however, made little appeal to him,
and he later took courses in divinity at
theological school and was ordained a
clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal
church. After his marriage, he was set-
tled the pastor over the church at Mont-
196
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
rose, Pennsylvania, but there his wife's
health failed, and he went to Colorado
for a time, returning finally, and accept-
ing* a call to the church in Bridgeport,
Pennsylvania. There his wife died, and
he again accepted the rectorship of the
church in Montrose, Pennsylvania, con-
tinuing the spiritual head of that parish
until 1905, when he retired from the min-
istry. He was a man of strong intel-
lectual powers and greatly beloved by
his parishioners. He was called to par-
ishes offering larger salaries than he was
receiving, but he remained with the
Montrose church as long as he continued
in the ministry.
He was not only an eloquent divine and
a well beloved rector, but a writer of
great ability, his pen enriching the pages
of literature. He published "Victor La
Laurette," a novel ; "Kear," an Indian
poem ; "I Am That I Am," a religious
poem ; and other works. When retiring
from the rectorship of the Montrose
church, he was elected rector emeritus,
and in that relation served the parish dur-
ing the last five years of his life.
Rev. Edward A. Warriner married
(first) Louise Voorhis, of Lancaster, Penn-
sylvania, whom he became acquainted
with while a student. She died in 1873.
He married (second) Esther Bowles.
Three children were born of the first mar-
riage : I. Samuel D., served as general
manager for the Calumett and Hecla
Copper Mines, later general manager of
the Lehigh Valley Coal Company and
later as vice-president of same, at the
present time (1921) president of the Le-
high Coal and Navigation Company, of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and during
the World War had charge of the dis-
tribution of all coal under Fuel Adminis-
trator Garfield. 2. Edward Voorhis, of
further mention. 3. Ruel ChaflFee, of
further mention, a mining engineer, resid-
ing in Essex Fells, New Jersey, with
offices in New York City, on Wall street,
under the title of Mines and Commerce.
Five children were born of the second
marriage: i. Louise, married Dr. Smith,
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2. Jesse
Bowles, a graduate of Lehigh University,
with the degree of Mining Engineer, at
the present time chief engineer for the
Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, of
which his half-brother is president. 3.
Philip Bowles, a soldier of the United
States during the World War. 4. Paul
Sherman, of Montrose, Pennsylvania. 5.
Anna ChafYee, of Montrose, Pennsyl-
vania.
Ruel Chafifee Warriner, a graduate of
Springfield High School and Lehigh Uni-
versity, was for twenty-two years general
manager of the Crown mines at Johannes-
burg, South Africa. It was to visit him
that Edward V. and his sister, Anna C.
Warriner, braved the perils of ocean
travel in the summer of 1917, reaching
there and later returning in safety. Mr.
Warriner made his trip around the world,
spending seventy-eight days at sea, and
visiting his brother, spending several
weeks at his summer home at one of the
most beautiful points on the south shore
of Africa.
Ruel Chaffee Warriner was recalled to
England from his duties in Johannesburg
in 1917, and his abilities were used as an
organizer in the Aviation Service of the
British Government. He is not only a
mining engineer, but is interested in cat-
tle ranches and cattle raising in Johannes-
burg, and is an extensive property owner
in that locality.
Edward Voorhis Warriner, second of
the three sons of Rev. Edward A. and his
first wife, Louise (Voorhis) Warriner,
was born in Montrose, Pennsylvania,
September 12, 1869. He attended Mont-
rose School until seventeen years of age,
197
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
then came to Springfield, Massachusetts,
making his home with an aunt while he
attended Springfield High School. After
completing his studies, he became book-
keeper for Kibbe Brothers & Company,
the well known candy manufacturers, in
charge of the billing department, and for
twenty years he continued with that sub-
stantial house. In 1908 he became a part-
ner in the firm H. C. Knudson & Com-
pany, automobile dealers, and agents for
the Stanley Steamer. That association
continued for ten years, dissolving in 1918.
Mr. Warriner then formed a partnership
with Harry E. Edmonds, and as such con-
tinued in the same line of business under
the firm name of Warriner & Edmonds.
The firm maintains a modern service sta-
tion in Springfield, and are the agents for
the sale of the Stanley Steamer. Mr.
Warriner is unmarried.
ALEXANDER, George Frederick
Among the prominent business men of
Springfield, Massachusetts, who are na-
tives of that city is George Frederick
Alexander, president and manager of the
George F. Alexander Lumber Company.
Mr. Alexander is of Scotch" origin, being
a member of the ancient Scotch family of
that name. The name is an ancient one
in both Scotland and England, being in
both countries derived from the personal
name, though there is probably no rela-
tionship between the original Alexander
families of Scotland and those of Eng-
land. The surname is found as early as
1450 in Stirlingshire and Ayrshire, Scot-
land, and the Scotch family of the pres-
ent day still possesses the earldom of
Stirling and the viscountcy of Canada.
When James I sent the Protestant colo-
nists to Ulster, Ireland, in 1610, John
Alexander went there as a grantee of
land. May i, 1613, and became the ances-
tor of many of the Scotch-Irish immi-
grants of the name who later came to this
country. George Frederick Alexander,
however, is not a descendant of the Ulster
branch, but of the branch of the family
which remained in Scotland.
James Alexander, grandfather of George
Frederick Alexander, was born in Kil-
marnock, Scotland, in 1794, and died in
Thompsonville, Connecticut, April 3,
1866, aged seventy-two years. He was a
weaver in Scotland, and conducted a busi-
ness of his own, that of weaving shawls.
In 1829 he came to America, locating in
Thompsonville, Connecticut, where he
erected the first hand loom used in the
carpet weaving industry in that town,
and becoming associated with the Hart-
ford Carpet Company, now the Bigelow-
Hartford Carpet Company, of Thompson-
ville, as master weaver, retained that posi-
tion to the time of his death. He was a
well educated and deeply religious man,
who took an active part in the public af-
fairs of Thompsonville, and was greatly
respected and trusted by his fellow-
citizens, who chose him to be their first
representative in the State Legislature.
He was also the first appointed elder of
the First Presbyterian Church of Thomp-
sonville, and being an excellent Bible stu-
dent and possessed of the gift of the clear,
forcible speech, necessary for the "ex-
horter" of those days, was made a lay
preacher. He married, in Scotland, Janet
McMillan, who was born April i, 1794,
and died in 1855, and they were the par-
ents of ten children, the first six of whom
were born in Scotland : Margaret, who
married Francis McGraw; James; Agnes,
who married David C. Bennett; Robert;
Jean, who died in infancy ; Mary ; John,
of further mention ; Janet ; Elizabeth ; and
Joseph.
John Alexander, son of James and Janet
(McMillan) Alexander, was born in
Thompsonville, Connecticut, April 16,
198
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
1831, and died in Springfield, Massachu-
setts, February 21, 1903. He received his
education in the public schools of Thomp-
sonville, and then learned the tinsmith's
trade, coming to Springfield before his
apprenticeship was finished, and complet-
ing the learning of his trade in the latter
city. When his apprenticeship was fin-
ished, he engaged in business for himself,
handling stoves and tinware, and conduct-
ing his establishment alone until he be-
came associated with his brother Robert.
For a short time he conducted a store in
Chicopee, Massachusetts, but soon re-
turned to Springfield, where he remained
active until within a short time of his
death. An upright man, he was most
highly esteemed as an honorable and pro-
gressive citizen and a loyal friend. He
was a member of the United Order of the
Golden Cross, and his religious affiliation
was with the Universalist church. On
June 22, 1856, Mr. Alexander married
Almeda Walker, of Waterville, Maine,
who died March 12, 1914, daughter of
Samuel C. and Evelyne (Hale) Walker,
and they were the parents of four chil-
dren : Frederick, deceased ; George Fred-
erick, of further mention ; John, deceased ;
and Mary, deceased.
George Frederick Alexander, son of
John and Almeda (Walker) Alexander,
was born in Springfield, Massachusetts,
June 12, 1865. He received his education
in the public schools of his native city,
and in the Collegiate Institute, a prepara-
tory school, where he studied under the
direction of M. C. Stebbins. When his
studies were completed, he became asso-
ciated with a building firm in Springfield,
Massachusetts, as bookkeeper, where he
remained for three years, then went to
Amherst, where he was employed as a
bookkeeper and cashier. He later sev-
ered his connection there in order to be-
come associated with the A. C. Button
Lumber Company, of Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, as bookkeeper. After gaining
valuable experience in these two com-
panies, he became identified with Rice &
Lockwood, becoming treasurer of the
company, which position he held for a
year, then became the traveling represent-
ative, and for seven years he sold lumber
at wholesale for this concern throughout
Western New England and Eastern New
York. He then entered the United Lum-
ber Company, of which he became treas-
urer and manager. For ten years he filled
these offices, conducting a successful and
prosperous business, and then in 1910, be-
came president and manager, and con-
tinued to build up and direct this concern
for twelve years. Finally, he liquidated
the United Lumber Company, and in 1921
organized the George F. Alexander Lum-
ber Company, of which he is president
and manager, and which concern is hand-
ling a large wholesale lumber business.
Mr. Alexander is a member of Spring-
field Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ;
and he is also a member of the Tekoa
Country Club, of Westfield, Massachu-
setts. He is an attendant of the Congre-
gational church in Westfield.
George Frederick Alexander married,
on April 30, 1890, Grace A. Benjamin, of
Amherst, Massachusetts, daughter of
Eber and Harriet (Warriner) Benjamin
(see Benjamin IX), and they are the par-
ents of one daughter, Grace Meriam
Alexander, born June i, 1891, who mar-
ried, September 11, 1916, Spencer Martin
Van Deusen, of Westfield, Massachusetts
(see Van Deusen line). Mr. and Mrs. Van
Deusen have two children : Henry Mar-
shall (2) Van Deusen, born May 9, 1918;
and Amoret Alexander Van Deusen, born
March 3, 1921. Mrs. Van Deusen is a
graduate of the Lazelle Seminary of Au-
burndale, Massachusetts.
199
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
(The Benjamin Line).
(I) John (i) Benjamin, born in Eng-
land in 1590, came to America in the ship
"Lion" in 1632, and died June 14, 1675.
He married, and reared a family of chil-
dren, among whom was John (2), of
whom further.
(II) John (2) Benjamin, son of John
(i) Benjamin, was born in 1620, and died
December 22, 1706. He married Lydia
, and they were the parents of chil-
dren, among whom was Abel, of whom
further.
(III) Abel Benjamin, son of John (2)
and Lydia Benjamin, was born May 20,
1668. He married and reared a family,
among whom was Caleb (i), of whom
further.
(IV) Caleb (i) Benjamin, son of Abel
Benjamin, was born January 28, 1701, and
died in 1775. He married Abigail Liver-
more, and they were the parents of chil-
dren, among whom was Caleb (2), of
whom further.
(V) Caleb (2) Benjamin, son of Caleb
(i) and Abigail (Livermore) Benjamin,
was born May 22, 1729, and died in 1818.
He married Martha Bodman, and among
their children was Joel Livermore, of
whom further.
(VI) Joel Livermore Benjamin, son of
Caleb (2) and Martha (Bodman) Ben-
jamin, was born in 1760, and died in 1839.
He had children, among who was Ivers,
of whom further.
(VII) Ivers Benjamin, son of Joel L.
Benjamin, was born in 1794 and died Sep-
tember 26, 1876. He married, November
18, 1826, Amoret Church, daughter of
Samuel and Sabra (Fornum) Church, and
they were the parents of children, among
whom was Eber, of further mention.
(VIII) Eber Benjamin, son of Ivers
and Amoret (Church) Benjamin, was
born July 27, 1839, and died November
30, 1882. He married Harriet Warriner
(see Warriner VIII), and they were the
parents of children, among whom was
Grace A., of whom further.
(IX) Grace A. Benjamin, daughter of
Eber and Harriet (Warriner) Benjamin,
married George F. Alexander (see Alex-
ander).
(The Warriner Line).
(I) William Warriner, immigrant an-
cestor, came from England in 1638. He
married and had children, among whom
was Deacon James (i), of whom further.
(II) Deacon James (i) Warriner, son
of William Warriner, born in Springfield,
Massachusetts, in 1640, was the father of
Lieutenant James (2), of whom further.
(III) Lieutenant James (2) Warriner,
son of Deacon James (i) Warriner, born
in Springfield, in 1668, was the father of
Ensign James (3) Warriner, of whom
further.
(IV) Ensign James (3) Warriner, son
of Lieutenant James (2) Warriner, born
in Springfield, in 1693, reared a family of
children, among whom was Captain
James (4) Warriner, of whom further.
(V) Captain James (4) Warriner, son
of Ensign James (3) Warriner, was born
in 1723. He served in the War of the
Revolution, and reared a family of chil-
dren, among whom was Captain Ethan
(i), of whom further.
(VI) Captain Ethan (i) Warriner, son
of Captain James (4) Warriner, born in
1763, was the father of Ethan (2), of
whom further.
(VII) Ethan (2) Warriner, son of Cap-
tain Ethan (i) Warriner, was born in
1802, and married Dolly Kent. They
were the parents of children, among
whom was Harriet Warriner, of whom
further.
(VIII) Harriet Warriner, daughter of
Ethan (2) and Dolly (Kent) Warriner,
married Eber Benjamin (see Benjamin
200
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
VIII), and among their children was
Grace A., of whom further.
(IX) Grace A. Benjamin, daughter of
Harriet (Warriner) and Eber Benjamin,
married George F. Alexander (see Alex-
ander).
(The Van Deusen Line).
Spencer Martin Van Deusen is a de-
scendant on the paternal side, of very old
Dutch stock, tracing his ancestry to
Abraham Pietersen Van Deusen, of Haer-
lem, in the Netherlands, who came to
New Amsterdam (New York) at a very
early date, and whose name appears upon
the earliest New York Colonial records,
which state that Abraham Pietersen, of
Haerlem, Netherlands, took possession in
1636, for the Dutch East Indian Com-
pany, of the Island of Quentensis, in front
of Sloop's Bay. He was the first miller
of New Amsterdam, and a prominent man
in the community, who lived on the east
side of Heeren street, April 19, 1665,
when he was assessed to support soldiers.
This street is now Broadway, and his
house was the third place south of Wall
street, opposite Trinity Church. His de-
scendants spelled the name in various
ways, including Van Duersen, Van Deu-
sen, and Van Dusen, though until 1667,
the patronymics Pietersen and Abraham-
sen were used. The Van Deursens were
among the leading families and became
connected by marriage with the most
prominent Dutch families of New York.
He married in the old country, and the
line from this immigrant ancestor to
Spencer Martin Van Deusen is traced
through (II) Mattheus Abrahamsen Van
Deusen, (III) Robert Teunis Van Deu-
sen, (IV) Martin (Marten) Van Deusen,
(V) Johannes (John) Van Deusen, (VI)
John Van Deusen, Jr., (VII) Isaac Van
Deusen, (VIII) Martin Van Deusen,
(IX) Henry Marshall Van Deusen, mar-
ried Esther Baldwin, and they were
the parents of children, among whom
was (X) Spencer Martin Van Deusen,
who married Grace Meriam Alexander,
daughter of George F. and Grace A.
(Benjamin) Alexander (see Alexander).
SAYLES, Frank A.
No more distinguished name than that
of Sayles occurs in the history of the
State of Rhode Island, in the annals
of its business, financial and industrial
development in the last century. From
the first days of Rhode Island's existence
as a colony the name has carried a pres-
tige and influence in large aflfairs which
subsequent generations have not allowed
to wane. In the career of the late Frank
Arthur Sayles, prematurely cut oflF at the
height of its gigantic achievement and
usefulness, we have an example of in-
spired strength welding together struc-
tures of men and minds for great indus-
trial advancement, combined with the re-
sourcefulness and inventive genius of the
New England intellect, such as occurs but
few times in a century. Frank A. Sayles
took undisputed place as one of the great-
est captains of industry of the twentieth
century, and his reputation was world
wide.
The Sayles family in Rhode Island
dates from the year 1651, when the first
mention of the name of the progenitor,
John Sayles, appears on the records of the
colony. That he had been here for at
least a short period prior to that date is
evident from the fact that about 1650 he
married Mary Williams, daughter of Roger
Williams. They were the progenitors of
a family which has figured largely in the
afifairs of Colony and State from the
very beginning. Although not numerous,
their descendants have been divided into
several clearly defined branches, accord-
ing to the localities in which they have
resided.
201
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
The surname is of ancient English ori-
gin, and considerable interest attaches to
its derivation. It is local in source, and
signifies literally "at the hurdles," sayles
being the old English word for hurdles, or
the upright stakes of a hurdle. Charles
Wareing Bardsley, M. A., in his "Diction-
ary of English and Welsh Surnames," in
tracing the origin of the name, says : "The
only instances I can find, ancient or mod-
ern, are in County York. The name has
remained there at least five hundred
years." From this fact we cannot go far
astray if we claim Yorkshire as the home
of the early Sayles ancestors.
Arms — Argent, on a fess cottised engrailed
azure between three wolves' heads erased sable, as
many griffins' heads erased or.
Crest — In front of a wolf's head couped sable,
gorged with a collar gemel or, three escallops
gold.
Motto — Who most has served is greatest. (This
motto is given only in English.)
(I) John Sayles, immigrant ancestor
and founder, was born in 1633. He is first
recorded in Providence Plantations, Jan-
uary 27, 165 1, when he purchased a house
and lot of John Throckmorton. On May
12, 1652, he bought land of Ralph Earle,
near West River. In the following year,
1653, already risen to a position of prom-
inence in Colonial affairs, he was chosen
assistant to the governor. In 1655 he was
admitted a freeman, and in 1653, 1655.
1657, 1659 was commissioner. From 1655
to 1657 he served the town of Providence
as clerk ; member of the General Coun-
cil, 1658; warden, 1648; treasurer, 1653.
1657, 1659, 1661, 1662. On May 26. 1660,
he sold William Hawkins a piece of prop-
erty which indicates how vast were his
holdings in the early Colony. On that
date he conveyed all rights in land lying
between Pawtucket and Pawtuxet rivers,
"beginning at the end of seven miles upon
a west line from the hill called Foxes' Hill
(the town of Providence having the same
for a boundary), and so to go up the
streams of those rivers unto the end of
twenty miles from the said Foxes' Hill."
On February 19, 1665, he had lot twenty-
four in a division of lands. On May 31,
1666, he took the oath of allegiance. He
served on the grand jury in 1669-71, and
in 1669-70-71-74-76-77-78, was a deputy to
the Rhode Island General Assembly. On
May 4, 1670, he and three others were ap-
pointed to audit the Colony's accounts.
On June 24, 1670, he sold to Stephen
Arnold a thirteenth of the island, called
the vineyard, at Pawtuxet, "which my
father-in-law Mr. Roger Williams gave
me." In 1670-71 he was a member of the
Town Council. On August 21, 1671, he
and Thomas Roberts were appointed to
prize and transport the horse belonging
to the town of Rhode Island, and to de-
liver it to Joseph Torrey in payment of
debts due from the town. On May 24,
1675, he drew lot eighteen in the division
of lands. His last appearance on the pub-
lic records is on July i, 1679, when he was
taxed one shilling, three pence,
John Sayles married, about 1650, Mary
Williams, daughter of Roger Williams,
who was born at Plymouth, Massachu-
setts, in August, 1633'.
(II) John (2) Sayles, son of John (i)
and Mary (Williams) Sayles, was born
in Providence, Rhode Island, August 17,
1654. He was admitted a freeman May
3, 1681, and in 1688 served on the grand
jury. On January 23, 1694, he had laid
out to him thirty-five acres, "which land
he had of his grandfather Mr. Roger Wil-
liams." In 1694 he was chosen to the
office of deputy to the General Assembly,
and again in 1706. On August 14, 1710,
he was licensed to keep an inn and sell
liquor. John Sayles died on August 2,
1727. His will, dated September 14, 1726,
and proved August 21, 1727, bequeaths to
202
THE MAYFLOWER
I
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
his sons, Thomas, Richard and John,
and his daughter Mary. The gravestone
of John Sayles, his wife Elizabeth, and
son Daniel, are still to be seen in the old
graveyard v^^est of the railroad track,
nearly opposite the foot of Earl street.
John (2) Sayles married Elizabeth
Olney, born January 31, 1666, daughter of
Thomas Olney. She died November 2,
1699.
(Ill) Captain Richard Sayles, son of
John (2) and Elizabeth (Olney) Sayles,
was born in Providence, Rhode Island,
October 24, 1695, and died in Smithfield,
after May, 1775. In 1731 he was town
clerk of Providence. There is a record of
his delivering the two children of his wife
by a former marriage to their grand-
father, Maturin Ballou, September 25,
1742. He removed, in 1731-32, to Smith-
field, a stronghold of the Rhode Island
Friends, and some of his children joined
the Society of Friends. His brothers also
settled in Smithfield, and became very
prominent citizens. Richard Sayles held
the rank of ensign in the Second Provi-
dence Company, Second Regiment of
Militia of the Main Land, 1722, 1723,
1724, 1725. He was a lieutenant in the
same company in 1725 and 1726, and cap-
tain in 1729. In 1 73 1, 1733, he was cap-
tain of the Smithfield company. He was
deputy for Providence to the General As-
sembly of Rhode Island in 1730, and
deputy for Smithfield in 1738. On Febru-
ary 21, 1750, Richard Sayles deeded a
house lot of two and three-quarter acres
to his son Richard, and on July 5, 1757,
deeded land to his sons, Jonathan and
Gideon, including the homestead.
Captain Richard Sayles married (first),
November 24, 1720, Mercy Phillips,
daughter of Richard and Sarah (Mowry)
Phillips. He married (second). May 14,
1738, Alice Arnold, of Smithfield, widow
of David Arnold, and daughter of Maturin
and Sarah Ballou. He married (third),
January 10, 1742, Susannah Inman, widow
of John Inman, and daughter of James
and Susanna (Whitman) Ballou.
(IV) Captain Israel Sayles, son of Cap-
tain Richard and Mercy (Phillips) Sayles,
was born March 17, 1726, and died April
22, 1801. He was a farmer, and an un-
usually skilled mechanic. For many years
he was president of the Town Council of
Glocester. He held the rank of lieutenant
in the First Company of Glocester, Provi-
dence County Regiment, in 1754, and was
captain of the same in 1754, 1755, and
1756. In 1757 he was enlisting officer for
Glocester. Israel Sayles served in the
Revolutionary War as a member of Cap-
tain Hopkins' company, Colonel Lippitt's
regiment, and according to report, under
General Sullivan.
Captain Israel Sayles married Mercy
Whipple, daughter of Daniel and Mary
(Smith) Whipple.
(V) Ahab Sayles, son of Captain Israel
and Mercy (Whipple) Sayles, was bom
October 17, 1760, and died April 17, 1849.
His homestead lands were between Pas-
coag and Chepachet, on the line which in
1806 was made the boundary line between
Burrillville and Glocester, The family
mansion was then situated in Burrillville
instead of in Glocester as formerly.
Ahab Sayles married, in January, 1786,
Lillis Steere, daughter of Samuel and
Martha (Colwell) Steere. and member of
an old Rhode Island family. She was
born August 17, 1766, and died March 9,
1854.
(VI) Clark Sayles, son of Ahab and
Lillis (Steere) Sayles, was born in Glo-
cester, Rhode Island, May 18, 1797. He
was educated in the local schools, and as
a youth was an omniverous reader. At
the age of eighteen years he entered the
employ of Mr. Elias Carter, a master-
builder of Thompson, Connecticut. He
203
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
later went to Georgia, where he was em-
ployed in building- the Burke county court
house. Returning, he assisted in building
the Congregational church edifice at Mil-
ford, Massachusetts. Finally establish-
ing himself independently, he erected a
residence for his brother, Nicholas Sayles.
He again went to Georgia, where for a
time he constructed dwellings for plant-
ers, and completed a large hotel at
Waynesborough. On his return from the
South he built the meeting-house in
Greenville, Smithfield, Rhode Island. In
the spring of 1822 he removed to Paw-
tucket, and settled as a master builder.
Among the contracts which he was
awarded during the ensuing period were
houses for David Wilkinson, the adding
of the middle section of the First Bap-
tist Church edifice, the building of the
First Congregational Church edifice in
Pawtucket, which he also planned, a
church in North Scituate, and one in At-
tleboro, Massachusetts.
In addition to this work, he also en-
gaged in the coal and lumber business,
and was the first man to introduce coal
into Pawtucket in vessels. Mr. Sayles as-
sociated himself in business with Mr.
Daniel Greene, and in the financial panic
of 1829 the firm of Clark Sayles & Com-
pany assumed to a great disadvantage, as
the issue proved, the business interests of
Mr. Greene, who had failed. Mr. Sayles
was chosen director of the New England
Pacific Bank, and was one of the two of
its thirteen directors who did not fail.
Chosen president of the bank as succes-
sor to Dr. Asa Messer, Mr. Sayles stood
at the head of the institution for seven-
teen years, and "by most skillful finan-
ciering," brought the bank through all its
difficulties. In 1837, closing most of his
large business interests in Pawtucket, he
again went South and engaged in the
wholesale lumber trade for the firm of
which he was head, and also as agent
of another company, operating steam saw
mills, one on an island at the mouth of
the Altamaha river, and one on the Savan-
nah river, opposite the city of Savannah.
He was occupied in this way for about
twenty years, but finally returned to Paw-
tucket. He did not again enter business
for himself, but assisted his sons, William
Francis and Frederic Clark Sayles, in pur-
chasing materials and in the construction
of the buildings added to their extensive
Moshassuck Bleachery, in Lincoln, Rhode
Island. He was also general superintend-
ent in the erection of the beautiful Me-
morial Chapel in Saylesville, near the
Bleachery.
In 1832 Mr. Sayles became a member
of the Congregational church, and was
prominent in the stand against slavery,
and for temperance, educational and
moral reform. In politics he was an Old-
line Whig, and was finally identified with
the Republican party. Contemporary rec-
ord tells us that "Mr. Sayles was a
strong, energetic, independent, incorrupti-
ble man." He stands out preeminently as
one of the strong, admirable, constructive
figures of business life in Rhode Island in
the latter half of the nineteenth century.
Clark Sayles married, December 25,
1822, Mary Ann Olney, born June 21,
1803, daughter of Paris and Mercy (Win-
sor) Olney, and a descendant of Thomas
Olney, founder of the family in America,
who was one of the thirteen original
proprietors of Providence Plantations.
Thomas Olney came from Hertford, Eng-
land, in the ship "Planter," and settled
first in Salem, Massachusetts ; he was one
of the founders of Providence, with Roger
Williams. From him the line descends
through Epenetus Olney, who married
Mary Whipple ; Epenetus Olney, Jr., who
married Mary Williams; James Olney,
married Hannah Winsor; Emor Olney,
204
JT'
In Ye Name of God, Amen.
''♦*?
We whofe names are underwritten, the loyal fubjects of our
dread fovereigne Lord, King James, by ye grace of God, of Great
Britaine, France and Ireland, King, defender of ye faith, etc, have-
ing undertaken for ye glory of God and advancement of ye Chris-
tian faith, and honour of our King and countrie, a voyage to plant
yc firft Colonie in ye Northerne parts of Virginia, doi. by thefe
prefents folemnly, and mutualy, in ye prefence of God, and of one
another, covenant and combine ourfelveslogeather into a civil body
politik for our bitter ordering and prefervation and furtherance of
ye end aforefaid, and by vertue hearof to enacte, conftitute and
frame fuch juft and equal lawes, ordinances, acts, constitutions and
offices from time to time, as ihall be thought moft meete and con-
venient for ye generall good of yc Colonie, unto which we piomife
all due fubmiffion and obedience. In witnes whereof we have
hereunder fubfcribed our names at Cape-Codd ye 1 1 of November,
in ye year of ye raigne of our fovereigne Lord, King James of En-
gland, France and Ireland, ye eighteenth, and of Scotland ye fiftie-
fourth. Ano Dom. 1620.
•
•
I
1. John Carver,
U. Williniu Brorlford,
3. Etlvvard W inflow.
4. A\llllain Dr«>\vater.
5. Isaac Allerton,
6. Myl^s Standisb,
7. John Alden,
8. Samuel FullfP,
8. ChriHtopher Martin.
10. William MuMint,
11. AVllliani White,
12. Richard Warren,
13. John Hovrland,
14. Stephen Hoi>Win»,
15.
Ed>vnrd Tllle>,
l^t.
Dvgory Prieat,
10.
John 1 ille>,
30.
Thom.ts \\ iiltams,
17.
Kraotis Cooke,
Jl.
Gilbert Winslow,
IM.
Thonins Rogers,
3-'.
Edmond MiirgeBOD,
\U.
Thomas linker
;j.'{.
Peter Bro^vn,
ao.
John HiKdale,
:u.
RiehartI Brilterldge
.:i.
Ed^vard I'uller,
.{.'>.
Cieorg:e Soole,
--.
John Turnt-r.
Mi.
Richard Clarke.
u;;.
I'rnncis Katon,
;{7.
Richard Gardiner,
Zi.
Jnme.'* Cliilton,
;;v.
John Ailorton,
-!'»,
John Crack«iton.
'Mf.
Thomas F^uKlinh,
•JO.
John UlUiiiKlon,
4U.
EldT^nrtl Dotey,
'•17.
>loses F Iftrhc-.r,
41.
EilT^ard Lister,
• *».
John 'Joodniau.
MAYFLOWER COMPACT
jral<^ /y /-^W *t7rtc Q/X'xs -f/Uxr^ Ca*ic(iAc-n Co-nfidgr-gJ^^ ^vr-iaA^
"Trie. J^-r-rrLt yotKS CLS /o^o-KVt.-^
^^^y ^a.-y*M. erf ^oct^/fyrtCT^ ylrt TvAof»^ ^ar^ts «^e 'li'nJe.t->i,ff/<:-ru.
-^hc foyai^ su.Cicc^ of ou.t^ drrca-d JoyA^raa^rtO- fat- J ii?ff^ laTne^
o-nc 0;f (K^o-i/U.r*, C o vt^t nxfif , Q^ Com^\r\.f. c%*.v Je.^^<^S ^o^ear^ct^ -mis ix -
4fie.t-pmc€- oZ/c^/f c^t^'cc^d^ ;. A>t/ /^r ^crAcc kz*S^of -ic f^i^cl'c,
ones? -yrvejt-U. (^COTitA.e-nie.Ti.'f fox- y ^^<'^<'^'^^ ^Toci ofy Calo^^t: "^yvfi,
Cot^ /-/J- of nou.<.^fr*^ ^ /year- ^/jr ritxyvTf' ^^^t- ^ovcPr«7>rc^
.^-/-.> ^/«;W^ ruca^a^.'k-^d f<%^c^ ofAV^rcCr\, <^^<^^p^
-//j|^ ^fif^ a-^^ co^^j:^eA^ of /pf^c5, fe or-Jc^-^rs. .t'>-f^fo-r ^^f^f
of -J. 'yfxo-n^t^'s A»^-V -p a.Cft ^f f/iew^ Cor*xyar\y cfyi'd •i.rfi>^'<t{}'
MAYFLOWER COMPACT
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
married Amey Hopkins ; Paris Olney,
married Mercy Winsor. Clark and Mary
Ann (Olney) Sayles were the parents of
five children, three of whom died young.
The sons, William Francis, mentioned
below, and the late Hon. Frederic Clark
Sayles, both rose to commanding posi-
tions in the industrial and business life
of Rhode Island.
(VII) William Francis Sayles, son of
Clark and Mary Ann (Olney) Sayles, was
born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Sep-
tember 21, 1824. He received his early
education in the Fruit Hill Classical In-
stitute, under Mr. Amos Perry ; the See-
konk Classical School, under Mr. Stanton
Belden ; and for two years was a student
in Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachu-
setts.
In 1842 he began his business life as
bookkeeper for the firm of Shaw & Earle
in Providence. He was afterwards sales-
man, and eventually was placed in charge
of the financial affairs of the concern. In
December, 1847, he bought at public auc-
tion the Moshassuck Bleachery, which is
situated about two miles west of Paw-
tucket. For some time the plant had been
used as a print works. Mr. Sayles began
immediately to erect additional buildings
and converted the plant into a bleachery
for shirtings and sheetings, having a ca-
pacity of two and a half tons daily. By
1854, despite the fact that he had entered
the business without experience and with
small capital, he had increased the capac-
ity of the works to about four tons a day.
About three-fourths of all the finer cotton
goods came to his bleachery. The water
of the Moshassuck river, for which the
bleachery is named, is well adapted for
the purposes of the plant, but the addi-
tional advantage of a fountain of water
from a hundred springs, enclosed in a
wall some three hundred feet in circum-
ference, has been added. In June, 1854.
the entire plant was destroyed by fire, but
Mr. Sayles immediately set himself to
work to rehabilitate his loss, and the
establishment was rebuilt on even a larger
scale than the old. The new plant had a
capacity of six tons a day, and from year
to year additions have been made until
the daily output is now expressed in
terms of hundreds of thousands of yards.
The buildings cover an area of thirty
acres and are models of architecture for
buildings of this kind and class, substan-
tially built of brick. The surrounding
grounds are tastefully laid out and care-
fully kept. The works are lighted by elec-
tricity, and are well equipped with fire
apparatus and with every convenience for
safeguarding the life and comfort of the
workmen. Mr. Sayles was a pioneer in
providing for the welfare and health, com-
fort and happiness of his men, and the
most harmonious relations always existed
between him and his employees. He was
a prime mover in the establishment of a
school district for the village, and on the
first Sunday in June, i860, he organized a
Sunday school, and as its superintendent
devoted himself to the work during the
remainder of his life. The village which
grew about the bleachery has come to be
called Saylesville, and now has a popula-
tion of more than two thousand, with
stores, post office, and all the attributes of
a model manufacturing community. In
1863 Mr. Sayles admitted to partnership
his brother, Frederic C. Sayles. with
whose cooperation the business was con-
stantly enlarged.
In 1873 William F. and Frederic C.
Sayles, to meet the religious needs of the
growing community in Saylesville, and to
raise a suitable memorial "to the memory
of their deceased children," erected a
beautiful chapel of Westerly granite, in
the Gothic style. The following names
are inscribed on marble tablets on the in-
205
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
terior walls at each side of the pulpit :
"Louisa Marsh Sayles, and Nannie Nye
Sayles, children of William F. and Mary
W.," on the west side ; and "Benjamin
Paris Sayles, son of Frederic C. and De-
borah C," on the east side. In 1877 Wil-
liam F. Sayles erected a tower on the cor-
ner of the church as a memorial to his
deceased son, William Clark Sayles, who
died the previous year while a student in
Brown University. A few years later.
Mr. Sayles, with his brother, erected at
a cost of $30,000 a large hall for the use
of those in their employ, containing a
library and reading room, and a room for
the association of firemen in the bleachery
and for other social purposes. One writer
said of the village a generation ago what
is just as true to-day in a larger sense :
The Moshassuck Bleachery, with its numerous
substantial buildings, the neat appearance of the
tenement houses around it, the elevated grounds on
either side of the winding stream, which gives the
valley its name, the pleasant homes of the per-
manent residents, the chapel, the school house, the
public hall, the absence of drinking saloons and
the concomitants, the peaceable and orderly char-
acter of the people, give to Saylesville its enviable
reputation as the model manufacturing village of
Rhode Island.
In 1877 William F. and Frederic C.
Sayles built the Moshassuck Valley rail-
road, which connects their village with
the Woodlawn station of the New York,
New Haven & Hartford railroad. The
senior partner became president of the
road, and his brother treasurer. This spur
track greatly facilitated the transporta-
tion of goods to and from the bleachery
and opened up an opportunity for indefi-
nite expansion of business. Between
Woodlawn and the bleachery, the firm
established an extensive business in the
Lorraine Mills, in manufacturing ladies'
dress goods of the finest quality, especially
French cashmeres. At Lorraine another
model village grew up about this indus-
try, and the firm erected a chapel there,
pursuing the same generous policy which
they had followed at Moshassuck.
Mr. Sayles was prominently identified
with many of the foremost business and
financial institutions in the State of Rhode
Island. He was president of the Slater
National Bank of Pawtucket, and a direc-
tor of the Third National Bank of Provi-
dence. He was a large stockholder in
numerous manufacturing industries, and
was president of the Slater Cotton Com-
pany of Pawtucket, of w^hich he was
founder. He was a director of the Pone-
mah Mills, of Taftville, Connecticut, the
largest cotton manufacturing business in
the State, and one of the largest in New
England. He was president of the Staf-
ford Manufacturing Company of Central
Falls, and a stockholder in numerous mill
corporations in Massachusetts.
In politics, Mr. Sayles was a Republi-
can. He served two terms as State Sena-
tor from Pawtucket, and proved a wise
and efficient legislator. For many years
he was president of the trustees of the
Pawtucket Free Public Library. In 1878,
in memory of his son, William Clark
Sayles, Mr. Sayles gave to Brown Uni-
versity the sum of $50,000 for the erection
of a memorial hall. The gift was subse-
quently increased to $100,000, and on June
4, 1881, Sayles Hall was dedicated. In
1879 Mr. Sayles was elected to the board
of trustees of Brown University, and held
that office until his death, May 7, 1894. In
his younger days he served in the State
Militia, and was lieutenant-colonel of the
Pawtucket Light Guard. During the
Civil War he gave earnest and loyal sup-
port to the government, contributing
freely from his wealth for many patriotic
purposes.
In 1870-72 he erected a beautiful man-
sion overlooking the cities of Pawtucket
and Providence. Here he collected a fine
206
Dorr .ir/H^-HjPj&n.. pale gules and azvire, ; & ■ '^li wings ex-
tended or. .^
Crest — A denii^ger azure holding between the feet an escallop or. '
Craiijford .4rm^-^0uarterly. ist and 4th ijules, a fes.s chequy argent and
azure, for Ii^dsa}Y f^and ;iiid },r<\ or, a lion raii'.int giilts, debn -cd oi a ribbon
in bend sabi^4or Abenietliy.
Credit— ^.Kh ostrich proper holding in his beak a key or.
Sup'po^tcrs — Two lions sejant cjiiardant giiV~.
Motto— -Endure fort.
:;is — Sable, a cross p<jfun or. over all a bend argent, in chief .minister
a be^.:iijL. »
Crest — An !i <■ n full length facing, in the dexter hand a bow. ii lie sinister
an arrow
Bciii .-iriiis — --\/>iit. a.liuii ranij>ant or, arnieu and langued gul-..;.
Supi^' fers—Two bears jproper.
Motto — J'^irtiitcr a 'stivpe traho.
Hoicland .u iiis-rr~H<: bcareth sable, two bar-*argeni. on a. chit i of the second
three lions rampant of the first, and for his cresi, on a wreatli «>f hi- CMJors a lion
passant sable, dually ,gpfged or. By the name of How^jid
Alden Arms — dules, a bezant between three crescents argv.iiL Nviihin a bordure
engrailed ermine.
Crest — :Out of 'et'cliical coronet per pale gules aii,d. sable, a demi-lion or.
^omlanii
:DrA OF BIOGRAi
'.■'-; walls at each side
isa Marsh Sayles,
liS, children "
/ on the wt
Paris Sayles, soi
•h C" Orn •
. .:i F. Savlt
ner of the
deceased
died the
Brown
Mr. "
'ose
in
try. and the firm erected a chapel there,
pursuing the same generous policy which
they had followed at Moshassuck.
Mr ^'iv'. s was prominently identified
with the foremost business and
financici] :;istitutions in the State of Rhode
Island. He was president of the Slater
National Panic of Pawtucket, and a direc-
" the Third National Bank of Provi-
.. T^'f \ > a large stockholder in
num. icturing industries, and
Slater Cotton Com-
, .„ of which he was
t^^^e'S^of '^^wft^^n^^iP ^rm^i^'^ ^'^a3%iJ¥fe:5fiV»tHhr^f^e-
• ■'"'■ '^^,^^
•Jk^ pulpit:
nie Nye
. and Mary
' "Benjamin
and De-
ll 1877 Wtl-
r on the cor-
memorial to his
A few
IS br. '
a lar.Q-e
years later,
rTtr
and for
'in
t^i'v
> m
-day in
>ha.ssuck Bleachery, with
neat ar-
a ■■;)€ winding stream,
chapel, the schoo
>cnce of drinkirg
c.in H' - as Staten'kyS-jj
^ a:\(1 efficient legislator. For maHyo^MifS£
the •^^^§)il<?fis^!«lv:i»tAif bt»«ai5 .ibdfwqHii4-jrfl8if<fi(Bitb-»ic Ahe,. fer-^stft^ ,^f\ the
\ ment ■' ' sark
.a^suc! ^^"^« ^^^iXSorffi Vf^^ ,^ 1
;).TiibTo^ Ji f«<l4''^r-i^f?^8X^ j?.to;K)^3icirijD-rr^ LiS3Wp(kMjr£s:iii.(k {gb^mo-om^^i^^-iW^^^^
... T.S81. Savles Hall was.sAfrdntSFibaliiri^iiib
' a- ^.^l£q T^^ tQ.^^^^^;, ^'#efeteF<tVt)f^1>bard
dent c" ?tees of Brown University, and held
:- until his death. May 7, 1894. In
ij'cr days he served in the State
1, and was lieutenant-colonel of the
:.[t.'.- ' "t Light Guard. During the
v.if'Vi ' r he gave earnest and loyal sup-
the government, contributing
m his wealth for many patriotic
-72 he erected a beautiful man-
ing the cities of Pawtucket
■ ::€. Here he collected a fine
Nev . -
senior part;
road, and hi,
track great!} .
tion of goods to
and opened up :
nite expatision •
Woodlawn and the
established an exteii
Lorraine Mills, in P'
dress goods of the fiii
pTiMi'rb cashmeres. .Aii
2(^3
drnwfotd
^llm
'^
ttiion
j^ouilanil
^liirn
ST. PETERS CHURCH. LEYDEN, HOLLAND.
•0
Fl
U
(J)'
O
JL
o
X
r
n
-<
o
n
z
X
o
r
r
>
z
D
i
/\T:ie7-.can msicniLai ^ucy
T
a/r^' fp^M^MymAo^/t'
^mMn-dmi^J cy^W<^
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
library and many works of art. He Avas
fond of literature and the arts, and trav-
eled extensively in this country and
abroad. A contemporary wrote of him :
Active and public-spirited as a citizen, upright,
and honorable in all his dealings with his fellow-
men, he won and retained the respect and confi-
dence of the community in which he always resided.
From the beginning of his business career, he
believed in the principle of hard, persistent work
and honesty of purpose as the only sure ground of
success. Acting upon this belief he succeeded by
his own unaided exertions in raising himself from
the position of a clerk in a commercial house to
the possessor of an ample fortune. Endowed with
a sympathetic nature, and bestowing substantial
aid where deserved, he strove always to make the
applicant depend upon himself rather than on
others. While from his door none were turned
away empty, his charities were of the practical
kind, and calculated to confer permanent aid, as
well as to relieve present necessity. His convic-
tions of right and duty were decided and firm, and
uncompromisingly maintained, and though a posi-
tive man, he viewed the faults of others with char-
ity, his creed being,
"That mercy I to others show
That mercy show to me."
He attended and generously contrib-
uted to the work of the Central Cong-re-
gational Church in Providence, but was
not sectarian in his beliefs.
William Francis Sayles married, Octo-
ber 30, 1849, Mary Wilkinson Fessenden,
who was born October 24, 1827, and died
September 20, 1886. She was the daugh-
ter of Hon. Benjamin Fessenden, of Val-
ley Falls, Rhode Island, and Mary (Wil-
kinson) Fessenden, his wife. Their chil-
dren were : I. Mary Fessenden. 2. Louise
Marsh. 3. William Clark. 4. Martha
Freeman. 5. Frank Arthur, mentioned
below. 6. Nancy Nye.
(VIII) Frank Arthur Sayles, son of
William Francis and Mary Wilkinson
(Fessenden) Sayles, was born Decem-
ber 14, 1866, in Pawtucket, Rhode
Island. He was educated in prepar-
atory schools, and wa.= graduated from
Brown University in the class of 1890.
He entered immediately into his father's
bleaching industries, and devoted the
period ensuing between his graduation
and the death of William F. Sayles
to learning the business in all its
departments. On the death of his father,
Frank A. Sayles inherited the Sayles Fin-
ishing Plants at Saylesville and Phillips-
dale, and the Moshassuck Valley railroad.
He inaugurated at once the policy of ex-
pansion and progressive development
which within a short period made the
Sayles bleaching industries the most noted
of their kind in the world. He was a man
of inventive as well as executive genius,
and to the advancement of the Sayles
industries brought the valuable gift of
familiarity with mechanical and scientific
affairs, as well as his ability as an organ-
izer and director. Broad of vision, thor-
oughly cognizant of every changing phase
of the vast enterprises which he directed,
devoting himself to his work with a sin-
gleness and intentness of purpose which
admitted of no distractions, he reared on
the foundations laid by his father and
uncle a business which has no peer in
Europe or xA.merica to-day, and stands as
a monument to his intellectual and crea-
tive strength.
His interests, although confined largely
to the field of woolen and cotton manu-
facture, were wide and diversified. Rhode
Island industries which he operated and
of which he was president included the
Sayles Finishing Plants at Saylesville and
Phillipsdale, above mentioned ; the Ham-
let Textile Company of Woonsocket and
Pawtucket; the Slater Yarn Company of
Pawtucket ; and the River Spinning Com-
pany of Woonsocket. He was president
and principal stockholder of the Lorraine
Manufacturing Company, and of the
Slater Trust Company of Pawtucket. It
has been estimated that fully ten thou-
207
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
sand persons were employed in the plants
which he controlled. Other business en-
terprises in which he was heavily inter-
ested were the French River Textile Com-
pany of Mechanicsville, Connecticut, of
which he was president, and the Ponemah
Mills of Taftville, Connecticut, of which
he was president and member of the
board of directors. He was a director in
the following corporations : The Black-
stone Valley Gas and Electric Light Com-
pany ; the Castner Electrolytic Company,
director and vice-president ; the Chase Na-
tional Bank, of New York City ; the Mos-
hassuck Valley railroad ; the Norfolk
Southern Railroad Company ; the Put-
nam (Connecticut) Light and Power Com-
pany ; United Gas and Electric Company ;
and the Wauregan Mills. He rendered
invaluable service along industrial lines
throughout the World War. Part of his
service was devoting his plants at Woon-
socket, Valley Falls and Phillipsdale to
the bleaching of cotton linter used in the
manufacture of explosives ; the weekly
output of these plants was 2,500,000
pounds.
Throughout his entire career, Mr.
Sayles was a generous supporter of worth-
while charities and benevolences, giving
freely and liberally for the alleviation of
suffering and for the advancement of the
arts, education, religion, and civic inter-
ests. His gifts to war charities were very
great and were exceeded by no resident of
Pawtucket. Other notable gifts made
possible the Pawtucket Memorial Hospi-
tal which Mr. Sayles erected and pre-
sented to the city in memory of his
mother and sister. He also endowed the
Sayles Memorial Hospital with $75,000.
Mr. Sayles was no seeker after public
honors. His life, away from the cares of
his great business interests, was essen-
tially simple. He had no fraternal con-
nections and cared little for social life. In
his leisure hours he shunned the artificiali-
ties and pretenses of modern life, revert-
ing to the simple, homely interests and
pleasures of the preceding generation. He
was a lover of outdoor life and of horses.
Of magnetic personality, brilliant in men-
tality, yet unostentatious, he numbered
among his friends some of the foremost
men of the State and Nation, men who
valued and loved him for the cultured,
kindly gentleman and man of afifairs that
he was. His funeral was carried out with
the impressive and dignified seriousness
and freedom from pomp and affectation
with which he had lived his life.
Mr. Sayles had a notable Colonial an-
cestry, being descended from many of the
early Rhode Island families, distinguished
in the annals of the Colony. He traced
his line from Roger Williams, the founder
of Rhode Island, by six dififerent descents,
through the Sayles, Winsor and Olney
families. He was descended from Thomas
Olney, one of the thirteen original proprie-
tors of Providence Plantations, through
three lines ; from John Whipple, com-
mander of an expedition against the In-
dians in King Philip's War, 1675-76, by
four lines ; and from Thomas Angell and
Joshua Winsor, two of the thirteen sign-
ers of the first written compact of the
Providence Plantations, by three lines
each.
The well known Field, Arnold, Jenckes,
Mowry, Inman, Wickenden, Rhodes and
Wilkinson names were also duplicated by
the frequent intermarriages of that era.
Other notable Rhode Island ancestry in-
cluded the Hopkins, the Chad Brown, the
Obadiah Holmes, the Harris, Barker, Ran-
dall, Scott and Smith families, showing
that the Sayles' family record was closely
interwoven with a large part of early
Rhode Island history. Through his ma-
ternal ancestry, Mr. Sayles was descended
208
OMMEMORA'
rAJ^LET ON THE BA5?B!C.-
PTnrv
terpnses •
:T-
ested
m-
pany ■.
of
■A-hich he was
nemah
Mills of T '
which
he was ;
of the
'card of directors.
He
was
a director in
ind
'^art of his
to
the
;dy
. hile charities and b
arts,
ed
ur
ests.
"! '
rrr;-'^ •(
t?ll A
/hi
■h
- Lses of modt ■ ....
ing to the simple, homely interests ana
pleasures of the preceding generation. He
was a lover of outdoor life and of horses.
Of magnetic personality, brilliant in men-
tality, yet unostentatious, he numbered
among his •- some of the foremost
men of th and Nation, men who
ed him for the cultured,
)f affairs that
rried out with
diEmified seriousness
affectation
Afr. Sayles had a n-.
of the
• h^d
..•d
hj IS, the. founder
of at descents,
tb; .ind ,01ney
families. He was descended trom Thomas
Olney, one of the thirteen original proprie-
tors of Providence Plantations, through
three lines ; from John Whipple, com-
mander of an expedition against the In-
dians in King Philip's War, 1675-76, by
four lines ; and from Thomas Angell and
Joshua Winsor, two of the thirteen sign-
ers of the first written compact of the
ience Plantations, by three lines
The well known Field, Arnold, Jenckes,
man, Wickenden, Rhodes and
names were also duplicated by
.■at intermarriages of that era,
notable Rhode Island ances
' - Chad Browii, tne
arris, Barker, R?.rt-
and Smith familie
J iayles' family record was cioseiy
.-■PTi -,vifh a large part of early
Through his ma-
^ayles was descended
COMMEMORATIVE STONE AND TABLET ON THE BARBICAN.
PLYMOUTH. ENGLAND
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J.--LS .-.-let fitclnJe sabk
lieau- erased
Olncy Arlli^— Xrgei!; ^,n a fe-s between thret u.^-ls o
as man\' crescents of the field.
]]' hippie Arms — ^Sable, o\\ a c]le^r(ln betwi'-n three >
arj^ent^! as many crescents of the field.
.Inycll Anns — -.Or, five fusils in fess azure, over all a bendlet gules.
Crest — ' >n ;i mimiit vert a swan argent, ducally gorged or, beaked and legged
gules.
IVinsor Anns — \\v >.iltire azure and or. two cinquefoils in fe-s and three
cross crossle.ts in chief and as many in base counterchanged.
Crest — A luiicorns head, erased or. charged .with an annulet between four
crosses crosslet azwre.
Motto — Je lie ehanae iju'en iiioiiraiit. ( I change only wlien ] die).
Freeman .Inns — .Xznre. three lozenges or.
Crest — A cfettil-lion. rami)ant gules holding in the ^»Y^j?^i^''-dSC or.
Motto — Lihrr ef (ik'dd'.v. ( Iree and bold I. ' ''
'J^-
Mullins Anus—.^^rtie, a cross moline or, quarter pierced of the field.
Crest — A Saracen's head afifrontee couped below the shoulders proper,
wreathed about the temples azure and or.
Iiiman Anns — \ ert, on a chevron or, three roses gules, slipped and leaved
of the first.
Crest — On a mount vert, a wyvern proper ducally gorged and lined or.
Steer e Arms — Per pale sable and gules, three lions passaut^ _a.ment .
Crest — Out of-'^a mural crown per pale gules and sable, 'at^S^i^'s gamb erect
argent, armed gules.- ^SP^^'^
Motto — Tu ne cede me. ( Yield not thou to me). -/^ i
■ ' . l\
Rhodes .Irnis-^Argitnx. a lion passant guardant gules, between two acorns in
bend azure, cotised ermine- .-^ "^^^^
nbil anr, h^', '' . :i branch of ar. " 1 1 ro^.££!_:^
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
from John Howland and John Tilley of
the "Mayflower."
Cape ancestry of note included the
Newcomb, Bourne, Skiff, Chipman, Free-
man, Otis, Bacon, Russell and Mayo
families, while other Massachusetts lines
included the Colton, Marshfield, Chapin,
Johnson, Marsh, Wilson, Hobart, Adams,
Wright, Moody and Collins families.
Branches straying into Connecticut were
the Rev. Thomas Hooker, the Newton
and Talcott lines.
Members of all of these families per-
formed distinguished Colonial service.
Indeed, it is worthy of notice that Mr.
Sayles claimed over eighty Colonial an-
cestors, whose services have been recog-
nized and entered in the different heredi-
tary societies, three of whom were Colo-
nial Governors, or Presidents.
He was a member of the Rhode Island
Society of Colonial Wars, by right of such
services, and although he was not affiliated
with the Sons of the American Revolu-
tion, he claimed six Revolutionary heroes.
Frank Arthur Sayles married, June 9,
1892, Mary Dorr Ames, daughter of Com-
mander Sullivan Dorr Ames, of the
United States Navy, and Mary Townsend
(Bullock) Ames, his wife. (See Ames).
They were the parents of the following
children: i. Mary Ames, born October
13, 1893; married Neville Jay Booker, of
New York, June 8, 1918; one child, Mary
Sayles, born January i, 1921. 2. Martha
Freeman, born July 18, 1896; married
Paul Coe Nicholson, of Providence, June
23, 1917; they have two children: Paul
Coe Nicholson, Jr., born October 12, 1918,
and Martha Sayles Nicholson, born Octo-
ber 5, 1922. 3. William Francis, born
April 23, 1901, died March 21, 1902. 4.
Nancy, born April 12, 1905. 5. Hope,
born February 21, 1907.
Mrs. Sayles resides at "Saleholme," the
Sayles mansion, in Pawtucket. Frank A.
Mass- -11 — 14 209
Sayles died in New York City, March 9,
1920, at the home of his daughter, Mrs.
Neville Jay Booker.
AMES, Sullivan Dorr
The family of Ames is said to have been
originally of Bruton in Somersetshire,
England* Here a certain John Ames, or
Amyas, the first progenitor of whom there
seems to be positive knowledge, was
buried in the year 1560. Some of his de-
scendants eventually came to America in
1638 and 1640, and settled in Duxbury
and Braintree, Massachusetts, and later
removed to Bridgewater.
With this Duxbury and Bridgewater
family, the Providence Ames have no
known connection. Whether the Provi-
dence line actually traces back to John
Ames, of Bruton in Somersetshire, yet re-
mains to be proved. Judge Samuel Ames,
of Providence, Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court of Rhode Island, was fifth
in descent from Robert Ames, of Andover
and Boxford, Massachusetts.
Anns — Argent, on a bend cottised between two
annulets sable, a quatrefoil between two roses of
the field.
Crest — A rose argent slipped and leaved proper,
in front thereof an annulet or.
Motto — Fama Candida rosa dulcior.
(I) Robert Ames probably came from
Boxford, England. He settled in Box-
ford, Massachusetts, and undoubtedly re-
sided near the Andover line, as several of
the births of his oldest children are re-
corded on the Andover town records. His
home estate was in the West Parish. He
was one of the committee chosen by the
town of Rowley and the village of Rowley
(afterwards Boxford), to establish the
dividing line between the two towns,
July, 1685. In December, 1689, he was
♦The early spelling of the name was Eames.
Also found Ernes, Emms, Emmes, Eamms, and
Amaes.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
one of those chosen to meet with the
Topsfield committee to settle the line be-
tween that town and Boxford. This com-
mittee evidently did not accomplish its
object, as another committee was ap-
pointed for the same purpose in March,
1695. In 1692 Robert Ames, Sen., was
selectman for Boxford.
Robert Ames married, in 1661, Rebecca
Blake, eldest daughter of George Blake,
of Gloucester, Massachusetts, who after-
wards settled in Boxford. In 1692 she
was arrested as a witch and condemned,
but after seven months' imprisonment she
was included in the general reprieve of
July 22, 1693, a strong reaction and pro-
test against the amazing and incredible
superstition of those days having set in.
A full account of her trial is given in the
"History of Boxford, Massachusetts"
(1880), by Sidney Perley, pp. 120-123.
Robert and Rebecca (Blake) Ames had
eight children, of whom the third was
Robert, mentioned below.
(II) Robert (2) Ames, son of Robert
(i) and Rebecca (Blake) Ames, was born
February 28, 1667-68, in Andover, Massa-
chusetts. He married, April 20, 1694, in
Boxford, Bethiah Gatchell, of "Seconke,"
of whose parentage nothing is known.
Robert Ames was a husbandman and
lived in Boxford, where two children were
born. He resided in Boston between
1695 and 1700, where the births of three
children are recorded. The first child on
the Boston records was Samuel, through
whom the line descends. The actual date
of death of Robert Ames has not been
found.
(III) Samuel Ames, son of Robert (2)
and Bethiah (Gatchell) Ames, was born
in Boston, Massachusetts, February 24,
1695. He was a resident of Andover by
1719, where a child by his first wife, Abi-
gail (SpofTord) Ames, of Rowley, was
born. She died June 25, 1719, and he mar-
ried (second), January 13, 1720-21, Han-
nah Stevens, of Andover.
Samuel Ames was in Lexington in 1722,
when he bought land; at Natick by 1729,
where a child was born ; at Andover again
by 1734; and at Groton by 1756. He was
a housewright, also called "yeoman" in
some of the deeds. He died between the
date of his will, February 13, 1782, and
April 20, 1784, when it was probated. His
wife was living in 1782, but the date of
her death has not been ascertained.
(IV) Nathan Ames, son of Samuel and
Hannah (Stevens) Ames, was born in Na-
tick, Massachusetts, April 27, 1729. He
was a resident of Andover and of Groton,
Massachusetts. He was called "of West-
ford" in 1791, but he probably lived in the
extreme eastern part of Groton, next to
the Westford line.
Nathan Ames married (first), in Gro-
ton, April 19, 1763, Deborah Bowers,
daughter of Samuel and Deborah (Farns-
worth) Bowers, of Groton. She was born
in Groton, September 2, 1746, and died
there, April 8, 1782, and he afterwards
married again. He died March 7, 1791,
aged sixty-one years, in Groton. By his
first wife he had nine children, of whom
the second was Samuel, mentioned below.
(V) Samuel (2) Ames, son of Nathan
and Deborah (Bowers) Ames, was born
in Groton, Massachusetts, February 7,
1766. He married, in Boston, Massachu-
setts, September 8, 1801, Anne Checkley,
born August 13, 1785, in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, daughter of John Webb
and Anne (Bickerf) Checkley, of Phila-
delphia. John Webb Checkley was on
Governor Mifflin's staflf (Pennsylvania)
during the Revolution. He belonged to
one of the old Puritan families, whose
members took a prominent part in the
early Colonial history of Massachusetts.
The original form of the name is asserted
tName also found "Bichler" and "Biehler."
210
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IS- ».-»I.H«f
Cloi'llj»l^-iiis--i BnlliTk) Ci\^^, a c]^e^r')n c .irWcr . Uills" heads,
cabossed j^rgent, armed or.
Crest' — Five Locbaber axes sniile. encircled by ,i riblum or.
' ' ^tto—.\iI conscire sibi.
.!hr.\ Anns — Or, a turret in chief and^fiQ^s keys in base proper.
linstoii Anns — F^er chevron sanies and ©r.^tftree sen-dragons, dncall} crowned.
counterchanged. H' . „ ;
Coyycshall Arms — Argent, a cio^s between 'four c,>^3oj)? sable".
Crest — 'A stag lodged, sable, attired or.
Borden Arms — ^^.Azure. ;i chevron engrailed, ei nnue, two boi^ilens i>r pilgrims'
staves proper in chief and a crosslet in base or. ' '"^^ '
Crest — .A lion rampant al)ove a scroll argent on its sinister foot holding a
battle-axe proper,
Motto— Paltiurv, 'HUH.
Pcdrcc Aruii^^Mpi,, on a bend cotised or. an annulet -^able.
C' ' ''mi-j^elii^an or, vulning herself proper, crowned .:..;ides.
A
Fenner AriiTs — Vert, on a cross argent, between four eagles displayed of the
second a cross foitnee guks. ^
Crest — An es&e dismayed argent, niembered or.
U'lifrnttau .WviS-~:;^\}]^§l[^CK argent an'^ ?:::'-'i--
changed
-cew
a chief or four niulle'-^ of the
Tew Arms — Argent, three' pallr- _
second.
Crc.H — -A spur^t-owl^ between *' ^ "/'ure.
Peckhaiii-Anns — Ermine, a diief quarter'y f r and^iiles.
Crc.9f-VAn ostrich proper. '^' a V ' ' ^^
Motto-^Tentonda zia est. T'£^ T 4- v A -I'A ■I'^
IVeeden Arms — Argent. t\^o bars gules, in 6|ii^\IihI^ee B|(artj|^ts,^sabl(
Crest — A martlet sable, ,. * *
Motto — Cre^p/and Spe/mca Christus.
Greene Anns — ^^tire. three bucks tri]:)pai! r.
Crest — A bucl^'s head or. -~«, ...-
Motto — Virti^ ^'ff^t'r viridis. ^0C^fl
am
f
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I
Wiik'mson .Irms — A7iii», ;i less erminois btuv^en three uniconi^ passant \
argent,^ j
:6Ve^/— Out uf a mural crcnvn gules a demi-unicorn erminois erased of the ;
tirst, armed and maned or. ;
Motto^^e-C rege nee populo, sed utroque. \
gules.
Hopkins Arms — Sable, on a chevron between three pistols or, three roses
Crest — A tower sable, in flames proper.
Motto — Piety is peace.
Arnold Al^.ms-rr^^les. a chevron ermine between three.'i>h^ons or.
Crest — A demirlion rampant gules, holding a lozenge qr|'>£i*i>;,
^Tnffn — Mihi gloria rcssum. ■ -
J Illy rt'nis — Argent, a wyvern with wings ^indorsed sable.
Crest — The head of a battle-ax issuing from the wreath.
QTitk^
il.i^wii:^vni^
Bullock Anns — Gulfs, a chevron ermine between three bulls' heads cabossed
argent, armed or. ? "
Crest — 'Ei'Ye Lochaber axt- -able, encircled by a riljliun or.
M otto-^ii 'coHscire sibi.
ToivnsendArms — Azure, a chevron ermine between three escallop? or.
Cre^f— A stag strippant proper.
Richmond Arms — Argent,,^ dross patonce aziire between four mullets gules.
Crest — A tilting spear headed or, broken in- three parts, one piece erect, the
other two in saltire,, enfiled witha ducal coronet of the last.
Motto — Resolve well and persevere.
Winthrop Arms — Argent, three chevrons crenellee gulcs, over all a lion ram-
pant sable, armed and langued azure.
Crest — A hare proper running on a mount vert.
Gorton Arms—Gu\ts, ten billets or. a chief indented of the lahi.
Crest — A goat's head erased argent, ducall y gorged or.
' Harris Arins^Or, three hedgehogs azure.
Crest — A hedgehog or.
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
to be Chichele, which passed through
many modifications until the present form
of Checkley, as used by the emigrant ances-
tor, Colonel Samuel Checkley, of Boston,
and was finally established in America.
Colonel Samuel Checkley was born at Pres-
ton Capes, England, October 14, 1653.
He came to America, arriving in Boston,
August 3, 1670. Here he married, in 1680,
Mary Scottow, daughter of Ensign Joshua
Scottow, and became the progenitor of
the American family of his name.
Samuel Ames removed to Providence
with his brother, Asa, where they were
shopkeepers. On March 11, 1795, a peti-
tion is recorded in Middlesex county,
Massachusetts, Probate Files, wherein
Samuel and Asa Ames, of Providence,
shopkeepers, acknowledge a receipt of
money from the estate of their grand-
father, Samuel Bowers. (See ante under
Nathan Ames),
The children of Samuel and Anne
(Checkley) Ames were : i. Samuel, men-
tioned below. 2. John Checkley. 3. John
Checkley. 4. Frank. 5. William. 6. Ann
Checkley. 7. Sophia Bichler (or Biehler).
8. Elizabeth Lothrop.
(VI) Hon. Samuel (3) Ames, of Prov-
idence, son of Samuel (2) and Anne
(Checkley) Ames, was born there, Sep-
tember 6, 1806. He received his early
education in Providence, after which he
was prepared for college at Phillips (An-
dover) Academy, Massachusetts. Enter-
ing Brown University, he pursued his
studies with distinction, and was gradu-
ated in the class of 1823, at the age of
seventeen years. Among the classmates
of Judge Ames at Brown were : Judge
Edward Mellen, of Massachusetts ; Wil-
liam R. Watson ; George Prentice, of the
"Louisville Journal ;" and Dr. Henry Sey-
mour Fearing, of Providence.
After his graduation, Samuel Ames im-
mediately entered upon the study of law
in the office of the Hon. S. W. Bridgham,
also attending for a year the lectures
delivered by Judge Gould at the law
school in Litchfield, Connecticut. In 1826
he was admitted to the Rhode Island bar,
and opened an office in Providence, Rhode
Island, where he at once began the prac-
tice of his profession. He soon became
well known as an able advocate, and his
fluency and earnestness of style gained
for him a wide reputation as a popular
orator. In political compaigns he was a
most effective speaker, and in the exciting
times of 1842 and 1843, when political
affairs in Rhode Island were undergoing
a tremendous upheaval, his voice was con-
spicuous and frequently heard. He be-
came quartermaster-general of the State
in 1842, and served also in the City
Council. He was a member of the Gen-
eral Assembly for many years. His influ-
ence throughout the entire period of dis-
turbance was most marked and beneficial
to his native State, being always staunch
and firm on the side of law and order. In
1844 and 1845 ^^ was elected speaker of
the Assembly, and became prominent as
a leader in all debates. His practice,
which was a most successful one, was
wide and far-reaching, extending into the
Federal courts and winning for him dis-
tinguished honors and emolument.
In 1853 he was appointed by the Legis-
lature as State representative, to adjust
the boundary between Rhode Island and
Massachusetts ; and in 1855 he was one of
the commissioners for revising the stat-
utes of Rhode Island, the work being con-
ducted chiefly under his supervision and
finished in 1857. In 1855 he received also
his degree of LL. D., and in May, 1856,
the year following, he was elected by the
General Assembly to the office of chief
justice of the Supreme Court, being ap-
pointed at the same time reporter of the
court. His Reports, contained in the four
211
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
volumes, IV to VII, inclusive, are "re-
markable for their clearness, their learn-
ing, and their conformity to the settled
principles of jurisprudence," and remain
as a monument to the ability and industry
of their author.
He was also the author, the collabora-
tion with Joseph K. Angell, of an elabo-
rate treatise, entitled "Ang-ell and Ames
on Corporations," which has ever since
been regarded as a standard work on cor-
porations and has passed through many
editions. In i86i Judge Ames was one
of the delegates from Rhode Island to
the Peace Convention held in Washing-
ton, before the outbreak of the Civil War,
the other members of the delegation being
William H. Hoppin, Samuel G. Arnold,
George H. Browne, and Alexander Dun-
can. It was, however, by his labors on
the bench and his rare qualities as an
accomplished lawyer and erudite judge
that his name will be preserved to pos-
terity.
Judge Ames held the office of chief jus-
tice of the State of Rhode Island, to which
he had been appointed in 1856, for a
period of nine years, covering the trou-
blous times of the Civil War, and on No-
vember 15, 1865, owing to failing health,
he was constrained to tender his resigna-
tion. He died a few months afterward,
very suddenly, in Providence, the city of
his birth and center of his life's activities,
December 20, 1865, having but recently
entered upon his sixtieth year. He was
a man no less distinguished for his social
qualities than for his legal and political
services, and for his excellence as a man of
learning and letters. He was a contribu-
tor to the New England Historic-Genea-
logical Society, of which he was elected a
corresponding member in 1845, ^^^ i"
whose cause he manifested keen interest.
Judge Ames married, June 27, 1839,
Mary Throop Dorr, a daughter of Sulli-
van and Lydia (Allen) Dorr, of Provi-
dence, and sister of Thomas Wilson Dorr,
leader of the famous rebellion of 1842
(see Dorr), during which Judge Ames,
notwithstanding the connection, distin-
guished himself by his patriotism and wis-
dom of conduct, standing always on the
side of the constitution. It may be said of
his wife's brother, however, who, though
subversive of law and order, was a bril-
liant and accomplished man even before
his leadership of the suffragist party, that,
"but for the menace of civil war the suf-
frage would never have been extended,"
and made universal as it was in 1843, ^t
the close of the brief and easily sup-
pressed rebellion. Thomas Wilson Dorr,
convicted of high treason, was pardoned
within three years, and finally restored to
his civil rights in 1852 ; time dealt leni-
ently with him after all.
Judge Ames, who was survived by his
widow, left four sons and one daughter.
Two other children died in infancy. Two
of these sons became prominent figures in
public affairs, and distinguished them-
selves in both military and civil life.
Their children were: i. Sullivan Dorr,
mentioned below. 2. Colonel William
Ames, born in Providence, the old home
of the family, was a short time before his
father's death in command of the heavy
artillery, and served with much honor in
the campaigns of Virginia and South Car-
olina during the Civil War, attaining the
rank of colonel. He was a graduate of
Brown University in the class of 1863, and
received the degree of A. M. by special
vote in 1891. He was a leading manufac-
turer in Providence, having been con-
nected with Allen's Print Works for the
four years subsequent to the Civil War;
he was also interested in many large en-
terprises, and was an officer and director
in several. He was a member of the
Rhode Island House of Representatives,
212
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
and was a leading- Republican, and be-
longed to a number of clubs both in Prov-
idence and New York. Colonel Ames
married (first) Harriette Fletcher Orms-
bee, of Providence; (second) Anne Ives
Carrington, widow of Gamaliel Lyman
Dwight, of Providence. 3. Edward C,
a well-known lawyer of Providence, now
deceased. 4. Mary Bernon, wife of Wil-
liam Gordon Reed, of Cowesett. 5. Sam-
uel, Jr., prominent Providence lawyer,
now deceased.
(VII) Commander Sullivan Dorr Ames,
son of Judge Samuel and Mary Throop
(Dorr) Ames, was born in Providence,
Rhode Island, July 16, 1840. He served
with distinction with the Rhode Island
troops during the Civil War, rising to the
rank of lieutenant. In 1865 he was com-
missioned as an executive officer of the
"Colorado," attached in that year to the
Mediterranean squadron. From this time
until shortly before his death, November
22, 1880, he was active and prominent in
United States naval affairs.
Commander Sullivan Dorr Ames mar-
ried, February 21, 1870, Mary Townsend
Bullock, daughter of William Peckham
Bullock, of Providence, and Phila Feke
(Townsend) Bullock, of Newport, his
wife. Their children were: i. Mary
Dorr, born January 16, 1871, who became
the wife of the late Frank A. Sayles, of
Pawtucket. (See Sayles VIII). 2. Sulli-
van Dorr, born January 5, 1878, died Feb-
ruary 22, 1903.
The Ames line thus runs back from
Mrs. Frank A. Sayles as follows : (VIII)
Mary Dorr (Ames) Sayles, of Providence
and Pawtucket. (VII) Sullivan Dorr
Ames, of Providence. (VI) Hon. Sam-
uel (3) Ames, of Providence. (V)
Samuel (2) Ames, of Groton, Massachu-
setts, and Providence, Rhode Island.
(IV) Nathan Ames, of Andover and
Groton, Massachusetts. (HI) Samuel
Ames, of Boston, Andover, Lexington,
Natick, and also of Groton, Massachu-
setts. (II) Robert (2) Ames, of An-
dover, Boxford and Boston, Massachu-
setts. (I) Robert Ames, of Andover and
Boxford, Massachusetts.
Turning from the direct Ames descent,
many interesting Colonial lines are found
in the ancestry of Mrs. Frank A. Sayles.
In common with her husband she traces
descent from many prominent Rhode
Island families, touching Mr. Sayles' an-
cestry on a number of lines, as the Whip-
ple, Smith, Barker, Holmes, Angell and
Field families.
A line replete with historical associa-
tions is that of Dorr. There is no other
name in Rhode Island history which has
more dramatic interest. The family is not
one of the founder families of Rhode
Island, although closely allied by mar-
riage with several of the most influential
and notable in the State, but the name is
written indelibly for all time, not only in
the history of the State but of the nation,
through the immortal deeds of Thomas
Wilson Dorr, the apostle of civil equality
and universal manhood suffrage.
(The Dorr Line).
(I) The Dorr family was founded in
Massachusetts about 1670, settling in
Roxbury, Massachusetts. The first of
whom anything is definitely known was
Edward Dorr, who swore fidelity at Pem-
aquid in 1674, and from there removed to
Boston and Roxbury. He died in Rox-
bury, February 9, 1733-34.
(II) Ebenezer Dorr, son of Edward
Dorr, was born in Roxbury, Massachu-
setts, January 25, 1687-88, and continued
to reside there. He was ensign by 1726-
1727, and captain of militia in 1732. He
married (first), February 16, 1709-10,
Mary Boardman, of Cambridge, daughter
of Aaron Boardman and wife Mary. He
213
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
died in Roxbury, February 25, 1760, aged
seventy-two years.
(III) Ebenezer (2) Dorr, son of Ebene-
zer (i) and Mary (Boardman) Dorr, was
born February 2, 1712-13, in Roxbury,
Massachusetts. He married, March 5,
1735, Amy Plympton, of Medfield, daugh-
ter of Lieutenant Joseph and Priscilla
(Partridge) Plympton. He served in the
Revolutionary War as a member of the
Committee of Correspondence and Safety.
He died in Roxbury, August 8, 1782, in
his seventieth year, and was buried in the
Eustis Street Cemetery, the first burial
place in Roxbury, where his father also
was interred.
Ebenezer and Amy (Plympton) Dorr
had thirteen children, of whom one son
died in infancy. Seven of their sons
served in the Revolution, one son dying
in Mill Prison.
(IV) Ebenezer (3) Dorr, son of Ebene-
zer (2) and Amy (Plympton) Dorr, was
born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, March
20, 1738-39. He became a character of
picturesque importance in the history of
the early days of the American Revolu-
tion. On the same night that Paul Revere
struck out on his midnight ride to Lex-
ington and Concord across Cambridge
Common, Ebenezer Dorr, mounted on a
jogging old horse with saddle bags dan-
gling behind him, and with his face con-
cealed by a large flapping hat, looking
very much like a country doctor, or in-
deed a peddler (as he was afterwards
mentioned in history), rode out over Bos-
ton Neck, through Roxbury and Lexing-
ton, rousing the country folks up and "To
Arms." He reached Lexington at the
same time as his compatriot, Paul Revere,
bearing dispatches from General Warren
that the British were on the way to
destroy military stores at Concord. Soon
after leaving Rev. Jonas Clark's house in
Lexington, Dorr and Revere were cap-
tured by a reconnoitering party of British,
but alarmed by the ringing of the coun-
try church bells, the enemy released them,
and the two patriots dashed on to Con-
cord. (See article on Sullivan Dorr, "The
Biographical Cyclopedia of Representa-
tive Men of Rhode Island," Providence,
1881).
Ebenezer Dorr married (first), January
7, 1762, Abigail Cunningham, of Bos-
ton, daughter of William and Elizabeth
(Wheeler) Cunningham. He was a resi-
dent of Boston at the time of the birth of
his son, Sullivan, mentioned below.
(V) Sullivan Dorr, son of Ebenezer (3)
and Abigail (Cunningham) Dorr, was
born in Boston, Massachusetts, October
20, 1778. At about twenty years of age he
went to Canton, China, where he engaged
in mercantile pursuits, and amassed a con-
siderable fortune. Returning to his native
country, he took up his residence in Prov-
idence, Rhode Island, in 1805, where be-
tween 1809-10 he built the "Dorr Man-
sion," now one of the historic landmarks
of Providence. We are told that he was
a man of remarkable system, punctilious
in all his engagements, industrious and
prudent, of the highest integrity, and of
scrupulous fidelity to all his obligations.
He did not flatter, he did not deceive.
After devoting many years to mercantile
pursuits, he was chosen, in 1838, to suc-
ceed Hon. Richard Jackson as president
of the Washington Insurance Company.
Twenty years of his life were devoted to
the interests of this corporation, which,
under his faithful administration, achieved
success, and eventually took the highest
rank among institutions of a similar char-
acter in Providence. He was a trustee of
Brown University from 18 13 to the end of
his life.
Sullivan Dorr died in Providence,
March 3, 1858. *'No man among us," said
the "Providence Journal," "enjoyed or
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
deserved a hig-her reputation for the ster-
ling qualities that make up a manly char-
acter. Inflexibly honest, courteous in his
manners, kind in his feelings, he was re-
spected by all who knew him, and beloved
by all who knew him well."
Sullivan Dorr married, October 14,
1804, Lydia Allen, daughter of Zachariah
and Ann (Crawford) Allen, of Provi-
dence. Their children were : i. Thomas
Wilson, 1805-54, previously mentioned.
2. Allen. 3. Ann Allen, married Moses
Brown Ives. 4. Mary Throop, mentioned
below. 5. Sullivan Dorr. 6. Candace
Crawford, married Edward Carrington. 7.
Henry Crawford.
(VI) Mary Throop Dorr, daughter of
Sullivan and Lydia (Allen) Dorr, and sis-
ter of Thomas Wilson Dorr, was born Oc-
tober 16, 181 1, and died February 14, 1869.
She married, June 27, 1839, Hon. Samuel
(3) Ames, of Providence. (See Ames
VI).
The family lines of Fenner, Waterman,
Bernon, Harris, Tew, Bullock, Richmond,
Peckham, Weeden, Greene, Clarke, Almy.
Easton, Coggeshall, Borden, Pearce and
Gorton, from whom Mrs. Frank A. Sayles
can claim descent, are all worthy of men-
tion, but the achievements of these fami-
lies are too well-known matters of Rhode
Island history to need especial mention in
this chronicle.
Mrs. Sayles is descended from eleven of
the "Mayflower" Pilgrims, through the
Bullock, Bosworth and Richmond connec-
tions on her mother's side; namely: John
Howland, John Tilley and daughter, Eliz-
abeth (from whom, also, Mr. Sayles was
descended), John (i) Billington and wife,
Eleanor, Francis (2) Billington, Thomas
Rogers, John Alden, William Mullins and
wife, Alice, with his daughter, Priscilla,
who became the wife of John Alden.
She is a descendant in the sixth genera-
tion from Gabriel Bernon, a French Prot-
estant Refugee from La Rochelle, France,
whose pedigree can be traced in a direct
line to Raoul de Bernon, of La Rochelle,
who married, about 1300, Charlotte de
Tailmont, and claimed descent from the
Dukes of Burgundy.
A curious and distinctly interesting an-
cestry comes through the Webb family on
the maternal line of Judge Samuel (3)
Ames.
The Webb family goes back to Sir
Alexander Webb, of Gloucestershire, Eng-
land, born 1474, a general in the armies of
Kings Henry VII and VIII.
His first child was Henry Webb, who
married the daughter of Sir Robert Ar-
den, of Warwickshire, England. From
them descended Christopher Webb, of
Braintree, who came to this country
before 1645, the emigrant ancestor of all
the Webbs in America.
The third child of Sir Alexander Webb
was Abigail, who married Richard Shake-
speare, the grandfather of William Shake-
speare, the greatest of English poets and
dramatists. This is a side issue, but pos-
sesses interest.
The mother of Christopher Webb, the
emigrant, was Mary (Wilson) Webb,
daughter of Sir Thomas Wilson, who had
a most distinguished career. Born 1525,
he was educated at Eton and Kings Col-
lege, Cambridge, and became private
tutor to the sons of the Duke of Suffolk.
In 1553 he withdrew to the Continent
upon the accession of Queen Mary, who
ordered him to return to England to be
tried as a heretic. This he refused to do
and was arrested and imprisoned and tor-
tured by the Inquisition at Rome, but was
released upon the death of the Pope, when
the populace broke open the prison of
the Inquisition. Later he returned to
England and became private secretary to
Queen Elizabeth, upon her accession to
!I5
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the throne in 1558. He was member of
Parliament in 1563, ambassador to the
Netherlands, 1576, privy councillor and
Secretary of State, 1577, and dean of Dur-
ham, 1579-80. He died June 16, 1581, in
London.
Other interesting genealogical lines
lead to Long Island and Connecticut and
bring into view the Feake, Fones and Un-
derbill families.
Of the former, Lieutenant Robert Feke
was the most noted representative, being
an historic founder of Massachusetts Bay
Colony, afterwards removing to Green-
wich, Connecticut. His wife was Eliza-
beth (Fones) Winthrop, widow of Henry
Winthrop, of London, her cousin. The
mother of Elizabeth Fones was Anna
Winthrop, sister of Governor John Win-
throp, of Massachusetts.
Another ancestor who took an impor-
tant part in Colonial afifairs was Captain
John Underbill, who resided successively
in Boston, Massachusetts, Dover, New
Hampshire, Stamford, Connecticut, and
at various towns on Long Island. He
also was an historic founder of Massachu-
setts Bay Colony, 1630, and was governor
of Dover and Exeter, New Hampshire,
1641. Under the government of Nieuw
Netherland he became one of the "Eight
Men" in 1645.
The father of Captain John Underbill
was John Underbill, of England, a soldier
under Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester-
shire, accompanying him to the Nether-
lands in the war against Spain, 1585.
It would be too long a task to mention
the names of all those from whom Mrs.
Sayles claims descent, whose Colonial
services, both civil and military, entitled
them to honorary recognition by the
hereditary societies.
By virtue of such services, Mrs. Sayles
is a member of the National Society of
Colonial Dames in the State of Rhode
Island and Providence Plantations, of the
Society of Mayflower Descendants in the
same, of the Hereditary Order of De-
scendants of Colonial Governors, and of
the Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion.
ROBBINS, George Washington
A resident of Springfield, Massachu-
setts, since he was a lad of nineteen years,
George Washington Robbins, who is sole
trustee of the George W. Robbins & Sons
Company, a trust concern which deals ex-
tensively in lumber and real estate, has
taken an active part in the growth and
development of the city.
The Robbins family is an old one in
New England, several representatives of
the name having been among the pioneer
settlers of the various colonies which were
first planted in that region. The records
show that Nicholas Robbins was a resi-
dent of Duxbury, Massachusetts, as early
as 1638, and that he was a proprietor of
Bridgewater, though he never lived there.
William Robbins, thought to have been
of Scotch ancestry, settled in Reading,
Massachusetts, when a young man. He
and others of Reading and of other towns
in the eastern part of the colony took part
in the movement against the Nipmuck
Indians in the vicinity of Webster and
Douglas, Massachusetts, where many of
his descendants afterward lived. For
their services the soldiers were given a
tract of land eight miles square, of which
William Robbins received his share.
After the war he located at Lynn-end,
now Lynnfield, Massachusetts, but after-
ward went to Dedham, Massachusetts, in
the "Mill Dividend," later the town of
Walpole, where many of his descendants
have lived. Richard Robbins, who was
born in England, settled early at Charles-
town, Massachusetts, his brother Nich-
olas, mentioned above, settling at Cam-
216
'^X// M^
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
bridge before he removed to Duxbury,
Massachusetts. Richard Robbins and his
wife, Rebecca, were admitted to the
Charlestown church, May 24, 1640, after-
ward moving to Boston, from which
place they again returned to Cambridge,
settling on the south side of the river
until about 1673, when he removed to the
center of the village on the Crackbone
place. From these immigrant ancestors
have descended numerous worthy citizens
who have taken an active part in the civic,
social, political, and economic develop-
ment of the country. Other members of
the family came at later dates, and among
these was the great-grandfather of George
W. Robbins, who came from England and
located in Boston, where his son, Samuel
Robbins, was born about 1793.
Samuel Robbins, grandfather of George
W. Robbins, removed from Boston to
Stark, New Hampshire, and died there
about 1883, aged ninety years. He was
a farmer during the greater part of his
life. He married Hannah Rowell, of
Stark, New Hampshire, and they were
the parents of six children : Perry ; Dan-
iel S., of whom further; Abigail, Susan,
Judith, and Charlotte.
Daniel S. Robbins, son of Samuel and
Hannah (Rowell) Robbins, was born in
Stark, New Hampshire, October 4, 1834.
He received his education in the public
schools of his native district, and upon
the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted in
Company E, 14th Regiment, New Hamp-
shire Volunteers, with which company he
participated in many battles, being
wounded while in service. After the war
he went to Canada, where he engaged in
lumbering and building, in which busi-
ness he was very successful. Some years
ago he came to Springfield, Massachu-
setts, where he has since continued to
reside, and where he is now passing the
years of his retirement, enjoying a well-
earned leisure after a busy and active life.
He married (first) February 17, 1863,
Betsy Jarvis, who was born in Danville,
Canada, in 1840, and died in Springfield,
Massachusetts, in 1909, daughter of Ed-
ward and Elizabeth (Leman) Jarvis,
whose parents came from Norfolk county,
England. He married (second) Emma
Goodrich ; and (third) Anna Hayden. To
the first marriage four children were
born : i. John H., born April 3, 1864, now
in Los Angeles, California ; he married
Lucy B. Cable, and has children: Bessie,
May, Mabel E., and Harold. 2. George
Washington, of whom further. 3. Lyman
P., deceased. 4. Levi P., now with his
father.
George Washington Robbins, son of
Daniel S. and Betsy (Jarvis) Robbins,
was born in Danville, Province of Que-
bec, Canada. December 25, 1867. He at-
tended the public schools in Danville for
a short time, until about fourteen years
of age, when he left home, and continued
his education by himself, studying even-
ings after his day's work was ended. In
1881 he went to Manchester, New Hamp-
shire, where he engaged in carpenter
work until he was nineteen years of age,
when he came to Springfield, in which
city he has continued to reside to the
present time (1922). For a number of
years after coming to Springfield he en-
gaged in carpenter work, directing a
group of workmen, but in 1890, having
accumulated some capital and gained an
extensive experience, he resolved to en-
gage in business for himself, as a con-
tractor and builder. This venture was
eminently successful, and he continued to
conduct his increasing operations alone,
with the exception of one year's associa-
tion with a partner, until 1912, when he
admitted to partnership his four sons, or-
ganizing the George W. Robbins & Sons
Company, a trust concern, of v/hich, as
217
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
before mentioned, Mr. Robbins is the sole
trustee. At that time Mr. Robbins built
his present extensive and scientifically
equipped plant, which is situated along
the Boston & Albany railroad tracks, and
has a mile of frontage on the railroad.
The tract of land upon which the plant
is built contains fifty acres, from which
he was obliged to cut the trees in order to
clear a space for his office and yards. Mr.
Robbins is interested in public affairs,
and has done much for the development
of the city. Some of the substantial and
beautiful residences of Springfield have
been erected by him, and a number of the
residential sections of the present time
are the result of the activities of the
George W. Robbins & Sons Company,
who have successfully engaged in the
development of unimproved tracts, as
well as dealing extensively in lumber and
in improved real estate.
Mr. Robbins is a member of Roswell
Lee Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons,
of Springfield ; of Golden Rule Lodge, No.
13, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
of the Province of Quebec, Canada,
Agawam Encampment, and of the Can-
ton. He is also affiliated with the Ancient
and Honorable Artillery Company of Bos-
ton.
George Washington Robbins married,
on September 25, 1886, Abbie M. Chag-
non, born in Danville, Canada, daughter
of Frank and Nancy (Gifford) Chagnon,
and they are the parents of seven chil-
dren : I, Henry G., born September 25,
1889; he is a member of the Masonic
order. He married Stella Gifford, and
they have four children : Mildred, Hazel,
George, and Ralph. 2. Frederick D., born
May 5, 1892. He is a member of the
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com-
pany of Boston. Also a member of New-
ton Wilbraham Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons, and has also taken all the York
rite degrees in Springfield, and is a mem-
ber of Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic
Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He
belongs to Hampden Lodge, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows of Springfield. He
married, September 30, 1916, Mary
Armina Gueyette, and they have three
children : Frederick, D., Jr. ; June Rose,
deceased; and Carol. 3. Frank H., born
October 29, 1893. He is a member of the
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com-
pany of Boston, and during the World
War served with the 20th Engineers
Lumber Unit overseas, and his name ap-
pears upon the bronze tablet in Faneuil
Hall, in Boston. He also is a member of
the Masonic order. 4. Harriet, born
March 2, 1895, married Arnold Peterson,
and has one child, George. 5. Ruth, born
July 18, 1896, now a bookkeeper in her
father's office. 6. Lewis, born July 28,
1901. 7. Ella, born March 22, 1906. The
four sons are all members of the firm of
George W. Robbins & Sons.
WHITALL, Charles Parker
Among the prominent business men of
Springfield, Massachusetts, is Charles
Parker Whitall, president and treasurer
of the Springfield branch of the Whitall
Electrical Company, and director and of-
ficial in all of the eight branches of that
concern.
(I) Mr. Whitall is a descendant of
James Whitall, who purchased Upton, on
Great Timber Creek, in 1688, and died in
1714. James Whitall and his wife Han-
nah were the parents of three children :
Mary, who married John Wood ; Job, of
further mention ; and Sarah.
(II) Job Whitall, son of James and
Hannah Whitall, died March 19, 1722.
He married Jane Siddon, and they were
the parents of two children : James, of
further mention ; and Hannah,
(III) James Whitall, son of Job and
218
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Jane (Siddon) Whitall, was born Septem-
ber 4, 1717. He married, November 22,,
1739, at Haddonfield, New Jersey, Ann
Cooper, and their children were : Zather ;
James ; Job ; Hannah ; Benjamin, of
further mention ; Joseph ; Hannah ; Sarah ;
and John S.
(IV) Benjamin Whitall, son of James
and Ann (Cooper) Whitall, was born
October 3, 1747, and died September 14,
1797. He married Elizabeth Hopper, and
they became the parents of three children :
Joseph, of further mention ; Samuel, and
Gilbert.
(V) Joseph Whitall, son of Benjamin
and Elizabeth (Hopper) Whitall, mar-
ried Hannah Mickle, and their children
were : David, of further mention ; Joshua,
Ebenezer, Joseph, Benjamin, and Eliza-
beth.
(VI) David Whitall, son of Joseph and
Hannah (Mickle) Whitall, married Ann
Stockton, and their children were : Wil-
liam, of further mention ; Henry ; Edith ;
Hannah Ann ; Deborah and Susan, twins ;
James ; Mary and Margaret, twins.
(VII) William Whitall, son of David
and Ann (Stockton) Whitall, vtas born
February 6, 1818, and was a school
teacher in West Philadelphia, Pennsyl-
vania. He died February 6, 1866; mar-
ried Hannah Willscloud, born December
8, 1818, died May 18, 1901, and they were
the parents of four children : William
Henry; Sarah Ann; Lydia C. ; and
Charles David, of further mention.
(VIII) Charles David Whitall, son of
William and Hannah (Willscloud) Whit-
all, was born in Haddonfield, New Jersey,
March 24, 1846, and died at Plainfield, New
Jersey, April 12, 1903. He received his
education in the public schools of his dis-
trict and when his studies were com-
pleted, entered the employ of the Whitall,
Tatum Company, glass manufacturers, in
Millville, New Jersey, in the capacity of
office boy. He maintained his connec-
tion with this company until 1879, when
he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and
became associated with a large wholesale
house, which connection was continued
until 1893. In that year he returned to
New Jersey, his native State, and settling
at Plainfield, continued to reside there
until the time of his death. He was a
quiet, home-loving man, a faith rite
Quaker, as were all of his people before
him, and greatly loved and respected by
all who knew him. He married Mary
Black Clifton, and they were the parents
of seven children: i. William Clifton, of
Plainfield, New Jersey, who was born
August 19, 1873. 2. Ella Clifton, born
February 17, 1876, in New York City.
3. Charles Parker, of further mention. 4.
Paul Stanley, born November 2, 1879, in
Minneapolis, Minnesota ; he married
Rachel Carrie Kenyon Vail, and is the
father of five children : Paul Stanley,
Jr., born September 10, 1906; Charles
William, born June 10, 1909; Douglas
Ray, born October 20, 1910, died Febru-
ary 27, 1912 ; Richard Stockton, born No-
vember 28, 1912; and Helen Rae, born
April 5, 1914, died June 20, 1917. 5. Law-
rence Cloud, born June 9, 1882, in Minne-
apolis, Minnesota, married Alice Cropsey,
and has two children : Lawrence Cloud,
Jr., born September 4, 1914; and Ann
Hoffman, born April 3, 1917. 6. Lillian
Dickson, born February 26, 1887, in Pitts-
burgh, Pennsylvania. 7. Roy Clifton,
born May 12, 1889, died December 26,
1918; married Jeannette Clark Sefif, and
they were the parents of one daughter,
Jeannette, born 1918.
(IX) Charles Parker Whitall, son of
Charles David and Mary Black (Clifton)
Whitall, was born in Jersey City, New
Jersey, May 4, 1878, and was taken by his
parents to Minneapolis, Minnesota, when
he was about a year old. In the public
>I9
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
schools of the latter city he received his
education, graduating from the grammar
school and then attending the high
school. When school days were over he
at once began to learn the electrical busi-
ness, having throughout his high school
days been deeply interested in the possi-
bilities as well as in the accomplished
wonders of electricity. For three years he
was in the employ of an electrical com-
pany in New York City, and at the end
of that period he decided to engage in
business for himself. In 1900 the Whitall
Electrical Company began business, and
from the beginning the ability of its
founder and head, together with the fact
that the use of electrical appliances of all
kinds was rapidly becoming general,
brought success. The business steadily
grew and expanded, and after a time ex-
tended its operations to other cities, add-
ing new stores and plants until at the
present time the Whitall Electrical Com-
pany owns and controls eight stores in as
many cities and towns, including Water-
bury, Connecticut ; Stoughton, Connecti-
cut ; Westerly, Rhode Island ; and Palmer,
Ware, and Springfield, in Massachusetts.
They do all kinds of electrical work and
carry a full line of electrical goods and
electrical supplies of every kind. By
strict adherence to the highest principles
of integrity and business honor, as well
as by executive and administrative abil-
ity of a high order, Mr. Whitall has built
up an eminently successful and prosper-
ous concern which is an economic con-
tribution to the eight cities in which its
plants are located, and a substantial evi-
dence of the ability and energy of its
founder. Mr. Whitall is president and
treasurer of the Springfield plant of the
Whitall Electrical Company, and a direc-
tor and an official in them all.
With all his many and successful busi-
ness interests and responsibilities Mr.
Whitall finds time for fraternal and club
activities as well as for civic community
responsibilities. He is a thirty-second
degree Mason, being a member of Paw-
catuck Lodge, No. 90, Free and Accepted
Masons, of Westerly, Rhode Island ;
Benevolence Chapter, No. 21, Royal Arch
Masons, Mystic, Connecticut ; Mystic
Council, No. 29, Royal and Select
Masters, Mystic, Connecticut ; Palestine
Commandery, No. 6, Knights Templar,
New London, Connecticut ; Connecticut
Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish
Rite, Norwich, Connecticut ; and of Pales-
tine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Provi-
dence, Rhode Island. He is a member
of the Colony Club, of Westerly, Rhode
Island, the Nayasset Club of Springfield,
Massachusetts, also the Exchange Club,
of which he was the first president.
Charles Parker Whitall married, on
December 8, 1917, Georgiana Beaudin
Hunter, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and
they are the parents of one daughter,
Florence M. Hunter Whitall.
BROWN, George Henry
Among the well known business men
of Springfield, Massachusetts, is George
Henry Brown, president and treasurer of
the Brown & Ross Company, Inc., deal-
ers in electrical supplies, who came to this
city in 1914, organized the company of
which he is president, and has built up a
successful business.
The name Brown is, next to Jones,
Smith, and Robinson, one of the most
frequently used surnames and has been
borne by a great number of worthy and
distinguished individuals. More than one
hundred and twenty-three Browns had
emigrated to America before 1700, and
more than thirteen hundred enlisted from
Massachusetts for service in the Revolu-
tion. According to the Herald's College,
220
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the Browns have been granted one hun-
dred and fifty-six coats-of-arms, and one
hundred and thirty-nine men bearing that
name had graduated from Yale College
up to 1904. The orthographic changes
have been many, including Boown, Bown,
Braun, Broan, Brione. Broon, Brioun,
Broune, Broun, Browne, Brownn, and
Brune. The first Mr. Brown was called
so because of his swarthy complexion.
Browning was the son of Brown, and
Brownell was the mighty Brown, nell
coming from neil, meaning the mighty.
Brownly or Brownlee was the Mr. Brown
who lived in a pasture, and Brownlow,
from lowe, meaning a hill, was the Mr.
Brown who lived on a hill. Among the
many distinguished men of this name
have been B. Gratz Brown, who ran for
vice-president with Horace Greeley; Jus-
tice Henry B. Brown, of the United States
Supreme Court, who was a native of Con-
necticut ; Senator Joseph E. Brown, of
Georgia ; Jacob Brown, commanding gen-
eral of the United States army in the War
of 1812 ; John Brown, the abolition leader ;
Charles Brockden Brown, the novelist ;
Henry Kirk Brown, the sculptor ; Charles
Farrar Browne (Artemus Ward) ; and J.
Ross Brown, the war correspondent.
Cain Brown, grandfather of George
Henry Brown, was born in England, and
died in Housatonic, Massachusetts. He
was a textile worker in England, indus-
trious, skillful, and thrifty, and after com-
ing to America, he followed the same line
of work. He went to New England, lo-
cating in Housatonic, Massachusetts, and
there he continued to reside during the
remainder of his life. He married Maria
Sumner, and they were the parents of
four sons : Archie, deceased ; Arthur, de-
ceased ; William, of whom further; and
John ; and one daughter, Jennie, deceased.
William Brown, son of Cain and Maria
(Sumner) Brown, was born in England,
and upon his arrival in America located
in the town of Great Barrington, Massa-
chusetts, where he has throughout his
life been engaged as a textile worker.
Energetic and industrious, like his father
before him, he is an expert in his line,
and is a representative type of the steady,
faithful, skilled, dependable artisan. A
worthy citizen and a loyal friend and
associate, he is highly esteemed by those
who know him best. Fraternally he is
affiliated with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows. He married Mary Good-
hind, of Dalton, Massachusetts, daughter
of Henry and Eliza (Bruges) Goodhind,
and they became the parents of a son,
George Henry Brown, of whom further.
George Henry Brown, son of William
and Mary (Goodhind) Brown, was born
in Housatonic, Massachusetts, November
13, 18S0. He received his early education
in the schools of Housatonic and of Great
Barrington, Massachusetts, and then at-
tended Union College, at Schenectady,
New York, for one year. Being inter-
ested in electrical appliances and devices,
he entered the employ of a company en-
gaged in electrical work in Springfield,
where he remained for four years. At
the end of that period he went to Provi-
dence, Rhode Island, entered the employ
of a hardware concern, in the capacity of
traveling salesman, and for two years
sold hardware throughout Western Mas-
sachusetts and Eastern Connecticut. In
1914 he came to Springfield, and for a
year was employed as manager of the
Charles E. Hayes wholesale jobbing busi-
ness. In 1915, having acquired consider-
able experience and accumulated some
capital, he decided that the time had come
for him to engage in business for himself.
He formed a partnership with Mr. Ross,
and incorporated under the name of
Brown & Ross, dealers in electrical sup-
plies. Mr. Brown is president and treas-
221
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
urer of the corporation, and has built up
a thriving and increasingly prosperous
business. The vast increase in the num-
ber and quality of electrical appliances of
all kinds and the still greater increase in
the number of people using such devices
have meant constantly increasing possi-
bilities for the business in which Mr.
Brown is engaged, and the firm of Brown
& Ross has been active and energetic
enough to secure its full share of resultant
increase of prosperity.
Mr. Brown is well known in Spring-
field as a progressive and prosperous
business man, and a helpful member of
his community. Fraternally he is affili-
ated with Cincinnatus Lodge, Free and
Accepted Masons, of Great Barrington, in
which order he is a member of all the
Scottish Rite bodies.
George Henry Brown married, on July
3, 191 1, Laura Nicholai, of Housatonic,
Massachusetts, and they are the parents
of two children : Virginia, born May 25,
1915; and Richard, born June 29, 1919.
TAYLOR, Albert Charles
The name Taylor is of very ancient
English origin, and from earliest Colonial
times in this country has been prominent
in public afifairs, in the professions, and
in business life. Many of the name are
descended from Taillefer, the Norman
baron who took part in the battle of
Hastings, under William the Conqueror,
in 1066. In these cases Taillefer has
gradually been changed to Taylefer,
Taylour, Tayleur, Tailer, Tailor, and
Taylor. The name in most cases, how-
ever, is an occupative name signifying the
"taylor," a cutter or maker of clothes.
The trade now uses the form tailor, and
the surname is almost universally spelled
Taylor or Tayler. The name was very
popular during the earlier centuries fol-
lowing the adoption of surnames through-
out England, and is often found in the
early rolls, the Hundred Rolls of 1273
recording fifteen different spellings of the
name. In England at the present time
Taylor is the fourth commonest patrony-
mic, only Smith, Jones, and Williams
being borne by a larger number of indi-
viduals. The name is also found pretty
generally in Ireland, a branch of the
family having settled in the north of that
country at the time the grants of land
were made to the Scotch and English
Protestants from whom the Scotch-Irish
are descended, and from whom also are
descended the men of Ulster. That mem-
bers of the Taylor family occupied a high
social position in England is evidenced
by the fact that the Taylor coat-of-arms
is recorded, as follows :
Arms — Ermine on a chief dancettee sable a ducal
coronet or, between two escallops argent.
Crest — A demi-lion rampant sable holding be-
tween the paws a ducal coronet or.
Albert Charles Taylor, office manager
of the Springfield Provision Company, is
among the well known business men of
Springfield. Moses Taylor, great-grand-
father, born in South Hadley Falls, May
30, 1769, died in Amherst, Massachu-
setts, December 9, 1853. A small boy at
the time of the Revolutionary War, he
reached young manhood just as the newly
formed nation was beginning life under
its first president, and lived until Frank-
lin Pierce, the fourteenth president, had
been inaugurated. He had witnessed the
immense addition of territory made by
the Louisiana Purchase in 1803; had
shared the experiences of the War of
1812; had benefited by the opening of
the Erie Canal in 1825 ; had weathered
the stress and strain of the Panic of 1837;
and as an old man saw the country pass
through a war with its weak neighbor to
the southward, and witnessed the begin-
222
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
nings of the differences which led to the
Civil War. He married (first), in 1791,
Lettuce Richardson, and they became the
parents of a large family of children, in-
cluding two sets of twins, eleven in all.
These children were: Siley, born July 9,
1792; Augusta and Gordon (twins), born
September 9, 1793; John, born March 9,
1796; Lucinda, born May 15, 1798; Shan-
non, born January 22, 1800, died young;
Maria and Rosanna (twins), born January
6, 1801 ; Shannon, bom September 16,
1803 ; Stillman, born August 14, 1804; and
Susanna, born August 23, 1806. After the
death of Lettuce (Richardson) Taylor,
Moses Taylor married (second) Mrs.
Hopeful Allen, daughter of Benjamin and
Abigail Pomeroy, and to this marriage
were born: Irene, September 6, 1826;
and Oliver, of whom further, grandfather
of Albert Charles Taylor.
Oliver Taylor, son of Moses and Hope-
ful (Pomeroy-Allen) Taylor, was born in
Amherst, Massachusetts, September 2,
1831, and died at Chicopee Falls, Massa-
chusetts, August 5, 1863. A sturdy lad
of the pioneer type, he grew up inured to
hard work and life in the open. He re-
ceived such education as the local schools
afforded, working on the farm before and
after school hours and during vacations.
School days over, he took a hand at
whatever work presented itself, being
employed in saw mills, driving teams,
farming, lumbering, etc., until the out-
break of the Civil War. In October,
1862, he enlisted in the 46th Massachu-
setts Regiment, and served until taken
seriously ill with a fever contracted while
in service, and which ended in his death,
in 1863. He married Jane E. Day, who
was born in South Hadley, Massachu-
setts, January i, 1833, and died in Sep-
tember, 1918, daughter of Plin and
Jerusha (Alvord) Day. Plin Day was
born June i, 1806, and died April 21, 1869,
and Jerusha (Alvord) Day was born
March 6, 1801, and died March 6, 1869.
The children of Oliver and Jane E. (Day)
Taylor were : Charles Moses ; Edwin E.,
of Springfield ; Irene E., who married
Charles Wheeler; and Frederick Oliver,
of California.
Charles Moses Taylor, son of Oliver
and Jane E. (Day) Taylor, was born in
Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, October
7, 1851, and died December i, 1890, not
yet forty years of age. He received a
good education in the public schools, and
then began his business career with the
Eldridge Company of Springfield, as
bookkeeper, where he remained a time,
then took a position with the Ames
Manufacturing Company of Chicopee.
So well did he meet the responsibilities
placed upon him that he was rapidly pro-
moted, finally becoming assistant super-
intendent of the works of the company, a
position which he most efficiently filled
for a period of some fifteen years. He
contracted typhoid fever and died at the
early age of thirty-nine years and one
month. He married Eugenia Leach, and
they became the parents of one son,
Albert Charles.
Albert Charles Taylor, office manager
of the Springfield Provision Company,
was born in Chicopee Falls, Massachu-
setts, August 15, 1871. He received his
education in the public schools of his
native city, and then began his business
career as an employe of the Connecticut
River railroad, now known as the Boston
and Maine Railroad Company. For two
years he was employed here in the capac-
ity of clerk, and the following two years
he filled a similar position with the Ames
Manufacturing Company. In February,
1893, then a young man of twenty, he
came to Springfield, and entered the office
of the Springfield Provision Company, as
clerk. He filled this position so well and
223
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
such an interest did he take in the com-
pany's affairs, that he is still with that
concern, now over a quarter of a century.
He has risen through the various posi-
tions to that of office manager, directing
those under him with such skill that the
business has been brought up to and
continues in a very flourishing condition.
In addition to his other responsibilities,
Mr. Taylor also finds time for fraternal,
social, and religious activities, and has a
large circle of friends among whom he is
highly esteemed. He is a member of De
Soto Lodge, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows ; Springfield Lodge, Knights of
Pythias ; and the Royal Arcanum. For
eighteen years he has been an active
member and treasurer of St. James'
Church.
On April 27, 1898, Albert Charles
Taylor married Gertrude Margaret Wil-
son, of Suffield, Connecticut, daughter of
Boyd and Mary (Sykes) Wilson.
CLARK, Edward Ransom
President and sole owner of the West-
ern Massachusetts Cadillac Company,
Edward Ransom Clark has had a wide
experience and is one of the representa-
tive business men of the western part of
his State. He traces the beginning of his
ancestral line in this country to the "great
adventure" of the courageous, high-
spirited lad, Joseph Clark, who, born in
England in 1695, ^3-^^ away from home
and came to America, working his pas-
sage as cabin boy. Joseph Clark settled
in Auburn, Massachusetts, and found the
New World with its pioneer life and its
vast opportunities much to his liking. He
reared a family of children, among whom
was Joseph (2).
(II) Joseph (2) Clark, son of Joseph
(i) Clark, was born in Auburn (now
Worcester), Massachusetts, September
12, 1745, and died in January, 1837. He
received his education in the local schools,
working on his father's farm during a
large part of each year, and lived the
hardy, rugged life by means of which
most of the boys of his time gained
strength and endurance. In 1770, before
his marriage, he went to Vermont alone,
built himself a log house, and there lived
and worked, clearing his tract of land and
planting, cultivating, and harvesting his
crops. He carried his corn on his back to
a grist mill two miles away, and then
walked two miles to get his bread baked.
When the Revolutionary War broke out,
he enlisted and was one of the partici-
pants in the battle of Bennington. He
married, in 1774, Catherine Ward, born
in 1750, daughter of Jonas Ward, and
their children were : Thomas, born in
1777; Thaddeus, born in 1779; Jonas,
born in 1781 ; Amasa, of further mention ;
Gardiner, born in 1785 ; Catherine, born
in 1788; Polly, born in 1790; and John B.,
born in 1795.
(Ill) Amasa Clark, fourth son of
Joseph (2) and Catherine (Ward) Clark,
was born in Dummerston, Vermont,
October 23, 1783, and died November 30,
1866, aged eighty-three years. He re-
ceived a practical education in the local
schools, and followed the occupation of
farming, as had his father and grand-
father before him. He was a man of
keen intelligence, alert, and deeply inter-
ested in the affairs of his town, rendering
able service as selectman, and was a gen-
erous supporter of all movements for the
welfare of his community. He married
(first) Arethusa Whitcomb ; (second)
Phebe Boyden, born February 3, 1810,
died February 16, 1887. To the first mar-
riage were born two children : Catherine
F., who married John Woodbury; and
Caroline A., who married Alvin D.
French. To the second marriage one
224
p~
u^-c^AA^-txA^cJi^ /V^ i;2>^^c
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
child was born, Charles A., of further
mention.
(IV) Charles Amasa Clark, son of
Amasa and Phebe (Boyden) Clark, was
born in Dummerston, Vermont, Febru-
ary 24, 1845, and died October 30, 1922.
He received his education in the schools
of Dummerston and of Brattleboro, Ver-
mont, and then, as was the custom of the
time, learned a trade, even though he in-
tended to engage in farming. He lived in
Vermont, on the farm which he owned,
near Brattleboro, until he was twenty-
five years of age, working at his trade
during the slack seasons on the farm.
When the War of the Rebellion broke
out he prepared to "do his bit," and on
August 28, 1862, at Brattleboro, Vermont,
enlisted in Company B, i6th Vermont
Infantry. For nine months he served in
the defense of Washington, and then was
sent to Gettysburg, where he was trans-
ferred to the First Army Corps. He was
wounded in the battle of Gettysburg, hav-
ing been sent with the whole wagon train
of the /\rmy of the Potomac, composed of
6,000 wagons, which were parked at Em-
mitsburg during the battle. After his
discharge from service, he returned to
his farm near Brattleboro, but at that
time the great possibilities of the con-
stantly receding "West" were touching
the imaginations of most young men and
awakening visions of future prosperity.
In 1875 he yielded to the desire to try his
fortune in the newer region, sold his
farm, and went to Iowa, where for ten
years he engaged in farming. At the end
of that time disaster came in the form of
a tornado which swept across his farm,
destroying buildings, crops, and every-
thing he owned. Fearful of a country
where in a few hours the result of years
of work could be swept away by "air in
motion," he returned East and for four
years lived in West Chesterfield, New
Mass — 11 — 15 225
Hampshire. He then removed to Brattle-
boro, Vermont, remaining there for four
years, and finally came to Springfield, in
1891. Here he went into the Wason car
shops, but after two years of this work
he decided to engage in the work for
which he had prepared himself in earlier
life. He went back to his trade, that of
the carpenter, doing job work until his
retirement from active life.
Mr. Clark was always an intelligent
and public-spirited citizen. In Iowa he
was town clerk for seven years and did
much for the community in which he
lived. He was afifiliated with the Masonic
fraternity, having joined Truth Lodge
while he was in Iowa, and after his
return transferred his membership to
Columbian Lodge, of Brattleboro, Ver-
mont. He was also an active and deeply
interested member of the Grand Army of
the Republic.
Mr. Clark married, February 9, 1870,
Ellen M. Farr, of Chesterfield, New
Hampshire, daughter of Ransom and
Philindia P. (Barrows) Farr, and they
became the parents of three children :
Mary Ellen, born April 18, 1871, married
Samuel H. Bullock, of Guilford Center,
Vermont, but now resides in Springfield,
and has a son, Charles Lovell Bullock,
and a daughter, now deceased ; Edward
Ransom, of whom further; and Edna
Phoebe, born November 20, 1874, died
June, 1876.
(V) Edward Ransom Clark, son of
Charles Amasa and Ellen M. (Farr)
Clark, was born in West Chesterfield,
New Hampshire, December 27, 1872, and
received his early education in Ellington,
Iowa. When he was twelve years of age
his parents returned to West Chester-
field, New Hampshire, after the destruc-
tion of their farm buildings and crops in
Iowa by a tornado, and the lad, Edward
R., entered the public schools of that
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
town, completing his education in the
high school of Brattleboro, Vermont.
Upon the completion of his studies he
began his business career in a grocery
store in Brattleboro, Vermont, where he
remained for three and a half years, until
his parents removed to Springfield, Mas-
sachusetts. He then (1891) entered the
employ of A. F. Niles & Son, grocers of
Springfield, remaining until 1895. Pos-
sessed of energy and ability, he had been
watchful for a larger opportunity and
more congenial work, being interested
along mechanical lines and possessed of
excellent mechanical ability. Therefore,
when the opportunity came to enter the
employ of the Overman Wheel Company,
makers of the Victor bicycle, he accepted
with alacrity. He was made superintend-
ent of the repair department, which posi-
tion he ably filled until 1898. Having by
that time greatly enlarged his fund of
knowledge and experience, and having
also accumulated some capital, he decided
that the time had come for him to engage
in business for himself. He bought a
bicycle repair business, which he success-
fully conducted until 1903. By this time
the automobile was displacing the bicycle
and he sold out his bicycle repair business
and bought a half-interest in an automo-
bile business which operated under the
firm name of Whitten and Clark. This
venture was successful from the begin-
ning, and after a time Mr. Clark bought
his partner's interest and incorporated as
the E. R. Clark Automobile Company, of
which Mr. Clark was president, and E.
A. Stoddard, treasurer. They handled
one of the first automobiles put upon the
market, the Oldsmobile, later adding the
Elmore and the Thomas Flyer, and rap-
idly built up a large and successful busi-
ness. In 1905 they took the agency for
the Pierce-Arrow and the Cadillac, and
the latter attracted the special interest of
Mr. Clark. In 191 1 he sold the interests
of the E. R. Clark Company and organ-
ized the Western Massachusetts Cadillac
Company, of which he is president, treas-
urer, and sole owner. He has been re-
markably successful and has built up a
very large business. He controls the sale
of the Cadillac in all of Western Massa-
chusetts and in Windham county, Ver-
mont, having branch agencies in Pitts-
field, Northampton, Holyoke, and Green-
field, and devotes his entire time to hand-
ling the Cadillac car. He is one of the
oldest established auto dealers in the
country, and has sold the Cadillac since
1905. The beautiful new building which
he now occupies, at the corner of Oak and
State streets, was completed in Febru-
ary, 1922, and is one of the finest of its
kind in Massachusetts. It contains not
only beautiful show rooms and a finely-
equipped set of offices, but under the
same roof is a complete service station
where the wants of his patrons are care-
fully looked after. He is known and re-
spected as a most efficient and upright
business man, and has a large place in
the esteem of his associates. With all his
large business responsibilities, Mr. Clark
finds time for fraternal and club associa-
tions, being affiliated with De Soto
Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, and with the Nayasset Club.
Edward Ransom Clark married Edith
I. Butler, of Springfield, daughter of
Henry F. Butler, and they have one
adopted daughter, Inez Ainley Clark, who
was born November 14, 1905.
BUMP, Charles Henry, Jr.
As president of the W. J. Foss Com-
pany, and treasurer of the firm of Foss
& Bump, Inc., Charles Henry Bump, Jr.,
comes of very old English stock. The
name is derived from Boneloz, of Nor-
mandy, a fief held from the Earl of Mel-
226
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
leut, and the family Bompas, as the name
came to be known in England after the
Norman Conquest, has for centuries been
well and honorably known in the legal
annals of that country, as well as in pub-
lic affairs. The name has passed through
a series of transitions, being Bompas, as
mentioned, during the later centuries
after the Norman Conquest, Bompasse
at the time the first representative of the
family come to America in 1621, Bumpus
still later, and finally, in this country of
short cuts, Bomps and Bump. In 1621
Edward Bompasse came to this country
in the ship "Fortune," landing at Ply-
mouth, Massachusetts, November 9 or
II. He became the father of seven or
eight children, among whom it is cer-
tain that there were four sons : John,
Edward, Joseph, and Jacob, born 1636,
1638, 1639, and 1644, respectively. These
in turn became the progenitors of large
families : John had five sons : John, Sam-
uel, James, Edward and Jeremiah, born
between the years 1673 and 1692, and
duly recorded ; Joseph had a family of
eight, among whom were two sons,
Joseph and James, born 1674 and 1679;
Jacob had two sons, Benjamin and Jacob,
born 1678 and 1680. Charles Henry
Bump, a descendant of these pioneer
Bumps, and great-great-grandfather of
Charles H. Bump, Jr., lived in Milton
Center or in Shingleville, and the line of
descent is traced as follows ;
(I) Charles Henry Bump, of Shingle-
ville or Milton Center, had a large fam-
ily, including James Allen, of whom fur-
ther ; Micawber ; Martin ;
Sarah Backus ;
Perkins ; Phebe,
married Asa Bowen ; Caroline, died un-
married ; and Henry.
(II) James Allen Bump, son of
Charles Henry Bump, was born in 1775,
and died in 1834. He married Elizabeth
Stern, and they became the parents of
five children: Jacob, Henry; James Allen,
Jr., of whom further; Betty, and Eliza.
(III) James Allen Bump, Jr., son of
James A. and Elizabeth (Stern) Bump,
was born in 1S17, and died in 1880. He
was an active, enterprising man, able to
turn his hand to whatever work presented
itself, and conscientious and efficient in
the performance of duties. He was the
first agent for the New York Central
Railroad Company, at Hudson, New
York, furnished wood for the company,
and was the first conductor on the Hud-
son and Berkshire railroad. He married,
in 1842, Mary Augusta Shattuck, and
they were the parents of six children :
Mary Elizabeth, born 1843, died 1853;
Sarah, born 1845, died 1920; Charles
Henry, of further mention ; Caroline,
born 1850, died 1897; and twins, Arthur
and Allen, born 1853.
(IV) Charles Henry Bump, son of
James Allen, Jr., and Mary Augusta
(Shattuck) Bump, was born in Hudson,
New York, September 8, 1848, and died
in April, 1921. He received a thorough
education at Spencertown Academy and
at Hudson Private Institute. School
days over, he found opportunity await-
ing him in the office of the Central Rail-
road Company, where his father was
agent. He entered that same office, lo-
cated in his native town, Hudson, New
York, as clerk, and liking railroad work
and being alert, faithful, and able, was
later made ticket agent, which position
he held throughout his active business
life. Politically he was a Democrat, and
was actively interested in the public
affairs of his community. That he was
trusted and held in high esteem by his
fellow-citizens is evidenced by the fact
that he was chosen to serve on the Excise
Commission. In 1874 he married Emma
Weeks, born in 1854, died in May, 1904,
daughter of Robert Weeks, and they be-
227
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
came the parents of four children : Mary,
born 1875, died 1877; James A. (3rd),
born in 1878; Charles Henry, Jr., of fur-
ther mention ; Lawrence Woodward,
born in 1884, cashier in the National
Bank at Great Barrington, Massachu-
setts, married, in 1909, Edith Davis, and
has one daughter, Helen, born in 191 1.
(V) Charles Henry Bump, Jr., son of
Charles Henry and Emma (Weeks)
Bump, was born in Hudson, New York,
June II, 1881. He attended the primary
and grammar schools of his native city
and then entered the high school, from
which he was graduated. Following in
the steps of his father and his grand-
father, he began his business career as a
clerk in the Hudson ofBce of the New
York Central railroad. Ambitious and
energetic, and possessing executive and
administrative ability, he, during the three
years in which he remained in the Hud-
son office, gave such evidence of faith-
fulness and capacity for larger respon-
sibilities that at the age of twenty-two
he was promoted to chief clerk and trans-
ferred to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to the
office of the Boston and Albany railroad.
For three years more he remained in rail-
road work, and then, having saved a bit
for wider ventures, but desiring first to
gain experience in a different line, in
1906 he associated himself with W. J.
Foss in the Berkshire Mill and Supply
Company, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts,
as clerk and bookkeeper. Two years
later he bought an interest in the com-
pany, and was made secretary, which
position he continued to hold for a num-
ber of years. His ability as an executive
was to carry him further, however, and
in 1912, when the W. J. Foss Company,
of Springfield, Massachusetts, was or-
ganized, Mr. Bump was made president
and secretary. Under his efficient man-
agement the W. J. Foss Company of
Springfield has grown and prospered,
reaching out beyond the limits of the
State and covering with its alert, pro-
gressive, traveling men Connecticut,
Massachusetts, Vermont and New
Hampshire, and going as far north as
Burlington, Vermont. But even this
large business does not absorb all of Mr.
Bump's energies. In 1919 the firm of
Foss & Bump was organized in Spring-
field, for the manufacture of leather belt-
ing, and of this corporation Mr. Bump is
treasurer.
Interested in the welfare of his com-
munity, and anxious to contribute his
share toward its advancement, he has
always been ready to give of his time
and his means for the furtherance of the
economic, civic, and political betterment
of the city. He has served efficiently as
a member of the Common Council, and
in many unofficial ways has made his in-
fluence count for progress. Fraternally
he is a Free and Accepted Mason, York
Rite, being a member of Springfield
Lodge; past high priest of Berkshire
Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Pitts-
field ; member of Berkshire Command-
ery, Knights Templar, of Pittsfield ; and
of Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Order
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Spring-
field. He is also a member of the Realty
Club and of the Rotary Club. He is an
active, interested member of Faith Con-
gregational Church, of which he is a
deacon, and has served on the executive
committee. He is also vice-president of
the Men's Club.
On September 12, 1905, Mr. Bump
married Esther Boardman, born in
Derby, Connecticut, but resided in Hud-
son, daughter of Daniel and Mary
(Young) Boardman. They are the par-
ents of two children : Charles Kilbourne,
born June i, 1907; and Boardman, born
December 8, 1908.
228
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
HURLBUT, Cornelius Searle, D. D. S.
Cornelius Searle Hurlbut, a dentist of
Springfield, as was his father before him,
traces his descent from Thomas Hurlbut,
the immigrant ancestor of the family,
who was in Saybrook before 1637. In
that year, February 22, he was one of a
party of eleven men sent out to burn
leaves, weeds, and reeds upon a neck of
land half a mile from the fort. While
engaged in this work they were attacked
by a party of Indians, said to have num-
bered about one hundred, and Hurlbut
and two others were wounded and two
others shot dead. "Hurlbut was shot
almost through the thigh," but escaped.
After the Pequot War, Thomas Hurlbut
settled in Wethersfield, Connecticut, and
was the first blacksmith there. He was
a prominent man in the community, well-
to-do, and filled various offices in the gift
of the people. He was clerk of the "train
band" in 1640; deputy to the General
Court, grand juror, and also constable in
1644. He received various tracts of land
in the several allotments that were made,
which were recorded together in 1647.
For his services in the Indian wars the
Assembly granted him one hundred and
twenty acres of land, October 12, 1671.
The sons of Thomas and Sarah Hurlbut
were : Thomas, John ; Samuel, of whom
further; Joseph, Stephen, and Cornelius.
(II) Samuel Hurlbut, son of Thomas
and Sarah Hurlbut, was born, probably
in Wethersfield, about 1644. He was a
farmer and first settled in Wethersfield,
where he bought, December 27, 1668, a
house and home lot of John Goodrich.
He owned other lots in town and appears
as a resident of Wethersfield as late as
1692. He and his wife Mary were the
parents of: Stephen, of whom further;
Nathan, Mary, Sarah, Jonathan, David,
Titus, Miriam, Samuel, Elizabeth, and
Lemmon.
(III) Stephen (i) Hurlbut, eldest
child of Samuel and Mary Hurlbut,
was born in Wethersfield, December 27,
1668, and died October 7, 1712. He set-
tled in New London soon after 1690, mar-
ried Hannah Douglas, of New London,
about six years later, and was the father
of seven children : Stephen, Freelove,
Mary ; John, of whom further ; Sarah,
Titus, and Joseph.
(IV) John Hurlbut, son of Stephen
and Hannah (Douglas) Hurlbut, was
born in New London, and settled in
North Groton, now the town of Ledyard,
where he died May 5, 1761. He married
Mary Stoddard, daughter of Ralph Stod-
dard, who was still living in 1782. Their
children were : Stephen, of whom fur-
ther ; Mary, John, Rufus, Hannah, Ralph,
Lydia, and Rispah.
(V) Stephen (2) Hurlbut, son of John
and Mary (Stoddard) Hurlbut, was born
in Groton. He probably first settled in
his native town, residing there for sev-
eral years, but later was one of the set-
tlers of Southampton, Massachusetts.
He was a land surveyor, and assisted in
the Connecticut settlements on the Sus-
quehanna in 1772 and 1773. It is thought
that the Christopher Hurlbut referred to
in Miner's "Wyoming," page 120, as hav-
ing been employed by the Susquehanna
Company to make surveys, was really
Stephen (2), the error having occurred
through the fact that Christopher Hurl-
but, nephew of Stephen, afterward be-
came a settler and surveyor at Wyom-
ing. Stephen Hurlbut married (first)
Mary Morgan; (second) Widow Alley;
(third) Widow Rebecca Sheldon. The
children of the first marriage were :
Sarah, Mary, Phebe, Hannah, Freelove ;
and Stephen Douglas, of whom further.
Children of the second marriage : Martin
Luther, Collins, Rispah, Susannah, and
229
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Eunice. To the third marriage one child
was born, Rufus.
(VI) Stephen D. Hurlbut, youngest
child of Stephen (2) and Mary (Morgan)
Hurlbut, was born in Groton, December
14 (or 19), 1770, and died April 4, 1832,
in Southampton, Massachusetts, where
all his children were born. He married,
June 9, 1791, Eunice Clapp, born No-
vember 20, 1770, in Southampton, died
December 24, 1824. Their children were:
Phebe, Stephen, Sarah, Douglas; Asaph,
of whom further ; Samuel, and Moses
Clapp.
(VII) Asaph Hurlbut, third son of
Stephen Douglas and Eunice (Clapp)
Hurlbut, was born in Southampton, Mas-
sachusetts, September 28, 1801. He was
a carriage-maker and millwright by
trade, and followed the latter calling dur-
ing the greater part of his life. He did
work on most of the paper mills in this
vicinity, notably those at Agawam, Chic-
opee, West Springfield and Mittineague.
He also built several powder mills in
Westfield, Massachusetts, at one of which
he very nearly lost his life. He was on
his way to one of these mills when an ex-
plosion occurred, and the mill was blown
to atoms. Had he started for that par-
ticular mill a few seconds sooner he would
have shared the fate of the mill and its
occupants, instead of escaping, as he did,
uninjured. Mr. Hurlbut first resided in
West Springfield, but later, in order that
he might secure better educational ad-
vantages for his children, he removed to
the center of Springfield, and entered the
employ of the Boston & Albany Railroad
Company, where he remained until his
death. Politically he was first a Whig,
then a Republican, and held several of
the town offices during his life. He was
at one time a member of the school board,
and his religious affiliation was with the
Congregational church. He married, in
Southampton, November 8, 1827, Asenath
Searle, born May 10, 1806, and died De-
cember 20, i860, her husband surviving
her until August 28, 1867. Their chil-
dren, all born in West Springfield, were:
Milton Clark ; Cornelius Searle, of whom
further; Sarah Jane, Edward Asaph,
Jairus Searle, and Lewis Senaca.
(VIII) Cornelius Searle Hurlbut, D.
D. S., son of Asaph and Asenath (Searle)
Hurlbut, and a dentist of more than local
reputation, was born in West Springfield,
March 18, 1832. He attended the schools
of West Springfield, and supplemented
the regular work with much independent
reading and study. When he was eight-
een years of age he began teaching, and
for two years taught in various schools
in Hampden and Hampshire counties.
At the age of twenty he began to study
dentistry under Dr. G. H. White, on
Main street, and three years later, after
his graduation from Baltimore Dental
College, he bought the office of his in-
structor and began to practice his profes-
sion. He soon gained a reputation for
excellent work, and as the years passed
won for himself a reputation that ex-
tended far beyond the bounds of his im-
mediate environment. The college from
which he graduated recognized the high
quality of his professional work and
made him a member of its visiting board,
which office he held for ten years. Dur-
ing the years of his professional activities
he built many houses and blocks in the
city, including the Vendome, and a house
next to it on Vernon street. He owned
the land on which the Gill Block now
stands, and built upon it a handsome
granite block, which was later destroyed
by fire. The stone trimmings of the pres-
ent handsome building are the remains
of the former edifice. At least thirty
young men at different times studied and
practiced under Dr. Hurlbut, and seven
230
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
of them have opened offices in the city.
He did much for his profession, not only
in his own locality but throughout New
England, introducing and bringing into
general practice new tools, new discov-
eries, and the latest improvements. It
was he who introduced the bridge device
for utilizing sound teeth as a support for
artificial ones, and he was one of the first
to use gas as a means of making the ex-
traction of teeth painless. During his
more than forty years of professional ac-
tivity in Springfield he saw that place
grow from a village to a city, and was
always deeply interested in the public
affairs of his community. Politically he
was a Republican. In 1867-68 he was
elected a member of the Common Council
from Ward Two, and during his term
was instrumental in getting the Union
street sewer laid. For nine consecutive
years he served faithfully and well on the
Board of Education, and any project in-
telligently planned for the welfare of the
city found in him an able and sympathetic
supporter. On October 20, 1868, he mar-
ried Mary Waite Allis, born in Hatfield,
Massachusetts, in 1833, died December
8, 1916, daughter of Dexter Allis, and to
this marriage six children were born :
Mary Allis, who married Joseph Searle
Gaylord ; Cornelius Searle, of whom fur-
ther; Dexter Allis, who died in infancy;
Martha Asenath ; Marion Elizabeth, de-
ceased ; Mabel Grace, deceased.
(IX) Dr. Cornelius Searle (2) Hurl-
but, son of Dr. Cornelius Searle (i) and
Mary Waite (Allis) Hurlbut, was born in
Springfield, Massachusetts, June i, 1871.
He received his preparatory education in
the grammar and high schools of Spring-
field, and then entered Amherst College,
where he remained for one year. Feeling
that longer general academic training
would but delay him in taking up his pro-
fessional studies, and greatly desiring to
become an expert dentist like his re-
nowned father, he left Amherst at the
end of the first year, and after spending
one year in his father's office he entered
Pennsylvania Dental College, from which
he graduated in 1895. He began practice
at once with his father, and among
the splendid and constantly increasing
clientele already built up he found full
scope for all his energies, and a field for
unlimited future growth. As long as the
father lived the two continued to work
together, and since 1901 the son has con-
tinued the practice alone. In 1918 he
took a special course at a dental school
in Chicago, in orthodontia. He has a very
large general practice, keeping great
numbers of those whom his father for-
merly attended, and constantly adding
new patients to his lists, because of the
excellence of his work.
Dr. Hurlbut lives in East Longmeadow,
where he owns a farm of some sixteen
acres. He is a member of Valley District
and State and National Dental societies,
and was treasurer of the State Society,
1910-1911. With all his manifold pro-
fessional duties. Dr. Hurlbut has found
time to serve his community and to enjoy
fraternal associations. He is a member
of the school board in East Longmeadow,
and is always interested in all that per-
tains to the welfare of his community.
Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree
Mason, having become a member of all
the Scottish Rite bodies. He is now a
member of Springfield Lodge.
On October i, 1899, Dr. Hurlbut mar-
ried Marion Clark Adams, born in North-
field, Massachusetts, resided in Brattle-
boro, Vermont, daughter of Eugene and
Harriet (Clark) Adams, and they are the
parents of three children : Charlotte Hol-
lister, born July 12, 1904; Cornelius
Searle (3), born June 30, 1906; and
Eleanor Clark, born April 12, 191 1.
231
WARNER, Charles Franklin
The Warner family, represented by
Charles F. Warner, is a very old Colonial
family, which in England has had hon-
ored and honorable representatives for
many centuries. Authors, lawyers, po-
litical representatives and skilled artisans,
as well as men of almost every profes-
sion, have borne this honorable old name ;
and more than twenty families of the
name have coats-of-arms of different de-
signs. Important branches have lived
and are living in counties Kent, Norfolk,
Suffolk, Warwick, and York, England ;
in Ayrshire, Scotland, and in Ireland.
Being possessed of much energy, enter-
prise, and resourcefulness, its members
were quick to perceive the possibilities of
life across the seas in the great, new, un-
developed continent to the westward,
and several of them were among the ear-
liest settlers in New England. Andrew
Warner came in 1632 and was one of the
proprietors of Cambridge in 1633. As
Cambridge grew he moved out to new
regions, being among the first settlers
of Hartford, Connecticut, and still later
helping in the settlement of Hadley, Mas-
sachusetts. William Warner came in
1637, and was among the very first set-
tlers in Ipswich, Massachusetts, while
Samuel Warner was in Harvard, Massa-
chusetts, in 1640, as was Benjamin War-
ner in 1644.
Thus the Warner name is well repre-
sented in the early history of Massachu-
setts. Some of the descendants of these
immigrant ancestors migrated to other
regions, but others remained in the sec-
tion originally chosen by their ancestors
and have continued to be prominent in
the life of the Bay State.
The grandfather of Charles Franklin
Warner was a carpenter by trade, one of
the carpenters of the good old days who
built for the future as well as for the
ENCYCtOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
present and gave his patrons no cause for
complaint. He lived at various times at
Cambridge, Watertown, Gardner, and
Harvard, Massachusetts, continued his
activities as a farmer late in life, and was
buried in Clinton, Massachusetts. He
married and reared a family of children :
Emeline ; Benjamin Franklin, of whom
further ; Elizabeth Grover, who married
IT. A. Ranlett; and Lydia Fairbanks, all
deceased.
Benjamin Franklin Warner was born
in Gardner, Massachusetts, April 19,
1832, and died at his home in Hallowell,
Maine, in March, 1917, aged eighty-five
years. He received a practical education
in the Cambridge, Massachusetts, schools,
making the most of his opportunities and
laying the foundations for an active and
efficient mature life. As a young man
he was employed as a clerk in a dry goods
store in Boston, where he gained experi-
ence which was to serve him well in later
years. In i860, having worked indus-
triously and thriftily during the inter-
vening years and saved carefully in order
that he might venture upon an independ-
ent business career, he formed a partner-
ship with James Beal, under the firm
name of Warner & Beal, and opened a
dry goods store in Hallowell, Maine. He
conducted this venture conservatively
and successfully, doing a wholesale and
retail business, which grew steadily, and
which he continued to manage until he
had reached the unusual age (for active
life) of eighty-two years. A man of keen
intelligence and large ability, he was
actively interested in the welfare of his
community, and gave freely of his time,
his influence, and his means for the ad-
vancement of municipal prosperity. He
was chosen mayor of the city, the duties
of which responsible position he dis-
charged faithfully and well. Fraternally,
he was a thirty-second degree Mason, and
232
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
a Knight Templar. He was a member
of the Universalist church.
Benjamin Franklin Warner married
Caroline Buckman, who died in 1864,
and they were the parents of four chil-
dren : Charles Franklin, of whom fur-
ther; George Benjamin, Herbert Alfred,
and Edward Grover.
Charles Franklin Warner, son of Ben-
jamin F. and Caroline (Buckman) War-
ner, was born in Somerville, Massachu-
setts, July 31, 1857, but removed to Maine
with his parents when a small child. He
received his preparatory education in the
Hallowell Classical Academy, and then
entered Colby College in Waterville,
Maine, graduating in 1879. An excellent
student and possessed of large adminis-
trative ability, he thoroughly prepared
himself for administrative work in his
chosen profession by a special course in
the Bridgewater (Massachusetts) State
Normal School. He supplemented his
college work with special courses in phy-
sical science at Bowdoin College and at
Harvard University. While in Cam-
bridge, he became especially interested in
the new developments in molecular phy-
sics, and experimented extensively with
the X-ray and with liquid air. His work
resulted in the earliest successful applica-
tions of the X-ray in surgery and den-
tistry. The first steps in the solidification
of air were taken in his laboratory at
Springfield. For this original work in
physics he was made a Doctor in Science
(Sc. D.) by Colby College, in June, 1909.
His first professional appointment was
that of superintendent of schools in Au-
gusta, where he served for a year and a
half, resigning to accept the assistant
principalship in charge of the Depart-
ment of Science of the Farmington
(Maine) State Normal School. His abil-
ity and his thorough preparation made
his five years of service in that position
of great value to the system and to the
young people who profited by his teach-
ing and administration. He next went to
Cambridge, Massachusetts, where for ten
years he taught, gaining that intimate ac-
quaintance with the merits and defects of
our educational system which can only
be gained in the school room and by in-
timate contact with large numbers of
young people who attend the public
schools. Impressed with the clearly rec-
ognized fact that certain vital needs of
the majority of the children in the schools
were not being met as adequately as they
might be, and seeing clearly that the
State owes its citizens a training which
will enable them to secure that economic
independence without which political
freedom is but a name, Mr. Warner saw
in the technical school the road to free-
dom for numbers of future citizens. Ac-
cordingly, in 1898, he came to Spring-
field as principal of the Mechanic Arts
High School, and the first evening public
school in America devoted to technical
education. The evening school met a
long felt need and was successful beyond
the brightest hopes of its founder. The
Mechanic Arts High School, which later
became the Technical High School,
opened with an enrollment of thirteen
boys. The present enrollment of one
thousand speaks most eloquently of the
success of the work and of the high qual-
ity of the service which has been ren-
dered by the organizer of the school. His
has been an epoch-making work along
the line of vocational education. He has
studied the field of vocational education
both in this country and abroad ; has
written many helpful and enlightening
articles upon the subject ; and above all,
has demonstrated the practical value of
the theories he has advanced. During
the World War, Mr. Warner turned his
knowledge and skill along technical lines
233
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
to excellent advantage. He was in Eng-
land doing special work in his chosen
field when the war broke out. He organ-
ized and ran a war school, represented
this city with two hundred and fifty boys
prepared for the front, and had made
preparations to carry out a contract with
the United States War Department for
one thousand more when the armistice
was signed. In addition to all this work
of preparing others for war duty, Mr.
Warner was chosen to go overseas him-
self, as a member of the Young Men's
Christian Association forces, but was pre-
vented by his duties in the War Training
School.
With all his responsibilities, Mr. War-
ner has had time for active association
with several professional and semi-pro-
fessional societies. At this writing he is
president of the George Washington
Chapter, Sons of the American Revolu-
tion ; a member and president of the High
School Masters' Club, of Massachusetts ;
a trustee of the American International
College ; and a member of several educa-
tional associations. He has served as a
member of the board of trustees of Colby
College, of Waterville, Maine ; is a mem-
ber of the Harvard Graduate Club ; of the
Colby Chapter of Delta Upsilon ; and the
college scholarship fraternity. Phi Beta
Kappa. He holds membership in two of
the leading literary clubs of Springfield ;
and is a deacon of the South Congrega-
tional Church,
Charles Franklin Warner married, on
July 5, 1886, Marion Luce, of Vassalboro,
Maine, daughter of Nelson A. and Mar-
garet (Learned) Luce, and they are the
parents of one daughter, Margaret Luce
Warner, who is a graduate of Vassar Col-
lege, holds the degree of Master of Arts
from Radclifife, and has studied abroad.
She is a teacher of languages and music.
HARRINGTON, John Spiers
Among the successful business men of
Springfield is John Spiers Harrington,
treasurer and organizer of the J. S. Har-
rington Company, Inc., of Springfield,
and one of the directors of the Harring-
ton Hudson Company, of Hartford, Con-
necticut, the latter concern being agents
for the Hudson and Essex cars for North-
ern and Eastern Connecticut.
Mr. Harrington comes of very old
Colonial stock, tracing his ancestry to
Robert Harrington, born in England in
1616, who came to this country on the
ship "Elizabeth," which sailed from Eng-
land, April 10, 1634. He settled in Water-
town, Massachusetts, where he was given
a "homestall" by Deacon Thomas Has-
tings, probably a relative. On the list of
proprietors of Watertown, made between
1642 and 1644, his name appears last, he
then being the owner of the above men-
tioned "homestall." That he prospered
and added largely to this modest bit of
real estate is evidenced by the fact that
his will, dated January i, 1704, inven-
tories sixteen lots of land, amounting to
647^ acres, appraised at £717, and a
house and mill valued at £127. He was
made a freeman May 27, 1663, and died
May II, 1707, aged ninety-one years. On
October i, 1648, Robert Harrington mar-
ried Susan (or Susanna) George, daugh-
ter of John George, of Watertown, and
their children were: Susanna, born Au-
gust 18, 1649, married February 9, 1671,
John Cutting; John, born August 24,
1651, died August 24, 1741 ; Robert, born
August 31, 1653, ^^^^ young; George,
born November 24, 1655, was in Captain
Samuel Wadsworth's Company, and was
killed by the Indians at Lancaster, Penn-
sylvania, in February, 1675 ; Daniel, born
November i, 1657, died April 19, 1728;
Joseph, born December 28, 1659; Benja-
min, born January 20, 1661, died 1724;
234
(TV.
C^AAy^^'^
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Mary, born January 12, 1663, married
John Bemis ; Thomas, born April 20, 1665,
died March 20, 1712; Samuel, born De-
cember 18, 1666; Edward, born in March,
1668; Sarah, born March 10, 1670, mar-
ried Joseph Winship, Jr., November 24,
1687, and died November 28, 1710; David,
born June i, 1673, died March 11, 1675.
(II) Edward Harrington, son of Rob-
ert and Susanna (George) Harrington,
was a selectman of Watertown, 1716-30-
1731. He married (first), March 30,
1692, Mary Ocington ; (second), May 24,
1727, Anna, widow of Jonathan Bullard,
of Weston, Massachusetts. His children
were : Mary, born January 2, 1693, mar-
ried Daniel Rogers, December 7, 1710;
William, born November 11, 1694, died
February 27, 175 1 ; Mindwell, born June
19, 1697, died October 14, 1700; Joanna,
born August 16, 1699, married John
Taintor, May 25, 1720; Edward, born
June 27, 1702, died December 6, 1792;
Samuel, born August 3, 1704; Nathaniel,
born June 25, 1706, known as "Master
Harrington ;" Francis, of whom further ;
Susanna, born September 9, 171 1, married
Samuel Barnard, and her son, Samuel,
was one of the "Boston tea party" and a
major in the Revolutionary War.
(III) Francis Harrington, son of Ed-
ward and Mary (Ocington) Harrington,
was born June 11, 1709, and died July 18,
1793, aged eighty-four. In 1736, the date
of his first marriage, he was recorded as
being "of Grafton," but in the spring of
1 741 he purchased of Joseph and Mary
Dana, of Pomfret, Connecticut, the farm
in Worcester that was to be his future
home. He was the first of his name to
settle in Worcester; was recorded on the
list "of persons qualified to serve as
jurymen agreeable to law." At the select-
men's meeting held July 19. 1742, he was
chosen as field driver, being elected the
following year. In March, 1748, he was
chosen constable; from 1754 to 1777, in-
clusive, he served on the committee ap-
pointed to secure school masters for his
district; and during the years 1750-58-63-
1768-72-83, he served as surveyor of high-
ways and collector of highway taxes. He
married (first), in 1736, Prudence
Stearns, of Watertown, Massachusetts,
born April 27, 1713, died at Worcester, in
August, 1751 ; (second), November 14,
1752, Deborah Brigham. Children of
first marriage : Francis, born in Grafton,
in 1737, died in Worcester, April 6, 1768;
Nathaniel, of whom further. Children of
second marriage : Mary, born in Wor-
cester, December 16, 1753, married Jon-
athan Stone, Jr., in February, 1777; Pru-
dence, born April 20, 1755, married Jonah
Perry, July 6, 1780; William, born No-
vember 18, 1756, married Mary Perry,
May 29, 1 781.
(IV) Nathaniel Harrington, son of
Francis and Prudence (Stearns) Har-
rington, was born in Worcester, in 1742.
He was born and reared on the Harring-
ton homestead, and was one of those who
marched in response to the Lexington
alarm, April 19, 1775, he serving as ser-
geant in Captain Timothy Bigelow's
Company of Minute-Men, Colonel Arte-
mus Ward's Regiment. He signed, with
others, the order for advance pay in June,
1775; and was later first lieutenant in
Captain Joshua Whitney's Company,
Fifth Worcester County Regiment of
Massachusetts Militia. He was chosen
to serve as "hog reeve," March 11, 1777;
two years later was on the jury list, in
1780 was assessor, and in the following
year served on the school committee. On
this last committee he served from 1790
to 1808, being one of the committee
chosen for building public schoolhouses,
1797-99. From 1803 to 1809, inclusive,
he served as selectman. In 1808 he, with
other members of the board, signed a
235
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
letter to the selectmen of Boston, declin-
ing to join the city of Boston in a petition
addressed to President Jefferson, asking
for the suspension of the Embargo Act.
One of his last services to the town was
the running of the boundary line between
Worcester and Shrewsbury. He mar-
ried, July 2, 1776, Ruth Stone, born in
1748, died August 24, 1817, and they
were the parents of three children:
Francis, of whom further ; Jonathan, born
October 31, 1779, married Mary Flagg;
and Sarah, born August 14, 1786.
(V) Captain Francis (2) Harrington,
son of Nathaniel and Ruth (Stone) Har-
rington, was born May 15, 1777, and died
October 17, 1841. He remained on the
homestead, was captain of the militia of
the Worcester South Company, and held
various responsible town positions such
as school committeeman, surveyor of
highways, and collector of highway taxes.
He married Lydia Perry, and their chil-
dren were: Daniel, of whom further;
Mary, born March 20, 1804, married Cap-
tain and Deacon Samuel Perry; Hannah,
born February 12, 1806, died July 14,
1823; Joseph, born February 27, 1808,
died April 13, 1812; Francis, born August
II, 1811, was an alderman in i860, mar-
ried (first) Harriet W. Robinson, (sec-
ond) Frances J. Moore; Lydia, born De-
cember 12, 1814, married Nahum Flagg.
(VI) Captain Daniel Harrington, son
of Captain Francis (2) and Lydia (Perry)
Harrington, was born October 4, 1802,
and died September 11, 1863. He lived
on the homestead, and in 1831 his name
appears on the jury, list. Later he served
as school committeeman and highway
surveyor, and in 1849-50 was a member
of the Common Council, serving the fol-
lowing year on the Board of Aldermen.
He married Clarissa Gray, born August
23, 1809, died June 6, 1885, and they were
the parents of nine children: i, Joseph
A., born October 26, 1829, died December
4, 1875; a soldier in Fifty-first Regiment,
Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in the
Civil War, for nine months; married
Zelia M. Pierce. 2. Emily A., born Octo-
ber 23, 183 1 ; married George S. Battelle,
died 1883. 3. Charles A., born May 20,
1834, died October 16, 1905; married
(first) Lucy Goulding; (second) Mar-
garet Patch. 4. Henry M., born March
20, 1836, died August 6, 1837. 5. Delia
A., born March 21, 1841 ; married, in 1863,
George B. Andrews. 6. Maria A., born
September 2, 1843; married Edward W.
Wellington. 7. Hon. Francis Alfred,
born November 17, 1846; married (first)
Roxanna M. Grout, (second) Lillia
(Dudley) Leighton. 8. George A., born
July 8, 1849, died 1883. 9. Daniel A., of
whom further.
(VII) Daniel A. Harrington, son of
Captain Daniel and Clarissa (Gray) Har-
rington, was born May 8, 185 1. He re-
ceived his early education in the Wor-
cester schools and in Worcester Acad-
emy, and then entered Howe's Business
College, at Worcester, from which he
was graduated in 1866. Until 1876 he
lived on the old Harrington homestead
farming and contracting in the dairy
business, and then engaged in the livery
business, which he continued for more
than thirty years, housing his equipment
in the most modern of barns and stables,
and conducting an eminently successful
and prosperous business. He was presi-
dent and treasurer of the Harrington
Automobile Station. Fraternally he was
affiliated with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, and in 1903 was elected
brigadier-general of the Second Brigade
of Patriarchs Militant of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. He took an ac-
tive part in public affairs, serving two
terms on the Board of Aldermen, and
was a member of the board when the
236
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
vote was passed to build the new city
hall of Worcester. Mr. Harrington mar-
ried Jennie A. Spiers, and they were the
parents of four children : Clara A., a
teacher in the public schools of Wor-
cester ; Josie A., who married Herbert
Linnell. deceased; John S., of whom fur-
ther; and Daniel A. (2), born January 7,
1882, now living in Hartford.
(VIII) John Spiers Harrington, son
of Daniel A. and Jennie A. (Spiers) Har-
rington, was born at Worcester, Massa-
chusetts, August I, 1880. He received
his education in the public schools of
Worcester, including the high school, and
when his studies were completed, en-
gaged in the automobile business, taking
the Worcester agency for the Oldsmobile
and for the Locomobile cars. Later, as
he built up a successful business, he
added to these two, the Ford, the Knox,
and the Stevens-Duryea. These he con-
tinued to sell until 1909, when he began
selling the Chalmers and the Hudson,
opening a store in Providence, Rhode
Island, where he handled the Thomas,
Chalmers, and Hudson cars. In 1912 he
still further enlarged his business by
adding to his stores in Worcester and
Providence a third establishment in Bos-
ton, Massachusetts, from which he sold
the Everett car throughout New Eng-
land. In 1914 Mr. Harrington came to
Springfield, Massachusetts, and in 191 5
he organized the Harrington-Gififord
Company. This continued until 1918,
when Mr. Harrington bought out Mr.
Gifford's interest and organized the J. S.
Harrington Company, Inc., of which he
is treasurer. This concern handles the
Hudson and Essex cars in W^orcester,
Massachusetts. Mr. Harrington is also
a director of the Harrington Hudson
Company, of Hartford, Connecticut, con-
trolling the sale of Hudson and Essex
cars in Northern and Eastern Connec-
ticut.
The business transacted by the J. S.
Harrington Company, Inc., in the Spring-
field district, has steadily increased un-
der the efficient management of Mr. Har-
rington, and is now installed in new
quarters at Worthington and Chestnut
streets. Here ample space is provided for
the display of Hudson and Essex cars,
and for the office and sales force. The
office is located at the rear, partly on the
main floor and partly on a mezzanine
floor. In 1914, when Mr. Harrington
came to Springfield as representative of
the E. V. Stratton Company, whose ter-
ritory included Springfield, it was his
task to build up an entirely new business
for the Hudson car. His first salesroom
was in the building at the corner of Win-
ter and Chestnut streets, over the local
branch of the Fisk Rubber Company. A
few months later Mr. Harrington took
over the local Hudson agency and organ-
ized the Harrington-Gifford Company,
which in a short time outgrew its quar-
ters. A sales and service station was
erected at Liberty and North streets, but
in a few years the enterprise had again
outgrown its housing and the new build-
ing on Chestnut street, now occupied by
the Reo Springfield Company, became
the headquarters of the Harrington-
GifiFord Company. When, in 1918, Mr.
Harrington organized the J. S. Harring-
ton Company, Inc., and engaged in busi-
ness for himself, he moved into a sales-
room at No. 158 Chestnut street, open-
ing a large service station in Central
street. The growth of the service station
is an indication of the extent of the
growth of the Hudson and Essex business
in the Springfield territory. When Mr.
Harrington came to Springfield he em-
ployed two service men. At the present
time (October, 1922), there are twenty
mechanics in the Central street service
station, working under the management
of Walter Regal, who was formerly final
^V
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
inspector for the Locomobile Company in
Bridgeport, Connecticut, and during the
war was final inspector for liberty motors
in the Aviation Corps in France. Wil-
liam Tyler is stock room manager, hav-
ing two clerks, and Mr. Harrington's
sales force numbers five men, with A. R.
Flinchbaugh as sales manager. The of-
fice force includes an auditor and four
stenographers. The old salesroom at No.
158 Chestnut street is retained as a used
car sales department, conducted inde-
pendently of the sales department for
new cars. In addition to this greatly en-
larged establishment in Springfield, Mr.
Harrington has a sales branch at No. 229
Maple street, Holyoke, Massachusetts, of
which William R. Parsons is manager,
and also has subdealers in Pittsfield,
Adams, Northampton, Westfield, and
Palmer.
With all his exacting business respon-
sibilities, which he is handling most effi-
ciently and successfully, Mr. Harring-
ton finds time for fraternal and social
affiliations. He is a thirty-second degree
Mason, being a member of Athelston
Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of
Worcester ; of Worcester Commandery,
Knights Templar; of all the Scottish Rite
bodies in Worcester, including the thirty-
second ; and of Melha Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine of Springfield. He is also a mem-
ber of the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks ; of the Springfield Coun-
try Club ; of the Nayasset Club ; and of
the Automobile Club of Springfield ; also
a member of the One of a Thousand Club,
a national automobile dealers' associa-
tion, composed of one thousand carefully
selected automobile dealers of the United
States.
On June 10, 1902, John Spiers Har-
rington married Mabel M. Clark, of Wor-
cester, Massachusetts, daughter of Wil-
liam B. Clark, and they are the parents
of two children : John S., Jr., born Octo-
ber 27, 1903 ; and William Clark, born
June 28, 1905, both of whom were born
in Worcester, Massachusetts, and re-
ceived their education in the schools of
Worcester and of Brookline, and in
Springfield High School.
Mcknight, John Dwight
Among those who made a permanent
contribution to the development and
growth of the city of Springfield was
John D. McKnight, who purchased one
of the most sandy and barren tracts of
land in the environs of the city and trans-
formed it into a beautiful and desirable
residential district of the community.
The McKnight district vies with the
United States Armory as a feature of
Springfield first to be pointed out to the
stranger, and the aesthetic features of
that beautiful group of homes are due to
the artistic taste and skill of John D.
McKnight.
The McKnight family is of very old
Scotch lineage, and was early represented
in this country by immigrant members
whose descendants are to-day scattered
over the area of the United States.
Among these descendants was Lewis
McKnight, great-grandfather of John
Dwight McKnight.
Lewis McKnight, of Scotch descent,
was a resident of Monmouth county. New
Jersey, and is buried near Freehold, that
State. He was a man of high integrity,
and greatly respected by his fellow-cit-
izens as an honest, thrifty. God-fearing
man, whose daily intercourse with his
fellows was directed by the highest ideals
of Christian conduct. His brother, the
Rev. Charles McKnight, was for many
years a Presbyterian minister in Mon-
mouth county. New Jersey, where he was
greatly loved and respected. Lewis Mc-
238
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Knigfht married and reared a family of
children, among whom were three sons :
Lewis, Joseph, and Robert, of whom
further.
Robert McKnight, son of Lewis Mc-
Knight, was born at, or near, Freehold,
in Monmouth county, New Jersey, in
1745, and died in 1826, aged eighty-one
years. He received his education in the
schools of his native district, and as a
young man went to Cortland county,
New York, where as one of the first set-
tlers he found an unbroken forest and un-
limited opportunity. In 1799 he pur-
chased 550 acres of land near the present
site of the town of Truxton, New York,
built a log cabin upon it, and began the
arduous but simple and wholesome life
of the pioneer. Albany, New York, 150
miles away, was the nearest market, but
this did not prevent the sturdy pioneer
from planting and harvesting his crops.
As hard work and long waiting began to
yield the reward of abundant harvests,
he built a frame house, the first to be
erected in the town, and lead in the prog-
ress of the little settlement by being the
first to send his wheat to market. Roads
were the great necessity of the region,
and Robert McKnight took an active part
in providing funds, as well as in aiding
in the actual work of construction. A
toll turnpike was laid, of which Robert
McKnight owned a goodly proportion of
the shares, and in all the public affairs
of the growing community he was one of
the leaders. His wife, Lydia, whom he
married in 1774, died in 1818, aged sixty-
six years, and they were the parents of
seven children : Sarah, Rebecca, Ann,
Lewis, Joseph, Thomas ; and Charles, of
further mention.
Charles McKnight, son of Robert and
Lydia McKnight, was born August 12,
1787, and died October 12, i860. He was
a respected and influential citizen of
Truxton, New York, and after the death
of his father was intrusted with the man-
agement of the family affairs. He took
an active part in all projects for the ad-
vancement of the community, taking es-
pecial interest in the development of a
church and school, and to his efforts was
due a large share of the improvements
made in these two institutions. He mar-
ried, August 30, 1821, Almira Clapp, who
died September 2, 1866, and they were
the parents of ten children : Almira Ann,
who married J. M. Coats ; Julia Eliza,
who married Simeon Newell ; Charles
Lyman ; Lucilia, who married Norman
Talcott ; Alonzo Lewis ; John Dwight, of
whom further ; William Harrison ; Emily,
who married John Studd ; Sarah Henri-
etta ; and Frances Marion, who married
Newton Hawley.
John D. McKnight, son of Charles and
Almira (Clapp) McKnight, was born at
Truxton, New York, January 28, 1835,
and died in Springfield, Massachusetts,
December 20, 1890. He received his
education in the public schools of his na-
tive district, and like many of the boys
and young men of his time, resolved when
school days were over to try his for-
tune in the West. Before his ardently
planned trip to California could be under-
taken, however, sickness in the family
made it necessary that he should remain
at home. Instead of going to the west-
ern coast he went to New York City, just
before his twenty-first birthday was
reached, hoping to secure employment as
clerk in some store. Staying at a
crowded hotel one night, he shared a
room with A. W. Lincoln, of Springfield.
It happened that Mr. Lincoln had just
advertised for a clerk, and learning that
the lad had come to New York in search
of such a position, and being agreeably
impressed with the manner of the boy,
induced him to return with him to Spring-
239
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
field, Massachusetts. Mr. Lincoln's store
was situated nearly opposite the Chico-
pee Bank, and there young John D. Mc-
Knight was employed as a clerk for about
a year. At the end of that time he re-
turned to Truxton, New York, and en-
gaged in the dry goods business for him-
self, in partnership with his brother-in-
law, J. M. Shedd. This connection was
maintained for some time, but Mr. Mc-
Knight's health was poor, and becoming
alarmed because of his condition, he
started on a sea voyage accompanied by
Mr. Shedd. They went to Labrador, and
Mr. McKnight returned much improved
in health. In 1859 ^^ returned to Spring-
field, and entered the employ of Tillie
Haynes & Company. About this time his
brother, W. H. McKnight, also came to
Springfield and entered the employ of
Mr. Lincoln as clerk. When the Civil
War broke out, J. D. McKnight severed
his connection with Tillie Haynes &
Company, after having vainly tried to sell
goods at Savannah, Georgia, to South-
erners who would have nothing to do
with Yankee supplies. With W. W.
Norton, Mr. McKnight then purchased
the dry goods business of Samuel Bige-
low, which was housed in a small block
near where the Western Union Telegraph
office is now located. W. H. McKnight
was then, with Mr. Shedd, conducting a
dry goods store on the corner of Main
and Pynchon streets. In 1865 the Mc-
Knight brothers, with Mr. Norton and
N. I. Hawley, organized the firm of Mc-
Knight, Norton & Hawley. This com-
bination was successful, and became one
of the widely known and prosperous dry
goods firms in the city. It continued to
grow and flourish until 1876, when it was
burned out in the big fire of that year.
During the period before the fire, J. D.
McKnight had built up a carpet depart-
ment, occupying a part of the estal:)lish-
ment. On the site of the ruins of the fire
Mr. McKnight built the block now occu-
pied by the Tillie L. Haynes Company
and other concerns, and McKnight, Nor-
ton & Hawley moved into one of the new
stores. But financial embarrassment fol-
lowed, and Mr. Hawley sold out his inter-
ests, and although the company was able
to pay all its creditors, J. D. McKnight's
investment in the block was entirely lost
in insolvency proceedings. This prac-
tically ended his career as a dry goods
merchant. He then went into real estate
development, purchased a barren, sandy,
unattractive piece of land in the then
suburbs of the city, where he went to
work with undaunted courage. Later
his brother was admitted as a partner.
In about twelve years the brothers trans-
formed that barren tract into one of the
finest residential sections of the city,
making of it a community which became
not only the pride of the city, but which
has attracted the attention of the resi-
dents of extensive areas outside the city.
Its cottages, its lawns, its streets, and its
parks, call forth the admiration of all vis-
itors to Springfield, and it not infre-
quently happens that visitors come to the
city for the express purpose of seeing the
famous McKnight district. While J. D.
McKnight was not entirely responsible
for the financial success of the undertak-
ing, he was entirely responsible for the
aesthetic features of the community,
which in no small degree have insured
the financial success. His brother, W. H.
McKnight, always left the landscape gar-
dening to him from the first laying out
of the streets to the final planting of
trees and shrubbery, and that he brought
to the work a rare artistic taste and abil-
ity is evidenced by the beauty of the dis-
trict. In 1881 the brothers bought 150
acres north of Bay street, which they
systematically developed, opening wide
240
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
streets, planting trees, and laying out
building lots which provided generous
lawns for each cottage. When the lots
were laid out, W. H. McKnight would
take charge and attend to the building of
attractive cottages which were sold with
the greatest care and under conditions
which excluded undesirable residents.
The orginal plot was soon doubled, and
from twenty-five to forty houses a year
have been built and sold. About $ioo,-
000 have been invested in street improve-
ments, $250,000 in land, and the cost of
the buildings erected has varied from
$2,500 to $8,000. Five attractive corners
were devoted to parks, adorned with
fountains and shrubbery, and in Ingersoll
Grove, in the northern end of the dis-
trict, J. D. McKnight built his own home.
To the eastward the work of develop-
ment had extended as far as the New
England railroad by the summer of 1921,
and, realizing that this would probably
be the limit of the new ground in that
direction, Mr. McKnight named all the
streets, most of them being named after
colleges. As land in this direction be-
came limited, the McKnights turned their
attention to Forest Park, and such was
the confidence felt by the general public
in the management of the McKnights
that the real estate syndicate which pur-
chased the adjoining property did so only
on condition that the McKnights should
have charge of it.
Aside from public improvements,
which were prompted by a love for
Springfield, Mr. McKnight did not take
an active part in public afifairs. He did,
however, serve as a member of the City
Council in 1873, ^^id at the time of his
death was park commissioner. A home-
loving man, devoted to his family, he
formed no club affiliations, and was not
a member of fraternal orders. He was
an exceedingly busy man, but he was
never too busy to take an interested per-
Mass — 11 — 16 24
son to Forest Park, which was the pride
of his later days. His religious affilia-
tion was with South Church, of which he
was a member from 1854 to the time of
his death.
On July 19, 1864, John D. McKnight
married Mary E. Hubbard, of Seneca
Falls, New York, who died January 18,
1906, and they were the parents of five
children: i. Charles H., born January 4,
1866, died in 1916, leaving a son, Edward
Fuller McKnight. 2. Mary Alice, born
August 7, 1868, died March 28, 1895. 3.
Florence, born June 30, 1871, married
Frank L. Pierce. 4. Marion, married
Philip H. Remington, son of Almon E.
and Clara A. (Trask) Remington, grand-
son of Samuel Fowler Remington, and
great-grandson of Almon Remington, of
Suffield, Connecticut. Philip H. Rem-
ington was born in Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, April 17, 1876, received his edu-
cation in the public schools of Spring-
field, and then became associated with
the Third National Bank of Springfield,
where, as bookkeeper and teller, he re-
mained for thirteen years. He then be-
came identified with the L. S. Brown
Charcoal Company, of which he is now
treasurer, general manager, and principal
owner. He is an energetic business man,
and is well known in club circles, being
affiliated with the Rotary Club, the Pub-
licity Club, Winthrop Club, and the Man-
choris Club, the latter of North Wilbra-
ham. He is an attendant of South Con-
gregational Church. Mr. and Mrs. Rem-
ington are the parents of three children:
Rebecca, who died in infancy ; Mary,
born December 11, 1905; and Florence,
born November 18, 1908. 5. Robert
Lewis, born June 30, i*
SCUDDER, Elisha Gage
Among the business men of Springfield,
Massachusetts, is Elisha Gage Scudder,
assistant treasurer of the Handy Choc-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
olate Company, with which concern he
has been associated since 1916. Mr.
Scudder is descended from old Colonial
stock, tracing his ancestry to John Scud-
der, who came to Massachusetts in 1635,
the line of descent being traced as
follows :
(I) John Scudder, immigrant ancestor
of Elisha Gage Scudder, and of those of
the name in Barnstable, Massachusetts,
was born in England, in 1619, and came
from London to America in 1635, settling
in Charlestown, Massachusetts, where he
was made freeman in 1639. In 1640 he
removed to Barnstable, where he con-
tinued to reside until his death in 1689.
His wife, Hannah, survived him, and
their children were: Elizabeth, Sarah,
Mary, Hannah ; and John, of whom
further.
(II) John (2) Scudder, son of John
(i) and Hannah Scudder, died at Chat-
ham, in 1742, "very aged." He married,
in 1689, Elizabeth Hamblin, daughter of
James Hamblin, and she died in 1743.
Their children were: John, Experience,
James ; Ebenezer, of whom further ; Re-
liance, and Hannah.
(III) Ebenezer Scudder, son of John
(2) and Elizabeth (Hamblin) Scudder,
married, and reared a family of children,
among whom was Eleazer, of whom
further.
(IV) Eleazer Scudder, son of Eben-
ezer Scudder, married, and was the father
of David, of whom further.
(V) David Scudder, son of Eleazer
Scudder, was born January 5, 1763. He
was a prominent man in his community,
serving for many years as clerk of the
courts of Barnstable county. He mar-
ried Desire Gage, and they were the
parents of: Charles, born June 3, 1789;
and Frederick, of whom further.
(VI) Frederick Scudder, younger son
of David and Desire (Gage) Scudder, was
born at Barnstable, in 1805, ^^^ died in
1878, aged seventy-three. He was an
upright, active man, and a public-spirited
citizen, who was for several years county
treasurer and registrar of deeds, and who
was long remembered and esteemed for
his intimate connection with the county
offices, for his courteous demeanor, for
his devotion to public duties, and for his
upright and useful life. He married, No-
vember 30, 1831, Cordelia Gage, who was
born in 1805, and died in 1871, and their
children, all born in Hyannisport, Massa-
chusetts, were : Eugenia Jane, who died
in 1906, aged seventy-three; Abbie Cor-
delia, who died in 1840, aged three years;
Elisha Gage, of whom further; and Wil-
liam Alexander.
(VII) Elisha Gage Scudder, son of
Frederick and Cordelia (Gage) Scudder,
was born in Hyannisport, Massachusetts,
in 1840, and died in St. Louis, Missouri,
in February, 1912, aged seventy-two
years. He received his education in the
public schools, and when the Civil War
broke out enlisted in the Twenty-second
Massachusetts Infantry. After the close
of the war he went to St. Louis, where he
became associated with the firm of Brock-
meyer & Rankin. An able, energetic,
and ambitious young man, he made him-
self so useful to the firm that he eventu-
ally became a partner, the firm name then
being changed to Brockmeyer, Rankin &
Scudder. As time passed, the ability of
Mr. Scudder became an increasingly im-
portant factor in the prosperity of the
business, and later Mr. Scudder pur-
chased the interest of Mr. Brockmeyer
and Mr. Rankin. Still later W. A. Scud-
der came in and the firm was known as
E, G. Scudder and Brother. A. H. Gale
bought an interest and they were known
as the Scudder Gale Grocery Company,
of which E. G. Scudder was president
until his death. This company later pur-
242
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
chased the interests of J. W. Scudder &
Sons, the firm then being known as the
Scudders-Gale Grocer Company. Elisha
G. Scudder was not only a successful
business man, but he was a good citizen
and a progressive member of his com-
munity, intelligently aiding the intellec-
tual and moral, as well as the economic
development of the city. He was a mem-
ber of the Business Men's Club, and his
religious affiliation was with the Second
Baptist Church.
He married Mary Gale, of Concord,
New Hampshire, and their children were:
I. Prentiss G., who is treasurer of the
Scudders-Gale Grocer Company; mar-
ried Clara Hill, and has three children :
Mary Catherine, Prentiss G., Jr. ; and
Alice, who married E. A. Hallett, and
has three children : Archer, Mary Scud-
der, and Alice. 2. Lucy, married K. L.
Green, and has one child, K. L. Green,
Jr. 3. Elisha Gage, of whom further.
(VIII) Elisha Gage Scudder, Jr., son
of Elisha Gage and Mary (Gale) Scud-
der, was born in St. Louis, Missouri,
September 16, 1883. He received his
early education in the public schools of
St. Louis, and then entered Amherst Col-
lege, from which he was graduated in
1906. Upon the completion of his col-
lege course he formed a partnership with
F. W. Hurnes, under the firm name of
F. W. Hurnes & Company, and engaged
in the flour business in St. Louis. This
connection was maintained until 1909,
when the partnership was dissolved and
Mr. Scudder became a member of the
F. B. Chamberlain Manufacturing Com-
pany. He continued with this firm up to
1916, a period of seven years, when he
resigned and came to Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, where he took a position with
the Miner Chocolate Company, having
charge of the eastern division of the job-
bing department, with headquarters here.
This later became the Handy Chocolate
Company, and Mr. Scudder was made
assistant treasurer of the corporation,
which office he still holds (1922). He is
well known in Springfield among his bus-
iness associates, and is highly esteemed.
Fraternally he is affiliated with Spring-
field Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons,
and was at one time a member of the
Nayasset Club.
On September 18, 1907, he married
Meda H. Handy, of Springfield, daugh-
ter of Herbert Lewis and Henrietta
(Huck) Handy. Mr. and Mrs. Scudder
are the parents of one daughter, Marri-
etta, born at St. Louis, Missouri, Sep-
tember 9, 1914.
The surname Handy is of ancient Eng-
lish origin, and Mrs. Scudder comes of
old Colonial stock, tracing her ancestry
to Richard Handy, immigrant ancestor of
the American family of that name, who
was doubtless born in England, and was
a sea-faring man. His descendants were
numerous in Sandwich and other Cape
Cod towns ; his children born in Sandwich
were: Richard (2), born May 21, 1672;
Jonathan, born November 3, 1675; Han-
nibal, Isaac, John, Cornelius, and John.
Richard (2) Handy, son of Richard (i)
Handy, had a son, John Handy, born
about 1700, who was the father of John
(2), who married Keziah Eldred, of Fal-
mouth, and was the father of Job Handy,
among whose children was Hatzel K.,
who married Sally Holmes, and was the
father of Hatzel Handy, who married
Desire Bacon Lewis, and was the father
of Herbert L. Handy, who married Henri-
etta Huck, daughter of Herman and Mar-
garet Huck, of Springfield, and they were
the parents of three children: Meda
Huck, born at Springfield, October 28,
1881, married Elisha Gage Scudder, Jr.,
of St. Louis, Missouri; Herman, born at
Springfield, January 10, 1888; and Her-
bert Lewis, Jr., born June 2, 1889.
243
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
SOFIELD, Albert Marsh
Among the men engaged in the elec-
trical business in the city of Springfield
should be mentioned Albert Marsh So-
field, organizer, president and general
manager of the American Electric Serv-
ice and Maintenance Company, one of
the well-known industries of that city.
The family name was spelled originally
"Sophield," and its history extends back
to the time of Charles I in England. Its
members in the various generations from
that time to the present have taken part
in all the wars in history down to the
recent World War. The family was first
represented in this country in Rahway
and Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where
they performed their various duties in
such a manner as to win the respect of all
with whom they associated.
(I) Obadiah Joseph Sofield, grandfather
of Albert M. Sofield, was a native of Rah-
way, New Jersey, and there received his
education and spent his active career,
honored and esteemed by his neighbors
and friends. He married Rebecca Marsh,
who bore him six children, as follows:
George Washington ; John, who served
in the Civil War ; Ezra, who also served
in the Civil War ; Obadiah, Ariminta ;
and Joseph Martin, of further mention.
The members of the family were Quakers
in their religious faith.
(II) Joseph Martin Sofield, father of
Albert M. Sofield, was born in Rahway,
New Jersey, May 4, 1845, and his death
was the result of an accident on the rail-
road in the year 1890. Although only
sixteen years of age at the beginning of
hostilities between the North and South,
he enlisted for service in that struggle,
but at his mother's earnest solicitation he
was released, not being of the required
age. He studied for the profession of
civil engineer, and when expert enough
secured a position with the Chicago, Mil-
waukee & St. Paul railroad, in whose
employ he was at the time of his death.
He rendered faithful service to his em-
ployers, and his untimely end was a
source of sorrow to all with whom he as-
sociated. He married Jeannette Eslinger,
born in Luxemburg, Germany, 1852,
daughter of Frederick Eslinger and his
wife, who left their native land to make
a home in the New World when their
daughter Jeannette was six months old.
Children of Mr. and Mrs. Sofield: Clar-
ence, deceased ; Josephine, deceased ; Al-
bert Marsh, of further mention ; Joseph
Martin, deceased ; Eunice, deceased ;
Harry, located with the Army of Occu-
pation in Belgium at the present time
(1921).
(Ill) Albert Marsh Sofield was born
in Marion, Iowa, June 4, 1878. His pre-
liminary education was received in the
schools of his birthplace, after which he
pursued advanced studies in the Univer-
sity of Minnesota, which he attended for
two years, completing his course in 1898.
His first position was with the Westing-
house Electric Company in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, and in Cannea, in the State
of Sonora, Mexico, where he remained for
three years, his work being electrical ap-
paratus in connection with mining. He
remained in the employ of the Westing-
house Company for a period of seven
years, during which time he traveled in
every State in the Union, this giving him
a vast amount of knowledge that only
travel and contact with various people
can give, and during all this time he was
engaged in electrical work. In the year
1916, Mr. Sofield took up his residence in
Springfield, Massachusetts, and was con-
nected with the Metal Production and
Equipment Company and the Chicopee
Electric Light Company. In the follow-
ing year he organized the American Elec-
tric Service and Maintenance Company,
244
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
of which he is president and general man- engaged in that line of work, residing in
ager, and they do business to the New
York State line and Canadian border, and
at times have from forty-five to fifty em-
ployees. Mr. Sofield is a practical man
of business, enterprising and progressive,
and the business of which he is the head
is steadily advancing. He attends the
Baptist church, and fraternally is con-
nected with the Benevolent and Protec-
tive Order of Elks.
Mr. Sofield married, July 15, 1917,
Edith Curry Harris, of New Haven.
Connecticut.
EDEN, James Anderson
Among the mechanical engineers and
designers of special machinery in Spring-
field should be mentioned James A. Eden,
who is of Irish extraction.
(I) Mark Eden, grandfather of James
A. Eden, was born in Ireland about 1820,
and died in Brooklyn, New York, in 1895,
aged seventy-five years. A linen weaver
by trade, he came to this country while
still a young man and took an active part
in the development of the linen industry
in this country. He was of a mechanical
turn of mind, and a rope walk constructed
by him was one of the landmarks of
Brooklyn, New York, for many years.
He and his wife, Rachel, were the parents
of six children : Robert ; William ; James
Anderson, of further mention ; Rachel ;
Jennie; and Samuel.
(II) James Anderson Eden, son of
Mark and Rachel Eden, was born in Ire-
land about 1847, ^^^ came to America
with his parents when a child. They set-
tled in Brooklyn, New York, and here the
son received his education, attending the
public schools until the time came for him
to learn a trade. He chose to learn the
art of sheet metal working, at which
trade he has continued throughout the
greater part of his life, still (1922) being
Brooklyn. When the Civil War broke
out, he was a boy of fourteen ; he entered
the navy as a fifer in the Marine Corps
and continued until the war was over, his
last official duty being the sad one of
playing at President Lincoln's funeral.
Mr, Eden is a member of Grant Post,
Grand Army of the Republic. Politically,
he is a Republican, and he is a member
of the Episcopal church, of which he was
warden for a number of years. He mar-
ried Mary Collier, of Philadelphia, Penn-
sylvania, and she died in Brooklyn, New
York, in 1889, the mother of the follow-
ing children: i. Francis R., married
Mary Alice Bramm, and has two chil-
dren : Silvia and Dorothy. 2. James
Anderson, Jr., of further mention. 3.
Harold W., inventor of the Eden Wash-
ing Machine. 4. Marion, married George
Head, and has two children : Leslie and
Virginia. 5. Herbert C, deceased. 6.
John J., superintendent of the Harriman
Farms ; married , and has had two
children, John Vickery and Margaret.
(HI) James Anderson (2) Eden, son
of James Anderson (i) and Mary (Col-
lier) Eden, was born in Brooklyn, New
York, June 28, 1869. He received his
education in the schools of Brooklyn, and
then learned the trade of the machinist
and tool maker, taking special courses in
mechanical engineering and drawing.
For twenty years he was engaged in me-
chanical work in Brooklyn, at the end of
which time he went to Pittsburgh, Penn-
sylvania, where for four years he was
engaged in engineering work. In 1912
he came to Springfield, Massachusetts,
where he has made his home ever since.
He has been officially connected with
some of the large manufacturing plants
of the city in a constructive capacity, in
the designing and construction of special
machinery. At the present time (1922)
245
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
he is, and has been for some years, at the
head of a business of his own, the J. A.
Eden Company, engineering, with offices
at No. 387 Main street, making a business
of designing special machinery, for which
work he is well fitted both by training
and years of experience.
On March 23, 1893, Mr. Eden married
Elizabeth A. Keefe, of Rahway, New
Jersey, daughter of Lawrence J. and
Ellen (Jackson) Keefe, and they are the
parents of five children : Margaret, Ellen
L., Elizabeth A., Georgia W., antf Maria K.
EMPSALL, George Henry
The president and general manager
of the Duckworth Chain Company, of
Springfield, George Henry Empsall,
comes of an English ancestry.
William Empsall, father of George H,
Empsall, was born in Halifax, England,
in 1831, and died in Pittsfield, Massachu-
setts, in May, 1885, aged fifty-four years.
He was reared and educated in his native
land, and obtained a practical education
in the schools in the vicinity of his home.
In 1852, upon attaining his majority, he
emigrated to this country, and located in
North Adams, Massachusetts, where he
followed his trade of wool sorter, worked
on a farm, and also for a time worked in
a woolen mill. He later removed to
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he gave
his attention entirely to agricultural pur-
suits, and where he lived to the time of
his death. He was honorable in all his
dealings, careful and conscientious in the
performance of every duty, and was hon-
ored by all who knew him.
William Empsall married Alice Duck-
worth, born in Manchester, England, in
1840, died in Watertown, New York, in
1918, daughter of Christopher and Ann
(Borch) Duckworth. Christopher Duck-
worth came to the United States in 1848,
accompanied by his family, settling first
in Massachusetts, and later in Mt. Car-
mel, Connecticut, where he manufac-
tured, with the aid of his sons, the Duck-
worth Loom for weaving carpets and
fancy cassimers, a loom of his own inven-
tion which came into use the country
over. James Duckworth, brother of Alice
(Duckworth) Empsall, in addition to his
connection with the Duckworth Loom
was also a prominent manufacturer of
chains for driving bicycles, motorcycles
and other chain driven machines, and his
connection with the bicycle business was
the means of interesting him in the
Springfield Bicycle Club, and he became
one of the most enthusiastic members of
that organization, whose meets were
famous during the days bicycle racing
was at its height. He was the owner of
the "Arrow II," one of the speediest
motor boats used on the Connecticut
river. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Empsall :
Fred W. ; Frank A., married (second)
Pauline Sears, and has a son, Frank A.,
Jr.; George H., of whom further; Alfred
Duckworth, married, and has three chil-
dren : Roger Elwell, Earl Edison and
Richard Duckworth ; William Arthur,
married, and has two children : Jeanette
and Robert; Alice.
George Henry Empsall, of this review,
was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts,
December 11, 1868. The public schools
of his native place afforded him the means
of obtaining an education, and he supple-
mented the knowledge thus obtained by
a course in a business school in Pittsfield.
He began his active career by securing
a position as messenger boy in the West-
ern Union Telegraph office, and remained
there for a time. His next employment
was in shoe factories in Pittsfield and
other cities, and in this line he was em-
ployed for eight years, after which he
went into the office of the American Ex-
press Company in Leominster, Massachu-
246
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
setts. Here he remained until 1889, when
he changed his place of residence to
Springrield, and for one year served as
bookkeeper in the Duckworth Chain
Company's plant. For the following five
years he was located in different cities,
namely, Greenfield, Massachusetts, Fish-
kill, New York, and Pittsfield, !Massachu-
setts. He then returned to Springfield
and again entered the employ of the
Duckworth Chain Company. For a short
time he served as factory inspector, then
filled the various offices of bookkeeper,
secretary, assistant treasurer, and upon
the reorganization of the company was
made treasurer. In 1916 Mr. Duckworth,
the founder and president of the Duck-
worth Chain Company, died, and the com-
pany was again reorganized and Mr.
Empsall was made president and general
manager, offices he is filling satisfactorily
at the present time (1922). In addition
to this he is a director in the Union Trust
Company, and in the Century Machine
Company, of Holyoke, Massachusetts.
He is an attendant of Faith Church,
Springfield, and a member of the Nayas-
set Club, the Rotary Club, and Long-
meadow Country Club.
Mr. Empsall married, in December,
1902, Mabel Combs, of Middlefield, Mas-
sachusetts, daughter of Charles M. and
Sophronia (Hackell) Combs. Mr. and
Mrs. Empsall are the parents of one
daughter, Mollie Jean, born April 11,
1915-
SCHLATTER, William Jerome
A well known florist and owner of one
of the longest established concerns of its
kind in Springfield, William J. Schlatter,
is of Swiss ancestry.
(I) Christian Schlatter, grandfather of
William J. Schlatter, was born in Switzer-
land, in 1805, and met his death by acci-
dental drowning in the river Rhine. He
married Katherine Doser, and among
their children was William, father of Wil-
liam Jerome.
(II) William Schlatter, son of Chris-
tian and Katherine (Doser) Schlatter,
was born in Unterhollen, Schaffhausen,
Switzerland, June 13, 1843, and died in
Springfield, Massachusetts, March 27,
191 1. His childhood and youth were
passed in Rheinfelden, and he was among
the fortunate ones who received an educa-
tion in the Pesstalozzi Institute there.
His natural love for the beautiful was
encouraged, and when his school days
were over he chose an occupation which
would enable him to spend his days pro-
ducing and cultivating beauty of color,
form and fragrance. He apprenticed him-
self to a florist, and among the plants and
blossoms of the city gardens at Basel and
at Versailles he spent many happy hours.
He was an enterprising lad, however, and
opportunity for advancement seemed more
certain in the new than in the old world,
and so it was that in 1867, shortly after
the close of our Civil War, William
Schlatter, a young man of twenty-four,
came to America. After a brief stay in
New York City he came to Springfield,
Massachusetts. For a short time he was
employed in Greenfield and Fitchburg,
Massachusetts, but soon settled perma-
nently in Springfield, where he lived and
worked at his business of producing
beauty and fragrance during the re-
mainder of his life. For several years he
was employed by Adolph Miellez and by
E. W. Clark, both of whom were pioneer
florists in this section of the country.
For seventeen years more he superin-
tended the floral work of the Thompson
estate on Union street. Finally, in 1895,
he built the greenhouse on Bay street and
began business for himself. Two years
later, he made his son, William J., a part-
ner. Thorough knowledge, long experi-
247
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ence, and a love for the work developed a
large and prosperous business, and in it
Mr. Schlatter continued until the time of
his death.
William Schlatter was a loyal citizen of
the country of his adoption, and took a
keen interest in public affairs. Politi-
cally, he gave his support to the Repub-
lican party. His fraternal afifiliation was
with Hampden Lodge, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. He was also an
active member of the German Lutheran
church, in which organization he held the
office of treasurer.
In 1869, in Greenfield, Massachusetts,
William Schlatter married Elizabeth
Lutolf, born in Lucerne, Switzerland,
July 8, 1848, daughter of Xavier and
Marie (KaufTman) Lutolf, and they were
the parents of five children : William
Jerome, of whom further ; Marie, born
August 13, 1871, married E. C. Jenks ;
Pauline C, born in 1872, died in 1884;
Julia, born in October, 1873, married
Leslie Killam, and has children: Maud,
Jannette, and Valentine ; an infant, born
in January, 1885, died in July, 1885.
(Ill) William Jerome Schlatter, son of
William and Elizabeth (Lutolf) Schlat-
ter, was born in Greenfield, Massachu-
setts, March 4, 1870. When he was but
four years of age his parents removed to
West Springfield, and in the schools of
that city and of Springfield he received
his education. When his school days
were over, he began his busiess career in
the Taler Music Store in the capacity of
clerk, which position he held for a time,
and then became associated with the
Ames Manufacturing Company, of Chic-
opee. About a year later he entered the
employ of the Duckworth Chain Com-
pany, where he remained for three years,
at the end of which time he severed his
connection with that company and went
to Boston, in the employ of the Spring-
field Elevator & Pump Company, he hav-
ing charge of the Boston office. Thus
far his business experience had been a
varied one. In 1895 his father opened
his newly built greenhouse on Bay street,
and William J. was ofifered a partnership
in that business. This he accepted, but
continued in the employ of the Springfield
Elevator & Pump Company for two years
longer, but by that time the business of
William Schlatter & Son, florists, had
grown to such proportions that the entire
time of the junior partner was needed,
and he resigned his position in 1897, since
which time he has given his full energy
to the florist business. From the modest
beginning with one greenhouse on Bay
street, the business has developed into a
large concern which grows its plants in
five greenhouses and one palm house.
In 1900 William Schlatter & Son bought
the W. L. Chapel retail store, at No. 408
Main street, Springfield, later removing
to No. 428 Main street, still later to No.
422 Main street, and finally, in July, 1921,
going to No. 12 Pynchon street, which
is their place of business at the present
time (1922).
Mr. Schlatter, in addition to his inter-
ests as florist, is the owner of a concern
engaged in the manufacture of florists'
supplies, and he is also a director of the
Highland Cooperative Bank. Mr. Schlat-
ter is a member of Hampden Lodge, Free
and Accepted Masons, of which he is past
master; Morning Star Chapter, Royal
Arch Masons, in which he has filled all the
offices and is past high priest ; Spring-
field Council, Royal and Select Masters ;
Springfield Commandery, Knights Tem-
plar; and of Melha Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine. He is also a member of the
Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary
Club.
On January 19, 1898, William Jerome
248
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Schlatter married Louise Roeder, of
Springfield, Massachusetts, daughter of
Frederick and Louise (Stickney) Roeder,
and they are the parents of two chil-
dren : Frederick William, born July 13,
1900, was killed in an accident, July 5,
1918; and Christine R., born May 9,
1902, a graduate of the Commercial High
School, married, January 31, 1922, Robert
Dean Noouey.
WADE, Nathaniel Bartlett
For nearly thirty years Nathaniel B.
Wade has served as one of the deputy
sheriffs of Hampden county, Massachu-
setts, and also turnkey of the Hampden
County Jail at Springfield. He comes
from an old Massachusetts family.
The American ancestor of this family
was Jonathan Wade, who came in the
ship "Lyon," landing in America Sep-
tember 16, 1632. He settled in Charles-
town, where he was a merchant. He was
a man of deep religious convictions, and
with his wife was received into the
church May 25, 1633. He was made a
freeman May 14, 1634, and after 1636
moved to Ipswich, where he owned 600
acres of land, and in 1669, 1681 and 1682
was representative to the General Court.
Willard Wade, the great-grandfather of
Nathaniel Barlett Wade, settled in Glo-
cester, Rhode Island, and is believed to
be a pioneer. He cleared the land upon
which he lived and his entire life was
spent in agricultural pursuits. He died in
Glocester, March 4, 1847. He married
Hannah , who died January 27,
1847, at the age of seventy-nine.
Jonathan Wade, son of Willard and
Hannah Wade, was born in Glocester,
Rhode Island, where he died, January 16,
1875, aged eighty-four years, one month,
ten days. He too was a farmer all his
active years, which were many, and died
January 16, 1875, ^^ the age of eighty-
four. He married Abigail Brown, who
died September 2, 1884, aged eighty-nine
years, nine months, eighteen days. Their
children were Essek O. ; Lemuel Whiting,
of further mention ; George ; Amy, mar-
ried Lyman Cornell ; Deborah Hannah,
married Darling Sweet.
Lemuel Whiting Wade, son of Jona-
than and Abigail (Brown) Wade, was
born in Glocester, Rhode Island, in
1827, died March 13, 1895. He attended
the district school, assisting his father
at the home farm for a time, but at an
early age began farming and lumbering
operations for himself. He owned a saw-
mill and did a large business in lumber-
ing, buying timber tracts and converting
the logs into lumber, railroad ties and
shingles. He did not live to the age of
his father and grandfather, his years
numbering sixty-eight, but was very
active and continued his business opera-
tions up to the time of his death. He was
a man of high standing in his community,
a Republican in politics. He married
Content Mavis, born in Warren, Rhode
Island, in 1832, died February 21, 1908,
daughter of Christopher and Louisa
(Mason) Mavis. They were the parents
of two sons and two daughters : Charles
A. (see following sketch) ; Nathaniel
Bartlett, of further mention ; Louisa,
married Benjamin Judson Ring, deceased ;
Harriet, married Joseph Windle, de-
ceased.
Nathaniel Bartlett Wade, son of Lem-
uel Whiting and Content (Mavis) Wade,
was born in Glocester, Rhode Island,
August 25, 1862, and there completed
public school courses. Later he was a
student at Wilbraham Academy. His
youth was spent in Rhode Island, as his
father's assistant in the sawmill, but in
1885 he came to Springfield, his first posi-
tion being as night watchman at the old
jail. Later he was appointed assistant
249
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
superintendent of the County Truant
School, but resigned that post to become
a keeper at the Hampden County Jail, re-
maining one year. He next spent two
years in service at the Kings County
Penitentiary, in Brooklyn, New York, and
was later assistant superintendent for the
William-Martin Company, in the manu-
facture of chairs at that institution. He
held the last position two years, then
returned to Springfield, Massachusetts,
taking his old position at the jail as keeper
and also as assistant turnkey. This con-
tinued until 1898, when he was appointed
deputy sheriff of Hampden county, and
turnkey of the Hampden County Jail and
House of Correction, positions he has
held continuously until the present
(1921). He is a member of Roswell Lee
Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ;
Hampden Lodge, and Agawam Encamp-
ment of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and the Canton Patriarchs Mili-
tant, in which he has held the rank of
major. He is also an active member of
the State and County Prison Officials'
Society. In politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Wade married, October 15, 1896,
Carrie S. Porter, of Hatfield, Massachu-
setts, daughter of James and Sarah J.
(Randall) Porter. Mrs. Wade is a de-
scendant of John Porter.
(The Porter Line).
John Porter, of Windsor, Connecticut,
came to New England in 1631 and settled
first in Dorchester, Massachusetts, going
to Windsor in 1635. His wife. Rose, died
in Windsor, in 1647; he died April 22,
1648. The line of descent from John
Porter is through his fourth child, Samuel
Porter.
Samuel Porter was born in England, in
1626, died in Windsor, Connecticut, Sep-
tember 6, 1689. He was a merchant. He
married, in 1659, Hannah, daughter of
Thomas Stanley. The line continues
through their eighth child, Ichabod, born
June 17, 1678, died in 1727, and his wife,
Dorcas Marsh ; their son James Porter,
born in 1714, died in 1792, and his wife,
Hannah White ; their son. Deacon Jona-
than Porter, born in 1752, died in 1833,
and his wife, Ruth Chapin ; their son,
Jonathan, born 1789, died in 1864, and his
wife, Edith Allis ; their son, James Por-
ter, born November 30, 1828, married No-
vember 19, 1856, Sarah J. Randall, daugh-
ter of Alvin Randall, of Enfield. James
Porter was a farmer all his life in Hat-
field. He was born in the house in which
he spent his entire life. Carrie S. Porter,
daughter of James and Sarah J. (Ran-
dall) Porter, married, October 15, 1896,
Nathaniel B. Wade, of Springfield, as
previously stated.
WADE, Captain Charles Albert
For over thirty years Captain Charles
Albert Wade has been on the police force
of Springfield, and has, during that time,
been promoted through the intervening
grades, from patrolman to his present
rank of captain. He is a descendant of
that branch of the Wade family which
settled in Rhode Island. The American
ancestor of this family was Jonathan
Wade (q. v.).
Charles Albert Wade, son of Lemuel W.
and Content (Mavis) Wade (q. v.), was
born in Glocester, Rhode Island, June 4,
i860, and there obtained a public school
education. For a number of years after
attaining his majority he remained at
home engaged with his father in farming
and lumbering operations. In 1885 he
came to Springfield, and for three years
acted as guard at the Hampden County
Jail. In 1888 he was appointed patrol-
man on the Springfield police force, and
has served continuously since. He has
risen through the grades of sergeant and
250
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
lieutenant to the rank of captain, which
position he (1921) still holds, and is one
of the valued men of the force.
Captain Wade is a member of Roswell
Lee Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ;
Hampden Lodge, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows ; and in politics is a Repub-
lican.
Captain Wade married (first), October
25, 1889, Emma L. Wheeler, of Hardwick,
Massachusetts, daughter of Moses and
Anna Wheeler. He married (second),
March 21, 1904, Bessie M. (Clark) Gofif,
who before her marriage was Mrs. Frank
Goff. She is a daughter of Seth Waldo
and Diadama (Curtis) Clark. Captain
Wade and his first wife were the parents
of a daughter, M. Emma Louise; by the
second marriage there are two daughters,
Edna Mavis and Lois Alberta.
LOOMiS, William Wellington, M. D.
Well established in his profession in
West Springfield, Massachusetts, to
which section he came soon after receiv-
ing his degree in medicine. Dr. Loomis
has, during the thirty-seven years which
have since intervened, added to the es-
teem in which the Loomis name has been
held ever since its first introduction to
New England as a family by Joseph
Loomis. Nearly all of those persons in
the United States known by the name of
Loomis trace their descent from this
Joseph Loomis, who settled in Windsor,
Connecticut, in 1639. ^o^ more than a
century Loomis has been the spelling,
but prior to that time Lomis was the ac-
cepted form, the oldest gravestones in
Colchester bearing that form. On the
early town records in Windsor the name
is generally Lomys, and on the oldest
gravestone dedicated to a member of the
family, Deacon John, who died in Wind-
sor, September i, 1688, it is spelled
Lomas. The family in England is of
Saxon origin, the surname having first
been assumed in Lancashire. For eight
centuries the Lomas family appears to
have resided in the very parish in which
it first became a family surname. The
surname Lomas is taken from a locality.
Loomis is an American modernization of
Lomas.
(I) Joseph Loomis, son of John and
Agnes Loomis, was born in England,
and married, in Missing, County Essex,
June 30, 1614, Mary White, baptized
August 24, 1590, daughter of Robert and
Bridget (Allgar) White. Joseph Loomis
was a woolen draper in Braintree, Eng-
land. He sailed from London, April ii,
1638, in the ship "Susan and Ellen," and
arrived in Boston, July 17, following, re-
maining about one year. He settled in
Windsor, Connecticut, in the latter half
of 1639, bringing with him five sons, all
freemen, and three daughters. His house
was situated near the mouth of the Farm-
ington river, on "The Island," so called
because at every great freshet it became
temporarily an island by the overflowing
of the Connecticut river. He died No-
vember 25, 1658. The line of descent in
this branch is through Nathaniel Loomis,
who was the seventh child in the order
of birth.
(II) Nathaniel Loomis was born in
County Essex, England, in 1626, and died
in Windsor, Connecticut, August 19,
1688. He was a freeman in 1654, ad-
mitted to the church May 3, 1663, and
was a member of the Windsor troop of
horse in King Philip's War. He married
November 24, 1653, Elizabeth Moore,
daughter of Deacon John and Abigail
Moore. They were the parents of twelve
children, descent being traced in this line
through David, the sixth child. The
widow of Nathaniel Loomis married
(second) John Case, and died July 23,
1728, aged ninety.
251
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
(III) David Loomis was born in Wind-
sor, Connecticut, January ii, 1667-68, and
there died, January 9, 1751-52. He mar-
ried, December 8, 1692, Mrs. Lydia
(Marsh) Lyman, born October 9, 1667,
who survived him, daughter of John and
Hepzibah (Ford) Marsh, and widow of
Richard Lyman. They were the parents
of eight children, Aaron, the third child
and second son, being head of the next
generation.
(IV) Aaron Loomis was born in Wind-
sor, Connecticut, September 5, 1696, and
died in Torrington, Connecticut, Septem-
ber 13, 1773. He moved to Torrington
as early as 1739, and in 1742 was one of
a committee appointed to divide Tor-
rington lands. He is named as one of
the town's original settlers, his name un-
der date of October, 1739, appearing on
the memorial, asking for the establish-
ment of a church there. On May 6, 1744,
he was received into the church with his
wife and three children, Aaron (2), Mind-
well, and Esther. His home in Torring-
ton was on the present Goshen road. He
married, February 5, 1718-19, Deborah
Eggleston, who died April 15, 1783. They
were the parents of fourteen children.
Ephraim, the eighth child, is head of the
fifth generation in the line of Dr. William
W. Loomis.
(V) Ephraim Loomis was born at Tor-
rington, Connecticut, April i, 1731, died
there April 4, 1812. He married (first),
October 31, 1756, Ruth Hosford, of Litch-
field, Connecticut, who died May i, 1764.
He married (second), October 13, 1764,
Jane Campbell, of Canaan, Connecticut.
Ephraim Loomis joined the church in
1758. and he later served his country as
a soldier of the Revolutionary army. All
the nine children of this patriot were born
in Torrington, Connecticut, Elias, the
last born, being of the sixth generation.
(VI) Elias Loomis was born at Tor-
rington, Connecticut, November 13, 1776,
died in Hitchcockville, Connecticut, May
2, 183 1, a farmer and a Congregationalist.
He married, in Torrington, Mary Rood,
born October 17, 1776, died October 12,
1837, daughter of Moses and Sarah
(Loomis) Rood. They were the parents
of three sons, all born in Connecticut :
Miles; William, of further mention; and
Luther.
(VII) William Loomis was born at
Torrington, Connecticut, in January,
1804, died in Hitchcockville, Connecticut,
March 24, 1866. He married, February
27, 1828, Lydia Hewett, born in Cole-
brook, Connecticut, December 25, 1803,
died in June, 1898, daughter of Joshua
and Ann (Covil) Hewett, her mother liv-
ing to be one hundred and five years of
age. They were the parents of three
sons, all born in Connecticut: William
Alonzo, died in infancy; Lucius Augus-
tus, of further mention ; William Covil,
died aged two years.
(VIII) Lucius Augustus Loomis, of the
eighth generation, father of Dr. William
W. Loomis, was born at Barkhamsted,
Connecticut, July 26, 1830, died at Riv-
erton, Connecticut, January 6, 1903, a
farmer. He inherited the family home-
stead at Barkhamsted, and there resided
many years. He married, June 12, 1852,
Mary Amelia Barker, born in Plymouth,
Connecticut, November 21, 1833, died at
Riverton, Connecticut, April 18, 1904,
daughter of Daniel Barker, an English-
man. Lucius A. and Mary Amelia (Bar-
ker) Loomis were the parents of four
sons : William Wellington, of further
mention ; Frank Adelbert, born January
9, 1856, died unmarried, July 31, 1878;
Clififord Ernest, born May 6, 1859, mar-
ried, November 3, 1881, Nellie Driggs,
daughter of Sterling and Flavia (Brace)
Driggs ; Grove Mortimer, born Novem-
ber 13, 1863, died unmarried, November
17, 1893.
(IX) Dr. William Wellington Loomis,
252
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
of the ninth American Loomis genera-
tion, and eldest son of Lucius A. and
Mary Amelia (Barker) Loomis, was born
in Barkhamsted, Litchfield county, Con-
necticut, June i6, 1853. He was educated
in the public schools, finishing with grad-
uation from the high school at Winsted,
Connecticut. He began the study of
medicine under the preceptorship of M.
L. Crosier, of Riverton, Connecticut, and
in 1880 entered the medical department
of the University of Vermont. He con-
tinued medical study there for three
years, receiving his M. D. with the grad-
uating class of 1883. Soon afterward he
located in West Springfield, where he
has pursued the uninterrupted practice
of his profession during the years, thirty-
seven, which have since elapsed. He is
a member of the various medical soci-
eties, and has attained an eminent posi-
tion in his profession. He is a member
of Hampden Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons, and of Tekoa Lodge, Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows.
Dr. Loomis married, June 9, 1885, Car-
oline Barton, daughter of Henry Martin
and Electa Barton.
STEELE, Ancestral History
The Steele family, of West Spring-
field, was founded in New England by
John and George Steele, who came from
England in 1630, and settled in Dorches-
ter. Later John Steele led the band of
settlers from Cambridge, Massachusetts,
to what is now Hartford, Connecticut,
and George Steele accompanied him.
This branch descends from George Steele.
(I) George and John Steele were pro-
prietors of lands in Cambridge in 1632 ;
George Steele was admitted a freeman in
May, 1634; was one of the company which
settled Hartford in 1635-36; was one of
the proprietors of undivided lands there
in 1639; and a juryman in 1643. His resi-
dence in Hartford was on the lane, now
Washington street, southeast of Trinity
College, and here he died in 1663. He
was the father of four children : Eliza-
beth, married Captain Thomas Watts,
an officer in King Philip's War ; a daugh-
ter born in 1640, married, and left a
daughter, Martha; Richard, married, but
died childless ; James, of further mention.
(II) James Steele, the youngest child
of George Steele, the founder, was a
trooper in the war against the Pequots in
1657-58. In 1662 he was appointed by
the General Court to lay out lands in
Hommanasett, and in 1672, with others,
to run the dividing line between Lyme
and New London. That same year he
was granted one hundred and fifty acres
of land, and in 1675 was appointed com-
missary for Connecticut troops engaged
in King Philip's War, his salary £50 per
annum. His dwelling was on the old
plan of Hartford, south of Little river.
He married (first) Anna Bishop, daugh-
ter of John Bishop, of Guilford. He mar-
ried (second) Bertha, widow of Samuel
Stocking. Children by first marriage :
Sarah, married Samuel Boman, Jr. ; Lieu-
tenant James, of further mention ; John,
married Melathiah, daughter of Mayor
William Bradford, of Plymouth ; Mary,
married a Mr. Hall ; Elizabeth, died un-
married in 1723; Rachel, married (first)
Edward Allyn, (second) a Mr. Deming.
(HI) Lieutenant James (2) Steele, son
of James (i) Steele, was born about 1658,
lived in Hartford, Connecticut, and was
a well-to-do, influential man. He died in
1730, leaving an estate valued at £870.
He married Sarah Barnard, who died in
1730, her estate valued at £744. Chil-
dren: Mary; Jonathan, born 1693, died
January 6, 1753, married. May 6, 1715,
Dorothy, daughter of Joseph M. and
Sarah Maygatt, she born January 26,
1696, died November 8, 1775 ; Rev. Ste-
253
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
phen, of further mention ; , mar-
ried, March i8, 1708, Sarah Goodwin,
who died in 1712, aged thirty ; Sarah, mar-
ried a Mr. Judd; Elizabeth, married, July
27, 1815, Cyprian Watson.
(IV) Rev. Stephen Steele, son of Lieu-
tenant James (2) Steele, was born in
Hartford, Connecticut, in 1686, and died
at Tolland, Connecticut, December 4,
1759. He was a graduate of Yale Col-
lege, class of 1718, and was the minister
settled over the church at Tolland in
1720, with a salary of £75 per annum.
He married. May 2, 1720, Ruth Porter,
born November 10, 1701, died May 14,
1792, daughter of Colonel Samuel Por-
ter, of Hadley, Massachusetts. A sister
of his wife's married Rev. Solomon Wil-
liams, and they were the ancestors of
William Williams, one of the signers of
the Declaration of Independence. Chil-
dren : Ruth, died at the age of eighteen,
unmarried ; Stephen, married Hannah
Chapman ; Eleazer, married (first) Ann
White, (second) Ruth Chapman, (third)
Lois Fenton ; Elisha, the first lawyer in
Tolland, married Sarah Wolcott ; Sarah,
married John Huntington; Mehitable;
James, of further mention ; John, married
Sarah Cobb ; and Aaron.
(V) Lieutenant James (3) Steele, son
of Rev. Stephen and Ruth (Porter)
Steele, was born February 6, 1737. He
was a lieutenant in the Colonial War of
1753' bved in Tolland until 1774, then
moved to Ellington, and after the Revo-
lution to Brookfield, Vermont. He mar-
ried (first), January 24, 1754, Abigail
Huntington, who died January 6, 1769.
He married (second), September 14,
1769, Dorothy Converse, who died March
10, 1773. He married (third) January
18, 1775, Abigail Makepeace, who died
April 23, 1823. Lieutenant James Steele
died April 5, 1812. He was the father of
thirteen children, his first wife being the
mother of seven children : Aaron, died in
the Revolutionary army while serving in
New Jersey ; James, a Revolutionary sol-
dier, married Jemima Wolcott; Zadoc,
taken prisoner by the Indians at the time
Royalton, Vermont, was burned, October
17, 1780, taken to Canada, but made his
escape, married Hannah Shurtliflf; An-
drew, of further mention ; Samuel, a Rev-
olutionary soldier, married Sarah Shurt-
liff; Abigail, died in childhood; Deborah,
married Dr. Philip Lyon. By second
marriage there were two children : John,
died young; John, died young. By his
third wife there were four children: Abi-
gail; Solomon, died unmarried; Eleazer,
married Azuba Blodgett ; Jason, married
Harriet Converse.
(VI) Andrew Steele, fourth child of
Lieutenant James (3) Steele, and his first
wife, Abigail (Huntington) Steele, was
born December 25, 1763, died in Brook-
field, Vermont, February 18, 181 1. He
married, August 17, 1785, Elizabeth Lath-
rop, of Tolland, born in 1763, died Sep-
tember 16, 1837. They were the parents
of eight children: Benoni, died young;
Aaron, of further mention ; Polly, mar-
ried Elisha Allis ; Andrew, married
Nancy Ann Starks ; Danforth, married
Lydia Abel ; Laura, married Charles
Preston ; Elizabeth, married Zelotes Bige-
low ; Lucy Gray, married Joseph Bean.
(VII) Aaron Steele, second son of An-
drew and Elizabeth (Lathrop) Steele,
was born in Randolph, Vermont, Febru-
ary 28, 1787, and resided at Chicopee
Falls, Massachusetts. He married (first),
in 181 7, Martha Gaylord, who died Au-
gust II, 1819. He married (second), in
1822, Sarah Leonard. Children of first
marriage : A son who died in infancy ;
Lemira, married Leban E. Lanfair, and
they were the parents of Arthur F. Lan-
fair, of West Springfield. Children of
second marriage : Rodney Charles, of
254
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
further mention ; Pamelia Eliza, born in
1828; Sarah Adelia, married, in April,
1850, Benjamin B. H. Hill, of Derby,
Connecticut; Martha Guilford, married,
in April, 1850, Lorenzo G. Gibson, of
Hartford, Connecticut.
(VIII) Rodney Charles Steele, son of
Aaron Steele, and his second wife, Sarah
(Leonard) Steele, was born in 1825, and
died in Springfield, Massachusetts, in
1872. He learned the machinist's trade
at Colts Armory, Hartford, Connecticut,
but early in life became a railroad em-
ployee, becoming a locomotive engineer
and serving the Boston & Albany rail-
road for thirty-five years. His run in
"later years was between Springfield and
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and until with-
in a short time of his death he was at the
throttle of his engine, "The Modac." that
being the day of named and woodburning
engines. There was but one engineer on
the Boston & Albany system whose serv-
ice exceeded those of Rodney C. Steele,
and there was none whose record was
more honorable. He was for many years
an active member of the old Springfield
Volunteer Fire Department. He was a
member of Hampden Lodge, Free and
Accepted Masons ; Morning Star Chap-
ter, Royal Arch Masons ; Springfield
Commandery, Knights Templar ; and in
the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite had
attained the thirty-second degree. In
politics he was a Republican, and in re-
ligious faith a member of the Memorial
Church of Springfield.
Mr. Steele married, in 1845, Mary S.
Baker, of Brattleboro, Vermont, born in
1829, died in 1910, surv^iving her husband
thirty-eight years. Children : George,
died in 1890; Frederick Carlos, of further
mention ; Charles, residing on Belmont
avenue, Springfield, the only one now
living; Florence, deceased, married Ford
Cook ; Mary, Ellen, and Emma, the three
last named dying in infancy.
(IX) Frederick Carlos Steele, son of
Rodney Charles and Mary S. (Baker)
Steele, was born in Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, March 22, 1853, and died in
Lyndonville, Vermont, in 1904. He was
a painter and fresco artist, the last
twenty-five years of his life being spent
with the Boston & Maine railroad, he
having charge of paint shops in Spring-
field. He was also buyer of all materials
used in his department. For many years
his headquarters were in Springfield, but
in 1900 he was transferred to Lyndonville,
Vermont, to take charge of the company
paint shops there, there remaining until
his death, four years later. He was a
Republican in politics, a member of the
Congregational church, affiliated with
Roswell Lee Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons, of Springfield ; and with Hamp-
den Lodge, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows.
Mr. Steele married Eleanor Nelson, of
Palmer, Massachusetts, born in 1854, died
February 12, 1917, daughter of Lyman N.
and Eleanor (Hogaboom) Nelson. They
were the parents of five children : Harry
Williams, whose sketch follows ; Florence
Eleanor, married William Pike, of Pasa-
dena, California ; Frederick Carlos, whose
sketch follows ; Lyman Nelson ; George
Louis, whose sketch follows :
STEELE, Harry Williams
Harry Williams Steele, the eldest son
of Frederick Carlos and Eleanor (Nelson)
Steele (q. v.), was born in Boston, Massa-
chusetts, November 2, 1880. He was
educated in the schools of Reading, Pal-
mer, Springfield, and West Springfield,
and then spent two years in the Univer-
sity of Vermont, in Burlington. He
came to Springfield in 1889 and entered
the employ of George N. Merrill & Com-
pany, civil engineers of that city, with
whom he remained seven years, becom-
ing well versed in both theoretical and
^55
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
practical engineering. In 191 1 he formed
a partnership with his brother, Frederick
C. Steele, and as Steele Brothers, civil
engineers, they established offices in
West Springfield. They are engineers
for the town of West Springfield, in
charge of sewers, roads, etc., and also
have a large private clientele of satisfac-
tory proportions. Mr. Steele is a mem-
ber of the West Springfield School Com-
mittee ; member of Mt. Orthodox Lodge,
Free and Accepted Masons, of West
Springfield ; member of Tekoa Lodge, In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, of
which he is past noble grand ; member of
Kappa Sigma fraternity ; and chairman
of the prudential committee of the Con-
gregational church in Mitteneague, West
Springfield.
Mr. Steele married, October 17, 1906,
Mabel Chapin, of West Springfield,
daughter of Henry M. and Harriet (Dar-
ling) Chapin, a descendant of Deacon
Samuel Chapin, through his son Japhet,
his son Deacon David, his son Josiah, his
son Israel, his son James, his son Henry
M., his daughter Mabel. Henry M. Cha-
pin, bom April 28, 1840, died June 3,
1915. He married, November 28, 1866,
Harriet Darling, and they were the par-
ents of six children: Frank, Emma, Car-
rie ; Mabel, wife of Harry Williams
Steele; James, and Lester. Mr. and Mrs.
Steele are the parents of two children :
Isabel, born February 28, 1909; and
George Chapin, February 24, 191 1. The
family home is at No. 13 Boulevard, West
Springfield.
STEELE, Frederick Carlos
Frederick Carlos Steele, the second
son of Frederick Carlos and Eleanor
(Nelson) Steele (q. v.), was born in
Reading, Massachusetts, November 15,
1885. He was educated in the schools of
Springfield and West Springfield, Mas-
sachusetts, and Lyndonville, Vermont,
and completed his studies at Lyndon In-
stitute. After he had finished his school
years he was employed in Cheney Broth-
ers drug store at Lyndonville for two
years, then came to Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, where he was similarly em-
ployed by E. F. Leonard for a time. He
then became associated with George N.
Merrill & Company, civil engineers, re-
maining in the office employ of that firm
for three years. The next two years he was
with Cobb & Beasely, engineers. In 191 1,
the firm of Steele Brothers, civil engi-
neers, with offices at West Springfield,
was formed, Harry W. and Frederick C.
Steele comprising the company. They
are engineers for the town of West
Springfield, and well established in busi-
ness. Mr. Steele is a member of Mt. Or-
thodox Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma-
sons, of West Springfield, and a Repub-
lican in politics.
Mr. Steele married, February 22, 1916,
Sarah Eaton Darling, born in Turners
Falls, town of Montague, Massachusetts,
but a resident of West Springfield since
1903, daughter of Irving A. and Lizzie
Bowen (Eaton) Darling. Her father has
been in business in West Springfield
since 1903. He was born in New York
State. Mrs. Steele is one of three chil-
dren ; her brother, Irving H. Darling, was
with the loist Regiment in the war
against Germany.
STEELE, George Louis, M. D.
Dr. George Louis Steele, the young-
est son of Frederick Carlos and Eleanor
(Nelson) Steele (q. v.), was born in
Springfield, Massachusetts, February 24,
1891. He was a student at the public
schools of West Springfield, Massachu-
setts, and Lyndonville, Vermont, finish-
ing at Lyndon Institute. He prepared
for his profession in the medical depart-
256
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ment of the University of Vermont at
Burlington, there receiving his M. D. at
graduation in 1914. He spent the first
eighteen months following graduation as
interne in Springfield Hospital, Spring-
field, Massachusetts, beginning private
practice in West Springfield in January,
1916, where he has since continued. Dr.
Steele is a member of Springfield Acad-
emy of Medicine, Massachusetts Medi-
cal Society, American Medical Associa-
tion, Physicians' Club of Springfield, and
the medical fraternity, Phi Chi. He is
well established in the town of West
Springfield, and is rapidly acquiring a
satisfactory clientele. He is a Republi-
can in politics, and a member of the Con-
gregational church. During the World
War, Dr. Steele was appointed and re-
ceived a commission as first lieutenant in
the Medical Corps in the United States
army.
Dr. Steele married, November 30, 1916,
Vera Colburn, of Bangor, Maine, daugh-
ter of Edgar Colburn. His offices are
at No. 282 Westfield street, West
Springfield.
DOWNEY, Henry Arthur, M. D.
For more than twenty years Dr. Henry
Arthur Downey has been engaged in the
practice of medicine in Mittineague, in
the town of West Springfield, Massachu-
setts, settling here in October following
his graduation from the Medico-Chirur-
gical Medical College of Philadelphia, in
June, 1898. He is a son of Henry Downey,
who at the time of the birth of his
son was living in the village of Osborn-
ville, on the Metedeconk river, in Ocean
county, New Jersey, about eight miles
from Toms river, the county seat.
William Downey, of Cedar Bridge,
Ocean county. New Jersey, born in 1805,
grandfather of Henry Arthur Downey,
was accidentally killed in 1864. He was
Mass— 11— 17 257
a teamster, and in the early days of iron
manufacture, at Allaire, in Monmouth
county, at what is now Lakewood, New
Jersey, he hauled the pig iron from the
mills to vessels at tide-water. That in-
dustry has long passed, and the once
thriving town of Allaire has changed
and a greater prosperity has come to that
section now known as Lakewood, and
the entire shore region has developed in-
to one of New Jersey's winter and sum-
mer vacation areas. William Downey
married Anna Wooley, of a substantial
Ocean county family, and they were the
parents of five children : Adam W., Cath-
erine ; Henry, of further mention ; Charles
J., and William Harrison Downey.
Henry Downey, son of William and
Anna (Wooley) Downey, was born at
Cedar Bridge, Ocean county. New Jer-
sey, in 1837, died at Point Pleasant, New
Jersey, in 1914. He was a farmer of
Ocean county for many years, but later
became a coal dealer, continuing in busi-
ness until his death. He was a man of
energ}^ and ability, and uniformly suc-
cessful in his business enterprises. He
was a Republican in politics, a member
of the Baptist church, and of the Im-
proved Order of Red Men. He married
Eliza J. Strickland, born in 1842, died in
April, 1916. They were the parents of
the following children : Anna Frances,
Eleanor; and Henry Arthur Downey, of
further mention.
Henry Arthur Downey, son of Henry
and Eliza J. (Strickland) Downey, was
born in Osbornville, Ocean county, New
Jersey, August 12, 1875, and began his
education in the public school. He also
attended boarding school, and was a stu-
dent at Peddie Institute, Hightstown,
New Jersey, there completing his clas-
sical study. He prepared for the prac-
tice of medicine at Medico-Chirurgical
Medical College in Philadelphia, and
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
there was graduated M. D., class of 1898.
In October of the same year, Dr. Downey
located in Mittineague, West Springfield,
Massachusetts, and has continued pro-
fessional practice there until the present
time (1920). He is a member of the
Hampden County Medical Society, and
Springfield Academy of Medicine, and is
affiliated with Mt. Orthodox Lodge, Free
and Accepted Masons, and Tekoa Lodge,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both
of West Springfield. He has established
himself firmly in the confidence of the
community, and as a physician is highly
regarded.
Dr. Downey married, in November,
1901, Lillian E. Titus, of New York City,
daughter of John Henry and Margaret I.
(Mullen) Titus. Dr. and Mrs. Downey
are the parents of three children : Mar-
jorie E., born December 7, 1902 ; John,
born December, 1906, died in ©ecember,
1918; Miriam, born November 17, 1913.
. \ /
SMITH, Addison Henry K'
The Springfield and Westfield sections
of Massachusetts have been the home of
this branch of the Smith family since
John Smith, the American ancestor, came
from England in the ship "Planter," in
1625. One of the present representatives
of the family in West Springfield is Ad-
dison Henry Smith. He is a son of Jo-
seph Addison Smith, and a grandson of
Horace Smith, both of whom were born
in Westfield. Horace Smith, a farmer,
was born in Westfield, August 15, 1792,
and died in West Springfield, in 1869,
aged seventy-seven years. He married
Grata Bagg, born in West Springfield, in
1795, died there in 1864, the mother of
six sons and three daughters, all de-
ceased: I. Henry Bagg, a graduate of
Amherst College, a minister of the gos-
pel ; married Sarah Hazen. 2. Joseph Ad-
dison, of further mention. 3. Franklin F.,
married Sarah Frisbie. 4. Margaret,
married Addison Day. 5. Harriet A.,
never married. 6. William H. 7. Samuel
D., a veteran of the Civil War. 8. Caro-
line T., never married. 9. Lyman C,
never married. The parents were mem-
bers of the First Congregational Church
of West Springfield, Horace Smith serv-
ing for many years as a deacon, and for
twenty-five years as the superintendent
of the Sunday school.
Joseph Addison Smith was born in
Westfield, Massachusetts, July 5, 1821,
died in West Springfield, May 12, 1877.
He was educated in West Springfield
public schools, and in 1840 established a
market-gardening business, being one of
the first to raise produce exclusively for
the market. He continued a market-
gardener all his life, and the business he
developed is still conducted by Joseph
M. and Addison H. Smith. He was a
Republican in politics, and held several
minor town offices. He married Frances
Olcott Mather, born at Windsor Locks,
Connecticut, December 20, 1823, and died
in West Springfield, in 1897, daughter of
Timothy Mather, farmer, merchant, and
capitalist, who died in Suffield, Connec-
ticut, April 29, 1864, aged seventy-six
years. Timothy Mather married Frances
Olcott, born in Windsor, Connecticut.
Joseph Addison and Frances O. (Mather)
Smith were the parents of six children,
three of whom died in infancy, two sons
and a daughter surviving: Joseph M.,
born October 11, 1851, married, in 1875,
Ellen Moody ; Addison Henry, of further
mention; Harriet Amanda, residing in
West Springfield.
Addison Henry Smith was born in
West Springfield, Massachusetts, Novem-
ber 5, 1857, and now (1920). at the age
of sixty, resides in his native town near
the scenes of his youth. He attended the
public schools, passing through all the
^S8
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
grades, and was graduated from the Chic-
opee High School in 1874. He then en-
tered Amherst College, from which he
graduated in science, in 1878. In 1877
the firm of J. M. & A. H. Smith was es-
tablished, which conducts the Wayside
Market Garden, having one of the most
extensive market gardens in Western
Massachusetts, at times cultivating over
one hundred acres, and employing from
fifty to seventy-five men. They are also
the oldest market-gardeners in this sec-
tion. Their business is conducted upon
the farm where, seventy-seven years ago,
their father began market gardening, and
as he prospered in his day, so the sons
with the added knowledge of their day
are prospering in the same line of busi-
ness. Later, A. H. Smith admitted his
son, Stanley B. Smith, to the partnership.
Mr. Smith has delved deep in the science
of gardening and has contributed to lit-
erature of special interest to the gar-
dener, chiefly through the medium of the
agricultural journals, and by request ad-
dresses meetings where agriculture is the
chief theme. He was a youth of twenty
when he began, being still a college stu-
dent, and for forty years since that time
he has given his entire attention to mar-
ket gardening and to the afifairs of J. M.
& A. H. Smith. He is an authority on
the subject, but also takes a deep interest
in all the afifairs of the community. For
some time he was in charge of the West
Springfield public schools ; was a school
committeeman ; a member of the town
finance committee for a number of
years, and a director of the Hampden
County Improvement League. He is
a member of many agricultural socie-
ties, and a frequent contributor to the
program of their meetings. He is a
member of the First Congregational
Church of West Springfield, the church
of his fathers. In politics he is an inde-
pendent, with Republican proclivities.
Mr. Smith married, March 19, 1885,
Maria Brooks, born in W^est Springfield,
Massachusetts, October i, 1858, a gradu-
ate of the West Springfield High School,
and of the ''Westfield Normal Training
School. She is a daughter of Reuben
and Sophia (Smith) Brooks, her father
being a substantial farmer, dairyman and
landowner. Reuben Brooks died Decem-
ber II, 1909, aged eighty-tv/o, his wife
in 1901. They were the parents of a son
and five daughters. Addison H. and
Maria (Brooks) Smith are the parents of
a daughter and two sons: i. Edith L., a
graduate of the West Springfield High
School and of Mount Holyoke College.
2. Stanley B., who is associated with his
father in the Wayside Market Garden ;
married Bertha Vining, and they have a
son, Stanley B., Jr. 3. Harold A., a grad-
uate of Amherst College, with class hon-
ors ; after graduation, for the period of
the World War, he became an analytic
chemist in a large munition plant in
Newark, New Jersey, and now holds
a similar position in one of the paper
manufacturing concerns of Holyoke,
Massachusetts.
PIERCE, Walter Henry
A well known market gardener of
West Springfield. Massachusetts, Walter
H. Pierce is a man of untiring energy and
spirit in his community. His interests
have taken him outside of his own per-
sonal afifairs, and he has devoted himself
in many instances to work in the welfare
of his city and State to such an extent
as to make him worthy of the recognition
which those who know him best give him.
Mr. Pierce was born May 30, 1870, in
Hudson, New York, the son of James
Henry and Emma (Bull) Pierce. His
father was also born in Hudson, July 31,
1830, where he was reared, educated in
the public schools, and lived until about
his eighteenth year, when he went to
259
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Pittsfield, ]\Iassachusetts, where he was
employed on the Boston & Albany rail-
road as fireman. He later became a
freight conductor, and about 1853 was
made a passenger conductor on the Hud-
son River railroad, on which line, during
a run from Albany to New York City, he
received injuries from which he died at
the age of about forty-three or forty-five
years, in Bath, which had been his home
since his marriage. During the Civil War
he had served as a standard bearer. He
married, in 1852, Emma Bull, who was
born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the
daughter of Edward J. and Mary (Bagg)
Bull, the former named a printer of that
town, having been the editor and pub-
lisher of the "Berkshire County Eagle."
He died in Pittsfield at the age of seventy-
five. A sister, Mary (Bull) Libby, wife
of Henry J. Libby, now living in
Nebraska, survives. They have two chil-
dren : Roy (aged twenty-six) ; and Bar-
bara (aged twenty). Walter Henry
Pierce had one sister, Grace, who died in
1908, at the age of fifty-one. She was
married to Eugene Bertini. They had
four children. The Pierce family was
identified with the Methodist church.
The earliest years of Walter Henry
Pierce were spent in Pittsfield, Massachu-
setts. At the age of seven years he came
to West Springfield, where he lived with
his uncle, William H. Bull, until his
twentieth year. It was here that he re-
ceived a public school education, spend-
ing his free hours working on his uncle's
farm. When twenty-one years old, he
rented a farm and started in the market
gardening business on a retail basis. The
following year he bought the farm and
started a wholesale business, which he is
still conducting, having at the present
time about fifty-five acres under cultiva-
tion. He organized, in 1917, and was the
first president of the Market Gardeners of
West Springfield. Mr. Pierce is an ardent
advocate for good roads, being the first
man to get an appropriation from the
Massachusetts Highway Commission and
also from the town to build a good road
from Springfield to the Holyoke line. In
politics Mr. Pierce is a Republican. He
is a member of the Board of Selectmen ; a
director of the West Springfield Coopera-
tive Bank ; a member of the Board of
Commerce; on the Bridge Committee of
the new bridge, proposed, from Spring-
field to West Springfield, and he was one
of those who advocated a straight bridge
after the plan of the one on Vernon
street, and has personally called upon
each member of the different boards of
selectmen, which have held office since
the new bridge was advocated to secure
their cooperation in this respect. He be-
longs to Mt. Orthodox Lodge of Masons ;
the Bella Grotto of Springfield; the
Tekoa Lodge of Odd Fellows, in which
he has held office; the Orpheus Club;
the Calhoun Club ; and the Fish and
Game Association of Springfield. He is
a member of the First Congregational
Church of West Springfield, in which he
serves on the Parish Committee.
On September 3, 1895, Mr. Pierce was
married to Mary Agnes Alderman, daugh-
ter of William Pierce and Anna E. (Hap-
good) Alderman, the former a farmer, of
Middlefield, Massachusetts, who was
born in 1836, died at the age of seventy-
three years, while his wife died in 1912 at
the age of sixty-eight years. She was a
daughter of George D. Hapgood. The
name of Hapgood is an old one in
New England, and has for generations
been identified with the progress of this
country. The first ancestor of whom
there is definite record was Shadrach
Hapgood, born about 1642, in England,
who came to Boston about 1656. He was
a farmer by occupation ; he was killed in
260
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
King- Philip's War. His immediate de-
scendant, Thomas Hapgood, married
Judith Barker, and to them was born
Thomas (2) Hapgood. Lieutenant Asa
Hapg-ood, the third son of Thomas (2)
Hapgood, was born and lived in Shrews-
bury, Massachusetts. He was a promi-
nent and respected man in his community,
having been active in governmental af-
fairs. His son, David Hapgood, located
in Vermont, where his extreme energy
and perseverance in time of peril with the
Indians was indicative of the strength
and character of the Hapgood family. He
also received public recognition, having
been chosen as magistrate for a consecu-
tive number of years. Bridgman Hap-
good was the fifth son of David Hapgood.
Like his ancestors he held many public
offices, besides having been extensively
engaged not only in farming, but in sev-
eral other industries. He married for his
first wife Elizabeth Morrison ; for his
second wife Laura M. Weston. In the
Alderman family there were five children :
Kate E., Mary Agnes, who married Wal-
ter H. Pierce ; Jennie E., who married
Frank C. Rising, and is the mother of one
son, William Alderman Rising; Etta
Louise ; and one who died an infant.
Those living now reside in West Spring-
field.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pierce were born
these children : Walter Raymond, who
is now attending the New Hampshire
State College and is in his second term ;
and Frank Parker, who is at present in
his second term at the West Springfield
High School. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are
members of the West Springfield Chap-
ter, order of the Eastern Star, of which
Mrs. Pierce has been treasurer since its
organization in 1914.
DOW, Harry Baker
Among the physicians of West Spring-
field is Harry Baker Dow, who is a mem-
ber of a family of Scotch-Irish descent,
which has been located in New England
for many years, and which was founded
by Timothy Dow.
The descent to Dr. Harry Baker Dow
is through Timothy Dow's son, Isaac
Dow, who was born in Concord, New
Hampshire, in 1790, and died in 1876. He
married (first) Lucretia Baker, (second)
Nancy Austin. By his first marriage he
was the father of two children : Lucian,
and Willson ; by his second marriage :
Emeline, Aseneth, Annette, William, of
whom further ; and Augusta.
William Dow, son of Isaac and Nancy
(Austin) Dow, his second wife, was born
in Bedford, New Hampshire, November
10, 1837, died in Springfield, iMassachu-
setts, August ID, 1912. He obtained his
education in the schools of West Concord,
New Hampshire, and as a young man
he learned the carpenter's trade, then per-
fected himself in cabinet making. For
several years he and a partner named
Abbott were associated in the manufac-
ture of fine furniture, in West Concord,
and after his marriage he took up his
residence in Claremont, New Hampshire,
where for ten years he and his wife con-
ducted a millinery business. About 1890
he moved to Chicopee, Massachusetts,
and after a period spent at his trade, he
began dealing in dairy products, which
he continued successfully until his retire-
ment in 1908. After withdrawing from
active life, Mr. Dow moved to Springfield,
Massachusetts, purchasing a home on
Summer avenue, where he passed the re-
maining four years of his life. He was
a member of the Baptist church, and dur-
ing his residence in Chicopee served in
the capacity of trustee. He belonged to
the Claremont, New Hampshire, Lodge,
Free and Accepted Masons. He married,
in 1866, Lora Baker, daughter of the Rev.
Charles and Mary (Colby) Baker, of
Grafton, New Hampshire, and they were
261
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the parents of: Grace Mabel, married
Alfred Chapin, of Springfield; Frederick
H., a farmer of Greenwich, Massachusetts,
and Harry Baker, of whom further.
Dr. Harry Baker Dow, son of William
and Lora (Baker) Dow, was born in Chic-
opee, Massachusetts, August 27, 1876, and
there attended the public schools. After
completing his course in the local schools,
he enrolled in the Boston School of
Pharmacy, graduating in the class of
1904. For two years he was employed in
the pharmacy of C. J. County, in Boston,
and then deciding upon the medical pro-
fession as his life work, he prepared him-
self therefor by a course in the Baltimore,
Maryland, Medical College, receiving his
degree M. D., in June, 191 1. For one year
after graduation he was in the Maryland
General Hospital, and in 1912 he began
his practice in West Springfield, in which
he has since been actively engaged. He
is a member of the Third Congregational
Church of West Springfield, and of
Franklin Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of
Boston, Eagle Lodge, No. 148, of Spring-
field, Mt. Orthodox Lodge, Free and Ac-
cepted Masons, of West Springfield, and
of the various medical associations.
Dr. Dow married, September 7, 191 1,
Martha Ernestine Damon, daughter of
Elmer E. and May (Stiles) Damon, of
Southwick, Massachusetts. They were
the parents of three children, all of whom
died in infancy.
ADASKIN, Herman
Now head of the Adaskin Furniture
Company, of Springfield, Massachusetts,
a business occupying nearly a city block,
of which he was the founder, Mr. Adas-
kin is one of that city's representative
merchants.
Herman Adaskin is a grandson of Her-
man Adaskin, who lived and died in Russia,
and a son of Adolph Adaskin, who was
born in the Province of Morlif, Russia, in
1864. During Adolph Adaskin's resi-
dence in Russia, according to the custom
of the country, he was obliged to serve
five years in the army. At the end of this
time he engaged in the clothing business,
which he continued to conduct up to 1892,
when the fires of persecution were burn-
ing so fiercely in Russia that he was
obliged to give up his business, and at
the first opportunity he came to the
United States, locating in Springfield,
Massachusetts. There he engaged as a
painter, which trade he followed during
his two years' residence in that city.
While working on the Meekins-Packard
building, August 2, 1894, he was instantly
killed, he being only thirty-three years of
age. Adolph Adaskin married, in Rus-
sia, in 1882, Rebecca Mittleman, of Mor-
lif, daughter of Abraham and Rachel
(Schneiderman) Mittleman. They were
the parents of three children : Herman,
of further mention ; Edward, who enlisted
in the United States navy, serving over-
seas during the World War, and since his
return has had charge of the advertising
department of the Adaskin Furniture
Company ; and Anna, who became the
wife of Sidney W. Marks, of Springfield.
Herman Adaskin, son of Adolph and
Rebecca (Mittleman) Adaskin, was born
in Morlif, Russia, January 2, 1883. He
there spent the first nine years of his
life, coming to the United States with his
parents in 1892. Prior to his coming to
this country, he attended school in Rus-
sia, and subsequently became a student
in a school in Springfield, Massachusetts,
continuing until the death of his father,
two years after their arrival here. Al-
though he was but eleven years of age
when his father died, he became his
mother's helper in the support of the
family, he being the eldest child. He
followed various occupations during his
youth, later became an auctioneer, and
still later was with E. O. Smith & Com-
262
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
pany, as salesman. But his ambition was to
own his own business, and in 1903 he en-
gaged in the grocery business, and short-
ly afterwards opened a small furniture
store at the corner of Bridge and Water
streets, Springfield. This proved to be
the business he was fitted for and pros-
perity has since marked his path. He
moved from his first store to a much
larger one, located at the corner of Con-
gress and Main streets, and in 1906 or-
ganized the Adaskin Furniture Com-
pany, and they moved to a store at No.
234 Main street. This business has con-
stantly grown until at the present time
(1921) they occupy five large floors de-
voted to the sale of furniture. In addi-
tion to this large retail store in Spring-
field, Mr. Adaskin owns the Octo Furni-
ture Company, which occupies a five-
story building on High street, and is also
president and owner of the Adaskin, Til-
ley Furniture Company, which also oc-
cupies a five-story building at the comer
of Maple and Suffolk streets, Holyoke,
is also the owner of a furniture store in
Providence, and is one of the largest
dealers in furniture in the State of Mas-
sachusetts. He is a director of the
Tharit-Marks Company, clothiers, and is
a trustee of several realty trusts. He is
a member of the Nayasset, Publicity, Ox-
ford, Elks and B'nai B'rith clubs, being
ex-president of the latter.
Mr. Adaskin married, October 7, 1907,
Sadie Wolfson, of Chicopee Falls, Mas-
sachusetts, daughter of Abraham and
Minnie Wolfson, her parents coming to
the United States in 1889. Mr. and Mrs.
Adaskin are the parents of four daugh-
ters : Adelaide, Naomi Reitta, Viola Lil-
lian, and Leah.
MARTIN, Charles Hay
One of the enterprising and successful
business men of Springfield, Massachu-
setts, is Charles H. Martin. He has re-
sided in Springfield since 1899, and is
chiefly interested in the automobile in-
dustry. He is a lineal descendant of a
family that has made its home in this
country since the early part of the eight-
eenth century, he being a representative
in the sixth generation.
(I) Matthew Martin, the first ances-
tor of the branch herein followed of
whom we have definite information, was
of Scotch-Irish descent. He patented
land in what is now East Earl township,
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in the
year 1737, and there spent the greater
part of his life. He joined the Cedar
Grove Presbyterian Church. He married,
and among their children was William,
of further mention.
(II) William Martin, son of Matthew
Martin, married Catherine Henry, and
among their children was Joseph, of fur-
ther mention.
(III) Joseph Martin, son of William
and Catherine (Henry) Martin, and the
sixth child in order of birth, married
Mary Neely, and among their children
was William (2), of further mention.
(IV) William (2) Martin, son and fifth
child of Joseph and Mary (Neely) Mar-
tin, married Jane E. Cherry, and they
were the parents of the following chil-
dren : John Calhoun, of further mention ;
Elizabeth, married John W. Davis;
Mary; Louise; Clementine; William
Joseph, and Grier.
(V) John Calhoun Martin, eldest son
of William (2) and Jane E. (Cherry)
Martin, was born in Findlay, Ohio, Sep-
tember 12, 1832, and died November 16,
1882, in his native town. Upon the com-
pletion of his studies in the common
schools of his neighborhood, he gave his
attention to farming and the live stock
business, in which he prospered, but sub-
sequently changed to the retail crockery
263
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
business which he conducted successfully
in Findlay prior to and after the Civil
War, in which he was an active partici-
pant. He served as captain of Company
A, Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infan-
try, having been among the first to enter
the service of the government and among
the last to receive his honorable dis-
charge. He was a staff officer during the
greater portion of the time, serving on
General Wood's staff. He was wounded
in action ; he entered as a first lieutenant,
and at the time of his discharge had
risen to the rank of major. He kept in
touch with his army comrades by mem-
bership in the Grand Army of the Repub-
lic, having filled the office of commander
of his post. He was a member of the
Masonic order, the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, and the Presbyterian
church. In politics he was a Republican,
and was a member of the State Central
Committee.
Mr. Martin married, May lO, 1866,
Florence Hay, of Charlestown, Indiana,
born August 9, 1835, daughter of Camp-
bell and (Liggett) Hay. Camp-
bell Hay was the first white child born
in Indiana. Children of Mr. and Mrs.
Martin : Charles Hay, of further men-
tion : John Albert, a physician, practicing
his profession in Indiana ; William Camp-
bell, and Florence Jessie.
(VI) Charles Hay Martin, eldest son
of John Calhoun and Florence (Hay)
Martin, was born in Findlay, Ohio, Octo-
ber 8, 1867. He was educated in the pub-
lic schools in his native city, and his first
employment, upon attaining a suitable
age, was as traveling salesman for a
wholesale grocery house in Fostoria,
Ohio, the firm consisting of John W.
Davis and Charles Foster, and this con-
nection continued until he was twenty-
one years of age, at which time he went
to Europe in the interests of the W. J.
White Company, introducing the White
Chewing Gum in European countries.
He then became an employee of the Wil-
son Spice Company, of Toledo, Ohio,
covering the country west of the Missis-
sippi river to the Pacific coast. He re-
mained in California for two years, dur-
ing which time he followed mining, and
at the expiration of that period of time,
in 1897, again returned to his former line
of work, traveling in California for an
extensive vineyard company. Later, he
became interested in automobiles, and in
1899 returned East, locating in Spring-
field, Massachusetts, where he brought
out the first automobile in the country
with the engine under the hood. He was
associated in this enterprise with Hins-
dale Smith. Later he was connected
with C. H. Taylor in the manufacture of
automobiles, and in this connection con-
tinued for a short period of time. He
then entered the employ of the Knox
Company, selling the automobile manu-
factured by them in New York, and he
also introduced the Knox car in Porto
Rico, West Indies, it being the first car
on the island, where he engaged in the
automobile business for two years. His
next employment was as sales manager
for R. L. Morgan, manufacturer of the
Morgan truck. Mr. Martin designed a
road tractor which he sold to the Knox
Motor Company, and which is known as
the Knox Motor Tractor, Mr. Martin re-
ceiving a royalty on all sales. In 1915
he began the manufacture of automobile
trailers, organizing at the same time the
Martin Rocking Fifth Wheel Company,
of which he is president, the plant being
located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
Mr. Martin is perfecting an automobile
known as "Scootmobile," which was ex-
hibited at the Boston Automobile Show,
and is a two-passenger car, the total
weight of which is one hundred and fifty
264
mAmJjuL aoIo^
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
pounds. It will have a maximum speed
of thirty miles an hour; travel seventy-
five miles on a gallon of gasoline ; seat
two passengers side by side ; and will be
completely housed for weather protec-
tion. It is made almost entirely of alumi-
num alloy and magnesium metal ; has a
five-horsepower opposed motor and slid-
ing gear transmission ; and has no uni-
versal joint or difTerential. Every pos-
sible ounce that could be spared has been
eliminated, yet it is strong enough to
withstand all road shocks. The wheel
arrangement and suspension are such
that it will ride as comfortably as a heavy
car, and the machine is made narrow
enough to be pushed through an ordinary
doorway and parked in the office or in
the front hall. Mr. Martin says: "Al-
though it will not be ready for the mar-
ket for some time, we are exhibiting it
for the purpose of inviting criticism and
suggestions from dealers and users. Be-
fore offering it to the public we propose
subjecting it to months of grueling tests.
We cannot yet determine just what the
selling price will be, but because of the
cost of the material of which it is made —
from ninety cents to two dollars a pound
— it will propably be the highest priced
automobile for its weight in the country."
Mr. Martin is a member of Lafayette
Lodge, No. 27, of Rahway, New Jersey ;
of the Nayasset Club, of Springfield; En-
gineers' Society of Western Massachu-
setts ; Old Colony Club, of New York ;
American Agricultural Engineers ; and
the American Society of Mechanical En-
gineers. He is also a member of the First
Congregational Church of Springfield.
Mr. Martin married, July 5, 1893, Julia
Cobb, of Indianapolis, Indian, daughter
of Edward A. and Sarah Frances (Hay)
Cobb. Mrs. Martin is a descendant of
Henry Cobb, of Kent, England, who came
to America in 1626. Her father, Edward
A. Cobb, was the son of the Rev. Leander
Cobb and his wife, Julia Ann (Scribner)
Cobb, and his grandfather was Seth Cobb,
who married Frances Cook, a descendant
of Francis Cook. Mr. and Mrs. Martin
are the parents of one daughter, Mabel
Florence, born September 16, 1896, in Los
Angeles, California. She is a graduate of
Mt. Holyoke College and of Cornell Uni-
versity, having received the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy from the latter
institution.
CLARK, Charles
The name Clark or Clarke is derived
from the word Clericus, a priest, or one
connected with the service of the church.
At first the name was used only to desig-
nate those in clerical orders, but in early
times the church was the only source
and protector of learning, and any per-
son who had been educated by the clergy
eventually came to be called "a clerk."
Later this name came to be applied to all
who were able to read and write. Natu-
rally, with the taking of surnames, so dis-
tinguished a name was eagerly coveted,
thus accounting for its frequency, many
people in the early days adding "le clerk"
to their names. This was finally dropped,
Clerk becoming the surname. As it was
pronounced as though spelled with an
"a," Clark became the accepted form of
spelling. Compounds of the name are:
Beauclark, the good clerk ; Pityclerk, the
little clerk ; Kenclerk, the knowing clerk.
The name Milo le Clerk is found in the
One Hundred Rolls compiled in the reign
of Edward I. of England.
There are many families of the name
of Clark in England, Scotland, and Ire-
land having the right to bear arms. In
Scotland and Ireland the name Clark is
usually a translation from the older
Gaelic name, O'Cleirigh or Mac Cleirigh,
which in its turn is derived from the
26:
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
name of the main ancestor, Cleirach
(Gaelic for a clerk).
Jeremiah Clark, grandfather of Charles
Clark, of Springfield, Massachusetts,
lived in Herkimer county, New York, but
died in Cheshire, Massachusetts. He
married, and was the father of fourteen
children, including these six sons : Ben-
amin, Isaac, Eli, William, Isaac, and
George W., the father of Charles Clark.
George \V. Clark was born in Newport,
Herkimer county. New York, December
26, 1809, ^"d <^^^d ^" Boston, Massachu-
setts, March 17, 1890. He was first em-
ployed in the Blackington Woolen Mills
at North Adams, and at the age of
twenty-five years became a manufacturer
of woolen goods with a mill in Hancock,
Massachusetts. He conducted that busi-
ness successfully until he retired, then
took up his residence in Boston. He was
a Universalist in his religious faith.
George W. Clark married Theodosia
Bartlett, of Cummington, Massachusetts,
born December 26, 1812, and died in 1881,
daughter of Asahel and Sarah (Shaw)
Bartlett. Their children were: Elizabeth;
Hosea, killed at the age of twenty-five
years ; Byron L., deceased, leaving daugh-
ters, Theodosia and Amy ; Sumner S., de-
ceased, leaving a son, Charles J. ; Amy,
married William Shaw ; Martha E. ;
Helen A., died young; Eugene, died
young; Charles, died in infancy; and
Charles, of further mention.
Charles Clark, youngest child of
George W. and Theodosia (Bartlett)
Clark, was born in Hancock, Berkshire
county, Massachusetts, January 3, 1847,
and there attended the public school. He
was his father's assistant in the woolen
mill until he reached the age of twenty-
three years, when the mill was sold, but
Charles Clark remained with the new
owner for a time. After leaving the mill,
he assisted his father until 1870, when he
removed to Springfield, Massachusetts,
which has ever since been his home, now
(1920) nearly half a century. In Spring-
field he entered the Smith & Wesson
plant, where he became an expert tool
maker, and here he remained for thirty-
five years. His natural mechanical gen-
ius and his acquired skill brought him
recognition, and he was long in charge
of a certain department of the work. In
1905 Mr. Clark retired from the employ
of Smith & Wesson, carrying with him
the confidence and respect of his employ-
ers and his fellow workmen. Since leav-
ing the factory, Mr. Clark has devoted
himself to his real estate interests, which
are quite extensive. He is an Independ-
ent in politics, voting for the man he con-
siders best fitted for the office, regardless
of party. Mr. Clark never married.
LAY, William
In all the walks of life William Lay
has so acquitted himself as to be regarded
as a most valued and honorable citizen,
and as a representative business man, and
he well deserves mention among the
prominent residents of Springfield,
Massachusetts.
William Lay, grandfather of William
Lay of this review, was a native of Eng-
land, and there spent his entire lifetime,
in early youth attending the schools in
the vicinity of his home, and later serving
an apprenticeship at the trade of stone-
cutter, which line of work he successfully
followed as a journeyman. He was a
man of enterprise and thrift, of public
spirit and good judgment, and held the
esteem of his fellow-citizens. He mar-
ried Elizabeth Roberts, and they were
the parents of two children : Charles
Henry, of whom further ; and Kate, who
became the wife of Joseph Shackleton,
now deceased ; she is a resident of Spring-
field, Massachusetts.
266
/^^:^<i:^^^^
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Charles Henry Lay, father of William
Lay of this review, was born in Corn-
wall, England, November 5, 1853. He
obtained a practical education in the
schools of his native city, and he supple-
mented this by a course of study in night
school and by becoming a pupil in the
Kensington Science and Art classes. He
also served an apprenticeship at the trade
of stone-cutting, and for a number of
years devoted his attention to it. Desir-
ing to test the opportunities of the New
World, he left his native land in the year
1876 for the United States, but remained
only two years, during which period he
was employed on the Welland Canal. He
then returned to England, where he re-
mained until 1887, nine years, and again
crossed the Atlantic Ocean, this time to
remain permanently here. For the fol-
lowing two years he worked at his trade
of stone-cutting in Providence, Rhode
Island, and Worcester, Massachusetts,
and about the year 1889 changed his place
of residence to East Longmeadow, Mas-
sachusetts, where he purchased a farm
and where he has since resided. He is
now the owner of about one hundred
acres of productive land, and specializes
in fruit growing, having a large acreage
in peach and apple trees, from which he
derives a comfortable living. He is ac-
tive in community affairs, contributing of
his time and means to the betterment of
his section of the State. Mr. Lay mar-
ried Ann Faulks, of Montgomeryshire,
England, who bore him two sons : John
F., and William, of whom further.
William Lay, youngest son of Charles
Henry and Ann (Faulks) Lay, was born
in Liverpool, England, March 4, 1884.
He was brought to this country by his
parents when a small child, and his edu-
cation was obtained by attendance at the
schools of Providence and East Long-
meadow, he making the most of his op-
portunities and becoming well educated.
Being inured to farm work, he gave his
attention to agricultural pursuits for
about seven years after completing his
school study, and then engaged in the
real estate business under the name of
William Lay, Inc., and of this concern he
is president and treasurer. He has
erected and sold some of the largest and
finest blocks and apartments in the city
of Springfield, among them the Hotel
Bridgeway, also the Salvation Army
headquarters, and many others, and has
been an important factor in the develop-
ment and upbuilding of the city. Mr.
Lay has had a wide range of business
experience, and his counsel and judgment
are frequently sought. He is thorough
in whatever he undertakes, systematical
and methodical, and at all times his con-
duct is in harmony with the strictest
commercial ethics.
Mr. Lay's pastime is blooded horses,
of which he owns some of the best in the
country. "Minor Hal," one of the most
consistent and dependable race horses of
the day, and the holder of the half-mile
track record of i.oi, and the mile record
of 2.03, also "John A. Forbes," one of the
really great horses of the country, and
"Prince Abbe," "Eastern Knight," and
others equally notable, are owned by Mr.
Lay. The Nayasset Club and the Spring-
field Country Club claim Mr. Lay as a
member, and he is an attendant of the
Methodist church, in the work of which
he takes an active interest.
Mr. Lay married, in June, 1910, Ella F.
Parsons, of New Britain, Connecticut,
daughter of James B. and Frances A.
Parsons.
FURCOLO, Dr. Charles Lav^rrence
One of the well known physicians of
Springfield, Massachusetts, Charles L.
Furcolo, is a graduate of Yale Medical
267
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
School, class of 1910. After graduating
he had several" years experience in hos-
pital practice in Boston and then located
in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he
is well established in his profession. He
is a son of Pasquale, Jr., and a grandson
of Pasquale Furcolo, his grandfather hav-
ing been a professor of music in one of
the private schools of St. Angelo, Italy.
On the maternal side his Grandfather
Janinini for years supplied the Italian
government with horses. A son of Pas-
quale, and an uncle of Dr. Charles L.
Furcolo, named Genman Furcolo, still
reside in Italy.
Pasquale Furcolo, Jr., son of Pasquale
Furcolo, was born in St. Angelo, Italy,
educated in the public and private schools
of St. Angelo, and later became one of the
best known horse dealers in all Italy.
He served for a time in the Italian army
and was one of the honor men, winning a
medal which is preserved in the family.
After leaving the army he married Mary
Janinini, of St. Angelo, Italy. They
came to the United States in 1898, set-
tling in New Haven, Connecticut, and
there Pasquale died, still a comparatively
young man. His widow is still living in
New Haven.
Dr. Charles Lawrence Furcolo, son of
Pasquale, Jr., and Mary (Janinini) Fur-
colo, was born in St. Angelo, Italy, May
31, 1889, and in 1898 was brought to the
United States by his parents, they locat-
ing in New Haven, Connecticut, which
became the family home. Dr. Furcolo
was educated in the public schools of
New Haven and Booth's Preparatory
School, then entered Yale University,
taking a four years' academic course, fin-
ishing with graduation. He then entered
the Medical Department of that institu-
tion, and graduated with the degree of
M, D., class of 1910. Following this he
spent some years as physician in the Bos-
ton City and Boston Floating hospitals.
He followed this with a year in Mercy
Hospital, Springfield, then began prac-
tice in that city, where he has since con-
tinued. His practice has constantly
grown until today he ranks as one of
the leading physicians of the city.
Dr. Furcolo married, November 21,
1908, Alberta Marie Foster, of New
Haven, Connecticut, daughter of John
and Emma (Gifford) Foster, who were
also the parents of: Emma, Gertrude,
Irene, Angelo, Bernard, Hugh, and John
Foster. Dr. and Mrs. Furcolo are the
parents of two sons : Charles Lawrence
(2), born August 17, 1909; and Foster,
born July 29, 191 1. The family home is
in Longmeadow.
This is but a brief outline of the career
of Dr. Furcolo. Not only is he a skillful
physician, but he is a man and gentle-
man in the highest sense of the word, ad-
mired and respected for his square deal-
ings with all with whom he is brought
in contact. :< i
SCOTT, John Lafayette
John Lafayette Scott, one of the well
known contractors and builders of Spring-
field, Massachusetts, is a descendant of a
family that has been located in Massa-
chusetts for over one hundred years.
Joseph Scott, grandfather of John L.
Scott, was born in Scotland, about the
year 1783. During his early life he left
his native land, accompanied by two
or more brothers, their destination being
the New World, but the ship on which
they took passage was wrecked at sea,
they being among the number rescued,
and they were brought by another ves-
sel to the State of Connecticut. Some of
the members of the family participated
in the War of 1812. Joseph Scott learned
the trade of blacksmith, which line of
work he followed in Williamstown, Mas-
268
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
sachusetts, in which city the greater por-
tion of his Hfe was spent. He was an
energetic, industrious man, and per-
formed all the duties of life in a highly
credible manner. He married a Miss
Daniels, who bore him nine children, all
now deceased, namely : Joseph, Samuel,
Gurdon, John, Thomas, Henry Martin,
Phebe, Mary, Anna. Joseph Scott died
in North Adams, Massachusetts, in 1867.
Henry Martin Scott, son of Joseph
Scott, and father of John L. Scott, was
born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in
1833. He received his education in the
schools of his native town, and then be-
gan to make his own way in life. One of
his most important employers was George
M. Mowbury, who was engaged in the
manufacture of nitro-glycerine, he turn-
ing out the combustible that blew the
ball through the Hoosac Tunnel. Mr.
Scott continued in Mr. Mowbury's em-
ploy for about ten years, then took up
carpentering work, and during the years
of his activity followed that line of busi-
ness. The greater part of his life was
spent in Williamstown and North Adams,
Massachusetts, but the last decade, dur-
ing which he led a retired life, was spent
with a niece in Worcester, Massachu-
setts, where his death occurred in July,
1907. He married Sarah Etta Burrill, of
Binghamton, New York, born in 1836,
died in March, 1918. They were the par-
ents of ten children, as follows : Henry,
deceased ; Frank, a resident of California ;
Ella, deceased ; John Lafayette, of fur-
ther mention ; Etta, a resident of Cali-
fornia ; Cora, a resident of California ;
Eugene, a resident of Palmer, Massachu-
setts ; George, deceased ; Herbert, resident
of Springfield, Massachusetts ; and Irvin,
a resident of Springfield, Massachusetts.
John Lafayette Scott, who was born in
Stamford, Vermont, June 15, 1863, ob-
tained a practical education in the schools
of North Adams. He completed his stud-
ies at the age of twelve, and for the fol-
lowing nine years worked in a shoe shop
during the winter months, and during
the remainder of the years was an em-
ployee on the railroad, building wire
fence. He then changed his line of work
to that of carpentering, and in 1890 took
up his residence in Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, where he was employed for a
time, then established a contracting busi-
ness, and with the exception of a short
time spent in Palmer, Massachusetts, his
activities have been confined to the city
of Springfield. He erected in one year
thirty-eight houses, and averaged twelve
a year for some years. Mr. Scott pur-
chased about ten acres of land in the
vicinity of White street, Springfield,
erected the residence he now occupies,
and twenty other houses on the tract. In
addition to the duties of his private busi-
ness, Mr. Scott has served in the Spring-
field City Council for three years, and on
the Board of Aldermen for two years.
He is a Republican in politics. He holds
membership in Hampden Lodge, Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and Ros-
well Lee Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons.
Mr. Scott married, October 23, 1889,
Belle C. Whiting, of Palmer, Massachu-
setts, daughter of George D. and Sarah
A. (Keith) Whiting. Children of Mr.
and Mrs. Scott: i. John Lafayette, born
September 15, 1890, died December 13,
1890. 2. John Lafayette, born November
23, 1891 ; he was killed in 1898 in a rail-
road accident, as were also two sisters of
Mrs. Scott, and her brother and her
father. 3. Mildred Lois, born September
17, 1894; she married, June 2.^, 191 5, H.
Wells Shafton, and they are the parents
of two children: Thelma Mildred, born
August 19, 191 7, and Barbara Scott, born
November 6, 1920. 4. Myrtle Belle, born
269
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
May 3, 1896; married, June 23, 1915, the
same day as her sister, Harold R. Shaf-
ton, a brother of H. Wells Shafton, who
married her sister, as above mentioned.
5. Gordon Rodolph, born July 27, 1901,
graduate of Springfield School of Tech-
nology. 6, Jessie Whiting, born Decem-
ber 21, 1907.
SAYRE, Daniel Webster
The Sayre family, of which Daniel W.
Sayre, of Springfield, Massachusetts, is
a member, traces its ancestors in this
country back to the year 1638, the family
being conspicuous for its men of sterling
probity and integrity, active in commu-
nity affairs, and whose women have also
performed well their part in all the duties
and obligations of life.
(I) Thomas Sayre, pioneer ancestor of
this branch of the family, son of Francis
and Elizabeth (Atkins) Sayre, was born
in Leigh ton Buzzard, England, in 1597,
and baptized July 20, 1597. He probably
continued to reside there until he was
nearly forty years old. Presumably he
married there and his children, some or
all, were doubtless born there. Owing
to the loss of parish registers there is no
information which might be gathered
therefrom. The first record of him after
that of his birth is at Lynn, Massachu-
setts, in 1638, but how long he had been
a resident there, or whether he came
directly from England there is no means
of determining. Lynn was settled in
1629, and nine years later the committee
appointed to divide the lands completed
their work and a book was provided in
which were recorded the names of the
proprietors with the number of acres al-
lotted each. This book was lost, but the
first three pages have been preserved,
and on the first page appears the name of
Thomas Sayre, sixty acres, and Job Sayre,
sixty acres. From Lynn six colonies had
been sent out prior to 1640 to make set-
tlement elsewhere. In the preceding
year another colony undertook to make
settlement on Long Island. They in-
vited Mr. Abraham Pierson, of Boston,
to become their minister, who with seven
emigrants entered into a church cove-
nant before they left Lynn. The eight
"undertakers," as they were called, pur-
chased a sloop for the transportation of
their families and goods, the purchase
price £80. Thomas and Job Sayre each
contributed £5 as his share. Before sail-
ing, the proprietors disposed of their in-
terest in the vessel to David Howe in
consideration of his making three trips
annually for two years for the transpor-
tation of their goods from Lynn to the
place of their settlement. Thomas Sayre
was a prominent man among the found-
ers. He was a farmer and a tanner. He
married and was the father of eight chil-
dren, among whom was Joseph, of fur-
ther mention. In 1667 he gave five acres
to each of his four sons. His death oc-
curred in 1670.
(II) Joseph Sayre, son of Thomas
Sayre, was born probably in Bedford-
shire, England, from whence he removed
to Southampton, Long Island, and in
1665 changed his place of residence to
Elizabeth, New Jersey, and was there
named as one of the proprietors in a
deed from Richard Nicholls, governor.
He signed a petition to the governor in
December, 1667; was a witness, October
4, 1671 ; and took the oath of allegiance to
the Dutch, September 11, 1673. He was
a tanner by trade, receiving £40 in mer-
chandise by his father's will towards set-
ting him up as a tanner, and he was also
a farmer. He received one-third of his
father's household effects, from which
fact it might be inferred that at that date
he was not yet married or had just be-
gun housekeeping. On April 11, 1676, a
270
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGFL\PHY
warrant for the survey of one hundred
and eighty acres of land at Elizabeth was
issued to him. The Christian name of
his wife was Martha, and she bore him
four children, among whom was Thomas,
of further mention. The death of Joseph
Sayre occurred in 1695.
(III) Thomas (2) Sayre, son of Joseph
and Martha Sayre, was a resident of
Elizabeth, New Jersey, and there fol-
lowed the occupation of planter, succeed-
ing well in this enterprise. He married
Hannah , and was the father of
three children, among whom was Thomas,
of further mention. His will was pro-
bated August 19, 1713, and recorded in
Trenton, New Jersey.
(IV) Thomas (3) Sayre, son of
Thomas (2) and Hannah Sayre, was born
in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and was a
minor at the date of his father's will.
Upon attaining manhood years, he re-
moved to Orange county, New York,
and was the owner of a farm in 1754, ex-
tending to the then boundary line be-
tween Ulster and Orange counties, in
what is now Hamptonburg. In the cen-
sus of slaves in 1755 he is set down as
owning one slave. He removed to the
southern part of the county, having pur-
chased land in Warwick township, where
he conducted a mill, from which he de-
rived a goodly income. He married
(first) Susannah Seely, (second) Dinah
. He was the father of four chil-
dren, among whom was Thomas, of fur-
ther mention. The death of Thomas (3)
Sayre occurred probably about 1779.
(V) Thomas (4) Sayre, son of Thomas
(3) Sayre, was born in 1739, probably in
Orange county. New York. He followed
merchandising as a means of livelihood,
in addition following agricultural pur-
suits, and was a man of standing and in-
fluence in the communities in which he
resided. He moved to Newton, Sussex
county. New Jersey, thence to Windham,
Greene county. New York, and subse-
quently to Milford, Otsego county. New
York, where he spent the remainder of his
days, his death occurring there, January
17, 1819. His wife, Abigail (Lupton)
Sayre, of East Hampton, New York, bore
him eight children, among whom was
William, of further mention.
(VI) William Sayre, son of Thomas
(4) and Abigail (Lupton) Sayre, was
born in Goshen, New York, where he was
reared and educated. He displayed his
patriotism by enlisting in the War of
1812, in which he actively participated.
He changed his place of residence to Del-
aware Water Gap, Monroe county, Penn-
sylvania, and there spent his active and
useful life, winning and retaining the es-
teem of all with whom he was brought in
contact. He married Elizabeth Staples,
daughter of John Staples, a soldier in the
Revolutionary War, and eight children
were born of this marriage, as follows :
Maria ; George, of further mention ; Mir-
iam, Rebecca, James, Adrian, John, Le-
nora. The death of William Sayre oc-
curred in Delaware Water Gap. in 1858.
(VII) George Sayre, eldest son of Wil-
liam and Elizabeth (Staples) Sayre, was
born in Delaware Water Gap, Monroe
county, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1813.
He spent his entire life in his native
county, his operations consisting of farm-
ing and lumbering, conducting the latter
line of work prior to the days of railroads,
rafting lumber to Philadelphia, Pennsyl-
vania, the return journey being made on
foot, a thing unheard of in these days of
swift transportation by rail and boat.
He took an active interest in the political
questions of the times, also in community
affairs, and ranked as one of the leading
men in his section of the State. He mar-
ried, October 18, 1847, Rachel Yeisley, of
Monroe county, Pennsylvania, born in
271
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
1822, and they were the parents of eight
children, as follows: Miriam, deceased;
Amanda, deceased ; Anna, married Ben-
jamin Franklin Dungan ; Lawrence ;
David, deceased ; Daniel Webster, of fur-
ther mention ; Henry Clay, deceased ;
Sophia, married Arthur Featherman.
George Sayre died October 12, 1889, and
his wife survived him until 1918, age at
death ninety-two years.
(VIII) Daniel Webster Sayre, third
son of George and Rachel (Yeisley)
Sayre, was born in Stroudsburg, Penn-
sylvania, March 15, 1855. He attended
the schools of his native town, after which
he served an apprenticeship to the trade
of carpenter, and worked as a journey-
man there until he was twenty-two years
of age, when he went West, being desir-
ous of seeing that section of the coun-
try, and located in Lisbon, Lynn county,
Iowa, where he remained three years,
engaged in railroad bridge building.
Upon his return East he located in Ban-
gor, Pennsylvania, and for the following
twelve years was engaged in the slate
business, the product being for use in
school work. In 1887 he went to Can-
ada, and for three years served in the
capacity of foreman in a factory where
slates for school work were made. At
the expiration of that period of time, he
returned to the United States, locating
in Springfield, Massachusetts, and ac-
cepted a position in the Wason Car
Shops. In 1904 he was sent to superin-
tend the erection of cars at Buenos Ayres,
Argentine Republic, by the Wason Com-
pany, and remained there for eleven
months. The following eight months
were spent in Cuba, in the same capacity,
and he then returned to Springfield, re-
maining in the employ of the Wason
Company until 1919. He then entered
the employ of the American Bosch Mag-
neto Company, Springfield, and so con-
tinues (1921), faithfulness, fidelity and
skill his chief attributes, these winning
for him the respect and confidence of his
employers. Mr. Sayre is a member of
St. James' Methodist Church, a member
of its board of trustees and of its official
board.
Mr. Sayre married (first) Mary Hal-
lett, born in Peekskill, New York, daugh-
ter of Andrew Hallet. One child, Mazie,
now deceased, married William Boyen-
hard. Mr. Sayre married (second), De-
cember 26, 1888, Emeline Morrill, of
Shipton county. Province of Quebec, Can-
ada, daughter of Christopher and Cath-
erine (Alger) Morrill. Children: i. Rus-
sell Clinton, born in Bangor, Pennsyl-
vania, when six weeks old was brought
by his parents to Springfield, Massachu-
setts, educated in the schools of that city
and Springfield Business College ; from
1905 to 1913 was employed in the Chico-
pee National Bank ; for the following
year and a half was employed in the
Third National Bank; in 1916 became a
clerk in the Morris Plan Company's
Bank; in March, 1918, became treasurer
and manager of same, and in addition to
these offices is a member of its board of
directors ; he is a member of the board of
trustees of the Associated Investors
Trust Company ; member of Winthrop
Club ; married. May 14, 1914, Annie May
Sparrow, born in Huntington, Province
of Quebec, Canada, daughter of William
and Isabelle (McDonald) Sparrow; chil-
dren : Barbara Isabelle, born June 7,
1915; Mazie Emeline, born December 31,
1916; and Virginia May, born February
17, 1920. 2. Clifford Morrill, born in
Springfield, Massachusetts, August 12,
1898.
BOUCHER, Joseph Louis
Boucher is a purely French name. In
the branch of Joseph Louis Boucher, of
272
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Springfield, Massachusetts, the French
ancestor located in Canada, in the Prov-
ince of Quebec, there cleared land and
became a farmer. The pioneer life in
such a climate developed a hardy, healthy
man, strong physically, and very re-
sourceful, and the Bouchers were men of
that quality. In the pursuit of his own
calling, Joseph L. Boucher has been suc-
cessful, and has caused many dwellings
to be erected in Springfield, his opera-
tions now being conducted under the cor-
porate title, J. L. & E. C. Boucher, he the
president and managing head.
Great-grandfather Boucher, the French
ancestor, left male issue, a son, Joseph
Boucher, who was a farmer of Trois Pis-
toles, Quebec, Canada. Joseph Boucher
left children : Elzard, Theophile, Arte-
mus; Archie, of whom further; Samuel,
Octave, Amelie, John Baptiste, Hubert,
Amy, and Coders.
Archie Boucher, son of Joseph Boucher,
was born at the home farm in Trois Pis-
toles, Quebec, Canada, in 1844, and yet is
active on the farm at the age of seventy-
six. He owned a large farm in Canada,
the best in the region, which he gave to
his sons. He married Eroxes St. Law-
rence, of Trois Pistoles, Canada, daugh-
ter of Joseph St. Lawrence. They were
the parents of ten children : Eva ; Octave ;
Anna ; Joseph Louis, of further mention ;
Charles ; Mary ; John, the soldier, who
joined that famous body of men known
in Canada as the "bravest of the brave,"
the Northwest Mounted Police, and was
in the service at the outbreak of the
World War in 1914. He enlisted in that
famous regiment, "Princess Pat," and
served with his regiment until shot in the
leg, body and head, after which he spent
nine months in the hospital, but is now
back in his old position with the North-
west Mounted Police ; Eugene C, in busi-
ness with Joseph L. ; and two others who
died in infancy.
Mass — 11 — 18 273
Joseph Louis Boucher, eldest son of
Archie and Eroxes (St. Lawrence) Bou-
cher, was born in Trois Pistoles, Quebec,
Canada, August 24, 1880, and there spent
the first eleven years of his life. He then
came to Massachusetts, finding a home at
Fall River, where he attended school un-
til fourteen years of age, then became a
cotton mill operator. He began in the
spinning room, but before leaving the
mills he had practically mastered thb
mechanical work of a number of the de-
partments. He remained in the mills five
years, then obtained employment in a
lumber yard, learned to operate a planing
machine, and decided to learn the car-
penter's trade. He became a capable pat-
tern maker and planing mill worker and
continued at his trade until reaching the
age of twenty-seven years, then returned
to his old home in Canada on a visit.
Upon coming again to the United
States after visiting the old home, Mr.
Boucher made Holyoke, Massachusetts,
his home for a time, but finally chose
Springfield for a permanent residence.
He followed his trade, and after becom-
ing possessed of sufficient capital, began
dealing in real estate, his first purchase a
large apartment house on Bond street,
which he later disposed of at a profit. At
this time he also began contracting the
erection of buildings, in association with
a partner, the firm operating as Rioux &
Boucher. That partnership was later dis-
solved, and for a time Mr. Boucher was
foreman for Gagnier & Angers, and had
charge of all the building being done by
that important firm.
In 1912 Mr. Boucher again began con-
tracting and building under his own
name, buying unimproved lots, building
upon them and selling to home seekers.
This form of real estate operation proved
very profitable, and in 1916 his building
activities totalled $300,000, one of his
building blocks having thirty-two apart-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ments. The houses he builds sell from
$3,000 to $5,000. He has a number of
employees, also teams and trucks. In
1920 he incorporated as J. L. & E. C.
Boucher, Joseph L. Boucher president;
Eugene C. Boucher foreman. He is a
member of the Sacred Heart Society, and
the Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Boucher married, August 18, 1908,
Joanna Damours, of Trois Pistoles, Can-
ada, daughter of Joseph and Jennie
(Fournier) Damours. They are the par-
nest of five children : Marie Antoinette,
born July 24, 1909 ; Marie Isabella, born
February 25, 1913; Marie Cecile, born
July I, 1915; Marie Jane, born August 24,
1917; and Arthur Paul Henry, born De-
cember 3, 1920.
FitzGIBBON, John Joseph
For thirty years John J. FitzGibbon
was found each day at his case near one
of the front windows on the third floor
of the Transcript building in Holyoke,
Massachusetts, a nearby case being occu-
pied by his brother, Michael. They were
printers of the old school, and both em-
ployed on the "Transcript" for over a
quarter of a century, and during this
time, in 1882, the paper changed from a
weekly to a daily. Michael FitzGibbon
continued with this paper until the time
of his death, and his brother, John J., un-
til 1900.
The first of the family to come to
America was John FitzGibbon, born in
Limerick. Ireland, who died during the
Crimean War. Upon coming to Amer-
ica he located in Hamilton, Ontario, Can-
ada. He married Mary Fleming, and
Hamilton, Province of Ontario, Canada,
October 18, 1844, died in Springfield,
Massachusetts, March 30, 1914. He ob-
tained his education in the public schools
of Hamilton, and there learned the print-
er's trade, the death of his father, a sol-
died of the British army in the Crimean
War, early compelling him to make his
own way in the world. He learned his
trade with the Hamilton (Ontario)
"Times," and when he came to the Hol-
yoke "Transcript," in 1870, he was a
thoroughly capable and experienced
printer. He remained with the "Tran-
script" for thirty years, 1870-1900, the
paper during that period passing from
the ownership of Mr. Lyman to Mr.
Loomis, and finally to Mr. Dwight, the
present owner and editor. Mr. FitzGib-
bon was a man of strong character, in-
tense feeling and emotion, devoted in his
loyalty to the cause of Ireland, and for
years one of the most earnest supporters
of the Land League. He was one of the
kindest hearted of men, honest and up-
right to a fault.
Mr. FitzGibbon was a fine musician,
highly endowed naturally. He was or-
ganist of St. Jerome's Roman Catholic
Church and later of the Church of the
Holy Rosary, under the present Bishop
Beavens. He was leader of an orchestra
in Holyoke, and a teacher of band music.
In his prime he was rated the best cor-
net player in Holyoke, and as leader of
the Holyoke Cornet Band, his influence
was sufficient to induce the bands of the
Connecticut Valley, in 1876, to join in a
monster Field Day at Lake Pleasant, the
meeting proving a great success. In
1879 he prepared for a similar band day,
they were the parents of a daughter.
Catherine, and sons, Michael and John* but rain prevented that musical fete.
Joseph, this review dealing specifically From 1900 until his death in 1914 he con-
with the life of the youngest son, John
Joseph.
John Joseph FitzGibbon was born in
tinned to keep in close touch with musical
afifairs, composing a number of pieces for
the band and preparing articles on
274
fl0icl>iel 3. €>'fl0aUep
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGR.\PHY
musical subjects for the newspapers, were extensive and important, and in their
these being his principal methods of em-
ploying his time from 1900 until the time
of his death. In 1898 Mr. FitzGibbon
moved his residence from Holyoke to
Springfield, Massachusetts, and in 1900
he retired from his connection with the
"Transcript."
Mr. FitzGibbon married, January 30,
1873, Mary A. Sullivan, born in County
Cork, Ireland, in 1849, daughter of Mor-
timer E. and Mary Sullivan, her parents
coming to Holyoke, Massachusetts, when
that town had but a few hundred popula-
tion, their daughter then an infant. Mrs.
FitzGibbon is a sister of former Mayor
J. F. Sullivan, of Holyoke, now deceased
(see sketch elsewhere in this work). She
was head of a prosperous millinery busi-
ness in Holyoke until 1898, when she
transferred her millinery parlors to
Springfield, there continuing successfully
until retiring. She is the mother of six
children, four of whom are living and en-
gaged in professional work: Francis
John. D. D. S., a graduate of Philadelphia
Dental College ; Ambrose George ; Mary
F., who married Charles E. Lathrop, in-
vestigator for the highway department,
she being one of the policewomen of
Springfield, and in charge of welfare
work in the city ; Leo Mortimer, died in
infancy ; Grace Claire, a graduate in oste-
opathy, and practices her profession in
Holyoke ; John J., D. D. S., practicing in
Holyoke, married Amy Hamilton.
O'MALLEY, Michael J. f
The active career of the late Michael
J. O'Malley, who for five years prior to
his death was a resident of Springfield,
Massachusetts, illustrates most forcibly
the opportunities which the United States
affords to her citizens, recognizing their
merit and rewarding them with success.
His industrial and commercial interests
control he manifested excellent executive
ability. In manner he was pleasant and
genial, and was popular with a large
circle of acquaintances.
Michael O'Malley, grandfather of
Michael J. O'Malley, was a native of Ire-
land, in which country he spent his entire
lifetime, his death occurring there after
an active and useful career devoted to
agricultural pursuits, deriving from his
labor an income that provided a comfort-
able home for his family. He married
Winifred Kane, also a native of Ireland,
and they were the parents of seven sons,
namely : Patrick, Michael, John, Thomas,
Charles, Peter, and William, of whom
further ; and four daughters, all of whom
died in infancy.
William O'Malley, youngest son of
Michael and Winifred (Kane) O'Malley,
and father of Michael J. O'Malley, was
born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1850.
He attended the National schools in his
native land, acquiring thereby a practical
education. In 1871, upon attaining the
age of twenty-one years, he emigrated to
the United States, locating in West
Springfield, Massachusetts, securing em-
ployment with the Boston & Albany rail-
road, with which corporation he remained
for three decades, working in the shops
and as clerk in the yard, the length of his
service being an eloquent testimonial to
his capability and trustworthiness. Since
the incorporation by his son of the M. J.
O'Malley Company in 1910, he has served
in the capacity of president, his wisdom
and foresight being prominent factors in
the success achieved. He is a member
of the Order of Foresters, and the Ancient
Order of Hibernians. Mr. O'Malley mar-
ried, July 28, 1874, Elizabeth Dougherty,
a native of Derry, Ireland, who came to
the United States in early life. Mr. and
Mrs. O'Malley were the parents of six
275
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
children: Michael J., of whom further;
Patrick J., William J., Charles A., Thomas
F,, and Edward Vincent.
Michael J. O'Malley, eldest son of Wil-
liam and Elizabeth (Dougherty) O'Mal-
ley, was born in West Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, in September, 1875. He attended
the public schools of West Springfield, in-
cluding the high school, from which he
graduated. He then learned the trade of
bookbinder, becoming an expert in this
line, and for the following four years
worked at his trade in Springfield. He
then took a position in Windsor Locks,
Connecticut, and for the following two
years was employed by R. H. Whittlesey.
He then formed a partnership with R. H.
Kemp, conducting a bookbinding business
in Windsor Locks for a period of more
than a year, meeting with a well-merited
degree of success. In January, 1904, Mr.
O'Malley returned to his native State,
locating in Springfield, and here con-
tinued in partnership with Mr. Kemp,
under the firm name of Kemp & O'Malley,
the plant being located on Harrison
avenue, and thoroughly equipped for the
work conducted. At the expiration of one
and one-half years the partnership was
dissolved, and Mr. O'Malley built a fac-
tory on Franklin street, continuing the
business here alone under the style of
M. J. O'Malley, until 1910, when it was in-
corporated as the M. J. O'Malley Com-
pany, as aforementioned. The business
consists of printing and the manufacturing
of copy books, stationery, and oil board,
the firm having the contract to supply
stationery for a number of railroads. In
due course of time an extensive trade was
established, the result of Mr. O'Malley's
strict attention to every detail, his unre-
mitting zeal and energy being the direct
cause of his untimely death, September
12, 1909. He was a man of unimpeach-
able integrity, strength of character, and
loyalty to duty, and these characteristics
were exemplified in his daily life and in
all his actions, gaining for him a reputa-
tion to be envied and making him an ex-
ample for others to follow. He was a
member of the Home City Council of the
Knights of Columbus. He was a Demo-
crat in politics, and a Roman Catholic in
religion.
Mr. O'Malley married, November 10,
1903, Mary Long, of Springfield, daughter
of Michael and Mary (Fitzgerald) Long.
Children of Mr. and Mrs. O'Malley:
Marie E., born September 21, 1904; Eliza-
beth, born January 6, 1907; and William
M., born February 25, 1908. After the
death of Mr. O'Malley his widow con-
ducted the business alone for some time,
and at the present time (1920) is president
of the company.
FLANAGAN, Thomas Joseph
The late Thomas Joseph Flanagan,
whose death occurred in Springfield,
Massachusetts, in 1915, was one of the
well known and successful business men
of that city, and Holyoke. He was a son
of John and Sarah (Rice) Flanagan.
John Flanagan was born in Ireland, and
came to the United States in 1852, where
he spent the remainder of his life. He
married Sarah Rice, and they were the
parents of: Patrick; Rose; Mary; Ann;
Catherine ; Sarah ; and Thomas Joseph,
of whom further.
Thomas Joseph Flanagan was born in
County Armagh, Ireland, in 1848, and
died in Springfield, Massachusetts, Octo-
ber 24, 191 5. He was brought to the
United States by his parents in 1852, the
family home being first in Monson, but
later in Chicopee, Massachusetts. The
lad, Thomas J., attended public school in
Chicopee, but at the comparatively early
age of nine years left grammar school to
become a wage earner. Later he learned
276
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the carpenter's trade with the Rufus
Searles Company, becoming a skilled
workman. He rose to the position of
foreman of construction with that com-
pany and had charge of the erection of
the houses on all the streets in the north-
ern end of the city of Holyoke. Later he
engaged in business for himself in that
city as a building contractor. He built
the Dillon residence on Appleton street,
and the Dillon block on lower Maple
street, one of the largest blocks in Massa-
chusetts, his execution of these two con-
tracts proving very satisfactory to Mr.
Dillon, the owner. As a result of the feel-
ing of friendship and confidence which he
felt for the young man, Mr. Dillon offered
him the position of manager of his whole-
sale liquor business on Lyman street,
Holyoke, which offer Air. Flanagan ac-
cepted, and in 1879 assumed the duties of
this position, continuing as manager until
1883, when Mr. Dillon retired, and Mr.
Flanagan then became the owner of the
business. Mr. Flanagan continued most
successfully until 1888, when he bought
the Hampden Brewery at Williamsett,
later taking in Mr. Dillon as a partner,
and they formed the Hampden Brewing
Company. He operated both branches of
his business until 1898, when the Spring-
field, Highland, Hampden and the Con-
sumers' breweries were consolidated under
the corporate name of The Springfield
Breweries, Thomas J. Flanagan becoming
vice-president and manager of the Spring-
field branch. Shortly after this the Con-
sumers' Brewery was closed up, but the
other three continu